Chapter 531: Sent to the Infirmary

Amid the sounds, resulting from her fidgeting, Qi Xiaoran was the first to open her eyes.

She always had keen senses in the late night. With the two bunks linked, she could sense movement in the lower bunk.

Since the lights were already out in the dormitory, she turned on the torchlight function on her phone. She then used it to illuminate the lower bunk.

The light illuminated Gu Qingjiu's deathly pale face.

Even if the lighting was white, to begin with, Qi Xiaoran could still see that something wasn't quite right with Gu Qingjiu's countenance.

She got up and went down to the lower bunk. Upon closer look, she saw that sweat had covered Gu Qingjiu's forehead.

She reached out a hand and realized that Gu Qingjiu's collar was drenched in sweat. It appeared that she was soaked in water or something.

Even her forehead felt extremely hot.

Was Gu Qingjiu running a fever?

Qi Xiaoran froze. She wasn't expecting this because Gu Qingjiu was still alright before they went to bed.

Qi Xiaoran remembered that her fever previously was because of her injury. But Gu Qingjiu didn't seem to have any injuries on her...

But since it was an urgent situation, Qi Xiaoran sat down beside Gu Qingjiu and softly called out her name, "Gu Qingjiu, Gu Qingjiu."

As Gu Qingjiu responded with a hum in a dream-like state, her countenance suddenly turned awful.

As though it took her much effort to even respond with that hum.

Gu Qian and Chu Lian, who were sound asleep by the side, were startled awake.

Chu Lian sat up with her eyes narrowed. Finding the light in Qi Xiaoran's hands piercing, she blocked it out with her hands. "Xiaoran, what's the matter?"

Qi Xiaoran said in a low voice, "Gu Qingjiu seems to be running a fever."

Moreover, it seemed more serious than her condition before.

She reached out to touch the bed underneath Gu Qingjiu's body, and she realized that the girl's cold sweat had already soaked it wet.

Judging by the volume of sweat, she was afraid Gu Qingjiu would collapse from this.

"Fever?"

The shocked Gu Qian instantly snapped awake and got out of bed. Without even putting on her shoes, she edged closer to look.

Indeed, she saw that Gu Qingjiu's face was terrifyingly pale.

Despite her keen senses, she didn't even open her eyes to look at Qi Xiaoran and Gu Qian when they came over to crowd around her.

"Her state is too terrifying. This won't do. We've got to send her to the infirmary immediately."

Gu Qian wiped her forehead. Behind her, Chu Lian also quickly put on her shoes and got out of bed.

"Why is she suddenly running a fever? The weather hasn't changed yet, so she shouldn't be running a fever."

Chu Lian didn't understand why it was happening.

Although they were slowly transitioning to a new season these past few days, the temperature change was gradual. With such weather, Gu Qingjiu shouldn't be catching a fever that easily, especially that she was one who underwent training at a military school.

"Let's stop talking about this since it already happened."

Gu Qian urged her, "Let's quickly send Qingjiu to the infirmary. Look at how dehydrated she is now. Who knows what would happen if we send her there any later."

As they spoke, Qi Xiaoran picked up her military jacket from the clothes rack and put it on. She then lowered her body and pulled Gu Qingjiu up from the bed.

"Ooh..."

The uncomfortable sensation of being pulled made Gu Qingjiu let out a sound of protest.

Qi Xiaoran lowered her body and carried her on her back. "I'll carry her over there. You guys inform the teacher in the infirmary."

The infirmary doctor couldn't possibly be waiting around for students at this hour.

But they would sleep in the infirmary.

Looking at the time, it was one in the morning.

From the looks of it, Gu Qingjiu probably had been feeling terrible for a while now.

If it wasn't because she kept fidgeting, Qi Xiaoran might have not gotten up to check.

"Okay, sure."

The duo responded. The three hurriedly sent Gu Qingjiu to the infirmary.

There were no lights along the way, so Gu Qian illuminated their path ahead with her phone.

Chapter 532: Shouting For Her Mother in Her Dreams

There was an army officer on patrol downstairs.

Upon seeing Gu Qian and the rest, he walked over intending to interrogate them, but when he heard that Gu Qingjiu was running a fever, he immediately notified the infirmary.

He also notified Gu Qingjiu's commanding officer, just in case.

When they reached the infirmary, the doctor was already dressed up.

"Why did she suddenly catch a cold?"

