Chapter 36: Scorching Breath Against Her Ear…

Two o’clock in the afternoon was the hottest time of the day. But that seemed to be outside the considerations of military training.

Because of her “previous record” of fainting during training, Shen Jia Yan was extremely careful this time.

She ate every meal on time, drank water whenever she had a chance, and took excellent precautions against heatstroke, smoothly completing the last military training of her life.

She stood under the shade of the tree, staring intently at Wen Wan Ning, afraid that she would feel unwell like she had before.

September’s sun was so harsh it nearly melted the plastic track, and the air was filled with the smell of sun-softened rubber. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze following Wen Wan Ning in the formation.

Wen Wan Ning wore a green camouflage uniform, her hat brim pulled low, her nape already sunburned red, yet she kept her back straight, turning and stepping in time with the instructor’s commands.

Shen Jia Yan gripped the mineral water bottle tightly, the plastic shell creaking softly in her palm.

“Her complexion doesn’t look right…”

Wen Wan Ning’s steps began to falter, her movements half a beat slower than the others. Shen Jia Yan’s heart raced faster, her throat tightening as if someone had choked off her breath.

The next second, Wen Wan Ning’s body swayed, like a puppet with its strings cut, and she toppled forward.

“Wan Ning!” Shen Jia Yan’s brain hadn’t caught up yet, but her body had already rushed forward.

She sprinted across the scorching track, the whistling wind and her pounding heartbeat the only sounds in her ears. The surroundings blurred into colors, but Wen Wan Ning’s falling figure remained crystal clear in her vision.

“Make way! Excuse me!” She nearly shoved through the crowd, her knees slamming into the ground, but she ignored the pain as she grabbed Wen Wan Ning’s shoulders.

Wen Wan Ning’s face was terrifyingly pale, her forehead covered in cold sweat, her eyelashes drooping weakly, strands of hair stuck to her brow by sweat, her lips dry and peeling. Shen Jia Yan frantically wiped the sweat from her face with her sleeve, her fingertips touching an abnormally high fever.

“Heatstroke! Get her to the School Infirmary!” the instructor shouted.

“School Infirmary! Where’s the School Infirmary?” Shen Jia Yan’s voice was hoarse, unrecognizable even to herself.

Someone pointed the way, and Shen Jia Yan hoisted Wen Wan Ning onto her back.

Just as she was about to carry her away, the instructor grabbed her, noting that she wasn’t wearing camouflage like everyone else. “Who are you?”

Shen Jia Yan quickly explained while supporting Wen Wan Ning, “I’m her high school classmate, studying at Jingbei Media University.”

The weakened Wen Wan Ning cracked her eyes open slightly and added softly, “She’s my classmate, Instructor.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her forehead slumped powerlessly against Shen Jia Yan’s nape, her scorching breath brushing against Shen Jia Yan’s skin. Shen Jia Yan’s heart clenched, and without further explanation, she strode outward. “Instructor, she’s about to collapse. I’ll take her to the School Infirmary first!”

Seeing her anxious expression and Wen Wan Ning’s pallid face, the instructor finally relented. “Go, quick!”

Shen Jia Yan adjusted Wen Wan Ning securely on her back and hurried across the field. She could feel Wen Wan Ning’s hot breath against her ear, her own heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

“Hang in there just a bit longer, Wan Ning. We’re almost there.” Her voice trembled as her steps quickened.

Wen Wan Ning mumbled a groggy “Mm,” her arms softly wrapping around Shen Jia Yan’s shoulders, as if instinctively seeking support.

Shen Jia Yan shouldered open the School Infirmary door with a muffled bang, the smell of disinfectant hitting her face.

“Heatstroke with mild dehydration.” The doctor pried open Wen Wan Ning’s eyelids to check her pupils, the mercury thermometer glinting coldly in the sunlight. “Are you her classmate? Go fetch a basin of water.”

Shen Jia Yan froze in place, her fingers still clutching Wen Wan Ning’s sleeve. Only when the doctor urged her a second time did she snap out of it, releasing her hand—but not before noticing the deep sweat stains she’d left on the camouflage fabric.

The faucet ran with a rush. Shen Jia Yan stared at the rippling water in the basin, seeing her distorted reflection: bangs plastered to her forehead, eyes red and frightening.

When she returned to the bed, the doctor was unbuttoning Wen Wan Ning’s collar, exposing her pale collarbone. Shen Jia Yan averted her gaze, soaking and wringing out the towel, water droplets falling from her trembling wrist to the floor.

“You wipe her down.” The doctor suddenly shoved the towel into her hands. “Focus on the major arteries: neck, armpits, those areas.”

Shen Jia Yan’s fingertips flinched the instant they touched Wen Wan Ning’s skin. That patch was flushed abnormally, the sweaty feel reminding her of melted asphalt. Wen Wan Ning frowned in her delirium, unconsciously grabbing Shen Jia Yan’s wrist.

“Jia Yan…”

The murmur made Shen Jia Yan’s breath hitch. She gently brushed away the stray hairs on Wen Wan Ning’s forehead, suddenly noticing tiny water droplets on her eyelashes—sweat or tears, she couldn’t tell.

Military training chants drifted in from outside, the old air conditioner in the School Infirmary humming. Shen Jia Yan sat by the bed, carefully wiping Wen Wan Ning’s burning ear, nape, and neck with the towel.

