Vernon Hospital.
From the moment they got out of the car, Xavier switched into clingy mode, wrapping his arm around Serena's slender arm and refusing to let go.
Serena wanted to get angry, but he whined and used his fever as an excuse.
After grinding her teeth a few times and silently repeating to herself, 'He's a patient, don't argue with him,' she finally managed to suppress her anger a little.
Beside the registration window, Xavier's head leaned back onto Serena's shoulder. She gritted her teeth and complained, "Mr. Blaze, you're clinging to me like a koala, how am I supposed to register for you?!"
The man shamelessly smiled, saying, "I told you before, I don't need to be at the hospital. As long as you let me lean on you for a while, I'll be fine soon!"
"Leaning on me will make you better?!" Serena rolled her eyes in disbelief, "I'm not a magic potion. If I could heal people, I would've debuted as a miracle doctor and made a fortune by now!"
"For me, you're way more effective than any magic potion!" Xavier's big head burrowed into Serena's neck, "If you want to make money, there's no need to bother. I have plenty of cash. Just say the word, and you can take as much as you want."
"Alright, alright, I know you have money to spare. But no matter how rich you are, you're still human. If you're sick, you need treatment, right?!"
The two had grown up together. Even though Serena didn't have any romantic feelings for Xavier, she understood him well.
Knowing he responds better to softness than hard tactics, she decided to try a different approach.
So, she softened her tone and gently persuaded, "Listen, why don't you go wait in the seating area over there while I finish the registration? I'll come find you as soon as I'm done, alright?"
Xavier's lips curved into a satisfied smile, but his head didn't leave her shoulder, "Then... you... give me a kiss, and I'll behave!"
Serena ground her teeth, itching to snap, but she lowered her voice and warned, "Xavier, don't push your luck. If you really piss me off, I'll leave you here and walk away."
The man chuckled lightly, "Alright, alright, no kiss then. Just pat my head, give me some comfort. Is that okay?"
The handsome couple attracted attention with their unusual position at the registration desk, drawing the gazes of several passersby.
Serena was about to refuse, but when she saw a few people staring at them from a distance, she didn't want to stand out too much. She reluctantly raised her hand and gently ruffled Xavier's head.
His hair was thick and soft, and it felt surprisingly nice to the touch.
She petted him once, then again, realizing she actually enjoyed the soft sensation.
She patted him a few more times symbolically before quickly putting her hand down, "Is that enough now?!"
Xavier lifted his head happily, smiling at her, "Alright! I always keep my word!"
With that, he turned around and walked briskly toward the waiting area.
Looking at his retreating figure, Serena muttered under her breath, "He's walking so fast, doesn't seem like he's sick. Could he be faking it to trick me?!"
Although she felt suspicious, she decided to play it safe and walked toward the registration window.
After finishing the registration, a nurse quickly approached and asked, "Xavier Blaze, who is Xavier Blaze?!"
The man was leaning back in his chair with half-closed eyes, raising his hand, "Here!"
The nurse walked over, glanced at the form in her hand, and then looked up to confirm, "Xavier Blaze, right?!"
"Yes!" This time, the man opened his eyes and nodded at her.
The nurse seemed momentarily distracted, staring at him in a daze with no reaction.
Serena waved her hand in front of her face, "Nurse, what do we do next?!"
The nurse snapped back to reality, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as her expression shifted to one of shy embarrassment, "Follow me, we'll take your temperature first."
Xavier obediently stood up, ready to follow the nurse.
As soon as he took a step, he staggered slightly, and Serena quickly reached out to steady him.
The man smirked, his lips curling into a proud smile, "I'm dizzy, can't walk on my own, need someone to hold me."
Serena gritted her teeth, forcing a smile, "Fine, I'll help you."
The three of them walked in sequence toward the examination room.
On the way, Serena couldn't help but think, 'He's definitely faking it. If his temperature turns out to be only slightly elevated, I'll make sure to hold him accountable!'
When they reached the examination room, Xavier grabbed the thermometer and laid down on the observation bed, closing his eyes and remaining silent.
Serena quietly sat at the bedside, squinting at him, seemingly trying to find any signs of him faking his illness from that handsome face.
Before she could figure anything out, the nurse who had led them in earlier approached and said softly, "You're so lucky, your boyfriend is really handsome!"
Serena turned around, embarrassed, "No..."
"Yes!" Before she could explain further, the man who had been lying there with furrowed brows suddenly spoke, "I also think she's lucky to have a boyfriend like me!"
Serena quickly shook her head, "Don't listen to him, we..."
The nurse smiled, "Don't be shy, I can tell you two have a great relationship! On the way here, he was hugging you so tightly."
Serena felt awkward, giving a bitter smile, unsure whether she should clarify things or not.
She turned her head, only to find Xavier looking at her with a victorious smile.
She instinctively raised her hand, wanting to slap him to vent her frustration, but her hand fell, and he grabbed it.
His palm was hot, and Serena's heart raced uncontrollably.
The nurse looked at their interaction and couldn't help but giggle.
"The time's up, let me see the thermometer."
Xavier obediently handed over the small plastic stick under his arm.
The nurse took it, held it up to her eyes, then suddenly furrowed her brows, nervously saying, "Oh my gosh, your temperature is 40 degrees! A normal body temperature above 38 degrees will cause headaches and fatigue, you wouldn't be able to stand. How are you still walking in here with a fever this high?!"
Serena was stunned, staring at the nurse, "What did you say? 40 degrees?!"
"Yes!" The nurse handed the thermometer to Serena, then hurriedly ran out, "Your fever is too high, I'll go get the doctor!"
Serena finally came to her senses, turned, and glared at Xavier, "Hey... with such a high fever, how can you still be smiling?!"
"Seeing you, I forget about any discomfort. With you by my side, I'm too happy to care about anything else!"
***