The Princess Carry and the Fever

“Knock, knock, knock—”

A knock sounded from the bedroom door.

Chu Nian had been standing by the window for a long time, his cheeks dampened by the drifting rain. He casually wiped the moisture from his face, closed the window, and turned to open the door.

Standing outside was Auntie Yang, holding a bundle of fresh bedding. She looked slightly surprised to see him. “Mr. Chu, I thought you were already asleep.”

“Ah… not yet,” Chu Nian replied softly.

“Then why are the lights off?” Auntie Yang asked. She held the bedding with one arm and reached for the wall switch with the other. “I just saw Jinnian come back alone. If he hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known you were home.”

With a click, the lights flickered on. Chu Nian’s eyes, adjusted to the dark, stung from the sudden brightness.

“I brought you a thicker quilt,” Auntie Yang said with a warm smile. “The temperature is dropping tonight; you’ll definitely be cold if you sleep with the light one.”

She was always enthusiastic. As she spoke, she moved to enter the room to make the bed, but Chu Nian quickly intercepted her, taking the bedding from her arms. “You don’t need to trouble yourself, Auntie Yang. I can do it.”

“What trouble?” She looked at him with feigned annoyance. “You take such good care of me usually; why be so polite with your Auntie?”

Chu Nian’s eyes crinkled as he leaned affectionately toward her. “I know Auntie Yang is the best.”

“Stop flattery,” she grumbled, though the smile at the corner of her mouth was impossible to hide. She took the quilt back and walked over to his bed.

Seeing he couldn’t win, Chu Nian followed her obediently, helping her take off the old duvet cover that needed washing. Auntie Yang’s movements were skilled; she had the bed changed in no time. As she worked, she chattered away: “Jinnian was such a good boy when he was little. He always loved helping me with chores, not a bit of a young master’s temper.”

She shook out the quilt, evening out the cotton inside. “Maybe it’s because his parents didn’t show him much affection, so he used to love sticking to me. Now that he’s grown up, he’s become thin-skinned and stopped being so clingy.”

Chu Nian didn’t interrupt, listening quietly.

Auntie Yang smoothed the quilt until not a single wrinkle remained. Then, as if remembering something, the look in her eyes softened even more. “Once, I accidentally broke a vase. He was afraid his father would scold me, so he told me to say he did it… I told him, how could I let a child take the blame for a grown-up?”

“Do you know why he did that?” Auntie Yang suddenly looked up at Chu Nian.

Chu Nian pursed his lips; he already had an answer in his heart.

Auntie Yang didn’t make him guess. She rubbed her lower back and sat slowly on a chair. “He was afraid his father would kick me out. If I left, he thought no one would love him anymore.”

Chu Nian’s breath hitched. Even though he had suspected the answer, hearing it from Auntie Yang still made his heart ache sharply.

“I knew it all along. Everything Jinnian did was to keep me here,” Auntie Yang sighed, her voice full of regret. “His parents were strict with him from the start. Even as an outsider, I thought he was good enough, but they always wanted him to be better. He was just a child back then. The pressure was so immense, it truly hurt my heart to see.”

“So when he insisted on moving out later, I agreed. After all these years, I’ve long considered him my own son. Seeing him doing better and better now, the weight on my heart has finally lifted.”

Chu Nian poured a glass of water and pushed it gently toward her. Auntie Yang thanked him but didn’t drink right away. She stared out at the continuous rain, seemingly lost in memory.

He listened silently as she recounted stories of Lu Jinnian’s childhood—the happy moments, the hardships, and the anger. Bit by bit, they pieced together the Lu Jinnian of the present.

By the time she finished, the rain outside had stopped as if on cue. Chu Nian realized that this might be the first time he had truly, earnestly tried to understand the man he had lived with for three years.

In the eyes of others, Lu Jinnian was the arrogant young master of the Lu family who did as he pleased. In Auntie Yang’s eyes, he was just a good boy who needed love.

