Chapter 5, Touching Warmth

Alright, I am now logging into QQ. Nightran hurriedly rushed to the computer, turned it on, logged into QQ, and then dashed outside to bring in a bowl of fried noodles, eating while browsing the internet next to the computer

While Jiang Hao was purchasing tickets, Ye Ran went to buy water and popcorn

Jiang Hao looked at Ye Ran, who was holding a large bucket of popcorn, with a face full of innocent joy, and said to Jiang Hao: "I bought the largest bucket of popcorn; it should be enough for both of us to eat later"

The next day, Ye Ran woke up feeling somewhat unwell, as if she were a bit weak all over, and her head felt a little dizzy. After thinking carefully, she recalled that she had sweated a bit while sleeping the previous night and had gotten up in the middle of the night to open the window for ventilation. Could it be that she had caught a cold? Upon considering this possibility, Ye Ran hurriedly got up and brewed a cup of Ban Lan Gen. After drinking it, she took her time to tidy herself up before heading to the company for work

Yeran could not lift her heavy head, her dark eyes squinting in a languid manner as she watched Jiang Hao's patient figure helping her queue from the gaps, feeling an unexpected sense of peace that made her want to fall asleep.

"Today is the premiere of Let the Bullets Fly, and I really want to go see it," Jiang Hao said earnestly, looking at the hesitant Ye Ran. "I heard this movie is quite good."

In the afternoon, Jiang Hao called to ask, and Ye Ran gave him a definite answer that he was available. They agreed that he would come to pick her up later to go to Haigang City for seafood.

I have an emergency, let's go directly to the second floor. Jiang Hao supported Ye Ran as they entered the emergency room of the on-duty doctor

Jiang Hao turned around, waved his hand, and said, "Then I will take my leave. Call me if you need anything."

Jiang Hao rushed over and supported Ye Ran as they moved forward, his handsome brows tightly knitted together, asking with concern: "Ye Ran, are you alright?"

Ye Ran hurriedly grabbed her bag and rushed out of the office, feeling light-headed as she made her way towards the company entrance. Jiang Hao's white car was conspicuously parked there, with the window half-rolled down, his gaze fixed intently on Ye Ran as she approached slowly

That is, hehe. Ye Ran was quite pleased with herself; her antiviral resistance was still quite good

I must sincerely thank you and treat you to a meal

Upon arriving at the entrance of the community, Ye Ran waved goodbye to Mina and Nami. Casually purchasing a portion of fried noodles, he dragged his weary body and slowly walked home

Yes, I have arrived. You can come out now. I will hang up first. Jiang Hao ended the call

Then it depends on how you think. " Ye Ran smiled.

It is only natural for friends to help each other, and when friends share a meal together, you wouldn't want to be so disrespectful, would you? Jiang Hao pressed her with Ye Ran's words

Ye Ran merely leaned against the door, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth

In a moment of distraction, she recalled her time in high school, when she would occasionally experience minor pains or illnesses. Chen Mingxuan would always be the first to bring her medicine, inquiring about her well-being with genuine concern and a pained expression, wishing that it were he who was suffering, rather than Ye Ran

A person only avoids wandering thoughts when they are busy and fulfilled. Just now, during that hectic afternoon, the concept of the name Chen Mingxuan did not even cross my mind. Now, as I stroll alone on the way home, a mere two hundred meters distance evokes a myriad of emotions. Ye Ran secretly chuckled and shook her head, inserted the key into the door, returned home, and turned on the light. The dim yellow light flooded the room, and Ye Ran casually tossed her high heels at the entrance. Barefoot, she walked to the sofa, sank her body into its soft embrace, and closed her eyes with a hint of fatigue.

Yeran, have you finished work? I am here to take you out for dinner

Ye Ran shook her head; she was not particularly interested in celebrities and did not have any favorites. There were plenty of celebrity photos online, and if she had to squeeze into a crowd just to take a few pictures, it really wasn't worth it.

