Chapter 21
Ji Ruan caught a cold after all.
When he awoke in the morning, everything felt off. The top of his mosquito net spun even more wildly than when his blood sugar was low. He closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them, but it was to no avail. His head felt dizzy, and there was a throbbing pain in his temples.
He sucked on a candy, slowly sitting up and leaning against the wall. After the dizziness had somewhat subsided, he gingerly got out of bed.
Because of his dizziness, Ji Ruan took each step with caution. Yet he still missed a step, gripping the railing in panic. His heart raced, but the scare seemed to have cleared his mind slightly.
As soon as Han Xiaolin woke up, he heard Ji Ruan's persistent coughing. It was intermittent, and at times so severe that Ji Ruan had to bend over and hold onto a table for support.
"Ji Ruan, are you okay?" Han Xiaolin asked, his mouth full of toothpaste foam, as he emerged from the bathroom.
Ji Ruan waved dismissively. He'd just taken a throat lozenge and drunk plenty of hot water, so his throat felt somewhat better. He slowly remarked, "Finish brushing your teeth. You've got foam on your shirt..."
Looking down, Han Xiaolin saw the white froth on his black T-shirt and shrieked, rushing back into the bathroom.
Watching Han Xiaolin's comical retreat, Ji Ruan chuckled and shook his head, then picked up his phone to browse casually.
Mr. Gu had risen at 5:30 am as usual and sent a message at 5:35 am: [How are you feeling?]
Glancing at the time, Ji Ruan noted it was 7 am. Gu Xiuyi was probably done with his workout and in the shower. He replied leisurely:
[Caught a cold. Are you okay?]
The response came instantly: [I didn't get wet in the rain yesterday.]
In reality, even if he had been drenched, with Gu Xiuyi's constitution, catching a cold would be unlikely. He said this only to avoid making Ji Ruan feel left out.
With damp hair, he typed one-handedly. His wet face looked even more stern. A droplet from his hair landed on the screen, swiftly wiped away by his thumb:
[I'll have Xiaoya send some medicine over shortly. Which entrance is convenient for you?]
Ji Ruan had to go to the library later to select courses. After some thought, he replied: [The main entrance. I'll be at the library around eight.]
[Alright.]
Ji Ruan turned off his phone. Having finished his morning routine, he rested his head in his hands, waiting for Han Xiaolin to get ready so they could have breakfast.
Han Xiaolin rushed about in the bathroom, then hurriedly changed into fresh clothes. Grabbing her bag, she approached Ji Ruan, asking, "Are you okay? Do you need to take a sick day?"
Suppressing a cough behind his hand, Ji Ruan smiled, "It's just a cold. Course selection is important-it affects the whole semester after all."
Han Xiaolin studied Ji Ruan's pallor with concern, "Do you realize how sickly you look right now?"
Following her comment, Ji Ruan checked his reflection in his phone's front camera. Indeed, he looked rather ghastly with pale lips and lackluster eyes, appearing as if he might faint any moment.
Seeing his own appearance, Ji Ruan couldn't help but chuckle. He donned a face mask, saying, "I wear my sickness. I look worse than I feel. Let's go, I'm hungry."
Han Xiaolin was skeptical but at a loss for words. Regardless, she accompanied Ji Ruan to the cafeteria.
The pair ordered a basket of steamed buns. Although Ji Ruan had loudly proclaimed his hunger, he only managed one before resorting to sipping soymilk with a lack of enthusiasm.
A cold could dampen one's appetite, Ji Ruan mused. The cafeteria's steamed buns were famously sought after, even by students from neighboring schools who'd have friends from Jingu University buy for them.
On a good day, Ji Ruan could consume four for breakfast. But today, after just one, he felt full. His stomach felt slightly acidic, but the warm soymilk provided some comfort.
Han Xiaolin had a class during the first period. Leaving the cafeteria, they had to part ways. The drizzling rain prompted her to glance back at Ji Ruan with her umbrella, "You're sure you're okay?"
"If you feel bad, go to the medical office!"
"Walk slowly... wait, maybe a bit faster. Course selection is essential too..."
With a mix of amusement and exasperation, Ji Ruan realized that if he dawdled any longer, Han Xiaolin would be late. He waved and set off first.
