IBKAWB Chapter 45

**Chapter 45: Habits**

Re-translated by: Namizaki

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Lu Yuzhou settled Chi Zhongqiao in bed and sat by his side for a long while, watching him. Chi Zhongqiao lay with a furrowed brow, his breathing gradually became even after more than ten minutes. Lu Yuzhou waited until he was completely asleep before leaving.

Lu Yuzhou managed less than two hours of sleep, his mind constantly preoccupied with Chi Zhongqiao. Just before midnight, he got up and knocked on Chi Zhongqiao’s door. When there was no response after a long wait, his heart leaped with anxiety.

Fortunately, Chi Zhongqiao never locked his bedroom door at home. Disregarding formalities, Lu Yuzhou pushed the door open and entered.

Chi Zhongqiao was indeed running a high fever. Wrapped in blankets, he mumbled about being cold, still half-conscious.

He was barely aware of his surroundings, partly due to the fever and partly from sheer exhaustion. Chi Zhongqiao had been working himself to the bone lately; he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow and couldn’t be roused in the morning without six or seven alarms.

Lu Yuzhou placed his hand on Chi Zhongqiao’s forehead. The skin beneath his palm burned fiercely—a far cry from the slight warmth he’d felt earlier. The heat made Lu Yuzhou’s face pale instantly.

In his feverish daze, Chi Zhongqiao sensed someone approaching. He felt a patch of cool skin press against his cheek and instinctively leaned into the coolness, turning his face to pin Lu Yuzhou’s hand against the pillow.

He was drenched in a fine sheen of sweat, his body burning hot. Clinging to Lu Yuzhou’s coolness, he murmured softly, “Cold.”

Lu Yuzhou was stunned by Chi Zhongqiao’s fever for a few seconds, his fingers trembling as he dialed the Doctor’s phone number. With his other hand pinned down by Chi Zhongqiao, Lu Yuzhou steeled himself and gently yanked it free. He notified the Doctor while simultaneously soaking a towel in cold water to apply as a compress.

The Doctor, hearing his urgent tone, threw on his coat and rushed out, saying hurriedly, “President Lu, first use a cold towel to lower his temperature. Then take Mr. Chi’s temperature. If it’s still too high, use alcohol to wipe him. I’ll be there soon.”

Following the Doctor’s instructions, Lu Yuzhou applied the cold compress to Chi Zhongqiao’s forehead. Despite his burning fever, Chi Zhongqiao insisted he was cold, burrowing deeper into the blankets.

Exasperated, Lu Yuzhou simply wrapped both Chi Zhongqiao and the blankets in his arms. Held securely, Chi Zhongqiao finally calmed down, his head emerging from the blankets to rest limply against Lu Yuzhou’s shoulder.

Lu Yuzhou lowered his head, his heart churning like oil in a boiling pan, never still. Chi Zhongqiao’s fever had spiked to 39.5 degrees Celsius, and he had completely lost consciousness, no longer even moaning. He lay limply against Lu Yuzhou, breathing heavily through his closed eyes.

Where’s the Doctor? Lu Yuzhou thought, his patience wearing thin.

Just as he was about to lose his temper, the doorbell finally rang. Lu Yuzhou gently laid Chi Zhongqiao down, turned, and opened the door. Doctor Xue rushed in with his medical bag, barely pausing to greet him before hurrying into Chi Zhongqiao’s bedroom.

After setting up the IV drip, Lu Yuzhou, fearing Chi Zhongqiao might move in his sleep and dislodge the needle, simply held him close, letting him rest against his chest.

Soon after the drip started, Chi Zhongqiao seemed to feel better, nestling obediently in Lu Yuzhou’s arms.

When the first bottle was empty, Doctor Xue replaced it with a fresh one.

“President Lu,” the Doctor murmured, “give him a little water. The fever should break after the second bottle. If it doesn’t, we’ll have to take him to the hospital. We don’t have the necessary equipment here.”

The second bottle contained the actual medication. Before long, Chi Zhongqiao’s body began to cool down.

Seeing Chi Zhongqiao sleeping peacefully, Lu Yuzhou lowered his voice. “Brother Qiao has always been healthy. He hasn’t even caught a cold in years. And no one on the set has the flu. How did he get it?”

The person in his arms had been burning like a scorching iron plate earlier, searing his heart as if it were being fried on it.

Every day, Zhong Yin would report Chi Zhongqiao’s health status to Du Yusheng after bringing him home. Since Managers couldn’t constantly hover over their artists, they needed to communicate with assistants to prevent situations like artists attending public appearances while ill. During seasons like spring and autumn, when illnesses were more prevalent, Du Yusheng specifically instructed them to monitor Chi Zhongqiao’s interactions with others. Lu Yuzhou was equally vigilant, so Du Yusheng would forward Zhong Yin’s daily reports to him as well.

