novelraw Chapter 191
Chapter 191
Although Shen Nanchu had used the system's medicine to save Pei Zhengnian, he remained unconscious and still sleeping.
However, everything was developing in a positive direction.
Shen Nanchu wasn't worried.
It was just that the news from the system made her heart, which had finally relaxed, tense up again.
Jiang Shuyi and Pei Zhengwei were up to something again.
They really wouldn't stay quiet for a single moment.
Fortunately, the distance was close, otherwise, the system wouldn't have been able to eavesdrop on Jiang Shuyi and Pei Zhengwei's phone call.
What did those two want to do?
Jiang Shuyi definitely wanted to protect Pei Zhengnian, but Pei Zhengwei might not.
After all, Shen Nanchu didn't believe that Pei Zhengwei was unaware of her marriage to Pei Zhengnian and the fact that they had a child.
But even so, Pei Zhengwei couldn't possibly want Pei Zhengnian dead!
There must be something Shen Nanchu had overlooked.
Shen Nanchu thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out.
Feeling somewhat drowsy, she simply closed her eyes.
...
The smell of disinfectant lingered in the air.
Pei Zhengnian opened his eyes to a faint, stinging sensation.
He moved his fingers; a dull ache came from the wound on his back, though it was far less severe than he had imagined.
His gaze shifted slowly and fell on the bedside. His eyes instantly brightened.
Shen Nanchu had fallen asleep with her head resting on the edge of the bed.
Looking at the faint dark circles under Shen Nanchu's eyes, Pei Zhengnian felt a pang of guilt.
This woman must have rushed here without a moment's rest.
Pei Zhengnian struggled to sit up, the movement pulling at the wound on his back, causing a sharp pain that made him suck in a cold breath.
Shen Nanchu's coat was draped over the foot of the bed.
Even if Pei Zhengnian tried, he couldn't reach it.
Enduring the pain, Pei Zhengnian shifted the blanket from the bed onto Shen Nanchu.
In the deep autumn of the capital, the weather was still quite chilly.
Pei Zhengnian moved carefully.
Although his movements were gentle, they still startled Shen Nanchu awake.
Shen Nanchu lifted her head, her eyes still hazy with sleep. Seeing that Pei Zhengnian was awake, she instantly became alert.
"You're awake?"
Shen Nanchu's voice was husky from sleep.
When she saw the blanket on her, she couldn't help but shoot Pei Zhengnian an exasperated look.
"What are you moving around for?"
"Just crawled back from death's door and you're already restless, wanting to take another trip?"
"Of course, if you want our child to have a different father, I don't mind either."
Pei Zhengnian was momentarily stunned by Shen Nanchu's sharp retort.
He wasn't angry, though. A silly smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I wasn't moving around."
His voice was still a bit hoarse, his gaze falling on her coat which had slipped down.
"It's cold. Put your coat on, don't catch a chill."
As he spoke, Pei Zhengnian lifted a hand to point at Shen Nanchu's coat at the foot of the bed.
Unexpectedly, the motion tugged at the wound on his back, and he sucked in another sharp breath.
Shen Nanchu couldn't take it anymore. She slapped his hand away with a "smack."
"Lie still! Can't keep your hands to yourself? Don't you want that wound to heal?"
Though her words were harsh, her actions were gentle as she carefully helped Pei Zhengnian lie back down, tucking the blanket around him.
"The doctor said it's a miracle you survived this time. If you dare push yourself again, I'll have Xiong Lei tie you to this bed."
Shen Nanchu meant what she said.
She put her coat on to prevent Pei Zhengnian from trying again.
Watching Shen Nanchu's awkward display of concern, Pei Zhengnian's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
This woman was always sharp-tongued; even her way of caring was prickly. But only he knew how much tenderness lay beneath those hard thorns.
"I made you worry."
Pei Zhengnian said softly, his eyes full of remorse.
"Worry? I'm not worried."
Shen Nanchu thought about it seriously.
"I'm worried my unborn child won't have a father. I'm worried the family's pillar will collapse and no one will support me."
That last sentence was the key point.
Where else could she find a man who would let her have her way completely in the future?
If she could win without lifting a finger, why struggle on her own?
As long as she had him wrapped around her finger, wasn't everything hers?
Even if she wanted to switch, could she find another like Pei Zhengnian?
Handsome, with a great figure, and utterly devoted?
Shen Nanchu felt that her concern for Pei Zhengnian's health was entirely for her own sake.
Hearing this, Pei Zhengnian let out a low chuckle, which pulled at his wound and made him grimace in pain again.
Shen Nanchu couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"What are you laughing at? What if the wound splits open?"
"It won't."
Pei Zhengnian caught her hand. His rough palm felt burning hot.
"Nanchu, thank you."
The smooth, delicate feel of her skin under his hand made Pei Zhengnian unconsciously caress it.
Shen Nanchu's hand stiffened for a moment, then she tried to pull it away. When she couldn't, she simply let him hold it.
The atmosphere was just right.
Unfortunately, Shen Nanchu was a bit clueless.
She looked at Pei Zhengnian.
"You seem to have a fever."
A fever?
Pei Zhengnian's face flushed slightly.
"We're husband and wife."
What did being husband and wife have to do with having a fever?
Shen Nanchu was a bit confused. Looking at his flushed face, could there be side effects?
But, products from the system were top quality; it should be fine.
"By the way, Jiang Shuyi came to the military hospital and even wanted to treat you."
Shen Nanchu deliberately brought up Jiang Shuyi. After all, since Jiang Shuyi was so suspicious, shouldn't Pei Zhengnian investigate her too? Keep an eye out?
Mentioning Jiang Shuyi, Pei Zhengnian's brow furrowed, his tone turning serious.
"Don't pay her any mind."
"Of course I don't. She's like a clown."
Shen Nanchu snorted, then changed the subject.
"But you remember this: I don't like that woman Jiang Shuyi. You stay away from her."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Pei Zhengnian agreed without hesitation, looking at Shen Nanchu with eyes so tender they seemed to drip with affection.
Shen Nanchu felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze. She withdrew her hand and adjusted her coat.
"What are you looking at? Does your wound not hurt anymore? Should I call the doctor to check on you?"
"It doesn't hurt."
Pei Zhengnian shook his head, his gaze never leaving her.
"Are you tired? The bed is big enough. Come lie down for a while."
"Who wants to lie down with you?"
Shen Nanchu's mouth was sharp, but her body honestly half-lay on the edge of the sickbed.
"I'm not squeezing in with an invalid. When Mom and Xiong Lei get here later, I'll go sleep then. You hurry up and sleep. You need to recover your strength before you can argue with me."
Pei Zhengnian didn't insist further, just quietly watched her.
The hospital room fell quiet again.
Shen Nanchu hadn't been lying down long before drowsiness returned, her eyelids beginning to droop.
In her half-asleep state, a large hand wrapped around her waist.
Shen Nanchu was pulled into a warm embrace.
The exhaustion from the days of travel had truly worn her out.
Finding a comfortable position in Pei Zhengnian's arms, Shen Nanchu fell into a deep sleep.
Watching Shen Nanchu's peaceful sleeping face, Pei Zhengnian's strong, handsome features softened, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Jiang Shuyi, standing at the doorway of the hospital room, took in this scene completely. Jealousy burned through her like a wildfire, searing her insides with pain.
Shen Nanchu, just you wait.
...