The recent weather was peculiar, transitioning between summer and autumn-chilly with rain, hot without. Under the light drizzle, even in his long-sleeved shirt, Ji Ruan felt a chilly breeze.
Following last night's downpour, plane tree leaves littered the pathways, wetly sticking to the ground. The damp air carried a hint of decaying foliage-an unappealing scent.
Buffeted by the wind, Ji Ruan's head throbbed and his stomach churned. Adjusting his mask, he quickened his pace.
By the main entrance, Xiaoya was already waiting. She greeted Ji Ruan with a bright wave.
Folding his umbrella, Ji Ruan smiled at her from behind the access control barrier, "Sister Xiaoya."
"Hey, Ji Ruan, are you alright?" Dressed in an elegant suit, Xiaoya handed over a bag of medicine, "The boss initially wanted to deliver this personally, but work got in the way, so he sent me instead."
Accepting the bag, Ji Ruan coughed slightly, his voice raspy as he winced, "Thank you, Sister Xiaoya. If work is busy, you should head back. I wouldn't want to hold you up."
"Oh, it's no bother," Xiaoya tried to gauge Ji Ruan's condition, but his mask hid most of his face. Still, his eyes betrayed a hint of fatigue.
"By the way," she relayed Gu Xiuyi's instructions, "The pharmacist said to take these medicines three times a day after meals. If there's no improvement throughout the day, call him, and he'll pick you up."
"Pick me up?" Ji Ruan was examining the medicines in the bag when he looked up upon hearing that.
"Yes," Xiao Ya chuckled, "Today's Thursday, and the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday starts this weekend. The boss suggested that if you feel unwell, take tomorrow off, allowing you a four-day break."
Ji Ruan felt that taking four days off for a minor cold was a bit excessive, but he really had to go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Aunt Zhao had already called several times saying she missed him.
He only has a morning class tomorrow. The initial plan was to head straight to the villa after class to make it in time for Aunt Zhao's lunch.
Thinking of this, Ji Ruan didn't argue. He pursed his lips and smiled, "Thanks for conveying the message, Sister Xiao Ya."
"I got it, I got it," Xiao Ya glanced at her watch, "Oh, I really have to get going. Take care, Little Ruan."
"Sure," Ji Ruan waved, "Goodbye, Sister Xiao Ya."
The campus library was located near the main entrance. It opened at eight, and just after eight, the queue at the entrance began to move steadily.
When Ji Ruan arrived, he caught the busiest wave of students. After swiping his campus card to enter, he was about to put it back in his bag when someone bumped into him, knocking the card to the ground.
Ji Ruan bent down to pick it up, and a sudden sharp ringing echoed in his right ear. Instinctively, he grabbed the railing, his vision going dark for a couple of seconds.
Thankfully, the momentary darkness and ringing lasted only briefly, perhaps because of the cold.
Once his vision cleared, the dropped campus card was being picked up by another hand. Ji Ruan looked up, standing straight in tandem with the stranger.
"Here's your card," the tall, handsome young man across from him said.
"Thank you." Ji Ruan reached out to take it but couldn't pull away. The other person held on.
"?" Ji Ruan frowned in confusion.
After the initial rush when the library opened its doors, the entrance began to clear, with only a few students passing by sporadically.
The boy who helped pick up the card stood still, looking at Ji Ruan a few times before letting go, "Are you Ji Ruan?"
Ji Ruan paused, putting the card in her bag, "Do you know me?"
The boy chuckled, "Of course, you're quite famous."
Ji Ruan, not particularly keen on being well-known, looked away, "Really now..."
As if he didn't notice Ji Ruan's evasion, the boy extended his hand with a smile, "Hello, I'm Bai An'ge."
The name sounded familiar. Ji Ruan's eyelashes fluttered, and she suddenly remembered a conversation she overheard at the hot pot restaurant. The current heartthrob of their school was named this.
Ji Ruan looked up at the person before her. He stood tall and undeniably handsome. This must be the legendary campus heartthrob.
Bai An'ge noticed Ji Ruan's hesitation, curling his lips, "It seems you've heard of me too, haven't you?"
The library's air conditioning gave Ji Ruan a mild headache. Her smile faded a bit as she politely replied, "You're quite famous too."
Bai An'ge, hearing this, raised an eyebrow playfully, shaking his phone, "So, can two famous people become friends? I think we'd get along splendidly."
