No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 15

The people in their tour group were basically retired elderly people or middle-aged women who loved to shop. The two of them were the most out of place.

The tour guide took them to attractions that were all crowded with people. Many of them were temples for burning incense and praying to Buddha, attracting those who were religious.

And Bangkok was especially hot at this time because of its tropical monsoon climate. With the huge number of tourists, the surrounding temperature felt even higher.

“A Mu, it’s so hot. I wish it would rain. I want to go somewhere with air conditioning.”

Jiang Mu saw that Shu Luo was sweating profusely and took out a towel to wipe his sweat. “We went off-track yesterday, so we probably can’t today. There’s no free time. Next time we come, we won’t book a tour group.”

Shu Luo looked at the excited women in front of him and could only grit his teeth. Why did we book a tour group? It would have been so much better to come by ourselves. We wouldn’t have to follow them to pray to Buddha. Sigh…

They were at the Grand Palace, and they were going to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha first, then take a boat tour of the Chao Phraya River.

It’s really a little boring.

So, for the next few days, they just followed the itinerary. They were only interested in the activities that cost money or when it was time to eat. They just briefly looked at the attractions. However, they did take a lot of pictures.

On the fifth day, they were taken to the Golden Temple and the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Finally, there was a place to shop. They hadn’t found what Shu’s mom wanted at the duty-free shop at the airport.

They went through the ritual of praying to the Four-Faced Buddha, watched an elephant show at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, and then it was time to shop.

Sigh.

Shu Luo stood in front of the shop and sighed. He looked at his reflection in the glass door. He looked a little haggard these past few days.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Mu saw him sighing and thought he was tired. “We’re going back tomorrow. We can go eat later.”

Shu Luo pouted. “No, I just feel like these past few days weren’t fulfilling. I didn’t get to do what I wanted to do. I actually wanted to go surfing, but my mom wouldn’t let me. I originally wanted to go to Xiamen, but she told us to come to Thailand instead.”

Jiang Mu looked at him curiously. “You like surfing? Have you done it before?” Can that little body surf?

Shu Luo seemed to feel his doubting gaze and suddenly punched him in the stomach, though it wasn’t a hard hit.

“What’s with that look? Why haven’t I done it before? I did it when I was a kid with my dad. But there was a small accident back then… a little accident happened. So my mom will basically never let me go again. But I still love that feeling.”

Jiang Mu saw that he was talking about it so excitedly, but at that moment, he felt what Shu’s mom must have felt. What if you lost him? It would be heartbroken…

“You don’t have enough strength. You’re not suited for surfing.”

Shu Luo was stunned, and he looked at Jiang Mu in surprise. Why did his tone suddenly turn cold?

“Why am I not suited for it? When I grow up, I’ll naturally have the strength. Why are you bringing me down?”

Jiang Mu ruffled his hair. “Because I’m afraid of losing you, just like your mom.”

“Hey, that was when I was very little. I was only six or seven years old. It was an accident. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen again when I’m older, so don’t worry,” Shu Luo said, patting his back with a smile.

Jiang Mu didn’t say anything else but silently looked at Shu Luo’s back as he walked ahead. His mood was indescribable. He really knows how to get to me at all times.

The next day, they packed their bags and got ready to go back.

But Shu Luo hadn’t slept well all night and felt a little uncomfortable.

He started to feel drowsy as soon as they got on the plane.

Jiang Mu saw that Shu Luo was sleeping as soon as they boarded and felt that something was wrong.

“Luo Luo, are you not feeling well?” He reached out and touched his forehead, then his own, and his brows furrowed. He’s so hot.

He then called a flight attendant and asked for fever medicine. Fortunately, the plane had basic medical supplies.

“He has a 102.2°F fever,” the flight attendant said, looking at the thermometer. She then gave him some fever medicine and a cooling patch.

Jiang Mu put the cooling patch on him first, then gently woke Shu Luo up. “Wake up and take your medicine. You’ll feel better.”

Shu Luo kept his eyes and mouth tightly closed. He just didn’t want to get up. He was too tired.

Jiang Mu thought about how to coax him into getting up, and then he suddenly had an idea. “Be good, take your medicine, and when we get back, I’ll give you my piggy bank.”

Shu Luo’s eyes shot open. He looked at Jiang Mu in surprise. “…Really?! You’ll give it to me?! Cough, cough, cough…” He was so excited that he started coughing.

Jiang Mu nodded and patted his back. He then fed him the medicine and asked for two blankets to cover him.

The flight attendant covered her mouth and laughed. “You two brothers have such a good relationship. Call me if you need anything else.”

Jiang Mu also made him put on an eye mask so he could sleep.

“When we get back, your mom is going to say I didn’t take good care of you and that’s why you have a fever,” Jiang Mu said, turning his face to look at Shu Luo, who was completely covered. His face was flushed, and his lips were a little pale. Seriously…

“It’s not your fault. Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a fever. I think the last time was in fourth grade, and then never again.”

His voice was hoarse from the fever.

“Alright, go back to sleep. We’ll be there in three and a half hours.” How did I not notice last night that Shu Luo was tossing and turning because he wasn’t feeling well?

Shu Luo drifted off to sleep in a daze.

When the plane landed, Jiang Mu first felt his forehead. He found that the fever hadn’t gone down much.

The flight attendant came over and asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital? A high fever that won’t go down is not good.”

“My family should be here. We can go ourselves. Could you help me get him on my back? I’ll carry him down.”