The doctor realized the students brought in a rather familiar-looking lady. "Wasn't she the young lady who came in here previously?"

Gu Qingjiu left a deep impression on her because she was pretty.

Upon closer look, the doctor noticed that Qi Xiaoran had also been around before.

The doctor also had a rather deep impression of her.

"Yeah, Doctor, can you please look at what's wrong with Qingjiu?"

Gu Qian and the rest hurriedly brought Gu Qingjiu to the bed. The doctor checked by touching her forehead first, then checking her eyes, and then assessing Gu Qingjiu's overall condition. With a solemn expression, she said, "Why did this child contract infectious influenza?"

"Infectious influenza?"

It puzzled Gu Qian. She knew a little about infectious influenza, but how did Gu Qingjiu get infected with it?

"I heard influenza has been spreading in the capital lately. But it's not very serious, mainly because it's not highly infectious," Qi Xiaoran suddenly explained with a low voice.

The doctor nodded in agreement. "Lately, an infectious virus called HS1 has been spreading in the capital. It's a flu virus. But only upon direct contact would one be infected with it. Moreover, there aren't many of such cases, so it didn't cause a widespread commotion. There are no such cases in our military school. Where did she get infected?"

The doctor's question baffled the three of them.

They had no idea either.

"Gu Qingjiu went out yesterday. Is it because she ate something outside?"

Qi Xiaoran speculated. The teacher nodded in enlightenment. "That's possible. If it wasn't direct contact with the source, it's hard to get infected with this flu."

Unless she came into contact with contaminated stuff with poor handling whilst she was outside.

But how could they possibly know what Gu Qingjiu ate yesterday and with whom she was in contact?

"No, I can't deal with this flu here. I'll first try to ease her fever. We've got to send her to a hospital to get her on intravenous fluids."

The doctor's words made Gu Qian's face turn pale. "Is it very... very serious?"

She had heard that back then, SARS killed plenty of people. "Of course, it's serious when she's sick with the virus. But so far, I haven't heard of anyone dying from this virus. After dealing with the fever appropriately and giving her timely treatment, she should be okay. There's no need for quarantine. Just don't go close to her mouth when you speak. She won't spread the virus to you guys if you follow this rule."

"..."

Gu Qian and the rest were relieved to hear the doctor's words.

They would only find out how Gu Qingjiu got infected with this virus after she woke up.

The doctor conducted some emergency measures. By then, the notified commanding officer was up and rushing to the infirmary in the middle of the night.

After learning of the situation, he naturally arranged for the school to send Gu Qingjiu to the hospital without hesitation.

Just in case, her dorm mates followed her to the hospital.

Because they had been in contact with Gu Qingjiu, the three of them had to go to the hospital for a checkup for safety considerations, even if this virus wasn't alarming.

There weren't enough facilities to do such a checkup back in the school.

The trio merely gazed at Gu Qingjiu in the vehicle.

Sleepy to begin with, they started dozing off.

In a half-awake state, Chu Lian heard someone saying, "Mom..."

Chapter 533: Her Boyfriend is the Chief Instructor?

No idea what Chu Lian was thinking, but she grabbed Gu Qingjiu's hand and responded, "Mom is here..."

Next to her, Gu Qian and Qi Xiaoran were jolted awake. "..."

Gu Qingjiu's Commanding Officer, who was on the same vehicle as them, had a headache upon hearing Chu Lian's voice. He said, "Stop fooling around. She is a patient!"

Chu Lian stuck out her tongue. "I know. A sick person needs comforting, Commanding Officer..."

"Comforting? I think you're just taking advantage of Qingjiu."

Gu Qian couldn't help but throw a sarcastic remark at Chu Lian.

Chu Lian rolled her eyes. Just then, Gu Qingjiu suddenly called out in a sobbing voice, "Chief Instructor... Ooh... Chief Instructor..."

Gu Qingjiu was in a muddled state and terrible pain.

She couldn't even keep herself sober.

When the pain acted up, she even felt aggrieved.

She felt like she needed someone to comfort her.

Qi Yuefeng and He Niancheng's names kept spinning in her head, making her subconsciously call out their names.

She sounded extra pitiful.

But those in the vehicle suddenly fell silent.

Gu Qian was stunned. "Chief... Chief Instructor is who?"

"Are there many Chief Instructors in our school?"

