He wants to adopt a younger sister, but his aloof wife disagrees.

Jiang Che pressed down on her shoulder, his tone leaving no room for argument: "I've already had Han Xiao cancel the meeting. I've also spoken to Scent about postponing it to the day after tomorrow."

"But……"

"No buts."

Jiang Che looked at her, his gaze turning unusually serious: "Shen Qingge, do you know you almost developed pneumonia? Is work more important or your life?"

"If work wears you out, I'd rather sell the Shen Group."

These words were very strong and domineering.

Normally, Shen Qingge would definitely have argued back. But at this moment, seeing Jiang Che's eyes reddened with worry, her defenses completely crumbled.

She pouted, and tears streamed down her face without warning.

"All you ever do is yell at me..."

With a sob in her voice, she accused, "I'm so sick, and you're still yelling at me..."

Jiang Che was stunned for a moment.

He never expected that the usually strong female CEO would turn into a crybaby when she was sick.

He panicked instantly, quickly sat on the bed, and pulled her into his arms:

"Okay, okay, I won't be mean. I was wrong. I was a jerk."

"Don't cry, don't cry, or your nose will get stuffy again."

Shen Qingge buried her face in his chest, her tears and snot smearing all over his clean white T-shirt.

"I just feel so wronged..." she sobbed. "I'm so tired lately... those foreigners are so difficult... I want to rest... but I don't dare to stop..."

"I know. I know you've had a tough time."

Jiang Che gently patted her back, one pat at a time, tenderly and rhythmically:

"You can stop now. I approve."

"From now on, leave all the troublesome matters to me. All you need to do is sign documents and stay beautiful."

"Really?" Shen Qingge looked up, her eyes swollen and red like walnuts, and the tip of her nose was also red.

"Really." Jiang Che kissed her forehead. "Are you hungry? That bowl of crab roe noodles has been soggy for a while, so I made you some plain porridge."

"I want to eat crab roe noodles..." Shen Qingge sniffed and made an unreasonable request.

"No. You can't eat anything so greasy right after your fever breaks." Jiang Che said firmly. "You can only have porridge. I'll make you ten bowls when you're fully recovered."

"Oh..." Shen Qingge was a little disappointed, but still nodded obediently.

……

Jiang Che went downstairs to get the porridge.

In the restaurant, Su Xiaoruan was doing her homework while lying on the table.

Seeing Jiang Che come down, she immediately jumped up: "Brother! Is Sister awake?"

"She's awake, and her fever has gone down." Jiang Che smiled with relief.

"That's great!" Su Xiaoruan breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so scared. I was just thinking that if my sister's fever didn't go down, I would call 120."

"By the way, brother, I've been watching the fire for you the whole time, and the porridge is just right!" Su Xiaoruan pointed to the clay pot.

Thanks.

Jiang Che served himself a bowl of plain porridge and added some refreshing pickled vegetables.

"Don't write anymore, go take a nap," Jiang Che said to Su Xiaoruan. "We'll have hot pot tonight to warm up."

"Okay!" Su Xiaoruan happily packed her schoolbag.

Jiang Che carried the porridge back to his room.

Shen Qingge had already sat up and was leaning against the headboard. She seemed to have tidied her hair a little, but her face was still pale.

"Come on, open your mouth."

Jiang Che sat on the edge of the bed, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to her lips.

Shen Qingge was a little embarrassed: "I can do it myself... I'm not missing any arms or legs..."

"You're a patient, you have special privileges." Jiang Che didn't give her a chance to refuse and directly shoved the spoon into her mouth.

The congee was cooked until soft, sticky, and sweet, melting in your mouth. Paired with a touch of refreshing pickled vegetables, it was just the right amount to soothe an empty stomach.

Shen Qingge ate bite by bite, her gaze never leaving Jiang Che's face.

This man is perfect whether he's strategizing in the business world, cooking in the kitchen, or caring for a patient at their bedside.

It was so perfect that it felt unreal to her.

Jiang Che.

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Shen Qingge said softly, "Thank you for coming into my life."

Jiang Che paused.

He put down his bowl and looked into Shen Qingge's eyes.

At this moment, those phoenix eyes held only deep affection and dependence.

"fool."

Jiang Che reached out and gently flicked her nose:

"We are husband and wife (although we haven't registered our marriage yet). Taking care of you is my responsibility and my privilege."

"Eat quickly, then sleep a little longer."

……

The rain finally stopped in the evening.

A faint sliver of the setting sun even peeked out on the horizon.

Shen Qingge's spirits have improved a lot. Although she still can't get out of bed and run around, she can now read books while leaning against the bed.

Su Xiaoruan slipped in carrying Pudding Cat.

"Sis! Look who's come to see you!"

Su Xiaoruan put the chubby ragdoll cat on the bed.

Meow~

Pudding rubbed against Shen Qingge's hand obediently, seemingly worried about its mistress as well.

Shen Qingge smiled and patted the cat's head: "Pudding is such a good boy."

"Sis, you scared me to death." Su Xiaoruan sat on the edge of the bed, holding Shen Qingge's hand. "You're not allowed to work so hard in the future. What will my brother and I do if you collapse from exhaustion? We're both terrible at managing life (although my brother isn't), we can't do without you as the head of the family."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Shen Qingge felt a warmth in her heart. "I won't push myself anymore."

"By the way, sis, I want to tell you something." Su Xiaoruan suddenly sounded a little mysterious.

"What is it?"

"Next week... there's a dance at school." Su Xiaoruan said somewhat shyly, "Um... could I ask you to be my dance partner?"

Shen Qingge was stunned for a moment, then looked at Jiang Che who had just walked in.

Jiang Che, who was holding a plate of sliced ​​apples, was also taken aback when he heard this.

"A dance partner?" Jiang Che raised an eyebrow. "Aren't there any boys at your school?"

"Ugh, those boys are all so immature! And their dancing is terrible!" Su Xiaoruan pouted. "I wanted you to go! It'll show those guys who want to date me what a ceiling is, and make them give up!"

Shen Qingge looked into Su Xiaoruan's sparkling eyes and seemed to understand something.

She smiled and said generously:

"Go."

"Huh?" Jiang Che looked at Shen Qingge. "You agree?"

"Why don't you agree?" Shen Qingge took the apple and took a bite. "It's a good opportunity for you to experience the atmosphere of university. Besides... with you here, I'm relieved that no one will dare to bully Xiaoruan."

"Yay! Long live sister-in-law!" Su Xiaoruan jumped up excitedly. "Then it's a deal! Next Friday night! Brother, you have to wear your most handsome tuxedo!"

Jiang Che looked at the two women and shook his head helplessly.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Night falls.

The lights of the Clear Lane Manor came on again, warm and peaceful.

Although the wind was biting cold outside, the room was cozy and warm.

A sudden high fever did not disrupt the family's rhythm; instead, it brought them closer together.

Jiang Che looked at Shen Qingge sitting on the bed reading a book, and at Su Xiaoruan playing with the cat beside her.

He felt that this was everything he wanted to protect.

No matter how fierce the storm outside, this place will always be a safe haven.