Why Won’t the Heroine Break Up With Me? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 45

Zhu Yaqin’s fever cast a shadow over Yun Li and the others.

Zhu Yaqin had also isolated herself. Every time she went out to use the restroom, she would spray both the bathroom and her room with alcohol, all to avoid infecting Yun Li and Tang Congyue.

But even so, someone still fell ill.

It was Yun Li who developed a fever, and it was Tang Congyue who discovered it.

That night, Tang Congyue held Yun Li as she usually did while sleeping. But in the middle of the night, she felt the person in her arms growing unusually warm. Sensing something was wrong, she woke up from her sleep. When she turned on the light, she saw Yun Li’s beautiful face flushed with an unnatural redness. Gently touching her cheek, Tang Congyue realized her body temperature was alarmingly high.

At the sight, Tang Congyue’s face showed a rare hint of panic.

“A-Li.”

Normally, calling Yun Li’s name once wouldn’t wake her, but this time, her eyelids fluttered at the first call, and she opened her eyes the next moment. Before her consciousness fully returned, she heard Tang Congyue’s voice.

“A-Li, how are you feeling?”

Yun Li gradually regained awareness and realized she felt terribly unwell all over.

“Congyue, I feel awful.” Yun Li said, wrinkling her nose and furrowing her delicate brows, looking utterly pitiful.

“Where do you feel unwell?” Tang Congyue pressed.

“I don’t know, I just feel terrible.” As she spoke, Yun Li grew teary-eyed, her peach-blossom eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Seeing this, Tang Congyue felt as if an invisible hand were squeezing her heart, making her ache with distress.

“A-Li, you have a fever. Try to bear with it for now. Take some medicine from your space.”

A fever?

Yun Li belatedly processed the information, her face showing a flicker of panic.

“A fever? I actually have a fever?”

Seeing Yun Li’s agitation, Tang Congyue forced herself to stay calm and spoke softly, “It’s not a big deal, A-Li. Take out the medicine, and I’ll help you.”

Tang Congyue’s words soothed Yun Li’s panic somewhat. She hummed in agreement and retrieved several medications from her space.

Tang Congyue picked out a thermometer from the pile and placed it under Yun Li’s arm. Then, she took a cooling patch, tore open the packaging, and gently pressed it onto Yun Li’s forehead.

As soon as the cool patch touched her skin, Yun Li felt a bit of relief. Her eyes, moist like peach blossoms after rain, gazed at Tang Congyue.

With just one look, Tang Congyue’s heart softened. She stroked Yun Li’s fluffy head and spoke in an exceptionally gentle tone, “A-Li, how do you feel now?”

Yun Li sniffled. “Still awful.”

Then, as if remembering something, she grew anxious. “Now that I have a fever, shouldn’t you keep your distance from me?”

“No need. We’re together every day. If there were any virus, I would’ve been infected long ago. Isolating now wouldn’t make a difference.”

Yun Li thought it made sense but couldn’t help adding, “What if you have a strong immune system and haven’t been infected yet?”

In response, Tang Congyue simply patted her head without saying a word.

Yun Li wasn’t satisfied and tugged at her clothes.

“Say something.”

“Be good, A-Li. If you’re feeling unwell, don’t talk too much.”

This was the first time Tang Congyue had seen Yun Li fall ill. Watching her so listless and weak, her heart ached unbearably, she wished she could be the one with the fever instead.

“But…”

Before Yun Li could finish speaking, Tang Congyue raised her index finger and pressed it against Yun Li’s lips, silencing her with action.

Yun Li: “…”

She couldn’t help but feel wronged. Struggling against the weakness and soreness, she lifted her hand and pushed Tang Congyue’s away.

“Tang Congyue, you’re so mean! I’m sick, and you’re still bullying me! Wuwu… I want to break up with you!”

Yun Li had deliberately said the words “break up.” After speaking, she glanced at Tang Congyue’s expression, but the sharp look in her eyes frightened her instantly.

Her heart trembled, and she quickly averted her gaze.

At that moment, Tang Congyue gently patted her head. Her tone remained gentle, but Yun Li inexplicably sensed danger.

“A-Li, you’re delirious from the fever. How can you say such things recklessly?”

