Chapter 209: Chapter 209: So Many Relatives

But they weren’t the only three who had come.

Nan Zhi shifted her gaze—

Qi Zhang wore the same worried expression as his aunt:

"Auntie Zhizhi, did you get exhausted yesterday?"

Xie An’an leaned over the side of the bed closer to Nan Zhi, her little apple-cheeked face full of earnest sincerity. She offered comfort in her sweet, childish voice:

"Does it hurt, Auntie Zhizhi? An’an will blow on it for you, and the boo-boo will fly away!"

Qing Xi, on the other hand, sidled up to Nan Yi to comfort the younger boy:

"Don’t worry, Yiyi. We’re all here with you!"

Besides the three little ones, Xu Lin and other members of the production team were also there.

Xu Lin was already wracked with guilt, and that was compounded by the terror he felt after being reprimanded by the big boss...

Caught off guard when Fu Chao put him on the spot, he wasn’t the least bit angry. Instead, he lowered his head with a bitter smile, not quite daring to meet Nan Zhi’s eyes.

He truly believed, from the bottom of his heart, that the production team was to blame for Nan Zhi falling ill yesterday with no way to call for help.

They had taken too much for granted, assuming that in modern society with mobile communication, a single phone call would be enough even if she lived a little farther away. They hadn’t thought an emergency was likely.

But who could have predicted that consecutive days of thunderstorms would damage the power lines, triggering a massive blackout in Cuishui Village?

Under the crushing pressure, and seeing Nan Zhi’s gaze fall upon him, Xu Lin could no longer remain composed.

He stepped forward and gave a deep bow.

"I’m sorry. This was an oversight by the production team."

Fu Chao’s sharp gaze was practically an interrogation.

"Is an apology all you have to offer?"

Xu Lin sighed.

"Of course not. We’ll be making improvements going forward. For example, we’ll station staff near Nan Zhi’s house, bring in a professional medical team, and prepare a satellite phone..."

Fu Chao’s eyes widened in a glare.

"You’re not moving her to a different house?"

Xu Lin hemmed and hawed for a long moment before finally saying:

"After all, it would be difficult to explain to the audience."

Fu Chao was not pleased.

But before he could voice his displeasure, Nan Zhi stopped him.

"That’s enough. Getting sick yesterday was just an accident."

’I’m not a glass doll that will shatter at the slightest touch.’

’Besides, I don’t think moving to a new house is necessary.’

With Nan Zhi’s clear stance on the matter, Fu Chao reluctantly held his tongue.

He turned his attention back to Nan Zhi, fussing over her again.

"Why aren’t you resting more? Did the doctor say your fever has broken? By the way, who brought you to the hospital yesterday? We have to properly thank that good samaritan!"

His innocent question revealed that no one, including Fu Chao, knew the full story of what had happened the previous day.

Nan Zhi froze, not knowing where to begin her explanation.

’At the same time, I wonder how Lu Shixu notified the production team. Why did he only tell them half the story?’

Speak of the devil.

The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, carrying a commanding presence that couldn’t be ignored, drawing everyone’s gaze toward the door.

Lu Shixu stood tall and imposing in the doorway. His gaze was level and placid, yet it carried a sense of lofty detachment, as if he were looking down from the clouds.

The only thing that seemed out of place was the plastic grocery bags hanging from both of his hands, filled with large and small boxes containing an impressive and dazzling spread of different breakfast foods.

Everyone in the room tensed up and fell silent. It was as if they didn’t dare to breathe too loudly in his presence.

After all, having gone through the filming of the second episode at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant, they all knew who this man was—

One of the investors, the renowned Mr. Lu.

Of course, their awe wasn’t solely due to Lu Shixu’s status as an investor.

Even without that connection, Lu Shixu himself was a figure so far above them they could only look up to him from a distance.

So, upon seeing him now with his hands laden with bags, some of them looked astonished, some gasped, and others simply shot curious glances toward Nan Zhi...

Someone even thought of Miss Chang Mu, who was currently staying in Cuishui Village.

The rumor was that Miss Chang had been recommended by one of the investors.

’What could her relationship be with this Mr. Lu?’

Amid the crowd of varying expressions, the handful of celebrity guests and the children were the most composed.

Xie Yu was impassive, while Fu Chao simply pretended he didn’t know the man.

Qi Pei’er, for her part, sided with Nan Zhi. Positioning herself as Nan Zhi’s friend, her gaze toward Lu Shixu held little fear and far more scrutiny.

Lu Shixu, completely unperturbed, walked in under the collective gaze of the room.

He didn’t feel the least bit awkward about his ungraceful appearance.

If he were the type to get embarrassed, he wouldn’t have taken Tao An’s advice in the first place.

And so, Lu Shixu calmly passed through the crowd and arrived at Nan Zhi’s bedside, intending to free up a hand to open the overbed table.

Fu Chao pursed his lips.

"I’ll get it."

With that, he deftly unfolded the overbed table.

Lu Shixu inclined his head.

"Thank you."

Fu Chao froze.

’Why did that thank you... sound like he was the host here?’

’Could it be? Are Nan Zhi and Lu Shixu already together?’

A fascinating series of expressions flickered across Fu Chao’s face.

Although he held no romantic feelings for Nan Zhi—seeing her more as a friend or a younger sister—he still couldn’t help the pang of jealousy he felt upon seeing the extraordinary intimacy Lu Shixu displayed toward her.

It was like watching a wild boar come and root up his family’s prize cabbage.

’The boar is treacherous, cunning, and full of schemes.’

’The cabbage is delicate and innocent, liable to be devoured whole without ever knowing why.’

The problem was, he had no standing to say anything.

’Saying he saw Nan Zhi as a little sister was one thing in front of his parents. But to say it to her face, and then presume to interfere in her personal relationships? That would mean he, Fu Chao, had seriously overstepped his bounds.’

So, no matter how much Fu Chao disapproved, all he could do was sigh internally.

Lu Shixu began placing the breakfast items on the table in front of Nan Zhi one by one.

"I didn’t know what you’d like, so I got a little of everything."

Only then did he seem to remember Nan Yi, adding,

"Nan Yi can have whatever he wants, too."

Nan Yi pouted, clearly displeased.

He might be young, but he had his priorities straight and knew that his mother eating was the most important thing right now.

Seeing that his mom couldn’t easily use her right hand because of the IV drip, he eagerly offered to help.

"Mom, what do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you!"

Nan Yi chose the most fragrant-smelling scallion pancake, held it in his two little hands, and lifted it to Nan Zhi’s lips.

Nan Zhi lowered her head for a sniff, but the mere scent of scallion oil made her feel nauseous.

’Probably a side effect of being sick,’ she thought.

But she didn’t want to refuse Yiyi’s kind gesture. She thanked him and was about to take a bite.

Just then, Lu Shixu gently pushed Nan Yi’s hands away.

"Your mother doesn’t like that."

Nan Yi glared at him coldly.

"What would you know about what my mom likes!"

He deliberately emphasized the two words "my mom."

Lu Shixu didn’t answer, merely glancing at Nan Zhi.

Nan Zhi faltered.

"Actually, I..."

Nan Yi slowly lowered his hands.

He could tell.

"Mom really doesn’t like it," he murmured.

He was filled with frustration and self-blame.

’How could I not even tell what Mom likes to eat?’

Wanting to comfort him, Nan Zhi made a request.

"Yiyi, Mom would like some of the vegetable congee."

Nan Yi was instantly re-energized.

"Okay!"

The plastic congee bowl was thin and very hot to the touch.

Struck by an idea, Nan Yi slid the congee bowl in front of Nan Zhi and picked up the spoon.

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