Hehe, let's talk about it another day when we have time. Ye Ran could not resist Jiang Hao and quickly agreed.

Jiang Hao was taken aback and did not respond, then said: "Seeing your face all flushed, are you running a fever?"

Jiang Hao smiled and raised his eyebrows: "To be remembered by a beautiful woman, regardless of the means, is indeed an honor"

Jiang Hao smiled, fearing they might get separated. Naturally, he reached out and took Ye Ran's arm, walking out together with the crowd dispersing.

Your schedule is too full, and the times when you are available seem too elusive. How about I set a time instead?

Do you have time tomorrow evening

"I'm okay, just a bit of a cold," Ye Ran said nonchalantly. "A little medicine and it will be fine"

After Jiang Hao finished sending the photos, he rambled on about various topics for a while, and then everyone logged off to go to sleep

It feels great to have someone concerned early in the morning, and the corners of Yiran's mouth naturally lifted in joy as she said lightly: "The fever has subsided. Yes, thank you so much for yesterday. Next time, I will treat you to a meal."

"You only remember the flat tire." Jiang Hao chuckled and said, "I think I've only had a flat tire once."

After arriving at the company, Ye Ran first carefully checked the documents that had been approved yesterday to see if there were any errors. She also organized the items that had not been processed in time and handled them uniformly. The entire morning was quite busy, but her mood was good, and she maintained a smile throughout, demonstrating high efficiency

Ye Ran got into Jiang Hao's car, forcing a smile as she asked, "Where shall we go for dinner?"

Rushing to the company, I attended the regular meeting and submitted the weekly summary report, keeping busy the entire morning. When I returned to the office in the evening, I felt an unusual warmth in my body. I rummaged through the drawer for a thermometer, took my temperature, and upon checking, it was not very high, at 37.1°C, which is not considered a fever. Therefore, I brewed a cup of Banlangen tea and drank it. I thought to myself that on my way home after work, I would stop by the pharmacy to buy some cold medicine and antipyretics. My physical condition has generally been good; apart from a severe cold and fever I suffered seven years ago due to self-neglect, I rarely fall ill. When I catch a cold, I usually just drink some Banlangen and it passes, so this time should be no exception.

Upon arriving at the hospital, just as I got out of the car, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness and my vision blurred. I stumbled slightly, but fortunately, I was quick enough to grab hold of the car door, otherwise I would have certainly fallen.

Jiang Hao made a good suggestion, and Ye Ran readily agreed, saying: "Alright, I will contact you later"

Ye Ran walked side by side with Jiang Hao into the venue. When they took their seats, Jiang Hao thoughtfully took Ye Ran's water and popcorn, smiling as he said, "Buying early is not as good as being lucky; this ticket was indeed purchased at the right time"

Ye Ran tugged at the corner of his mouth and said with a faint smile, "It's nothing, you don't need to be polite. Helping each other among friends is only natural."

After work, Jiang Hao promptly picked up Ye Ran and headed straight to Haigang City. After enjoying a sumptuous seafood meal, the two left the restaurant feeling satisfied. Jiang Hao suggested, "It's still quite early; how about we go watch a movie?"

Ye Ran obediently replied: "I am not coughing."

The premiere of this city invited stars to attend, so after the movie ended, the main actors came out to meet the audience. The presence of the stars caused an immediate sensation in the cinema

Ah? Ye Ran was taken aback

Oh, I am at XX Road, XX Clothing Company. " Ye Ran was also not being pretentious, boldly stating the company address.

Then there is no major issue, the tonsils are not inflamed, there is no cough, just a fever, a fever-reducing injection will suffice. The doctor confidently wrote on the prescription in a flamboyant manner, and added, There is nothing serious, do not worry.

