Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Xia Yuan Is Ill

After returning from watching a movie, Xia Yuan had been feeling unwell. At dinner, she showed no appetite. Mei Fang and Lin You Xi agreed that Xia Yuan might have eaten too much cold food, leading to a stomachache. They advised her to rest.

At midnight, the sound of Xia Yuan vomiting in the bathroom continued. Mei Fang got up to check on her. Xia Yuan came out with a pale face and a weak appearance. Seeing Mei Fang, she looked pitiful and began to cry:

“Ah Fang, I feel so terrible…”

Mei Fang touched her forehead and then compared it to something else. “Stomach pain, vomiting, fever. It looks like acute gastroenteritis. I’ll tell Aunt Liang and take you to the hospital.”

“Aunt Liang must be asleep. It wouldn’t be right to disturb her…”

Xia Yuan mumbled, “Why don’t we go together? Okay?”

“Regardless, we should inform her. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful.”

The discussion between Mei Fang and Xia Yuan woke Lin You Xi, who also went out to check on the situation. After learning about Xia Yuan’s condition, Lin You Xi woke Aunt Liang and explained the situation. The four of them dressed up, took a taxi, and went to a nearby hospital for an emergency visit at night.

Lin You Xi was very worried about Xia Yuan’s condition. “It’s all my fault. I should have advised her not to eat so much cold food.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself too much. We need to get a proper diagnosis first.”

Mei Fang looked at the weak Xia Yuan, who couldn’t say a word and was leaning against him in the car. He felt a pang of heartache.

After Xia Yuan was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis at the hospital, she needed intravenous fluids and observation. Aunt Liang was unfamiliar with the procedures at a big city hospital, but Mei Fang handled everything efficiently, saving a lot of time. Xia Yuan soon moved into a spacious and bright VIP room. The night shift nurse gave Xia Yuan intravenous fluids, and her condition improved somewhat.

“This seems like a high-end room. Why is there only one bed… Ah Fang, how much did you spend?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Liang. We have student health insurance, which will cover this.”

“Can this be covered by insurance?”

“Mom, don’t worry about the cost. Staying here will help Yuan Yuan recover faster.”

Aunt Liang had lived through tough times and was frugal by nature. However, knowing that Xia Yuan was a lady and not someone who was particularly independent, she stopped asking about costs after Lin You Xi’s persuasion, as it would seem like she was meddling.

Xia Yuan vomited again while lying in bed. Mei Fang quickly grabbed a plastic bag to collect the vomit.

She felt ashamed and embarrassed, trying hard to hold back her nausea. She mumbled under the blanket.

“I’m sorry… It’s all because I ate too much… Now everyone has to stay up late to take care of me.”

“What are you saying, child? It’s my duty to take care of you… Just be more careful with your diet from now on, okay?”

“Mm… I understand.”

Xia Yuan nodded slightly and her gaze fell on Mei Fang.

While Mei Fang and Lin You Xi seeing her in such a state didn’t bother her, Aunt Liang was an elder. Xia Yuan always had a good image in the eyes of elders, being seen as the most outstanding, understanding, obedient, and well-behaved child. She didn’t want Aunt Liang to see her in such a state.

Seeing Xia Yuan looking at Aunt Liang, Mei Fang realized what she meant and stood up to speak to Aunt Liang.

“Aunt Liang, it’s quite late. Why don’t you go back and rest? Me and You Xi can handle this.”

“If you’re going back, you and You Xi should go. I’ll stay here with Yuan Yuan. You two need to go to school tomorrow, and missing sleep won’t do.”

“Mom, come here, I need to talk to you—”

Lin You Xi pulled Aunt Liang aside to discuss briefly and then returned to Xia Yuan and Mei Fang, saying:

“Since Yuan Yuan’s condition has stabilized, I think we don’t need too many people to take care of her. My mom and I will go back to rest. If she needs to stay in the hospital tomorrow, we’ll bring some meals.”

Aunt Liang reminded, “Ah Fang, don’t worry about school. I’ll talk to the head teacher and arrange the leave for you.”

