Dependence

A pink Porsche glided smoothly into the apartment garage, finding its spot and reversing in one fluid motion without hesitation.

After a moment, the car door slowly opened, and a pair of high heels adorned with shimmering diamonds touched the ground as a woman in sunglasses stepped out.

"Surprise~" Chen Qin removed her sunglasses, revealing her delicate, lightly made-up face. She pulled out a compact mirror, leaned against the sports car to check her reflection, then snapped it shut with a click.

Humming a soft tune, she retrieved a bottle of perfume worth hundreds of thousands from her bag, spritzing a hint into the air before stepping forward to let the fragrance lightly cling to her.

The effect was perfect—subtle enough not to overwhelm, yet intoxicatingly fragrant up close.

That sudden whiff of scent was nothing short of a man-magnet.

"Heh, with my cooking skills added to the mix, there’s no way Ye Shuang won’t be smitten." Chen Qin strode confidently into the elevator.

The elevator had mirrors, and Chen Qin, dressed in a flowing pastel dress, adjusted her bangs and tucked a loose curl behind her ear, her every smile and glance exuding charm.

She had come prepared!

"I had a top stylist work on this look this morning. They swore up and down that if a guy didn’t react, he might as well go study like Liang Feifan and eat a ton of books."

Standing before the apartment door, Chen Qin lightly patted her cheeks and exhaled softly.

She’d heard that Ye Shuang’s school was closed today, so he was probably home.

After ringing the doorbell and knocking gently, she clasped her hands in front of her, holding her small bag with an air of demure anticipation.

A full half-minute passed, yet there was no movement or sound from inside.

"Hmm?" A sinking feeling crept over Chen Qin. Had Ye Shuang gone out? Would all her efforts be wasted?

Or was he in the bathroom?

Taking a nap, perhaps?

Or… with another girl?

"No!!!!!!!!" The more she thought, the darker her imagination spiraled. With a yelp, she pressed the doorbell again and called out,

"Ye Shuang, are you home?"

"Meow~" A faint cat sound came from within.

Just as Chen Qin pressed her ear to the door to listen for any suspicious noises, the door suddenly clicked open, sending her stumbling forward off-balance.

But in the next instant, a pair of hands steadied her.

"Finally! What were you doing in there?" Chen Qin quickly straightened up, clearing her throat and smoothing her expression into a poised smile. But the moment her eyes landed on Ye Shuang, she froze—

Leaning casually against the doorframe, Ye Shuang’s deep, ink-like eyes held a lazy intensity. His simple shirt hung open, revealing his collarbone, and an overwhelming masculine heat seemed to radiate from him.

Chen Qin gulped. "Wow, uh—"

"Wait, no! Why am I getting flustered?" Shaking her head, she banished the distracting thoughts.

"Heh, did you miss me?"

Chen Qin fought to maintain her composure, but before she could say more, Ye Shuang suddenly collapsed forward, burying his face against her chest without a word.

"Eek!!!!!!!!" Chen Qin shrieked, her tongue practically forming a little heart. The scorching heat of his body against hers made her heart race wildly.

But soon, she realized something was off—this heat…

Wasn’t it too hot?

Reaching up, she touched Ye Shuang’s neck and stiffened. "No way… you’re burning up?"

"Ye Shuang?"

His consciousness seemed hazy. For some reason, after drinking the soup Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke had made, things had taken a turn for the worse.

And his wound was swollen—painfully so.

"Mmm…" His voice was barely coherent.

"Where’s Bai Yuyou?" Chen Qin glanced around but saw no sign of her. With no other choice, she supported Ye Shuang while nudging the door shut behind her.

Not bothering to properly remove her designer heels—worth tens of thousands—she kicked them off haphazardly, leaving them discarded on the floor.

Barefoot, she helped him upstairs and onto the bed.

"Water… medicine… thermometer." Scanning the nightstand, Chen Qin realized Ye Shuang had been resting—her knocking had disturbed him.

Guilt pricked at her as she sat beside him, pulling the blanket up.

Then she noticed it—the alarming swelling of his wound, so severe it was visible even under the covers.

"No way…?" She blinked, then quickly averted her gaze.

A few seconds later, she peeked back, shielding her face with one hand—though her fingers were spread wide, her cheeks flushed a deep pink.

"Mmm…" Just then, Ye Shuang’s eyes fluttered open. "Chen Qin…"

"Ah?! Y-you’re awake?!" She fumbled, straightening up. "A-are you okay? You scared me, collapsing like that!"

"I’m fine… just a fever." His throat felt parched. Frowning, he wondered if Bai Yuyou’s soup had backfired—shouldn’t it have helped? "Hah… cough."

"You’re really sick! I should call an ambulance." Chen Qin fretted. "And where’s Bai Yuyou? Why isn’t she here taking care of you?"

"She wanted to, but I told her to go handle her own things." Ye Shuang chuckled weakly. "I can’t hold that kid back. Besides… being around a sick person risks infection."

"Chen Qin, you shouldn’t be here either… cough." He coughed again. "Why didn’t you message before coming?"

"This lady goes wherever she pleases!" She lifted her chin proudly, but her hand drifted to his hair, fingers gently carding through it as her expression softened. "Honestly…"

"You always let others lean on you, but that’s not okay."

Ye Shuang only smiled.

"Even just a little… you can rely on me too." Chen Qin bent closer, her fragrant hair brushing near as their faces drew inches apart.

"You’re not some invincible superhero. One day, you’ll collapse."

"But I’m here, Ye Shuang."

"My arms are open—for you to lean on, to be vulnerable… whenever you need."