Chapter 19

Half an hour later, Fu Mingshi returned to her door and knocked lightly, saying in a low voice, "I left the things at the door, come get them yourself."

After putting down the shopping bag, Fu Mingshi turned to go back downstairs.

Zhen Bao hemmed and hawed for a while before opening the door, looking down to see a huge shopping bag full of red and green packages - all sanitary pads!

Zhen Bao came out of the bathroom and heard the message alert sound. She went to the bedside table and picked up her phone.

Fu Ming Shi: Grandpa thought you had a cold.

Zhen Bao felt even more embarrassed. She sat on the bed and replied: Thank you.

Fu Ming Shi texted back right away: Come down for breakfast.

Zhen Bao immediately got up again, made the bed, got dressed and went downstairs. When she got to the living room, she saw Fu Ming Shi sitting at the coffee table, head lowered as he peeled an apple for Grandpa Fu. He had neatly trimmed short hair, and a crisp spring-like coolness about him. His side profile was focused and handsome.

Zhen Bao deliberately walked around the back of the sofa and sat down on Grandpa Fu's other side.

"You have a fever?" Grandpa Fu turned his head, looking at her flushed cheeks, and asked in surprise.

It was fine until he asked. Now Zhen Bao's face turned even redder. She lowered her head and mumbled, "A little."

"Remember to take medicine after the meal." Grandpa Fu said with a smile, full of care.

Zhen Bao nodded gently. Just then, a fruit platter with slices of apple neatly arranged in a circle was handed over. The hand holding the platter was slender and fair. Zhen Bao didn't dare look at the attentive Mr. Fu. She said thanks, then picked up a slice with a bamboo skewer, leaned back to stay in Grandpa Fu's shadow, and quietly ate it.

"Hasn't Ming Shi been busy with a new project recently? He flew over specially to see me?" Grandpa Fu slowly ate a slice of apple and casually asked his grandson.

Fu Ming Shi moved the fruit platter back in front of Zhen Bao on the coffee table, and glanced at her in passing. "The exam results come out tomorrow. I'm here to pick up Zhen Bao."

"Didn't you say you'll check for me?" Zhen Bao forgot her earlier embarrassment upstairs. She tilted her head and asked in puzzlement. She hadn't stayed in this villa long enough yet. With the kind and amiable Grandpa Fu here, and a few new pet friends she made at the park, Zhen Bao wanted to stay a few more days.

It was obvious she didn't want to go back. Grandpa Fu leaned back on the sofa at leisure and watched the two youngsters beside him.

Fu Ming Shi stared at Zhen Bao and gently reminded her, "After checking the results you still need to choose your major. You have to be there in person."

Zhen Bao finally remembered she had to choose a major. She nodded obediently.

Fu Ming Shi continued, "We'll leave after dinner."

Zhen Bao had no objections.

Seeing no sparks, Grandpa Fu cut in and asked Zhen Bao, "Have you decided what to major in?"

Zhen Bao didn't know anything about university majors. She had asked Fu Ming Shi once before, and he told her to think about it after getting her results. Remembering that girl from her village who studied computer science and now made over 10,000 yuan a month, Zhen Bao softly asked Grandpa Fu's opinion, "Study computer science?"

Grandpa Fu was quite surprised. "Why do you want to study this?"

Zhen Bao smiled shyly, "Someone from our village studied computer science. The pay is pretty good."

The child was so simple. Grandpa Fu could hardly hold in his smile. He coughed and said, "What you major in should depend on your interest, not future employment. Don't rush, Zhen Bao. Take your time to think about what you like. Don't just think about making money and live a tiring life."

That made sense too. Zhen Bao looked out the window, thoughts drifting back to choosing a major.

At breakfast, Hei Dan had long settled by his owner's side waiting to be fed. Grandpa Fu played with Hei Dan, then said to Fu Ming Shi, "Go take Zhen Bao to walk the dog later. I have something to do and won't go out today." He wanted to give the young couple more alone time.

Fu Ming Shi still had food in his mouth. He glanced at Zhen Bao and hmm-ed.

Zhen Bao's stomach felt uncomfortable. She had wanted to ask Fu Ming Shi to accompany the old master for a walk, but hearing Grandpa Fu say this, she swallowed her words and silently followed Fu Ming Shi after the meal. Hei Dan dashed to the door excitedly to wait. Fu Ming Shi wanted to talk to Zhen Bao, but when he turned around, he saw Zhen Bao's face pale. She was actually sweating on her forehead this early in the morning.

"Not feeling well?" Fu Ming Shi asked with a frown.

Zhen Bao lowered her head and nodded. She really couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Why didn't you say you weren't feeling well?" Fu Ming Shi walked to her side, his tone a little cold.

Zhen Bao lied in a small voice, "I just started feeling uncomfortable..."

Fu Ming Shi didn't believe her. He suddenly leaned down and picked up the completely unprepared Zhen Bao horizontally in his arms. Zhen Bao only felt the world spin. When she came to her senses, she was so scared by Fu Ming Shi that her stomach didn't even hurt anymore. She looked around in panic with a flushed face and stammered, "I can walk, put me down..."

Fu Ming Shi ignored her and strode towards the villa expressionlessly, carrying her in his arms. Zhen Bao felt very awkward. She kept trying to jump to the ground, but after struggling just twice, Fu Ming Shi suddenly held her even tighter. Zhen Bao wasn't prepared and bumped into his chest. It even hurt a little on her side. At the same time, another wave of pain came from her lower abdomen. Zhen Bao bit her lip and resigned herself to nestling against his shoulder, heart thumping erratically.

Grandpa Fu was still sitting in the living room. Seeing his grandson carrying Zhen Bao in, Grandpa Fu narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had discovered big 

Zhen Bao's whole face was now pressed against the man's broad, solid shoulder. As Fu Ming Shi carried her up the stairs, Zhen Bao didn't want to trouble him, and was also worried that Fu Ming Shi might miss a step and cause them both to fall down. So she persuaded him again in a small voice.

"Don't move." Fu Ming Shi didn't stop walking and said in a low voice above her head.

Zhen Bao looked at the stairs below and didn't dare move anymore.

Not until they reached the third floor did she hear Fu Ming Shi's slightly heavier breathing overhead. Zhen Bao endured without moving. After climbing to the fourth floor, she finally said softly, "It's okay now."

It was as if Fu Ming Shi didn't hear her. He went straight to her bedroom door.

Zhen Bao secretly glanced at the bed and found that the room had been tidied up. The sheets and covers were all new. She silently let out a breath of relief. After Fu Ming Shi put her on the bed, Zhen Bao sat there clutching her hands with her head lowered, not knowing what else to say besides thanks.

"Rest first. If you're still not feeling well tonight, we'll go back tomorrow." Fu Ming Shi squatted down and looked into her eyes as he spoke.