It might be worse than now

Halfway through the morning classes, Luo Yunhe felt unwell, so Gu Zhiyue took him to the medical building. Gu Zhiyue stayed in the ward for half an hour before returning to the classroom to continue his lessons.

Only after classes ended at noon did Gu Zhiyue go to the cafeteria with Xie Zhen.

"Let's get a meal to go for Luo Yunhe too. He's still in the ward and hasn't eaten."

Xie Zhen nodded. "Okay. His health really is terrible. This is already his third trip to the medical building in two weeks."

"It can't be helped. He doesn't want to be so unhealthy either."

Gu Zhiyue took the takeout container from the cafeteria lady. "I'm going to the medical building now. What about you?"

"I'll come along," Xie Zhen said. "I don't have anything to do right now anyway."

Luo Yunhe had only experienced some sudden heart palpitations, and there wasn't any major problem. He had been wearing his heart monitor the whole time, and the doctor was examining him with a machine.

Black ECG electrodes were attached to his body, and his condition appeared in real time on the connected computer screen. Studying the electrocardiogram on the screen, the doctor frowned and sighed. "Your heartbeat is extremely irregular, and this is your third visit, isn't it? I see you're wearing a monitor all the time. What's your condition?"

Luo Yunhe sat propped up in bed, looking at his hands resting on his abdomen. "L-transposition of the great arteries. Congenital."

Hearing this, the doctor let out a long, sympathetic sigh. "With this condition, you could choose to study at home, or enroll a year later, after your health has improved a little."

Luo Yunhe shook his head. "It might be worse than now later on."

The ECG electrodes were removed one by one. Luo Yunhe put his portable monitor back on and returned to sit by the hospital bed.

Gu Zhiyue came in from outside, with Xie Zhen behind him.

"How are you feeling? Maybe you should go home and rest for a few days."

"I'm fine. Just some palpitations. The examination didn't find any problems."

Gu Zhiyue opened the food container. "Still, you need to be extra careful. I've already spoken to my parents. They're contacting that doctor about coming back. The doctor is overseas attending a medical lecture right now."

Luo Yunhe lowered his head and ate. "I'd almost given up hope. My dad will be over the moon when he finds out."

"Why not tell your dad and give him some peace of mind?" Xie Zhen asked.

"It's best not to say anything until it's certain. My dad has been searching everywhere for medical care and resources because of my illness. Every time he's gotten his hopes up, he's ended up disappointed."

Gu Zhiyue reached out and patted his shoulder. "Once it's all arranged, I'll tell your dad."

Luo Yunhe smiled and nodded. "All right. If you tell him, my dad will definitely believe it's real."

"He trusts me that much?"

"Yep."

Xie Zhen asked, "Can you go back to the dorm, then? Or do you need to stay here?"

Luo Yunhe put the lid on his empty food container and tossed it into the trash can beside the bed. "Straight back to the dorm. I've already been examined, and I'm feeling pretty good now."

"Then shall we go buy some snacks?" Gu Zhiyue suggested.

"Sure."

"No problem."

That evening, while tidying things in the dorm, Gu Zhiyue received a message from Gu Shuoyan. [Dad's partnership with the Xing Group has been finalized. The partnership will begin after the Mid-Autumn Festival.]

Gu Zhiyue put down what he was holding and replied, [That soon? After the Mid-Autumn Festival? That's not even a month away, is it?]

[I'm not sure either. Maybe it's a big project, so starting sooner means finishing sooner.]

[Okay, let's talk later. I'll tidy up first.]

[All right.]

Barely a few minutes after Gu Zhiyue put down his phone, it vibrated on the desk again. Thinking it was Gu Shuoyan again, he opened his phone, only for the corners of his mouth to lift involuntarily.

The name "Xing Yisheng" stood prominently at the top, with his newly sent message below. [The company has the eighteenth and nineteenth off. Do you still have that concert ticket?]

Gu Zhiyue smiled as he replied, [Of course. I've been keeping yours for you.]

[Then see you on the nineteenth.]

Gu Zhiyue replied with an okay, casually set his phone on the bed, and took a few pieces of clothing into the washroom, humming a tune as he prepared to do his laundry.

After switching on the automatic washing machine and pouring in the detergent, Gu Zhiyue came out, closed the door, and sat back down by the bed, tapping on his phone.

[I thought Xing Yisheng was so busy that he'd never accept the invitation. I didn't expect him to actually say yes!]

[No one can refuse your invitation, Host. It was only a matter of time before Xing Yisheng accepted.]

Gu Zhiyue clicked his tongue. [You make it sound like I'm some hot commodity.]

Xiao Jiu gave a proud huff. [You are! My host is loved by everyone, makes flowers bloom, and even makes cans open themselves!]

[Do you systems have to learn flattery too?]

[Yes! The Main System said that learning it would make our hosts like what we say.]

Gu Zhiyue's eyes shifted from side to side. [I do like it quite a bit. Nobody dislikes hearing nice things.]

A few beeps came from the washing machine in the washroom. Gu Zhiyue went over, took out the clothes and hung them up, cleaned the floor, then returned to lie down on his bed.

He had no classes that afternoon, so he planned to sleep until he woke naturally, then go to the cafeteria for dinner.

The setting sun hung beside the mountains, staining the horizon a deep orange-red. The layered peaks looked like swaths of deep green, joining the sky at its edge.

Sunset streamed through the glass wall onto the office floor. Warm white lights were on inside, and from this angle, the sunset on the horizon seemed close enough to touch.

Xing Yisheng raised a hand and rubbed between his brows, easing his sore eyes a little. He checked the time and saw that it was almost seven. The company cafeteria had long since closed, so it looked like he would have to eat at a restaurant outside again.

Xing Yisheng picked up the jacket hanging over the back of his chair and left the office, planning to walk to the restaurant across the street for a meal.

After entering his private elevator and pressing the button, Xing Yisheng considered what to eat. He had few requirements when it came to food. Most of the time, as long as it was edible and filling, that was enough. Whether it tasted good didn't really matter to him.

As he thought, the scene of his first meal at the same restaurant table as Gu Zhiyue suddenly appeared in his mind. The sight of Gu Zhiyue eating in big mouthfuls was incredibly clear. Even he, who didn't enjoy eating, had eaten an unprecedented extra half bowl of rice that day.

Xing Yisheng raised a hand to touch his abdomen, suddenly feeling a little hungry.

The school cafeteria was still brightly lit, with countless students eating there. It would not close completely until ten thirty that night.

Gu Zhiyue and Luo Yunhe were eating with their heads lowered over their bowls when Xie Zhen came up the stairs and sat down beside them.

"Well, look at you two, coming to eat without inviting me."

One of Gu Zhiyue's cheeks bulged slightly as he chewed. "We did, ten minutes ago. Didn't you fail to reply?"

"I was washing my socks then. I'll go see what there is to eat. Eat slowly and wait for me."

Luo Yunhe nodded. "Okay, go ahead. Wow! Gu Shen Ci's concert tickets are sold out! Aren't these fans way too fast? They snapped them all up less than a minute after sales opened."

Gu Zhiyue clicked his tongue. "Good thing my second brother saved a few tickets for me in advance. They're even more sought-after than gold."

"You promised to video call me so I could watch. Don't forget when the time comes."

"Don't worry. If I really forget, just remind me."