Chu Nian realized he didn’t understand Lu Jinnian at all. Over the years, he had only heard negative evaluations. Now, listening to Auntie Yang, he felt as if he were glimpsing a hidden side of Lu Jinnian that no one else knew.

The water in Auntie Yang’s hand had gone cold. She took a sip and stood up. “Look at me, talking so much I lost track of time. You have work tomorrow, don’t you? I won’t disturb you any longer.”

A trace of lingering sorrow remained on her face. Even as she smiled, Chu Nian felt it was bittersweet.

Auntie Yang walked out, and Chu Nian watched her go from the doorway. Just as she turned the corner, a few thoughts drifted into his ears.

[I have to leave eventually.]

[I hope Jinnian can find someone who truly loves him… Thank goodness for Mr. Chu.]

As if moved by an impulse, Auntie Yang stopped, turned back, and smiled at Chu Nian. “Goodnight, Mr. Chu.”

“Goodnight,” Chu Nian replied.

Closing the door, he let out a long breath. He switched off the ceiling light and fumbled his way to the bed in the dark. He collapsed face-down on the mattress, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. He felt as if all his strength had been drained, leaving him unable to move.

The unique scent of the fresh bedding filled his nose. He closed his eyes and slowly slid into sleep.

***************************************

The next morning, Chu Nian opened his eyes to find the sky was already bright.

He looked around blearily. A chill ran through him, and he instinctively shuddered, realizing he had slept face-down like that all night. He couldn’t even remember falling asleep. He pushed himself up, his head feeling heavy and groggy. After a few sneezes, he realized he had probably caught a cold from sleeping without a blanket.

Chu Nian got up and changed clothes. He massaged his throbbing temples as he headed out, his eyelids so heavy he could barely keep them open. His fingers habitually reached for his phone. When he saw the time, he was instantly jolted awake.

8:55 AM! Only five minutes left before he was supposed to be at work!

He quickly tidied himself and rushed out the door, taking the stairs two at a time. As he passed the living room, he happened to catch sight of Lu Jinnian at the dining table.

Lu Jinnian looked up at the commotion, one cheek bulging with food. A steaming cup of coffee sat beside him. His high-quality pajamas even seemed to reflect the light. Lu Jinnian froze for two seconds before continuing his breakfast, casually asking: “Aren’t you going to eat something?”

The question didn’t sound intentional.

Chu Nian shook his head. “No, thank you.”

He was about to be late, and with the cold, he had no appetite. He swapped his shoes, grabbed his documents from the shoe cabinet, and ran out.

In his haste, he didn’t hear Lu Jinnian’s follow-up: “I’ll drive you.”

Chu Nian hailed a taxi and, unfortunately, still arrived at the office a few minutes late.

A colleague at the next desk saw him run in drenched in sweat, still chewing on a piece of bread. He kindly poured a glass of water for him. Chu Nian whispered a thank you and gulped down half the glass.

“Whoa, slow down! Don’t drink so fast.”

His team had received a new project the night before, and the workload today was immense. After arriving at the company, Chu Nian spent the entire morning running back and forth. By noon, his undershirt was damp with sweat.

While squeezing into the elevator, he inexplicably thought of the leisurely Master Lu back home and began to mentally “attack” everyone who didn’t have to work for a living.

It wasn’t until 1:00 PM that Chu Nian finally returned to his seat to rest. He hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, but he was so exhausted that he couldn’t stomach the lunch his colleague had bought for him. After a few half-hearted bites, he pushed it aside.

He still had things to do in the afternoon. Chu Nian cleared the clutter from his desk and leaned down, intending to nap for a few minutes. His head felt heavier than ever, as if it were filled with lead. His eyelids fought to stay open, but eventually, he succumbed and closed his eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, he vaguely heard someone calling his name.

“Brother… Brother Chu Nian…”

The voice sounded familiar. And urgent.

Chu Nian forced his eyes open with great effort and looked up.