Chu Lian paused for a moment, feeling a shiver in her heart. "Why is Qingjiu calling for the Chief Instructor?"

Why would a female student call for the Chief Instructor when she was sick, and for no reason...

Everyone felt a subtle sensation in their hearts.

Realizing something was amiss, the Commanding Officer fell silent for a moment. Linking this to the rumors he heard before, he instantly said, "Don't discuss."

The two girls stopped talking.

The Commanding Officer hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number he had never called before.

"Hello?"

The voice sounded so cold it made one yearn to shiver in the night.

He didn't sound pleased at being disturbed in his sleep.

"Chief Instructor He..."

The Commanding Officer swallowed his saliva. This greeting made the others instantly prick up their ears.

"I am the Commanding Officer of the Computer Science and Technology specialization, Xin Ming. I called to report to you that the infirmary diagnosed a student in our specialization by the name of Gu Qingjiu with infectious influenza. We're on our way to send her to the military hospital in the capital right now."

The Commanding Officer reported this matter, and right after he had finished speaking, a surprised and anxious tone sounded over the phone. "How long has it been since you left?"

"We'll reach in another two hours' time. We've left for an hour now. I'm watching over her on the vehicle at the moment."

"Quickly send her to the hospital. Inform me when you reach!"

He Niancheng hung up the phone immediately.

The vehicle suddenly plunged into an eerie silence.

At the start, everyone was merely speculating in their hearts. But after this call, there wasn't a doubt in their minds that their speculation was true.

But it was way too scary.

Everyone already knew that Gu Qingjiu was dating someone. But who would have guessed that the person Gu Qingjiu was dating was the newly appointed Chief Instructor? That unattainable, legendary figure many regarded as their Prince Charming?

Or else, Gu Qingjiu couldn't have mumbled a random guy's name while she was in a semi-conscious state.

It was impossible she was referring to any other Chief Instructor.

For their kids were already in university...

Chief Instructor He was the only one who fulfilled the conditions.

Giving it a deeper thought, it made sense. Wasn't it said that Chief Instructor He and Gu Qingjiu were transferred from the same place?

Back then, Gu Qian had even asked her about this. But she truly didn't expect that there was something going on between Gu Qingjiu and Chief Instructor He!

Chapter 534: Relationship Exposed

But...

Precisely because of it and that the Chief Instructor's temperament and background were extremely mysterious, no one had ever imagined the Chief Instructor and Gu Qingjiu to end up together.

This Chief Instructor was an unattainable character. Ever since he came to the school, he rarely ever took part in the events.

People rarely even saw him in school.

Rumors had it that he had an impressive background. Even the Commanding Officers would keep an eye on their students and ask them not to disturb this Chief Instructor.

Being under the speculation of gossip was not suited to characters that were hard to reach.

But unexpectedly, he turned out to be right in the center of the gossip...

In her semi-conscious state, Gu Qingjiu kept calling out for the Chief Instructor.

Either that or she would call for her parents.

Gu Qian concluded that she had called for the Chief Instructor more, though.

This unfilial child!

Turbulent waves formed in Gu Qian and Chu Lian's hearts once more. Only Qi Xiaoran kept her calm and composure.

Perhaps because of her affair with her older brother, she didn't find this revelation between Gu Qingjiu and the Chief Instructor abrupt.

After a long silence, they quickly arrived at the hospital.

When Gu Qingjiu's fever was dealt with, her condition improved greatly.

Since it was a military hospital, they quickly arranged a ward for Gu Qingjiu after they received the news.

After entering the hospital and undergoing a series of checkups and treatments, her situation improved a lot.

It was indeed the HS1 influenza virus, but they couldn't yet determine where she caught it from.

Just in case, her dorm mates went to have their blood drawn and checkup done.

Shortly after settling down Gu Qingjiu at the hospital, the Commanding Officer received He Niancheng's call.

With trepidation, he immediately went to the entrance to meet with He Niancheng.

From the looks of it, He Niancheng had rushed over, for he only wore a simple and thin shirt, matched with army boots and army pants.

His tall and slim figure, as well as his imposing aura, made one couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence.

People coming and going in the hospital were shocked to see He Niancheng.

After all, it was very rare to see someone this good-looking.

"Where is Gu Qingjiu's ward?"

He asked Xin Ming, and the latter immediately brought him there.

When they reached the ward, the three girls were coming out after having their blood drawn.

