Chapter 94: Burning with Fever

Hearing Zhang Xiluo’s voice, Li Mingye opened his eyes to glance at her, then commanded in a cold voice, "Fasten my seatbelt and take me home quickly."

Zhang Xiluo was speechless. This jerk really had an addiction to bossing her around. He couldn't even fasten his own seatbelt; it wasn't as if both his arms were crippled.

She didn't move. Li Mingye closed his eyes again, his brow furrowing as if he were enduring some kind of pain.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xiluo leaned over toward Li Mingye to fasten his seatbelt. Suddenly, Li Mingye opened his eyes and pressed her firmly against his chest.

"Luoluo," he called her name, "Luoluo, Luoluo."

Every time Li Mingye called her name, Zhang Xiluo’s heart skipped a beat. She had no idea what was wrong with him. His strange words and actions over the past two days had taken her completely by surprise. He had said many odd things and done many things he would never have done before, giving Zhang Xiluo the illusion that he was trying to win her favor.

Her resolve began to waver; perhaps Li Mingye really had developed feelings for her...

She quickly shook her head. That was impossible. Even if he did have feelings for her, they could never be together. There were too many problems standing between them, ones that could never be fully resolved. Thinking of everything she had endured, she calmed down, pushed firmly against his chest, and sat upright.

"Sit properly. I’m driving." Zhang Xiluo stepped on the gas, and the car pulled away.

Driving at night, Zhang Xiluo kept her speed low, maintaining the utmost vigilance as she focused on the road, having no desire to engage with Li Mingye. She didn't want to deal with him, fearing that he might sway her again and cause her to lose her composure.

Throughout the journey, Li Mingye kept his eyes closed, and Zhang Xiluo assumed he had fallen asleep.

Upon arriving at the villa, Zhang Xiluo called out to him, but Li Mingye didn't respond. She got out, opened his car door, and nudged his shoulder. "Li Mingye, we're home. Go upstairs to sleep."

Li Mingye let out a soft groan, his head lolling onto Zhang Xiluo’s shoulder.

"You're burning up!" Zhang Xiluo touched his forehead. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

Looking at the nearly unconscious Li Mingye, Zhang Xiluo struggled internally, but finally gritted her teeth, overcame her fear, and increased the car's speed.

"Li Mingye, don't sleep. Stay awake. We'll be there soon."

Li Mingye’s eyelids fluttered, and after a long while, he teased, "Why the sudden willingness to step on the gas?"

"..."

The jerk was dying of a high fever and still had the energy to mock her. She shouldn't have pitied him; she should have just let him burn. "Just go to sleep and leave me alone."

Too nervous to look at him, she focused on driving and soon arrived at the hospital. Li Mingye was tall and broad-shouldered; Zhang Xiluo couldn't possibly support him. As soon as she tried to help him out of the car, she tripped, pulling him down to the ground with her. Li Mingye’s injured arm was crushed in the process, and he let out a stifled grunt.

"Zhang Xiluo, are you trying to murder your husband?"

"As if I wanted to! And for the record, you are my *ex*-husband, not my husband." Zhang Xiluo scrambled up and tugged at his arm. "Can you walk on your own?"

"Hmm." Li Mingye stood up, following her lead and leaning on her, though he didn't put his full weight on her.

As soon as they entered the emergency room, Li Mingye passed out. The doctors and nurses rushed to place him on a bed to begin examinations.

This was the first time Zhang Xiluo had ever seen Li Mingye sick. Whether back in their school days or after they were married, he had always appeared unbreakable in her presence. She had always thought that, like his heart, he was made of stone.

At this moment, she felt both worried and lost. She didn't hate him as deeply as she had thought she did; instead, there was still a lingering, unbreakable thread of affection. She frowned and let out a long sigh. Only by truly leaving could she ever let this man go completely.

"Are you the family member of Mr. Li?" The doctor walked out and stood before her.

"Yes, his ex-wife," Zhang Xiluo admitted openly. "How is he?"

"Li Mingye has a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and his wound has reopened and become infected. We’ve treated the wound, but he needs to be hospitalized for observation." The doctor looked at Zhang Xiluo with a strange expression. "Ms. Zhang, I think it’s necessary to contact his family. His condition is somewhat critical, and things could take a turn for the worse at any moment."

"Fine, you can contact his family." Zhang Xiluo took the paperwork and went to handle the admission procedures. She found the doctor’s attitude and suggestion perfectly normal; given that she and Li Mingye had divorced on such bitter terms, it was natural for him to be concerned. He was just a diligent, responsible doctor.

After finishing the paperwork, Zhang Xiluo went to the ward to check on him.

Li Mingye lay quietly on the hospital bed with his eyes closed, his face flushed and his lips pale. As he drifted in a deep sleep, the cold, icy demeanor he usually carried had vanished completely.

Zhang Xiluo hesitated for a moment, then took a towel, dampened it with warm water, and gently wiped his palms, forehead, and neck. His fever was very high, and physical cooling would make him more comfortable. She felt as though she had never truly looked at him like this before—he had never given her the chance. Li Mingye was a man favored by heaven; even while sick, his face remained handsome and captivating.

Zhang Xiluo watched him silently as some unpleasant yet unforgettable memories flickered through her mind. She stood up to leave, but suddenly, Li Mingye grabbed her wrist.

"Luoluo."

Zhang Xiluo froze and looked back at Li Mingye on the bed. He still had his eyes closed, continuing to murmur her name.

"Don't go, Luoluo."

Li Mingye gripped her hand tightly, and she was forced to sit back down. She stared at his face. "Li Mingye, what on earth are you thinking?"

She always felt that he was different now. She pried his fingers open with effort and said coldly, "You should be acting the way you used to—disgusted and indifferent toward me."

Zhang Xiluo stood up and walked away with resolve. She knew very well that there could be no future for her and Li Mingye. She could not be swayed by his changes, because that was not love.

As she stepped out of the ward, Zhou Yao’s voice came from around the corner, cutting through her thoughts.

"Is Mr. Li in the room ahead? Thank you, nurse."

Zhang Xiluo ignored Zhou Yao and continued walking. As she passed by, Zhou Yao reached out an arm to block her.

"Why are you here? What did you do with Mr. Li? You should know that Mr. Li doesn't want to see you!"

Zhang Xiluo gave her a cold look and paused slightly. "Why would I tell you what we did? Did you know he was just holding me, begging me not to leave?"

"You're not too late to come in now. Take good care of him, perform well, and try to climb the ladder. Otherwise, when I come to settle scores with you, no one will be there to protect you, and that would be a tragedy." Zhang Xiluo patted Zhou Yao’s shoulder and curled her lips into a smile. "Zhou Yao, don't you feel that you are getting further and further away from marrying Li Mingye?"

Zhou Yao’s expression changed instantly. Zhang Xiluo’s words had struck a nerve, stirring the deepest fear within her.