Chapter 65 Reading
Eileen set her book down and walked over. The b*dyguard opened the lunchbox, revealing three layers inside.
The first layer contained roasted chestnuts, the second layer had just a few pieces of sweet and sour pork, and the third layer held a nutritious savory oatmeal with vegetables.
Ever since that night when Eileen learned about her illness, she had spent most of the nights. alone in the small pavilion downstairs of the inpatient department, wiping away her tears.
His voice carried a hint of amusement as he helplessly asked her, “Why do you always seem to be crying whenever I see you?”
Eileen’s eyes glistened with tears, a few droplets clinging to her long, dark eyelashes. When she looked at him, she saw the pain in his eyes.
He gently wiped away her tears,
He was the kindest person she had ever encountered, even though she didn’t know who he
was.
Eileen never imagined that she would find warmth in the company of a stranger she had never met before.
Since then, he would visit her from time to time. Even her three meals a day would be delivered punctually. What was truly astonishing was that it seemed like he knew exactly what she liked to eat.
Eileen didn’t know why he was being so kind to her.
The b*dyguard explained, “The roasted chestnuts dish is a recipe Mr. Smith learned from your housekeeper, as is the sweet and sour pork… This is the first time Mr. Smith has cooked, so please don’t be too critical, Ms. Eileen. If the food tastes really bad, you don’t have to force yourself to eat.”
“Why are there only three pieces?” Eileen asked.
“Ms. Eileen, your serious injury hasn’t healed yet, so you shouldn’t eat too much meat. Once you’re fully recovered, Mr. Smith promises to make up for it.”
I see… Eileen took the fork handed over by the b*dyguard, ate the whole thing, chewed a few times, and then suddenly paused…
Her face didn’t show much emotion. She just continued to eat slowly, savoring every bite.
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Eileen didn’t want to criticize his effort because aside from Sharon, no one else had ever cooked for her.
Eileen had already finished eating the oatmeal and the sweet and sour pork. The remaining roasted chestnuts could be eaten later. When someone comes bearing gifts, I can’t let them leave empty-handed.
With that in mind, Eileen gave him some of the pastries she made in her spare time, asking him to take them with him. He should be able to enjoy these pastries, right?
After the b*dyguard had left, Eileen clutched her ch*st and quickly ran to the bathroom. She rinsed her mouth and drank a lot of water. Fortunately for me, there were only a few pieces of sweet and sour pork instead of a whole plate! Otherwise, I might suffer from food poisoning and have to stay in the hospital for another ten days to two weeks.
Eileen had just come out of the restroom when she saw that the b*dyguard, who supposedly had already left earlier, was on the phone. “Yes. Ms. Eileen has finished eating.”
The b*dyguard handed the phone back to Eileen. “Mr. Smith wants to talk to you.”
Eileen picked up the phone. “Hello…”
“Sorry. Are you okay?” The voice was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze by the ear, pleasing to listen to.
Eileen nervously clutched her clothes, suppressing the discomfort in her stomach. “I’m fine… You really don’t need to apologize. I’m already grateful that you cooked for me. No one hast ever cooked for me before… I really appreciate it.” She brought the phone to the balcony, resting her hand on the railing as she admired the view outside.
Meanwhile, outside the ward, a striking couple was walking down the hospital corridor. Their affectionate demeanor was quite a sight.
“Eric, do you think Eileen has already eaten?” Vera came over, holding Eric’s arm while carrying a bouquet of flowers in her other hand. The rather heavy lunchbox was held by Eric.
“No. She hasn’t,” Eric answered.
Ever since Vera got injured, she moved out of the school and had been resting at home for a long time.
That day, Eric had a rare day off, so Vera insisted on going out to have some fun with him, and they decided to visit Eileen at the hospital along the way.
Staying cooped up at home all the time would surely drive one crazy.
They hadn’t visited in a long time because it was mostly Sharon who did.
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They even specifically asked Sharon to prepare a variety of dishes to bring to the hospital. Having been cared for by Sharon over the past few months, Vera’s initially thin cheeks had gained a bit of baby fat.
This time, Vera had made a special effort to dress up. Her face was bare, without makeup, and her hair was styled in a twisted braid resting on her shoulder. She wore a light-colored knee-length skirt. Walking beside him, to outsiders, they didn’t seem like a couple but more like an uncle and his niece.
As the two reached the entrance of the ward, they noticed an unfamiliar face inside.
Had it not been for the familiar silhouette on the balcony, Vera would have thought they were about to enter the wrong ward.
Catching a glimpse of a figure outside the door from the corner of her eye, Eileen felt a touch of panic. She quickly said, “Sure. If you like it, I’ll make an extra serving of pastries for you in the future and bring it over. If there’s anything you can’t eat, just send me a message to let me know.”
“I will always enjoy whatever you make.”
“I’ll hang up now. My brother has come to see me.”
“Okay.”
Eileen hung up the phone, stepped out from the balcony, and handed the phone back to the b*dyguard. “Sorry for the trouble of making you run an extra errand.”
“It’s all right.”
After he left, Eileen finally turned her gaze to Eric and Vera. Her eyes were indifferent, devoid of any emotion. Even the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth seemed perfunctory. “Eric, Vera, why are you guys here?”
Upon seeing that Eric remained silent, Vera felt a sense of unease as she approached, extending the carnation in her hand. “I apologize, Eileen, for only coming to visit you now. I’ve been preoccupied with mock exams lately, constantly solving problems, and Eric… he also finishes work very late. I hope you don’t mind.”
Eileen accepted the bouquet, a smile appearing on her l*ps. “It’s alright. I’ll be discharged from the hospital in a few days. Thank you for coming to see me. Let me get you some
water.”
Eileen spoke with an unfamiliar and distant tone, treating them like unfamiliar guests.
“No need. I’ll be leaving with Eric soon, so I won’t disturb your rest,” Vera replied.
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Feeling the intensity of Eric’s gaze, Eileen did her best to avoid looking at him. She awkwardly brushed her loose strands of hair behind her ear. “Then I won’t keep you. Have a good time.”
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Eric brought some food prepared by Sharon-”
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in through the door, scattering the sheets of drawing paper. across the table. Eileen quickly rushed over, using the drawing board to hold down the remaining drawings.
A sketch floated down to Eric’s feet. He bent down to pick it up and saw that it was a drawing
of a man.
There were multiple drawings like this.
Eric suddenly asked, “Is this what you’ve been doing all this time in the hospital?”
There seemed to be a hint of displeasure in his tone.
Eileen picked it up, dusted off the painting, and said, “I didn’t know what to do, so I just. painted randomly.”
Vera glanced over. “Is this the man Eileen is interested in?”
Little did Vera know that Eileen wasn’t interested in anyone at that moment because she had learned a painful lesson.
Eileen explained, “He’s a friend I recently made at the hospital. He had some free time, so I asked him to be my model.”
Vera noticed that the table was covered with books about sketching, along with a set of paintbrushes.
“The university entrance exam is approaching, and this is what you’re studying?” Eric questioned.
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