The Scumbag Alpha is Courting Death Again - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Éclair: Are You Delicate, or Am I Delicate?!…

After the defiant statement, Ming Xi pulled the blanket over her entire body, only exposing half of her fluffy head. The exposed skin was covered in bandages, making her look like a corpse lying in the morgue at first glance.

Xia Jinzhao stood by the bed, her camel-colored trench coat half-open, revealing a beige-coffee knitted sweater. In her silent stillness, she possessed an aloof aura, like snow falling on her shoulders. Her fingertip rested on the packaging box. Her attitude softened slightly due to the childish outburst. Anyone looking in could see how excessively she was trying to get a reaction.

Ming Xi had been in the hospital for two days. Fortunately, she was rescued promptly, and the fire safety measures in the residence were comprehensive, so her injuries weren’t severe. Although her appearance was alarming, she would recover in about half a month.

The other two people were outside when the sudden incident occurred. While Song Yu called the fire department, Xia Jinzhao had already rushed into the kitchen, dragging the half-dead Ming Xi out. It was hard to articulate the complex emotions at the time—the fear of losing control taking over, or perhaps a realization that flickered in a flash of lightning.

Now that the person was lively again, Xia Jinzhao felt an inexplicable surge of annoyance. Perhaps survivors of a near-death experience love to replay the incident. She couldn’t help but blame Ming Xi for her carelessness, which almost cost her life.

A sudden phone ring broke the silence between them.

“I need to take a call.” Xia Jinzhao’s voice was strained. She grabbed her phone and left the room.

Deprived of the cold, familiar aura, Ming Xi managed a moment to breathe, like a person lacking security who had finally found a warm haven. Recalling her recent reckless behavior, she broke out in a cold sweat. Ming Xi, Ming Xi, how dare you challenge her!

She never thought of herself as being so arrogant, but under Xia Jinzhao’s constant indulgence and retreat, it was hard not to push the boundaries. If this had happened when she first arrived, she probably would have been thrown in jail for a few years.

The hallway was bright with daylight, the window frame casting the woman’s long, oblique shadow. Xia Jinzhao leaned at the end, looking down at the withered, gray plants below. A kind, gentle voice spoke from the other end: “Little Zhou said you haven’t been sleeping well these past two days?”

Huayang Qingyuan was located in a prime area. The wealthy were ultimately concerned with their own lives. The ruckus had spread throughout the city, reaching even the reclusive Xia Xuefeng.

Xia Jinzhao pressed her sore eye sockets and replied dully: “Xi Xi just woke up.”

“How is that girl? Will there be any permanent after-effects?”

As if thinking of something, Xia Jinzhao turned around, seemingly looking through the door at the person on the bed. “Everything is fine.”

“Then you keep a close eye on her, and don’t tire yourself out. I’ll have your aunt go and check on you later.”

Ending the call, Xia Jinzhao stared at the short call duration. She masked her dark mood, stepped out of the shadow, and pushed the door open.

A small mound was raised on the hospital bed, completely motionless. She looked at the intact lunch box on the bedside table. The other person had been craving it just moments ago, yet still maintained her dignity by not touching it.

The built-up frustration in her heart was like fruit baked over a fire; no matter how plentiful, it was almost completely dried up. Xia Jinzhao rarely conceded. Out of concern for Ming Xi’s physical condition, she reluctantly yielded. She leaned over the edge of the bed, intending to check the other person’s face.

“Weren’t you complaining about being hungry?”

The “mummy” on the bed wiggled twice and declared loudly and fiercely: “I’m not eating!”

Okay, Ming Xi admitted she was spoiled. Seeing that Xia Jinzhao wasn’t angry, she pretended not to climb down the pole. Her voice was muffled through the thick blanket. “I’m going to starve myself to death to make Grandma Xia worry! Don’t blame me when she comes to hold you accountable!”

The next few minutes were utterly silent. Ming Xi’s arrogance deflated slightly. Crap. Is Xia Jinzhao angry?

