Chapter 147: Sick
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shu Pan had been extra cautious lately because Gu Shaoting had learned about
Joy’s existence. She was afraid that Gu Shaoting might suddenly take Joy away. So, from going to school to coming back home, she took matters into her own hands and couldn’t relax.
In Bin City, October already brought a cool autumn breeze, with fallen leaves lightly dancing in the wind, making a soft “crunch” under pedestrians’ footsteps.
Shu Pan was under pressure due to her busy work schedule and the stress had taken a toll on her. Eventually, she fell ill.
One morning, she felt light-headed and her body felt weightless. Luckily, it was the weekend, so she didn’t need to take Joy to kindergarten. She prepared some milk and boiled eggs for Joy in a daze.
Then she told Joy to eat her breakfast and play with her toys, not to touch anything in the house, and not to open the door. If anything happened, she should call her.
Seeing her mother’s discomfort, Joy obediently nodded, and then let her mother rest in bed.
Shu Pan was very unwell. She searched her medicine box for a packet of cold medicine, mixed it, and drank it. Afterward, she lay in bed, feeling dizzy. Joy stood by the bed, holding her mother’s hand, constantly calling her.
Wen Chi was away for a two-month study program in another city, and Ye Xiaomeng had returned to her hometown to visit her parents. With no one to help take care of the child, Shu Pan had to rely on herself, struggling to manage everything.
Lying in bed, Shu Pan felt alternately cold and hot, with no strength left in her body. She squinted her eyes, looked at Joy, and a wave of heartache washed over her. Then she drifted back to sleep.
Suddenly, her mobile phone inside her bag rang. Shu Pan was still half-asleep, and Joy heard it. She opened her mother’s bag, took out the phone, glanced at her mother, who was still asleep, and tried not to wake her.
Then she pressed the answer button on the phone, and her childish voice sounded, “Hello, who are you looking for?”
On the other end of the phone, Gu Shaoting paused. Why was there a child’s voice, and looking at the phone, he confirmed that it was Shu Pan’s number.
Gu Shaoting raised an eyebrow, “Is this Joy?”
Gu Shaoting’s voice was tender, unlike any time before.
“Uh-uh-uh… my mom… is sick, sleeping…” Joy spoke incoherently, but Gu Shaoting could roughly understand. Shu Pan was ill and asleep.
“Joy, don’t be scared. Uncle is on his way now. Uncle will take your mom to see a doctor. Don’t be afraid; stay at home and wait for Uncle.” After hanging up the phone, Gu Shaoting hurriedly drove to Shu Pan. All the way there, he was anxious at every red light.
In her drowsy state, Shu Pan woke up briefly, feeling disoriented. She thought she heard the doorbell ring and felt puzzled about who could be ringing the doorbell.
She struggled to sit up and unsteadily made her way to the door, opened it, and immediately felt her body go limp as the visitor swiftly caught her.
“Shu Pan, how are you?” Gu Shaoting held her, checking her forehead with his hand. It was burning hot. Shu Pan squinted and recognized him as Gu Shaoting before collapsing.
“Mom, how are you?” Joy came out from her room, tugging at Shu Pan’s clothes, crying.
“Joy, don’t be afraid. Uncle is here. You stay with Uncle, and I’ll take your mom to see the doctor.” Gu Shaoting comforted Joy, watching her in tears. He felt a pang of sadness.
He held Shu Pan, and with Joy by his side, he reached the car. He called He Ming to ask him to come and look after Joy. Shu Pan was sick..