When they saw He Niancheng and the Commanding Officer appear together, they felt incredibly stunned, as though they were seeing the head of state.

They were screaming internally.

Chief Instructor He showed up!

He and Gu Qingjiu really are an item!

That handsome face was slightly frowning, looking rather worried.

He completely ignored the fact that Gu Qian and the other two girls were around.

It was like he didn't even see them salute him.

He simply regarded these three as invisible.

The moment he entered the ward, he saw Gu Qingjiu lying in bed and on drips.

The little thing was lying on the bed with her brows tightly furrowed, her face drained of the color of blood, and traces of tears evident at the corners of her eyes.

She looked incredibly pitiful.

He Niancheng felt like a large hand had impaled her heart, making him unable to breathe.

He caressed Gu Qingjiu's pale face with a hand and murmured softly, "Why did you suddenly fall sick?"

The person lying on the bed wasn't supposed to respond. Perhaps she had sensed his movements or sniffed his familiar scent that her tightly furrowed brows started to ease.

Although Qingjiu was still sick, Gu Qian and Chu Lian wanted to scream in their hearts

'Are these two filming an idol drama?!'

They were astounded to see the expression of heartache and worry on the Chief Instructor's face!

What happened to the cold-faced Living Satan?!

Chapter 535: A Sudden Flu

Gu Qian and Chu Lian felt pretty embarrassed.

After finding out about Gu Qingjiu and the Chief Instructor, they felt something intricate in their hearts.

Even the Commanding Officer stood by the side with a constrained expression.

The Commanding Officer wasn't very old. At most, he was a young lad of around 27 to 28, likely unmarried.

Not bothering to hide their relationship, the frowning He Niancheng reached out and caressed Gu Qingjiu's sweaty face with a finger.

He then got up and asked, "Why did Qingjiu suddenly get a fever?"

"Reporting to the Chief Instructor, I'm not sure. The school doctor said that Classmate Gu Qingjiu contracted infectious influenza, that she must have been in contact with the source of the virus outside, thus these symptoms. I'm not sure about the exact details for now. These three students belong to the same dormitory as Classmate Gu Qingjiu."

Upon hearing this, He Niancheng immediately looked towards the three girls.

Qi Xiaoran merely paused for a moment. However, faced with He Niancheng's intimidating presence...

Gu Qian and Chu Lian felt their hearts palpitating.

Although the man before them was indeed good-looking, he seemed like someone who couldn't get along with another person in a friendly manner.

He gave off scary vibes.

Without waiting for He Niancheng to ask, Chu Lian spoke up, "We don't know the details either. Qingjiu kept sneezing when we were training yesterday. Last night when she came back, she took a shower, and I think it got more serious then."

"Do you know what the cause is?"

"No."

Chu Lian shook her head. Seeing He Niancheng's dark and cold countenance, she swallowed her saliva. "We have no idea. Right now, other than Qingjiu, the infirmary doctor said there's no one else in the school who has contracted this flu virus. I think Qingjiu went somewhere on Sunday, but I have no idea where..."

Of course, He Niancheng knew about this matter.

But back then, Gu Qingjiu was with him.

She was only away when she went to meet with her mother and sister-in-law.

At the thought of this, he said with furrowed brows, "Got it. All of you may leave first. I'll stay around to take care of things."

Even at the risk of exposing his relationship with Gu Qingjiu, He Niancheng didn't try to hide it.

His behavior was as good as confirming that something was going on between him and Gu Qingjiu.

Or else why would a Chief Instructor be taking care of a sick girl?

They left as they were told and went off to collect their checkup results.

After they left, He Niancheng made a phone call. "Joker, check on Gu Qingjiu's activity over the recent weekend. See if there's anything that warrants attention."

Without having to tell him explicitly, Joker would find out about Gu Qingjiu's current condition, regardless.

"Okay Major-general, I will let you know the results ASAP."

After he had hung up the phone, He Niancheng looked worriedly towards Gu Qingjiu.

Her face was still a little pale. Even in an asleep state, she was still fidgeting uneasily, as though she was in extreme discomfort.

After a short while, Gu Qingjiu suddenly started calling out, "Chief Instructor... Chief Instructor..."

Her voice was tiny as a mosquito, yet He Niancheng could immediately tell what she was saying.

