Chapter 81: Cheng Yishu’s Injury

Lin Xiaowen’s actions and words were exactly as Xia Bin had imagined. When Lin Xiaowen turned and left, Xia Bin didn’t try to stop her; he merely stared in a daze as her figure disappeared before him.

It was just like years ago, after receiving the news of the eldest son’s unfortunate sacrifice, when Xia Bin accompanied the old master to Chongqing. That was the first time he saw someone stand up to the old master, so this seemingly delicate yet stubborn young girl left a deep impression on him.

The blazing afternoon sun poured down on Lin Xiaowen’s back, but she still felt as if she were trapped in an ice cellar. Xia Bin was right—most judges in court would grant custody to the party with the better conditions, especially someone like herself. Yet, Ranran had been raised by her own hands; how could the Si family just snatch her away like thieves?

The shadows of the trees flickered, making Lin Xiaowen feel dizzy. She closed her eyes, and Si Nan’s cold, profound smile seemed to appear right before her. The ringing of her phone finally swept away the shadow pressing on her heart.

Lingling…

Lin Xiaowen didn’t call her Big Lingzi like Cheng Yishu did; she called her Lingling. After all, she was only a twenty-year-old girl—it just didn’t feel right to use that nickname.

“Hello, Lingling, what’s wrong?”

Lin Xiaowen’s voice was weak, perhaps because the recent ‘battle’ had drained her energy. Big Lingzi, hearing Lin Xiaowen’s frail tone, hesitated, unsure whether to carry out what Cheng had asked of her, when Lin Xiaowen pressed again,

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Is something wrong with Yishu?”

How perceptive she was!

“Oh… it’s nothing, really. Cheng got a little hurt on set today…” Lingling’s words came slow and hesitant, and Lin Xiaowen immediately grew anxious.

“Did he go to the hospital? Is it serious? Which hospital—I'll come right now…”

“No, no, no…” Lingling, sensing Lin Xiaowen’s worry, quickly felt guilty and hurried to explain,

“It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious, no need for the hospital…”

“Then… where is he?” Lin Xiaowen frowned, her voice brimming with concern.

“Cheng… Cheng is resting. How about I come pick you up? You’d better check on him—if he feels unwell again, he listens to you more than anyone.” Lingling suggested.

“All right, I’ll send you my location right away!”

Lin Xiaowen ended the call in haste, and another wave of dizziness washed over her. Such troubled times, indeed.

Lingling was always quick. By the time she’d punched in the door code and pulled open the door to invite Lin Xiaowen in, Lin Xiaowen finally seemed to come back to herself, drifting out of her daze.

“Miss Lin, please go inside first. I still need to go out and buy some medicine,” Lingling said earnestly.

“Buy medicine? Wasn’t there a pharmacy on the way here?” Lin Xiaowen sounded a bit reproachful as she looked at Lingling. If the injury wasn’t serious enough for the hospital, at least medicine should be applied promptly.

“Uh… I forgot, just for a moment. You go in first, I’ll be right back!” Lingling said, not waiting for a reply, and slipped back into the elevator.

Lin Xiaowen could only sigh and step inside.

Walking quietly into the living room, she heard not a sound. The air conditioning was turned up high, making the room feel almost chilly. She assumed Cheng Yishu was sleeping, so she moved even more gently. In this unfamiliar environment, the air was filled with Cheng Yishu’s scent, and after days apart, Lin Xiaowen suddenly felt a fleeting sense of peace.

Her waist was suddenly cinched tight; before she could even cry out, she was enveloped in that warm, familiar embrace. As she spun in his arms, Lin Xiaowen’s dizziness returned, nothing like the sweet scenes from idol dramas.

Once she had steadied herself, Lin Xiaowen closed her eyes, her brows lightly furrowed, just waiting for the dizziness to pass.

Cheng Yishu whispered close to her ear,

“You heartless girl, if I don’t call you, would you never come looking for me?”

His warm breath on the back of her neck made her flinch slightly before she replied,

“I just didn’t want to cause you trouble. Lingling said the people following you have been watching closely lately. Some of your staff have changed—I don’t know if they’re friends or foes…”

Lin Xiaowen turned to look at his face, which was noticeably more haggard yet still handsome. Her small hand gently stroked his strong brow as she continued,

“As your strongest support, I absolutely can’t drag you down. I want you to work without any distractions.”

“Excuses!” Cheng Yishu caught her hand, pursing his lips and raising his brows in mock annoyance.

“I think you just didn’t miss me. Otherwise, how could you bear not seeing me for so many days?”

Who would have thought this cool guy had such a childish, adorable side?

“Oh, feeling wronged?” Lin Xiaowen tilted her head and laughed at his deliberately stern face.

“No, I have to teach you a lesson so you’ll never dare ignore me again!”

Lin Xiaowen was briefly confused, then Cheng Yishu gave her a wicked smile and pressed a kiss to her lips, his arm tightening around her slender waist.

His brow furrowed slightly; the kiss was gentle and brief, but before he parted, he lightly bit her cool lips.

His arms tightened even more around her, and he spoke in a tone of reproach,

“What’s going on?”

Lin Xiaowen was bewildered by his sudden kiss and sudden stop, so she looked up at him and asked,

“What?”

“I mean, how did you get so thin? It’s only been a few days—haven’t you been eating properly?”

Cheng Yishu’s displeasure grew as he looked at her, his face clouded.

“Oh… no, I haven’t,” Lin Xiaowen turned her face away, trying to bluff,

“It’s summer, everyone’s dieting. I thought losing a little weight would look better. Ningning says female celebrities nowadays weigh only eighty or ninety pounds—that’s the perfect figure…”

“Nonsense!” Cheng Yishu was both amused and exasperated. “They do it for the cameras, so they end up looking like skeletons. Besides, you’re already as thin as a rack of ribs—do you really think you need to lose more weight?”

Lin Xiaowen pretended to consider seriously, then nodded.

“I do!”

“No!” Cheng Yishu stared at her with domineering intent. “I forbid you to diet. In fact, you need to gain some weight for me, you hear?”

“So bossy!” Lin Xiaowen pouted, looking at him pitifully.

“You’re my woman, of course you have to listen to me!” Cheng Yishu grinned at her, clearly pleased. “I don’t want to hold you and feel like I’m hugging a skeleton every day… Isn’t there a saying, dumplings should be eaten hot and wives should be plump?”

Lin Xiaowen smiled, wrapped her arms around his neck, rose on tiptoe and whispered in his ear,

“Yes, sir!”