Mrs. Zhou, please take care of me from now on.

The two didn’t leave the hospital until 2:30 AM. Zhou Shiyu’s temperature was still 38.5 degrees.

Sheng Sui wanted to persuade him to stay in the hospital for observation, but the man insisted on personally driving her home. She was too tired and sleepy to argue and finally got in the car.

The Aston Martin stopped downstairs. As Sheng Sui pushed the door to get out, she glimpsed Zhou Shiyu looking down for something.

Her mind was foggy from fatigue: “Do you need help?”

The man’s gaze stopped on the coat she was wearing. Finally, he just smiled: “It’s nothing. Go back. Good night.”

“Good night.”

With too little sleep, Sheng Sui almost couldn’t wake up the next day. The alarm rang several times and she kept pressing snooze until Xiao Ming finally pushed the door open.

Seeing she couldn’t open her eyes, Xiao Ming no longer mentioned birthday celebration plans: “I’ll cook you something delicious after work tonight. After eating, go catch up on sleep immediately.”

Sheng Sui drained her black coffee in one gulp: “Sorry about promising to go out and play.”

“What are you saying? I’ve called a car for you. You can nap in the car later.”

Before leaving, Sheng Sui picked up the men’s coat from the chair back that she had forgotten to return last night, but saw a white phone slide out of the pocket.

She caught it quickly, realizing this was Zhou Shiyu’s.

Sheng Sui frowned slightly.

If she remembered correctly, the man had used a black phone last night, but when they first met and he asked for her contact information, he had used a white one.

Sheng Sui used her own phone to dial Zhou Shiyu’s number and indeed saw the white phone screen light up.

Using separate phones for personal and work matters was normal. The problem was how she should return it.

After arriving at school, Sheng Sui found the file recording parents’ contact information and dialed the second number listed. Several attempts went unanswered.

Was he still sick?

She couldn’t help worrying. During several class breaks, she forced herself to stay awake and redialed, but all calls went unanswered.

During lunch break, even her teaching partner Qi Yue noticed her distraction and asked with concern: “Are you okay, Teacher Sheng? Your dark circles are so heavy.”

Sheng Sui smiled and said she was fine. Having no appetite, she returned to the office first, preparing to rest her head on the desk for a while, when her mother called.

Yu Xuemei’s tone was weary: “Xiao Sui, today is your birthday. Mom has been too busy these past few days. I’ve transferred 2,000 yuan to your account—buy yourself something.”

Sheng Sui vaguely guessed the second half: “Thank you, Mom.”

Her mother sighed repeatedly: “Your brother’s fever came back at noon. We have to go to the hospital for injections this afternoon. I really don’t know how to ask for time off, sigh.”

Hearing her mother’s implication, Sheng Sui volunteered: “Do you need my help?”

“Just go at 2 o’clock,” Yu Xuemei immediately responded, praising satisfactorily: “It’s true that daughters are better. If Yanze was half as considerate as you, I’d burn incense in gratitude.”

Sure enough, she only sought her out when there was something to do. Sheng Sui smiled self-mockingly: “It’s fine.”

There was nothing more for mother and daughter to discuss. After hanging up, she took a deep breath and noticed she had just received a text from an unknown number.

[186xxxx0314: This is Zhou Shiyu. Is it convenient to talk?]

Her worried heart finally settled. Sheng Sui called back, and after connecting, heard the man explain: “Sorry, I was in meetings all morning and just saw the missed calls.”

“It’s fine. Are you feeling better?” Sheng Sui remembered the main matter: “Your phone and coat are with me. How should I return them to you?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard noisy voices from the other side: “Secretary Chen told me you had a fever of 40 last night and still came to the company. Impressive, brother—”

The words were cut off by the sound of a door slamming, followed by Zhou Shiyu’s calm reply: “Depends on when you’re available.”

Sheng Sui felt the male voice from earlier was familiar, remembering the man’s fever hadn’t subsided last night: “Do you still need to go to the hospital? I have to stay until 4:30 PM—I don’t want to trouble you to make an extra trip.”

Zhou Shiyu pondered for a moment: “Then 4:30. I’ll come find you.”

Due to her diabetes, Sheng Sui usually maintained very healthy and regular routines. Suddenly staying up late and lacking sleep left her muddled all day.

To accompany Xu Yanze, she asked for leave two hours early and rushed to the hospital, quickly spotting the young man in the emergency room.

