I'm Happy When You're Well

After Shen Xinde was given medicine, his temperature stopped rising during the night. Xia Wanqing came by every so often to give him some warm water and wipe away his sweat.

By morning, the rain outside had stopped and the wind had eased a little. Shen Qiming said a word to Gu Ruize, then he and Xia Wanqing took Shen Xinde back next door.

It would be easier to take care of him at home.

When Gu Zhuoling woke up, he hurried back to his room for a look. It had already been tidied up, and the poor little thing who had been in his bed was gone. He turned around and ran downstairs.

Gu Ruize and Zhou Jingyi were both at home for once, eating in the dining room. They looked up to see their son standing in the doorway in his pajamas.

"Want some breakfast?"

Seeing how anxious her son looked, Zhou Jingyi asked the question at her leisure.

"Where's Haohao?"

Gu Zhuoling went over to Zhou Jingyi, showing no intention of eating breakfast.

Gu Ruize cleared his throat softly. Seeing that Gu Zhuoling really did care about his little friend, he didn't join Zhou Jingyi in teasing him. "Eat breakfast first. Xinde was taken back home this morning. You can go see him after you eat."

Gu Zhuoling hadn't slept particularly well, and his brain still hadn't quite caught up. He held on to the hem of Zhou Jingyi's clothes, wanting to ask something else.

"Haohao's already much better. Hurry up and eat so you can go see him." Zhou Jingyi knew perfectly well what her son wanted to ask. She stood, wrapped her arms around Gu Zhuoling, and set him on a chair.

"When Haohao left this morning, he asked me to tell you he wanted you to bring him some homemade millet porridge and shrimp dumplings. He wants to eat them." Zhou Jingyi set Gu Zhuoling's breakfast on the table and motioned for him to hurry up and eat.

"Okay."

Gu Zhuoling nodded and sped up to finish his breakfast.

After breakfast, Gu Zhuoling went upstairs to change, then took the shrimp dumplings and porridge and knocked on the door next door.

Xia Wanqing answered. She smiled gently when she saw Gu Zhuoling. "Zhuoling, you're here? Haohao's fallen asleep again, so you might have to wait a while."

"Auntie Xia, may I see him?" Gu Zhuoling twisted the hem of his clothes.

"Of course." Xia Wanqing let Gu Zhuoling in and brought out a new pair of children's slippers. "Haohao picked these out for you. He's been waiting for you to come over and play."

"Thank you." A flicker of surprise lit up Gu Zhuoling's eyes. He quickly took off his shoes and put on the slippers.

"Then, sorry to trouble you, Zhuoling, but could you keep an eye on Haohao for me? If he wakes up, you can give him some porridge." Xia Wanqing gently patted Gu Zhuoling on the head and led him upstairs. "And thank you for last night, Zhuoling. Otherwise, Haohao's fever might have fried his brain."

Gu Zhuoling said nothing, only following close behind Xia Wanqing.

In fact, Gu Zhuoling didn't think he deserved any thanks. Shen Xinde had run out into the rain because of him, and he hadn't taken good care of him.

"Haohao said the flowers you planted had bloomed and looked beautiful. You two protected them together yesterday. That was very brave of you." Xia Wanqing turned to glance at Gu Zhuoling, seemingly aware that he was blaming himself.

"He said it was his first time getting caught in the rain. Even though he got sick, he was happy. He was happy he protected the flowers, and happy to be with you." Xia Wanqing opened the door. The room was quiet, and the faint, crisp sound of bells chiming against one another could be heard. "Thank you so much, Zhuoling. Go on in and see him."

Though Gu Zhuoling knew Shen Xinde, this was his first time coming to his house and his room.

Unlike the simple, elegant layout of Gu Zhuoling's room, Shen Xinde's room was decorated mainly in warm colors. There was a small, warm yellow sofa, all kinds of dolls arranged on a fluffy blanket, a small easel, and some colorful paintings full of childlike charm. A display cabinet held some of Shen Xinde's favorite fairy-tale books.

Gu Zhuoling hadn't known Shen Xinde could paint, or that he was quite good at it, with a particularly distinctive use of color.

Gu Zhuoling didn't know much about painting, but he really liked the things Shen Xinde painted. They were as bright as he was.

But when Shen Xinde usually came to play with him, they only planted flowers and plants, read books, and played with puzzles.

Gu Zhuoling set the insulated food container on the bedside table, pulled a little stool up to the bed, and sat down. Resting against the side of the bed, he watched Shen Xinde.

Shen Xinde had a cooling patch on his forehead. His face was a little pale, and his brows were furrowed, as if he were having a bad dream.

Gu Zhuoling carefully reached out and smoothed the little boy's brow. With one hand, he gently took the small hand resting at Shen Xinde's side. Only when he felt its warmth did he feel a little reassured.

After such a huge swing of emotions, Gu Zhuoling finally felt a little relief. He blinked as he watched Shen Xinde sleep peacefully, and his eyes stung. Tears the size of beans fell at once.

He really did like Shen Xinde very much.

Shen Xinde was wonderful. He had accepted Gu Zhuoling's strange personality with such tolerance. Gu Zhuoling didn't like talking, so Shen Xinde could do plenty of talking on his own. Gu Zhuoling liked dull activities, and Shen Xinde could accept those completely and keep him company.

They actually hadn't spent that much time together, but Shen Xinde gave Gu Zhuoling a strong sense of being valued. He had a special name of his own, and without realizing it, Shen Xinde kept him in his thoughts and spoke of him.

Gu Zhuoling felt that Shen Xinde had a natural kind of magic that drew people closer and closer to him.

His tears kept falling silently. Afraid they would fall onto Shen Xinde's bed, Gu Zhuoling hurriedly wiped them away whenever they reached his chin.

But he couldn't wipe them all away. As soon as he wiped one away, another slid down.

The next second, the hand holding his tightened, and Gu Zhuoling felt a soft little hand brush gently over his chin.

A familiar voice sounded by his ear.

"Why is Dolly crying?" Shen Xinde had turned onto his side and opened his eyes to look at him. Thinking Gu Zhuoling was too sad, he thought for a moment and made a joke. "You cried so much you woke the doll up."

Gu Zhuoling didn't stop crying, because he simply couldn't. All he could do was turn his red eyes away so Shen Xinde couldn't see them.

"Don't be shy." Shen Xinde tugged on their joined hands and slowly sat up. "Don't be sad, Dolly. Haohao will give you a hug."

A small, warm body wrapped its arms around Gu Zhuoling's shoulders. Shen Xinde's position was so awkward that Gu Zhuoling couldn't help chuckling. "Sit up properly. Are you still feeling unwell?"

Only then did Shen Xinde straighten up and sit properly. He shook his head. "I feel a little weak, but I'm much better."

"Do you want some porridge? I brought your favorite shrimp dumplings." Gu Zhuoling got up and propped Shen Xinde's pillow upright so he could lean against it comfortably.

"Yes." Shen Xinde had been hungry for a while, but he had been too tired when he got home that morning and couldn't stay awake, so he had slept a little longer. Xia Wanqing had also planned to let him sleep for another half hour before feeding him.

Gu Zhuoling didn't let Shen Xinde lift a hand. He held a little bowl of porridge and a spoon, intending to feed him himself.

"Is Dolly not sad anymore?"

Shen Xinde opened his mouth and took a spoonful of porridge. Only when the warm porridge entered his mouth and then reached his stomach did he begin to feel a little warmth.

"I'm not sad anymore." Gu Zhuoling scooped a mini shrimp dumpling out of the container and held it to Shen Xinde's mouth.

"Now that Haohao feels a little better, I'm not sad anymore."