Ten Rules to Bind Her Heart - Chapter 29
# Chapter 29: High Fever
The first-floor bedroom in the white house.
Outside, the rain fell harder, drumming against banana leaves in the humid, stifling heat.
That afternoon, Auntie Mei brought in a meal. She looked at Xia Zhiyao lying motionless on the bed and sighed.
“Miss Xia, please eat something. Mr. Shen specifically instructed that you should.”
There was a mild chicken congee and two small dishes of refreshing vegetables.
Xia Zhiyao lay on her stomach, her back burning. The slightest movement felt as though her flesh were being torn apart. She had no appetite at all.
But she didn’t dare refuse.
If the untouched bowl went back out and word reached Mr. Shen, would he think she was silently resisting? Would there be another whipping?
Xia Zhiyao bit her pale lips and struggled to lift her upper body. The movement pulled at her injuries, making her suck in a sharp breath. Tears instantly filled her eyes.
Lying at the edge of the bed, she picked up the spoon through her tears.
One mouthful. Then another.
Tears fell into the congee, adding salt as she swallowed them together.
I have to live… I have to make it home alive…
She repeated the words over and over in her heart.
Only when the bowl was empty did she collapse with her face buried in the pillow. Cold sweat had already soaked the loose strands of hair against her forehead.
Night fell.
Anya’s prediction came true.
Xia Zhiyao began to dream.
In the dream, she stood in a blood-red swamp. Countless withered hands gripped her ankles and dragged her down. She screamed for help, but no sound came out.
On the bank stood a tall black silhouette, looking down at her coldly with a black whip in his hand.
She knew he was no safe haven. Yet he was the only one she could depend on for a chance to live.
“Save me…”
“Mr. Shen… I was wrong… Please…”
In the waking world, the girl curled beneath the covers, shivering violently, her face flushed with fever.
Her lips were cracked, her brows drawn tight. Broken, anguished murmurs slipped from her mouth.
The door opened without a sound.
Light from the corridor cut into the darkness, casting a long shadow across the floor.
Shen Yu approached the bed and looked at the delirious girl.
She was truly tiny, a small bundle curled beneath the dark green silk quilt.
Her usually clear eyes were shut, damp lashes clinging to her lids. She looked unbearably fragile.
“Water… I want water…”
The plea escaped her unconsciously.
Shen Yu frowned.
He sat on the edge of the bed and felt her forehead.
Burning.
Shen Yu poured a glass of warm water and lifted her halfway into his arms.
Fever had left her body boneless. She nestled against him, heat radiating through the thin nightgown.
“Open your mouth,” he ordered.
Even now, his tone retained its habitual force.
Xia Zhiyao was too delirious to recognize the voice. She only knew she was held in a firm, warm embrace.
Sensing water, she instinctively leaned closer and swallowed in small sips.
She seemed more comfortable after drinking, and her breathing steadied a little. Still restless, she rubbed her head against his chest as though searching for somewhere safe to hide.
Shen Yu set the glass down and looked at her.
“Mom… Dad… I want to go home…”
Her tearful voice was scarcely more than a thread.
Shen Yu paused.
Had she said that while conscious, he would have made her regret opening her mouth.
But now…
Watching a tear slip from the corner of her eye, something inexplicably softened inside him.
He started to rise and reach for the fever medicine Anya had left on the bedside table.
A small hand clutched his clothes. As though sensing the warm embrace drawing away, Xia Zhiyao murmured anxiously, “No… Don’t go…”
He patted her hand. “I’m getting your medicine.”
Her fingers remained locked in place.
Shen Yu sighed and let her hold on. Fortunately, the bedside table was close enough that he could just reach it by stretching one arm.
He patiently fed her the medicine.
Then his rough hand clumsily ruffled her soft hair.
Xia Zhiyao seemed to recognize the awkward comfort and slowly quieted.
Her grip loosened, her fingers finally falling limp. With her cheek against his hard chest, she sank into deep sleep.
Shen Yu did not push her away.
He remained where he was and let her sleep in his arms.
Rain continued outside. Within the room, there was only the sound of their mingled breathing.
After a long while, he raised a hand and enclosed her cool, delicate one within his palm.
“Troublesome puppy.”
The man’s low voice sounded in the darkness, carrying a trace of indulgence.
“Get better.”
“I don’t keep useless things.”
…
Morning light streamed through the half-open window of the study.
Shen Yu sat behind the broad desk. The shirt that had absorbed Xia Zhiyao’s tears and feverish warmth the previous night was gone, replaced by a simple black T-shirt that hinted at the hard planes of his chest.
He played with a silver handgun, spinning it deftly between his fingers.
Ken stood straight before the desk, holding a tablet as he delivered his report.
“Boss, Khun Sa is claiming we blocked his route. His shipment bearing the Double Lions and Globe marks, bound for the Middle East, was seized on the upper Mekong.”
Ken continued, “He suspects we tipped off Interpol. He’s demanding an explanation.”
“Hah.”
Shen Yu let out a faint, cold laugh and pointed the gun idly toward the wall map.
“The old fool has smoked away what little brain he had.”
His voice was icy. “If I’d intercepted it, it would already be at the bottom of the river. Nothing disgusts me more than trafficking contraband. He wants an explanation? Tell him to bring his coffin and come to Black Wolf Base in person.”
“Yes.” Ken accepted the order. He was long accustomed to his boss’s brazen methods. In a world ruled by the strong, explanations were for the weak. The strong only had to display their power.
“There is also the confidential transportation of those wealthy clients’ collectibles that Miss Anya mentioned…”
“Do as she asks,” Shen Yu interrupted. “But add one condition. I want the development rights to Mr. Sharma’s industrial site near twenty-one degrees north latitude.”
Surprise flickered in Ken’s eyes.
The enormous site belonged to the Sharma conglomerate, but it had been abandoned for years and was now deserted. What did the boss want with it?
He didn’t ask.
“Yes, Boss.”
Ken put away the tablet and was about to salute and leave.
“Wait.”
The man behind him spoke again.
Ken stopped and turned. “Boss?”
Shen Yu leaned back and absently rubbed the ruby ring on his right hand.
His eyes narrowed as though he were weighing an order that did not fit his usual logic.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Investigate a few people.”
“Yes. Who?” Ken brought out his recorder again.
“Find her parents.”
Ken’s hand froze. Shock appeared on his usually expressionless face.
Her?