“Thank you, Aunt Liang,” Mei Fang said, looking at Lin You Xi, “Youxi, you should also rest early.”

“Contact me if anything happens.” Lin You Xi made a call gesture to Mei Fang, “Don’t worry about waking me up.”

“Mm, I know.”

After sending off Aunt Liang and Lin You Xi, Xia Yuan finally relaxed.

Mei Fang busied himself by getting hot water and a hot water bottle to help ease Xia Yuan’s pain.

“Is your stomach still hurting?”

“Not really, much better.”

“Do you want to use the bathroom?”

“Mm… No.”

Seeing Mei Fang sitting on the edge of the bed, looking tired, Xia Yuan felt heartbroken.

“Ah Fang, why don’t you rest? You can sleep with me.”

“How can I sleep? You haven’t finished your IV yet. It’ll be at least another hour.”

“Mm…”

Xia Yuan looked up at the IV drip and then at Mei Fang, who seemed to have regained some energy, checking his phone: “Youxi and I just got home.”

“That’s great… Tsk…”

Xia Yuan winced in pain, and Mei Fang quickly rubbed her.

“Where does it hurt? Here?”

“Mmm… Also here.”

“Here too?”

“Mm…”

Back and forth, the IV drip was finished, and Xia Yuan’s condition improved significantly. Mei Fang helped Xia Yuan to the private bathroom in the VIP room and then supported her as they walked back to the bed.

“Now you should be able to sleep… I’ll get a folding bed.”

“Why waste money? You can just stay with me.”

Previously, Xia Yuan had already lain down with Lin You Xi in a hotel. Mei Fang wasn’t shy here. “I’ve been busy tonight, and I smell sweaty. I shouldn’t sleep with you.”

“You can shower in the bathroom. There are clean hospital gowns to wear…”

Xia Yuan mumbled, “I feel so bad today. I just want Ah Fang to hold me.”

“You never act like this when you’re not sick…”

Mei Fang gently pinched Xia Yuan’s nose and then went to the bathroom to shower.

Needless to say, the experience in this expensive room was different. It even had towels, shampoo, shower gel, and toiletries, almost comparable to a hotel.

When Mei Fang finished showering, drying his hair, and cleaning up, Xia Yuan seemed to have fallen asleep.

Seeing her finally fall asleep, Mei Fang felt relieved that her discomfort had eased.

In this reborn world, Mei Fang feared illness the most. Some conditions were beyond his financial means to solve. So he always advocated early detection and treatment. Whenever someone around him showed signs of illness, he would actively suggest they get checked.

He softly turned off the lights in the ward and quietly climbed onto Xia Yuan’s bed, lying down on the side.

In the darkness, he felt Xia Yuan reaching out to poke his back.

“Cover yourself with the blanket. What if you catch a chill?”

“I’m in good health.”

“I thought the same before… Youxi used to get sick often, and I would go to the nearby clinic with her, watching cartoons to pass the time.”

“That’s good.”

Mei Fang gently uncovered Xia Yuan’s blanket. Xia Yuan asked Mei Fang, “Can you move closer? I feel a bit scared at night.”

“What are you afraid of… The hospital?”

“Mm… Yes.”

Xia Yuan mumbled, “This is my first time in the hospital. It feels scary.”

“I’ve always been by your side. What are you afraid of?”

“Then you have to hold me tight. Without my permission, you can’t leave me.”

“Okay, Miss.”

Mei Fang held Xia Yuan as she requested, but since she was still weak, he didn’t hold her too tightly.

Xia Yuan hugged Mei Fang’s hand, as if guarding her treasure.

“Ah Fang… Um—”

“Do you want a kiss?”

“The doctor said that acute gastroenteritis isn’t suitable for kissing due to bacteria. Plus, it wouldn’t be fair to You Xi. Let’s not.”

Xia Yuan reached into Mei Fang’s hospital gown. “But, I still want to feel your heartbeat. It makes me feel more secure when I sleep.”

“Mm… This is only allowed because you’re sick.”

“Mm!”

Finally, Xia Yuan fell asleep peacefully in Mei Fang’s warm embrace.

(End of Chapter 235)