Ji Ruan wasn't so sure.
Bai An'ge had deep-set eyes with an intense gaze. Unlike Gu Xiuyi, who appeared indifferent to everyone, Bai An'ge's stare was profoundly direct, lingering unwaveringly, exerting an unintentional pressure that left no room to breathe.
Despite the friendly senior's appearance, his gaze always seemed to have a certain disjunction, and Ji Ruan deeply disliked the feeling of being watched this way. It triggered an instinctual aversion.
"I'm sorry," Ji Ruan took a step back, adjusting her hair with a ring-adorned hand, "My partner isn't keen on me getting along too well with others."
Bai An'ge seemed momentarily silenced by the sight of that ring, continuing to gaze at Ji Ruan without a word.
The man before her had softly arched eyebrows, unlike other guys with sharp peaks, resembling a delicate crescent moon. Yet, his expression seemed languid, perhaps unwell, with a hint of redness around the eyes.
Bai An'ge smiled, "You're even more attractive than the rumors suggest, and your personality is even more intriguing."
Ji Ruan smirked, not probing how he discerned her looks were better than the rumors through her mask.
Since they began conversing, Bai An'ge's attention never wavered from Ji Ruan. Ji Ruan wondered if this was his usual way of interacting with others, or if it was special treatment for her.
A nerve twitched behind his ear, bringing with it a surge of headache. Ji Ruan delicately furrowed his brow.
"An'ge," a female voice called from nearby, "Why are you still here?"
Ji Ruan followed the voice to see a girl with shoulder-length hair, donned in a refined light-purple qipao, radiating an impressive demeanor. It was Cheng Zizhang.
Ji Ruan relaxed slightly, his eyes curving into a smile, "Senior Zizhang."
Cheng Zizhang was a direct senior in his academic line. They had met during the enrollment and often crossed paths in the same building for classes, gradually becoming acquaintances who greeted each other.
Seeing him, Cheng Zizhang expressed surprise, tucking a stray hair behind her ear and laughing, "Little Ruan, you're here too?"
She nudged Bai An'ge's elbow, "Do you two know each other?"
Before Bai An'ge could reply, Ji Ruan interjected, "I dropped my student card earlier, and this senior kindly helped pick it up."
Cheng Zizhang appeared to be asking casually without much concern, then she suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, Little Ruan, today's the course selection day for you, isn't it?"
Ji Ruan nodded.
"You better hurry then," Cheng Zizhang pointed upstairs, "I just came down from there, and nearly all the computers were occupied."
"Is that so?" Ji Ruan adjusted his shoulder bag's strap and waved at Cheng Zizhang, "Then, I should get going, Senior."
Free from Bai An'ge's presence, Ji Ruan headed upstairs. As Cheng Zizhang had mentioned, the floor was crowded, with almost no available computers in sight.
After waiting in line for a while, Ji Ruan managed to secure a fairly easy elective course from the leftover options.
Because of the delay with Bai An'ge, Ji Ruan was on the brink of being late for class and had to sprint to make it to the lecture hall.
Fortunately, it was an interdisciplinary public course, with a dense crowd in the large amphitheater-style classroom. The professor at the podium didn't seem to pay much attention to the back.
Han Xiaolin had saved a seat for him in the last row. Ji Ruan cautiously took his seat, letting out a sigh of relief.
"What took you so long just to select a course?" Han Xiaolin openly played with his phone on the desk.
"Don't even ask," Ji Ruan wiped some sweat, "Did they take attendance yet?"
Despite the not-so-high temperature, Ji Ruan had broken into a sweat. As the air conditioner from behind blew at him, he felt goosebumps forming all over his skin.
Han Xiaolin handed him a piece of paper, "I marked you present when they took attendance."
"Thanks." Ji Ruan, removing his face mask, took the paper and weakly wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Han Xiaolin whispered, leaning closer, "You look worse than this morning."
"I'm fine."
Ji Ruan dug a thermos out from his bag, discreetly bending down to avoid the teacher's gaze and swallowed a pill. The medicines Gu Xiuyi gave him were just generic cold remedies; he wasn't sure if they'd help.
"I ran into Bai An'ge in the library just now," Ji Ruan mentioned, followed by a bout of coughing.
