The Scumbag Who Bowed for Money - Chapter 12

[She Has a Fever…]

Xie Yuanwei even unlocked her phone, her expression calm and composed. When Le Shi hesitated to take it, Xie Yuanwei immediately sensed that something was off. She muttered quietly to herself,

“Let me see what was sent.”

After reading Zheng Shunyu’s message, Xie Yuanwei was so irritated that she laughed in disbelief. She directly called Zheng Shunyu, placing the phone on speaker between them.

Le Shi moved to leave, but her wrist was firmly caught by Xie Yuanwei. The alpha lifted her eyes slightly. Her gaze was deep and direct, with no attempt to hide her emotions. She clearly wanted Le Shi to hear the call, and she had no intention of letting her walk away.

The omega instinctively froze. She slowly relaxed and kept her eyes fixed on the phone screen as the call connected.

“Well well, what a rare surprise. Miss Xie, how come you have time to call me?” Zheng Shunyu said with a mocking tone. “Saw my message and still thinking about your little sweetheart?”

Xie Yuanwei’s face turned cold, and her voice lost all warmth. “What did she say to you?”

Zheng Shunyu laughed lightly. “Ran into her yesterday. She told me you had blocked her and asked me to find out if she did something wrong. Said you didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I ended things with her a long time ago.”

As she spoke, Xie Yuanwei glanced at Le Shi. Her fingers gently brushed the inside of the omega’s wrist. The skin felt smooth and warm. Even a light touch revealed the heat radiating from her body.

“Shunyu, I’ve already ended things with everyone from before. You know that.”

Zheng Shunyu paused. Then she suddenly shouted in disbelief, “Are you serious, Xie Yuanwei? I thought Yan Yu was joking when she said that.”

Xie Yuanwei exhaled slowly. “I wouldn’t joke about something like this. I truly mean it.”

This time, Zheng Shunyu said nothing. Only the sound of her quiet breathing came through the phone. After a moment, she asked in a softer voice, “You really like Le Shi? That’s hard to believe. She doesn’t seem like your type at all.”

“Love really does change people.”

Xie Yuanwei did not deny anything. Her eyes remained on Le Shi. Though she had loosened her grip, Le Shi did not pull her hand away. It felt more like she had willingly placed her hand in the alpha’s palm.

Le Shi sat quietly with her head slightly lowered, her expression unreadable.

“Maybe so. That’s enough for now, Shunyu. I’m home.”

Xie Yuanwei finally let go of her hand. After Zheng Shunyu gave her reply, she hung up the call.

She gently pushed her phone toward Le Shi with her fingertip and leaned in slightly, trying to see the omega’s expression. Her voice softened.

“Do you want to check my phone?”

“I just asked a question. I don’t like that you broke our original agreement. It’s only been a few days.”

Le Shi’s voice grew softer. She bit her lip, glanced at Xie Yuanwei, and slowly turned around when she saw the alpha still looking at her. She sounded conflicted.

“I kind of don’t want to. But I also don’t want to control who you talk to.”

Xie Yuanwei smiled faintly. Her eyes were warm.

“No. I want you to feel at ease.”

The omega gave a soft “mm” and said nothing more. She got out of the car, and Xie Yuanwei followed a few steps behind.

The weather had not been good lately, and Le Shi always wore light clothing. Xie Yuanwei constantly worried she would catch a cold. In the end, exactly what she feared happened.

That night, Le Shi had little appetite. She ate only a little before going upstairs to wash up. Xie Yuanwei sensed something was wrong. She brought a packet of cold medicine upstairs, planning to give it to her before bed.

“Le Shi.” Xie Yuanwei no longer used the formal title. Her voice was firm. “Take the medicine before I finish my shower.”

Le Shi pulled the blanket down slightly. Her hair had been carefully dried by Xie Yuanwei using a hair dryer. Her cheeks looked flushed after being under the covers. In her hazy thoughts, she realized Xie Yuanwei could be quite forceful at times.

“Okay.” Le Shi sat up in bed, drank the medicine in one go, and lay down again to sleep.

Xie Yuanwei was still worried. After taking one last look at her, she quickly showered and came back out.

Le Shi had not moved at all. That made Xie Yuanwei nervous. She rushed forward, pulled her into her arms, and the moment her hand touched Le Shi’s forehead, she knew something was wrong.

“Le Shi.” Xie Yuanwei called softly. But the only response she got was a faint, unfocused hum.

She did not hesitate any longer. At midnight, she rushed Le Shi to the hospital.

By two in the morning, Le Shi finally showed signs of the fever breaking.

Xie Yuanwei sat at the bedside, wearing only a coat. She had not moved or dared to rest. She kept using a towel to gently wipe the sweat from the omega’s forehead.

“What time is it?”

When Le Shi woke up, she was still confused. She struggled to open her eyes. Through her blurry vision, she saw Xie Yuanwei, then closed her eyes again.

Xie Yuanwei’s voice was low and steady. She wiped Le Shi’s hands gently and whispered, “Almost three.”

