Chapter 5
Jiang Suliu's breath caught.
"Secretary Jiang?" A momentary confusion flickered in Feng Jin's eyes before clarity returned. She let go of his hand. "What are you doing?"
Suppressing the inexplicable tension rising in his chest, Jiang Suliu met her gaze and said, "President, you're ill. I need to take your temperature."
"Alright," Feng Jin exhaled softly, not thinking further. She took the thermometer from his hand and tucked it under her arm. Afterward, Jiang Suliu placed a soft cushion behind her back. She thanked him and closed her eyes. Her entire body felt weak and foggy, as if all her strength had been drained. She was both sleepy and exhausted.
"President, have some water first," Jiang Suliu bent down slightly, bringing the thermos cup to her lips. "It's a bit hot. Drink slowly."
Feng Jin rarely got sick, but now even a mild cold had completely depleted her energy. She took a few sips with Jiang Suliu's help, sweat still beading on her forehead. Jiang Suliu took a warm towel nearby and gently wiped her sweat. "Rest a bit more. We should be arriving in S City in about an hour and a half."
"Thank you."
"It's what a secretary should do."
Five minutes later, at Jiang Suliu's gesture, Feng Jin handed him the thermometer.
"37.8 degrees Celsius. Thankfully, it's just a mild fever," Jiang Suliu seemed relieved. "No need for medication."
The nearby flight attendant also let out a quiet sigh of relief. Though this wasn't the first time something like this happened, if it were serious, they might have had to land prematurely or turn back.
Sleepiness overtook Feng Jin. She vaguely felt someone wiping her sweat with a warm towel, but that only made her feel hotter. In her haze, something cool touched her forehead. As it was about to be removed, she instinctively held it in place, then moved it to her neck, seeking some relief from the heat.
A sharp intake of breath was heard nearby. Feng Jin felt her eyelids grow heavier. She couldn't open her eyes and muttered, "So hot..."
The warmth and softness in Jiang Suliu's palm, caught between her grip, made his breath hitch. He froze momentarily, then tried to remove his hand from her neck, but her grip only tightened. Looking down at her closed eyes and slightly parted lips, Jiang Suliu's peach blossom eyes narrowed behind his glasses.
The rising temperature affected even him. Jiang Suliu let her hold his hand while loosening his tie with the other and retrieved the thermometer from inside her clothes. Seeing the mercury rise, he looked at her furrowed brows and sighed.
38.5 degrees Celsius—a moderate fever. The flight would land in about 45 minutes.
With one hand, Jiang Suliu took out a cooling patch, peeled off the plastic, and gently applied it to her forehead for physical cooling. She frowned slightly but didn't resist.
For the past half month, her schedule had been erratic. Her immune system weakened, so it was no surprise she fell ill. Jiang Suliu pursed his lips. Did she not know how to take care of herself? Or did she believe she could bear everything alone?
After being betrayed by someone she trusted, she still hadn't relaxed. Or maybe she hadn't had the time to. When he saw the news of her broken engagement with the Chu family and Sheng'an's crisis from abroad, he declined his advisor's offer to stay and returned to China, heading straight to S City.
Perhaps she no longer remembered what happened ten years ago. Still, he came to S City, overcame countless hurdles, and became her secretary. Sometimes he didn't even understand himself, but he did it anyway.
He just wanted to help her through this difficult time.
Three months into Sheng'an, he officially joined the President's office and became her personal secretary, handling all emergencies and issues around her. He was suddenly grateful he had listened to his brother and pursued a second degree. Though he had no interest in finance and management, out of respect, he completed a master's in it.
Then, among numerous applicants, he stood out and secured the position of secretary to the president.
Half-awake, Feng Jin opened her eyes due to a splitting headache and found her secretary half-kneeling in front of her, his hand gripped in hers and placed against her neck... cooling her down.
She froze, then let go. "Sorry. That was inappropriate."
Even behind the glasses, Jiang Suliu's peach blossom eyes were captivating. There was an unreadable emotion in them, but he soon looked away and calmly asked, "President, how are you feeling now?"
"My head hurts," Feng Jin composed herself, took the thermos from him, drank a few sips, and asked, "How much longer until we reach S City?"
