Chapter 788 You Only Miss Me When You’re Sick

• Seeing the message from Quintez Wood, Leanna Smith’s heart sank. “Nope. I’m out, Jiajia. I gotta head back.” Meng Jiajia snatched Leanna’s phone, read Quintez’s text, then tossed it back to her. “Leanna, seriously? One little ‘I miss you,’ and you cave? Make him butter you up for a whole car ride before you go, at least! Surrendering this fast? Girl, you’ve got no backbone. No wonder your man has you wrapped around his finger.” “It’s not that. He must be dealing with something. Either one of the kids blew up a mess or he ran into trouble.” Meng Jiajia grabbed Leanna’s phone again, fishing for clues, and came up empty. “From that single sentence? How could you tell?” “If he really missed me, he’d say it on day one. Or at least around day three or four when he got a minute to breathe. He didn’t say it at first because he wanted me to have fun. Now, after so many days, he suddenly says he misses me? He’s at his limit.” Leanna studied the words on the screen, laying it out. “I don’t buy it,” Meng Jiajia muttered, thinking Leanna was just finding herself a way back. “Suit yourself. That’s how he is. I’m booking a flight now.” Meng Jiajia could only shrug. They’d been out long enough anyway. Time to go home. Crystal Chateau Quintez came straight home after work. Skipped dinner. Went straight to the bedroom. On the way back, Luca Cooper kept reminding him that fever reducers only mask the symptoms—he still needed to hit QW Hospital. Hospital? Yeah, right. Quintez Wood going to the hospital? Please. Every time Little Seven gets sick, it’s shots and IVs—hard pass. And deep down, he felt it was embarrassing as hell. Before bed, he took another fever pill and crashed. Leanna got back in the middle of the night. Apart from a few night-duty maids, everyone else was out cold. The maids were shocked and thrilled to see her, and rushed over to take her suitcase. “Mrs. Wood, thank goodness you’re back!” The moment she heard that, Leanna knew it’d been rough at home. “Something happen?” The maid spilled everything. First, Little Seven got sick. Then Sansan stirred up trouble at school. And Ninenine clung to Quintez like glue. The man had been run ragged. Leanna had expected as much. “Oh, and Mrs. Wood,” the maid added, “when Mr. Wood came home tonight, he looked off. Didn’t eat dinner. Might not be feeling well.” “Got it. You should rest, and don’t wake anyone. I’ll head back to the room.” Leanna rolled her suitcase, keeping quiet, straight to the bedroom. The room had already been put back to normal. She didn’t turn on the main lights—just a dim night lamp. She didn’t even unpack, just walked to the bed. She laid a hand on Quintez’s forehead. He was half-asleep, half-awake. He’d been sleeping okay, then the fever spiked again. His body felt miserable. He didn’t want to move, just kept toughing it out. “You’re burning up.” Quintez grabbed her hand. “Nana, you’re back? I missed you.” “Only when you’re sick do you remember to miss me,” she said, tapping his cheek. “Wake up. Hey, eyes open.” He forced his eyes open, blinked at her, thinking he was dreaming. He wrapped his arms around her. “Nana, you finally came back. You’re not allowed to leave me again.” Leanna wanted to laugh but couldn’t. Right now, Quintez was acting like a spoiled kid. “I’m back, aren’t I? Quit it. I’m getting your meds.” “No meds. I want you.” “Such a flirt.” Leanna couldn’t help a smirk and flicked on the bedside lamp. The light stung his eyes; he blinked a few times, dazed, staring at her. “It’s me. I’m back. You’re not dreaming.” Leanna poured a cup of hot water. “Drink this first. You’ve got a raging fever. Why didn’t you see a doctor?” Quintez kept blinking, said nothing. Leanna slipped her hand under the covers and gave his backside a hard pinch. Quintez yelped. “Now you know it’s not a dream, huh?” “Why so hard!” he complained. “I’m a patient here!” “Fine, fine. Patient. Drink the water. I’ll check the kitchen for something to eat.” He grabbed her. “Don’t go. I can’t eat a thing. Don’t want food. Cough, cough…” “You won’t get better on an empty stomach. I’ll find you some meds, but you gotta eat first.” “No meds. You came back, I’m already better.” “Quit talking nonsense. Wait here.” She pried his fingers off—he was feverish and weak, so it wasn’t hard—and slipped out, not wanting to wake any of the staff. In the kitchen, she found the leftovers from dinner. She warmed up some millet porridge, then dug through the medicine box for cold meds and headed back. “You’re finally back,” Quintez said, smiling like a fool. “I thought I was hallucinating.” “Still hallucinating.” Leanna set the porridge on the nightstand, skimmed the instructions, and sorted out which pills were before food and which after, handing them to him. Quintez stared at the tablets and capsules, totally lost. That’s when Leanna remembered: their big-shot CEO had basically never taken meds in his life. “Don’t tell me you don’t know how to take them.” “How would I not? You think this can stump me? But… are they bitter?” “You’re a grown man and you’re scared of bitter? It’s not bad. The coating’s sweet. Just swallow with water.” Determined not to let her laugh at him, Quintez popped the meds and gulped water—and then— “Pfft—” He spit everything right out. Leanna grabbed the trash can, yanked a handful of tissues, and started wiping. “Leanna! Liar! You said it was sweet. It’s awful!” She glanced at the mess. “It’s sweet on the outside. You bit through the sugar coating. Of course the inside is bitter.” A mighty CEO who can’t take medicine—honestly, that’s comedy gold. “Forget it. I’ll get the packet meds Little Seven takes.” She went for the children’s meds. Most were powders you mix with water—slightly bitter, but nothing a grown man couldn’t handle. That went down way easier. Once she got Quintez to finish his meds, Leanna changed into her pajamas and lay down beside him.