Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 26: A World for Two

When Zhao Yanxi arrived at the hospital's emergency room, Ding Heng was already on an IV drip, leaning against the raised headboard with his eyes closed, a little color returning to his face.

The doctor's initial diagnosis was acute gastroenteritis, most likely caused by unclean food and irregular sleep patterns.

Xie Baoyang was standing guard by the bed when he saw Zhao Yanxi running in breathlessly, and he quickly got up.

"Sister-in-law... oh no, Zhao, you're here! The doctor said it's acute gastroenteritis, nothing serious. You can go home and rest after the IV drip, just need to eat light meals for the next few days..."

Zhao Yanxi didn't have time to dwell on Xie Baoyang's form of address. She quickly walked to the bedside and carefully examined Ding Heng.

Ding Heng's eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes to look at Zhao Yanxi. He tried to force a smile, but he didn't have the strength.

"You're here?"

His voice was a little hoarse.

"Um."

Zhao Yanxi walked to the bedside, reached out and touched the back of Ding Heng's hand with the needle in it, then took off her coat, folded it twice, and gently placed it under his palm.

Ding Heng curled his fingers, but didn't say anything.

Zhao Yanxi then turned to Xie Baoyang, her tone natural: "You're Xie, right? Thank you for bringing him here. It's getting late, you should go back and rest. I'll be fine here."

Xie Baoyang was taken aback by Zhao Yanxi's "hostess" attitude.

Goodness, my brother and I have been friends since we were kids, and you've only known him for a few days?

That makes me sound like an outsider...

However, seeing that Ding Heng didn't object, he couldn't say anything and could only nod: "Okay, Ding Heng, you should get some rest."

Once Xie Baoyang had walked away, the observation area suddenly fell silent.

Zhao Yanxi sat down by the bed and asked worriedly, "Does it hurt a lot?"

"Much better," Ding Heng said, his voice still lacking energy. "Just a bit listless."

"Should."

Zhao Yanxi was sharp-tongued, but she reached out and pulled Ding Heng's slipping blanket up: "I told you not to stay up all night and eat whatever you want, hot pot and barbecue every meal."

Ding Heng obediently admitted his mistake: "Yes, yes, Miss Zhao is right to teach me a lesson. I will definitely pay attention in the future."

He wouldn't have dared to do this before. It was really because those 3 points of physical enhancement made him a little arrogant, thinking that he was strong and healthy and immune to all poisons.

Lying here now, my stomach is still aching slightly; I guess I've learned my lesson.

This boost isn't enough to allow him to do whatever he wants; he'll have to be careful.

Seeing Ding Heng yield to her, Zhao Yanxi couldn't help but smile slightly.

Suddenly, he brought it up again: "Brother Ding Heng, I asked my uncle, and he knows a top expert in the capital who is the best in the country when it comes to genetic diseases."

If you or your family need it, I can help ask around and see if we can schedule a consultation...

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already clear.

Upon hearing this, Ding Heng turned his head to look.

The girl's expression was full of concern.

She wasn't wearing makeup, and there were some dark circles under her eyes, probably from running too fast and being exposed to the wind.

For a moment, the boy's heart was inevitably touched.

He truly hadn't expected Zhao Yanxi to inquire about this.

"No need to trouble yourself. After my mother fell ill, my family took me to do detailed genetic testing and risk assessment. I do not have any risk of inheriting the disease."

"That's good. I was just worrying unnecessarily."

Zhao Yanxi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks."

Ding Heng suddenly spoke, his tone incredibly sincere.

The usually lively and carefree Zhao Yanxi was actually a little embarrassed by Ding Heng's sudden thanks and turned her face away.

"You... you didn't take any risk, why are you thanking me?"

"Thank you for going to the trouble of asking around for me."

Ding Heng understood that for a girl who had just graduated from high school and whose social circle mainly consisted of classmates and friends, using her uncle's connections to inquire about expert information in a relatively niche field was a risky move.