Xu Yanze was about to participate in the national mathematical olympiad competition. Even while sick, he didn’t forget to do practice papers. Seeing Sheng Sui sit beside him, he didn’t look up: “I already said you didn’t need to come.”

After speaking, he took out a jewelry shopping bag from his backpack and handed it over: “Birthday gift for you.”

Sheng Sui recognized the bracelet brand on the bag, knowing this store’s cheapest items started at four digits. She wasn’t sure where Xu Yanze got the money.

She declined politely: “It’s too expensive. I can’t accept it.”

“Well, I can’t return it now,” Xu Yanze looked impatient: “I’ve already given it. If you don’t like it, just throw it away.”

The young man ignored her afterward. Sheng Sui helplessly had to accept it. After reminding her brother to call her if he felt uncomfortable, she took out her computer to prepare lessons, drowsy and inefficient.

Around 4:30, Yu Xuemei hurried over carrying a thermal container. Seeing the crowded and noisy emergency room, she was very dissatisfied: “So noisy—how can patients rest? I said earlier your father should have used his connections to get a private room.”

While talking, the woman opened the thermal container and ladled a bowl of steaming lotus root and lean meat porridge for Xu Yanze: “You brat, didn’t touch the breakfast I made early this morning. Hurry up and drink the porridge.”

Watching Xu Yanze drink the porridge with obvious disgust, at that moment, Sheng Sui felt like a pathetic fool, forever expecting imaginary care and concern.

How long would it take for her to calmly accept that she had never had a family, to recognize the fact that her mother already had a new life?

—”If there’s no family, then rebuild one yourself.”

For some reason, Zhou Shiyu’s gentle, low voice suddenly came to mind.

Sheng Sui packed up her computer and stood up, gripping her bag strap tightly with her right hand: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first—”

The second half of her sentence was interrupted by her phone ringing. She looked down at the familiar number, answered, and heard the man ask on the phone: “I’ve arrived at the hospital. Where are you?”

“I’m in the emergency room.”

“Okay, I’ll come find you.”

Soon, the tall, slender Zhou Shiyu appeared in the hall, his gaze landing precisely on Sheng Sui as he walked toward her with long strides.

Standing before her, the man got straight to the point: “The blanket is still in my car. I’ll give it to you shortly.”

While speaking, Zhou Shiyu’s gaze didn’t shift even slightly, clearly not giving the mother and son beside them any consideration.

“Okay,” Sheng Sui acutely sensed that although Zhou Shiyu was smiling, his aura was cold and low. She turned to introduce: “This is my mother and brother.”

Yu Xuemei, regardless of not knowing Zhou Shiyu’s identity, could tell from his demeanor alone that the man’s status was extraordinary. She restrained her usual imposing attitude and nodded repeatedly in greeting.

Zhou Shiyu remained refined and courteous, but his dark eyes behind the glasses lacked warmth as they swept over the thermal container, his lips curving:

“Lake lotus roots need to be stewed soft and tender for at least two to three hours. Auntie has excellent cooking skills.”

Without waiting for the woman’s response, the man turned to Sheng Sui again, reaching out to take the coat and phone with an attitude of ignoring everyone else: “It’s your birthday today. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Both being children, yet the biological daughter’s birthday was ignored while the son received warm care and concern.

How could Sheng Sui not understand that Zhou Shiyu was standing up for her?

Warmth welled up in her eyes. She lowered her head and took a deep breath. Seeing her mother’s face alternating between red and white, knowing her health wasn’t good, she didn’t want to cause further conflict. After brief farewells, she followed Zhou Shiyu to the parking lot to get the blanket.

The impressive Aston Martin stood out among the crowd of cars.

Seeing they were about to stop by the car, Sheng Sui paused slightly and said softly to the man’s solid, broad back: “…Thank you.”

She heard the beep of the car unlocking. Zhou Shiyu stopped and turned to look at her, taking in all of Sheng Sui’s sadness and vulnerability that she thought she had hidden well.

After a few seconds, he sighed softly and raised his hand to gently ruffle the top of Sheng Sui’s head.

As he had imagined countless times, her hair felt soft and smooth, carrying the warmth of afternoon sunlight.

He called her name lowly: “Sheng Sui.”

Sheng Sui looked up, some surprise in her eyes at being suddenly patted on the head: “Hmm?”

“You don’t need to become a ‘good child’ who satisfies everyone.”

