Ice cream was definitely not something a child should be eating.
After all, Ji Nian wasn’t faking it this time—she was genuinely unwell.
Not only was Ji Nian vomiting, but she was also suffering from diarrhea.
Ji Tingzhou no longer had to worry about her not having a bowel movement all day, as by nightfall, she was completely drained from the constant trips to the bathroom.
When the doctor arrived, Ji Nian had just finished using the toilet. She was still in pain, her stomach burning, and her body curled up in discomfort. Tears streamed down her face involuntarily.
“Please, take a look at her,” Ji Tingzhou urged.
He had been holding her the entire time, gently massaging her stomach. When the doctor arrived, he shifted slightly to allow the doctor to examine Ji Nian, but he didn’t let go of her.
The doctor asked questions while conducting the examination and even drew some blood for tests.
“Acute gastroenteritis,” the doctor concluded.
Ji Nian, who had once bravely administered a shot to Bruce, now found herself on the receiving end of a needle—karma, it seemed, had come full circle.
After two IV drips, Ji Nian’s constant dry heaving finally subsided. Ji Tingzhou, who had been by her side the whole time, tucked the blanket around her more securely.
He then gestured for the doctor to step outside to talk.
Ji Nian felt Ji Tingzhou leave, but she was too weak to open her eyes. She was in so much discomfort that she wished she could just pass out.
Outside the room.
When Ji Tingzhou expressed his concerns, the doctor, knowing they had been away for a few days, asked, “What has she been eating recently?”
Ji Tingzhou thought for a moment and recounted Ji Nian’s meals over the past few days.
The doctor grew increasingly frustrated as he listened.
“It’s so cold outside! How could you let her eat three ice creams in one day? And all those sugary drinks? Junk food as a meal?!”
“A child’s digestive system is extremely fragile! And this child has already been through so much hardship. Her body hasn’t fully recovered yet. You’re not spoiling her—you’re harming her!!!”
The doctor was so angry that she dropped all formalities.
Ji Tingzhou remained silent, letting her vent.
Those around them were on edge, thinking he might be angry, but in reality, Ji Tingzhou was reflecting.
So… a child’s body is this delicate?
When he was young, simply having enough to eat was a luxury. He could eat anything, and during the winter, he’d even chew on ice to stave off hunger. It never seemed like a big deal.
Most people around him did the same.
So when Ji Nian expressed a desire for something to eat, Ji Tingzhou had always indulged her.
“I understand,” he said.
“It won’t happen again.”
Just as everyone was holding their breath, and even the doctor, now calmer, began to worry if she had been too blunt, Ji Tingzhou finally spoke.
His voice betrayed little emotion, but his deep green eyes were heavy with thought.
When Ji Nian was too uncomfortable to sleep, Ji Tingzhou called the doctor into his study to discuss in detail how to help Ji Nian recover and improve her health.
The system, seeing Ji Nian’s pale, weak face, knew she was still suffering and said, *[I told you eating like that would cause problems.]*
Ji Nian weakly opened her eyes: *[…I forgot this body isn’t as strong as my last one.]*
In her previous life, she rarely got sick. Aside from her menstrual cycle, she could eat whatever she wanted without consequence.
Now, after transmigrating, it felt like she was making up for all the suffering she had never experienced before.
As she was lost in thought, she heard footsteps approaching.
She drowsily opened her eyes and saw Ji Tingzhou returning.
She had assumed he went to change his clothes, but he was still wearing the same outfit.
*[He doesn’t even care if it’s dirty…]*
Ji Tingzhou sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned over to touch Ji Nian’s face. “Still feeling unwell?”
Perhaps it was because people are more vulnerable when they’re sick.
Hearing Ji Tingzhou’s soft, gentle voice, Ji Nian couldn’t help but nod.
After a moment of thought, Ji Tingzhou said, “How about a shot in the buttocks? The doctor said it’s more effective.”
Ji Nian: “……”
No, she would defend her right to keep her buttocks needle-free.
