The tossing and turning faces lingered in Su Qing's mind.
That night, Su Qing slept in a daze.
Her head felt groggy, her whole body lacking strength, and a chill washed over her.
Even when the class was assembled and the teacher called the roll, Su Qing still hadn't come down.
Li Ran frowned, calling Su Qing's name several times. Classmates also mentioned her name several times in the group chat, but Su Qing didn't respond.
Until Li Ran heard Jiang Sui knock on the door.
Su Qing dragged her scorching body into her clothes before slowly opening the door. Her complexion was flushed, unhealthy, and she was even slightly swollen.
"Su Qing, what's wrong with you? Do you have a fever?"
Li Ran touched Su Qing's forehead with the back of her hand. It was indeed scorching hot. Teachers are most averse to bringing children out, especially when students are sick. She looked a bit anxious.
Su Qing shook her head, groggily trying to say she was fine, but she just couldn't visit Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School. She probably needed some rest today.
Jiang Sui, standing to the side, observed Su Qing, his face dark, his expression a little grim. His eyes held a hint of nervousness and worry. Before Su Qing could speak, he could speak.
"Teacher, you take the students on a school tour first. I'll take Su Qing to the hospital."
Li Ran wanted to refuse, but then he thought about the students downstairs and the fact that she had already made arrangements with the Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School leadership. She couldn't just say no, and for a moment, she hesitated.
"Teacher, I grew up in Jiangcheng. I'll take Su Qing to the hospital at my friend's house. I'll call you if anything needs to be done."
With that, Li Ran felt a little relieved.
Although Jiang Sui was unruly, this boy, despite his reputation as a well-off family, hadn't caused any major trouble, and his academic performance was excellent.
The teachers also turned a blind eye to such students, and crucially, many teachers had a good opinion of him.
Although Li Ran was a little worried at the moment, after hearing Jiang Sui's words, she nodded and agreed.
Because it seemed like it was the best solution.
Before Su Qing could react, she and Jiang Sui were alone in the room again.
The boy's cold fingers grasped her burning wrist and closed the door.
Su Qing's expression gradually cleared. The coldness of the boy's fingertips gave her a sense of comfort and excitement.
She shuddered, and then tried to break free.
"Unhold me, I'm fine. I don't need to go to the hospital. I'll be fine after some rest."
Her voice was hoarse, and even her breathing was a little unsteady. Su Qing felt a little warm and limp, unable to break free from Jiang Sui's grip, so she just let him hold her.
The girl was wearing long-sleeved pajamas with a baby doll collar that looked a bit loose on her frail frame, revealing her slender neck. The boy could see the wound on the back of her neck was slightly inflamed.
His eyes narrowed, and his grip on Su Qing's wrist tightened.
Without a word, he hugged her around the waist, then walked out of the room and down the stairs in the elevator in the staff passage.
"Jiang Sui, put me down!"
Su Qing's head was groggy, and all she wanted was sleep. She'd dismissed Jiang Sui and thought she'd drink some hot water and sweat it out, which would probably help.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Sui didn't even give her a chance to speak.
"Teachers and classmates are gathering in the hall. If you don't want to be seen, keep your voice down."
...
Su Qing instantly grabbed Jiang Sui by the collar and buried her head in his chest.
The boy's chest was strong, and she was so hot and tense that she could only speak incoherently.
"Wait, after they've left, we'll go out."
Su Qing didn't know if Jiang Sui would listen, but after she said this, her throat felt dry and itchy, as if it were smoking.
A gentle warmth, flowing through the fabric of her T-shirt, seeped into Jiang Sui's collarbone, bringing with it a scorching heat.
Jiang Sui's eyes darkened, and he pursed his lips. Without a word, he led the girl into the parking lot, his back involuntarily straightening, his fingers stiffening.
As soon as they reached the basement parking lot, a cool breeze crept into Su Qing's body. The draft felt quite comfortable, and she couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"Hold me tight, don't let the wind blow."
Jiang Sui's eyes darkened at the sight. When he left last night, she was clearly fine. The air conditioning in the room was at the right temperature, and the door and windows were closed. How could she have a fever and an infected wound?
Isn't this a trick he used when he was a child?
He couldn't help but hug Su Qing tighter, making her breathless. Su Qing had no idea where they were going, or whether they'd run into teachers or students again. She didn't dare move for a moment, and could only keep quiet.
"Jiang Sui, I'm suffocating."
"Then don't. You took a cold shower last night, don't you know how much you'll suffer?"
The cold boy, and the figure who forcefully placed her in the car. While Su Qing was still a little dazed, Jiang Sui had already placed her in a spacious private car. Through the window, she saw the boy talking on his phone, and then he got in a moment later.
Her reaction was still reminiscent of the boy's words, "cold shower..."
How could he know? Turning her head faintly, Su Qing stared at Jiang Sui intently, her fingers gripping the leather seat beneath her. She was in Jiang Sui's car right now?
Jiang Sui wasn't yet an adult?
Su Qing, groggy, managed to speak rationally.
"Did you install surveillance cameras in the hotel?"
...
Jiang Sui was truly furious. His eyes were filled with rage as he grabbed Su Qing's neck and kissed her fiercely.
He shuddered at the coldness of her lips, and then she forcefully pushed Jiang Sui away.
Su Qing, stretching his arms, gave Jiang Sui a weak slap...
It wasn't powerful, but it hurt.
The boy's furious eyes darkened.
"Su Qing, you think I'm such a filthy person."
"I even installed security cameras in the hotel. That's illegal, and I, Jiang Sui, wouldn't do anything. What do you think I am?"
The irritated teenager smiled, his eyes cold.
"Su Qing, what on earth have you been through?"
"How big is a teenage soul?"
"I'm telling you, I'm someone with ulterior motives. And what I'm after is you, Su Qing. You can't hide from me, even if you try."
"I, Jiang Sui, am upright and sit up straight!"
"I'm just so worried about you, you little fool. You took a cold shower and your wound got infected."
"If you don't want me to boil you like a frog, fine. After we get back from the competititon, I'll write you a love letter under the national flag. How's that?"
Jiang Sui spoke with a certain passion, casually unbuttoning his shirt collar a bit...
"Su Qing, I just want to be legitimate, I want us to have a future."
"I used to think, what's the point of studying? Now, I think, because I f**king like someone, I want to study!"
"Then it's not like I can't."