Yun Li stayed silent.

There was a precondition for her to complete her mission: Tang Congyue had to be the one to propose the breakup. Even if she brought it up herself, it wouldn’t count.

She had only been testing the waters, wanting to gauge Tang Congyue’s reaction, but…

Remembering Tang Congyue’s earlier gaze, Yun Li still felt a lingering fear.

“A-Li?”

“But you’re so mean…” Yun Li muttered softly.

“I just feel sorry for you.”

With that, Tang Congyue decided it was time. She took the thermometer from under Yun Li’s arm and glanced at it. “38 degrees, a low-grade fever. You can’t take fever-reducing medicine yet, so let’s make do with a cooling patch for now.”

Yun Li gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

“Still feeling unwell?” Tang Congyue asked again.

Yun Li nodded.

“Then rest. I’ll hold you.”

Tang Congyue didn’t turn off the light. She lay down and pulled Yun Li into her arms.

Yun Li squirmed a few times. “Aren’t you afraid of catching it from me?”

“Not afraid. Just be good, alright?” Tang Congyue lowered her head and gently kissed the top of Yun Li’s head. “And don’t talk about breaking up so carelessly, understand?”

Yun Li remained silent.

“A-Li?”

Yun Li again sensed the danger in Tang Congyue’s demeanor. Gritting her teeth, she tugged at the fabric of Tang Congyue’s clothes near her waist, her voice tinged with grievance. “Fine, I won’t say it. But why do you have to threaten me?”

Sensing her distress, Tang Congyue quickly said, “It’s my fault. A-Li, you can hit me if you want, but you really can’t say things like breaking up so lightly, okay?”

With that, Tang Congyue took Yun Li’s hand and moved to strike herself, but Yun Li hurriedly stopped her.

“Let’s sleep. I’ll watch over you.” Tang Congyue withdrew her hand and gently patted Yun Li’s back.

Yun Li hummed in agreement and closed her eyes.

Perhaps because she was too uncomfortable, Yun Li fell asleep quickly.

Listening to her steady, even breathing, Tang Congyue’s heart settled. But before long, Yun Li unconsciously curled up in her sleep, her body trembling with chills.

“Cold… so cold…”

Yun Li murmured in her sleep.

Hearing this, Tang Congyue quickly wrapped the blanket tightly around her.

About half an hour later, Yun Li was drenched in sweat and began kicking the blanket off.

Tang Congyue glanced at her, loosened the blanket, and took a tissue from nearby to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Yun Li, still deep in sleep, remained unaware.

Tang Congyue reached out and touched her cheek, relieved to find it wasn’t as feverish as before.

But her relief was short-lived. About an hour later, Yun Li began shivering again, and even in her sleep, she seemed restless, murmuring incessantly.

Leaning closer to listen, Tang Congyue’s heart ached when she made out the words, “It hurts… so much.”

She quickly wrapped Yun Li tightly in the blanket and, through the layers, gently patted her back, hoping to soothe her.

It seemed to work, Yun Li stopped murmuring.

Seeing this, Tang Congyue sighed in relief but kept her hand moving, softly patting Yun Li’s back.

Before long, Tang Congyue dozed off, though she didn’t sleep deeply. She kept waking up intermittently to check on Yun Li.

…

By the time Yun Li woke, Tang Congyue was still asleep.

Feeling much better than in the early hours, Yun Li tried to shift her position, but the movement startled Tang Congyue awake. Immediately, Tang Congyue’s hand resumed its gentle patting on her back, and her slightly hoarse voice whispered softly,

“A-Li, I’m here. It’s okay, it’s okay…”

Yun Li froze for a moment. When she came to her senses, her nose tingled, and her eyes grew warm.

Just then, Tang Congyue looked over. Surprised to see Yun Li awake, she noticed her red-rimmed eyes and reached out to gently stroke the corner of her eye.

“Why are you crying? Are you still in pain?”

Yun Li didn’t answer, only sniffled and shook her head.

“Are you really in pain?” Tang Congyue frowned.

“No.” Yun Li looked up and noticed the dark circles under Tang Congyue’s eyes. “Did you not sleep well last night? Was it because of me?”

