*Knock knock*
"Come in." Ellen weakly said while leaning against the headboard of the bed with his eyes shut.
The door opened and Song Xia slowly entered the room with a tray in her hand as she closed the door behind her.
"Are you feeling better now?" She softly asked as she set the tray down on the table.
Ellen opened his eyes and smiled at her, "I've already told you that I'm fine. It's just a small fever."
When she heard his words, Song Xia's eyes grew colder.
"Tang Yan made some congee for you. Eat it while it's hot." She said with a poker face.
"Mmh, I will. You can leave now." Ellen merely glanced at the bowl before looking at her and speaking.
He then smilingly watched as Song Xia turned around to leave.
But his smile soon froze because to his surprise, Song Xia actually didn't leave the room.
Instead she sat herself on the armchair nearby and crossed her arms, staring straight at him.
"I'm not leaving until you finish the congee in front of me." She expressionlessly said.
"..."
Ellen was dumbfounded.
But he soon regained his annoying smile as he tried to persuade her, "Xiao Xia, you must've more important things to do. So you can leave first. I'll eat it later."
But Song Xia was as unmovable as a mountain.
With a chuckle, her soft yet cold voice rang out in the room.
"So you're saying that your health isn't important? Don't waste your time trying to coax me into leaving. I'm not gonna leave until you finish it right in front of me."
Ellen fell silent and simply stared at her, as if pondering why she was so bent on making him eat.
He then lowered his head and muttered in a low voice, "You don't have to do it because Tang Yan instructed you. You can just go."
Song Xia was taken aback by his words. She frowned, "You think Tang Yan can make me obey his orders just like that?"
Ellen raised his head in surprise as if saying 'Is it not?'. His gaze made Song Xia feel helpless.
"Even though I've taken everything that you gave me for granted before, I'm not a heartless jerk who doesn't know to repay your kindness when the time comes..
"Don't misunderstand. I came here out of my own accord and no one forced me. Because of me, you've overworked and now you've even fallen sick. So I'm willing to pay the consequences for my actions."
Ellen was silently gazing at her with a distinct sparkle in his eyes.
Only he knew that his heart was thumping wildly in his chest the moment he heard those words.
When she saw how docilely he was looking at her, Song Xia's voice involuntarily softened as she coaxed him.
"Let me take care of you since you're sick, okay?"
Ellen obediently nodded his head. "En."
"..Now, eat that congee. Then you can rest and I won't disturb you." Song Xia ordered.
Looking at the bland congee on the table, Ellen revealed a slightly conflicted expression.
But he still took the bowl and started eating slowly, under the watch of Song Xia.
After finishing, he put the empty bowl on the tray as he peered at her quietly, like a child seeking praise from his teacher.
Song Xia finally smiled at him and walked towards him as she spoke gently, "That's good."
Her gentle demeanor made Ellen feel a sense of familiarity.
In his mind, Song Xia's smiling face slowly overlapped with his mother's and his heart was instantly flooded with waves of emotion.
Song Xia realized that he was in a daze and blinked.
'Was he so overwhelmed from my small praise? Was I too harsh on him earlier?'
Thinking so, she awkwardly coughed, "*Cough* Well, since you've finished eating, I'll get going. Take a rest."
She turned to the side to pick up the tray on the side-table but before she could, a warm hand suddenly clasped her wrist tightly.
Song Xia became puzzled as she turned back to look at Ellen, who grabbed her hand.
"You.."
"Don't go."
Before she could finish her words, Ellen interjected her. His voice was slightly wavering.
Song Xia was shocked. "Ellen, you.."
...Is he muddle-headed by the fever?
Ellen repeated his words, "Please don't go."
Even though he said 'please', he sounded as if he wasn't asking but ordering her to stay. His tone gave no chance for rebuttal.
Song Xia widened her eyes as she opened her mouth to say something but closed it when she felt the hot hand tightening around her.
Taking into consideration that he must've said so in a muddle-headed state, she sighed. "...Alright."
She then sat down beside the bed and added softly, "Take a rest now. I'll.. Stay here."
Ellen's eyes flashed with joy and surprise but because they were lowered, Song Xia didn't notice anything.
After Ellen closed his eyes and was soundly sleeping, Song Xia tried to get her hand out of his but failed miserably because the man subconsciously tightened his grip even more.
So she could only sigh in defeat as she stared at the pale yet handsome face in front of her in a daze and eventually fell asleep at last.
---
Next morning.
Ellen's eyelashes slightly quivered as he slowly opened his eyes.
Feeling the warmth in his hands, he freaked out slightly before he recalled yesterday's incident and calmed down.
As he looked at the sleeping person beside the bed and held her small hand in his, he suddenly felt a sense of great satisfaction in his heart.
He had thought that she'd leave once he fell asleep, but she didn't. A smile crept up in his lips.
If he could, he'd want to stay this way forever. But good things didn't last long, because an annoying person made it's entrance.
"Ellen, are you-"
Just as Tang Yan opened the door and entered the room, he froze when his eyes fell on the two figures holding hands.
Ellen shot him an icy glare as he quickly turned to look at Song Xia, worried that she'll wake up from the noise.
But thankfully, Song Xia was still sleeping but her brows were furrowed slightly.
He reached out his free hand as he smoothed them out gently and then glanced at Tang Yan as he coldly said in a low voice, "Keep your voice down."
"..."
Tang Yan was silent on the outside but in his heart, he was constantly cursing Ellen and Song Xia.
'These two always show off their affection in front of me daily! Literally ruined my great morning! Hmph!'
Ellen carefully moved their interlocked hands as he sat up, as to not disturb her sleep.
He then leaned against the headboard and asked expressionlessly, "What is it?"
Tang Yan tried to divert his attention from the shameless couple as he replied while grumbling lightly.
"Nothing. I was just going to ask if you're taking the flight today or not."
Ellen turned quiet at his question.
He pondered deeply before glancing at the peaceful girl by his side and answering softly, "..No."