After taking a shower, Ye Ran went to bed early, wrapping herself tightly in the quilt. With her eyes closed, she began to count sheep to fall asleep. In the middle of the night, she was awakened by the heat, drenched in sweat. Ye Ran did not dare to lift the quilt; instead, she turned over, thinking that if she sweated it out, the fever would subside. She decided to endure it and continue sleeping

Once, Ye Ran fantasized about her home with Chen Mingxuan. It did not need to be too large; a two-bedroom apartment would suffice. On weekends, when both were not working, they would clean the house and organize their living space. The house had to be decorated warmly, with a soft pink tone complemented by a sky-blue ceiling. The living room would feature a magnificent crystal chandelier, while the bedroom would have gentle wall sconces. In the study, incandescent lights were essential, as she needed bright lighting for internet use. Yes, internet access was necessary, and the study also required a super large desk, as she and Chen Mingxuan had two computers, allowing them to play games together, browse forums, and chat on QQ. Of course, with the prevalence of laptops nowadays, the cumbersome desktop computers were not as practical, and a large desk was no longer necessary.

The next morning, when Ye Ran woke up, she felt sticky all over. She reached up to touch her forehead; the temperature was normal. Feeling relieved, she quickly got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom to take a shower. After finishing her shower and feeling refreshed, she stepped out when her phone rang loudly. Ye Ran, dragging her slippers, grabbed her phone from the bedside and saw it was Jiang Hao, so she hurriedly answered, "Hello, how are you?"

"No need, no need," Ye Ran said politely.

It turns out that Ye Ran's strength and independence were cultivated merely due to a lack of reliance; from the very beginning, she yearned for care and affection

Jiang Hao asked Ye Ran: "Do you want to go take some photos?"

There is indeed, however... After thinking for a moment, Ye Ran realized that Monday night is generally a time for recuperation after the weekend's revelry, which means one should go to bed early

"Don't worry about it, having time is what matters. Tomorrow evening, I will treat you to dinner," Jiang Hao concluded decisively.

I truly do not know whether to say it is my honor or misfortune that you remember the flat tire incident so clearly said Jiang Hao, gripping the steering wheel and smiling wryly

Ye Ran shook his head and said softly, "It doesn't hurt."

Ye Ran's expression turned awkward, realizing that her words carried ambiguity, she hurriedly smiled and said: "Who is with you as 'we'? Of course, everyone should return to their own homes."

Ye Ran weakly shook his head, relying on Jiang Hao's half-support to barely steady himself. He glanced at the registration hall: it was already after work hours, and most of the registration windows were closed, leaving only 2 on duty. Thus, the line at the registration area was not long, but it was not short either. He inwardly lamented his misfortune, thinking that even to see a doctor one had to queue, and he must never fall ill in the future

Her head was indeed very dizzy, and she felt a bit powerless, even struggling to keep her eyes open. Thus, Ye Ran obediently allowed Jiang Hao to take her to the hospital for treatment

There might be, but I'm not sure. After saying this, Ye Ran hurriedly explained, "I was feeling a bit dizzy from the fever yesterday, and I don't even know if I handled everything properly. If there are no issues, I can find some time; if there are issues, then I will have to work overtime."

Subsequently, the entire story unfolds gradually, featuring the character of the bandit played by Jiang Wen, the clever steward portrayed by Ge You, and the battle of wits and courage between them and the wealthy gentleman Huang Silang, played by Chow Yun-fat. The scenes are grand in scale, the plot intricately interwoven, ultimately culminating in the death of Huang Silang, bringing the narrative to a close

After receiving the injection, Jiang Hao had a hasty dinner and then took Ye Ran home. Before leaving, he kindly advised, "Drink more water later, keep warm, and if you sweat a lot, it will be fine once the fever subsides"

"Thank you, Jiang Hao." Ye Ran turned her face before getting out of the car and smiled as she expressed her gratitude to him

Ye Ran hung her head, feeling a bit dazed. Before she could respond, Jiang Hao's hand unexpectedly reached towards her forehead, exclaiming: "Oh, it's so hot. You're not just having a cold; you really have a fever."

Ah? Ye Ran was somewhat surprised. In her understanding, going to the movies was an essential step for couples on a date. However, she and Jiang Hao were merely friends who got along well, and the idea of watching a movie together felt somewhat inexplicable and strange.

