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Translated by newbienoona

Edited and proofread by anks

TL Notes: I struggled translating "healthy water". It's technically a tonic of sorts (mineralized water with medicinal purpose), but its consistency is more viscous than water. There isn't a Western equivalent of this solution.

Embarra.s.sed, she laughs. "It's just a bit of an upset stomach. I feel fine now; just a bit of queasiness. I just need to buy a bottle of healthy water. Just wait for me here."

Han Qilu tightens his grip on her cold wrist and asks, "Why should you leave me behind? Does the doctor have a bad temper?"

He thinks he has wronged her. His eyes seem to convey, "I must accompany you this time."

Puff… She can't help but snort and laugh. "It's nothing but heat stroke, and I'm buying a bottle of healthy water to make me feel better. You know, I'm not a child who needs to be lead." She attempts to break free from his grip but his big hand tightens around her wrist. Puzzled, she looks into his eyes as he orders: "Hand."

He doesn't care about her demands. Instead, he takes a step ahead of her. Once they exit, he gently shuts the door before walking down the stairs. The corridor is dark, but he takes her hand as they walk. At that moment, her heart feels relieved.

It is unusual for her to feel her heart beat so erratically. Is it because of her ailment?

It is approaching high noon when they leave her former residence. Unable to grab lunch, Han Qilu takes an umbrella from the car and hands it to Chuxia. Then, he calls the Han mansion.

He informs them they won't be able to make it home and they plan to dine out. He only says a statement or two but holds on to the phone for a while. It might be because Jiang Yuan is gossiping. Qilu closes his eyes. Finally, he hangs up.

He releases a deep breath before looking at An Chuxia. She was still holding to the unopened umbrella, relaxed. He naively thinks she's too weak to open the contraption. "Don't tell me you're so poor you don't know how to operate an umbrella?"

What he really wanted to say is, "Why aren't you using the umbrella?"

Accustomed to his sarcastic remarks, Chuxia says, "Why would I need protection from the sun? I can take it."

What he deduces is she doesn't want the umbrella because he offered it.

He rubs his temples, thinking he's expecting too much. He rests his hands on her shoulders. "Chuxia, why don't you use the umbrella when you're suffering heat stroke? Or are you pretending? If you die of heat stroke, I… ." He suddenly pauses and becomes mute.

"You'll what?" She suddenly wants to hear what he has to say. Her heart beats like a badly beaten deer. She calmly looks at him despite trying her best to conceal her emotions. However, her eyes give away her expectations as she lowers her gaze to the ground.

He immediately changes his stance and leans closer to her ear to whisper, "What are you antic.i.p.ating?" His pupils twinkle erratically as he stares at her, making her break into sweat, more than what's already on her forehead.

"Antic.i.p.ate? I wasn't!" She attempts to turn her back on him. Because of her ailment, her ashen lips look more delectable. Han Qilu extends his index finger to lift her chin and force her to look at him.

Translated by newbienoona

Edited and proofread by anks

"Really, you're not?" Fiery eyes spring like two flames. Like a sitting duck, she looks at him, too stunned to say anything.

They hold their stance for a while. Pedestrians deliberately stare at them as they pa.s.s. He looks charming in his black s.h.i.+rt, white tie, and expensive pants. She, on the other hand, looks exquisite in the white sling jacket and black lace mini skirt. They make a striking couple.

Despite looking good, their body language is quite vague.

"We haven't moved in a while, aren't you tired?" She wants to change topics. However, Han Qilu does not attack her. Instead, he stares at her with flas.h.i.+ng eyes, enough to bore a hole.

Three seconds later…

An Chuxia calmly backs down. "Okay, I lose… ." Upon her capitulation, Han Qilu satisfactorily claims her lips, kissing them quickly. As if after knowing her, a day will come when some rogue would steal it.

"Hey! Why did you kiss me?" She jumps away, once she realizes how fast her heart is beating.

Smiling evilly, Han Qilu says in a thick voice, "Don't change the topic. What were you antic.i.p.ating?"

"What was I antic.i.p.ating?" Who knows what she was antic.i.p.ating a moment ago? However, she's afraid of what he's going to do next. She swallows and clears her throat before saying, "I wanted to see if you have a touch of humanity in you."

This isn't what he wanted to hear. It doesn't matter, he can wait for her to willingly and personally acknowledge when he asks the question again. Gracefully, his hand opens the umbrella. He stands next to An Chuxia. His free hand wraps around her shoulder. She's lost in thought. She suddenly jumps a meter away from him when he bends down and frightens her.

She looks at him vigilantly. "What are you doing?!"

He doesn't answer. He frowns and waves her past him but she doesn't move! An Chuxia's stubborn temper suddenly flares. He tells her to go ahead of him and now she doesn't want to face him?

Shaking her head, she frowns and says, "What do you think I'm going to do?"

Han Qilu's complexion turns cloudy. He takes a big step toward An Chuxia, but she attempts to run away from him. She takes three steps before he yanks her by the collar and carries her like a kitten.

"What are you doing?" She stares at him anxiously with big eyes as she gasps for air. He tilts his body toward her, making her heart leap so quickly, it's about to reach its limit. She closes her eyes, antic.i.p.ating a kiss that hasn't fallen. Only then did she realize her right ear feels hot and itchy.

He focuses on her ear. His delicate brows knit. What is he doing? He doesn't wait for her to speak. He opens his mouth, his expression, bad.

"Did that disgusting old woman touch your ear?" Anyone who hears his tone knows he intends to kill.