When Xie Lin woke again, it was already pitch-black outside the window.
He shifted, feeling much lighter all over, but he was so hungry his stomach felt hollow, as though he could swallow a whole cow plus a pig.
He simply grabbed his phone and started ordering takeout.
Before he could tap the screen, the hospital room door opened.
Seeing him energetically scrolling through his phone, Lu Ye's eyes instantly lit up.
"You're awake? Hungry?"
"Yes, I'm starving to death."
His cold hadn't cleared up yet, and Xie Lin's voice was still heavily nasal.
"I want fried chicken, barbecue, hot pot, whole roast lamb, roast suckling pig..."
"No!"
Before he could finish listing dishes, Lu Ye cut him off, strode over, and snatched his phone away.
"The doctor said you need to eat light for the next couple of days."
Xie Lin's face instantly fell into a sour scowl.
Amused, Lu Ye rubbed the top of his head, his voice softening.
"Be good. I asked the hotel to send over plain congee and side dishes. They'll be here soon. Make do for a couple of days, then I'll take you out for something good."
"..."
The hotel food arrived quickly: plain congee and side dishes, so bland that Xie Lin kept frowning.
But he was too hungry to care much, and after he finished eating, some color finally returned to his face.
Lu Ye went outside to take a call, and Xie Lin called his two grandfathers too, telling them he would be home tomorrow.
He didn't mention being sick or hospitalized, only saying he was out having fun with friends, afraid they would worry.
He had just hung up when a clear, pleasant voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"It really is you!"
"Hm?"
Xie Lin looked up toward