This was the most practical and best way she could think of to help.

"I'm going to buy water."

Zhao Yanxi's ears felt a little hot, and she quickly got up and left, her steps hurried.

Ding Heng watched the girl's figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, then looked away and stared blankly at the ceiling for a while.

It was four in the morning before we knew it.

The doctor removed Ding Heng's needles, prescribed the medicine, and carefully explained the precautions.

Leaving the hospital, the night breeze was cool, and the streets were deserted.

"Do you need me to take you home?"

Zhao Yanxi naturally took Ding Heng's arm for support, even though he had no problem walking, she still insisted on supporting him.

"OK."

Ding Heng did not refuse the offer and took out his phone to call a Didi.

When I got home and went upstairs to open the door, the living room was a bit messy. There were a few pieces of clothing on the sofa, and untidy takeout boxes and game controllers on the coffee table.

"You...live alone?"

Zhao Yanxi looked around the somewhat deserted living room.

"My dad is often away from home."

Ding Heng took off his shoes and collapsed wearily onto the sofa.

Zhao Yanxi didn't ask any more questions and naturally walked into the kitchen. There weren't many things inside, but the basic seasonings and cooking utensils were there.

"It's more uncomfortable for you to have an empty stomach. The doctor also said you can eat something light."

She pulled out two packets of instant noodles and a few eggs, then turned around and asked, "This seems to be all you have at home. Will you make do with this?"

Ding Heng hummed in response.

The warm yellow light from the kitchen enveloped Zhao Yanxi, and the ends of her purple hair swayed gently with her movements.

The water boiled, and steam rose, blurring a small patch of glass. The girl's silhouette appeared exceptionally soft in the light and shadow.

Soon, a steaming bowl of egg noodles with a light broth was placed on the coffee table in front of Ding Heng.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Zhao Yanxi handed over the chopsticks, then sat down on the single sofa next to her, resting her chin on her hands and gazing quietly at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng picked up a piece of noodles with his chopsticks, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.

The taste was so-so, but it brought real warmth and comfort to my empty stomach.

"How is it? Is it too bland?"

Zhao Yanxi, who doesn't usually cook, asked a question nervously.

"Perfect." Ding Heng nodded, then took another sip of soup. "It's delicious."

"hey-hey."

The girl smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Only one floor lamp was on in the living room, casting a dim, warm light that created a small, cozy space.

Outside the window, the night was deep, with the occasional sound of a car passing by in the distance.

There was an eerie stillness in the air.

It wasn't embarrassment, nor fatigue, but a feeling of relaxation after tension.

It was as if all the probing, jokes, and ambiguity between the two were temporarily set aside at this moment by a simple bowl of noodles.

Ding Heng put down his chopsticks and drank the soup clean. His stomach felt warm and cozy, and he finally felt a little more energetic.

Zhao Yanxi naturally picked up the empty bowl and walked back to the kitchen. The sound of water flowing was followed by the soft sound of the bowls and plates being put back in their place.

"I'll head back now and come see you again tomorrow?"

"Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome!"

Zhao Yanxi's cheerful smile remained unchanged, a few strands of hair clung to her cheeks, her face flushed a light pink, and her pupils reflected a warm light.

Just then, Ding Heng's phone screen suddenly lit up, and a piercing ringtone instantly shattered the silence of the room.

The two of them were startled at the same time, as if they had been awakened from some kind of tacit daze.

Caller ID – [Good Luck Xiao Jing]

Ding Heng picked up his phone and pressed answer.

"Feed?"

"Ding Heng, something terrible has happened!"

A quiet, urgent sobbing voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Yan hope... Yan hope is gone! She wasn't here when I woke up! I can't get through to her on the phone! Could something have happened to her?"

Ding Heng subconsciously looked up and met Zhao Yanxi's gaze.

The girl quickly looked away, glancing guiltily elsewhere...