Quick Transmigration: I'm Really Not A Scumbag - Chapter 6

The morning after the snow was colder than the days before.

Zhou Fan curled up under his blanket, his face flushed. He struggled to pull the thermometer from his armpit. Squinting in the light filtering through the gap in the curtains, he tried to make out the temperature.

It was 39.5°C.

He had a fever after all, and a severe one at that. Zhou Fan strongly suspected this illness was not just from the snow and cold, but because that 004 thing had shocked him twice yesterday.

He closed his eyes helplessly, propped himself up to put the thermometer back in the nightstand drawer, and then fumbled under his pillow for his phone to call Feng Ruirui.

In the repair shop, Chi Hanqing stood expressionless by the counter, staring blankly at the work gloves sitting on a stool nearby. He had changed his attire and was no longer dressed in the suit of a cold, elite professional. Today, he wore a camel colored sweater, a plaid coat, and loose casual pants. With his hair styled naturally, he looked much softer and younger.

Yet, the chill in his gaze remained undiminished.

Feng Ruirui had not expected Zhou Fan’s creditor to show up two days in a row. Was it possible they really had a good talk yesterday, as Zhou Fan claimed? It was hard to understand.

While she felt suspicious, she maintained a professional smile. “Zhou Fan should be here soon. Would you like to sit and wait?”

Chi Hanqing glanced at her. “Okay.”

Feng Ruirui went to find a chair. As she started to walk away, she heard a meow. Naibao, the tuxedo cat who usually slept under the air conditioner, had trotted over and was affectionately rubbing against Chi Hanqing’s trouser leg.

“Naibao!” Feng Ruirui called out, afraid the clumsy cat would get fur on trousers that clearly cost a fortune.

Chi Hanqing did not mind. He crouched down and gently stroked the cat’s head. “It is fine.”

He was actually quite fond of animals, Feng Ruirui thought just as her phone rang in her pocket. She instinctively assumed it was a customer calling to complain about a mechanic’s attitude before realizing she was the only one in the shop. She took out her phone and saw it was Zhou Fan.

Feng Ruirui looked at Chi Hanqing and answered. “Hello?”

“Sister Ruirui,” Zhou Fan’s voice was hoarse and weak over the line. “I am taking the day off.”

Feng Ruirui instinctively looked at Chi Hanqing again. “Huh?”

Normally, Zhou Fan would have noticed something was wrong from that single word. But now, he was dazed and his head felt like it was splitting. He was shivering under his blanket and had no energy for deep thought.

“I have a fever,” Zhou Fan said. “I really cannot get up. Have your mother come over in a bit to take Miaomiao to your house for the day. She just recovered and I do not want to infect her.”

Feng Ruirui had known the siblings for over five years. She knew they were both incredibly stubborn. Unless they were truly out of options, they would never trouble others. She frowned and walked a few steps away from Chi Hanqing. “Is it that serious? I will take you to the hospital.”

“What about the shop?”

“It will only take half a day. Besides, are the apprentices not here to watch things?”

“I really do not need it.”

This guy.

Feng Ruirui sighed and was about to say more when the phone was gently pulled from her hand from behind. Stunned, she looked back to see that Chi Hanqing had moved behind her. He held the phone to his ear. “Zhou Fan?”

The moment he heard Chi Hanqing’s voice, Zhou Fan was drinking water. His clouded consciousness cleared for a second out of shock. Soon, however, he started coughing violently because the water had gone down the wrong pipe.

“Are you sick?” Chi Hanqing’s voice came through the receiver. “Where are you?”

Oh heavens. Zhou Fan closed his eyes and managed a bitter smile. Young Master, why are you here again? In my current state, I really cannot endure more shocks.

Zhou Fan tightened the blanket around himself and said hoarsely, “Give the phone back to Feng Ruirui.”

“You”

“Zhou Fan! No problem! I will have my mom go to your house in a bit!” Feng Ruirui’s voice suddenly cut in.

Zhou Fan knew she was giving him a chance to hang up, so he did not hesitate and disconnected the call. He put the phone down, rolled over, and rested for a while. Then, thinking better of it, he picked the phone up again. He powered it off. That should do it.

Dammit, I feel terrible. I have not been sick in a long time.

The busy signal sounded from the other end. Chi Hanqing’s face was as dark as a pot’s bottom. He pursed his lips and handed the phone back to the woman.

“My apologies,” Chi Hanqing said, apologizing for taking a stranger’s phone without asking. He paused, and realizing this woman was likely close to Zhou Fan, he explained further, “I saw you looking at me and guessed you were on the phone with Zhou Fan. When I heard you mention the hospital, I acted out of concern.”

Concern? This man seemed to care quite a bit about Zhou Fan.

If Zhou Fan were here, he would probably say: Of course a creditor cares about the debtor. If I am sick, I cannot work to pay him back.

Feng Ruirui accepted the explanation and apology. She clutched her phone, hesitated for a moment, and cleared her throat. “Well, I do not know how much money Zhou Fan owes you, but he has had a very hard time these years. He has a little sister. I understand you want to collect the debt, but if possible, do not push him too hard. If you have a specific number, tell me, and I will see”

Chi Hanqing interrupted her. “Collect a debt?”

“Uh,” Feng Ruirui said. “Did Zhou Fan not say he owes you a huge sum that he cannot pay back in his lifetime?”

Chi Hanqing’s expression suddenly became extremely ugly, turning shades of blue and white.

“Yes,” Chi Hanqing finally managed to squeeze out the word after a long silence.

An awkward silence fell over the shop. Just as Feng Ruirui was thinking about going outside to call her mother, Chi Hanqing spoke. “When Zhou Fan called you just now, was it to ask your mother to look after him?”

Since she had shouted the answer earlier, Feng Ruirui did not hide it. “No, it was to have my mom pick up his sister. His sister is in poor health, and he is afraid of infecting her.”

“Is” Chi Hanqing bit his lip. “Is there anyone at home to take care of him?”

Feng Ruirui wanted to gain some sympathy from the creditor for Zhou Fan. “It is just him and his sister. He is probably trying to endure it on his own because he does not want to spend money on medical fees.”

Chi Hanqing froze. “Give me Zhou Fan’s address,” he said.

A look of hesitation crossed Feng Ruirui’s face. “This”

“He is already sick. Are you really going to let him lie in bed alone and wait for it to heal itself?” Chi Hanqing’s voice took on a firm tone. “You are his friend and you should know which matter is more important. If you do not trust me, you can follow me.”

Having said that, he remembered something, took his wallet from his coat pocket, and handed a business card to Feng Ruirui. “This is my card.”

Feng Ruirui took it and looked down. It read: Chihui Group, Chi Hanqing.

Wait. This handsome guy is from Chihui Group?

Remembering the Ferrari from yesterday and the man’s extraordinary aura, Feng Ruirui finally believed that no matter how much Zhou Fan owed, this man would not actually do anything bad. With his level of assets, the money a regular person could not repay in a lifetime might just be pocket change to him.

Just then, someone came in to have a car fixed. Feng Ruirui looked out the door and sighed. “Fine. I will give you Zhou Fan’s address.”