Chapter 4 Catching a Cold, Delivering Medicine to the Door

When Fang Chuning left the night market and took a taxi home, it was already dark. She sat in the back seat, looking down at her phone. As they passed by an apartment building, she unconsciously glanced up at the high-rise.

This was a high-end apartment located in the city center. Real estate prices in Z City were already high, and those who could afford to buy a unit here were definitely not short on money.

Fang Chuning only took a quick glance before continuing to play with her phone.

At the same time, on a high floor of the apartment building, floor-to-ceiling windows replacing one wall offered a clear view of the brilliant night scenery outside. The constant stream of vehicles appeared tiny, just like the stars in the sky.

A few strands of silvery moonlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, faintly illuminating a corner at the foot of the bed. On the large bed, one could vaguely see the slender, beautiful figure of a young man, lying flat on the pristine white sheets, as delicate as a mermaid who had just gained legs.

The young man’s beautiful eyes were tightly shut, his fair face flushed red. He was imagining something unknown, clutching a wrinkled shirt tightly to his chest.

Afterwards, the young man rolled onto his side to calm himself, his peach blossom eyes slightly open and still hazy. After a few minutes, he suddenly buried his face in the shirt that seemed to still carry the girl’s scent, nuzzling it obsessively.

…

The next day, when Fang Chuning went to school, she found that Xu, the model student who never missed a class, was absent. At first, she didn’t pay much attention, until the teacher called on her to represent the class in visiting Xu Muzhou, and she learned that he was sick.

Initially, she refused, “Teacher, I think Xu might get even sicker if he sees me.”

The teacher, with a smile kinder than her grandfather’s, said, “How could that be? You’re the student council president, it’s best if you go. Besides, I heard you’ve known Xu since you were in diapers. You’re so familiar with each other, don’t try to decline.”

What nonsense about diapers, she was already potty-trained in kindergarten. Besides, does knowing someone mean they’re familiar? Her relationship with Xu Muzhou was as dry as dust.

In the end, after the teacher’s earnest persuasion, she agreed and even bought two large bags of medicine on her way.

After all, it was her first visit, and she couldn’t go empty-handed.

However, as soon as she arrived at the apartment entrance, she was stopped by the security guard. Fortunately, she was wearing her school uniform and her face looked trustworthy, so the guard didn’t immediately turn her away, but first inquired with Xu Muzhou on the 18th floor.

Only after receiving permission was she allowed to enter.

Taking the elevator to the 18th floor, which had only one household, Fang Chuning stood outside the door, struggling to free a hand to press the doorbell.

After about a minute, the door opened from inside. The young man, dressed casually, stood in the doorway. His thick eyelashes lowered slightly as he glanced at what she was carrying, “Come in.”

Fang Chuning had only intended to briefly ask about his condition, give him the medicine, and leave. She never expected him to actively invite her in.

Pleasantly surprised, she slowly walked in. The apartment’s location was already good, and his floor choice was excellent. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the apartment brightly. The spacious and comfortable interior design was eye-catching.

Xu Muzhou glanced back at her and walked towards the home bar, “What would you like to drink?”

Fang Chuning sat down on the soft sofa, placing the two bags of medicine on the transparent coffee table. She casually scanned the surroundings, “Orange juice is fine.”

This was a single apartment design. Except for the bathroom being separated, everything else was visible at a glance. Behind the sofa was a bookshelf connected to the ceiling, acting as a virtual wall. Behind the bookshelf was the bedroom design, which she had inadvertently glimpsed earlier, a space almost larger than this “living room”.

Next to the bookshelf was a remote-controlled ladder seat for easy access to books. Indeed, the world of a top student was different, with nothing but books on their mind.

Among the densely packed books on the shelf, Fang Chuning suddenly spotted a very familiar book title. Her gaze was captured by that book, unable to look away.

She walked over and took out the book with trembling hands. No mistake! This was one of the six volumes of the out-of-print Apani series that money couldn’t buy. She had the other five volumes but had missed out on this one.

A year ago, she had been frustrated for days for not getting this volume. She never expected to see it here.

Fang Chuning cherished the book as she opened its pages, immediately becoming engrossed in it.

Xu Muzhou, who had come over with the orange juice, noticed this and his lips curved up almost imperceptibly. He approached quietly, extending the glass towards her, his voice soft with a hint of intimacy, “Have some orange juice first.”

Engrossed in the comic, Fang Chuning only felt a tickle deep in her ear. She quickly turned her head, but her arm accidentally hit the offered orange juice. The young man let out a low gasp of surprise, his hand shaking, spilling orange juice onto his white shirt.

The snow-white loose shirt clung to his chest, and only after it was wet did she realize how thin and transparent the shirt was. It was so see-through that she could see a very pink color on his chest, tantalizing and alluring.

The visual impact left Fang Chuning dumbfounded, unaware that the comic in her hand had fallen to the ground.

Xu Muzhou frowned as he looked at his sticky hand, pulled out two tissues to wipe it, and turned his eyes only to discover the girl’s fixed stare. He looked down and hurriedly turned his back, angrily questioning: “What are you looking at!?”

