The Female Lead Keeps Forcing Me to Take My Meds [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Where You Fall, There You Sleep

The drive back to the Xi residence today took a longer, roundabout route, making them arrive home much later than usual.

As the car slowly pulled into the garage, Cheng Zhishu was sound asleep, unaware of her surroundings.

The driver backed the car into the space and applied the brakes. The garage lights suddenly flashed on, like daybreak.

Cheng Zhishu suddenly woke up and immediately said, eyes still closed, “Oh no, the alarm didn’t go off, I’m going to be late.”

Dazed with sleep, she thought she was in her bed, had missed her alarm, and that the bright light meant she was late for school.

A voice from beside her asked in confusion, “Late? Where are you going?”

“To school.” Cheng Zhishu finally came to her senses, realizing she was looking at the interior of a car, not her bedroom.

The anxious feeling slowly dissipated. She wasn’t late; she had just accidentally fallen asleep in the car.

But…

In her dream, Cheng Zhishu distinctly felt she was resting on a pillow. The pillow had a faint, pleasant scent, but it wasn’t very soft.

Yet, looking around, there was no pillow in the car. How did she sleep then?

She ultimately attributed it to her possessing an extraordinarily strong neck, which was why she didn’t have a sore neck.

At this moment, Cheng Zhishu’s perception of Xi Congshuang largely overlapped with the driver’s—she was a Young Miss to be admired from a distance. The thought of sleeping on her was something she wouldn’t dare do even with eight times her current courage.

Xi Congshuang rubbed her shoulder: “We’re home. Let’s get out.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the car door on Xi Congshuang’s side was opened. Xiao Liu, who had been informed of their arrival, stood by the door.

The driver took the wheelchair out of the trunk, rolled it next to the car, and waited for Xi Congshuang to alight, holding the handles with both hands.

Adjusting her angle, Xi Congshuang unbuckled her seatbelt and, with Xiao Liu’s help, settled securely in the wheelchair. The familiar blanket was again placed over her knees.

Cheng Zhishu got out on the other side. She rarely had the chance to ride in a car and felt slightly clumsy about getting out smoothly, feeling like every direction she tried to push the door from was wrong.

The driver noticed her awkwardness and came over to help open the door.

Cheng Zhishu’s ears felt warm. She quietly thanked him, hugging her school bag as she stepped out.

Leaving the comfortable temperature of the car, the garage door hadn’t closed yet. The damp night wind blew into the garage. As Cheng Zhishu walked around the back of the car toward Xi Congshuang, her nose tickled, and she sneezed.

The first sneeze was anticipated and forcefully suppressed, making only a soft, cat-like sound.

She walked a few more steps while hugging her bag. Xi Congshuang turned back, seemingly about to speak to her. The moment Cheng Zhishu opened her mouth, the ticklish sensation surged into her nasal cavity again. She let out a series of sneezes.

They came one after another, giving Xi Congshuang no chance to speak.

By the time she finally stopped, her eyes were teary, as if she had been crying.

Cheng Zhishu sniffled, her eyes wet: “Sister Shuang, what did you want to tell me?”

Xi Congshuang seemed to have the magical ability to produce tissues at any moment. With a twist of her wrist, a pack of tissues lay in her clean palm: “Wipe your tears. I was going to tell you that since it’s the rainy season now, I’ll have the driver take you to and from school.”

Cheng Zhishu took the warm pack of tissues from Xi Congshuang’s hand, opened it, and noticed the faint, pleasant fragrance.

She pulled out a tissue and wiped her tears. The scent lingered at her nose, making her realize that everything related to Xi Congshuang seemed to smell good.

She couldn’t quite pinpoint the scent. It was gentle yet cool, with a faint bitter aftertaste, like herbs.

A moment later, she asked Xi Congshuang, “Only for this period?”

Xi Congshuang controlled her wheelchair and moved forward: “I’d feel more at ease if Xiao Fang drove you all the time.”

Cheng Zhishu thought about it: “Then, before school and after school, I’ll send you a message, Sister Shuang. That way, you’ll know when I get to school and when I get home.”

Xi Congshuang detected the subtle refusal in her tone and was somewhat surprised: “You don’t want Xiao Fang to drive you to and from school all the time?”

For Cheng Zhishu, this was clearly a good thing, reducing her commute time and making it much more comfortable.

Cheng Zhishu’s refusal surprised everyone present.

Xi Congshuang was no exception, and her perception of Cheng Zhishu shifted again.

Cheng Zhishu smiled slightly, neither denying it nor voicing the reason in her heart, afraid of being laughed at.

She was afraid of getting too used to this comfortable life, developing an undue greed, which would make it even harder for her to stand on her own later.

She remembered the saying: It is difficult to descend from luxury to frugality.