He grabbed Gu Qingjiu's hand, not at all minding the fact that it was covered in sweat. He lowered his head and said in a warm voice, "Be good, I'm here."

Perhaps because of his comforting voice, Gu Qingjiu gradually fell silent.

Her creased brows also gradually eased.

He Niancheng looked at the time. It was only five in the morning at the moment.

Yet, he didn't feel sleepy at all.

Gu Qingjiu's condition seemed sudden, likely not because someone deliberately did this to her...

Chapter 536: Not Allowed to Eat Such Stuff Outside In the Future

He watched over her in the ward. When morning came, Gu Qingjiu finally regained some consciousness.

When she opened her eyes, she saw white walls in front of her, and not the army green bunk bed she was familiar with. All that entered her sight was an extremely clean shade of white.

It was... the hospital?

Gu Qingjiu completely opened her eyes and gazed around at her surroundings in a dazed state.

She saw He Niancheng sitting on the chair beside the ward bed.

He was flipping through a book, a visible stubble formed on his chin.

Sensing movement on the bed, He Niancheng got up and walked over. "You're awake?"

"Chief Instructor, why are you here?"

Gu Qingjiu propped up her body, wanting to sit up. Yet she realized her body was awfully sore, and her head was aching so badly it felt like it was going to explode.

After some struggle, she failed to sit up straight.

He Niancheng had already walked over. He reached out a hand to touch her forehead. "The doctor said your fever has subsided, but you might experience a severe headache. Don't move about for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingjiu stopped moving. With a puzzled expression, she asked, "What's wrong with me?"

She had no memory of what had happened.

"You're infected with an influenza virus and ran a high fever last night. Your dorm mates and commanding officer sent you to this hospital. I received news of this, so I came over to accompany you last night."

He Niancheng sounded perfectly natural when he said, 'Accompany you last night.'

Because it was the truth.

When she heard this, Gu Qingjiu suddenly understood how the stubble on his chin came about, making her feel a pang in the chest.

"Did you not sleep at all last night?"

After she spoke, she suddenly felt hot all over again.

Other than that, she felt like she was soaked in water or something.

It was an extremely uncomfortable sensation.

She shifted her body while He Niancheng gazed gently at her. "Are you still feeling very uncomfortable?"

"No, I just feel sticky all over..."

Gu Qingjiu mumbled, "I feel like I sweated a lot."

"Last night, you perspired enough to have enough water for a hot shower."

He Niancheng scraped her nose. "Do you know what had caused this?"

Gu Qingjiu shook her head slightly, still feeling incredibly confused. "I didn't even know I fell sick."

"You probably caught it when you went to Longyue Mall with your mother."

So Gu Qingjiu didn't know why this happened. That meant it should be a minor matter.

She had bought a small bag of crispy pear fruits when they passed by the mall.

A newly introduced snack in the capital, crispy pear fruits was a deep-fried sweet and sour snack coated with batter.

Since Qin Wange and Qi Yuefeng didn't like the snack, they didn't eat it.

It turned out that the shop's chef was infected with the influenza virus, and after accidentally cutting his finger while chopping food, he didn't disinfect.

He later went on to mix the flour, and all the customers who ate the crispy pear fruits ended up getting infected.

Gu Qingjiu wasn't the only one.

The shop would probably have to compensate quite a lot of people.

At that moment, He Niancheng should focus on taking care of Gu Qingjiu and trust Joker to handle this matter.

It was nothing big, but no one could have expected it would lead to Gu Qingjiu falling sick.

It was certain that He Niancheng felt a hint of rage in his heart.

Thankfully, it was only the flu. If a different disease infected Gu Qingjiu, it would be unimaginable.

He tapped Gu Qingjiu's head and said in his deep voice, "You're not to eat such stuff outside in the future."

Chapter 537: All of Them Know

He merely let her out of sight for a short while, and something like that happened.

Gu Qingjiu nodded, feeling a little guilty. "I didn't know either."

Who would've expected something so unlucky to happen while simply buying some food to eat outside?

Tormented by a splitting headache, Gu Qingjiu felt a terrible sensation in her heart.

She had no idea why, but she just wanted the Chief Instructor to stay by her side.

She reached out a hand and grabbed the Chief Instructor's palm, and she softly said, "Chief Instructor, do you want to sleep here for a while?"

"No need, I'm not tired."

He Niancheng reached out to circle Gu Qingjiu's waist. "Rest for a while. Take a shower only when you get better."

