High fevers could make it challenging for people to discern if they were asleep or awake, in a dream or back in reality.


    Gu Yan opened his eyes. Perhaps due to his illness, his eyes were exceptionally dark and deep, like evening mist suspended above the surface of ake. Whether it was the warm light that shafted in from outside, or the faint daylight from the window, none of it shone in his eyes.


    His tightly furrowed eyebrows slowly smoothed when he saw Yan Suizhi.


    How did you get a fever? Have you taken medicine? Yan Suizhi asked in a low voice.


    Mn, Gu Yan responded vaguely. His eyelids still seemed heavy, as though he wasnt awake at all, only looking at Yan Suizhi for a moment before shutting his eyes, and, for some reason, his eyebrows slowly furrowed again. Yan Suizhi couldnt tell if it was because he was used to frowning or if he was feeling ufortable.


    So did he take medicine or not?


    Yan Suizhi was a little unable to set his mind at ease, but forcing Gu Yan to get up and shoving him some medicine under such circumstances might be counter-productive instead. So, he moved his hand away from Gu Yans forehead, shifted the quilt up a bunch, firmly bundling Gu Yans arm inside, and said, Forget it, just sleep first.


    By then, Gu Yans breathing had turned long and even again.


    Still leaning over, Yan Suizhi watched him for a while, only straightening up after making sure that he had really fallen back asleep.


    He nced at the slowly darkening sky outside. He initially wanted to draw the curtains, already having the remote in his hand, but, afraid that Gu Yan would wake up to find a pitch-ck room at night, he hesitated and ultimately put the remote back down.


    Yan Suizhi went downstairs, going around the first floor for a long time before eventually finding the first-aid kit in the short gym that was half-embedded into the floor.


    Though not often at home, Gu Yan still stocked it up rather well. Yan Suizhi thought back to the medical preparedness that the nurse was going on about in the morning, andplimented Gu Yan in his mind.


    The first-aid kit wasnt small. The medicine boxes inside were neatly organised into its various categories. It barely took Yan Suizhi any effort to find four different types of fever medicine, check the side effects, and pick one that didnt easily trigger adverse drug interactions with other medicines.


    When opening the packaging, he checked the production and expiry date in passing, and then was forced to m the brakes


    This broken ything had already expired more than a year ago.


    Yan Suizhi tossed it one side, irate, picking up another box and checking its expiry date


    Splendid. This had expired as well.


    Then the third box


    The fourth box


    Five minutester, Lawyer Gus first-aid kit was emptied out. All the medicine in it was tossed aside with utmost scorn, piling into a small mound.


    A pile of expired medicine tidily kept like actual medicine; if not there to hog space, Yan Suizhi couldnt tell what other purpose they served.


    Yan Suizhi sighed in admiration, then raised his head, ring in the direction of the second floor, as if this could make Gu Yan feel shame in his sleep.


    He took a photo of these useless medicines, sent them all to the rubbish disposal bin at the entrance, then dialled Fizz.


    What is it? Ruan? Ms Fizz seemed to be busy with something, her words garbled, just as though her lips had been stitched shut.


    Whats wrong with you? Did you fall on your mouth? Yan Suizhi showed some concern.


    Fizz, I didnt, Im wearing a mask.


    Okay then. Do you have any fever medicine at home? Yan Suizhi asked.


    Yeah, lots. Why? Are you running a fever? Fizz said. Werent you fine earlier? How did you suddenly get a fever?


    Yan Suizhi, Not me. Gu Yan has a fever.


    Unused to hearing him address Gu Yan straight-out by his name, Fizz gave a start before saying, Ohah? Gus back? Didnt he say hed be back at ten in the evening? If hes back at this time, he had to have sat on the morning flight, no?


    Hm? Yan Suizhi paused. Then, he spoke again, Mhm it shouldve been the morning flight.


    In the previous flurry, he didnt even have time to think about it. Only now at Fizzs casual question was he suddenly reminded that Gu Yan should have already been in the space shuttle during the time that he imed to be midway through the second round of negotiations.


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    There must have been an interlude in-between that made him think there was the possibility that he had been infected. As such he used negotiations as an excuse, because the variable duration of negotiations made it usible for him to im that there was an issue requiring him to extend his stay for a few more days for further rounds of negotiations.


    As he was able to alight the space shuttle and pass the screening at De Carmas port, smoothly returning home, it was diagnosed to only be a regr fever.