When she reached the dip in her collarbone, Wen Wan Ning suddenly opened her eyes.

Her blurry vision gradually focused. She saw Shen Jia Yan’s red-rimmed eyes, her lower lip marked with teeth indents, and the hand hovering mid-air, trembling slightly.

“I’m fine.” She weakly curved her lips, her fingers groping to touch Shen Jia Yan’s hem. “Your clothes are soaked through.”

Only then did Shen Jia Yan realize her T-shirt was wringing wet. She opened her mouth, but the doctor spoke from behind. “Classmate, your face looks worse than hers.”

Shen Jia Yan looked down at her crumpled hem, where Wen Wan Ning’s fingertips still hooked, tinged faint pink from the fever.

“I…” Her voice caught in her throat.

The doctor handed over a cup of glucose water, condensation beading on the glass. As Shen Jia Yan took it, she noticed crescent-shaped marks on her palm—nail digs from carrying Wen Wan Ning.

“You need rest too.” The doctor pulled over another chair. “Stress-induced hypoglycemia.”

“Thanks.” Shen Jia Yan sat, sipping the glucose water. She watched color slowly return to Wen Wan Ning’s pale cheeks.

She couldn’t resist reaching out but yanked her hand back just before touching her face, instead tucking in the blanket corner.

“Drink some water.” She held the straw to Wen Wan Ning’s lips.

Wen Wan Ning tilted her head slightly, her chapped lips brushing the straw, her eyelashes fluttering. She sipped slowly, her gaze fixed on Shen Jia Yan’s face. Her lowered lashes cast shadows under her eyes, a bead of sweat still on her nose tip.

“Slowly.” Shen Jia Yan’s voice was soft, her knuckles white on the cup, as if restraining something fiercely.

The warm water slid down her throat, but Wen Wan Ning felt a deeper heat bloom in her chest. She looked at Shen Jia Yan’s tense jawline, recalling the frantic heartbeat she’d vaguely felt while being carried, and the warm droplet on her hand.

The straw gurgled empty. Shen Jia Yan stood to refill it, but Wen Wan Ning gently tugged her hem.

“Enough.” Her voice was still raspy but stronger. “Sit down, okay?”

Shen Jia Yan froze.

The infirmary curtain billowed in the breeze, sunlight flickering across her profile, highlighting a suspicious red at her ear tip. In the end, she just dragged the chair closer to the bed—near enough to hand over water, far enough not to cross the line.

The IV drip fell steadily. Wen Wan Ning suddenly reached out, her fingertip lightly brushing Shen Jia Yan’s knee-placed hand, where a fresh scrape from the field marred the skin.

“Does it hurt?” she asked.

Shen Jia Yan jerked back as if burned, then slowly returned her hand. “No.”

Wen Wan Ning’s lips curved slightly, then she pressed them together. “Thank you, Jia Yan.”

Thanks for always appearing first in her moments of trouble; for unhesitatingly carrying her under the blazing sun; for sitting here now, unwell herself yet still fussing over water and blankets…

Shen Jia Yan’s hand stiffened, her heartbeat drowning everything. Wen Wan Ning’s fingertip lingered on her handback, showing no sign of moving—a silent permission.

Cicadas chirped distantly outside. Shen Jia Yan took a deep breath, then cautiously flipped her palm, gently clasping Wen Wan Ning’s hand.

Wen Wan Ning didn’t pull away.

She exhaled inwardly. “You’re my best deskmate, my best friend. Don’t thank me for this.”

Wen Wan Ning smiled gently, noncommittal.

After the IV finished and some rest.

The school doctor checked Wen Wan Ning. “She’s fine, can go. Have light dinner, sip room-temperature water frequently in small amounts.”

Shen Jia Yan picked up Wen Wan Ning’s jacket. “Got it, thanks Doctor.”

They left the School Infirmary.

Wen Wan Ning glanced at the darkening sky and her watch. “Jia Yan, it’s getting late. Head back to school; it’s not safe.”

“I’ll take you to eat first.” Her tone brooked no argument.

Wen Wan Ning smiled helplessly. “Alright, then let’s eat quick so you can get back soon.”

Jingbei University’s cafeteria, like the school itself, offered reliable high-quality food tempered by its century-old heritage.

Shen Jia Yan skipped uncertain off-campus spots, leading Wen Wan Ning straight to an on-campus stall with light fare.

After dinner, Wen Wan Ning’s spirits had mostly recovered.

Outside the cafeteria, she said, “Let’s go, Jia Yan. I’ll walk you to the gate.”

Shen Jia Yan eyed the dorm direction. “No need. I’ll take you back to your dorm, then head out myself.”

“But—”

“No buts. You’re the patient.” Shen Jia Yan took Wen Wan Ning’s wrist, heading away from the gate.

Wen Wan Ning followed Shen Jia Yan, who in turn escorted her to her dormitory building.

“Okay, before it gets fully dark, hurry back.” Wen Wan Ning urged.

“Wait.” Shen Jia Yan shrugged off her backpack, handing over a small bag first.

Wen Wan Ning took it as Shen Jia Yan packed in huoxiang zhengqi water, mosquito repellent, sunscreen spray…

“What’s this?”

Shen Jia Yan zipped it up and shouldered her pack. “Military training essentials—especially after your heatstroke, you need to be careful.”

“Or…” She thought, frowning. “If you can’t handle it, get a medical note and skip training.”