"Bai An'ge?!" Han Xiaolin patted his back, eyes widening in surprise, "He knows you? What did you two talk about?"
Taking another sip of warm water, Ji Ruan rested his head on the table, "He said he wanted to be friends."
"Damn," Han Xiaolin slapped his chest in astonishment, "Isn't that hitting on you? So, is he... you know?"
Ji Ruan faintly smiled, "Who knows?"
The term "be friends" was quite ambiguous. Just because two guys want to be friends, does that necessarily imply anything about their orientation?
Ji Ruan didn't care about one's preferences, but first impressions lingered. He simply didn't feel a connection with Bai An'ge and preferred to keep his distance.
Han Xiaolin leaned closer, echoing Ji Ruan's posture, "So, did you two exchange contacts?"
Ji Ruan shook his head, "I told him that Gu Xiuyi doesn't like me befriending others."
Bursting into laughter, Han Xiaolin remarked, "That's clever of you."
Ji Ruan managed a soft chuckle, half-closing his eyes without uttering another word.
The air conditioner behind Ji Ruan dried the sweat off his back, amplifying his headache. He laid his head on the table, sporadically interrupted by coughs.
As time passed, he felt an eerie cold on his skin, yet his ears burned hot. Dizziness paired with intermittent ringing intensified.
A creeping feeling of unease settled in Ji Ruan. He touched his forehead but felt too numb to discern any temperature.
He gently nudged Han Xiaolin's arm.
Han Xiaolin looked back, "What's wrong?"
Ji Ruan's voice was notably weak, as if drained, "Do you think I have a fever?"
Han Xiaolin quickly reached out, his expression growing serious, "It seems quite high, indeed."
Ji Ruan closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.
"I told you something was off, but you didn't believe me," Han Xiaolin sounded somewhat anxious, "How about we head to the infirmary now?"
Ji Ruan glanced at his phone; there was still half an hour before the end of the class, "Right now?"
"Yes," Han Xiaolin was already packing up, "It's just one lecture. Your health is more important. We've already marked our attendance; if we slip out quietly, no one will notice."
After pondering a moment, Ji Ruan felt he still had a little strength left. If he sat in the air-conditioned room for another thirty minutes, he might not be able to walk by the end of the class.
"Alright," he gently pushed himself away from the desk, "Let's go."
But Ji Ruan's legs were weak, and in the end, Han Xiaolin had to support him as they made their way to the school infirmary.
Once on the bed, Ji Ruan felt utterly drained, his body limp, unable to move.
Han Xiaolin stayed with him for a while before heading to the canteen to fetch some plain porridge to soothe Ji Ruan's stomach.
Ji Ruan wasn't particularly hungry, and there was a burning sensation in his stomach, but he knew it'd get worse if he didn't eat.
Taking a moment, he stared at the spinning ceiling fan above, gritted his teeth, and with Han Xiaolin watching, managed a few spoonfuls of porridge.
That was his limit.
Ji Ruan then rested his head, clutching his stomach, struggling to keep the food down. Swallowing hard, a thin sheen of sweat on his neck, he said with closed eyes, "You have a full schedule this afternoon. You should go."
"I can't just leave you here alone," Han Xiaolin said with concern.
Ji Ruan slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile on his lips, "There are doctors here."
His feverish eyes were clouded, slightly reddened at the corners, making him look as if he had cried. Han Xiaolin stared for a moment, cursing silently.
How can someone look so damn good even when they're sick?
The kicker is that it's not him but his brother.
What's even more vexing is that the brother's good looks can't be shared.
"Alright," Han Xiaolin stood up, lowering his voice, "You get some rest, and I'll bring food over tonight."
Ji Ruan closed his eyes, the most significant response he could muster.
After Han Xiaolin left, the school nurse came to give Ji Ruan a sip of water. Ji Ruan, having classes all afternoon, rested for a bit before pulling out his phone to message his teachers for a leave.
A friend request from Bai Angge popped up. Ji Ruan frowned and pressed 'decline'.
Not two seconds passed, another one appeared.
The fever made Ji Ruan's eyes hurt, staring at the phone made him nauseous. He pressed his temples, choosing to ignore the request.
·
"Buzzing-"
Han Xiaolin, having attended classes all afternoon, suddenly received a text from Gu Xiuyi. His muddled mind cleared instantly, not wondering how Gu Xiuyi got his number, he nervously opened it.
