Lin Changqing was the son of the Gu Estate's steward, who assisted Steward Zhao in managing matters inside and outside the manor and frequently went out for procurement.
Siyue hurriedly grabbed her arm. "It's still raining outside, and it's so late. You'd better go tomorrow."
"Maybe it'll clear up by tomorrow morning."
Qiuyun was speechless. "You're already in this state and you're still stalling? I'm afraid you'll be even worse off tomorrow morning."
"Besides, Brother Lin is easy to talk to. Just wait here for me to come back."
Without waiting for Siyue to respond, Qiuyun grabbed her umbrella and rushed outside.
Achun, a maid sharing the same room, saw this and chuckled with a smile. "The two of you are certainly close, but you shouldn't take a cold lightly. If it leaves lingering roots, you'll suffer for it."
Siyue nodded, her head spinning heavily, leaving her with no strength to speak.
Soon, Qiuyun returned and smiled at Siyue. "I told you Brother Lin was easy to talk to! When Brother Lin heard you were sick, he said he happened to have some typhoid medicine in his room, so he told me to come back first while he went to the servants' kitchen to brew it and bring it over."
Hearing this, Achun laughed. "Why is Brother Lin so good to our Siyue?"
Fearing that Achun would talk nonsense, Siyue quickly said, "Sister Achun, don't let your imagination run wild. Brother Lin has always been kind-hearted. If it were anyone else, he'd treat them the same way."
Seeing that Siyue was taking it seriously after a few playful remarks, Achun hastily added, "Sister was just joking, little sister. Don't take it to heart."
Siyue breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down limply. Not knowing how much time had passed, a maid outside came in and announced, "Little sister Siyue, Brother Lin has brought the medicine."
Hearing this, Siyue hurried to get up, felt around under the mattress for a few copper coins to clutch in her hand, and then went out.
Outside, Lin Changqing was standing there holding a bowl of medicine. Seeing him, Siyue hurried over with her head bowed and murmured, "Thank you, Brother Lin."
His expression in the night was unclear, and only his gentle voice could be heard. "Sister Yue, don't be so formal. Drink your medicine quickly. Tomorrow I'll have someone leave the medicine in the kitchen so you can just take it when you go for your meals."
Siyue nodded silently, enduring the bitter taste of the medicine as she gulped it down.
The moment she swallowed it, however, a wave of nausea hit her. Covering her mouth, she almost threw up.
Seeing this, Lin Changqing paused the hand he had raised to pat Siyue's back. He pulled a handkerchief from his chest, unfolded it, and offered it to her. "Sour plums, Sister Yue. Have a taste; you might feel better."
Siyue stared blankly at the plums before her, reached out to take one, and popped it into her mouth. The sweet and sour flavor spread across her tongue, and she softly murmured, "Thank you."
She gripped the copper coins tightly in her palm, bit her lip, and extended her hand toward Lin Changqing. "Brother Lin, this is for the medicine."
Looking at the copper coins resting on her pale palm, Lin Changqing's brow gradually furrowed.
His voice lost its previous warmth, turning somewhat distant. "What is the meaning of this, Sister Yue?"
With her head lowered, Siyue stared at the tips of her shoes. "Brother Lin went to great expense. I can't take Brother Lin's medicine for nothing."
Lin Changqing felt a flicker of annoyance. "I brewed the medicine for you of my own accord, not for your few copper coins."
"Besides, why would I make a trip just for your few coins?"
Thinking about it, Siyue realized he was right. As Steward Zhao's son who also helped manage the account books, Lin Changqing certainly wouldn't care about a few mere copper coins.
A sense of shame washed over her. With the coins trembling in her palm, she stood at a loss.
Then she heard Lin Changqing's voice from above:
"Sister Yue, I helped you because I wanted to."
"From now on, whenever you need me, I am willing to help with anything."
"I am willing to do anything for you."
"I won't take your money today. Keep it well; it will surely come in useful someday."
With that, Lin Changqing gave Siyue one last deep look before turning to leave.
Siyue silently clenched her hands. But with her burning head and exhausted mind, she lacked the strength to think. Watching Lin Changqing's retreating figure, she bit her lip and turned back inside, completely forgetting that Gu Rongheng had told her to come see him today.