But after enjoying it, none of this would ultimately belong to her. Perhaps Shangguan Yin was right—her thinking was too rigid. She hadn’t learned to be spoiled or to use the clear wind to reach the high clouds.

Xi Congshuang nodded: “Alright. Then on rainy days, I’ll have Xiao Fang drive you to and from school. On days when it doesn’t rain, we’ll follow your preference.”

Dinner was already prepared in the house. Since the two hadn’t returned, the food was kept warm, ready to be served at any moment.

After dinner, Cheng Zhishu returned to her room to study as usual.

Xi Congshuang was holding a cup to warm her hands, looking out the window at the damp garden. She suddenly remembered something and raised her voice: “Xiao Liu.”

“Yes.” Xiao Liu responded and walked toward the window, “Does Miss have any instructions?”

Xi Congshuang recalled Cheng Zhishu’s string of sneezes in the garage. She wasn’t naturally a patient caregiver, but years of experience as an invalid reminded her.

So, she instructed Xiao Liu: “The weather is volatile lately, and she might catch a cold easily. Brew some ginger tea for Zhishu to prevent a cold.”

She still hadn’t figured out the cause of the Collapse Value. Since the girl was staying in her house, she should be treated well.

Xiao Liu was already used to this side of Xi Congshuang. He no longer secretly looked at her as if she were a panda. He answered and went to the kitchen.

In her room, Cheng Zhishu laid out all the homework she needed to complete today, a stacked pile of assignments.

The monthly exam was in a few days, and the teachers had increased the workload, anxious about the class’s average score being surpassed.

Taking a big gulp of water, Cheng Zhishu rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

Her short nap in the car had greatly improved her focus. She shouldn’t feel sleepy tonight.

A while later, the sound of a knock interrupted Cheng Zhishu, who was lost in a sea of questions. She put down her pen and went to open the door.

It was Xiao Liu, holding a steaming bowl of ginger tea.

Xiao Liu said: “This is ginger tea that Miss instructed me to brew. It’s to prevent catching a cold. Drink it while it’s hot.”

Cheng Zhishu took the bowl of ginger tea with both hands. Her brain, preoccupied with various letters and formulas, finally registered: “You said Sister Shuang told you to give this to me?”

How unusual. Could all rich young misses who’ve never lifted a finger be this thoughtful?

But recalling the other rich young miss, Xi Hanran, she was the opposite extreme of Xi Congshuang. Xi Congshuang was the only one who was special.

Before Cheng Zhishu even realized it, a smile had spread across her face. She forgot to close the door and walked back inside with the ginger tea.

Xiao Liu, afraid of disturbing her study, reached out and closed the door. Through the last gap, she saw the slender figure of the girl sitting at her desk, enveloped in the light of the eye-protecting lamp.

The ginger tea, freshly brewed, was still a little too hot. Cheng Zhishu found it scalding and held the bowl, blowing on it and sipping slowly.

However, her eyes weren’t idle. She was contemplating the questions on the exam paper. After only a couple of sips, her eyes suddenly lit up. She casually placed the bowl aside, grabbed her pen, and started writing.

A single large question had three sub-questions. Even with a smooth thought process, it still required a certain amount of time to complete.

Cheng Zhishu had high focus. After finishing one question, she instantly forgot about drinking the ginger tea and continued writing. Her neat and clear handwriting filled the blank spaces.

The forgotten ginger tea went from steaming hot to warm, and eventually, cold.

Finally finished, Cheng Zhishu put down her pen, stretched languidly, and folded the exam paper, reaching for the set of past papers. Only then did she realize what she had forgotten.

She forgot to drink the ginger tea!

And it was completely cold!

Cheng Zhishu scratched her cheek, then boldly picked up the bowl and chugged it down in one go. She smacked her lips. No wonder people always said to drink it while it was hot; it tasted much worse when cold. She stood up, poured a glass of water from the glass bottle, drank it, and then went back to her desk for a long night of studying.

By the time she finally finished all her homework and picked up her pajamas to shower, it was late.

According to Xi Congshuang’s schedule, she would already be asleep. Cheng Zhishu instinctively softened her movements, quickly taking a shower.

It had rained today, and her school bag had gotten wet. Her hair felt sticky, so washing it made her feel much fresher.

Wiping her hair dry, the towel draped over her head, she paused when passing the mirror.

Her wet hair was all lifted up to facilitate drying, revealing her smooth forehead. The outline of her eyes, usually obscured by her bangs, was much clearer.

Shangguan Yin had once told her that her features were defined and her eyes expressive, making bangs unsuitable as they made her look dull.

Cheng Zhishu had just smiled and said nothing at the time. She didn’t tell Shangguan Yin that the reason she kept her bangs was because her eyes didn’t resemble her adoptive parents, which made them look down on her. She grew her bangs to cover the difference on her face.

