Chapter 17: A Kiss on the Cheek

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Tang Yu had no desire, nor would she ever, hide anything from anyone when it came to matters of the heart.

"Yes."

Lou Xizhou nodded with satisfaction, then glanced at the Cayenne behind her. "Why didn’t you drive my car? Do you think yours is better?"

"Of course mine is better," Tang Yu replied matter-of-factly. "This is the first car I bought outright with my own money. It means a lot to me, and I’ve been driving it for two years. I’m attached to it."

"Mr. Lou’s car is for official use and brand new. No matter how expensive or cheap, it can’t compare to my beloved car."

"Wow, you’re amazing, little rich lady," Lou Xizhou said with a faint smile, calling her that again as he reached out to gently pull her away from the car door, then took the driver’s seat and grasped the steering wheel. "Get in, little rich lady."

Being called “little rich lady” repeatedly by this wealthy tycoon made Tang Yu feel a bit shy; she shot back at him in a playful, slightly fierce manner.

"What little rich lady? I’m a big rich lady!"

She just wasn’t one to flaunt it!

Lou Xizhou laughed and reached out the car window to gently tousle her damp hair, his tone unconsciously filled with affection. "Big rich lady, get in quickly and find a towel to dry your hair. Don’t catch a cold."

Caught up in this back-and-forth conversation, Tang Yu forgot to send him back to his own car and obediently got in.

Soon enough, Lou Xizhou’s words took effect.

After returning to North City, Tang Yu felt her clothes were mostly dry. After a bit of sun exposure outside, they dried completely, so she went straight to the news agency to report to Director Li.

By the afternoon when work ended, she felt a severe headache but still managed to drive home.

When she parked and got out at the door, she saw Lou Huainan riding a mountain bike back from school. Her reaction was somewhat sluggish.

"Tang Yu!" he called.

Dizzy, Tang Yu turned her head weakly and, lacking the energy to respond, forced a smile and let it be.

She must have been exhausted these past few days.

"Long time no see. Been busy? Think you’ll have time to go to the stables today?" Lou Huainan didn’t notice her unusual state and smiled as he invited her to ride horses. "The Equestrian Culture Week is just a few days away!"

Tang Yu furrowed her brow slightly, nodded, but her head felt like it was spinning—painful.

"Been busy lately. I have to go now."

She couldn’t go on—she needed to rest.

Seeing her, Lou Huainan, excited, wanted to share more about the recent training, but noticing her cold attitude and fading smile, his mood soured as he watched her walk inside and then turned to enter himself.

"Aunt Liu, Master Huainan is back," Aunt Liu said cheerfully, coming out of the kitchen wearing an apron.

Hearing the voice, Lou Huainan, changing shoes, brightened. "Aunt Liu’s back!"

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Aunt Liu had taken a month off to return to her hometown to care for her daughter-in-law during confinement.

"Yes! I even brought back some local specialties. Master Huainan, you have to try them later! Is Mr. Lou coming home for dinner?"

Shrugging, Lou Huainan said he wasn’t sure, walking straight to the dining room. "Maybe he’ll come, maybe he won’t—you know how busy he always is."

Before Aunt Liu returned, Lou Huainan usually ate out, and Lou Xizhou often had business dinners or was busy elsewhere.

Since Aunt Liu came back, mealtimes had become much more orderly.

"Delicious!" Lou Huainan raved after tasting Aunt Liu’s hometown dishes, giving exaggerated thumbs up. "Aunt Liu, this is amazing!"

Aunt Liu smiled and sat opposite him.

"I’ll call Sister Tang Yu and ask her to come join us," Lou Huainan said, fetching his phone.

But after several attempts, Tang Yu didn’t answer. Disappointed, he put the phone down and sat back at the table, his mood dampened.

"Who was that you just mentioned, Master Huainan?" Aunt Liu asked, thinking it might be a girlfriend.

"Sister Tang Yu. She rents the place next door to us. She’s incredible!" Lou Huainan explained.

Only then did Aunt Liu realize the next-door apartment was rented out. She chuckled, "Oh, now I have someone to talk to. You and Mr. Lou are rarely home, and I’m about to go mute from boredom."

As they spoke, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

Lou Xizhou got out of his car, saw Tang Yu’s parked vehicle, then looked toward the neighboring house. Under the fading light, the building exuded a quiet serenity.

Hearing the noise, Lou Huainan stepped outside. Seeing his uncle return, he hurried over. "Uncle, Aunt Liu’s back and made hometown dishes—they’re so good!"

Lou Xizhou pulled out his phone and found Tang Yu’s number. Upon hearing this, he just nodded slightly and dialed her.

Tang Yu had collapsed on the living room sofa as soon as she entered, not even wanting to go upstairs. She was roused by several phone calls. Just as she was about to fall back asleep, another call came, making her headache worsen.

Worried it might be work, she furrowed her brow, enduring the pain as she fumbled for her phone.

"Hello..."

Lou Xizhou heard the strain in her voice and stepped toward the iron gate. "It’s me. Are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a fever after getting wet?"

A fever?

Tang Yu paused, thinking it over, and realized that might be right.

"I wondered why my head hurt so much. I thought I just hadn’t rested well," she said weakly, lifting herself from the sofa. "Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Lou. I’ll go buy some medicine now."

"Come out and open the door. I have it here," Lou Xizhou said, then quickly turned and went to get the medicine.

Good thing he called her.

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From afar, Aunt Liu stood at the doorway, calling out in a low voice, "Aunt Liu, find me some fever medicine!"

She quickly turned and hurried to fetch it, soon returning with both effervescent powder and tablets.

Lou Xizhou took them and left.

Curious, Aunt Liu craned her neck from the steps, trying to see who was sick enough to make him so anxious.

She saw him go to the neighboring door where a young woman was leaning against it. He reached out, felt her forehead and cheeks, then lifted her into his arms and strode inside.

Aunt Liu covered her mouth in surprise.

Mr. Lou with the girl renting next door?!

Lou Xizhou laid Tang Yu down on the sofa, then went to pour water and prepare the medicine.

"Here, take this first," he said softly as he sat beside her on the sofa, gently supporting her to lean against him. "After you take it, get some sleep. You’ll feel better."

"Thank you," Tang Yu said, swallowing the medicine.

Just as she put down the cup and before she could say anything else, her body suddenly felt weightless. Startled, she gripped Lou Xizhou’s shirt tightly, frowning through the headache to look at him.

"Mr. Lou, I can walk on my own..."

"Don’t push yourself," Lou Xizhou said, carrying her toward the stairs. "Sleep now. Once you’re resting, I’ll leave."

Tang Yu had no strength to argue and closed her eyes, letting him take care of her.

Once her fever broke, she would talk to him properly.

Lou Xizhou drew her closer, holding her steadily as he carried her upstairs.

He laid Tang Yu on the master bedroom bed, then quickly went back downstairs to fetch a kettle and medicine, placing them on the bedside table and plugging in the kettle to keep warm.

Sitting on the bed’s edge, he reached out to touch her forehead. "Tang Yu?"

"Hmm?" she replied drowsily, her cheeks flushed with fever.

Lou Xizhou leaned down and spoke gently, "I brought you water and medicine. If you feel unwell, call me, okay?"

"Mm..."

Half asleep, Tang Yu felt a cool kiss brush across her cheek—so comforting.