Wen Liu had an absolutely terrible Winter Solstice today.
She hadn’t eaten a single dumpling, tangyuan, or anything festive.
Her hand even turned red because her idiotic boss had found some random reason to scold her while she was holding a cup of hot water.
Finally, at nine o’clock, she got off work.
The moment Wen Liu returned to her tiny eight-square-meter apartment, her Garfield immediately waddled over, still with crusty eyes, rubbing against her.
“You’ve got eye gunk again? That’s not cute at all…”
Wen Liu scooped him up and carefully wiped his eyes. Garfield transformed instantly back into the sweet little fluffball she knew and loved.
“Thank goodness you’re here.”
A strange sense of relief washed over her. Wen Liu immediately pushed thoughts of that idiotic boss to the back of her mind.
No way she was thinking about that jerk after work! After-hours were for happiness!
She hurried to take a shower, washed her hair, and carefully applied a face mask. Cradling Garfield, she flopped onto the bed and pulled out her tablet.
Garfield’s favorite “Tom and Jerry” was playing on it, while Wen Liu opened her phone and launched her beloved green app.
It had a huge update!
Her favorite author had updated!
Oh oh oh oh oh! Two updates in one day!
Wen Liu’s dark, furrowed brow immediately smoothed out.
After finishing the CEO romance novel she’d been following, she laughed so hard that Garfield scampered to the foot of the bed in fright.
“Haha! Don’t be scared, baby! Mommy will calm down in a minute, just one minute!”
She rolled around on the bed, laughing uncontrollably.
Finally regaining some composure, Wen Liu was about to put down her phone when a notification pinged.
Hmm?
She quickly checked Weibo—had one of her favorite authors posted?
Her eyes went wide.
“Holy crap! You heartless little ghost, you’re back to update?”
Who else could it be but that notoriously flaky author who hadn’t posted for days?
Wen Liu’s feelings were complicated, but after some thought, she decided not to give in too quickly.
Damn it! You disappeared for so long—how can I forgive just one chapter?
Impossible!
She was fuming when a second notification pinged.
She froze. Subconsciously, she thought, “It must be the author posting again after the update.”
She opened it.
???? Another chapter?!
Was this still the same flaky king of authors?
If it’s two chapters…
Wen Liu grit her teeth. No way!
Two chapters still couldn’t forgive the flaky king!
Just then, a third notification pinged.
Wen Liu froze.
No way…
No!
Impossible!
The flaky king of authors could not possibly post three chapters in one day…
“Ahhhhhhhh!”
Garfield bolted across the room, scared.
Wen Liu knelt on the bed, clutching her phone with a mixture of awe and devotion, staring at the ceiling.
“This… this must be a miracle from the gods!”
Three chapters! Three chapters!
Well then!
Of course, she would forgive the author.
As long as they keep updating, she’d love them forever!
Not just Wen Liu—many readers were shocked too.
They were first stunned, then overjoyed, some even moved to tears.
Could something this good really exist in the world?
“Phew… that should do it, right?”
Rubbing his sore wrist, Zong Cheng let out a small sigh.
He hadn’t realized writing could be so exhausting. Was it from overworking to squeeze in a week’s worth of writing while going to the hot springs with Yin Chen?
Maybe it was better to delay updates for a while.
But…
His gaze couldn’t help but fall on the person still sleeping.
Yin Chen… was actually his reader!
Zong Cheng never expected it.
He assumed someone like Yin Chen wouldn’t read novels.
?
His brain paused.
Hadn’t he assumed this for a long time?
After a moment of silence, Zong Cheng reflected for a second.
What kind of rigid image had he assumed Yin Chen to be?
Some middle-aged, stoic CEO type?
But Yin Chen was young, lively, playful.
He liked playing PUBG with Zong Cheng, enjoyed drinking cola, and even loved reading novels…
Zong Cheng paused, surprised.
Yin Chen was vibrant, completely unlike his preconceived ideas.
And…
Zong Cheng couldn’t help but glance several times at the handsome face of the sleeping man.
And Yin Chen liked men.
Deep down, a thought flickered.
Zong Cheng pursed his lips, shook his head, and closed his laptop.
What was he thinking?
Better wake Yin Chen up—it was late. Sleeping too long might leave him groggy.
As Zong Cheng moved to the bedside, he noticed something wrong.
Yin Chen’s breathing was uneven, and his cheeks were slightly flushed.
Zong Cheng’s heart skipped.
He placed a hand on Yin Chen’s forehead.
So hot!
Yin Chen had a fever!
Zong Cheng immediately remembered how lazy and drowsy Yin Chen had been in the car, falling asleep while waiting.
So that explained it!