Tang Congyue gave a soft smile. “Don’t overthink it.”

She reached out again to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Yun Li’s ear. “Are you hungry, A-Li?”

Yun Li touched her stomach.

“I am, and I’d like to take a bath.”

She felt sticky all over and uncomfortable.

“A bath will have to wait. What would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“I want some congee.” Yun Li licked her dry lips. “Preferably century egg and lean pork congee.”

Tang Congyue frowned again. “Hmm, that might be a bit tricky.”

“It’s fine.” Yun Li reached into her space and pulled out two bowls of instant congee, one of them the century egg and lean pork flavor.

“You want to eat this?” Tang Congyue looked at her disapprovingly.

“But I really want it…” Yun Li whined.

Tang Congyue couldn’t resist. “Alright, lie down and rest. I’ll prepare it for you.”

With that, Tang Congyue got up, grabbed the two bowls of instant congee, and left the room.

Yun Li watched her go, then picked up the thermometer nearby and tucked it under her arm.

She wondered if she still had a fever.

Five minutes later, she took the thermometer out.

Hmm…

37.7°C. Still a low-grade fever, but she felt much better than last night.

Yun Li let out a soft sigh and nuzzled her cheek against the soft pillow.

Bzzzt…

Just then, the walkie-talkie crackled to life.

Yun Li glanced over and was about to pick it up when she heard Zeng Muhua’s voice.

“Yaqin, how are you feeling now?”

Before Zhu Yaqin could reply, Zeng Muhua spoke again.

“Qianwu… Qianwu has a fever too.”

Yun Li’s eyes widened abruptly.

“Wh-what?” came Zhu Yaqin’s voice.

“Discovered this morning, running a low-grade fever.”

On the other end of the intercom, Zeng Muhua rubbed his temples, gazing at Li Qianwu who was still sound asleep in bed.

Just like Yun Li the previous night, Li Qianwu’s delicate face was flushed with an unnatural rosy hue.

Zhu Yaqin fell silent. Just as she was about to say something, Yun Li’s voice chimed in.

“Actually, I have a fever too.” Yun Li paused. “Discovered in the early hours.”

“You… why are you all getting fevers…” After a long silence, Zhu Yaqin’s voice emerged, tinged with frustration. “Did you all catch it from me?”

Neither Yun Li nor Zeng Muhua responded.

Zhu Yaqin spoke again, “It’s all my fault. I’m the one to blame.”

“Don’t say that. We might have been infected back at the Southern City base, and it’s just manifesting now that we’re here.” Yun Li reassured Zhu Yaqin before asking Zeng Muhua, “Muhua, how is Qianwu now?”

“Running a low-grade fever, still sleeping.”

“Nothing too serious, right?”

“Shouldn’t be.”

“That’s good.” Yun Li paused before adding, “Are you going to separate from Qianwu?”

“No need. I just won’t have contact with my parents.”

“Alright.”

“What about you? Is Congyue going to separate from you?”

“I actually wanted to separate from Congyue, but she disagreed.”

“I see.”

At that moment, Tang Congyue returned, carrying two bowls of instant porridge steeped in hot water.

“A-Li, what are you all talking about?”

“Qianwu has a fever too.” Yun Li looked at Tang Congyue, noticing her slight frown.

“I won’t be bringing meals to you these next few days. Can you manage on your own upstairs?” Zeng Muhua’s voice came through.

Tang Congyue took the intercom from Yun Li and replied to Zeng Muhua, “We can manage. Don’t worry, I’ll handle the meals for A-Li and Yaqin.”

“Alright.”

“Yaqin, what would you like to eat now?” Tang Congyue asked Zhu Yaqin.

“I don’t have much appetite.” Alone in her room, Zhu Yaqin wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. She looked dispirited, her delicate face slightly pale.

“You’re sick, you should eat at least a little.” Yun Li urged gently. “I have instant porridge in my space. Would you like a bowl?”

Zhu Yaqin remained silent.

“Yaqin?”

Zhu Yaqin sniffled, her voice muffled. “Then I’ll have a bowl.”

“Okay, I’ll have Congyue prepare it for you.” With that, Yun Li glanced at Tang Congyue.