Lin Yan was frowning deeply. Chu Nian’s cheeks were flushed bright red, and his hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. His vision was blurry, and his senses were dull. Trying to see who it was, he shook his head slightly.

“Lin Yan…?” As soon as he spoke, a flash of shock crossed his eyes. He seemed startled by his own raspy voice.

His throat felt like it was on fire—dry and painful. An unbearable heat clung to his body, and his head spun so much he felt he could collapse at any second. Even Lin Yan’s silhouette began to blur.

In the next moment, he felt a coolness on his forehead. Lin Yan pressed the back of his hand against Chu Nian’s brow. The searing heat made Lin Yan panic instantly.

“Brother, you have a fever!” He knit his brows, leaning down to stare at Chu Nian. “You’re burning up this badly; why didn’t you take the day off to rest?”

Chu Nian wasn’t fully conscious, but he picked up on the slight reproach in Lin Yan’s tone. He pouted aggrievedly. “I thought it was just a minor cold. How was I supposed to know it would suddenly get this bad?”

Lin Yan wanted to say more, but seeing Chu Nian’s innocent look, the fire in his heart mostly died out. He sighed helplessly and carefully helped Chu Nian up. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Ah, I still have work this afternoon…” Chu Nian instinctively resisted.

“Work? What work!” Lin Yan glared at him. “If we don’t go now, your brain is going to fry.”

Hearing that, Chu Nian finally settled down.

Lin Yan half-carried, half-supported Chu Nian as they walked out. They had just stepped out of the office when a tall figure blocked Lin Yan’s path.

“What are you doing?” Lin Yan asked the uninvited guest crossly.

Lu Jinnian didn’t even give him a glance. His eyes were fixed on Chu Nian. Seeing Chu Nian’s abnormally flushed face, Lu Jinnian froze slightly. “What happened to him?”

“Can’t you see? He has a fever,” Lin Yan scoffed. “Move.”

His tone was harsh. Even if Lu Jinnian was his superior, Lin Yan couldn’t help but dislike him.

The expression on the man’s face shifted. He reached out and gently touched Chu Nian’s forehead. The intense heat made him frown deeply.

“Tsk, you—”

Lin Yan was about to speak again when Lu Jinnian suddenly grabbed the arm of the person in Lin Yan’s embrace. With a sudden pull, Chu Nian—who had no strength and felt like a ragdoll—stumbled a few steps on weak legs and fell into Lu Jinnian’s arms.

The scent of the man filled Chu Nian’s nose. Just as he was about to look up, Lu Jinnian unexpectedly bent down and swept him off the ground.

The sudden loss of gravity made Chu Nian instinctively wrap his arms around Lu Jinnian’s shoulders. He widened his eyes. “Lu Jinnian—!!”

He couldn’t control the sudden spike in his volume.

“Shh.” Lu Jinnian spoke in a low voice.

They were so close that Chu Nian could feel the vibration in Lu Jinnian’s chest. The man holding him lowered his eyes and glanced at him. “Don’t talk.”

Whether it was because Lu Jinnian’s voice was authoritative or because he truly lacked the strength to speak, Chu Nian closed his mouth and allowed himself to be carried out of the building.

He was somewhat relieved it was lunch break and the office was mostly empty; otherwise, he would definitely have become the subject of office gossip.

Chu Nian swallowed hard. He stole a glance at Lu Jinnian’s handsome jawline. The man’s hands held him tightly, and even through the fabric, Chu Nian could feel his solid muscles. His already burning temperature seemed to spike further. Chu Nian quickly looked away, swallowing the unmentionable heat in his throat.

His head rested against Lu Jinnian’s chest. The man’s powerful heart thudded right against his ear, the thump-thump rhythm making Chu Nian feel groggy again.

Then, Chu Nian suddenly heard a light chuckle escape Lu Jinnian’s throat.

Along with some self-congratulatory thoughts—

[So this is what He Xing meant by ‘Max Boyfriend Power.’]

[My wife is definitely going to be won over easily. He’ll be head over heels for me.]