Chapter 93: Utterly Under Control

Song Zeming had arranged everything and now needed to return—after all, he still had two classes of students to teach. He looked at Luo Yixia, who was lying on the hospital bed with an IV drip, and at Song Chengyi, sitting quietly to one side.

“I have to go back now. There’s training tonight,” Song Zeming said. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust them, but both were the kind to attract trouble without even trying.

“Alright, Zeming, you should go. I’m fine,” Luo Yixia replied with a smile. Her head still throbbed, but at least she was no longer in real danger.

“Take good care of her. The drip will probably take until late tonight. Call me when it’s done, and I’ll come pick you up,” he reminded them.

“Sure, you can go,” Song Chengyi replied offhandedly from the sofa, eager to see him out.

After Song Zeming left, Luo Yixia eyed the three large bottles of saline and wondered how long she’d be tethered to the IV.

Song Chengyi leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, resting.

Luo Yixia grew bored. She shifted, lying down then sitting up, unable to settle.

Song Chengyi’s brow furrowed beneath his closed lids. He opened his eyes to look at her. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, not really. It’s just—the bed is so hard, it’s impossible to rest,” Luo Yixia complained petulantly.

“Then sit up. Once you’re done with the IV, I’ll take you home,” Song Chengyi replied, unmoved by her complaints.

Luo Yixia watched as he closed his eyes again.

“Aren’t you tired? If you are, why don’t you take the bed for a while? I can sit,” she offered.

“I’m not tired,” Song Chengyi answered, eyes still shut.

“You look tired to me. I’ll get up,” she said, pushing off the covers and struggling to sit.

Song Chengyi opened his eyes and pressed her back down. “Stop fidgeting.”

“The bed is just too hard; I can’t get comfortable,” Luo Yixia said, sounding aggrieved.

She didn’t mean anything by it; she simply wanted someone to talk to, and he kept resting with his eyes closed.

Song Chengyi sighed, lifted a corner of the blanket, settled beside her, and let her lean into his arms. “Is this better?”

Luo Yixia looked up at him with wide, blinking eyes and nodded earnestly.

She lifted her hand with the IV and asked, “How long will this take?”

“A few hours, I suppose.” Song Chengyi glanced at the three bottles, a headache forming just at the thought. Who knew when they’d be able to leave tonight.

Luo Yixia nestled her head against his chest. Yes, this was much more comfortable than lying on the hard bed.

She shifted again, settling into a cozy spot in his arms, and closed her eyes.

Both rested with their eyes closed, and after a while, Luo Yixia truly fell asleep.

Though Song Chengyi’s eyes were closed, he would occasionally open them to check the IV.

By the time the first bottle finished, night had fallen.

Song Chengyi got up quietly to buy dinner—otherwise, she’d be hungry when she woke.

Even after he returned with food, Luo Yixia was still sound asleep.

“Wake up, it’s time to eat,” Song Chengyi called softly.

Luo Yixia opened her drowsy eyes, still glazed with sleep and a hint of tears.

She looked utterly lost.

Song Chengyi chuckled. “You said you couldn’t sleep, but you’re out like a log.”

Luo Yixia stretched and sat up.

Song Chengyi set the food on the small table and had her sit at the bedside to eat.

“Drink some water first,” he said, pouring her a cup of hot water he’d just fetched.

Luo Yixia took it, gulped down a few mouthfuls, then picked up her chopsticks.

“What’s for dinner?” she asked curiously, watching as Song Chengyi unpacked the bags and laid out dish after dish.

“Dinner,” he replied simply, but Luo Yixia’s eyes lit up as more and more food appeared. He really knew what she liked.

“I brought you pork rib soup. Drink it first.” Song Chengyi handed her a bowl.

“Okay,” Luo Yixia replied, delighted—it had been a long time since she’d had soup.

After drinking half, she passed the bowl to Song Chengyi, expecting him to refuse. Instead, he took it and finished it off without a second thought.

Seeing this, Luo Yixia was naturally pleased.

After the meal, Song Chengyi cleared away the trash. Luo Yixia made room for him, patting the empty spot beside her for him to sit.

He glanced at the swelling on her forehead and obediently sat down.

Luo Yixia pulled out her phone. Several friends had sent her messages, asking after her well-being.

Friend A: [Are you okay? Is it serious?]

Luo Yixia: [I’m fine, feeling much better.]

Friend A: [I saw Song Chengyi take you away. Are you two together now?]

Luo Yixia paused, not replying.

She continued checking her messages.

Friend B: [I saw you got hurt. Are you in the hospital now?]

Luo Yixia: [Yes, I’m at the hospital.]

Friend B: [Wasn’t it Song Chengyi who took you there?]

She moved to the next one.

Friend C: [Xia Xia, are you badly hurt? I saw you were crying pretty hard.]

Luo Yixia: [Much better now, just getting an IV.]

