On Thursday, the group flew back from Beijing. After landing, Chi Shuo didn’t feel much better. Before leaving Beijing, her period had started, the cramps slightly less severe than before, but only slightly. After the journey by car and plane, the slight improvement was gone.
He Lindi was incredibly worried, even though she was a bit afraid of flying. Now, her focus was entirely on Chi Shuo.
Chi Shuo’s complexion indeed looked poor—pale, lips lacking color. Coupled with the pitiful expression she forced, she looked like a delicate beauty struck by illness.
Thankfully, they didn’t need to go to the company after landing; they could go straight home. He Lindi immediately hailed a taxi and took Chi Shuo to her apartment closest to the airport.
Before leaving, Lin Xinyue said to Chi Shuo, “If you’re still in pain tomorrow, remember to ask your supervisor for leave.”
Chi Shuo responded, but hadn’t decided if she’d take leave. He Lindi answered for her, “Okay.”
Chi Shuo smiled helplessly, then the cramping intensified. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. He Lindi felt terrible. In all the time they’d been close, this was the first time she’d seen Chi Shuo suffering so much from period pain. While the water boiled, she quickly called the He family’s private doctor to come over.
He Lindi placed warm water on the coffee table and pulled Chi Shuo into her arms, softly coaxing her, “Take some medicine first, it’ll help.”
Chi Shuo’s face was already damp with sweat. He Lindi’s eyes reddened. She placed the medicine in her palm and, after hearing Chi Shuo’s weak “Mm,” gently placed it into her slightly open mouth, then lifted the cup and gave Chi Shuo a few sips of water.
Chi Shuo swallowed the medicine. She coughed, her voice hoarse. “Bitter.”
He Lindi immediately unwrapped a candy from the coffee table and fed it to Chi Shuo. She said sorrowfully, “It’s a good thing I knew you’d be in pain. I already prepared these.”
Chi Shuo’s eyes fluttered open. She glanced at He Lindi, who understood her look. “Yes, I don’t usually have cramps this bad. The medicine in my office is all for you.” She averted her gaze, her hand reaching under Chi Shuo’s shirt to gently rub her lower abdomen.
She had already warmed her hands beforehand.
Chi Shuo’s head rested on her shoulder. The tension in her face from the pain had been evident, but maybe the medicine worked, or maybe He Lindi’s tenderness did the trick, but Chi Shuo finally felt a bit better.
Half an hour later, the private doctor arrived. Since He Lindi had described the symptoms, he brought the necessary medication.
Chi Shuo spent the day in a daze. The pain had lessened considerably, but that night, she still curled up in He Lindi’s arms, her brow furrowed. On Friday, she naturally didn’t go to work, asking her supervisor for leave.
But He Lindi had prior engagements, work already scheduled, impossible to reschedule. Chi Shuo didn’t want to hold her back and, after hugging her, let He Lindi get up, wash up, and leave for work.
Chi Shuo felt groggy. After sleeping for a morning, her body felt weak, and if it weren’t for He Lindi’s call, she would probably have slept longer.
He Lindi was busy, but she still made time to check on Chi Shuo, who reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. See you when you get back.”
Chi Shuo opened WeChat; she had many messages. Zeng Guai and Xia Zhou had both expressed their concern, hoping she felt better soon.
Chi Shuo smiled faintly and, after replying “See you tomorrow,” went to the bathroom.
She had some porridge and took her medicine, then collapsed back onto the sofa.
Just as she was drifting off, a knock came from the door. Chi Shuo’s hearing was sharp; the knocking wasn’t loud, but she still heard it.
He Lindi would definitely message before coming over. Chi Shuo frowned, put on her slippers, and quietly walked to the door. There was a screen beside it; she had to get closer to see who it was.
When she saw the person standing outside clearly, Chi Shuo instantly tensed up. From their build, she could tell it was He Lindi’s father.