Doctor Xue, who had self-studied some traditional Chinese medicine, took Chi Zhongqiao’s pulse and shook his head. “Illness isn’t always transmitted by others. Mr. Chi has an excellent constitution and maintains a regular exercise routine. But has he been getting enough rest lately? Is his diet normal?”

Lu Yuzhou frowned immediately and shook his head. “Brother Qiao hasn’t been sleeping well recently. He stays up reading scripts until almost one in the morning every day. Sometimes, even after my video conferences end, he’s still awake. But I’ve been burning the midnight oil myself, so I just reminded him to rest more and didn’t push the issue.”

The Doctor sighed. “President Lu, the hardships actors face aren’t just about enduring cold water in winter or sweltering under thick blankets in summer. It’s the immense mental pressure. Why else would so many actors suffer from mental health issues? When people carry such heavy burdens in their hearts and overthink things constantly, their bodies inevitably react. Some lose clumps of hair from stress, while others toss and turn sleeplessly, lose their appetite, or even vomit for no apparent reason. Over time, this can completely wear them down.”

As the Doctor packed up his medical kit, he added, “This applies to you too, President Lu. You’re a man of exceptional talent and bear great responsibilities, but you can’t treat yourself like an iron machine. You need rest. You’re only holding up because of your strong constitution. Otherwise,” he gestured toward Chi Zhongqiao curled up in Lu Yuzhou’s arms, “you’d be lying here too.”

Lu Yuzhou lowered his gaze. Though Chi Zhongqiao’s fever flushed his cheeks, his lips were pale and bloodless. Lu Yuzhou picked up a nearby cup, dipped a cotton swab in water, and gently moistened Chi Zhongqiao’s lips.

Just as the Doctor was about to dismiss his words as falling on deaf ears, Lu Yuzhou murmured, “Alright, I’ll be more careful.”

He looked up, his dark eyes unwavering. “I’ll remove the IV when it’s finished. It’s too late to go back now. Doctor Xue, if you don’t mind, you can stay in the guest room tonight.”

The Doctor shook his head. “Just be glad I have a place to sleep.”

Lu Yuzhou should have gotten up to lead him to the guest room, but Chi Zhongqiao was nestled against him, and he couldn’t bear to move. After a split-second of weighing politeness against his feelings for Brother Qiao, he decisively chose the latter. “I can’t leave right now. The guest room is the second door on the right after you exit. The sheets, blankets, and pillows are all new and changed regularly. You can move right in.”

The Doctor nodded in satisfaction. After taking a few steps, he turned back. “My knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine is only so-so. I can’t glean much from pulse diagnosis. But Mr. Chi’s illness came on so suddenly—it’s likely due to excessive stress. President Lu, you’ll need to have a serious talk with him when he wakes up. Oh, and keep a close eye on him tonight. If his fever spikes again, call me immediately.”

Lu Yuzhou nodded.

The Doctor closed the door quietly and left, thoroughly pleased.

Shortly after he left, Chi Zhongqiao finished his IV drip, and his fever broke. Having sweated through a thin layer earlier, he now felt cold and instinctively burrowed deeper into Lu Yuzhou’s arms.

Lu Yuzhou removed the needle and pressed down on the injection site. When Chi Zhongqiao wouldn’t stay still, he reluctantly pinned him to the bed, cradling him with one arm while gently patting his back with the other.

Staring at Chi Zhongqiao’s sleeping face, Lu Yuzhou murmured, “You always seem so carefree. What’s really on your mind?”

Lu Yuzhou leaned in close, his warm breath brushing against Chi Zhongqiao’s cheek. Disturbed by the sensation, Chi Zhongqiao struggled to free a hand from under the covers and pressed it against Lu Yuzhou’s face, turning his head away in protest.

Lu Yuzhou, his face pressed against Chi Zhongqiao’s hand, fell silent.

The pinprick had stopped bleeding. Lu Yuzhou moved his hand to tuck Chi Zhongqiao’s back under the covers. Chi Zhongqiao’s temperature had returned to normal, and the sweat on his face had been wiped away, revealing a pale, makeup-free face. His brows were slightly furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line, making him look utterly vulnerable.

What’s troubling you?

Lu Yuzhou lowered his head, pressing his cheek against Chi Zhongqiao’s. His lips moved slightly as he whispered, “What’s making you unhappy?”

Chi Zhongqiao’s breathing remained steady.

After a moment of observation, Lu Yuzhou reached out and dimmed the bedside lamp.

So close, their breaths mingling, it felt natural to kiss the person in his arms goodnight. Yet Lu Yuzhou restrained himself.

His affection was so profound that he couldn’t bear even the slightest hint of casual intimacy.

Chi Zhongqiao slept soundly until daybreak, still groggy when he woke.