    But what if the results didnt turn out well? If Gu Yan did identally catch the virus and was sent to the hospital to be quarantined, going through the critical period that was often part of treatment processes what would he be doing?


    Would he be waiting for that unidentified doctor in the ck market?


    Would he be carrying his luggage to the new apartment?


    Would he be chatting casually with Luke and the few other young interns in thew firm?


    During all of which, he wouldve confidently assumed that Gu Yan was still at the negotiation table


    Even if these were just hypothetical scenarios in hindsight and impossible to turn into reality, Yan Suizhi still felt very ufortable.


    Just the thought that this possibility had existed a few hours ago made him feel extremely ufortable.


    He stood alone in the empty living room for a while, suddenly realising that this was probably what was called post-trauma, which, until this moment, he had never experienced before.


    Ruan? Hello? Can you hear me? Is the signal bad? Over there, Ms Fizz called him repeatedly, even whacking her smart device to see if that would do the trick.


    Yan Suizhi pulled back to attention. Yeah, I can.


    What medicine do you want? Shall I bring it over for you? Fizz said.


    Its fine, Ill go over to take it from you.


    Yan Suizhi went out towards the neighbouring vi, but not more than a few stepster, he heard Fizzs voice greet him. Ruan? Ive picked a few, you can go back to see which would be suitable for him. I also brought you a spare thermometer just in case.


    He looked up at the sound and a charcoal-ck face mmed into his sight, with only the two holes for eyes that made this person vaguely recognisable as Ms Fizz.


    Why did youe out like this? Yan Suizhi epted the medicine boxes, betweenughter and tears. Thanks.


    I look good all the time, why cant I go out whenever I want to? Ms Fizz was bundled tightly in a coat, proudly iming this. But anyway, doesnt Gu prepare the usual medicines at home?


    Yan Suizhiughed drily. He did; theyre even organised very neatly. The only shoring is that theyre all expired.


    Fizz gave it a thought then said, Maybe its because he doesnt often need it. Thest time I saw him with a fever was around two years ago. Those with good immune systems dont have much experience with falling sick. So how is he now?


    As they spoke, the smart device on Yan Suizhis finger started to vibrate again.


    It was weird. It was actually Young Master Joe who called. Yan Suizhi took the call, puzzled.


    Yo, lil intern? Young Master Joe cut straight to the chase. Is Gu in his office?


    Yan Suizhi said, Hes at home. Hes having a bit of fever and sleeping it off now. Why?


    Ah, no wonder! Young Master Joe grumbled, I sent him ten messages and got nothing back, called him twice and he didnt pick up either. He never used to be this way before; I almost believed that his finger shook and he identally blocked the wrong number. How did he get a fever? It probably isnt of the viral sort, right? Its been rather chaotic these days, didnt you two go to the hospital two days ago?


    Its not the virus, Yan Suizhi said. He just came from the port this afternoon. He definitely isnt infected if he managed to pass the screening.


    Oh, thats good to hear, Joe said. I found someone to do the thing he got me to help him with back then in Yaba Ind. The guy in charge of delivery said that he can deliver it now. I nned at first to tell him to go home and wait for it if he was free


    Yan Suizhi said, Its fine, just send it over. Im here.


    Joe started. No, hang on. Where did you say you are? Gu Yans ce???


    He soundedpletely confounded, such that even the tail-end of his words almost splintered from how sharply it was raised.


    Yan Suizhi deliberated for a moment, skirting around the crux of it to emphasise, Hes having a fever.


    Joe went Oh and subconsciously assumed that Yan Suizhi hade over to take care of his feverish teacher. But thats still rather surprising. The only time that someone else had stepped into his house was probably during renovations. Well, since youre there, Ill just get that guy to send it over, and sorry for having you look after him.


    Alright.


    After responding, Yan Suizhi seemed to think of something, asking, Oh, right. What are you sending over?


    Joe said, Lamp pines.


    After saying this, he also mumbled something along the lines of this weirded me out too or suchlike, and hung up before Yan Suizhi could make out what he said.


    Why? Fizz casually asked. Is someone sending something over?


    Yan Suizhi nodded, saying, When we went to Yaba Indst time, Lawyer Gu got a friend to procure him a fewmp pines. He appears to be quite fond of it.


    Ah? Fizz made a doubtful sound, her tone a mirror image of Joes mumbling just now. Did his personality change overnight? Didnt he dislikemp pines in the past?