Understanding her meaning, Tang Congyue picked up the untouched beef-flavored instant porridge, went out, and placed it outside Zhu Yaqin’s door.

Returning, Tang Congyue nodded to Yun Li.

“I’ve already brought it over, left it by your door.”

“Thank you.”

Yun Li set down the intercom and looked at Tang Congyue. “Congyue, what are you planning to eat? Instant porridge?”

“No need. Just grab me any bagged bread from your space.”

“Hmm, how many do you want?”

“Whatever you pick is fine.”

Yun Li thought for a moment, then simply took out a whole box of bread and placed it by the bed. Feeling it wasn’t enough, she added a box of milk.

“Why so much?” Tang Congyue found it somewhat amusing.

“Afraid you won’t have enough to eat.”

Tang Congyue shook her head helplessly.

“I’m going to wash up first.”

Only then did Yun Li remember she hadn’t washed up yet.

“Go ahead.”

…

Not long after finishing the instant porridge, Yun Li began to feel unwell again.

She curled up on the bed, clutching the blanket tightly.

Seeing her pale face, Tang Congyue lay down beside her and gently patted her back.

“Are you feeling very unwell?” she asked.

Yun Li didn’t even want to speak, only nodding slightly.

Frowning at the sight, Tang Congyue said, “Go to sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

Hearing this, Yun Li recalled Tang Congyue’s unconscious actions when she had just woken up earlier that day. She felt deeply moved, her nose tingling with emotion.

“Sleep now, be good.”

Yun Li hummed in response and closed her eyes.

Even after Yun Li fell asleep, her rest was uneasy. Tang Congyue didn’t close her eyes, tending to Yun Li the entire time.

…

Yun Li remained in this state of low-grade fever for three days. Surprisingly, Tang Congyue, who had been by her side the whole time, did not get infected.

Tang Congyue contacted Zeng Muhua via walkie-talkie and discovered that neither Zeng Muhua nor her parents had been infected either. This struck Tang Congyue as odd, and a thought seemed to flicker in her mind, but she couldn’t grasp it.

By the early hours of the fourth day, Yun Li suddenly developed a high fever. Her beautiful face flushed with a feverish red, and her usually plump, moist lips became dry and chapped.

Seeing this, Tang Congyue felt deeply distressed, but she remained calm and continued to care for Yun Li.

She retrieved the thermometer from under Yun Li’s arm and, upon seeing it read 39.5°C, quickly fetched the fever-reducing medicine. She helped Yun Li sit up and take the medication.

By this point, Yun Li’s consciousness was somewhat hazy. After swallowing the medicine, she suddenly let out a sob.

Hearing this, Tang Congyue turned to her. “A-Li, what’s wrong?”

“It hurts… Congyue, I’m in so much pain.” Tears glistened at the corners of Yun Li’s eyes.

Tang Congyue pressed her lips together and replied softly, “You’ve taken the medicine. You’ll feel better soon.”

Yun Li sniffled. “Really?”

“Really.”

Yun Li wasn’t entirely convinced. She stared blankly at the ceiling, feeling an intense discomfort all over her body, especially at the top of her head and her tailbone. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong with those areas, but the discomfort was overwhelming. Unable to resist, she reached out to touch them but found nothing unusual.

Noticing her actions, Tang Congyue couldn’t help but ask, “A-Li, what are you touching?”

Yun Li turned her gaze to Tang Congyue and murmured, “My tailbone.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I don’t know.” Yun Li’s face scrunched up. “It just feels so uncomfortable here, and the top of my head too. The top of my head is also very uncomfortable.”

With one hand on her head and the other on her tailbone, Yun Li started with a light touch, but for some reason, she grew increasingly agitated, and her pressure intensified.

Sensing the change, Tang Congyue quickly grabbed both of Yun Li’s hands to prevent her from hurting herself.

“A-Li, stop it! Calm down!”

“But I’m really in so much pain, so much pain, Congyue. Do you think I’m going to die?” Yun Li could no longer hold back. Large tears streamed down her face as she wept pitifully.

“Don’t talk nonsense. It’s just a fever. Why mention death?” Tang Congyue hadn’t cried in a long time, but seeing Yun Li in such distress made her eyes grow hot.