After all, the weather was getting hotter. Since she laid on her sweat for an entire night, Gu Qingjiu must have felt very uncomfortable.

"What do you wish to eat now? I'll get someone to buy it for you."

Gu Qingjiu gave it some thought. Since she didn't have much appetite, she wanted to eat something appetizing. Hence, she said, "I want something sour... preserved carrots or something like that."

Something appetizing and light.

It was the first time He Niancheng heard of the term 'preserved carrots.'

After a slight pause, without even asking what preserved carrots were, he sent a text message to his subordinate.

In any case, they would take care of it.

Although Gu Qingjiu wasn't in a single room, she was the only patient in the ward at that moment.

From time to time, someone passing by the ward would glance inside in curiosity.

With the people loitering around the place, something fatal occurred to Gu Qingjiu.

She stammered, "Chief... Chief Instructor, did my dorm mates send me here last night?"

"Mm."

As though realizing it too, He Niancheng curled his lips.

"Then... then why are you the one accompanying me instead?"

"Your Commanding Officer informed me. They left after I came. Your classmates are resting somewhere else right now."

These words seemed to conclude something.

Gu Qingjiu was dumbfounded.

Surely, the three of them weren't dumb to not realize it?

Moreover, Chu Lian and Qi Xiaoran were around.

The Chief Instructor of the first-year students, taking care of a sick student for the entire night by himself.

What did this mean?

Moreover, Chu Lian and the rest were aware that she had a boyfriend.

Wasn't this as good as making it known that He Niancheng was her boyfriend?

"There's no use in you worrying about it now. You were the one who exposed it yourself. They said you kept calling for me while you were unconscious."

But he didn't specify whether she was calling out the name or his title.

But this was no longer important.

Anyone who wasn't stupid would know that by Chief Instructor, it could only possibly refer to him.

"..."

Gu Qingjiu was dumbfounded.

As though struck by lightning, she froze for a good while.

He Niancheng narrowed his eyes and caressed her eyes. "Why? Are you unhappy that they finally found out about me?"

Gu Qingjiu had difficulty even in speaking. "But... But the Commanding Officer was also around."

"Yes, so that means he also knows about it now."

He Niancheng said matter-of-factly, "They all know about it."

Gu Qingjiu was too deep for tears.

"What are you afraid of? They won't dare to bring up this matter in front of you."

With him being so intimidating, who would dare to discuss it?

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Though they wouldn't dare to discuss it in front of her, they couldn't stop them from spreading this wildly behind their backs!

Would a Chief Instructor not face punishment for dating a female student?

Chapter 538: Qingjiu, You're Simply a Warrior

As this thought occurred to her, Gu Qingjiu grabbed the edge of He Niancheng's clothes in panic.

"Chief Instructor, what's going to happen if those people report us? Will you face punishments?"

Although dating was not explicitly forbidden for students in military schools, no rules also said that the school allowed them to date either.

Hence, students kept a low profile when they dated.

But for a student and an instructor to date in a military school, that was an entirely different thing.

Just like in ordinary schools, people would point fingers at the backs of a student and teacher found to be in a relationship.

If it got more serious, and the parents reported it, it would ruin the teacher's reputation entirely.

It was even more strict in the military. Other than a damaged reputation, one might face severe punishment.

"Are you worried about me?"

He Niancheng caressed Gu Qingjiu's head and gently tapped it. "No need to worry about it. Did you think I can't even take care of a matter like this?"

"But I don't want to hear others criticizing you behind your back, Chief Instructor."

The sick Gu Qingjiu's face was a tad flushed to begin with. And as she looked at He Niancheng, there was also a layer of moisture that already built up in her eyes.

She looked as endearing as a little kitten.

Looking at such a Gu Qingjiu, He Niancheng suddenly felt his heart melting into a puddle.

"No one will dare to criticize me."

His deep voice held a domineering power in it. He lowered his head to rub it against Gu Qingjiu's face, and he did not mind that she was sweaty.

When Gu Qian and Chu Lian entered, they saw He Niancheng cupping Gu Qingjiu's face and whispering to her.

The two of them felt as though struck by lightning, dealing a great blow.

He Niancheng sensed their arrival right away. He raised his head slightly, leaving a crack. Only then did Gu Qingjiu notice someone had entered.

