Gu Zhao was awakened by the excruciating pain. Perhaps the anesthetic had worn off, and his wound throbbed more painfully than ever tonight.
Still groggy, suddenly someone reached out and touched his face. Immediately afterwards, a soft kiss landed on his cheek, followed by gentle words whispered in his ear.
Someone called out to him, "My Lord Gu."
For those who march in the army and fight battles, it all depends on their judgment of the right moment. Rarely does someone show their true feelings. How could he miss such a golden opportunity?
So, although he had absolutely no idea where he was or what time it was, Gu Zhao didn't care at all. All that was on his mind was the fear that someone would run away after the kiss and deny it. He quickly reached out and grabbed Zhu Qingyu, then responded to her on the spot. Looking at her triumphantly with a "I've got you" expression, he said:
"What were you just doing, Lord Zhu?"
Zhu Qingyu had been worried sick about Gu Zhao all day. Suddenly seeing him wake up, she was overwhelmed by a huge wave of joy. There was no trace of embarrassment at being caught in the act. All she felt was concern for his injuries.
Too excited, Zhu Qingyu was on the verge of tears. She held Gu Zhao's hand tightly and asked:
"Shouming, you're awake! How do you feel? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Does it hurt? Are you hungry?"
Gu Zhao never expected such a reaction from her. In the past, she always avoided him. Even when she admitted having feelings for him, she still regarded him as a huge nuisance, clearly showing that she didn't want to get involved and kept him at arm's length.
She had never shown her concern for him so openly like this before.
Why is she being so nice to me all of a sudden?
Is it because I'm injured?
So, is this the treatment for patients?
Being so cared for by her, Gu Zhao was flattered. His already half - awake mind became even more muddled. Following her topic, he replied:
"It really hurts, and I'm so hungry too."
Zhu Qingyu stood up immediately:
"Maybe the anesthetic has worn off. I'll go get the painkillers. Wait for me."
Zhu Qingyu ran off in a hurry. The dazed Gu Zhao couldn't even hold her back for a moment. Before he knew it, she had rushed to the outer room and called out to the maid outside:
"Maid, Vice Minister Gu is awake! Is there any midnight snack left? Quickly serve some to Vice Minister Gu. He's hungry."
There was porridge simmering in the small kitchen of the side hall, just waiting for the patient to wake up at any time. By the time Zhu Qingyu came back with the medicine, the efficient maid had already brought the midnight snack.
The maid asked Gu Zhao:
"Vice Minister Gu, do you want to eat now?"
Gu Zhao turned his head away reservedly:
"No, I'm not hungry. Later."
The maid was completely confused. Lord Zhu had asked for the midnight snack, but Vice Minister Gu said he didn't want it. Holding the snack, she looked at Zhu Qingyu helplessly:
"Lord Zhu, then..."
Zhu Qingyu put the painkillers on the table and took the tray with the snack, saying:
"Give it to me."
After the maid left, Zhu Qingyu held the tray and asked again:
"Are you hungry?"
Gu Zhao turned his head towards her and immediately changed his answer:
"So hungry."
Then why did he say he wasn't hungry just now?
Was he worried that he would look too awkward when getting up and be seen by the maid?
Oh well, not only does he always have to dress smartly, but he also has to maintain his personal image all the time. Vice Minister Gu still has such a big ego.
Zhu Qingyu put the tray on the table and fetched a soft cushion from the small couch by the window. She reached out to hug him and said to Gu Zhao:
"It's easy to choke if you eat lying down. Let me help you up. Slowly, slowly get up and lean against the cushion. It'll be better to sit up and eat."
Gu Zhao was injured below his left shoulder. Although it was very painful, if he really wanted to get up by himself, he could endure the pain and use his right hand to support himself.
But since Zhu Qingyu said she would help him up, and he didn't know how long this special concern for the patient from her would last. Gu Zhao, who was already indulging in her gentle care, instantly pretended to be too weak to take care of himself. He obediently hung his right hand around her neck and let her hug him.
Gu Zhao was such a big man. It was actually quite strenuous for Zhu Qingyu to lift him up.
She carefully avoided his wound on the left shoulder. One hand went under his right shoulder to support his neck, and the other hand hugged his waist, trying to help him up.
In order to exert more strength, Zhu Qingyu got very close to Gu Zhao. Almost her whole body was pressed against his, and their heads were touching.
The last time they were this close seemed like ages ago, maybe the time when she got drunk.
But now she was sober, soberly getting so close to him, soberly being so nice to him, and soberly approaching him.
If he kissed her at this moment, would she scold him?
Gu Zhao was a bit distracted and couldn't hold it back anymore. His lips gently brushed against her cheek.
Just as Zhu Qingyu was about to lift him up, because of this sudden kiss, she lost her strength and fell onto him.
Oh no, he was going to be scolded.
Gu Zhao knew he was in the wrong after doing something naughty. He didn't dare to argue and was mentally prepared to be scolded.
Zhu Qingyu quickly got up. Instead of scolding him, she asked anxiously:
"Did I press on your wound? Does it hurt?"
He wasn't scolded even like this?
She was still so concerned about him?
And asked if it hurt?
Her kindness and tolerance towards him today had reached a level that Gu Zhao wouldn't even dare to dream of.
It was so unreal. It must be a dream, right?
Gu Zhao stared at Zhu Qingyu in shock, just silently shaking his head. He didn't even dare to speak, afraid that if he opened his mouth, the beautiful dream would shatter and he would wake up.
Seeing that he didn't cry out in pain, Zhu Qingyu was relieved and warned:
"It's already very late. Cooperate with me. Quickly finish your meal, take your medicine, and go to sleep well. Your injury is serious. You need to rest for at least two months. If you cause any more trouble, I'll let others take care of you, and I'll leave and won't stay with you tonight."
She'll stay with me tonight?!
Will she accompany me from morning till night?!
Gu Zhao was almost knocked out by this huge surprise. He didn't dare to cause any more trouble. When Zhu Qingyu helped him up, he even used his own strength to cooperate and sat up.
After settling Gu Zhao on the cushion and covering him with the quilt, Zhu Qingyu brought the tray over. Naturally, she scooped up a spoonful of porridge from the bowl and held it to Gu Zhao's mouth:
"Have a taste. Is it too hot?"
Gu Zhao opened his mouth and took it. The porridge wasn't hot, but his heart was.
If only she could always be this nice to him.
Gu Zhao was having such wishful thoughts, thinking about how to deceive and pester her so that her kindness towards him could last longer, even longer.
Her sincere affection, even just this fleeting glimpse, had made him unable to let go. He wanted it to last forever, to be his alone, for a lifetime.
Since Zhu Qingyu promised to stay with him here at night, Gu Zhao had no objections at all. He cooperated fully throughout the process, eating when told to eat, not eating when told not to, taking the medicine when told to, and lying down when told to.
Gu Zhao was lying in bed, turning his head to watch Zhu Qingyu making the bed on the small couch opposite. He then pushed his luck and said,
"Why can't I sleep with you?"
Gu Zhao said this just for the sake of it. He knew in his heart that she would definitely reject him. She had made it so clear that day that she regarded him as a burden and wanted to end things with him. She would surely refuse, saying no and claiming that she was only taking care of him as a patient. Once he recovered, she wouldn't have any more to do with him.
This coward only dared to kiss him when he was asleep. Once it came to real life, she couldn't wait to stay as far away from him as possible.
Sure enough, Zhu Qingyu said,
"No."
Although he knew it would be like this, Gu Zhao still couldn't hide his disappointment and was already prepared to be rejected by her words again.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Qingyu added,
"I have a bad sleeping posture and might crush you."