He rolled over in bed. Although his fever had subsided, his cold persisted, leaving his body aching all over. The high fever from the previous night had also dehydrated him, leaving him feeling weak and limp.

Did I get myself into trouble…?

Chi Zhongqiao hadn’t been sick with a minor, persistent illness like a headache or fever in a long time, so he woke up feeling groggy and disoriented. A terrifying thought crept into his mind, but he quickly dismissed it—he was still at home.

He reached for his phone and checked the time. His face paled instantly—10:27 AM! He had a shoot today!

Chi Zhongqiao tried to sit up abruptly, but his legs were weak, and he collapsed back onto the bed.

Just then, Lu Yuzhou entered with a bowl of porridge. “I’ve already called in sick for you, Brother Qiao.”

Chi Zhongqiao’s tense body relaxed. He lifted his hand and stared at the needle mark on the back of his hand for a moment. “Did I have a fever last night?”

Lu Yuzhou set down the porridge. “Yeah, it spiked to 39.5 degrees Celsius. If I hadn’t called Doctor Xue, you’d have become ‘Dumb Brother Qiao’ from the fever.” He tested the porridge’s temperature. “It’s still hot. Brother Qiao, go wash up first.”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded, threw back the covers, and went to the bathroom.

While brushing his teeth, Chi Zhongqiao frowned at his pale reflection in the mirror. Probably caught a chill from the air conditioning after drinking last night, he thought.

After washing up, he felt much more alert. He sat down across from Lu Yuzhou. “I caused you so much trouble last night…”

Lu Yuzhou turned his head. “Brother Qiao, your politeness really hurts me.”

Chi Zhongqiao swallowed the rest of his polite remark. After a moment’s hesitation, unsure of what to say, he lowered his gaze to the bowl of porridge.

Lu Yuzhou continued, “Doctor Xue said Brother Qiao’s sudden fever was likely due to recent stress. Have you been burning the midnight oil lately?”

Chi Zhongqiao’s heart skipped a beat at the question. After a moment of stammering, he decided to lie. “I haven’t been staying up late.”

Lu Yuzhou stared at him, speechless.

Lying through his teeth, right in front of me.

Lu Yuzhou wanted to communicate with Chi Zhongqiao, but his brother refused to cooperate, dodging every question with vague replies.

After a long, silent look, Lu Yuzhou lowered his eyes and said softly, “Alright, I won’t ask anymore. Brother Qiao, get some rest.”

Chi Zhongqiao was stunned.

This is too much.

Chi Zhongqiao reached out. “Come here, Yuzhou.”

Lu Yuzhou approached, and Chi Zhongqiao took a bag from the table, pulling out a box. “I went to Shanmin Temple for a location shoot the other day and saw someone selling this.”

Lu Yuzhou looked puzzled.

Chi Zhongqiao opened the box to reveal a 108-bead bodhi seed mala bracelet.

“It’s nothing particularly valuable. I just didn’t know how to tell you,” Chi Zhongqiao said, taking Lu Yuzhou’s hand and wrapping the bracelet around his wrist. “I hadn’t planned to buy this at first, since you don’t wear flashy accessories. But I bought it on a whim, and then I wasn’t sure if you’d even wear it, so I never gave it to you…”

Lu Yuzhou didn’t resist, letting Chi Zhongqiao gently hold his hand. He had a vague sense of what Chi Zhongqiao was about to say, and it probably wasn’t going to be pleasant. His Brother Qiao was always quick to praise him but reluctant to scold him. Whenever Lu Yuzhou did something wrong, Chi Zhongqiao would wear that troubled expression, as if facing an insurmountable problem.

To Lu Yuzhou, Chi Zhongqiao occupied half the role of an elder, not in age but in spirit. Lu Yuzhou had never received the same parental affection as Lu Zhuo. Though the Old Master cared for him, he was a seasoned soldier who knew nothing about raising children. He adopted a laissez-faire approach with both his Sons and Grandsons, prioritizing strictness over affection. It was only in recent years, as he aged and mellowed, that he stopped wearing that perpetually stern expression.

Chi Zhongqiao was different from the Old Master. He wouldn’t harshly correct Lu Yuzhou’s mistakes with sharp words. Instead, he would gently tug him back whenever he was about to stray from the right path.

Just like now, Chi Zhongqiao frowned, his expression hesitant and full of unspoken words.

Seeing his worried look, Lu Yuzhou’s heart softened instantly.

Chi Zhongqiao held Lu Yuzhou’s fingers, pursing his lips as he carefully considered his words. Even if he spoke bluntly, Lu Yuzhou wouldn’t be angry, but Chi Zhongqiao couldn’t bear to be so direct, especially since what he needed to say was so unpleasant.

He could easily avoid saying anything at all—after all, why upset his benefactor?