At the sight of Gu Qian and Chu Lian, Gu Qingjiu's red face flushed even more deeply. She greeted them in a small voice, "Gu Qian, Chu Lian."

She even broke free from He Niancheng's hand as she spoke.

"Ah, ah, ah, Qingjiu, we're here to see if you were awake. Are you fully awake now?"

Gu Qian laughed awkwardly, making Chu Lian feel the cringe too.

Wasn't it obvious that she was awake? That was such a redundant question!

Chu Lian's question sounded more normal. "Qingjiu, are you feeling better?"

Though, seeing that the Chief Instructor was there, both dared not to go over.

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "I feel slightly better."

She couldn't feel anything when she was supposedly in great pain last night.

Now that she was awake, she felt much better.

She only saw Gu Qian and Chu Lian, and she didn't see Qi Xiaoran anywhere.

He Niancheng mentioned that her three dorm mates sent her there, so Qi Xiaoran should also be around.

Hence, she asked, "Where's Xiaoran?"

"Xiaoran's older brother came just now, and they went out."

Although Gu Qian was a little curious how Qi Xiaoran's older brother heard about this, she didn't ask because it was none of her business.

"Oh."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. Hearing that it was her older brother, she stopped asking questions.

"You people have a chat, I'll go out and see if your breakfast has arrived."

He Niancheng went out, understanding the need for them to have a chat.

With him here, the three girls would be too embarrassed to talk about many things since he was their superior.

"Bye Chief Instructor."

"Bye Chief Instructor."

Seeing the Chief Instructor go out, Gu Qian looked like she was liberated in an instant.

She patted her chest and dashed towards Gu Qingjiu. "My goodness, the Chief Instructor is so scary! In the past, I've only heard of rumors about him. It is my first time being this close to the Chief Instructor. I felt like my heart was going to leap at any moment. Qingjiu, you're simply a warrior!"

Chapter 539: Mom and Brother Are Here

Gu Qingjiu was not sure whether to laugh or to cry.

"The Chief Instructor is quite a nice person... He's like... A little angel!"

Gu Qian and Chu Lian were rendered speechless.

The two of them exchanged glances, wondering if this person was possessed or something.

Pretending she heard nothing, Chu Lian sat down and said sincerely with a grave tone, "We get it. You're sick, and you have a fever. Moreover, he's your boyfriend!"

Not ours.

He was extremely cold facing them.

Faced with Gu Qingjiu, he was like a melted glacier, just short of oozing with water.

The difference in treatment was so obvious one should have sensed it earlier.

"Did I show symptoms last night?"

Feeling awkward too, Gu Qingjiu quickly changed the topic.

Gu Qian nodded, a lingering fear on her face. "We were the first ones to discover it. Aiyoh, you were so deathly pale at that time. Just like a dead..."

Pa!

Chu Lian smacked her head from the back. "Do you know how to talk?"

Gu Qian stuck out her tongue and put it another way. "In any case, it was so serious. You were covered in sweat from head to toe!"

"If Qi Xiaoran didn't detect it at first, we couldn't have sent you to the hospital so early on. Who knows what major problem would have happened from the delay?"

"The infirmary doctor said it was infectious influenza, so we sent you to the hospital."

Chu Lian immediately added, "I heard the Chief Instructor found out about the cause of how you got infected?"

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "Yes."

She then recounted Sunday's incident to them.

"You should eat less of those foods outside!"

Gu Qian lectured Gu Qingjiu with a serious countenance. Then it suddenly struck her that something was amiss. "So you went out to have fun, and not because you have an urgent matter to attend to?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

"I mean, just look at who her boyfriend is." Chu Lian immediately laughed.

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Gu Qian said, "Tsk tsk. Aiyoh, you're of a different level than us now."

Gu Qingjiu felt shy from all that teasing. "Others don't know about this yet. Now that you're aware, please don't go around telling people. I'm afraid the Chief Instructor will face implications if the higher-ups find out."

Although the possibility wasn't great.

Since the Chief Instructor even dared to come to the hospital to accompany her, those higher-ups shouldn't know about it.

"Of course, we wouldn't spread it. But I'm sure it won't be kept under wraps."

Chu Lian tapped her nose. "The school must have learned of your influenza virus today, so they will send out a notification. Since the Chief Instructor rushed to the hospital to accompany you, do you think those higher-ups are blind or deaf?"

