Chapter 158

"Wow!"

"Holy cow!"

"Oh my goodness!"

Those few short sentences left Liu Jian's mouth hanging open.

"Are you from Northeast China?"

"Huh? No, but my mom is. Hey, do you think I could tell this story when I go home for New Year's? It's too juicy - my grandmother would love to hear it."

Nian Suian looked at Gu Junxing, signaling for him to answer.

Gu Junxing raised an eyebrow and said, "Do as you please." When it came to facilitating Yan Heyu's social demise, Gu Junxing was willing to add fuel to the fire.

Nian Suian was eating some stir-fry dishes the kitchen had prepared separately. Liu Jian sat nearby, still not having recovered from the shock, rubbing his head in lingering disbelief.

"Oh my, oh my, those three men, goodness gracious! Just imagine what kind of position that must have been, tsk tsk tsk."

"Cough cough cough!!!"

When Nian Suian heard Liu Jian mention "position," she couldn't help but start imagining things. As the mental images became increasingly unprintable, she choked on a piece of spicy stir-fried pork that she hadn't fully swallowed yet, coughing violently.

The stir-fried pork with chili from the kitchen was very authentic, and the chilies were quite spicy. This choking fit left Nian Suian with tears in her eyes and her throat feeling like it was on fire.

Gu Junxing quickly stood up to give her water and pat her back, while also shooting a glare at Liu Jian.

Liu Jian was baffled as to why he was being glared at. What had he said? How was this his fault?

Nian Suian drank a large glass of water and finally managed to catch her breath, but her throat still hurt terribly.

However, Nian Suian didn't pay it much mind and was about to continue eating after taking a sip of water.

"You just choked, don't eat this dish anymore. Have something that's not spicy." Gu Junxing reached out to remove the spicy pork dish and moved the sweet and sour pork ribs in front of Nian Suian.

Liu Jian found Gu Junxing's behavior quite peculiar and secretly recorded a short video while the two weren't paying attention.

Nian Suian was reluctant to give up the delicious spicy pork dish. She stood up and brought it back, intending to mix the sauce with her rice.

"It's fine, I just choked a bit. I'll drink more water later and it'll be okay."

With that, she scooped a good amount into her bowl and was about to shovel it into her mouth along with some rice.

Gu Junxing heard how hoarse her voice had become and wanted to stop her, but seeing that she had already put it in her mouth, he was afraid she might choke again if he intervened. He could only stand by and pour her more water.

"Quickly, drink some water. Does your throat hurt?" As soon as Nian Suian put down her chopsticks, Gu Junxing hastily handed her the water glass.

"It doesn't hurt anymore, I'm fine."

Nian Suian's voice was raspy, and it actually did hurt, but since she had insisted on eating just now, she felt embarrassed to admit it hurt and stubbornly said it didn't.

That night, the family of three stayed in the same rooms as last time. Gu Zhijing slept by himself, while Nian Suian and Gu Junxing slept in the suite, each in their own room.

As Nian Suian lay in bed that night, she felt her throat getting increasingly uncomfortable. Even swallowing saliva felt like being cut by a knife. She didn't want to bother anyone so late at night about her sore throat, so she just endured it, only managing to fall into a fitful sleep as dawn approached.

Because Nian Suian often slept in, Gu Junxing didn't disturb her the next morning. Instead, he went out for breakfast by himself and ran into another acquaintance, chatting with them for quite a while.

It wasn't until after 10 AM that he received a message from Nian Suian asking him to come back to the room, saying she had something to discuss.

"You're up? Do you want something to eat?"

As soon as Gu Junxing entered the room, he saw Nian Suian sitting on the sofa looking at him. Hearing his question, she pointed at her throat, then at her phone.

[My throat hurts so much, I don't think I can speak QAQ]

As soon as Gu Junxing saw the message, he immediately walked over and stood in front of her.

With an urgent tone, he said, "Open your mouth."

Nian Suian obediently opened her mouth and tilted her head back. Gu Junxing turned on his phone's flashlight and shone it into her mouth.

"Wait a moment."

Gu Junxing went back to his room, carefully washed his hands in the bathroom, and came out again.

"Open your mouth, wider." Since he couldn't see clearly before, this time Gu Junxing gently pressed his index finger on Nian Suian's lower teeth, forcing her to open her mouth wider.

This time he could finally see the condition of her throat clearly. Although Gu Junxing didn't have medical knowledge, he could tell that Nian Suian's throat was now swollen.

Nian Suian's mouth had been open for too long, and she felt like her saliva was about to drip out. In her panic, she forgot that Gu Junxing's hand was still in her mouth and closed it suddenly, ending up with his index finger in her mouth.

The soft tip of her tongue was now pressed against Gu Junxing's index finger. Nian Suian was dumbfounded and forgot to open her mouth immediately.

Gu Junxing was equally stunned. There's a saying that the fingertips are connected to the heart, and Nian Suian's tongue tip seemed to be pressing directly on his heart.

When Nian Suian came to her senses, her face turned bright red. She grabbed a tissue and handed it to Gu Junxing, while she picked up her water glass and started drinking as a tactical diversion.

Remembering that Nian Suian was still in discomfort, Gu Junxing pushed aside any amorous thoughts.

"Go put on your coat, I'll take you to the hospital."

Her throat was indeed very uncomfortable, so Nian Suian nodded and went back to her room to get dressed.

During this time, Gu Junxing went to Gu Zhijing's room across the hall to inform him.

Gu Zhijing had been awake for a while but was too lazy to get up, so he was just lying in bed playing with his phone. It worked out well that he didn't have to go out and be a third wheel.

"Your Aunt Nian has hurt her throat, so I'm taking her to the hospital. You stay here and play, don't wander off. If anything happens, find Uncle Liu."

When Gu Zhijing heard that Nian Suian needed to go to the hospital, he was startled and quickly asked what had happened.

"I want to go too."

"She choked on some spicy food. You don't need to come, if it's not serious we'll be back this afternoon."

Nian Suian came out after changing her clothes. Gu Zhijing was standing outside, looking at her with concern.

Unable to speak, Nian Suian reached out and ruffled his hair to reassure him.

Gu Junxing also called Liu Jian to inform him that they were going to the hospital and asked him to keep an eye on Gu Zhijing.

Gu Junxing chose the nearest top-tier hospital and drove Nian Suian there.

Throughout the journey, Gu Junxing didn't say a word. Nian Suian looked at his expression but couldn't discern anything.

She could only type on her phone, and when they stopped at a red light, she tapped Gu Junxing's arm to get him to look.

[Are you angry?]

"No." After saying those two words, Gu Junxing softened his tone and continued, "I'm not angry, I'm just worried about you."

Nian Suian blinked, put down her phone, and leaned over to gently bump her forehead against Gu Junxing's right arm, signaling him not to worry and to relax.

Seeing her do this, Gu Junxing sighed and reached out his right hand to caress Nian Suian's cheek.

—At the hospital—

"This throat is very swollen. It's acute pharyngitis. How did this happen?"

Hearing the doctor's words, Nian Suian lowered her head.

How did it happen? From being too nosy about gossip.

Gu Junxing explained to the doctor, "She was eating spicy food and accidentally choked. The chilies were probably quite hot, and this is the result."

He then asked the doctor, "Her throat is very uncomfortable now and she can't speak. How can we alleviate her symptoms?"

"Her throat is so swollen, it won't go down immediately. Let's prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication, and I'll also give you some lozenges to help soothe her throat. Make sure she gets plenty of rest and watch her diet for the next few days. Avoid any irritating foods."

The doctor gave instructions while writing the prescription and medical record.