Fortune Across the World

Chapter 75: Illness Worries and a Risky Revelation

After waiting a while longer, Lu Weixi guessed that the people inside might soon be waking up. She left the small courtyard and headed to the public kitchen, intending to bring breakfast for her beloved and her brother.

Returning from the kitchen, Lu Weixi carried a food box that was somewhat heavy for her, stopping several times to rest and wiping sweat from her brow before finally reaching Ding Qiyu and Lu Weiming's courtyard. Fortunately, it was a rest day following the spring outing, so there were few people around to witness her struggle, sparing her from attracting too much attention.

Just then, Lu Weiming emerged from the courtyard, yawning. He had been about to fetch breakfast himself when he saw his sister struggling with the food box. His heart ached for her, and he rushed over to take the box, chiding, "What are you doing? Where's Qing'er?"

Lu Weixi, rubbing her sore arm, explained, "She's resting after a long night. I was worried about you both, so I came over."

"You shouldn't be doing this yourself! It's too heavy, you'll tire yourself out!" Lu Weiming scolded, concerned for his sister who had grown up pampered and rarely did such heavy work.

Unbothered by his reprimand, Lu Weixi followed him into the courtyard, but didn't see the person she was most concerned about. She asked, "Second Brother, is Qiyu still not up?"

"Hmm... not yet," Lu Weiming replied, recalling his promise to Ding Qiyu not to reveal her condition.

"It's so late..." Lu Weixi frowned, recalling Qiyu's unusual complexion and demeanor upon their return, growing increasingly worried. "I'll go check on her." With that, she headed towards Ding Qiyu's room.

Alarmed, Lu Weiming quickly put down the food box to stop her, "Hey! Brother Yu must be exhausted and is resting. What are you doing going in there?"

His intense reaction only intensified Lu Weixi's unease. She tugged at her brother's sleeve and pleaded, "Second Brother..."

Her expression, which he hadn't seen in years, disarmed Lu Weiming, and he stammered, "Uh..."

Seeing his reluctance, Lu Weixi was convinced he was hiding something. She shook his sleeve, "Second Brother, you know, don't you? Is he sick?"

Unable to withstand her anxious, pleading tone, Lu Weiming confessed, "Sigh... Brother Yu caught a cold, but he didn't want me to tell you. He didn't want you to worry."

"Really sick?!" Lu Weixi's concern deepened. She lifted her skirt and hurried to Ding Qiyu's door, calling out, "Qiyu? Qiyu?" Knocking twice with no response, she exchanged a glance with Lu Weiming and pushed the door open.

Approaching the bed, she found Ding Qiyu buried under the blankets, only a few strands of hair visible. Lu Weixi gently lifted the blanket's edge, revealing Qiyu's arm draped over her eyes, her face flushed and breathing heavy. Next to her head was a cloth meant for cooling, now fallen to the side. The pitiful sight wrenched at Lu Weixi's heart. She moved Qiyu's arm and felt her forehead, shocked by the heat.

Turning to Lu Weiming, Lu Weixi said urgently, "She's burning up... Second Brother, please get the doctor!" Her voice trembled with undisguised anxiety.

Stunned, Lu Weiming hadn't realized Qiyu had a fever. Seeing her flushed and distressed, he too grew worried, "Alright, I'll go right now!" He dashed out immediately.