Friend C: [Glad you’re alright. Make sure to get plenty of rest.]

Luo Yixia finally felt a bit satisfied—at least someone was focused on her. She was about to send a “thank you” when another message came in.

Friend C: [Song Chengyi hasn’t come back yet, has he… Are you two together?]

At first, Luo Yixia was happy, replying to each message one by one, but in the end, they all revolved around Song Chengyi.

She was the one who was hurt, after all.

Now, she just wanted to toss her phone aside.

Song Chengyi noticed the shift in the mood of the girl in his arms.

“What’s wrong?” His gentle voice sounded above her head.

“I suddenly feel betrayed by the whole world,” Luo Yixia said pitifully.

“What happened?”

She handed him her phone, then wrapped her uninjured arm around him, burying her face in his chest.

Song Chengyi scrolled through the messages, then laughed. “Looks like all your friends are ‘fake’ friends.”

“That’s why I’m upset. No one loves me. It’s so sad.” Luo Yixia pouted.

Song Chengyi chuckled, ruffling her hair.

“Want me to reply for you? Tell them I’m with you now? That we’re even lying here together?” he teased, a smile playing on his lips.

For some reason, Luo Yixia blushed.

She reached for the phone in his hand, not caring about the needle in her arm.

When she finally snatched it back, she realized the spot where the needle was inserted had swollen into a lump.

“Song Chengyi… it’s dislodged…” she said regretfully.

Song Chengyi clicked his tongue, got out of bed, and called for the nurse.

A head nurse arrived, an older woman. She came in to reinsert the IV, glancing at Luo Yixia’s flushed face and their slightly disheveled clothes.

She couldn’t help but joke, “Still in the hospital? You two are so young, both still in school, aren’t you? Is there really such a rush?”

At her words, Luo Yixia’s face turned even redder. Even Song Chengyi’s ears tinged with color.

She hurried to explain, “No, you’ve got it wrong… He… he’s my brother…” she blurted out.

Song Chengyi raised an eyebrow but didn’t correct her, letting her spin her tale.

“Your brother? You do look a bit alike. How old are you? Still students? Does your brother have a girlfriend?” The head nurse was clearly intrigued.

Luo Yixia bit her tongue—she’d talked herself into this. This nurse was like a meddlesome aunt on an airplane.

“I’m twenty-two, a senior in college,” Song Chengyi replied with a smile.

Luo Yixia looked at him in surprise, but Song Chengyi pretended not to notice.

“My brother is very popular—see, just twenty-two, and already taken! They’ve even met each other’s families. The only reason he was allowed to stay with me after I got hurt was because my future sister-in-law agreed,” Luo Yixia said wistfully.

The nurse gave an awkward laugh. “So he has a girlfriend?”

“Yes, she’s at our university too,” Luo Yixia continued her story.

The nurse, her curiosity satisfied, finished the IV insertion and left.

Once she was gone, Luo Yixia finally relaxed.

“You’re quite the storyteller,” Song Chengyi remarked, arms crossed, leaning against the nightstand.

“It’s your fault for being too attractive. Who told you to look better than me, and I’m a girl,” Luo Yixia retorted, not backing down.

A smile curled at Song Chengyi’s lips. He didn’t argue, just took a seat in the chair, pulling out his phone and scrolling through it.

Luo Yixia watched him, then glanced at her own phone’s dwindling battery.

She waited a long time, but Song Chengyi kept to his phone, ignoring her.

“I’m thirsty,” Luo Yixia finally broke the silence.

“The water’s right next to you. Get it yourself,” Song Chengyi replied, not bothering to look up.

Luo Yixia pouted, reached for the cup, and took a sip.

“It’s cold now. I’m a patient—I can’t drink cold water,” she said, utterly justified.

Song Chengyi finally put his phone down, fetched a cup of hot water, and handed it to her.

Then he ignored her again.

Luo Yixia cradled the hot water. It was scalding… In the middle of summer, hot water was hardly pleasant.

“Um… do you want to sit here?” she offered, making room.

Song Chengyi glanced over, a smile suddenly playing on his lips. “You’re old enough to know boys and girls shouldn’t share a bed. How could your brother lie beside you?”

“Song Chengyi!” Luo Yixia protested, calling his name in annoyance.

“Call me ‘brother.’ Aren’t I your brother?” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Only then did Luo Yixia realize he was still sulking about her calling him her brother earlier.

Though she knew it wasn’t right to call him that, she hadn’t meant anything by it. It just slipped out—otherwise, the nurse would’ve misunderstood and thought they were… well…

She merely wanted to clarify things, nothing more…

So all this time, he’d been holding a grudge over that one slip?

“Song Chengyi, you’re so petty,” Luo Yixia huffed.

Song Chengyi was momentarily speechless. How had things ended up with Luo Yixia having him wrapped so tightly around her little finger?