Chapter 119

But Xie Shiqing was different.

Her standards for friendship were not the same as for love.

Xie Shiqing could certainly stick to her own ways and live by her own temperament. Zhong Ning wouldn’t force her either; she would simply remove herself from any environment that made her uncomfortable. But since the omega refused to let go and insisted on continuing the relationship, Zhong Ning also had boundaries she could not compromise on.

Selfishly, Zhong Ning actually hoped Xie Shiqing would change, grow in a better direction, and not let her heart stay soaked in bitterness.

The power and status she possessed could allow her to live well, to indulge in material pleasures, but they wouldn’t bring her true happiness.

When they arrived at the Zhou King Temple, under the guidance of a Daoist priest, Zhong Ning took a stick of incense and bowed three times to the still intact golden-painted statue in the hall. The Zhou King’s expression was kind and benevolent, exuding a vast, earth-like tolerance.

Looking into the statue eyes, Zhong Ning’s mind emptied completely, her thoughts cleared like a still lake. She knelt on the prayer cushion and respectfully kowtowed three times, silently voicing her wish.

She hoped Xie Shiqing’s eyes could be healed.

She genuinely wished so from the bottom of her heart.

The best wish, truly, would be to be free from all illness and pain, to live in perfect health. But there were too many problems with Xie Shiqing—would making such a wish seem too greedy?

Then let the blindness be cured. As for the wounds of the heart, unless something unexpected happened, she would take responsibility for healing them.

When the team-building activity ended and everyone parted ways, Zhong Ning didn’t return to the company. She went straight home together with Xie Shiqing.

They were supposed to part ways near home, but Xie Shiqing suddenly clutched her stomach and complained of discomfort. They had dinner together at a restaurant inside the scenic area. The food was above average, but the dishes mainly featured river delicacies. Given Xie Shiqing’s chronically sensitive stomach, perhaps she had overeaten, or eaten something that upset it.

Her lips were bitten to the point of bearing teeth marks. Zhong Ning immediately wanted to take her to the hospital, but her wrist was grabbed.

“Just some stomach medicine will do,” Xie Shiqing said.

“I don’t have a fully stocked medical kit at home yet,” Zhong Ning replied.

“I have one at my place,” Xie Shiqing answered.

So she followed Zhong Ning home, and a bodyguard was sent upstairs to fetch the medicine box.

Xie Shiqing clutched her stomach with one hand, leaning weakly in her wheelchair. Zhong Ning carried her to the sofa and went to the kitchen to pour a cup of hot water.

“Drink a few sips of water to ease it a bit.”

She helped Xie Shiqing up and let her rest against her shoulder, her knitted brows marked with clear worry.

She had seen this woman change her bandages before—when antiseptic was applied directly to an open wound, she hadn’t even flinched. Someone who could ignore pain like that was now clutching her stomach so tightly, biting her lips nearly to the point of bleeding.

How painful must it be right now?

“Really not going to the hospital?” Zhong Ning asked worriedly.

“No need. I’ll be fine after the medicine,” Xie Shiqing shook her head and refused. She said softly, “I wouldn’t joke around with my own body. Even if I went to the hospital, they’d only prescribe medicine. I just suddenly ate too much river food, and now my stomach’s upset.”

Perhaps not wanting to scare the person she liked with the way she looked now, she made a small joke in a breathy voice, “Sick for so long, I’ve practically become a doctor myself when it comes to my own problems.”

She cracked a joke, but the effect was counterproductive—or maybe just exactly what the other wanted.

Zhong Ning tightened her arms around her a little more, reaching out a hand to gently rub her stomach. Through the thin layer of fabric, her dry and warm palm pressed down like a little heater.

The bodyguard soon returned with the medicine box. After Xie Shiqing named the medication, Zhong Ning quickly sifted through the various bottles and jars, pulled it out, took two tablets, and placed them in her palm, watching her take them with water.

She didn’t feel comfortable letting Xie Shiqing go home and sleep alone.

It wasn’t like the two of them hadn’t shared a bed before. There was no need to act overly reserved now. Zhong Ning picked Xie Shiqing up and carried her into the bedroom.

The bodyguard quietly left on her own.

Zhong Ning went to the wardrobe, took out a set of her own sleepwear, placed it by the bed, then knelt on one knee on the mattress, speaking in a soft, lowered voice, “Shiqing, stay here with me tonight, okay? I don’t feel at ease letting you sleep alone.”

There was no reason for Xie Shiqing to refuse. She had to summon all the willpower in her body to suppress the joy surging in her heart and stop a triumphant smile from showing on her face. Afraid she might laugh out loud if she opened her mouth, she didn’t dare speak—just gave a muffled “mm” in reply.

Zhong Ning saw how much she was trembling from the pain and couldn’t help stroking her cheek, coaxing softly, “I’ll help you change into the sleepwear. It’s mine.”

As she spoke, she half-carried Xie Shiqing up and sat behind her, quickly removing her dress and replacing it with a light blue cotton nightgown.

When Zhong Ning wore the dress, it reached her knees. On Xie Shiqing, the length fell just below her calves.

The bruises on her body had faded, and her skin had returned to its snow-white pallor. Under the warm light of the bedroom, a soft glow settled over her, giving her the appearance of delicate white porcelain—smooth and lustrous.

Zhong Ning helped her lie down, then quickly changed into her own sleepwear and lay down beside her, using her hands to continue massaging Xie Shiqing’s stomach.

Fifty circles counterclockwise, fifty circles clockwise...

When one arm got sore, she switched to the other.

No one knew how much time had passed, but finally, Xie Shiqing’s complexion began to look a little better. She couldn’t stand going to bed without washing up, so she tugged Zhong Ning’s arm and pleaded, “Ning Ning, take me to the bathroom.”

Zhong Ning agreed and was about to carry her, but Xie Shiqing stopped her.

Shaking her head, she said, “You just massaged me for so long, your arms must be sore. I can walk on my own, it’s only a few steps. Just hold my hand.”

Before Zhong Ning could say anything more, she had already moved off the bed and stood on the floor. Her injured foot lightly touched the dark brown wooden flooring. There was no carpet in the room, and Zhong Ning saw her pale toes curl slightly.

She sighed. “Even if you’re going to walk on your own, don’t be so hasty. I’ll get your slippers.”

Xie Shiqing had her own pair of slippers here. As for the color—fitting Zhong Ning’s aesthetic—they were a pair of orange cat slippers.

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