Jiang Xiao knew Cheng Yuan would come find her, but she didn't expect it to be so soon. She checked the time—just over three hours had passed since her call with Xiao Zhou.
But from Jingbei to City C, a flight took at least five hours.
She didn't bother thinking about how he got there; she didn't care anyway.
The moment Cheng Yuan saw Jiang Xiao, his eyes lit up. His headache vanished, his chest stopped aching. He felt like he'd been fully recharged, every nerve jumping wildly.
He strode over enthusiastically, but his smile didn't last long. When he spotted Song Xuan behind her, his expression soured.
"President Song, why are you here?"
"What? Am I not allowed to be here?" Song Xuan asked.
"President Song, leaving your work in Nancheng to come to City C? I thought you were a busy man," Cheng Yuan said, highly unfriendly.
"I just happened to have a project to discuss," Song Xuan said flatly.
"What a coincidence," Cheng Yuan stepped closer. "I thought President Song was here to pursue Xiao Xiao."
"Pursue?" Song Xuan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jiang Xiao. "If Xiao Xiao is willing, of course I'd be happy to."
He smiled. "Xiao Xiao, may I court you?"
Cheng Yuan regretted asking that question the moment it left his mouth. Now hearing Song Xuan's confession, he regretted it even more. Before Jiang Xiao could say anything, he replied, "No. Xiao Xiao is mine."
"Then, Xiao Xiao, are you?" Song Xuan knew exactly how to hit where it hurt. He ignored Cheng Yuan and asked Jiang Xiao directly.
A smile lingered on Jiang Xiao's lips, her eyes curving. "You want to pursue me?"
Song Xuan: "May I?"
Jiang Xiao: "Sure."
Cheng Yuan: "..."
Cheng Yuan's heart suddenly clenched in pain, and a wave of suffocation hit him. The pain that had just subsided surged back, aching from head to toe, every part of him.
Even his stomach protested.
It cramped painfully.
He bent over, hunched down, tugged at Jiang Xiao's clothes, and said pitifully, "Xiao Xiao, I feel terrible."
His forehead was covered in sweat, his eyes red and bright, but his face was frighteningly pale. Jiang Xiao didn't push him away this time. She asked, "Where does it hurt?"
"My head." Cheng Yuan leaned entirely into her arms. "My stomach. Everywhere else too."
Jiang Xiao was only on a business trip; she didn't want anyone to die. "I'll take you to the hospital."
"I don't want to go to the hospital." He grabbed her hand. "You know I hate hospitals the most. I want to sleep. Will you stay with me?"
Cheng Yuan really did hate hospitals—because of some bad memories. His psychologist had advised him to minimize visits unless absolutely necessary.
Jiang Xiao: "Okay, I'll help you to rest."
She asked, "Which room is yours?"
"I don't have a room." Cheng Yuan had deliberately not booked one, wanting to be alone with Jiang Xiao. "Can I go to your room?"
He was like a stray dog, pitiful enough that it was hard to refuse.
Jiang Xiao pursed her lips. "Fine."
Song Xuan was also a man, and men understood men's intentions best. He knew Cheng Yuan was genuinely sick, but probably not that serious. He proactively supported Cheng Yuan and said to Jiang Xiao, "I'll help President Cheng. You go open the door."
Jiang Xiao hummed in acknowledgment and withdrew her hand.
Cheng Yuan didn't want Song Xuan's help and struggled.
Song Xuan said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "President Cheng, if you keep making a scene, your 'suffering act' won't work."
"..."
Cheng Yuan wished he could kill Song Xuan. He lowered his voice. "Xiao Xiao is mine. Don't you dare try to take her away."
"Yours?" Song Xuan said. "Even married couples can divorce, let alone the fact that you're not even boyfriend and girlfriend. Why can't I pursue her?"
"President Cheng, don't be too domineering."
Cheng Yuan: "..."
He raised his hand to his forehead. Seeing Jiang Xiao approaching, he groaned softly.
Song Xuan smiled faintly without a word. Jiang Xiao took Cheng Yuan from him. "Thank you, Song Xuan."
Song Xuan: "No need to thank me, Xiao Xiao."
Once upon a time, only Cheng Yuan could call her that. Now anyone could. Jealousy surged like a tidal wave. He wanted to hide Jiang Xiao away and keep her for himself.
"Xiao Xiao." He collapsed onto her body. "I'm dying of pain."
Jiang Xiao supported him and felt his forehead. She frowned. "You still have a fever?"
Cheng Yuan: "Do I? I didn't notice."
"How can you not know how your own body is?" Jiang Xiao wasn't so easily fooled.
"I was in a hurry to find you. I didn't pay attention," Cheng Yuan deliberately whined. "I hadn't seen you for so long. I just wanted to see you quickly. I didn't notice anything else."
"Cheng Yuan, if you overact, it'll backfire," Jiang Xiao said. "You should know when to quit."
So she had seen through him all along. Cheng Yuan wasn't flustered at being caught. He pressed closer, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and rested his head against hers.
"When it comes to you, I've never learned to know when to quit."
"Xiao Xiao, I love you down to my bones."
He once thought he could never utter such sweet talk, but now that he had, he realized that when facing the one you love, there's no such thing as unspeakable words.
Not saying them before was probably because he hadn't loved deeply enough. Now, speaking without restraint was true love.
He glanced at Song Xuan from the corner of his eye. He had to admit, Song Xuan was truly outstanding.
Anxiety wildly erupted.
"Xiao Xiao, please don't like anyone else."
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Author's note: A humble little dog begging for love online.