Chapter 44

Bai Yan’s car finally arrived at a farm about an hour later.

The farm was packed with visitors, probably because it was the weekend. Everyone’s face glowed with enthusiasm, resembling the sun that was shining brightly in the sky.

Ji Xiaonian was the only one in low spirits and looked gloomy.

Once they got out of the car, Fang Miaoling ran toward the girl and linked their arms together, her face revealing a sweet smile as beautiful as a flower. “Xiaonian, should we head over there to pick some strawberries?”

Ji Xiaonian curtly pushed her arm away and said in a cold tone, “You can go ahead. I need to use the washroom.”

Fang Miaoling realized the girl’s desire to maintain a distance between them, so she withdrew her arm awkwardly. Then, she dashed to Bai Yan’s side and grinned at him prettily like a blooming flower.

“Big Brother Bai, let’s go!”

“OK,” Bai Yan mumbled and left with Fang Miaoling without giving Ji Xiaonian a second glance.

Naturally, Ji Xiaonian who was left behind all by herself felt deeply hurt.

What a douchebag! The two of them were supposed to be on a date. How could he abandon her and leave with another person!

Ji Xiaonian admitted that she was rather petty-minded. Even though she knew Bai Yan needed to treat Fang Miaoling kindly to repay a debt of gratitude, it really displeased her to see him getting along well with another woman.

She was in distress as her heart was overloaded with jealousy.

Instead of heading to the washroom, she turned around to leave.

Ji Xiaonian headed toward the opposite direction of where Bai Yan and the other girl headed.

However, her cell phone vibrated before she managed to get too far. She retrieved it and discovered a text from Bai Yan.

“Wait for me in place.”

Ji Xiaonian was confused when she read the text.

What did he mean?

Wait for him in place? Did he not go strawberry picking with Fang Miaoling?

Nonetheless, she obeyed him obediently and stayed rooted right where she was.

…

Upon entering the strawberry hut with Fang Miaoling, Bai Yan stopped abruptly and turned around to the girl. “You go ahead and start picking as much as you want. I’m going to meet with several business friends.”

Fang Miaoling looked over her shoulder. She did not see Ji Xiaonian anywhere and now Bai Yan was saying he needed to go see some business friends. His reason must be an excuse.

The expression on her face changed as she nodded reluctantly.

Bai Yan took to his heels after Fang Miaoling gave her response.

Who knew, only a couple of steps later, the girl called out to him from behind, “Big Brother Bai.”

Bai Yan stopped walking and turned to look over his shoulder. Fang Miaoling was resting on the ground and she looked awfully in pain. His brows furrowed with concern as he inquired, “What’s wrong?”

Fang Miaoling placed a hand over her stomach and looked at Bai Yan with discomfort. “I… I think it’s appendicitis and it’s killing me.”

Appendicitis?

Brows knitted together, Bai Yan immediately knelt on the ground and supported her by the arms. “Is it serious? Should I send you to the hospital?”

Fang Miaoling shook her head quickly. “No, it’s fine. I have the medicine in my bag. Just help me up to the pavilion, I’ll be fine after some rest.”

Bai Yan believed every word she said and helped her to leave the strawberry hut.

Outside of the strawberry hut, people were bustling around and spent a lot of time looking for an empty pavilion.

He could not leave right after he assisted Fang Miaoling to the pavilion because the girl still looked really pale. Therefore, he stayed and accompanied her for a long while.

It was completely out of his mind that a silly little girl was waiting for him on the cement flooring under the scorching sun.

She waited for a long period but Bai Yan was still nowhere in sight. Ji Xiaonian was overly dehydrated; her tongue and mouth felt dry while sweat poured down her body like a waterfall.

Bai Yan was still nowhere to be found around half an hour later and Ji Xiaonian could not wait any longer. Just when she lifted her legs to leave, she noticed a familiar silhouette appearing within the sea of people.

Once again, she stopped walking and felt rather surprised when the silhouette approached.

Perhaps the sun had overheated her body, her head felt heavy and her vision turned blurry.

“Why… Why are you here?”

With a dry mouth, she questioned as Yu Shengjie’s silhouette appeared within her blurred vision.

Yu Shengjie stared at the pale little girl in front of him with a resentful expression. Instead of replying to her question, he asked, “What are you doing standing here like this? It’s scorching, don’t you know to look for shade?”

“I, I…”

‘I would hide but Bai Yan might not be able to find me when he returns.’

Ji Xiaonian thought to herself subconsciously but before she could express her mind, she lost control of her body and fell into Yu Shengjie’s arms.

Yu Shengjie received her into his embrace instinctively and shouted, “Niannian?! Niannian?!”

She did not give any reaction. He knew she tended to suffer from heatstroke if she exposed herself under the hot sun for half an hour.

Anxious, he carried her into his arms and left immediately.

…

At the same time, over at the pavilion, Bai Yan was also getting anxious. He rose to his feet and said to Fang Miaoling, “You stay here and take a good rest, I need to head over there for a bit.”

Fang Miaoling understood that he needed to search for Ji Xiaonian. Although it upset her, she could not pretend any longer.

Otherwise, Bai Yan would send her to the hospital without a doubt.

If that happened, she really could not put on the act anymore because the truth would be revealed.

Reluctant, she nodded to Bai Yan. “Yes, you should go now, Big Brother Bai. I should be alright after some rest.”

Without another word, Bai Yan turned around and left in great strides.

He retrieved his cell phone and gave Ji Xiaonian a call, but she did not pick up.

Bai Yan dashed back to the place where they parted ways and looked around for her. She was nowhere to be found and also did not pick up her calls. Bai Yan figured the petty little girl could have left the farm after his no-show.

He guessed the girl must be putting on a show of bad temper.

Besides, she was an adult, nothing bad ought to happen to her.

Since he failed to locate Ji Xiaonian and his calls were not returned, Bai Yan decided he should just head back to Fang Miaoling.

…

Ji Xiaonian’s cell phone kept ringing on the way to the hospital. Yu Shengjie fished for it and threw a glance over its screen. The words “Brother Yan” flickered on the screen.

He knew that Bai Yan was calling her.

However, he chose to ignore his calls. Looking at the unconscious little girl, he stepped on the accelerator and rushed to the nearest hospital.

…

It was already afternoon when Ji Xiaonian finally came to.

She still felt a little out of it when she propped herself up. She discovered Yu Shengjie sitting by her bedside and he seemed to be weaving something out of red ribbons. Confused, she asked out of curiosity, “Where am I? Why am I here?”

Was she not supposed to be picking strawberries with Bai Yan and Fang Miaoling?

Why was she lying in a bed in a place that looked like the hospital?

“You’re in the hospital because you suffered from heatstroke.”

Yu Shengjie stood up to pour her a glass of water. “Why are you so silly? You know full well that you can’t be exposed to the sun for a long period, so did you stay rooted to the ground under the hot sun?”

Fortunately, he trailed after them. Otherwise, no one would even notice if she fainted.