Chapter 118 — Should I Call You Mrs. Si or Miss Lin?

Standing once more before the hospital entrance, Lin Xiaowen finally dared to meet everyone’s gaze, bolstered by the boundless courage and encouragement the man beside her provided.

As they pushed open the door to Chen Kai’s room, he was on a phone call. Upon seeing Cheng Yishu, he offered a natural nod of acknowledgment. However, when Lin Xiaowen appeared behind Cheng, Chen froze so visibly that he completely missed whatever the person on the other end of the line was saying. Finally, his hesitant, complex gaze settled on the way Cheng Yishu held Lin Xiaowen’s hand tightly, before he turned his head away and resumed his distracted mumbling into the phone.

Cheng Yishu placed the thermos of chicken soup on the bedside table before pulling Lin Xiaowen toward a small sofa nearby. He sat on the armrest, his hand remaining firmly clasped in hers, as if to offer her solace and strength. It would be a lie to say Lin Xiaowen felt entirely indifferent about seeing Chen Kai again, yet, knowing how important Chen was to Yishu, she was determined to coexist with him peacefully.

After ending his call, Chen Kai lowered his eyes to the bedside table, where the pristine, apple-colored thermos—which seemed to still radiate warmth—caught his attention.

"Busy so early in the morning?" Cheng Yishu walked to the bedside, feigning a casual tone. "A patient being this dedicated? It seems I really must reward you properly!"

As Cheng reached to open the thermos, Lin Xiaowen beat him to it. "Let me do it. You’re too clumsy; you’ll burn yourself."

Cheng Yishu looked at Chen Kai with a smug, blissful expression. "See? Even I, Cheng Yishu, have days where I’m treated like a nuisance. Sigh."

In truth, Cheng Yishu had called Chen Kai the previous night, though he had done so behind Lin Xiaowen’s back. One reason was to tip Chen off so he would be careful with his words when he saw her. The other was to protect Lin Xiaowen from harm, as Cheng couldn't guarantee what Chen might say if he were caught off guard by their arrival.

The steaming chicken soup released a rich aroma. Lin Xiaowen held the stainless-steel bowl with both hands and offered it to Chen Kai, who had remained silent. "The hotel didn’t have all the ingredients, so it might not taste as good as usual... Daling said you didn't eat much for breakfast, so this soup should be good for you."

When Chen Kai looked at Lin Xiaowen, his expression was entirely different from the warmth he had shown in their two previous encounters; instead, it was tinged with coldness and distance.

"Thank you, but I’m not hungry right now. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble," Chen Kai said, his lips curling into a stiff, thin line.

Seeing that Chen neither took the bowl nor offered any warmth in return, Cheng Yishu stepped forward and took the soup. "Xiaowen selected these ingredients and simmered this herself. I don't even get that kind of treatment, and you won't drink it? If you won't, I will!"

Cheng Yishu glanced at Chen, picking up a spoon, but Lin Xiaowen snatched it back just in time. "You glutton, this bowl is too greasy. Didn't Daling say you shouldn't have anything too fatty? I’ll make you something else later; this is for Brother Kai."

Cheng Yishu chuckled and complied, though he made sure to throw a look of victory toward Chen Kai.

"Cough... Yishu, Daling went to the doctor's office. Why isn't she back yet? Has my condition changed? I’m a bit worried. Go check on her, would you?"

Cheng Yishu paused, glancing at Lin Xiaowen as if he understood the underlying motive. Seeing her offer him a reassuring smile, he agreed, squeezed her hand discreetly, and walked out of the room.

The room was filled with the faint scent of disinfectant, a smell that was inexplicably comforting. Perhaps once one’s convictions are settled, nothing can leave one feeling truly fearful or uneasy.

"Should I address you as Miss Lin or Mrs. Si?" Chen Kai rarely got straight to the point like this.

Lin Xiaowen was caught off guard by the bluntness of his first words to her. She steadied herself and said, "If you don't mind, Brother Kai, please just call me Xiaowen."

***

The doctor's office was at the end of the hallway. Before they even reached it, they saw Daling walking toward them, clutching a set of lab reports.

"Brother Cheng, you're here!"

"Yes, how is it?" Cheng Yishu asked, gesturing toward the office and the papers in Daling’s hand.

"Oh, it's nothing," Daling replied. "The doctor said he can be discharged. It wasn't serious to begin with; he just needs to take some medicine."

Cheng Yishu laughed. "Go tell him quickly. That guy’s head is full of K-drama tropes. He was just fantasizing about being diagnosed with some terminal illness. Really, he's unbelievable!"

Thinking of a grown man like Chen Kai weeping in secret, worrying about his own tragic fate, made them both want to laugh.

"My god, I didn't know before, but I certainly do now," Daling said, half-complaining and half-amazed. "There’s a little princess living inside Brother Kai. That delicate, sickly act—he was even pouting! My god..."

Chatting as they walked, they soon reached the hospital room door. Just as Daling reached for the handle, Cheng Yishu stopped her. She looked at him, confused, and was about to speak when she heard Lin Xiaowen’s voice—gentle, yet resolute—drifting from inside.

"I understand your meaning clearly. I realize my identity may bring negative influence upon Yishu, but I believe that no matter what happens, Yishu and I can face it together."

"You are right. You do bring negative influence to Yishu. For instance, the endorsement deal he lost recently, or the work opportunities that were suddenly snatched away by others..."

Chen Kai’s tone was cold and devoid of warmth. It made Cheng Yishu want to burst in and pull Lin Xiaowen away immediately, but he forced himself to stay, telling himself to trust her.

"I have never been particularly opposed to my artists dating; they are young, after all. But Yishu is an idol. For him, dating means unemployment—unless, of course, it's the kind of manufactured, unconfirmed romance like the one he has with the actress Anan. You surely know that is merely a form of... alternative promotion for their new drama. Once the show finishes airing, they will clarify things. But my point is, even if they were truly dating, it wouldn't necessarily be a positive thing for Yishu. If it's difficult for a popular starlet with fame and influence equal to his, what about you, Miss Lin—with your rather complicated background?"