Chi Shuo swallowed. She was a bit confused about the situation. He Lindi’s father knocked again, calling out this time, “Miss Chi.”
Chi Shuo exhaled, composing herself to make a good impression, and opened the door.
Since He Lindi’s father addressed her directly, it meant he knew she was here, alone. If He Lindi had been present, he surely wouldn’t have come.
He Wenkang looked relatively young, not much different from the photos she had seen from Beijing. He seemed ageless, the only difference perhaps his demeanor. The photos showed a harmonious atmosphere, He Lindi’s father appearing kind and approachable, but Chi Shuo now only sensed his authority.
Chi Shuo spoke formally, “Mr. He…” She paused, then called out, “Uncle He.”
He Wenkang didn’t immediately enter; he remained at the door. Seeing Chi Shuo’s appearance, he asked, “Are you unwell?”
Chi Shuo felt a bit awkward. She nodded. “Yes.” She asked, “Is something the matter, Uncle He?”
“Yes.” He Wenkang still didn’t enter. He handed her a small bag. “This is for Xiao Di. Could you please give it to her when she returns?”
“Of course.”
He Wenkang smiled at her, then turned and left.
Chi Shuo closed the door and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.
The unexpected encounter with He Lindi’s father left her feeling incredibly uneasy. Thankfully, he didn’t stay long and left quickly; otherwise, she really didn’t know how she would have reacted.
Chi Shuo didn’t know what He Wenkang had given He Lindi, nor was she curious. After placing the bag on the counter, she went into her bedroom.
Before taking a nap, she messaged He Lindi, recounting the incident. He Lindi didn’t reply immediately. Chi Shuo knew she was busy. After waiting for a couple of minutes, she placed her phone on the nightstand and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
He Lindi arrived home around 7 PM. Hearing the noise, Chi Shuo was in the kitchen making porridge. She was just stirring it and couldn’t step away, so He Lindi entered the kitchen and hugged her from behind.
Chi Shuo smiled. “This is the second batch. The first one burned. Did you smell it?”
He Lindi nuzzled her chin against Chi Shuo’s shoulder, humming, “I did.”
Chi Shuo sensed her mood was off, but didn’t ask immediately. She put down the spoon, turned, and hugged He Lindi, patting her back. “Tired?”
“A little.” He Lindi’s voice was muffled.
Chi Shuo patted her back again. “It’s almost the weekend. Get some rest.”
He Lindi simply hummed again. “I’ll try.”
Chi Shuo changed the subject. “Did you look at what your dad brought you? I was startled when he came this afternoon. If you hadn’t told me before that he was on our side, I would have thought he was giving me a check to leave you.”
He Lindi finally smiled a bit. “If that were the case, would you take the check or me?”
“You.” Chi Shuo answered without hesitation. “Just wait, in twenty years, I’ll be a rich woman.”
“Still cramping?”
“Much better.”
He Lindi opened her mouth, wanting to ask more, but Chi Shuo spoke first, “Are we just going to stand here and be lovey-dovey? Can’t afford kitchen play right now.”
“…” He Lindi blushed, releasing her hold.
The stove was off. They left the kitchen, and He Lindi looked at the bag on the counter, then picked it up.
The bag felt light, but heavy in her heart. Seeing Chi Shuo watching her, she smiled again.
Chi Shuo poured her a glass of water. “Was it another Song Qin photoshoot today? I haven’t seen him in a while. Is he filming a movie now?”
He Lindi sat beside her, still holding the bag. She nodded, acknowledging Chi Shuo’s words, then took out the contents.
It might be something private. Chi Shuo didn’t look over; she simply turned on the TV and waited for He Lindi to speak.
A few seconds later, she heard He Lindi gasp, clearly crying. Chi Shuo immediately turned and saw tears streaming down He Lindi’s face.
Chi Shuo quickly pulled out tissues to wipe her tears. “What’s wrong? What is it?”
He Lindi let her continue, not answering, just repeating, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… Chi Shuo, I’m sorry.”
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