Although, in the end, it didn’t really help.

She pulled back her gaze, preparing to use the hairdryer. Her phone rang. She reached over to look.

[Little Grass Yin Yin]: Tablemate, please lend me your homework, I can’t finish it!!!

[Little Grass Yin Yin]: Tomorrow’s first class is with the homeroom teacher, and I forgot to do her assignment first. AAAAAAAH

[Little Grass Yin Yin]: (Cat emoji with fried egg eyes.jpg)

[Orange]: [Image][Image][Image][Image][Image]

[Little Grass Yin Yin]: !!! Godmother, I knew you would save me! I bow to you, humble me!!

[Orange]: (I am the Emperor, you may dispense with the formalities.jpg)

[Little Grass Yin Yin]: (I am the Little Emperor.jpg)

After a moment of playful banter, which ended with Shangguan Yin yelling and rapidly typing that she didn’t have enough time to finish her homework, Cheng Zhishu found the hairdryer and dried her half-damp hair completely.

“So sleepy.” Shaking her dizzy head, Cheng Zhishu collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

…

The sound of rain continued. The recent weather often kept Xi Congshuang in a light sleep.

It wasn’t just the pitter-patter of the rain. It was also the intermittent bursts of pain, emanating from an unknown source, that constantly disturbed her rest.

After several cycles of sleeping and waking, all of Xi Congshuang’s remaining sleepiness vanished. Yet, the sky outside was still dark.

Feeling a bit thirsty, she held onto the armrests to sit up, maneuvering the wheelchair to the table to pour water. After drinking a cup, the dryness in her mouth subsided.

Although it was still early, after washing up, she prepared to go downstairs to the study.

Before, Chairman Xi had worried that Xi Congshuang would be saddened by seeing old items and had completely renovated her living space.

However, Chairman Xi had not allowed anyone to touch the items in the study. It housed a large collection of items related to Xi Congshuang’s past, including her history and various confidential documents.

Coincidentally, as Xi Congshuang opened her door, the door of the room next to hers also opened.

Cheng Zhishu, with her school bag on her back, stood behind the door, moving slowly, seemingly unsure of what she was doing. After a long moment, she finally stepped out, rubbed her eyes, and turned to close the door, initially oblivious to Xi Congshuang nearby.

Xi Congshuang sat in place, waiting for Cheng Zhishu to pass her door.

Her fair, slender fingers tapped the armrest. She heard the rain—it was still raining today, so Xiao Fang should drive her.

After waiting for a while, Xi Congshuang didn’t see the person pass. She turned her head and saw the girl, dressed in her school uniform and backpack, leaning her forehead against the door, her eyes closed.

She looked awake, but she had actually been asleep for a while.

Xi Congshuang’s mouth twitched. She began to consider whether she had a property near the school, and if not, maybe she should buy one.

It seemed that if given a pillow, Cheng Zhishu could fall asleep right where she stood.

Xi Congshuang moved her wheelchair, intending to wake the girl up. She knew a good student like Cheng Zhishu would absolutely not want to be late.

Cheng Zhishu, whose forehead was pressed against the door, was startled awake by the sound of the wheelchair. She subconsciously pulled on the already locked doorknob.

Xi Congshuang: “What time did you…”

Cheng Zhishu turned her face, her voice mumbled: “Good morning, Sister Shuang…”

Xi Congshuang looked at the girl’s face, which was flushed red. Her eyes, filled with physiological tears due to a cold, were staring at her. She was squinting slightly because she couldn’t see clearly.

Xi Congshuang said: “I’m fine, but you don’t look well. Are you sick?”

Cheng Zhishu hadn’t actually heard what Xi Congshuang said. She just felt exceptionally sleepy today and mumbled: “Mhm, I’m going to school. I’ll send you a message when I leave.”

Saying that, she tried to walk away, her limbs feeling weak. She ultimately overestimated her balance and, tripping over her own feet, began to fall.

“Zhishu?” Xi Congshuang quickly maneuvered her wheelchair back, grabbing the girl’s arm and pulling her toward herself.

A weight crashed onto her. Xi Congshuang groaned softly. The fainted Cheng Zhishu sat diagonally across her lap, her burning forehead resting against Xi Congshuang’s cool neck. She felt hot, like a large hot water bottle.

Downstairs, Xiao Liu had been waiting for a while. Seeing that it was already past Cheng Zhishu’s usual time to leave for school, she went upstairs to check.

She saw this scene.

“Oh dear, Zhishu, why are you…” After surveying the situation, Xiao Liu lowered her voice significantly, “…lying in Miss’s lap?”

Cheng Zhishu didn’t respond, because she had fallen where she stood, and slept where she fell.