Fang Chuning felt her nose getting hot and raised her hand to touch it, relieved that it wasn’t bleeding. She picked up the comic from the ground, her tone sheepish, “I didn’t expect you to like this comic too, haha.”

This topic change was extremely awkward.

The young man coldly snorted and quickly entered the changing room.

Fang Chuning, feeling guilty yet reluctant, put the book back and returned to the sofa.

The young man changed into a clean, loose short-sleeved T-shirt and sat on the farthest sofa from her, pursing his lips without a word, a faint coldness emanating from his brow.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Fang Chuning tried hard to adjust the mood, “I heard you were sick. The teacher asked me to come check on you. These are all medicines I bought for you. See if there’s anything suitable.”

Xu Muzhou glanced at the two large bags full of medicine on the coffee table and said ungraciously, “The president is so generous, bringing so much medicine. How thoughtful.”

He deliberately emphasized the last three words.

Fang Chuning, in a moment of stupidity, didn’t catch his sarcasm and enthusiastically helped him take out the medicines one by one, “The pharmacist said this one is good for colds, just take a few. And this one, this one…”

Just as she finished introducing several medicines, a small, flat rectangular medicine box suddenly fell out of the bag, with the words “Emergency Contraception” written on it. Both of them froze for a moment. Xu Muzhou quickly averted his eyes, his fair ears turning crimson.

Fang Chuning stared at the box with wide eyes, with ten thousand “WTF”s racing through her mind.

This was too unprofessional! She had clearly told them she only wanted medicine for colds. How was this for colds!? Just to make a bit more money, they threw in all kinds of random drugs!

She quickly stuffed the medicine into her own pocket at lightning speed, putting on a thick-skinned, nonchalant facade, “This is something Gao Qiong asked me to buy for her. You know, she likes to play around, so she needs to keep a few boxes on hand every day.”

Gao Qiong was at home, unaware she was being thrown under the bus.

This blame was shifted without a moment’s hesitation or a trace of doubt.

For the rest of the time, Fang Chuning felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. Taking advantage of the young man’s absence, she searched through the other bag again, and only after finding two more boxes of the same medicine and confirming there were no more in the bag did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Although the process was awkward, Fang Chuning felt that her relationship with Xu Muzhou seemed to have improved a tiny bit.

Of course, that might just be her own wishful thinking.

After returning from Xu Muzhou’s place, as soon as she entered the door, she saw a young boy sitting on the sofa in their living room, his posture so well-behaved that she couldn’t help but take a second look.

The boy seemed very timid, keeping his head lowered the entire time.

“Qiqi! This is what I drew, take a look!”

Just as Fang Chuning was wondering who had brought this person in, Fang Tianli came down from upstairs, excitedly calling the boy’s name.

The boy looked up, coincidentally meeting Fang Chuning’s gaze, and quickly lowered his head again like a snail that had just poked out its head.

Fang Tianli glared at her dissatisfied, “You scared my friend!”

“…I didn’t do anything.”

“Hmph,” Fang Tianli ignored her and sat down next to the boy to show him his drawings.

Fang Chuning shrugged and went upstairs by herself. Before closing her door, she could still hear her young brother’s naive and lively voice: “You’re so good, I can’t draw as well as you. Why don’t you stay for dinner at my house? Our chef’s cooking is delicious!”

“No, no need…”

The boy weakly refused in a small voice.

Fang Chuning shook her head and closed her door.

She originally thought the boy wouldn’t stay, but when she came downstairs for dinner, she glimpsed the boy’s figure at the dining table. He must have been forced to stay by that little demon Fang Tianli.

She didn’t say anything, just sat down at the dining table as usual, ready to eat. Usually at this time, Fang Hong was still at the company and didn’t have time to eat with them. Father Fang had just returned from outside, and when he saw an unexpected person at the dining table, he frowned, “Who is this child?”

“Dad, he’s my friend!”

Father Fang’s frown deepened as he looked the boy up and down, clearly from a poor family background. “Your friend? How come I’ve never seen this friend of yours before? Tell your father the truth, who is he?”

Fang Tianli pouted, hesitating for a long while before mumbling, “He’s a good friend I met on the street.”

“You met someone on the street and brought them home? How do you know if they’re good or bad? You’re such a big child now, how can you still not understand? Can you be friends with just any Tom, Dick, or Harry!?”

Father Fang lost his usual composure in anger.

Fang Chuning looked at the boy with his head lowered. He seemed to be trying to press his face against the dining table, exuding strong feelings of inferiority and helplessness at being the source of trouble. He must be on the verge of tears from the blow to his self-esteem.

Father Fang was still lecturing Fang Tianli, but his words were full of disparagement towards the boy. Fang Chuning finally couldn’t bear it anymore, “Dad.”

The lecturing stopped abruptly. Father Fang turned his head, “What is it, Ningning?”

“I want to eat in peace.”

The scene finally calmed down. Just as Fang Chuning was about to enjoy her soup, she inadvertently noticed the boy stealing glances at her with red-rimmed eyes, quickly lowering his head again when discovered.

Well, he really is timid.