Well then. Ye Ran did not decline and accepted it.

Are we going home now?" Jiang Hao repeated Ye Ran's words with a smile, teasingly saying, "Are you sure 'we' are going home?" He emphasized the word 'we' particularly strongly.

However, no matter how carefully the boy cherished her, treating her like a precious treasure in his palms, he still left her without warning, disappearing for many years without a trace. After that, when she felt unwell, she would go alone to the impersonal hospital to see a doctor and get medicine. Memories would surge towards her like a tide, Chen Mingxuan, who had once brought such genuine warmth to her nights, yet without any forewarning, took that warmth back, leaving her even lonelier. She disliked being buried under such memories, and unless absolutely necessary, she would not go to the hospital again. Gradually, for a common cold or discomfort, she would just rest and wait it out.

Jiang Hao looked at Ye Ran and shook his head in disagreement: "You have a fever, why are you still trying to be strong? What are you going to eat?" He then turned the car around and said to Ye Ran: "I will take you to the hospital."

In the community, the households have all lit their lights early, and occasionally, the busy silhouettes are cast upon the windows, creating a warm atmosphere. This is the charm of home; no matter how tired or busy one is outside, just the thought of returning home, where someone is there to accompany and wait for you, and where lights are on for you, is such a delightful thing that brings joy to the heart

The scene opens with Ge You, Liu Jialing, and others gathered around a hot pot, and Ye Ran smiles and says, "This hot pot is quite creative"

Thank you, doctor. Jiang Hao helped Ye Ran sit on the chair and then took the initiative to take the prescription and queue up to collect the medicine

"Are you free tonight?" Jiang Hao asked with a smile

Jiang Hao held the car key, unlocked the door, and smiled at Ye Ran: "Before we each head home, should I first take you back?"

Just as I put down the thermometer, my phone rang. Looking at the screen, it was a call from Jiang Hao. I answered, saying: "Hello, how are you?"

"That is certainly necessary." Ye Ran consciously walked to one side of the car, opened the door, and sat inside, fastening the seatbelt with ease. Finally, he deliberately added, "This time the car won't have a flat tire, will it?"

Upon exiting the cinema, a refreshing evening breeze swept in, dispersing the unknown restlessness of the night. She took a deep breath and remarked with a smile, "Ah, the lines in movies these days are so classic."

Yeran nodded obediently and, feeling somewhat apologetic, expressed her gratitude: "Well, thank you very much for today."

I have lived for twenty-eight years and taken so many rides, yet it was only during your trip that I experienced a flat tire for the first time. Ye Ran said seriously, "There’s nothing I can do, that memory is still fresh."

Ye Ran let out a heavy sigh, no longer wanting to struggle with memories, nor to be at odds with her ailing self. She forced a smile as she watched Jiang Hao finish registering and walk towards her with a concerned expression. In that moment, a warmth flowed through her heart, a feeling known as being touched. It turns out that when one is ill, it is truly easy to feel anxious and lonely; having someone accompany you feels really nice.

Alright, I will call you again before I finish work to confirm. If you are free, we can go eat seafood together

"Coughing, are you?" the doctor asked, grabbing a pen without even lifting his eyes.

The doctor measured Yaran's temperature, which was still 37.6°C. Then, he asked her to open her mouth and examined her throat and tongue. After that, he slowly inquired, "Does your throat hurt?"

Jiang Hao leaned closer, whispering to Ye Ran, "Yes, let's go eat hot pot another day"

Ye Ran smiled at Jiang Hao without speaking, focusing intently on the screen as the film began to play

"Well, if you are not at ease, then accompany me back home," Jiang Hao said to Ye Ran with a sly smile on his warm and handsome face, maintaining a serious demeanor. "After I drive you home, I will take you back."

