Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Sick

"Just now."

So, the person is awake?

She glanced up at the second floor again, but the tightly shut curtains made it impossible to see anything inside.

After a long pause, Su Qingnuan retracted her gaze. "Let’s go."

"Alright."

Su Qingnuan got into the car, leaned back in the seat, and comfortably closed her eyes.

With the sway of the vehicle, without realizing it, Su Qingnuan fell asleep again.

"Madam? Madam?"

The familiar voice calling out softly near her ear woke Su Qingnuan, who opened her eyes groggily.

Ah Qi was sitting in the driver’s seat, turning his head to look at her helplessly.

"Madam, we’ve arrived at the company."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan bolted upright, startled. "We’re here already?"

"Yes, we’re here. You’re about to be late."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingnuan lowered her gaze to check her watch. Sure enough, there were only a few minutes left.

In a panic, she pushed the car door open and stepped out, not even having time to speak with Ah Qi as she dashed toward the company.

Rushing hurriedly back to the office, she glanced at the clock and realized she’d made it just in time.

Su Qingnuan let out a sigh of relief and sat down.

A cup of steaming hot water appeared on her desk.

"In such a rush—did you oversleep?" Gu Xiaoxiao leaned against the edge of the desk, teasing her with a smile.

Su Qingnuan waved her hand and responded helplessly, "I fell asleep in the car."

"...Not sure whether to envy or be jealous of you."

Su Qingnuan chuckled softly. "No need to envy, no need to be jealous. I’ll have something good for you later."

"Alright, I’ll get back to work, then."

"Okay."

Watching Gu Xiaoxiao return to her desk, Su Qingnuan finally took out her belongings and started working.

But for some reason, after sitting for a while, Su Qingnuan felt a wave of drowsiness creeping in. Her head began feeling muddled.

As time passed, this sensation grew stronger.

She rubbed her temples, trying hard to stay awake.

But the relief was temporary. Soon enough, the hazy feeling re-emerged.

Su Qingnuan frowned slightly and stood up to head to the restroom.noveldrama

She cupped her hands to splash cold water on her face, the icy touch momentarily clearing her mind.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she was somewhat surprised.

When did her face get so flushed? It looked rosy—almost healthy...

Perhaps living with the Fu family had improved her diet. With nothing to worry about, her complexion naturally improved.

Thinking of this, Su Qingnuan’s lips curved into a small smile. She turned and headed back.

After taking a few steps, her foot faltered, and she nearly fell to the ground. Luckily, a colleague passing by caught her.

"Are you okay?" the colleague asked.

Su Qingnuan waved her hand, smiling as she shook her head. "I’m fine."

"Really?" Manager Huang frowned at her. "You don’t look too good."

Though her cheeks were flushed, it wasn’t the kind of healthy red.

"I’m really fine." Su Qingnuan smiled lightly and walked back to her desk.

Watching her retreating figure, Manager Huang furrowed his brows slightly before pulling out his phone.

...

Su Qingnuan widened her eyes, sitting up in her chair, only to feel her eyelids drooping moments later.

Just as she was about to fully close her eyes, she jolted awake, forcing herself to open them.

This cycle repeated over and over again until even the person next to her noticed.

"Su Qingnuan, are you alright?" the coworker asked.

Su Qingnuan blinked a few times and gave a faint smile. "I’m fine!"

"You sure?" The coworker looked at her, hesitating to say more.

Su Qingnuan nodded vigorously. "Of course! I’m perfectly fine!"

After speaking, she placed her hands on the keyboard and continued working.

Seeing her composed demeanor, the coworker refrained from pressing the matter and turned their focus away.

But only Su Qingnuan herself knew the truth—she felt terrible. Her chest burned as though consumed by flames, her head was foggy, and she couldn’t process or think clearly.

I might be sick, Su Qingnuan thought.

While debating where to buy medicine later, two knocks sounded on the desk in front of her.

Su Qingnuan raised her eyes and saw a familiar face.

"Manager Huang?" Su Qingnuan quickly stood up. "Manager, what brings you down here? Is there something you need?"

Seeing her increasingly unusual complexion, Manager Huang frowned slightly. "Follow me."

"Huh?"

Scrambling after Manager Huang, Su Qingnuan’s foggy mind struggled to understand why he wanted to see her.

When the elevator came to a stop, Manager Huang led her into an office.

This office looked very familiar. After a moment of contemplation, Su Qingnuan finally realized—it was Fu Yihan’s office.

"Rest here," Manager Huang instructed sternly. "Two hours later, go back to work."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan quickly said, "Manager Huang, I’m fine. There’s no need to rest."

Manager Huang said nothing and left, closing the door behind him.

As the door shut, Su Qingnuan inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

Looking around the familiar office, she became somewhat at a loss.

Sitting down on the sofa, Su Qingnuan considered whether she should just rest for a bit.

The moment that thought emerged, it spread like a virus, rapidly consuming her entire mind.

After a while, Su Qingnuan lost all awareness and collapsed onto the sofa.

...

"Screech—"

The heavy door was pushed open from the outside, and Ah Qi glanced behind him.

Fu Yihan entered the room, wheeling himself forward. His gaze immediately fell on the figure lying on the sofa.

"Go check on her," Fu Yihan said with a frown.

"Yes."

Ah Qi quietly approached. After a moment, he looked up at Fu Yihan. "It seems she’s asleep."

Fu Yihan said nothing, wheeling himself closer.

Su Qingnuan was deeply asleep, her breathing labored, as though it might stop at any moment.

Noticing the flush on her face, Fu Yihan reached out and touched her forehead lightly.

The burning heat nearly scalded Fu Yihan’s hand.

"Call a doctor."

"Yes."

Watching Ah Qi leave the room, Fu Yihan turned and entered the lounge, retrieving a blanket.

Still fuming from anger last night, Fu Yihan hadn’t wanted to see Su Qingnuan. He hadn’t expected her to sleep on the sofa overnight instead of going inside.

Thinking of this, Fu Yihan’s expression grew even darker.

Her body is already this weak, yet she insists on pretending to be strong!

Originally, he planned to ignore her for a few days, but who would’ve thought his resolve would break the very next day?

"Burning like this and still insisting you’re fine?" Fu Yihan muttered under his breath.

If you end up damaging your brain, who’ll want you then?

Despite his irritation, Fu Yihan subconsciously tightened the blanket around Su Qingnuan.

The person in her sleep seemed to sense the confinement, struggling to free her hands.

Fu Yihan raised a brow, pressing the blanket firmly against her to prevent her from breaking free.

After a brief struggle, sweat began to bead on Su Qingnuan’s forehead, but she remained unconscious.

Seeing her finally give up resisting, the sleeping figure oddly settled down, no longer putting up a fight.

Her head tilted outward, leaning directly against Fu Yihan’s arm.

The closeness offered neither weight nor pressure.

Fu Yihan stared at her face for a long while, then suddenly reached out and pulled her into his embrace.