    Dislike? Yan Suizhi was startled.


    Fizz said, Erm probably not that he disliked them. But there was one time when I was talking to a manager in the office about vacation spots, Yaba Indsmp pines came up, and he didnt show a lick of interest at all. I can still recall the manager saying that he had sourced a fewmp pines and asked him if he wanted any, after all, he is the only one in the whole of Southcross who isnt a nt killer. He turned it down, saying that it was too troublesome to take care of them.


    She searched through her memories, saying, It should have been earlier this Spring?


    Yan Suizhi,


    Thank you. His expression turnedplicated for a split second, and he smiled at Fizz.


    Fizzs head filled with a confused fog. ??? Youre wee?


    Young Master Joe had amazing work efficiency. Even if he wasnt in De Carma in person, he could still get it settled remotely. Less than half an hourter, a ck lorry quietly pulled into the city garden, but was stopped behind the automatic gate barrier.


    Mr Gu? The man in charge of delivery had received Yan Suizhis contact from Joe but mistakenly assumed that the person he dialled was Gu Yan. We dont have ess toe in, the owner of the house has to input the passcode.


    Im not Mr Gu. You can just call me Ruan Ye. Although Yan Suizhi said so, his motions were exceptionally fluid when keying in the passcode.


    Im Gao Lin. The bearded man in the front passenger seat shook his hand. Have we met somewhere before?


    Yan Suizhiughed drily in his mind, thinking to himself how small this world was. He did actually know this bearded man; they could even somewhat be called friends, if pushing it a bit. This man was a famous ornamental nt breeder in De Carma, and the various nts that he used to devastate in the courtyard had been bought from this bearded Gao Lin.


    He once had a flourishing bout of interest towards botany and, refusing to believe he had a curse, bought several batches of nts, nning to remodel his front and back yards into something simr to his childhood home. During that period, Gao Lin had to make a trip to his ce almost every month in that lorry of his.


    Every time Gao Lin went over, he would see that the nts sent overst month, that were vibrant with vitality, had turned bone-thin andnguished. It was a very distressing scene. Gao Lin usually got along well with him, but whenever it came to that moment, the gaze that he turned on Yan Suizhi would be as if he were looking at a terrorist.


    Lamp pines were native to Yaba Ind. For them to be viable in De Carma, they had to be specially cultivated by professionals with seeds from Yaba Ind. And in the whole of De Carma, the best nt breeder ofmp pines would definitely be Gao Lin.


    So it wasnt strange that Joe had sought him out.


    Yan Suizhi smiled at him and said, I might just have one of those faces; people often tell me that they feel like theyve met me somewhere before.


    The bearded Gao Lin chuckled. If thats so, eighty-percent of those on the streets would want to have one of those faces. Ehspeaking of which, I remembered who it was. I probably havent met you before, but I just thought that you looked a bit familiar because some of your features resemble an old customer of mine.


    Yan Suizhi, with an innocuous expression, Is that so? What are the odds? Who is it?


    A pretty incredible guy. The dean of Maze University. He was young and promising and highlypetent, Gao Lin said. Its just that his hands are poisonous; anything he touched would die. As long as he doesnt touch a nt, hes my pal.


    Yan Suizhi,


    Do you know that youre speaking ill of me straight to my face?


    The bearded man was oblivious to the look in Dean Yans gaze, whilst directing the few store assistants to move themp pines, he spoke to Yan Suizhi, Lamp pines are pretty hard to take care of, I hope your friend, Mr Gu, doesnt have poisonous hands.


    Yan Suizhi said, Theyll be fine. Several batches of nts have died under the hands of others in the firm, but those in his office are still surviving well.


    Oh? Really? What nt varieties?


    Evergreen pines.


    The bearded man nodded, satisfied. Thats pretty good, evergreen pines are hard to take care of as well. They require carefully calibrated temperature and humidity levels. People also cant touch the leaves directly as they rot easily. They also cant receive too much sunlight or theyd easily shrivel, nor can they receive too much water or theyd drown to death.


    Yan  identally Watered One Too Many Times  Suizhis heart prickled with guilt.


    He thought to himself, How is this rearing nts, Gu Yan has got to beraising an ancestor. Theyre even harder to serve than me.


    The youngmp pines that Gao Lin transported over had just matured and each had a special pot to protect the roots.