Are you online now? Would you like me to send you some photos to take a look? Jiang Hao asked tentatively

Ye Ran and Jiang Hao chatted aimlessly for a while, and before long, they arrived at Ye Ran's home

Jiang Hao's hand, slightly cool, touched her forehead, which felt very comfortable. Ye Ran, embarrassed, blushed and explained, "It's nothing, just a bit of a chill. After we finish eating, I'll go back, take some medicine, and after a good sleep, it will be fine."

Ye Ran raised her eyes and quietly gazed at Jiang Haojun's elegant profile, a wave of an indescribable feeling spreading within her heart

Indeed, the movies being made nowadays are quite talented. Jiang Hao replied with a smile.

"First, eat the meal I owe you before we talk further," Jiang Hao joked, "Hearing your voice today makes me feel that you are full of energy, so you must be in good spirits."

Of course, now that Chen Mingxuan has left her, Ye Ran no longer needs to fantasize about a home for two. However, every time she walks under the dazzling lights, Ye Ran inevitably finds herself daydreaming about the home she desires, and with this thought, she cannot help but think of Chen Mingxuan. It seems that apart from him, Ye Ran cannot find anyone else who could be a candidate to build a home with her

It's all right, I will arrive at your company's entrance in two minutes

"Are you feeling unwell? Is it serious?" Jiang Hao asked with concern

"Well, please tell me the company address, and I will pick you up after work to avoid the difficulty of getting a taxi during peak hours," Jiang Hao said thoughtfully

"Yaran, has the fire been extinguished?" Jiang Hao's gentle voice came through the microphone

During lunch, Ye Ran had no appetite and ate very little. As a result, her head felt heavy and drowsy all afternoon. Fortunately, there were no major issues at work, and Ye Ran managed to hold on until 5 PM. Just before leaving work, she took her temperature again and frowned at the thermometer reading 37.6 °C, wondering to herself: why is it still rising after drinking Ban Lan Gen? Is the medicine expired?

Ye Ran suddenly recalled that she had made an appointment to have dinner with Jiang Hao, but in the midst of her feverish confusion, she completely forgot about it. Looking at her current condition with a fever of 37.6 °C, she had no strength to go out for dinner. She hurriedly told Jiang Hao, "You don't need to come pick me up anymore, I'm feeling a bit unwell. Let's have dinner another day."

Jiang Hao said this, and Ye Ran nodded busily: "Alright, let's go watch a movie"

The phone in the bag rang, and Ye Ran opened her eyes, sighed, reached out to grab the bag resting at the other end of the sofa, rummaged through it to find her phone, glanced at the incoming call from Jiang Hao, and pressed the answer button: "Hello, how are you"

"Yeran, I truly thank you today." Jiang Hao's tone was filled with gratitude, "If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't have been able to find such a suitable model on short notice."

Ye Ran was amused by Jiang Hao, opened the car door, and while stepping out, said: "Then you should head back, drive carefully."

Alright, you may leave. Goodbye. Ye Ran glanced at Jiang Hao, curled his lips, waved his hand, and turned to head home

I must thank you for accompanying me to dinner and watching a movie." Jiang Hao smiled broadly and said, "To express my gratitude, I will definitely treat you to dinner again another day

Ye Ran nodded, watching Jiang Hao leave, then closed the door, a sense of unusual melancholy surging within her heart

Ye Ran was taken aback for a moment and hurriedly asked, "Is it just two minutes until we reach the entrance of our company? Then there's no need to postpone, let's have dinner together."

"Occasionally making a guest appearance is not out of the question," Jiang Hao replied with a smile.

Then let's go home now Nightran raised her hand to glance at the watch, it was past 9 o'clock

Jiang Hao helped Ye Ran sit on a chair and said while looking at the registration area, "You sit here and wait for a moment, I will go register for you."

Ye Ran closed the car door and said to Jiang Hao, who was laughing inside the car, with a hint of annoyance: "I will drive you home, and then you can send me back... I am sending you, and you are sending me... Do you think this is a prime-time drama, playing out the scenario of endless farewells?"

"What are you being so polite for?" Jiang Hao said with a disapproving pout, "You are being distant, aren't you?"