Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Huo Feng Takes Care Of Her
Huo Feng was walking in the hallway, and as soon as he passed by his sister’s room, the door opened.
"Brother?" She called out, and he snapped his gaze to her. "What’s that?" She asked curiously, he’d gaze landing on the tray in his hands.
"I want to ask the maids to heat this up." He paused, his eyes brightening. "Your Sister-in-law is not feeling too well, can I trouble you to look after her while I wait for the doctor?" He requested.
"Sister-in-law is not feeling well?" Huo Yan worriedly uttered, stepping out of the room.
"Hmm..." Huo Feng drew out softly. "Go help me check on her while I heat this up, okay?"
Huo Yan nodded, and walked in the direction of her brother’s room.
When Huo Yan walked into the room, she found Yue Ning on the bed, groaning softly.
"Sister-in-law," she whispered. Yue Ning raised her head, and Huo Yan was stunned seeing her red face.
Huo Yan immediately walked to her side without hesitation. "Are you okay? You were alright this afternoon, so what happened?"
Huo Yan placed her hand on Yue Ning’s forehead, and her heart skipped a beat.
"So hot..." she whispered in alarm, biting her lip due to fear.
Yue Ning managed a weak smile, though her face was flushed crimson and her lips were pale. "It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine after some rest."
But Huo Yan shook her head firmly, refusing to accept her words. "No, Sister-in-law, this isn’t just fatigue. You need proper care."
Just then, the door opened again. Huo Feng stepped in with a tray in his hands, his sharp gaze instantly landing on the two women. His expression darkened when he noticed Yue Ning’s flushed face and Huo Yan’s worried posture.
"What happened?" His tone was deep, but it gave just the right amount of worry.
"Brother," Huo Yan rose to her feet quickly, "Sister-in-law has a terrible fever. She’s burning up."
Huo Feng’s jaw clenched tightly. He set the tray down softly and crossed the room in long strides. His hand brushed Yue Ning’s forehead, and his brows furrowed deeply at the heat radiating from her skin.
Before Yue Ning could protest, a knock sounded at the door.
"Young Master, the doctor is here," a maid’s voice came from outside.
"Let him in," Huo Feng instructed.
The doctor soon entered, carrying a small case. He gave a polite bow before approaching the bed. Yue Ning tried to sit up straighter, embarrassed by the fuss, but Huo Feng’s hand pressed lightly on her shoulder which hekd her in place.
"Don’t move," he said quietly, his tone giving no room for argument.
The doctor checked her pulse, examined her throat and eyes, then frowned slightly. "It’s a fever brought on by exhaustion and stress. She must have been pushing herself too hard without proper rest. I’ll prescribe some medicine. She needs hydration, light meals, and above all, peace of mind."
He looked up at Huo Feng and added firmly, "She must not strain herself further for the next few days."
Yue Ning pouted softly. "It’s not that serious..."
Both the doctor and Huo Feng shot her a look that silenced her instantly.
"Prepare the medicine," Huo Feng instructed Ah Si, who had quietly entered behind the doctor. "Make sure it’s delivered here at once."
"Yes, Young Master."
The doctor finished his checks and packed up. "The fever should subside with proper care. But if her condition worsens, call me immediately."
When the door finally closed behind him, silence fell once again.
Huo Feng turned to his sister. "Yan, go and rest. I’ll stay with her."
Huo Yan hesitated, clearly reluctant. "But Brother, you’ve had such a long day..."
"I said I’ll stay," he repeated, his voice low yet steady. His gaze softened slightly. "She’ll be fine with me."
Seeing the firmness in his eyes, Huo Yan finally nodded and left the room quietly.
The moment the door clicked shut, the atmosphere shifted.
Huo Feng walked back to the bed, wrung a towel in warm water, and gently pressed it against Yue Ning’s forehead. His movements were surprisingly careful for someone known for his coldness.
Yue Ning blinked up at him through heavy lids, her eyes hazy with fever. "You don’t have to fuss over me..."
"Be quiet," he murmured sternly, though his hand lingered as he brushed damp strands of hair from her face.
Her lips curved faintly, even in her weakened state. "You’re kinder when I’m sick. Maybe I should stay like this longer."
For a moment, his hand stilled, and something unreadable flickered across his expression. Then he scoffed lightly. "Nonsense. Get better soon."
He sat by her side, lifting the bowl of porridge from the tray. Spoon by spoon, he coaxed her to eat a little, waiting patiently as she swallowed. When she coughed softly, he reached for the glass of water, holding it to her lips.
Afterward, he placed two pills in her palm. "Take these."
Yue Ning obeyed, her fingers brushing against his as she accepted the medicine. His touch was cool and firm. .
When she leaned back against the pillows, feeling exhausted, he wiped her damp temples with the towel again, his expression blank.
She gazed at him through half-lidded eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "You’ll spoil me if you keep this up..."
His chest tightened unexpectedly at her words. He looked away, his jaw taut, hiding the guilt that gnawed at him.
Earlier that morning, he had turned his coldness on her, letting his grief lash out at the one person who least deserved it. And yet here she was, smiling at him even through her fever.
"Sleep," he muttered at last, adjusting the quilt over her shoulders.
Her lashes fluttered, and she gave a small, contented sigh. "Mm... don’t leave."
The simple request made his heart stumble.
"I won’t," he said quietly, the promise slipping out before he could stop it.
Long after Yue Ning’s breathing evened softly, Huo Feng remained seated at her bedside, his hand resting lightly over hers.
His gaze stayed on her peaceful face, but in the depths of his eyes, shadows lingered—shadows of guilt, of tenderness, of feelings he could no longer deny.