The Gentle, Sickly Beauty Is Won Over By The Loyal Big Shot - Chapter 26

“I know, I know.”

The thug begged for mercy: “Red Brother, I’ll talk. Please don’t be angry.”

The thug had hit his head, and it seemed the part of his brain responsible for language was temporarily malfunctioning. He spoke incoherently. Wu Hong listened for a long while, only managing to gather that Zhou Cheng was a man of many changes and didn’t necessarily have a plan, every move was a spur of the moment whim.

Wu Hong couldn’t be bothered to waste time with someone who couldn’t speak clearly. Before leaving, he warned him repeatedly: “I only have two points. One, do not target President Gu and his wife again. You almost ended up with a life on your hands today, remember that, damn it. Two, if you dare tell Zhou Cheng about our involvement, you can imagine the consequences.”

After finishing the business, Wu Hong left the hospital and called Yu Shen: “Shen-ge, I talked to those two thugs again. It was my fault last time for forgetting to mention President Gu and his wife. I’ve told them now, they’ll definitely stay quiet from now on.”

Yu Shen was still staying at Jianchen today. Having just stepped out of the shower, he was drying his damp hair with a towel: “Thank you, Wu Hong. I’m relieved to have left this in your hands. Come see me again when you have time. I’ll notify you when I head home.”

Wu Hong’s tone sounded a bit dejected: “Shen-ge, I messed things up. Are you not going to blame me?”

“It’s hard for anyone to achieve perfection. I don’t blame you,” Yu Shen said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. “Wu Hong, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Shen-ge, maybe I’m getting old. I can’t do things well anymore.”

Sadness welled up in Wu Hong’s heart, and his voice slowed: “But I still want to follow you, Shen-ge. Please don’t leave me behind.”

“If you’re willing, you can be my brother for life,” Yu Shen said. “Don’t overthink it. Since you know you’re getting older, learn to take care of your health.”

With Yu Shen’s words, Wu Hong felt much more at ease. Before ending the call, Wu Hong said: “Shen-ge, you can tell President Gu that I’ve spoken to the thugs, so they don’t have to stay on edge. Sigh, if it wasn’t for that car accident, I could have handled the Ruihao meeting matters too.”

Wu Hong truly felt guilty for not being able to share Yu Shen’s workload.

“My subordinates sent back word that the preview meeting went smoothly. You should get some rest now.”

Yu Shen sat at his desk and opened his laptop: “Go to sleep. I still have some work to do. I’ll contact you when I get home.”

After hanging up, Yu Shen sent a message to Gu Han: Wu Hong spoke with the thugs. The matter is resolved. He said no one will bother you or Qi Ran again.

When the message arrived, Gu Han was taking care of Qi Ran. Qi Ran’s stomach felt uncomfortable from hunger, making it impossible for him to sleep. Since he had just had surgery on his stomach, it couldn’t be touched directly, so Gu Han was gently rubbing his lower abdomen. Although it didn’t do much for the discomfort, it served as a source of comfort.

The phone buzzed. Gu Han looked up, knowing it was from Yu Shen, but ignored it for the moment to continue staying with Qi Ran.

Qi Ran asked, “Husband, aren’t you going to reply?”

“No rush,” Gu Han pulled back the hem of Qi Ran’s hospital gown, sliding his hand inside to place his palm over Qi Ran’s navel, rubbing slowly. “It’s just company business. I’ll reply after my little Ranran falls asleep. My wife is what’s most important.”

“Husband, rub gently,” Qi Ran frowned, touching Gu Han’s hand. “My stomach feels bloated.”

“Bloated?”

Gu Han grew worried. “Is this normal after surgery? I’ll go ask the doctor. Ranran, wait for me to come back.”

Qi Ran didn’t want Gu Han to leave, but Gu Han was so worried that he ran out without a second thought. Feeling a bit bored, Qi Ran looked at the wrinkles Gu Han had made while lying on the bed and smoothed them out. When he thought of Gu Han, his eyes were always full of tenderness. He couldn’t help but think that Gu Han, who liked to roll around on the sheets, was truly lively and cute.

