Chapter 142: A Sense of Unease

As Su Yuqing turned to leave, Chen Mo had the nagging illusion that the moment she was out of his sight, she might never appear again.

After her figure had completely vanished, his mind finally replayed the phone call he’d received—he wasn’t sure if it was in a dream or if he had truly traveled back to his time as a criminal police officer.

’If it was a dream, then everything on that call was just a fantasy. But if it was real, then who is the death row inmate mentioned on the phone, the one who knows Yuqing?’

The thunder had struck at the most critical moment, and he had missed that crucial part.

He only remembered a few key pieces of information: first, the person was a death row inmate; second, this person knew Su Yuqing; and third, this person had very few opportunities to interact with Su Yuqing.

Working backward from these three points...

’It might just be a fantasy from a dream, but it could also be real information.’

After all, time travel had already happened for real. For Chen Mo, there was no fantasy too strange to accept anymore.

He would even believe it if he traveled back and forth again.

Therefore, he wouldn’t simply dismiss what just happened as a dream.

Instead, he would treat it as a tangible lead to investigate.

After all, with matters like this, it was better to err on the side of caution.

If it turned out to be false and the investigation yielded nothing, he wouldn’t be any worse off than he was now.

But if it was real, then pursuing it diligently might lead to a breakthrough.

But with his cold and fever, Chen Mo’s head was spinning. Just trying to think made his head ache, so he had to give up for the time being.

He sat propped up against the headboard, wanting to sleep but not daring to.

He was terrified that if he fell asleep, he would wake up back in his time as a police officer, and if he couldn’t return, he would be beyond tears.

Just as he was drifting off, a cool sensation suddenly spread across his burning forehead.

The next moment, a similar coolness touched his feverish cheeks.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Su Yuqing sitting in front of him with a playful smile.

Her hands were resting on his face.

"How’s that? Does this help cool you down and make you more comfortable?" Su Yuqing asked, smiling at Chen Mo.

Feeling her cool hands gradually warm against his skin, Chen Mo smiled and reached out from under the covers. He placed his hands over hers, savoring the feeling of her palms against his cheeks. A sense of peace finally washed over him again.

"It’s very comfortable," Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Looks like what I read online is actually useful." Su Yuqing chuckled and gently pulled her hands back. She flipped the towel on Chen Mo’s forehead, then felt the temperature of the side she’d just turned over. "Chen Mo," she said, her voice laced with worry, "this fever is no joke. Maybe we should go to the hospital."

"Let’s wait a day. If it doesn’t get better, it won’t be too late to go to the hospital then. I’m strong enough to handle it," Chen Mo said with a smile before lying back down. He left one hand out from under the covers and gently took Su Yuqing’s small hand. "Having you here is more effective than any doctor."

With that, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Su Yuqing’s heart fluttered as Chen Mo’s burning hand held hers tightly.

It always felt like a sick Chen Mo was more open with his true feelings.

She smiled and reached out to gently stroke his cheek, hoping he would be all better after a good sleep.

Although his eyes were closed, Chen Mo was only meditating. He didn’t dare to actually fall asleep.

When Su Yuqing’s hand rested on his cheek, Chen Mo could clearly feel her gentle touch.

Soon, the towel on his forehead was replaced, and the cool sensation returned, making him feel very comfortable.

Unconsciously, Chen Mo, who had been trying to stay awake, drifted off into dreamland once more.

This time, however, he didn’t have any dreams. He simply fell into a deep, groggy sleep.

「Before long, it was noon.」

Seeing Chen Mo sleeping so soundly, Su Yuqing didn’t disturb him.

When sick people have a poor appetite, forcing them to eat three meals a day like a healthy person can sometimes put more strain on their bodies.

Since Chen Mo was asleep, Su Yuqing let him rest.

It wouldn’t be too late to make him something to eat later.

As she sat by Chen Mo’s side, holding his hand, she always felt that this boy, who seemed so capable and self-reliant, harbored a deep sense of insecurity within him.

But she didn’t know where this anxiety came from.

Whether it was the way he slept or the way he gripped her hand so tightly, Su Yuqing could feel his subconscious tension and unease.

Though she didn’t know the source of Chen Mo’s anxiety, Su Yuqing still whispered gentle words of comfort, "Everything will be okay. Sleep peacefully. I’ll be right here with you."

She only dared to speak so boldly because she was sure Chen Mo couldn’t hear her.

But even in his sleep, her words reached him, allowing him to truly relax even more.

Just after she finished speaking, Su Yuqing felt the grip on her hand loosen. Surprised, she couldn’t help but glance at Chen Mo.

She thought he had woken up.

But seeing that he was still sleeping soundly, Su Yuqing let out a sigh of relief.

She could be bold at times, but most of the time, she was still very shy.

After gently placing Chen Mo’s hand on top of the blanket, Su Yuqing tiptoed over, took the towel from his forehead, and left the room.

Cold compresses shouldn’t be applied for too long.

They can be stopped once the patient feels a bit more comfortable.

After feeling that Chen Mo’s temperature wasn’t too high anymore, Su Yuqing left the room to put the things away.

「A short while later.」

She returned to Chen Mo’s room with her "Five-Year Gaokao, Three-Year Simulation" prep book. She placed a small chair in front of the nightstand and used it as a makeshift desk to begin studying.

As if sensing that the hand he was gripping had disappeared, Chen Mo, losing his sense of security, suddenly woke up.

He quickly looked around. When he saw Su Yuqing sitting quietly beside him, working on her practice exams, he let out a relieved sigh.

He slowly turned onto his side. Hearing the movement, Su Yuqing immediately turned her head to look at him.

Seeing that he had only shifted his position, she smiled, walked over to pull the blanket up for him, gave him a gentle pat, and then sat back down to focus on her workbook.

Only then did Chen Mo secretly open his eyes again, quietly watching Su Yuqing’s profile as she focused on her studies.

Although he knew Su Yuqing was beautiful, Chen Mo had rarely taken the time to really observe her so intently.

Watching her work with such a serious expression, Chen Mo felt that Su Yuqing was exuding a unique kind of charm.