“Ming Xi, I think I’ve been too good to you lately.” Xia Jinzhao suddenly spoke, like a final ultimatum issued after patience ran out. At the same time, the oxygen around them became thin. Ming Xi could feel the other person getting closer.

She swiftly pulled back the blanket, jumped up, and picked up the meal box on the cabinet as if nothing had happened. “Oh, I’m starving! This meal is a lifesaver!”

As she exclaimed, she met the pair of eyes that were half-smiling, half-frowning.

Xia Jinzhao leaned her lower back against the counter, her relaxed posture imbued with the dust carried in from outside. She crossed her arms, quietly gazing at Ming Xi.

…Despicable.

Ming Xi’s movements stiffened. Realizing she had been tricked, she could only grit her teeth and start unpacking the meal. Compared to Xia Jinzhao, she wasn’t composed enough.

The takeout food looked much more appetizing than the hospital’s bland, boiled cabbage. It was well-balanced and varied, somewhat like the advertised luxurious post-natal meals.

“How did you know I like chicken?” Ming Xi asked happily.

“I didn’t.”

Xia Jinzhao always had a way to extinguish the other person’s desire to chat. Ming Xi choked.

“Right, where’s my phone?” She wasn’t in a hurry to eat.

Hearing this, Xia Jinzhao opened the top drawer and took out the phone, which was well-protected in a sealed bag. Although it had been affected, it could still turn on.

Waiting for the lengthy logo to disappear from the screen, the phone showed many notifications. Aside from spam from apps, Ming Xi first tapped into WeChat to reply to her friends’ concerns.

Xia Jinzhao pulled up a chair and slowly unwrapped the cutlery for her, occasionally glancing at the screen. The angle was tricky, only allowing her to see the recipients.

Wen Can: “Sister, why is your fate so harsh? Text me when you wake up [Big Cry]”

Ming Xi: “It’s nothing serious. Remember to ask Sister Lu for leave for me [Wink]”

Paparazzi Sis: “You’re a news magnet! I can see you everywhere on the headlines.”

Paparazzi Sis: “Hope you’re okay [Pray]. You still owe me a meal.”

Ming Xi: “…Do you even have a conscience?”

She scrolled through them one by one until she saw a small red dot pop up from an unfamiliar profile picture and nickname.

Song Yu: “Miss Ming, feeling better? I’m very worried about you.”

The message had just been sent. Ming Xi was about to reply when a cool hand rested on the back of hers, flipping the phone screen face down onto the bed.

Xia Jinzhao’s hands were delicate and slender, smooth like they never did any manual labor. She clasped Ming Xi’s four fingers and said softly. “Are you that addicted? Not even going to eat?” The tone was, as always, flat, like shards of broken celadon—cold yet sharp.

“You won’t let me eat, and you won’t let me play either?” Ming Xi protested quietly. Is she only going to be satisfied when I’m dead?

“I didn’t say you couldn’t eat.” Xia Jinzhao gestured toward the over-the-bed table.

“Your attitude wasn’t like that just now.”

“What was my attitude?”

Some people, even with an ordinary tone, could make you feel their self-righteousness.

Ming Xi scoffed twice, then suddenly pouted, mimicking her passive-aggressive tone.

“I bought two portions, I’ll eat one and look at the other.”

Perhaps finding her so lively and mischievous rare, Xia Jinzhao was first stunned, then let out a low laugh. She curved her eyes, raised her hand naturally, and gently pinched Ming Xi’s cheek.

The intimate gesture made it hard not to harbor romantic thoughts, especially facing this face. Ming Xi’s mind stalled, letting the other person lightly brush past.

“How delicate are you? Do you need to be coaxed to eat?”

Withdrawing her hand, Xia Jinzhao bent her finger and rested it against her lips, lowering her gaze to avoid looking at her. After adjusting her emotions, she regained her cool, detached composure and looked up at Ming Xi again.