The man’s low voice was incredibly gentle in the early spring breeze: “That would make life very hard.”

Zhou Shiyu stood in the orange-red sunlight, large patches of light pouring down over his tall figure, making her think of deities descending from heaven to save people from suffering.

“…Okay.”

Focusing on his appearance, after a while, Sheng Sui’s lips curved upward, shallow dimples appearing. Her bright, clear smile left Zhou Shiyu momentarily stunned: “I understand.”

Unlike before, when Zhou Shiyu offered to take Sheng Sui home this time, she didn’t refuse again.

In the passenger seat, she fastened her seatbelt and confirmed with concern: “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine,” Zhou Shiyu gave the same response, his slender fingertips tapping thoughtfully on the steering wheel. After a few seconds, he suddenly said: “Wait a moment. I need to go back to the hospital for something.”

On his way back to the hospital after getting out of the car, he took out his phone and made a call, his tone calm and steady: “Arrange a VIP single room. I need it in five minutes.”

“Yes, Mr. Zhou—”

Before Secretary Chen could finish, the phone was snatched away by Qiu Si: “Didn’t our Mr. Zhou insist on working even with a 40-degree fever and kick out the doctor who came to see him? How come he suddenly wants to be hospitalized now—”

The chattering in his ear continued. Zhou Shiyu decisively hung up and strode back into the emergency room. Under the gazes of people around him, he locked onto Yu Xuemei and her son.

The woman was still complaining about the poor conditions, while Xu Yanze beside her, probably finding her too noisy, coldly put on his headphones.

Seeing Zhou Shiyu walking directly toward them, Yu Xuemei immediately stood up warily: “Is there something you need?”

The conversation from a few minutes ago was still fresh in her memory. The exceptionally handsome man before her was only about thirty, with a humble demeanor and constant smile, yet she felt instinctively alert.

Zhou Shiyu looked calmly at the woman’s guarded expression, glanced down at Xu Yanze who couldn’t even be bothered to lift his head, and said methodically: “This place doesn’t seem suitable for studying.”

He took out his phone and looked at the message Secretary Chen had just sent: “A nurse will take you to the VIP ward shortly.”

The combination of gentle tone, commanding syntax, and unprompted, non-refusable help created a triple pressure that made Yu Xuemei’s back tense: “Why are you helping us?”

“Don’t be nervous.”

Zhou Shiyu smiled graciously to comfort her, his gaze falling on the woman’s quietly clenched fists by her legs: “It’s just a small favor.”

At this moment, the emergency department director personally arrived with two nurses, arranging for them to help Xu Yanze into a wheelchair and escort him to the VIP ward upstairs.

In a hospital where even single rooms were hard to come by, VIP wards had long ceased to be a problem money could solve.

Yet Zhou Shiyu spoke of it as effortless.

Under Yu Xuemei’s complex, awed gaze, the man nodded slightly to the director, accepted the medications handed to him, and turned to Yu Xuemei again: “Sheng Sui cares about you very much.”

“My help is simply to let Auntie use her time on what she should be doing.”

Yu Xuemei was momentarily stunned.

What she should be doing?

The man’s nonchalant manner made her increasingly afraid. She gripped her phone tightly: “We’ll pay you back.”

“As you wish.”

Zhou Shiyu was indifferent to such matters. He looked down at his left wrist watch, his tone unhurried: “It’s now 4:45. There are nearly two hours until 6:30.”

Pausing slightly, he smiled at the woman: “I think there should be sufficient time to prepare a birthday dinner.”

After speaking, he nodded farewell. The moment he turned to leave, his upturned mouth straightened, his expression becoming cold and emotionless.

When Zhou Shiyu returned to the car, Sheng Sui had fallen into deep sleep.

Completely unaware of the car door opening, she had turned her head to the left and was sleeping peacefully, her long curled lashes trembling gently with her breathing.

Soft light filtered through the privacy windows onto her profile, illuminating her snow-white skin until it seemed transparent. Her dimples were faintly visible, her breathing shallow. Her serene sleeping face made one think of descriptions of peaceful times.

Zhou Shiyu stared intently, thinking his gaze must be nearly greedy at this moment.

Even in dreams, he had never watched Sheng Sui’s sleeping face so quietly and for so long, worried that if she woke in her dream to see a stranger before her, she would be frightened and panicked.

These past few days, he would sometimes wonder how someone could do nothing at all—simply existing—and make him feel secure and satisfied.