What she said was just as Gu Qingjiu guessed. But still, Gu Qingjiu carried a glimmer of hope in her heart.

"But I truly never imagined that your boyfriend would be the Chief Instructor."

Gu Qian feigned a sigh. "How nice. With such a handsome boyfriend, when you get into a quarrel, the argument would stop by simply looking at that face."

Gu Qingjiu and Chu Lian were speechless.

Amid the laughter, just then, someone shouted outside the ward, "Qingjiu, how are you feeling? Are you better now?"

Gu Qingjiu looked up, and to her surprise, she saw Qi Yuefeng.

Behind her, there was also her anxious-looking older brother Gu Qingmo.

Gu Qingjiu was shocked. "Mom, Brother, why are you two here?"

Moreover, it was so early in the morning! How could they get there so fast!

Chapter 540: The Chief Instructor Was the One Who Took Care of Her All Night

"If your school hadn't called, I wouldn't have known you had fallen ill. You were still fine when you went back to school the day before!"

Qi Yuefeng walked over with worry written all over her face. "Why did you suddenly fall sick?'

Under such circumstances, the school would notify the student's parents.

Gu Qingjiu wrote her older brother as an emergency contact, so the school notified Gu Qingmo.

Since Qi Yuefeng was with him, she immediately rushed with him after learning of this.

They still had no idea what the cause was.

"I'm fine. I merely ate something bad..."

It was an accident, and no one could have seen it coming.

Gu Qingjiu didn't exaggerate things.

"Can eating something bad lead to influenza virus?"

Gu Qingmo threw Gu Qingjiu a displeased look. "Do you know how worried Mom and I were?"

"It's just the flu, nothing serious," Gu Qingjiu whispered.

Gu Qingmo immediately poked Gu Qingjiu's head with a finger. "You're even talking back, huh?"

"What are you doing? Why are you bullying your sick younger sister?!"

Qi Yuefeng smacked Gu Qingmo, making the latter retract his hand right away.

Gu Qingjiu laughed out loud.

Next to them, Gu Qian and Chu Lian widened their eyes as they stared at Qi Yuefeng and Gu Qingmo.

No wonder Gu Qingjiu was so pretty. It turned out everyone in her family was so good-looking.

Gu Qingmo was a school hunk in his senior high days.

As for Qi Yuefeng, even though she was middle-aged, she maintained herself well. One could tell that she had an excellent disposition and that she exuded a tranquil gentleness.

The family of three was pleasing to the eyes.

Gu Qian and Chu Lian were a tad envious staring at them, for they looked like a blissful family.

The two of them greeted Qi Yuefeng and Gu Qingmo. "Hello, Auntie. Hello, Brother."

Gu Qingmo and Qi Yuefeng looked towards them. Although they had no idea who they were, they guessed they were Gu Qingjiu's friends. Qi Yuefeng responded, "Hello, did you take care of Qingjiu the entire night? Aiyoh, I really must thank the two of you."

Qi Yuefeng grabbed Chu Lian's hand and started thanking them.

Chu Lian revealed a rare embarrassed look. Gu Qingjiu introduced them. "Mom, these are my dorm mates. There's one more, but she left with her older brother. My dorm mates sent me here last night."

"Aiyoh, thank you so much. We can't take care of Qingjiu while she's in school. Thankfully, you guys were there to take care of her."

Qi Yuefeng started thanking them even more profusely now.

"No, no, no," Chu Lian hurriedly denied.

It puzzled Qi Yuefeng and Gu Qingmo. "No, what?"

"No, we weren't the ones who took care of Qingjiu the entire night!" Chu Lian clarified.

Gu Qian agreed, "Yes, Auntie, we merely sent Qingjiu to the hospital together with the Commanding Officer. But the one who stayed by Qingjiu's side the entire night wasn't us. It was the Chief..."

Before she finished her sentence, Gu Qingjiu interrupted her with a reddened face. "Gu Qian!"

Gu Qian glanced at Gu Qingjiu and fell silent. But Chu Lian followed up, "Auntie, it was our Chief Instructor who took care of her. We don't dare to claim credit for that!"

They realized if they claimed credit for this, they would offend the Chief Instructor.

They weren't stupid!

"Who is the Chief Instructor? Oh, oh, it must be an instructor in your school, right? I have to thank him properly..."

Though Qi Yuefeng was confused, behind her, Gu Qingmo broke into instant laughter.