Five minutes later, Gu Han returned and gently rubbed Qi Ran’s bloated stomach: “Wife, the doctor said some gastrointestinal bloating is normal after surgery.”

“Are you relieved now?”

Qi Ran pulled Gu Han’s hand: “Come here, little puppy, let’s sleep.”

“Wife, I just remembered I haven’t cleared the table at home. The food is still sitting out. By the time you’re discharged, the house will be a mess.”

Gu Han lifted Qi Ran’s soft, white hand and kissed it. “I’ll go home and clean up. Once I’m done, I’ll come straight back to your side.”

“It’s dark out. Isn’t it dangerous to drive?” Qi Ran was worried. “How about going after you’ve slept?”

“Wife, you have to start eating tomorrow. You have to be very careful with food after a stomach hemorrhage. I need to take care of you, so I won’t have time then.”

After kissing Qi Ran’s hand, Gu Han kissed his soft cheek several times before reluctantly standing up. “Wife, don’t worry about me. When I was in my twenties, I used to drive through the night across provinces for business, and I was always fine. Don’t be afraid. Oh, I might grab a bite on the way. I’m starving, and the hospital doesn’t sell food at this hour. I might be back a little late, maybe two and a half hours. I promise, two and a half hours at most. Please, wife, grant me permission.”

Qi Ran’s gaze suddenly became complex. He reached out and touched Gu Han’s stomach, feeling quite guilty: “Husband, please leave a little more time for yourself, okay? Your eating habits are so irregular,  it’s bad for your health. I’m worried you’ll get sick too.”

“Wife, you’re so good at lecturing me, but why don’t you follow a regular diet yourself?”

Gu Han lightly flicked Qi Ran’s forehead. “It seems you’re not unaware, you know that neglecting yourself leads to illness. Why aren’t you willing to spend more time loving yourself?”

Qi Ran hugged Gu Han’s arm and swayed it, acting spoiled: “Husband, I’ve already had surgery and you’re still scolding me. Wuu wuu, Ranran is unhappy.”

“I’m sorry, wife, it’s my fault,” Gu Han hurriedly coaxed him. “I promise to take better care of you from now on and never scold you again. Please, Ranran, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault.”

“Just teasing. Gu puppy is so easy to trick, believing everything I say.”

Qi Ran’s smile was soft as he pressed his palm against Gu Han’s stomach, rubbing it gently. “Go eat something. You love me so much, and I love you too. I worry about you and care about you, so you must be safe and let me know you’re okay. Eat something light since it’s late, or your stomach will be upset.”

Gu Han put on his suit jacket: “Okay, I’ll listen to my wife.”

“You don’t have to rush back in exactly two and a half hours. I’m fine now, so don’t hurry. Finish your meal and drive slowly.”

Qi Ran said, “No matter what time you return, as long as you come back, husband.”

“Okay, thank you for the extra time. That way I can meet up with Yu Shen, because there really has been some trouble at the company.”

Gu Han gave Qi Ran a goodnight kiss: “Wife, I’m going. I’ll be back soon.”

The reason Gu Han felt comfortable leaving was that the attending physician had confirmed Qi Ran was doing very well. Since Qi Ran was young, he would recover quickly. After this surgery, his stomach issues would significantly improve.

Hearing this from the doctor boosted Gu Han’s mood. He finally had the energy to settle company matters. Since Yu Shen also needed rest and Gu Han had pushed all the work onto him lately, Gu Han felt quite guilty and felt he had treated him unfairly.

Gu Han drove away from the hospital. While waiting at a red light, he called Yu Shen to set up a meeting.

Yu Shen laughed: “Chairman, you knew I wouldn’t be asleep at this hour, didn’t you?”

“Of course, we’ve known each other for so many years. I know you inside and out,” Gu Han joked. “I’m not trying to mess with you or exploit you. I’m treating you to a meal. You’ve worked so hard handling everything these past few days.”

