Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze deepened slightly as he instructed the two elders, “If you encounter a similar situation again, tell me immediately.”

Zheng Feng and Lin Haiyan agreed, exchanging a look. They understood now.

A one-year contractual marriage? No, this relationship had already gone beyond the scope of the agreement, and by a significant margin.

Zheng Feng offered the spare key to Bai Zhi’s bedroom, but Xie Yuzhan didn’t take it. He simply told Lin Haiyan to prepare dinner and that he would handle the rest.

The couple watched Xie Yuzhan, who was holding a dessert, walk toward the study next to the bedroom, both feeling a little confused. What was he planning to do?

Lin Haiyan went downstairs to the kitchen, while Zheng Feng followed Xie Yuzhan. He felt uneasy. Using the spare key to open the door seemed the most reasonable and effective method right now.

But the other party clearly had no intention of doing that.

For the next three minutes, he started to regret following him, because—

The man he had watched grow up, the consistently elegant, self-possessed, and steady CEO Xie, was actually, actually climbing over the railing!

Even though it was only the second floor, he was startled. Watching the person land steadily and lightly on the terrace more than a meter away, he let out a long breath. Xie Yuzhan remained composed and calm, but this was simply too reckless!

However.

When the other person turned to look at him, their eyes met, and he suddenly understood, revealing a knowing, gentle, and relieved smile. What did it matter if a habitually rigorous person occasionally did something out of the ordinary?

It was quite good.

After Zheng Feng left, Xie Yuzhan smoothed out the slight wrinkles on his clothes and walked to the sliding door of the terrace. If he wasn’t allowed to use the spare key for the room door, fine—wasn’t the window glass also a door in a broader sense?

He tapped on the glass door and raised his voice slightly, “Zhi Zhi—I brought you a cocoa-flavored dessert. Want to try some?”

Inside the room.

Bai Zhi was curled up in bed, suffering from a stuffy nose, sore throat, and a dizzy, heavy head. When he heard the tapping on the glass, he subconsciously perked up his ears. Did he hear something about dessert?

Wait a minute.

He looked toward the terrace, following the sound. His fuzzy brain was just registering—how did Xie Yuzhan get over there?

He slowly fumbled his way off the bed, wrapped himself in a blanket, and wobbled to the glass door. He pulled back the floor-to-ceiling curtain slightly, and when he saw Xie Yuzhan shake the dessert in his hand, he pursed his lips and opened the door a crack—

Actually, the terrace door wasn’t locked.

Yet the other person was still willing to knock and didn’t just walk in.

He asked softly, “I can try this, but don’t mention taking medicine. I don’t want to.”

Xie Yuzhan gazed at Bai Zhi through the gap in the curtains. The other person looked listless, with droopy eyes, but his eyes appeared watery because of the illness, and his fair cheeks were flushed with fever.

Pitiable and genuinely adorable.

He restrained his gaze and coaxed, “Okay, I won’t mention it. But after you eat the dessert, will Zhi Zhi be a good boy and eat dinner?”

Bai Zhi weighed his options. Although he had no appetite, the dessert in front of him was very tempting. Even with his nose this stuffed, he could faintly smell the cocoa aroma.

He wanted to eat it.

He took a step back and pulled the glass door open, saying, “I want to eat dinner in my room.”

Xie Yuzhan entered the room, closed the door behind him, shutting out the chill of late autumn and early winter.

He put an arm around Bai Zhi’s shoulder and guided him toward the bed, replying, “A sick little bunny naturally has privileges. You can eat in bed.”

Bai Zhi pursed his lips and let out a soft laugh.

Hearing that sound, Xie Yuzhan felt as if the soft fur of a rabbit’s ear had brushed against his heart. Because of the cold, the sound carried a slight nasal tone, giving it a hint of petulance.

When they reached the bed, his steps paused.

Bai Zhi had moved his nest to the bed today. The thicker blanket was just firm enough to be shaped into the outer shell of a burrow, and inside the shell were several blankets of varying thickness.

The little bunny skillfully nestled into the center, then hugged his plushie, resting his chin on top of Pikachu’s head. Well, now it was completely stuffed, just right.

So cute.

Watching Bai Zhi, whose hands and feet were tucked into the blankets, with only his face exposed, Xie Yuzhan poured a glass of water and sat by the bed. He took out a soft cookie and, without asking, fed it directly to the other person’s mouth. “Try it?”

Bai Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly, sniffed it, and then took a big bite, consuming half of it.

The delicate, soft texture and the rich cocoa aroma soothed his taste buds wonderfully. And because it was a soft cookie, it wasn’t dry, which was kind to his aching throat.

After being fed two cookies and a lava puff, and drinking half a glass of water, he felt a little more comfortable.

Xie Yuzhan put down the water glass, gently smoothed Bai Zhi’s fringe, and then touched his forehead. He had a slight fever.

He coaxed, “You’ve eaten the little snacks. Will Zhi Zhi keep his word and eat something now?”

Bai Zhi tilted his head, not responding to the dinner question. Instead, his gaze vaguely fixed on the person in front of him, and he asked, “Don’t you think I’m strange like this? I know some of my habits are different from normal people, but you seem quite accepting.”

