The sea breeze grew fiercer, and as the speedboat accelerated, Su Qianqian's initial excitement gradually faded, leaving her looking somewhat listless.
She leaned against Gu Chengyu's chest, her delicate face slightly pale.
He was the first to notice.
Bending down, he touched her forehead. "Not feeling well?"
Su Qianqian shook her head, her voice soft. "Just a little dizzy."
His brows immediately furrowed, and he turned to Qin Yu. "Turn back."
Qin Yu, still enjoying himself, protested, "Huh? We just got out here."
"Turn back," Gu Chengyu cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Qin Yu choked back his words and reluctantly slowed the boat to turn around.
Shen Que was also a little concerned, but he masked it with a teasing smile. "Heading back already? Chengyu, you're really overprotective."
Gu Chengyu ignored him, pulling Su Qianqian closer and wrapping her in a thin blanket. "Rest against me for a while."
Su Qianqian's head was indeed spinning. She mumbled weakly, "A-Yu, I feel a bit sick..."
He tightened his hold, pressing her against his chest. "Close your eyes and rest. We’ll be back soon."
She obediently shut her eyes, her head tilting against his shoulder.
Shen Nian'an watched the scene, her nails digging into her palms, though she forced a smile. "Miss Su seems rather delicate, doesn’t she?"
Zhou Yu'an replied mildly, "The wind at sea is strong. It’s normal to get a headache if you’re not used to it."
The return trip was silent.
Only the hum of the engine and the crashing waves filled the air, along with Gu Chengyu’s undisguised urgency.
As soon as they reached the dock, he scooped up the still-dazed Su Qianqian and carried her off the boat, heading straight for the waiting Maybach.
Qin Yu watched their retreating figures and clicked his tongue. "Well, that’s it. Chengyu’s completely fallen this time."
Shen Que forced a chuckle. "Isn’t that good? Finally, someone can rein him in."
Shen Nian'an smiled stiffly. "Yes, Brother Chengyu dotes on her so much." Her voice, however, carried a hint of bitterness.
Zhou Yu'an remained silent.
He had noticed how Su Qianqian instinctively buried her face in Gu Chengyu’s neck and wrapped her arms around him when he carried her.
That kind of dependence didn’t seem feigned.
Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more beneath the surface.
By the time they returned to the suite, the resort manager and a doctor were already waiting in the living room.
Gu Chengyu carried Su Qianqian straight into the bedroom and carefully laid her on the bed.
"Check her," he ordered, his voice tense as he stepped aside to make room.
The doctor hurried forward. The young woman lay curled in the soft bedding, her face pale, her breathing shallow.
He carefully examined her pupils, took her temperature, and listened to her heartbeat, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
The imposing figure of Young Master Gu loomed over the bed, his shadow casting an oppressive presence, his brows tightly knit, his gaze never leaving her.
The doctor’s hands trembled slightly. He had dealt with many powerful figures—most treated their playthings as fleeting indulgences, discarding them once the novelty wore off.
But the intensity in this man’s eyes suggested something far deeper than a passing fling. The sheer pressure radiating from him was enough to make the doctor nervous.
"Well?" Gu Chengyu asked, his voice low and rough.
The doctor withdrew his stethoscope and answered cautiously, "Miss Su’s constitution is naturally weaker than most. She seems to have overexerted herself yesterday and caught a slight chill. The strong winds at sea today exacerbated her dizziness and fatigue."
Gu Chengyu’s jaw clenched.
Of course.
Yesterday in the hot springs, he had been insatiable, keeping her up far too late.
And today, on a whim, he had insisted on taking her out on the speedboat, ignoring how delicate she was.
He had failed to protect her.
His fists tightened, guilt and heartache gnawing at him. "Is it serious?"
The doctor quickly reassured him. "Not at the moment. With some medication and proper rest, she should recover soon. However, she must take care to avoid exhaustion, cold, and emotional extremes in the future."
Gu Chengyu gave a stiff nod. "Fine. I’ll have Zhou Yu'an contact you later. Prepare a detailed report of today’s diagnosis and send it to his hospital."
The doctor didn’t dare question him. "Of course, I’ll handle it personally."
He hastily retrieved some standard medication from his bag, while the manager handed over a glass of water.
Gu Chengyu took both and dismissed them with a wave.
Once the bedroom was quiet, he lifted Su Qianqian gently, supporting her against his chest. "Qianqian, take your medicine."
She blinked drowsily and swallowed the pill from his hand, only to grimace as she accidentally bit down. "So bitter..."
He quickly brought the water to her lips. "Don’t bite it. Drink this to wash it down."
She sipped obediently, managing to chase away the bitter taste after a few swallows.
Then she curled back under the covers, her fingers still clinging to his hand.
Gu Chengyu looked down at her slender, pale fingers, his heart aching with tenderness.
He sat slowly on the edge of the bed, bringing her slightly cold hand to his cheek.
"I’m sorry, Qianqian," he murmured.
"It won’t happen again."