But after the IV was finished and she was still feeling awful, her buttocks ultimately took the hit.
Ji Tingzhou looked at the child, whose face clearly read ‘I’ve lost the will to live,’ and found it somewhat amusing. He poked her cheek lightly.
Seeing that Ji Nian was still listless, the fleeting amusement faded.
Ji Tingzhou thought to himself that perhaps he really wasn’t cut out for raising a child.
Since she had come under his care, Ji Nian had suffered so much in such a short time.
Love often comes with a sense of inadequacy. Ji Tingzhou had never heard this saying before, but he was beginning to understand its meaning.
The night was deep, and Ji Tingzhou stayed by the bedside, prepared with supplies because the doctor had warned that Ji Nian might develop a fever in the early hours.
Zhiliao, whom he had sent to handle some tasks, called several times to suggest that someone else take over the watch, but Ji Tingzhou refused each time.
Sure enough, in the early hours of the morning, Ji Nian’s fever spiked, and she moaned in discomfort.
Since Ji Nian had had a fever before, Ji Tingzhou wasn’t overly panicked, but this time, he was handling it entirely on his own.
When Ji Nian’s mind was a foggy mess from the fever, something cold and wet suddenly slapped onto her forehead, splashing water all over her face.
She opened her eyes to find that Ji Tingzhou had thrown a wet towel onto her face.
Under Ji Nian’s silent, accusatory gaze, Ji Tingzhou belatedly realized that he might need to wring the towel out more thoroughly.
Seeing Ji Tingzhou’s clumsy movements and the exhaustion in his eyes, Ji Nian struggled to remember that he hadn’t been resting much lately. Moreover, the injuries he had sustained earlier hadn’t fully healed yet.
Her damp eyelashes fluttered as she moved slightly.
Ji Nian nudged him and patted the empty space beside her on the bed.
This was her way of inviting Ji Tingzhou to lie down with her.
As she did so, she thought to herself that if he refused because he thought it was dirty, then so be it.
But before she could even retract her hand, Ji Tingzhou stood up and climbed onto the bed, effortlessly pulling Ji Nian into his arms and patting her back. “Can’t sleep?”
Despite his large frame, Ji Tingzhou wasn’t particularly muscular, so lying against him was a bit uncomfortable. But his embrace was warm, and the faint scent of incense on him reminded Ji Nian of a cozy fireplace in winter.
It felt safe.
When Ji Tingzhou saw Ji Nian’s gesture, he remembered the last time she had a fever and how she had only been able to rest peacefully when he held her.
Without hesitation, he joined her this time.
This time, Ji Nian didn’t cry or fuss. She endured the discomfort quietly, only letting out a few soft whimpers when it became unbearable, which made Ji Tingzhou feel even worse.
He thought it would be better if she just cried it out.
Ji Nian nodded slightly and snuggled closer to Ji Tingzhou, wrapping her arms around him.
Then, in her drowsy state, she realized something.
She really did seem to subconsciously rely on Ji Tingzhou.
“You won’t abandon me, will you?”
The words slipped out before she could think them through.
Ji Nian immediately clamped her mouth shut, her body stiffening momentarily.
Noticing her reaction, Ji Tingzhou frowned. He immediately connected it to Ji Nian’s unusual behavior earlier in the day.
“Did someone say something to you?”
Hadn’t the formal banquet where he introduced Ji Nian been enough to show his stance?
Ji Tingzhou’s first thought was that someone had been gossiping, and Ji Nian had overheard.
But soon, he felt that wasn’t quite right.
A thought flashed through his mind, and Ji Tingzhou finally understood the root of Ji Nian’s earlier silence.
Looking down at the child who had buried her face in his chest and refused to look up, he sighed softly.
Of course.
He had forgotten.
Ji Nian was like him—an exceptionally intelligent child.
“I won’t abandon you,” Ji Tingzhou said plainly, patting her back.
After a moment, he added, “No matter what you’re like.”