"Thirty minutes." Jiang Suliu naturally took the thermos from her and placed it on the table. "You can rest more. I'll wake you when we arrive."
"Hmm. Do you have any antipyretics?" Feng Jin pushed off the blanket.
"Yes, but I don't recommend taking them now," Jiang Suliu covered her with the blanket again. "You're a patient right now, President."
"I'm too hot."
"Sweating will help. If you uncover yourself, the condition might worsen," he said firmly.
Feng Jin, feeling weak, looked at her secretary with a trace of amusement. "Secretary Jiang, what you're doing breaks workplace protocol. Aren't you afraid I'll fire you?"
Jiang Suliu pressed his lips together. His voice was even and steady, as if stating a fact: "I'm just doing my job. If your condition worsens, my workload will increase, which would trouble me." As he spoke, his fingers curled slightly, head lowered to hide the emotion in his eyes.
Feng Jin rubbed her temples but didn't lift the blanket again. Her body was radiating heat, her shirt soaked through with sweat. She closed her eyes, the patch on her forehead offering little relief.
Seeing her struggle, Jiang Suliu said, "President, let's check your temperature again."
Feng Jin opened her eyes and took the thermometer. When he looked away, she placed it under her arm.
By then, it was lunchtime.
Considering Feng Jin's poor appetite, Jiang Suliu only requested a light vegetable porridge from the flight attendant. She ate a few bites and set the bowl aside.
He didn't push her, simply handed her the thermos again. Though drowsiness overtook her, she still drank a few sips.
When she took out the thermometer, Jiang Suliu saw that her temperature had dropped to a mild fever. Only then did he feel relieved.
Looking down, he found she had fallen asleep against the soft cushion.
Time passed. The cabin announcement indicated that the plane was about to land.
Half-awake, Feng Jin heard a commotion and opened her eyes. She was being carried in someone's arms down the airplane stairs. A men's suit jacket was draped over her—the uniform of her company.
"Secretary Jiang," Feng Jin slowly came to her senses, puzzled by her lack of alertness. Her voice was hoarse. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"You seemed deeply asleep. I didn't want to disturb you," Jiang Suliu replied, eyes fixed ahead.
Feng Jin sighed lightly. "I'll walk once we're down."
"Yes, President."
Once off the stairs, with Jiang Suliu's help, Feng Jin stood upright and peeled off the cooling patch from her forehead. After sweating, she now felt chilly. Jiang Suliu lifted his hand and draped his jacket over her shoulders.
Feng Jin was momentarily stunned but didn't refuse.
"Thank you."
Jiang Suliu nodded slightly, his peach blossom eyes softening beneath his glasses.
Before boarding, Feng Jin had notified the family driver. As soon as they exited the terminal, a middle-aged man in a neatly pressed suit approached with a kind smile. Seeing her tired expression, he looked concerned. "Miss Feng, are you alright? Shall I call Dr. Wei?"
Seeing him, warmth filled Feng Jin's gaze. "Uncle Hua, don't worry. I'm fine."
"Uncle Hua," Jiang Suliu also nodded politely.
Uncle Hua smiled at him. "You've worked hard these past couple of days."
"Just doing my duty," Jiang Suliu replied courteously.
Uncle Hua smiled again.
Jiang Suliu opened the car door for Feng Jin, placing his hand against the roof to keep her from bumping her head. Only after she was seated did he walk to the passenger seat.
Inside, Uncle Hua turned on the heater. After sweating, Feng Jin began to feel better. Looking out the window at the familiar cityscape, the massive LED screen displayed the latest movie trailer. A familiar figure caught her eye.
It was a spy-themed movie with dark tones mingled with sensual flair. The character's seductive eyes shimmered with lethal intent. The paradoxical beauty was striking.
Hadn't that person gone to Hollywood for a film three months ago?
So, she was back? Feng Jin looked away.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
She answered after seeing the number.
"Heard the Chus are acting up again. I came back early just for you. Touched yet?"
Hearing that raspy yet alluring voice, Feng Jin immediately pictured her in her mind and rubbed her temples, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Where are you?"
"Your house."
Sure enough, Feng Jin looked up and saw a gaudy red Lamborghini parked outside her private villa.