Chapter 129: Specially for Me?

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Specially for Me?

Occasionally, Nan Zhi would also remember the good things about Lu Shixu.

Take eating, for instance.

Having grown up on her grandfather’s cooking, Nan Zhi had a discerning palate and a love for food.

Lu Shixu, on the other hand... was simply not interested in food at all.

If humanity ever invented a nutrient paste—one tube of which could sustain all basic vital functions—Lu Shixu would undoubtedly drop all his meals and switch to three tubes a day without a second thought.

And yet, for Nan Zhi’s sake, this was the same man who would research different restaurants in Yanjing as if it were an academic project, all to take her out and surprise her.

Once, she invited Lu Shixu to a new hot pot place that had opened near Yan University.

Nan Zhi was from Jiangnan, but her tolerance for spicy food had shot up during her university years, so she ordered the medium-spicy broth without a second thought.

Lu Shixu didn’t say a word and just ate with her.

By midnight, his stomach was in so much pain that he was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. A terrified Nan Zhi rushed him to the emergency room that night, and he ended up staying in the hospital for a full week.

It was only then that Nan Zhi learned he had a chronic stomach condition and couldn’t handle spicy food at all.

He was always like this.

...

The memory surfaced, and Nan Zhi zoned out for a moment.

The hand she had extended to steady him paused.

Without giving her a chance to refuse, Lu Shixu grabbed her arm.

His large hand clamped around Nan Zhi’s forearm. His eyes were fixed on her, studying her, and the words he had been holding back for so long were about to burst from his throat—

’You... who are you really seeing when you look at me?’

But in the end, Lu Shixu didn’t ask.

He had no right to.

But the force of his grip snapped Nan Zhi back to her senses.

Her tone remained polite and detached:

"How are you, Mr. Lu? Do you need me to call an ambulance for you?"

As she spoke, she glanced into the car again.

Hmm?

’Where’s that assistant who’s always glued to Lu Shixu’s side?’

’How come I don’t see him today?’

Lu Shixu understood her unspoken question:

"I came alone."

He paused, then said,

"I don’t need to go to the hospital. I’ll be fine if I just rest for a bit."

His lips were drained of color, but he forced himself to endure the pain and turned to open the car door.

Nan Zhi hurriedly called out to stop him:

"Wait, you’re going to drive?"

"I just want to sit for a while."

Perhaps because he was sick, the cold and distant aura around Lu Shixu had faded considerably, making him look almost pitiful.

In the end, Nan Zhi wasn’t truly heartless.

After hesitating for two seconds, she said:

"Come sit inside. I’ll get you a glass of warm water."

Lu Shixu did not refuse.

He still hadn’t let go of Nan Zhi’s hand and was just about to take a step—

"Mommy, you’re too tired! Let me do it!"

Nan Yi, who had been silent until now, suddenly darted between the two of them, eagerly raising his hand.

Nan Zhi was surprised at first, then smiled.

"You’re not strong enough, sweetie."

Nan Yi refused to back down:

"I can do it!"

His bright eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Lu Shixu’s hand.

Lu Shixu frowned.

Sensing Nan Zhi’s intention to pull away, he reluctantly let go.

"Thank you, I can manage on my own."

He walked very slowly.

But at least he was walking.

Nan Zhi really couldn’t bear to watch and took a step forward:

"Let me..."

"Mister, I’ll help you."

Nan Yi darted out, positioning himself right in front of Nan Zhi.

He was determined not to give Lu Shixu any chance to make contact with Nan Zhi.

After a moment of silence, Lu Shixu said:

"That won’t be necessary."

His pace quickened quite a bit.

From the back, he hardly looked like someone suffering from stomach pain.

Nan Zhi thought he had gotten much better.

It was only when she followed him that she realized he wasn’t better—he was just enduring it.

Veins bulged on his neck and the backs of his hands. Fine beads of sweat soaked his hair, and his eyelids drooped wearily, as if he barely had the strength to look at her.

Nan Zhi found a chair for him, then went to get a glass of warm water and placed it in front of him.

"Drink a little."

"Mm."

His sweat-dampened black hair fell softly over his forehead, making him look unusually docile.

He raised a trembling arm and with some difficulty, brought the cup to his lips for a small sip.

As the warm water went down,

the tension in Lu Shixu’s features instantly eased.

It was as if he hadn’t just drunk some plain warm water, but a miracle cure.

’Is he being that dramatic?’

Nan Zhi was skeptical.

"Sit here and rest for a bit."

Nan Zhi called to Nan Yi, leading him to the back staircase that went up to the second floor, and told him to go upstairs and rest.

Nan Yi stubbornly didn’t move:

"What about you?"

"I’m going to make him some millet porridge."

Before, she wouldn’t have bothered at all.

But she had just heard Sun Xiu bring up what happened back then.

The incident with the milk tea shop had been the fuse that ignited her resentment toward Lu Shixu, a fire that had burned out of control.

And now she’d learned it was all a misunderstanding!

Aside from anger, she also felt a sense of melancholy. Her feelings about Lu Shixu were growing more complicated, and she couldn’t remain completely indifferent.

This bowl of millet porridge was likely the extent of the goodwill she could offer.

Nan Yi pressed his lips together.

It was a small gesture, but one that was identical to Lu Shixu’s.

He could sense his mother’s mood, and his dissatisfaction with that man grew.

But he didn’t show it, instead saying:

"I’ll stay with Mommy."

Nan Zhi knew that when Nan Yi got stubborn, he couldn’t be persuaded.

So she just nodded and asked,

"Does Yiyi want to eat something?"

Xie Yu had made lunch, and Nan Zhi noticed Nan Yi hadn’t eaten much.

Nan Yi nodded vigorously:

"I’ll eat whatever Mommy makes!"

As he said this, the mother and son had just reached the kitchen doorway.

Lu Shixu was sitting very close to the kitchen, so he heard the words drift into his ears.

He lifted his gaze with forced composure, staring unblinkingly in the direction of the kitchen.

’Is she just going to leave me here and forget about me?’

’But why should she have to care?’

’I’m not anyone to her.’

’And that look from before...’

’That look, so full of memories and complicated emotions...’

’The one that landed on me, but seemed to look right through me, ignoring me...’

The pain in his stomach was like a swarm of tiny insects gnawing away relentlessly, but Lu Shixu barely felt it. He was used to it.

Instead, it was Nan Zhi’s actions just now that left him agitated.

A thick shadow, like a savage beast, churned in the depths of his eyes.

He desperately endured it.

Physical pain and mental torment wrestled within him.

He lost all sense of time. It felt like an eternity, and yet also like the blink of an eye—

Delicate wisps of fragrant porridge wafted into his nostrils, instantly soothing him from the inside out.

His body felt like a tamed beast finding its leash.

He had no desire to resist or struggle.

All the agitation and ill will vanished without a trace.

He docilely lowered his head, leaving his vulnerable neck exposed to her...

"What... is this?"

Through the swirling white steam of the millet porridge, Lu Shixu saw Nan Zhi’s eyes.

Nan Zhi said, "Didn’t you say your stomach hurt? Millet porridge is good for the stomach."

Of course, Lu Shixu knew that.

He was just wondering why Nan Zhi would make millet porridge for him.

Just the other day, she hadn’t wanted anything to do with him.

"You made this specially for me?"

"If you don’t want it, then forget it..."

"I want it!"

Lu Shixu’s tone was firm.