Jiang Mu carried Shu Luo and went through customs. He saw that their families had arrived.

Shu’s mom was the first to run over. She saw Shu Luo’s abnormally red face on Jiang Mu’s back. “Oh my, what happened? Is he having a fever?” She felt his forehead, and it was indeed burning hot.

“I found out Luo Luo wasn’t feeling well when we got on the plane this morning. It probably started last night, but I didn’t notice,” Jiang Mu said, a little guilty.

“How can that be your fault? This kid has always been careless. Let’s go home first. Your uncle is here with the car,” Shu’s mom said, touching Shu Luo’s face with a pained expression.

Jiang’s mom walked over to Jiang Mu’s side. “It’s a good thing you were with Luo Luo.”

Shu’s mom nodded. “Otherwise, who knows what this kid would have done? A Mu is so mature, like a big brother.”

After they left the airport, Shu’s dad was shocked when he saw his son being carried on someone’s back.

“Wha-what happened? What’s wrong with my son?” Shu’s dad immediately helped him put Shu Luo into the car.

Jiang Mu held Shu Luo and adjusted his posture so he could sit more comfortably.

Shu’s mom sat in the front, and Jiang’s mom, Jiang Mu, and Shu Luo sat in the back.

Jiang’s mom also wiped Shu Luo’s sweat with a pained heart. “Oh, this child is sweating so much. How did he get sick after a trip?”

Jiang Mu held Shu Luo tightly, his face stoic.

After they got home, Jiang Mu carried him back.

Shu’s mom told Jiang Mu to get a towel and apply a cold compress to help with the fever.

“Honey, please call Dr. Su and ask him to come over. It’ll be a hassle to take Luo Luo to the hospital. This fever probably won’t go down for a while. When this kid gets a fever, it doesn’t go away for ten to fifteen days.”

Shu’s dad nodded and turned to make the call.

Jiang’s mom went back to get the room ready for Jiang Mu and start cooking.

Jiang Mu had just heard Shu’s mom say that when Shu Luo gets a fever, it doesn’t go away for ten to fifteen days.

“A Mu, please watch Luo Luo for me. I’m going to make some porridge. Also, come here for dinner tonight. Tell your mom not to cook.”

After Shu’s mom left, Shu Luo quietly opened his eyes.

“A Mu, did you turn on the air conditioner? It’s so hot,” Shu Luo said, touching his wet hair. He was a little dizzy and sat up.

Jiang Mu took a towel and wiped his hair. “You can’t have the air conditioner on. You need to sweat as long as you have a fever.”

Shu Luo uncomfortably turned over. “Ugh, the fever is going to last a long time. It’s so annoying!”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I don’t usually get sick, but when I do, it’s hard to get better,” he said. He felt even dizzier and decided to just go back to sleep.

Shu’s dad brought Dr. Su into the room.

“Dr. Su, I’m so sorry. This kid has a fever again.”

Dr. Su was a middle-aged man and a family doctor.

“Where did Shu Luo go recently?” Dr. Su asked, holding a stethoscope.

“He went to Thailand,” Shu’s dad said.

Dr. Su frowned. “Shu Luo is not suited for places that are too hot and have a lot of people. Have you forgotten? Last time, after you went to Sanya, Shu Luo was also like this. It’s a viral cold. Shu Luo’s body is just like that, so it’s best not to go to places with high temperatures in the summer. It’s more likely to cause a cold after heatstroke.”

Shu’s mom seemed to remember. “That’s right, but why does Shu Luo look so healthy all the time? Why can’t he go to crowded places?”

“Shu Luo’s physique is not bad, but his resistance decreases in crowded and hot places. You can see it in his last blood test report. When he came back, his white blood cell count was significantly higher, and his blood routine was abnormal, but it returned to normal after a few days in a well-ventilated place. Shu Luo’s condition is very unique but not serious. Just be careful, and he’ll be fine.”

“Why doesn’t it happen at school?” Jiang Mu asked.

Dr. Su glanced at him and smiled. “Schools are usually built in spacious places, and the buildings are generally well-ventilated. Places with concrete and steel cool down significantly, and the temperature here is not particularly high. Sanya and Thailand are tropical monsoon climates, and Shu Luo is not suited for them. He should travel to places with higher latitudes.”

He then gave Shu Luo an IV drip and prescribed some medicine.

“After this IV drip is done, take the medicine. I’ll come back in two days. Remember to keep his temperature down with a compress, as the fever will likely come and go for a few days. Keep an eye on him, and it’s best if he eats liquid foods. His body will be weak these days, so he needs to eat more high-protein foods after he gets better.”

After Dr. Su gave his instructions, Shu’s dad saw him out.

Shu’s mom looked at Jiang Mu, who was still sitting by the bed, and felt very relieved. This child was so good. She didn’t have to worry about Shu Luo anymore, and his grades had improved.

“A Mu, thank you so much for taking such good care of Luo Luo.”

Jiang Mu smiled. “Auntie, it’s nothing. I see Luo Luo as a little brother. It’s my job to protect him.”

“I’m so relieved to have Luo Luo in your care. Now I just hope you two can get into the same high school. We’ll arrange for you to be in the same class and dormitory. Then I’ll be truly at ease.” Shu’s mom looked at Jiang Mu with satisfaction. This boy was good-looking, had a great personality, and was smart. If only Shu Luo were a girl.

Jiang Mu smiled. “He will. Luo Luo will definitely get in.”

They will definitely be together.