The enclosed car was silent, a peaceful dream undisturbed.

Until Sheng Sui’s phone vibrated in her palm.

Frowning as she slowly opened her eyes, she drowsily instinctively checked her phone first, seeing two messages from her mother.

[Mother: Thank you to your friend for helping arrange the room, please thank him for me]

[Mother: Tonight is your birthday. I’ll go to the supermarket to buy groceries later. Tell me what you want to eat, come home early after you’re done]

Staring at the screen content for a long time in confusion, Sheng Sui slowly looked at Zhou Shiyu beside her, belatedly understanding.

So when he said he had business earlier, he went to arrange a room for Xu Yanze?

She wasn’t sure why her busy mother had suddenly changed her tune, but intuition told Sheng Sui this change must be connected to Zhou Shiyu.

Blinking slowly and gently, her just-awakened brain was completely muddled.

She had never encountered anyone like Zhou Shiyu—understanding her sensitivity and fragility, tolerating her natural shortcomings, even sympathizing with her indecisiveness.

All his kindness to her even made her feel unreal at times, as if she were in a fairyland in the clouds. Because she was too afraid of falling and crashing down, she dared not take a step forward.

Seeing she had awakened, Zhou Shiyu turned to place the plastic bag containing medicine in the back seat, then looked back to meet her somewhat confused gaze, bringing up the promise from the emergency room:

“Today is your birthday. What is your wish?”

Sheng Sui thought she must have been confused from sleep and lost her rationality, as a certain thought grew wildly and uncontrollably in her heart, ready to burst forth.

She stared fixedly at the man, her heart beating violently: “Can any wish come true?”

“Anything at all.”

Worried she might catch cold after waking up, Zhou Shiyu turned on the car’s heating. Looking into her eyes, his tone carried unconscious indulgence: “With me, you can be a ‘bad child.'”

Willful, sensitive, crying—as long as it was her, everything was acceptable.

“Mr. Zhou, let’s get married.”

Lost in the man’s deep, gentle eyes, Sheng Sui’s marriage proposal slipped out, surprising even herself after saying it.

In her not-so-smooth life, she had never acted impulsively, following rules step by step and trying to become the “obedient and well-behaved” person others described.

Zhou Shiyu was the only courage and madness in her 27 years of ordinary life.

However, the man seemed shocked by her impulsiveness. Upon hearing this, he frowned and remained silent for a long time without agreeing or refusing. The increasingly long and unbearable silence made Sheng Sui unable to help but try to save face.

“If you think it’s too hasty,” she lowered her gaze, not daring to make eye contact. After sobering up, embarrassment and shyness swept over her, her cheeks flushing red:

“You can also think about it more—”

“Sheng Sui, have you really thought through marrying me?”

Zhou Shiyu’s gentle tone calmed her current panic. The man patiently waited for her to look up and meet his gaze, his dark eyes behind the glasses showing unclear emotions: “I want a long-lasting marriage.”

“That means if you want to divorce later, it will be very difficult.”

“I haven’t thought it through clearly,” Sheng Sui honestly shook her head. She indeed couldn’t list reasons like Zhou Shiyu could, only softly mentioning the phrase that had repeatedly come to mind:

“Last night you said, ‘If there’s no family, then rebuild one yourself.'”

She gathered courage to look at the man, only her reddened earlobes betraying her current nervousness: “But a family can’t be just one person alone.”

“If possible, I hope the other person is you.”

After her words, another period of wordless silence followed. Sheng Sui could sense Zhou Shiyu’s rare tense emotions, like a bowstring drawn taut and ready to snap, his thin lips pressed together.

The other party silently stared at her deeply, as if examining the truth of her words. His gaze behind the glasses was so intense that Sheng Sui found it sharp.

After a few seconds, she saw Zhou Shiyu suddenly curve his lips in a relieved smile: “Okay.”

Without further ado, he directly started the car and pressed the accelerator to increase speed.

As the car left the parking lot, Sheng Sui watched the scenery outside rapidly retreat, momentarily unable to react: “…Where are we going?”

“Home to get our household registration booklets, then to get our marriage certificate.”

Zhou Shiyu’s answer was as concise as ever: “There are still forty minutes before the civil affairs bureau closes. We can make it.”

The man suddenly seemed to remember something, turning to smile slightly at Sheng Sui. When he addressed her again, he had already changed his manner of speaking:

“Mrs. Zhou, please take care of me from now on.”