But this was “his” Yuzhou.

Chi Zhongqiao didn’t want to see him take the wrong path, hurting himself and others.

He said softly, “The temple displayed nine strands of bodhi seed beads, and I was immediately drawn to this one.”

He twisted a spacer bead, which was unadorned except for nine characters: “See the true self, see all beings, see heaven and earth.”

Chi Zhongqiao continued, “I liked these nine characters, so I bought it. A few days ago, the Old Master said you…” He licked his lips, quickly glossing over the Old Master’s exact words, “…were acting a bit rashly. Actually, I think…”

Lu Yuzhou suddenly smiled.

Chi Zhongqiao froze, startled.

Lu Yuzhou leaned closer and whispered, “Grandfather always says I’m petty and intolerant, not the type to lead.”

A few days earlier, the two had visited the old mansion to see the Old Master. After lunch, the Old Master summoned them to his study. He had little to say to Chi Zhongqiao, offering only gentle reminders to take care of himself despite his busy schedule. Then, he turned to Lu Yuzhou and unleashed a harsh scolding.

The Old Master’s words were harsh, but Chi Zhongqiao managed to piece together the gist: A project under Father Lu’s management had run into trouble. The Project Manager had previously sabotaged Lu Yuzhou on another project. Though Lu Yuzhou had remained silent at the time, he seized this opportunity to crush the man completely.

The problem was that the Manager’s mistake was minor and easily rectified. Moreover, his previous actions against Lu Yuzhou had been unwilling, coerced by Lu Zhuo with Father Lu’s tacit approval. Lu Yuzhou, however, made an example of the Manager, using his mistake to humiliate Father Lu and his allies.

Lu Yuzhou continued, “Grandfather says I leave no room for compromise, acting solely on impulse without knowing when to stop. Brother Qiao, do you think I’m wrong too?”

Chi Zhongqiao remained silent for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. “It’s unfair to blame you entirely for any mistakes or excesses. Personality is shaped by one’s environment. Whether someone is ruthless or not isn’t always a matter of choice.” He could sense that Lu Yuzhou’s ruthlessness wasn’t always intentional; sometimes, he simply didn’t realize he was going too far.

Lu Yuzhou felt at peace whenever he was with Chi Zhongqiao. After a moment’s thought, he said, “When I was a kid, I used to fight with Lu Zhuo all the time. They always took his side, no matter who was at fault. I always got blamed, and I just felt…” He chuckled, as if remembering his childishness, “I just felt cheated. I figured if I was going to get scolded anyway, I might as well hit harder. We’ve been competing since we were little, and if he was ruthless, I had no restraint either.”

The faint smile on his face quickly faded. “Maybe I just got used to it.”

Those five words pinned Chi Zhongqiao to his seat, each breath aching with sympathy.

Lu Yuzhou didn’t want to dwell on those painful memories. He leaned quietly against Chi Zhongqiao, then suddenly reached out and hugged him. The wooden beads on his wrist clinked softly, almost drowning out his voice.

“Brother Qiao,” he said, “I want to change.”

Chi Zhongqiao gently patted Lu Yuzhou’s back. “I know, I know.”

Chi Zhongqiao switched to a more relaxed expression, smiling as he asked Lu Yuzhou, “You know, you might be a bit reckless, but you wouldn’t hold a grudge against a Project Manager unless they provoked you first. Sometimes you’re just too fiercely protective of your own. Let me guess—did that Manager say something bad about the Old Master? Something like ‘nepotism,’ ‘senile,’ or ‘daring to entrust the company to a young upstart’?”

Lu Yuzhou nodded. “Yeah, I overheard him saying that. How did you guess, Brother Qiao?”

Chi Zhongqiao poked his cheek. “I know your personality. If you’d been truly upset by his last attempt to sabotage you, you would have made him pay then and there. Why wait until now? I refuse to believe you’d hesitate to deal with a mere Project Manager.”

Lu Yuzhou let him poke his cheek before Chi Zhongqiao’s hand moved to pinch it.

“And what about Zhuang Fu?” Chi Zhongqiao continued. “Why aren’t you doing anything about him? When Zhou Yunmo’s endorsement deal was stolen, you just made a big show of it but took no real action.” Lu Yuzhou hadn’t actively sabotaged Zhuang Fu or Zhou Yunmo, but he was deliberately ignoring them. If not for maintaining the company’s internal rules, he might have pretended not to notice their actions altogether.

Lu Yuzhou nuzzled Chi Zhongqiao’s hand, remaining silent.

Chi Zhongqiao struggled to maintain a serious expression. “Even your attempts at being cute won’t work,” he said. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

“En,” Lu Yuzhou replied.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed. “You’re so fiercely protective, but don’t you realize? I’m not the one who needs protecting here.”