Chapter 21: Xia Yangyang, Stop Being Melodramatic

Despite her culinary skills—praised by every chef in the house—Gu Qichen refused to even taste Xia Yangyang's cooking. Today, she'd made coconut chicken soup, a clear, sweet, and refreshing broth from pure coconut juice, intended for Gu Zhaohan's porridge the next morning.

From afar, she saw the light on in Gu Qichen's study. He used to visit her in the kitchen when he came home, but now he went straight to his study, working late into the night. By the time he returned to his room, Xia Yangyang was always asleep. They'd barely spoken all week.

She filled a bowl of soup and took it to his study in a soup carrier. He wasn't reviewing documents; instead, he stood on the balcony, smoking a cigarette, lost in thought. Xia Yangyang had never known he smoked, which explained the faint smell of tobacco she'd noticed lately.

She knocked lightly. Gu Qichen turned, extinguishing his cigarette as he saw her.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"I made coconut chicken soup," Xia Yangyang said, entering with the carrier. "It's very sweet; you should try some."

Gu Qichen frowned. "Don't bring such things here in the future. I don't like them." His voice was indifferent. Xia Yangyang felt awkward, holding the soup carrier.

"Is something bothering you? I've noticed these past few days…" she began nervously.

"Yangyang, I want to be alone," Gu Qichen interrupted, his tone impatient and irritable.

Slightly taken aback, Xia Yangyang replied, "Then remember to rest early."

She left without entering the study. Walking down the long corridor, she felt like crying, then dismissed it as an overreaction. Perhaps Gu Qichen was simply overworked; she couldn't really help him anyway. Swallowing back her tears, she laughed at herself. Xia Yangyang, you have to be Gu Qichen's little sun, bringing him warmth and sunlight. Her mood brightened.

Meanwhile, in his study, Gu Qichen clenched his fist, striking the desk. The only sound was the crack of his knuckles. He'd never felt such anguish, a gnawing pain in his heart. He knew he'd been cold and indifferent to Yangyang these past few days, and her attempts to please him only increased his irritability. He didn't understand what was wrong; perhaps, for the first time, he was running away from his feelings.

The next morning, Gu Qichen woke to find Xia Yangyang gone. It was 7:00 a.m.; she should be at the hospital. Without breakfast, he inexplicably drove there.

Gu Zhaohan was awake when Xia Yangyang arrived. His condition had improved significantly, with no complications. Though bound by a chest strap, the doctor said he could be discharged in a couple of days and would recover fully with home care. Seeing Xia Yangyang, Gu Zhaohan smiled.

"Why are you here again?" he said. "I told you not to work so hard bringing me breakfast."