Chapter 46: The Damocles’ Needle

Ancient Greek legends spoke of a concept known as Damocles’ Sword. It depicted a sharp blade, suspended by a single strand of horsehair, hanging precariously above a person’s scalp.

This served as a potent metaphor for ever-present danger or latent risks.

For Zhou Ruoyu in this moment, Gu Jiachen was clearly the ancient Greek god presiding over scalps, and that intravenous needle was none other than their own Damocles’ Sword!

Getting an injection wasn’t truly terrifying; the actual piercing would likely only hurt for a moment. What was truly agonizing was when the needle hovered at the edge of their hand, yet the jab was endlessly delayed.

The cold tip traced across their skin, but the promised sting never came. Zhou Ruoyu’s veins tightened with tension, which only made it harder for Gu Jiachen to proceed.

The hesitation instantly sent the young girl into a panic. ‘No… who knows if this will even work?’ they thought. ‘What if it fails and has to be pulled out? That would truly hurt! If he tries a few more times, my hand will swell up. President, you better be careful, wuaaaah—!’

The long-haired loli squeezed their eyes shut in fear, silently awaiting fate’s verdict. After a moment, Gu Jiachen blinked.

He finally found the correct spot, then swiftly and decisively inserted the needle.

“Ugh…”

A fleeting prick spread across their skin, but it vanished as quickly as it came. Gu Jiachen gently pressed down on the needle, securing it with tape.

He finally let out a sigh of relief, reaching out to ruffle the ‘little rabbit’s’ head. Then, he spoke.

“Alright, open your eyes, little rabbit. Stop trembling… My apologies, it’s been a long time since I’ve done this. My hands are out of practice. Next time, let the doctor handle it.”

*Hiss*—

Hearing those words, Zhou Ruoyu gasped sharply. ‘Wait, Gu Jiachen actually apologized?’ they thought.

‘Hmph, but no matter how much he apologizes, I’ll never forgive him for everything he’s done to me… Ugh.’

The long-haired loli opened their eyes, then nervously glanced at the needle embedded in their hand. After a long moment, they looked up, asking with no small amount of worry.

“You’re sure it’s in the vein, right? Ugh… Don’t, don’t cause some medical accident.”

“Pfft, well… Don’t worry, little rabbit, it’s definitely in! How do you feel? Lying in bed for an IV is surely more comfortable than sitting in that spot for an hour, isn’t it?”

“Hmph… not necessarily…”

Zhou Ruoyu mumbled. ‘Ahem… After all, when I was sitting, I was alone. But lying here, the price is having a perverted president next to me who could try something at any moment. No matter how I think about it, it’s more dangerous!’

“Hmm… Why do I still feel like you’re so afraid of me? What? Did I do something to offend you?”

Gu Jiachen tilted his head, perplexed by the girl’s sudden, somewhat assertive attitude. Zhou Ruoyu rolled their eyes at him.

‘Nonsense! Who… who told you to go so wild at my house before? How can I not be afraid of a perverted president?’

Besides…

They had just witnessed Gu Jiachen and Gu Xue’s interaction firsthand, which only deepened Zhou Ruoyu’s negative impression of this perverted president.

‘Damn it, I still can’t swallow this anger!’

After a moment, Zhou Ruoyu, having somewhat calmed down, cast a glance aside. They secretly decided to test Gu Jiachen. The long-haired loli slowly lowered their head, then feigned nervousness, speaking timidly.

“Because I… wasn’t prepared to see President Gu here. President Gu… what are you doing at the hospital? From your appearance… you don’t seem sick.”

“Ah, that…” Gu Jiachen awkwardly scratched his head, then said softly, “Yes, little rabbit, you’re right, I’m not sick. I’m here to… visit a patient!”

“Oh? Visiting a patient, huh? Hmph, President Gu is truly considerate, so good at taking care of people. I just wonder if the patient is male or female…”

Watching the girl pout, looking indignant, Gu Jiachen was momentarily stunned. A moment later, the President couldn’t help but chuckle, then smirked mischievously.

“What? Did I flirt with a pretty little nurse and a certain little rabbit saw it? Look, you’ve fallen right into the vinegar jar~”

‘E-eating… eating vinegar?’

‘Eating a bull demon’s horn!’

Watching Gu Jiachen’s suppressed smile, Zhou Ruoyu’s lips twitched. ‘That wasn’t flirting with a pretty little nurse; that was clearly *training* your ex-girlfriend! Damn it, damn it, damn it!’

‘Oh, right, it’s not impossible for this perverted president to flirt with a little nurse along the way either!’

‘Truly worthy of being Zhou Ruoyu’s designated number one pervert in Lihua City. He’s already reached this level of shamelessness… Ugh, boohoo~’

However, even if they were to confront him with what they’d just witnessed, Gu Jiachen likely wouldn’t care. After all, they were just a kept person; what could they possibly say to him?

For a long time, Zhou Ruoyu could only puff out their cheeks again, then fell silent. Gu Jiachen frowned in confusion, a quiet murmur rising in his heart. After a moment, he slowly extended his hand and gently stroked the girl’s head.

“Then what about you, little rabbit? What brings you to the hospital? Phew… So hot. It must be the flu, right?”

“Hmph… No fever!”

“Hmm… Still stubborn! No choice then. Since the little rabbit wants someone to take care of them so much, I’ll stay with you a little longer…”

Gu Jiachen suddenly gently clasped the hand Zhou Ruoyu was receiving the IV in. Feeling the slightly cool touch there, the President blinked, then said.

“When you’re getting an IV, your hand does get cold. Hold my hand, it’ll warm you up…”

‘Ugh!!!’

Listening to the President’s soft whispers near their ear, Zhou Ruoyu’s face instantly flushed. Fortunately, the girl had strong internal cultivation, quickly suppressing it, so their complexion didn’t change much…

‘Probably. Oh well, I have a fever anyway, so a little redness is normal!’

However…

This perverted president was actually quite good at taking care of people.

Zhou Ruoyu still harbored thoughts of the Gu Xue incident, holding a deep grudge against their rival president. Yet… a moment later, when Gu Jiachen offered them a peeled orange segment, the long-haired loli ultimately couldn’t control their mouth.

They hesitated, gazing at the orange segment. After a brief internal debate, Zhou Ruoyu thought, ‘A gentleman doesn’t accept charity… well, but there’s also the saying about enduring hardship for revenge… Hmm… forget it! My great hatred and enmity for the rival president will never be forgotten, but I can accept this immediate kindness. This is like, ‘wine and meat pass through the gut, but the Buddha remains in the heart.’ As long as I don’t remember the rival president’s good deeds, it’s fine!’

‘Hmph, he’s not a good person anyway. What if I act like an ungrateful wretch? Damn it—!’

With that thought, the long-haired loli promptly opened their small mouth, then—*wuaah!*—took a bite!

Ahem, biting the rival’s finger while eating the orange. Not a loss at all!