Su Ci had just placed her hand on Lu Zhe's when he pulled her out from under the desk.
"That was close," Su Ci exhaled in relief.
"Were you scared?" Lu Zhe asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he noticed the visible relief on the girl's face.
"I wasn’t scared, but I might have startled others," she replied. After all, she had suddenly appeared in Lu Zhe's room.
Lu Zhe glanced down at her bare feet on the floor. "Tuantuan, go sit by the bed."
Su Ci was puzzled but obediently complied.
She sat by the edge of his bed as Lu Zhe wheeled himself over to the door. He picked up a pair of white slippers and brought them back.
"Lift your foot," he said.
"I can put them on myself," Su Ci replied. Normally, she would have gladly let Lu Zhe help her with her shoes—it was something he often enjoyed doing. But now, with him in a wheelchair, she felt he needed care more than she did.
"I want to help you," Lu Zhe said, his dark eyes fixed on her.
Su Ci lifted her foot, the hem of her light blue dress slipping down as Lu Zhe's large hand gently grasped her slender ankle.
The coolness of his touch made her shiver slightly.
Lu Zhe lowered his gaze, his movements slow and deliberate as he slid the slipper onto her foot. The slippers were his, far too big for her, making her delicate feet appear even smaller.
"Did I help you with your shoes in the next life?" Lu Zhe asked as he finished with one foot and reached for the other.
"Yes," Su Ci replied. Not just shoes—he had also loved helping her dress and even tying her hair. She felt utterly spoiled by him.
Lu Zhe's fingers brushed against the small rabbit charm on her ankle bracelet, a playful gesture that made Su Ci giggle. "You gave me this," she said, tugging her foot slightly.
"It wasn’t me," Lu Zhe denied, his tone flat.
"Yes, it was," Su Ci insisted.
Lu Zhe didn’t respond.
"It’s time for your medicine," Su Ci said, walking over to the desk to fetch his water and pills. The small box contained several pills. "Do you have to take all of these at once?"
"Yes," Lu Zhe replied, tipping the pills into his mouth. Su Ci quickly handed him the water cup, but instead of taking it, he leaned forward and drank directly from her hand.
After a couple of sips, Lu Zhe stopped. "Enough," he said, his lips now moist and slightly glossy, no longer dry and pale.
Su Ci’s gaze drifted to his legs. She had always been perceptive. "Lu Zhe, your legs..."
"They don’t work anymore," Lu Zhe said matter-of-factly, his eyes meeting hers. "Do you mind?"
Su Ci shook her head vigorously. "Of course not."
How could she ever mind?
"No matter what happens to you, you’re still you. I’ll always care for you," Su Ci declared firmly.
A faint smile curved Lu Zhe’s lips. "Mm."
That evening, the caregiver knocked on Lu Zhe’s door, ready to take him downstairs for dinner. But instead of a response, the door opened.
"Master Lu, it’s dinner time," the caregiver said with a sweet smile.
She was highly educated, with professional nursing skills, and had been hired by the Lu Family at a high salary to care for Lu Zhe.
As she moved to push his wheelchair, Lu Zhe stopped her. "I’ll dine in my room tonight. Bring my meal here, and double the usual portion."
He paused, then added, "And have the kitchen prepare a dessert—peach flavor."
The caregiver blinked in surprise. "Peach dessert?"
"Is there a problem?" Lu Zhe’s tone was cool.
"No, of course not," she replied quickly, stepping forward to push him back into the room.
"Go prepare it," Lu Zhe said, dismissing her. He wheeled himself back into the room and closed the door.
Su Ci emerged from beside the door, teasing him. "Are you keeping me hidden now?"
Lu Zhe gave her a deep look but didn’t respond.
Downstairs, Wen Ya saw the caregiver but not her son. "Where’s Xiao Zhe?"
"Madam, the young master said he’ll dine in his room tonight."
"Is he feeling unwell?" Wen Ya asked, her concern evident. Her son’s condition had been worsening day by day, and his absence from dinner worried her.
The caregiver quickly reassured her. "The young master seems in good spirits. He even requested dessert."
"Dessert?" Wen Ya was surprised. Her son rarely ate sweets. But hearing that he had an appetite for something made her happy. "Tell the kitchen to prepare it quickly and send it up."
"Yes, Madam."
The caregiver set the meal on the table, arranging everything neatly.
"Master Lu, your meal is ready," she said, standing nearby, ready to assist him.
Though Lu Zhe could still use his hands, his condition required constant care. As his caregiver, she was always on standby in case his health took a turn for the worse.
"You don’t need to stay. Leave," Lu Zhe said coldly.
After months of working with him, the caregiver knew he preferred solitude. "Yes, Master Lu," she said, exiting the room.
Once the door closed, Lu Zhe wheeled himself to the wardrobe and opened it.
Su Ci sat inside, barefoot, perched on his clothes. Her long, soft hair cascaded down her back, and her bright eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
Lu Zhe’s heart skipped a beat. He reached out his hands. "Tuantuan, come out."
Su Ci let him pull her into his lap, her arms naturally wrapping around his shoulders. "Will I have to keep hiding like this?" she asked, a little frustrated.
It was thrilling but also inconvenient.
"No," Lu Zhe said, wheeling them over to the table. "Starting tomorrow, you won’t have to hide."
He couldn’t bear to see her suffer like this.
"But how will you explain my sudden appearance? And what if I disappear again?"
Su Ci didn’t notice the darkness flickering in Lu Zhe’s eyes.
"Don’t worry. I’ll handle it," Lu Zhe assured her, seating her in a chair beside him. "You said you were hungry. Let’s eat."
