Chapter 12 Two Hours in the Equipment Room
I had been locked in the Equipment Room for more than two hours.
Due to mild hypothermia, I had a fever.
My hot skin was covered with a quilt.
I seemed to have fallen into a sea of fire.
No one came to save me.
Until a cool feeling stuck to my forehead.
The cold hand slipped in through my collar.
I kept my eyes closed and tried to push it away.
Suddenly, Chi Jin's helpless voice sounded by my ear.
"Be good. I am helping you cool down."
The low voice soothed me.
My tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
After passing two hazy nights, I tried hard to open my eyes.
Aunt Wang happened to bring in porridge.
She said with joy, "Chen Wu, you are awake?"
I was stunned for a moment. "Um."
Aunt Wang's hand pressed on my forehead.
"Great. The fever finally went down."
I opened my mouth and swallowed the question in my heart.
Aunt Wang said, "I asked for leave from school for you. You can rest at ease."
I nodded obediently and picked up the bowl to drink porridge.
To not fall behind in school, I went back to school that afternoon.
When Chi Jin saw me, he frowned.
"Why not rest for a while?"
I explained the reason softly.
Chi Jin pinched the bridge of his nose.
I pressed my lips and stayed tight against the wall.
Chi Jin scoffed. "Turn face and deny people?"
I asked after a half beat. "What?"
Chi Jin said without hesitation, "I took care of you for two nights."
So it was not a hallucination.
My ears turned red. "Thank... thank you."
Chi Jin turned his head. "My dark circles are all tortured out by you. How do you plan to compensate me?"
I stammered, "Sorry, I have no money."
Chi Jin said angrily, "Who wants money?"
I asked blankly, "Then what do you want?"
Chi Jin thought for a while. "From now on, for the next week, you have to follow my arrangements."
Thinking of Chi Jin's careful care, guilt rose in my heart and I nodded repeatedly.
Seeing that, Chi Jin's eyes curved slightly.
The class bell rang. I wanted to go to the corridor for water.
Chi Jin suddenly blocked me.
He took up my peeling thermos cup with disgust.
"How many years ago was this cup?
"The weather outside is so cold. Why are you running around randomly?
"You are still planning to get sick again and torment me for two days?"
I pressed my lips. "Sorry."
Chi Jin rolled his eyes. "No need to apologize."
He put one hand in his pocket and went to get water in the corridor.
I realized later that my relationship with Chi Jin seemed to be getting closer and closer.
The next day, a new thermos cup appeared on my desk.
I was quite moved.
I pulled Chi Jin's sleeve. "Thank you."
Chi Jin was correcting papers. "No need to thank.
"Get better quickly."