He quickly dug out the business card the villa owner had given him and called.
Half an hour later.
A middle-aged doctor examined Yin Chen and reassured Zong Cheng gently.
“The temperature dropped suddenly because it’s gotten colder recently. Fevers from catching a chill are common, so there’s no need to panic.”
Zong Cheng muttered.
“I’m not panicking.”
The doctor glanced at him and said nothing.
Not panicking… but when he knocked, Zong Cheng had been dragged straight upstairs? He nearly thought he was being kidnapped!
“By the way, though this is awkward—have you had sexual activity recently?”
The doctor looked Zong Cheng over.
This guy seemed reckless—maybe he’d even injured someone during sex.
Zong Cheng’s brain froze.
Next second, his face turned crimson.
“Doctor, you misunderstood! We’re just friends!”
?
These days, it’s not only romantic couples who can have sex, the doctor thought forwardly.
But… seeing this guy blush like a monkey’s behind, he understood.
Still a virgin, probably hasn’t found a partner.
Makes sense—he’s a handsome man with great prospects.
“Good. This injection will bring down the fever. Call the kitchen to arrange soft foods. At this age, the body will recover by tomorrow after a good sleep.”
The doctor efficiently prepped the syringe, administered the injection, and left.
His skill was so practiced that Zong Cheng barely had time to look away.
So pale… and kind of soft? The injection felt elastic as it went in…
!
Zong Cheng, focus!
Stop thinking such unhealthy thoughts!
The words “butt cream” flashed unbidden in his mind, etched over the image he was seeing. His gaze blurred, heartbeat raced, blood rushed—he froze in place.
“All done. Now take good care of him.”
Hope you get your perfect match soon, young man.
The doctor left, and Zong Cheng was left facing the sleeping Yin Chen, completely unsure.
After a deep sleep!
Yin Chen stretched lazily.
Feeling refreshed!
Just as he was about to lift the covers, he realized someone was holding them down.
Hmm?
What’s going on?
Looking down, he saw Zong Cheng lying next to him, dark circles under his eyes, stubble growing.
Clearly up all night!
Yin Chen grabbed his phone.
???
His most-followed author had updated three times!
?
No, that wasn’t the important part.
!
It was morning!
Where did yesterday go?
Yin Chen froze.
He lifted the covers to get out of bed.
Suddenly, his left buttocks twinged in pain.
!
He froze.
Looking down slowly, he felt that long-forgotten familiar pain…
“You’re awake?”
Startled by Zong Cheng’s low, husky voice, Yin Chen froze.
Zong Cheng, still groggy, bent slightly, warm breath brushing against him.
?
Wha—what’s happening?
Yin Chen froze.
Then felt Zong Cheng’s forehead press against his.
“Mm, the fever’s gone. Looks like the injection worked.”
Zong Cheng lazily stretched, squinting, and turned to leave.
“Wait, I had the kitchen prepare some porridge for you. I’ll have it sent over.”
After getting up, washing, and eating the porridge, Yin Chen finally realized what had happened.
“I had a fever yesterday?”
By now, Zong Cheng was fully awake, clean-shaven, and alert.
He looked composed.
“Yes. You fell asleep suddenly during the hot springs, which scared me. But the villa’s doctor said one injection would help—and see? You’re fine now.”
“Alright.”
Yin Chen rubbed his still-sore butt.
Not bad. Could’ve been better without the injection to the butt, ε=(ο｀*))) sigh.
Zong Cheng pretended not to notice, and mentally censored all the previous images.
Didn’t see. Didn’t see. Saw nothing!
“Since that’s settled, why don’t we head to the hot springs now? We’ve already missed a whole day.”
Yin Chen sighed—so much happiness wasted!
Zong Cheng, stay composed!
Even the censored part got seen—what’s there to fear?
Maybe it was psychological suggestion, but during the hot springs, Zong Cheng really felt calm, though his eyes kept drifting toward the distant mountains—a little tiring.
After finishing, Zong Cheng changed and came downstairs, seeing Yin Chen sitting at the dining table, waving at him.
Compared to yesterday’s sickly, listless Yin Chen, he looked completely different—full of life.
Zong Cheng thought he preferred the livelier Yin Chen.
“Come, come, come, here.”
Zong Cheng approached.
Yin Chen gestured to the table.
“Though I was sick yesterday and missed out, the dumplings and tangyuan are all here.”
“Pick whichever flavor you like.”
“Also, even if a bit late—Happy Winter Solstice, Zong Cheng.”
Zong Cheng froze.
Then, something inside him seemed to crack open.
Warm springs bubbled up in his heart, filling it completely.
His hands went behind his back, fists clenched tightly.
You’re done for, Zong Cheng.
He thought.