Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

28. His Fingers Leaving A Trail Of Fire.

The driver arrived with the suitcase and discovered the door was ajar. As he approached, he saw Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Zhichen standing face to face at the entrance.

He asked, slightly dazed, "Mr. Xiang, Secretary Chu?"

Chu Zhichen snapped out of his reverie, turning his head away. After a few seconds to compose himself, he looked up with his usual calm demeanor, except for a slight fog veiling his eyes.

Xiang Mingzhang appeared suspicious and dismissed the driver, saying, "It's none of your concern, you may leave."

Regretfully, the driver left the suitcase inside the door and suggested, "It's getting late, should I take Secretary Chu home?"

Chu Zhichen quickly declined, "No need."

The driver understood and departed. The door closed, and Xiang Mingzhang inquired again, "What's the matter with you?"

Chu Zhichen clenched the square box tightly in both hands and spoke each word with determination, "Where did you find this pocket watch?"

Xiang Mingzhang replied, "In Switzerland."

Surprise flickered across Chu Zhichen's face, "How could it be in—"

Xiang Mingzhang emitted a sharp gasp, hunching over in pain. He had been enduring it all night, but now his stomach convulsed violently, forcing him to take a labored breath.

Chu Zhichen assisted Xiang Mingzhang into the bedroom, lifting a corner of the blanket. Xiang Mingzhang lay halfway dressed, tearing off his tie and unbuttoning two shirts with the little strength he had left.

Chu Zhichen asked, "Where is the medicine?"

Xiang Mingzhang rasped, "In the living room cabinet."

Reluctantly releasing his grip on the box, Chu Zhichen placed it on the bedside table. He fetched stomach medicine from the living room, prepared a glass of honey water, and returned to sit by the bed, offering it to Xiang Mingzhang.

The sweetness of honey masked the bitterness of the medicine. Xiang Mingzhang commented, "This medicine works quickly. If anything happens, I will call the apartment's housekeeper. You can go back."

Chu Zhichen fell silent for a moment before replying, "No, I must take care of you."

Xiang Mingzhang detected no trace of genuine concern in Chu Zhichen's voice. Instead, he felt an unwelcome intrusion.

He reclined on a cushion and casually inquired, "Then how do you plan on taking care of me?"

Chu Zhichen recalled how the old housekeeper used to tend to him when he fell ill in the past. Rising, he headed to the bathroom to dampen a towel, folding it neatly before placing it on Xiang Mingzhang's forehead.

Xiang Mingzhang remarked, "I have a stomach ulcer, not a fever."

Chu Zhichen felt slightly embarrassed, removing the towel as a flimsy excuse to cover up his misstep. "I know, after a day of traveling, there's bound to be dust on your face. You should wipe it."

Xiang Mingzhang swiftly grabbed the towel, fearing that the young master would offer him medicinal wine and attempt to rub his smooth skin.

With his hand now free, Chu Zhichen slipped it under the blanket absentmindedly. "Well, let me massage your stomach then."

His palm, damp from the towel, felt cool against the fabric of Xiang Mingzhang's shirt. Xiang Mingzhang corrected him, "That's my liver."

Chu Zhichen frowned, fumbling, and began kneading Xiang Mingzhang's abdominal muscles as if polishing a table. When he found the area of the stomach, he pressed his palm down firmly, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the box.