The omega remained silent for a while as she slowly realized where she was. Her voice was hoarse.

“A fever. How did it get this bad?”

Her voice was soft, like a quiet murmur, but Xie Yuanwei heard every word clearly.

The alpha understood what she meant. She glanced at the IV drip. There were still two bottles left. It would take a while.

She remained quiet for a moment, watching Le Shi lie there, breathing heavily, her face pale. Then she spoke gently.

“The doctor said you can go home tomorrow. I changed my flight. Don’t worry. I already contacted them. Nothing will be delayed.”

Le Shi gave a quiet “mm.” She turned her head, opened her eyes again, and let out a breath.

“You must be exhausted. Go get some sleep. I can take care of myself.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

Xie Yuanwei tucked the blanket around her and replied in a warm voice.

“Sleep. Your eyes can barely stay open. I’ll stay here. I’ll watch over you. Just rest.”

Le Shi ultimately did not have the strength to resist. Before long, she drifted back into a hazy sleep.

Xie Yuanwei sat at the edge of the bed, holding a disposable cup in her hands. As she watched the water sway inside, it occurred to her that she should have let Le Shi drink some.

But it was already too late.

Xie Yuanwei finished the now-cold water and leaned back, her body finally relaxing. Her mind wandered to what the doctor had told her.

Not long after Le Shi was admitted, the same doctor who had done her physical a few days earlier came by. He said he was on duty and had rushed over as soon as he heard the news.

Xie Yuanwei was perceptive. She stood up then, clearly fatigued, and asked directly, “Is this related to pheromone addiction?”

Le Shi had deteriorated too quickly. By the time they got her to the hospital, she was barely conscious from the fever. It had left Xie Yuanwei so shaken she had almost collapsed herself. Thinking back, it all seemed strange. Le Shi had never been the fragile type.

The doctor did not hide anything. “Yes, it is definitely related. President Le has had this condition for five years. Pheromone addiction is a chronic illness and a draining one. Over time, it wears down the body. The longer it lasts, the more complications there are. She already shows many classic symptoms such as allergies and respiratory issues. She is fortunate to have met you.”

“She told me about your engagement. I would not say we are close, but we have known each other for five years. I do not really know what goes on in your circle, but from what I can see, you seem to care about her.”

Xie Yuanwei turned to look at Le Shi. Her voice was cold and controlled. “Please be direct.”

The doctor gave a slight smile. “The fever was also due to the condition worsening. A lack of pheromones is wearing her body down. Her immune system is weakening, so she gets sick easily.”

“How can it be treated?” That was all Xie Yuanwei wanted to know. She knew her own pheromones could help Le Shi.

As the thought struck her, she stiffened slightly and placed a hand at the back of her neck. She spoke with certainty. “It is my pheromones, isn’t it?”

The doctor gave a faint smile and said nothing more before leaving.

So it really was true.

Xie Yuanwei lowered her gaze. The howling wind outside the window pulled her back to reality. She murmured,

“I need to find the right moment.”

In the quiet of the night, it was unclear whether she was speaking to herself or someone else.

The next morning, Xie Yuanwei completed Le Shi’s discharge paperwork and headed for the airport.

Le Shi was still unwell and coughed throughout the car ride. In the middle of the night, Xie Yuanwei had returned briefly to pack a change of clothes, not wanting to waste any time.

“Maybe I should drive,” Le Shi offered, leaning tiredly against the back seat. Her voice was hoarse and dry.

Xie Yuanwei glanced at her in the rearview mirror and chuckled. “You sound worse than I do. You have been coughing nonstop the whole way.”

“I did not want to,” Le Shi muttered, then raised her voice slightly. “I just think you are exhausted. You did not sleep all night and have been running around.”

“I chose to. I do not feel tired at all.”

Xie Yuanwei parked the car and took the luggage out. Her steps quickened as she spoke. “I contacted my assistant to handle the car. I also confirmed with the people on the other end. Do not worry, everything is taken care of.”

Le Shi followed behind her, trying to match her pace. In the end, she gripped the hem of Xie Yuanwei’s coat and let her lead the way.

Just boarding the plane drained all of Le Shi’s energy.

“I am so tired. And so sleepy.”

Xie Yuanwei had just sat down when she heard Le Shi say this clearly, word by word. It made her smile. She pulled out the medicine she had prepared in advance.

“Take this. Eat some bread later to settle your stomach, then take the rest of the medicine.”

“The doctor said it will take a while for you to recover. I checked the weather there. It is getting cold. Make sure to dress warmly. No matter how important work is, without your health, it means nothing.”

Le Shi nodded to everything. She was already drowsy, and the medicine only made her sleepier. Shortly after the plane took off, she fell asleep.

Xie Yuanwei covered her with a small blanket, then adjusted her posture to make sure she would be more comfortable during the flight.

“…Xie Yuanwei,” Le Shi murmured groggily, reacting to the adjustment, but she quickly fell back asleep.

Xie Yuanwei could not help but smile. She shook her head gently and whispered,

“Get some real rest.”

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