“It’s much easier now than before. When Jianchen was first founded, we both did the work of ten people, and I didn’t see anyone calling it a hassle then. You’re getting more and more formal with me.”

Yu Shen dropped his mouse. “Let’s eat then. I have to say, I’ve found a very authentic Hong Kong restaurant these past few days. You know I’m from Hong Kong, and I haven’t been back in many years since coming to Litian. Will you be okay with Char Siu rice?”

Gu Han admitted: “I’m a Northerner; I’m not used to it.”

Yu Shen hummed: “Fine, we’ll go to the usual restaurant.”

“You get ready then. I’m going back to Qi Ran’s to clean up the table. His illness was so sudden that I didn’t have time to tidy up. Those leftovers sitting there for days would ruin the house by the time he’s discharged.”

Watching the light turn from red to green, Gu Han said: “The light’s changed. I’ll drive now. Just send me the location once you’ve picked a place. I have to be back at the hospital by dawn. Qi Ran can’t be alone for long.”

Before hanging up, Yu Shen teased: “People in love really have a full schedule.”

Gu Han thoroughly enjoyed Yu Shen’s appropriate cheekiness and replied contentedly: “Of course it’s full. These past few days dating Qi Ran have truly been the happiest time of my life.”

Gu Han drove through the night back to the Litian Pearl Villa area. Upon entering, he saw the little dog crouching by the door, waiting expectantly. Seeing Gu Han enter, the dog wagged its tail and whimpered, tangling itself around his feet, looking extremely aggrieved.

“Little Hamburger, I’m back. Did you miss Daddy Qi Ran?”

Gu Han knelt down, hugging the dog to comfort it. “Daddy Qi Ran is sick and won’t be home for a few more days. But we’ll work hard to come back soon. We’ll stay and play with Little Hamburger then, okay?”

Hamburger was very smart and understood most of what people said. It tilted its head and listened for a while, then spun in a circle and lay down in front of Gu Han, wagging its tail, just like the footage Qi Ran had shown Gu Han from the camera during his first hospitalization. The movements were identical.

When Qi Ran’s dog responded to Gu Han the same way it did to Qi Ran, Gu Han felt, in that moment, that he had been truly accepted by Qi Ran and his dog. It was an unprecedented sense of belonging.

During this time, Qi Ran had been watching the home surveillance. He was worried about Gu Han, and if Gu Han reached home, Qi Ran could see him through the monitor.

Therefore, Qi Ran could hear everything Gu Han said to the dog. Gu Han’s gentle and patient attitude gave Qi Ran a profound sense of security.

Gu Han had said it, he loved Qi Ran, and he would love Qi Ran’s dog.

Qi Ran’s fear of marriage improved a little.

After spending time with the dog, Gu Han went to clear the table. The fish, meat, and various dishes were still sitting there untouched. Gu Han was surprised: “Hamburger, you didn’t sneak a single bite?”

Hamburger ran to Gu Han’s feet, whimpering and stomping, likely protesting Gu Han’s doggy stereotypes.

“Good dog, so well-behaved. Ranran raised you well,” Gu Han put on gloves, shredded half a chicken from the soup, peeled a few large shrimp, and put them in Hamburger’s bowl along with a large piece of fish. “A reward for a polite little dog.”

Seeing the feast in its bowl, Hamburger was stunned for a moment, then began jumping for joy, acting spoiled around Gu Han’s feet for a long time.

Gu Han stared at the dog in a daze until Qi Ran’s voice suddenly came through the monitor: “Bad husband, taking advantage of my absence to put so much meat in the bowl. Are you trying to bribe my dog?”

Qi Ran’s voice was doting and incredibly gentle. Hearing it, Gu Han ran to the monitor faster than the dog: “Wife, you aren’t asleep yet?”

“You forgot to tell me you arrived safely,” Qi Ran said. “I was worried about you.”

“Sorry, wife. Look at my memory, I forgot. I’ll let you know again when I get to the restaurant.”