Shen Lian didn't make a fuss.
He had just taken off his wig cap earlier, planning to get a good night's sleep, so his hair was a complete mess. As he sat up straight, he ran a hand through it.
Chu Yilan's expression turned grave, but his voice stayed soft. "What happened?"
Shen Lian said, "Nothing. I've already taken my medicine."
Sure enough, Chu Yilan's voice turned cold. "Are you coming back yourself, or am I coming to get you?"
His tone left no room for negotiation.
"I'm not going back, and you don't need to come." Shen Lian remained calm and spoke gently to Chu Yilan. "It only lasted a little while, and it wasn't from exhaustion. I promised you I wouldn't push myself, and I won't. Didn't Ning Sixian say it could happen occasionally? Don't worry."
Chu Yilan said through gritted teeth, "Shen Lian, if I could stop worrying about this, I'd have no heart at all." The sound of a chair scraping came from his end as he spoke. "I'm coming over now."
"No." Shen Lian's voice sank. "Yilan, listen to me."
The video call stayed connected, but Chu Yilan was standing with his hand lowered, so the camera only showed his waist and chest.
"What are you afraid of?" Shen Lian chuckled. "See? I didn't even lie to you."
"Shen Lian." Chu Yilan enunciated every word. "I'm worried. I need to see you with my own eyes."
That reminded Shen Lian of something else. He perked up at once and quickly checked the time. "Then come! It's only half an hour away. I'll meet you at the side gate. You can secretly stay with me tonight!"
"Mm." Chu Yilan's single-syllable reply finally sounded less irritable. He ended the call and set off immediately.
Chu Yilan brought