Yun Li could no longer hear Tang Congyue’s words and continued to cry uncontrollably.

Tang Congyue had no choice but to hold the person in her arms, soothing her gently in a soft voice.

Perhaps her comfort had taken effect, or maybe Yun Li had simply cried herself to exhaustion, but she gradually calmed down, though she still let out occasional sniffles.

After some time, Tang Congyue noticed that the breathing of the person in her arms had steadied. Looking down, she saw that Yun Li had fallen asleep.

Unconsciously, Tang Congyue breathed a sigh of relief. She laid Yun Li on the bed, picked up a towel, and went to the bathroom. When she returned, she gently wiped Yun Li’s tear-streaked face with the warm towel. Finally, she softly kissed Yun Li’s forehead.

After putting the towel away, Tang Congyue lay down on the bed, carefully pulling Yun Li into her arms before closing her eyes.

…

Pain…

Itch…

It felt as though something was trying to force its way out of her flesh.

Yun Li’s eyes snapped open, and she began frantically scratching her head and tailbone.

Startled awake, Tang Congyue saw her movements and quickly reached out to stop her.

“A-Li, what are you doing?”

“It itches, it itches so much! Congyue, my head and tailbone are so itchy.” Unable to move her hands, Yun Li began twisting her body.

Tang Congyue sensed something was wrong, so she didn’t release Yun Li’s hands. Instead, she stretched out her legs to restrain Yun Li’s body, preventing her from moving.

But the more she did this, the more Yun Li struggled beneath her.

“Wah, Congyue, let me go! Let me go!”

“A-Li, be good and stop moving.”

“But it’s so itchy, so itchy…” As she spoke, Yun Li’s expression turned to one of terror. “I feel… I feel like something is growing out of my flesh. Congyue, I’m scared, I’m really scared…”

Growing out of her flesh?!

Tang Congyue frowned deeply. She freed one hand to press down on Yun Li’s shoulder and, with a swift motion, flipped Yun Li over onto her stomach on the bed.

Sensing Yun Li still struggling, Tang Congyue tried to soothe her: “A-Li, don’t move. Let me take a look.”

With that, she gently pulled down Yun Li’s pants and was shocked to see that Yun Li’s tailbone was swollen. Under her gaze, the swollen area trembled slightly, as if something was trying to break through.

Remembering what Yun Li had said about “something growing out of her flesh” Tang Congyue felt a chill run down her spine.

Hearing no response from Tang Congyue and overwhelmed by the itching and pain in her head and tailbone, Yun Li began struggling again.

“Wah, Congyue, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Tang Congyue snapped back to reality and was about to say something to calm Yun Li when she saw the swollen area burst open. A black object, thicker than a finger, emerged from it.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as, under her gaze, the black object grew longer and longer at a visible rate.

“Congyue?”

Yun Li twisted her body again.

Tang Congyue came to her senses and tried to speak but found herself unable to utter a word.

“Mmm, my head… my head is so itchy…”

Hearing this, Tang Congyue quickly looked at Yun Li’s head and clearly saw a pair of black, triangular, furry animal ears sprouting from it.

Wait?!

Animal ears?!

Tang Congyue’s breathing grew erratic. Looking down again, she realized that what had grown from Yun Li’s tailbone was a tail, a black tail, about half a meter long.

“Congyue?” Tang Congyue’s silence frightened Yun Li, her voice trembling slightly.

Tang Congyue snapped back to attention at the sound, steadying herself before asking, “A-Li, how are you feeling now?”

“It’s awful, still so awful…”

“Where does it hurt? Does your head and tailbone still ache?”

Tang Congyue’s question made Yun Li freeze for a moment. She focused her senses and realized that her head and tailbone didn’t seem to ache as much anymore.

“My head and tailbone don’t hurt as much…” Yun Li murmured softly.

Tang Congyue breathed a sigh of relief, but when she saw the beast ears and tail that had grown on Yun Li, she didn’t know how to break the news to her.

She took a moment to steady herself before speaking: “A-Li, you…”

Tang Congyue couldn’t help but pause, her voice turning slightly hoarse: “A-Li, you’ve grown a tail… and ears too…”