Xie Yuzhan gently pinched Bai Zhi’s cheek and said, “I don’t think so. Everyone has different living environments, and habits vary greatly. There is no unified standard for what is normal; it’s relative. Your habits are, at most, uncommon.

“Regardless of what these habits are about, I accept them. Honestly, aren’t they quite cute? There’s no such thing as abnormal.”

He was very glad to have met the person in front of him.

Glad that the person accompanying him now was himself.

Bai Zhi smiled vaguely and murmured softly, “If we weren’t natural enemies, we probably could have become very good friends.”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t see the natural enemy status as an obstacle. Since Bai Zhi brought it up, he followed the thread, saying, “The status of natural enemies is determined by genes, but the connection between people is established more through specific emotional experiences.

“Genes are the starting point, but we can decide how to walk the path ahead.

“Zhi Zhi, just focus on your actual feelings.”

Bai Zhi thought about it, his expression relaxing. He smiled and said, “Okay, what you said sounds very reasonable.”

Xie Yuzhan curved his lips. “Then can the little bunny eat his dinner obediently now? Aunt Lin made porridge and prepared some side dishes you like.”

“Mhm, mhm, okay—”

Listening to Bai Zhi’s drawn-out, slightly husky voice, Xie Yuzhan increasingly felt it was petulance… it must be petulance.

Just unconscious petulance.

Hearing a knock, Bai Zhi watched Xie Yuzhan retrieve dinner, place the small table in front of him, set out the food, and instruct him to eat first, before taking something into the bathroom.

Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, he drank a mouthful of porridge, confused. The rice grains, cooked until soft and mushy, were fragrant and glutinous. It was a savory vegetable porridge with lots of mushrooms, perfectly suited to his current appetite.

When Xie Yuzhan returned to the bedside to eat dinner with him, he slowly asked, “What did you go to the bathroom for?”

Xie Yuzhan reached out to tuck the blanket around Bai Zhi, which had opened up because he stretched out his hand. He said, “Not taking medicine is fine, but you can take a bath. I prepared a medicinal bath for you, all herbal.”

Herbal? Bai Zhi couldn’t help but smile. “I like that. Herbs are good!”

Xie Yuzhan acknowledged this and temporarily dropped the subject.

After dinner, he said leisurely, “Zhi Zhi, your attention to the herbs and flowers is indeed too high. For example, this time you got sick—you knew how to take care of those plants, but not how to take care of yourself.”

If only he would dedicate some of the energy he spent on the plants to himself.

Bai Zhi had already curled back into his burrow. Listening to Xie Yuzhan’s words, which were slightly… well, after hearing these words that were half concern and half reproach, he reflected on his actions. To be honest, it was impossible not to feel a little guilty.

He had indeed gotten sick because of his own carelessness.

He averted his gaze and defended himself in a tiny, tiny voice, “I didn’t want to get sick either. I was clearly exercising properly according to our previous agreement, and I ate all the meat…”

“That’s why you haven’t been visiting the hospital frequently, but that doesn’t mean you can be careless with your body.”

Bai Zhi was about to retort that today’s cold was a small accident, but he suddenly realized something and swallowed the words that were about to come out. That…

Besides worry and a little scolding, did Xie Yuzhan’s words just now imply some kind of objection to his herbs?

He stared blankly, turning his gaze back to the other person’s face, and stammered, “Are you, are you very critical of my herbs? Why do I feel like… you don’t really like them?

“The herbs are super cute!”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t think his emotions had been that obvious.

He rubbed the other person’s hair, his expression calm and his tone steady. “They are indeed very cute. I just hope you can pay more attention to yourself and take good care of yourself.”

Bai Zhi’s head was fuzzy, and he felt Xie Yuzhan’s explanation was weak, and something felt odd. Was CEO Xie feeling a little jealous?

But he couldn’t be sure right away.

Jealous of what? There was no need for that. It was probably just his imagination. He shook his head and generously let the matter go. As long as he didn’t object to his herbs, it was fine.

He answered properly, “I know, I know. I promise to take this as a lesson, learn from my mistake, take care of the herbs, and try my best to take care of myself too~”

Xie Yuzhan took a slow breath. The little bunny’s obedient and soft attitude was so good, what more could he say?

He could only indulge him and pay more attention himself.

The two chatted for a while. He urged Bai Zhi to soak for half an hour, then dried the fur of the little bunny, whose eyes were too wet to open, and carried him directly to the bed, tucking him under the covers.

He sat by the bed, tucked the corners of the quilt around Bai Zhi, dimmed the bunny nightlight on the bedside table, and coaxed in a low voice, “Sleep. You’ll be better after a good night’s sleep.”

Bai Zhi blinked sleepily. The faint, bitter scent of herbs still lingered in his nose. After the warm medicinal bath, his entire rabbit body felt soft and boneless.

The person in his line of sight was slightly blurry. He gave a soft, nasal response, and suddenly felt a sting in his eyes. He simply closed them.

He didn’t want to cry golden beans.