[Hello Han Xiaolin, this is Gu Xiuyi. I can't reach Ji Ruan. Is he with you?]
No matter how approachable Mr. Gu seemed, he always exuded an intimidating aura. Han Xiaolin, even through the screen, trembled a bit and quickly replied:
[He's a bit feverish. I accompanied him to the school clinic this morning. He might be asleep after getting an IV drip. I'm in class now but will check on him later.]
There was a two-minute pause, Han Xiaolin was staring at the screen, paying no attention to the teacher.
[Understood, I won't disturb your class. I'll pick him up and take him home.]
Reading that message, Han Xiaolin instantly imagined his good friend, in the spotlight of the entire school, being lifted into a luxurious car by a handsome man; he couldn't help but smirk.
[Alright, Mr. Gu. I won't be going to the clinic later then.]
The reply came quickly: [Thank you.]
·
Ji Ruan couldn't recall when he'd drifted off to sleep. It was an uncomfortable slumber; it felt as if something had plugged his ears, and a tightness in his chest made it hard to breathe. Yet, he couldn't awaken.
Someone was tapping on his arm and shaking his shoulder. Drawing a sharp breath, Ji Ruan finally opened his eyes. It felt like being pulled out of a murky swamp; his mind was foggy, and his vision blurred.
The school nurse stood beside him, her lips moving as if speaking, but the overhead fluorescent light made it hard for Ji Ruan to discern her features.
Ji Ruan closed his eyes, trying to make out the nurse's words, but a sudden sharp pain radiated from behind his ears, accompanied by intense tinnitus. It felt as if a volcano had erupted deep inside his ear canal, causing him to cry out in pain, seeing flashes of white.
The nurse tried to soothe him by holding his arm, but Ji Ruan couldn't hear a word she said. The erratic pulses behind his ears made his head throb.
"What's..."
Ji Ruan began, but trailed off.
He couldn't even hear his own voice.
There was a sound in his ears, like the static of an old black and white TV flickering with snow. It waxed and waned, accompanied by bouts of deep rumbling.
The nurse gently patted his back and swiftly typed on her phone: [Should I call your family to take you home?]
Ji Ruan's eyes felt hot. He sniffed, trying to hold back tears, and blinked.
The nurse patted the top of his head reassuringly.
Reaching out to call Gu Xiuyi, the screen suddenly showed an incoming call. It was from Gu Xiuyi.
The nurse looked at him questioningly, and Ji Ruan nodded. She answered the call.
Ji Ruan could only see her lips moving but heard nothing. He covered his eyes with the back of his hand.
For the first time since he'd come to this world, he felt an overwhelming sense of panic.
Realizing the true horror of silence, it felt like being isolated in a vacuum, forever cut off from the world.
Ji Ruan could imagine the bizarre tone of his voice when he spoke, the words probably wouldn't sound like words, just a series of jarring notes.
After what seemed an eternity, it seemed Gu Xiuyi had arrived. The door opened, and the moist air from outside brushed his face, followed by a warm hand covering his ear.
"He's been on fluids all afternoon, and his temperature has decreased a bit, but the fever hasn't fully subsided," the nurse informed Gu Xiuyi. "Considering he has a cochlear implant, I'm concerned the continued fever might affect his hearing. It's best to take him to a hospital for a thorough check-up; our facilities here are limited."
The man by the bed was dressed in a plain black trench coat. His appearance seemed unapproachable, yet his touch on the young boy's ear was gentle. He murmured a soft "thank you."
Ji Ruan no longer had an IV attached. During his earlier struggle from the ear pain, he bled, and after the school nurse removed the needle, she treated the wound. A medical adhesive patch was placed on his hand, but now blood was seeping through it.
Gu Xiuyi gently gripped Ji Ruan's wrist, pulling the hand covering his eyes away, only to discover that Ji Ruan had been crying.
He appeared terrified, his face streaked with tears, his eyelids swollen, and his lashes damp.
The school nurse noticed the man's stiffened posture and his tightly pressed lips. Yet, with the pad of his fingers, he softly caressed the reddened corners of the boy's eyes.
Then he lifted the boy into his arms.
Author's note:
Gu's tactics to win his wife #3 - Embracing the prince destined for him (Mary Sue version).