The table was laden with six dishes, a soup, two bowls of rice, and a peach-flavored dessert. The Lu Family’s chef was skilled, and the peach-shaped cake was so realistic it looked like an actual peach. Su Ci took a bite and then scooped up a small piece, offering it to Lu Zhe. "This cake is delicious. Try it."
She expected him to refuse, but instead, he opened his mouth and ate the cake from her spoon.
Su Ci noticed that compared to his cold demeanor the last time she had crossed over, Lu Zhe was now warm and indulgent, much like the Lu Zhe from the next life.
Her eyes curved into a smile. "Is it good?"
Lu Zhe rarely ate sweets, but as the peach-flavored cake melted in his mouth, he looked at the girl whose smile was sweeter than the dessert. The darkness in his eyes faded, replaced by warmth. "Yes, it’s good."
After the meal, a maid came in to clear the dishes.
The caregiver also returned. "Master Lu, it’s time for your massage."
Lu Zhe’s muscles were beginning to atrophy, and daily massages were essential.
Lu Zhe waved her off. "Not today. Leave."
The caregiver hesitated. "Master Lu, that’s not advisable. Your legs..."
"Leave," Lu Zhe repeated, his tone firm and unyielding.
The caregiver glanced at him, but his expression was unreadable. Reluctantly, she left.
As soon as the door closed, Su Ci emerged from the wardrobe. "Your legs need the massage. Why did you send her away?"
She was worried about his condition. "I can hide in the wardrobe. It’s ventilated, so I’ll be fine."
"Tuantuan, put your shoes on," Lu Zhe said, frowning at her bare feet. "The floor is cold."
Su Ci hurried to put on her shoes. Once they were on, she shuffled over to Lu Zhe in the oversized slippers. "If you're worried about me staying in the closet, you can go to the study and have someone give you a massage."
"It's fine. Missing one or two sessions won't affect my condition much." The massages didn’t do much for him, or rather, their effect was minimal.
Su Ci crouched down in front of Lu Zhe’s wheelchair. "I can help massage you, but I don’t know how. You’ll have to teach me."
As she spoke, her hand reached toward Lu Zhe’s calf.
"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe’s jaw tightened, and he wanted to stop her.
"Don’t complain if I don’t do it well," Su Ci said as she began to knead his calf. It was then that she noticed how much thinner his legs had become. The once firm, powerful muscles were now barely there, as if only bones remained.
Her hand paused, and she wanted to roll up his pant leg.
"Tuan Tuan, don’t look. My legs are... ugly," Lu Zhe said, his hands gripping the armrests tightly, his eyes darkening.
Su Ci looked up at him.
She didn’t roll up his pant leg. She knew that even a young man like him had his pride.
Her small hands continued to knead and press his legs, though she was well aware of her limitations. "I’m not good at this. Let’s have the caregiver redo it for you later."
Lu Zhe’s legs were weak, but that didn’t mean he had lost all sensation.
The girl’s hands were soft and gentle, lacking any real strength. Her random kneading felt less like a massage and more like a tease.
Lu Zhe chuckled self-deprecatingly. In front of the girl he had waited for over a year, he had no self-control left.
Later that night, Su Ci walked out of the bathroom wearing one of Lu Zhe’s shirts.
She hadn’t meant to tempt him, but there were no clothes for her here, so she had no choice but to wear his.
Just then, Lu Zhe pushed the door open and wheeled himself in, fresh from a shower in another bathroom.
"You’ve finished showering too?" Su Ci wondered how Lu Zhe managed to shower on his own.
Seeing the neatly dressed young man with damp hair sitting in his wheelchair, her nose tingled with emotion. Simple tasks had become so difficult for him.
His wet bangs hung over his forehead, and his dark eyes glistened with moisture. "Yes, I’m done."
"Let me dry your hair for you, okay?" Su Ci volunteered.
The last time she had offered, Lu Zhe had refused.
This time, he smiled faintly. "Okay."
After she had disappeared, this had become one of his regrets.
Hearing his agreement, Su Ci happily wheeled him to the bedside. She grabbed the hairdryer and stood behind the wheelchair, drying his hair.
The sound of the dryer filled the air, and her soft fingers combed through his hair. The faint scent of her drifted toward him, and Lu Zhe’s dark eyes softened.
Lu Zhe’s hair was soft. Once it was dry, Su Ci smoothed out the tousled strands. She stepped in front of him and cupped his face in her hands. "All done. You look so handsome."
His freshly dried hair fell neatly, making him look almost boyishly innocent.
With a faint smile on his lips, Lu Zhe asked, "Do you like it?"
Su Ci didn’t hold back her feelings. "Of course I do."
"No matter what you look like, I’ll always like you!" she added firmly.
Lu Zhe’s lips curved into a wider smile. At that moment, he felt that even if he were to die tomorrow, he would have no regrets.
The room’s lights dimmed.
Su Ci lay obediently on the bed. She wanted to help Lu Zhe onto the bed, but he refused.
She didn’t watch as he struggled to lift himself from the wheelchair and onto the bed.
As soon as Lu Zhe settled onto the bed, Su Ci rolled over and nestled into his arms. Muffled against his chest, she said, "I’ve seen you in every state. I don’t mind. Let me help you next time."
This time, Lu Zhe didn’t push her away as he had a year ago.
His hand rested on her waist, and his low voice was clear in the dim light. "Okay."
Only when he heard Su Ci’s soft, steady breathing did Lu Zhe open his eyes.
By the light of the bedside lamp, he gazed at the girl before him.
Under the warm glow, her porcelain-like face seemed to be bathed in a soft light. Unable to resist—and not wanting to—Lu Zhe leaned down and kissed her cheek.
His eyes fell on her rosy lips, and his own pressed against them. He tasted her sweetness.
In the year she had been gone, Lu Zhe had felt himself grow despicable and shameless. He was like a thief, trying to steal something that didn’t belong to him.