Xie Yuzhan leaned in and pressed his cheek against Bai Zhi’s still-hot face. “Good night, baby.”

Bai Zhi’s muddled brain didn’t register the unusual term of address and mumbled a good night in return.

Xie Yuzhan didn’t leave immediately. He sat by the bed for another half hour, only leaving once Bai Zhi was fast asleep.

He returned several times that night, finally feeling relieved when Bai Zhi’s temperature dropped in the latter half of the night. The fever was gone, which was good. Now, he just needed a few days of good rest to recover fully.

Bai Zhi slept very deeply, as if sinking into a sweet, dark dreamless state.

When he woke up the next day, late in the morning, he felt weak and lazy, but the discomfort from yesterday was gone.

As soon as Xie Yuzhan entered the room, he saw Bai Zhi sitting up in bed, his hair sticking up wildly, looking dazed, as if he hadn’t fully woken up yet.

He walked over, stroking the other person’s hair gently. He used the forehead thermometer to check the little bunny’s temperature; he still had a slight low-grade fever.

He asked, “Are you hungry? Wash up and then eat?”

Bai Zhi slowly came to his senses and nodded. “Eat first, but why haven’t you gone to work yet?”

Xie Yuzhan sent a message to Lin Haiyan, then said, “It’s Saturday. I’m off, so I can stay home and keep you company. Are you going to get up and wash your face yourself, or should I get a towel and wipe you down?”

Bai Zhi scrambled off the bed, using both hands and feet, and laughed, “I’m fine now, don’t worry about me!”

Watching Bai Zhi wobble off to wash up, Xie Yuzhan sighed silently. He wasn’t a very robust little bunny, yet he always thought his physical constitution was excellent.

He clearly wasn’t completely recovered yet.

Bai Zhi had broken out in a sweat and took a quick shower. When he came out and saw Xie Yuzhan sitting at the table waiting for him to eat, he noticed the other person’s expression wasn’t very good.

He had been fine just a moment ago.

He took a bite of a small steamed bun. It was filled with carrots, mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and egg—delicious. He swallowed the bun and asked curiously, “Did something happen? You look unhappy.”

“It’s worry.”

Xie Yuzhan had never worried about anyone this much. This oblivious little bunny in front of him was the only one, and he looked utterly bewildered when told he was worried.

He added helplessly, “You went to shower by yourself the moment I looked away, and you still have a low fever.”

Bai Zhi waved his hand and smiled, “I felt sticky and uncomfortable all over. It’s just a low fever, it doesn’t affect me much. I plan to stream for a while after eating.”

Xie Yuzhan frowned slightly. “You still want to stream?”

“Yes, I stream every day if nothing is going on.”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t say anything immediately, changing the subject to finish eating first.

Bai Zhi knew he wasn’t fully recovered and felt weak, but streaming didn’t require much effort. Therefore, when he got up, intending to go to the study, but was grabbed by the wrist by Xie Yuzhan, who insisted he go back to bed and rest, he frowned.

After a pause of ten seconds, he asked, “What did you just say?”

Xie Yuzhan gently held Bai Zhi’s hand, repeating patiently but firmly, “You are still sick. There’s no need to stream while ill. Why not pause for a few days? It won’t be too late to stream once you’re completely well.

“What you need now is not to use that hoarse voice to stream, but to lie obediently in bed and rest.

“Zhi Zhi, be good and listen.”

Bai Zhi turned his wrist, pulling free from Xie Yuzhan’s grasp, his expression slightly cold. “I know you mean well and you’re concerned about me, but I know my own body. I said I’m fine, so I’m fine.

“You promised me you wouldn’t interfere with my private matters, CEO Xie. You must keep your word.”

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze darkened slightly. Bai Zhi’s polite and distant address made the emotions that had been building up since last night hard to suppress, causing a surge of irritation.

He stood up, picked up Bai Zhi directly, placed him on the bed, and covered him with the blanket.

Xie Yuzhan’s series of movements were quick and smooth. By the time Bai Zhi reacted, he instinctively tried to lift the blanket, but the person beside him was faster, pressing down on his wrist.

Their eyes met, and he trembled slightly.

Xie Yuzhan pressed Bai Zhi’s shoulder with his other hand, looking straight into his eyes. He slowed his speech, saying every word clearly, “I did promise you, and I keep my word, but special circumstances require special handling. My not interfering with your private matters doesn’t mean I can watch you abuse your own body.

“You might not care, but I do. I care, and I will take care of you.

“Bai Zhi, can you feel that you still have a fever?”

Hearing his full name spoken in Xie Yuzhan’s usually calm and gentle voice, now low and deep, Bai Zhi froze. He couldn’t decipher the complex emotions in the other person’s eyes.

There was worry, helplessness, a hint of annoyance, and something else he truly couldn’t read.

Xie Yuzhan held his wrist, skin touching skin. He could feel that his own body temperature was higher than the other person’s. He should, possibly, probably… no, he definitely still had a low fever.

For some reason.

His heart suddenly felt heavy, even more uncomfortable than yesterday. A wave of sourness welled up in his eyes, and his vision blurred.