    I learned a lesson from an old customer Gao Lin said. Oh, its the dean I was telling you about previously. In the past, I used to grow themp pines to about a metre tall, such that they would still have a 60% survival rate when transnted. In that way, the customer could still experience the joy of oveing adversity to rear it well. After he killed off over twenty trees at his ce, I reflected on it and decided to do away with that sentiment and grow them to two metres tall before sending them out, essentially giving them an 85% survival rate when transnted. Of course, there is still some challenge in ensuring its survival to the next year.


    After saying this, Gao Lin asked Yan Suizhi, Which way is it to the ss room? I heard that Mr Gu had previously requested for themp pines to be nted outside the floor-to-ceiling ss walls over there.


    Yan Suizhi guided them in. This way.


    There are eight trees in this batch, said Gao Lin. It naturally wont match up to Yaba Ind, but they would definitely fill a good half of the courtyard and turn it into a small forest. Itll be a sight to behold.


    Those store assistants removed the special pots. Under Gao Lins instructions, they carefully buried the roots, tree by tree, in the earth of Gu Yans courtyard. These specialised nt breeders were always very meticulousfrom loosening the soil to transnting, to fertilising them for the first time, everything was done with the utmost care. The temperature and humidity controller in the courtyard were carefully calibrated and the space between each nt was measured and divided. They paid the details so much scrutiny that it seemed more as if they were burying treasure.


    By the time they were done with their work, the sky hadpletely darkened.


    You wont be able to see anympflies yet, Gao Lin said. The moving and change of environment would make them a bit shy, messing up their biological clocks. Theylle out in time after they limatise. Well be off now, then. I left myms number; please make sure that Mr Gu notes it down. If anything happens in the future, he can just look for me anytime. Theyll take another seven days to mature fully, so Ill be back in a week to check that there arent any problems with this batch.


    Alright, thank you.


    After sending off Gao Lin and his assistants, Yan Suizhi returned to the house, carefully washing off the bits of dust and dirt that had gotten onto his hands.


    Porridge was gurgling in a stone pot on the zed ck counter. It thickened bit by bit as it boiled, dispersing its aroma. Yan Suizhi stirred it a few times with a porcin spoon and nced at the interster clocks on the wall.


    It was past eight in the evening, and the breeze outside had gradually picked up. The forecasts said that it was going to snow tonight.


    He set down the spoon and swept a nce outside the window, only then noticing that his scarf had slid halfway down from its spot on the cab by the door, swaying slightly. He went over and took the scarf, treading on the indoor slippers, intending to go upstairs to hang the scarf on the coat rack in the loft.


    When passing by the second floor, he stopped. He thought of going in to check if Gu Yan was sweating and if his fever had broken yet.


    In the end, when he pushed open the door, he found that Gu Yan seemed to have just awoken and was sitting on the side of the bed. His long legs were bent, touching the soft and heavy carpet. He had a hand resting on his knee, the other hand pressed against his forehead, and he still looked as though he was feeling ufortable.


    Awake? Yan Suizhi asked, casually turning on a lowmp in a corner of the bedroom.


    From the corner of the wall, the amber light diffused on the ground, casting the back of Gu Yans slightly bowed shoulders in a gentle warmth.


    Gu Yan lowered his hand, raising his head to look at him. Mm


    Are you still feverish? Yan Suizhi walked over and touched his forehead with the back of his hand. He frowned. Youre still burning.


    Gu Yan looked very tired and not quite awake. But for some reason, he suddenly got up from bed. His gaze was heavy and deep, sweeping Yan Suizhi from head to toe, pausing a few seconds on the scarf in his hand before lowering his head again with his brows creased.


    Yan Suizhi didnt notice this, only focused on wanting to get Gu Yans fever down as soon as possible. I got a few medicines from Fizz. They shouldnt have any adverse drug interactions with other drugs; take two capsules before going back to sleep.


    He could feel the heat radiating from Gu Yans body just by standing in front of him. Yan Suizhi suspected that he wasnt able to hear what he was saying clearly, or that even if he did, his mind wasnt able to digest it yet, so he added, Im going down first.


    When he turned around, an edge of the scarf that hung down shed in Gu Yans downcasted sight, whose mind was still pulling out of sleep.


    Gu Yan appeared to finally process what the other said. His eyes, half-lidded, gently blinked, then he reached out and caught hold of Yan Suizhis hand.