Xia Wantang gently shook her head and said nonchalantly, "It's nothing, I just slept too long and feel a bit dizzy."
Her stomach problems hadn't flared up in a long time, and this time she had truly indulged too much.
After eating such heavy-flavored food last night and then so many snacks today, it was no wonder it acted up.
"If you feel unwell, tell us. Don't try to tough it out by yourself."
Qiao Xinyue clearly didn't believe Xia Wantang, as Xia Wantang's face was pale, and she kept frowning.
"I'm really fine."
Xia Wantang repeatedly emphasized that she was fine. She didn't want to cause trouble for others. She figured a bit of hot water and some rest would fix it.
Qiao Xinyue looked at her skeptically, clearly not entirely convinced.
"Quick, watch TV. Why are you staring at me?" Xia Wantang quickly changed the subject and turned on the TV with the remote.
A variety show was playing, featuring handsome men and beautiful women who were quite a feast for the eyes.
Xia Wantang stared intently at the screen, and couldn't help but let out a light laugh.
Seeing her like this, Qiao Xinyue decided to let it go for now.
Once Qiao Xinyue was completely distracted, engrossed by the people on TV, Xia Wantang finally dropped her pretense.
She took a deep breath and gently pressed her stomach, the pain quite sharp.
However, it was bearable. This much pain was nothing to her.
A memory suddenly surfaced of a nanny from the Xia family telling her something.
She had said, "People who aren't cared for have no right to be overly sensitive."
That saying had stayed with her. Since then, she had never shown a sign of weakness to anyone in the Xia family.
If she could handle something herself, she would never bother others. This had shaped her personality, making her dislike asking for help.
Of course, she knew her own stomach condition. A day or two of rest would be fine.
If it were truly serious, she wouldn't delay. Otherwise, that would be the real way to trouble others.
Linglu Mountain was a private villa area, which in other words, meant it was the wilderness. If she wanted to buy medicine or see a doctor, she would have to go back to the city.
She couldn't drive, and it was impossible to get a taxi here, so it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Xia Wantang poured a cup of hot water and drank it slowly. The warm liquid warmed her stomach from her mouth.
The pain subsided significantly. With a warm hand covering her stomach, the pain gradually faded.
If she ate less tonight and had something to aid digestion, she would be fine by tomorrow, without even needing medicine.
"Wen Yan is so handsome!!"
Qiao Xinyue gazed at the person on the TV with adoration, wishing she could lick the screen.
She then turned her head and noticed Xia Wantang holding a cup and drinking hot water. She asked curiously, "Why are you drinking hot water in the middle of summer?"
Xia Wantang leisurely put down her cup and said with a faint smile, "It's a habit. Drinking hot water is good for my health."
She rarely ate cold things, like ice cream or popsicles. No matter how hot it was, she wouldn't touch them.
But spicy food, she really couldn't give up. However, as long as she didn't eat it too often or too mixed, it was usually fine. Eating it occasionally wouldn't trigger her stomach problems.
Qiao Xinyue seemed to find this hard to understand. She certainly couldn't do it.
She swallowed, feeling a bit dry-mouthed. Thinking about it, she got up and asked as she walked, "I'm going to get some ice cream. Do you want some?"
"I don't want any," Xia Wantang refused directly. If she dared to eat anything cold, she would definitely end up in the hospital today.
Qiao Xinyue grabbed a vanilla-flavored chocolate ice cream, still frosty as it had just come out of the freezer.
Xia Wantang didn't like sweet things, and current ice creams were overly sweet.
So, seeing the ice cream didn't interest her much. In comparison, she found the hot water in her hand more appealing.
Licking her ice cream, Qiao Xinyue gazed at the people on TV with starry eyes.
"Wen Yan is simply amazing. He's so gentlemanly, gentle, and so good-looking."
Xia Wantang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you like him?"
"I do, I like him so much! He's my only idol," Qiao Xinyue said excitedly, her eyes overflowing with affection.
Xia Wantang blurted out, "He's my best friend's brother. I'll get you an autograph next time."
"Ahhhhh..."
As soon as she spoke, a piercing scream echoed in her ears. Qiao Xinyue, as if gone mad, lunged in front of her.
"Are you serious? Do you have his contact information? Do you know him?"
Xia Wantang was startled and stared blankly at Qiao Xinyue, saying in a small voice, "R-really. He's my best friend's brother. I have his WeChat."
"Ahhhhh..."
Qiao Xinyue was completely flustered. Her face turned red, and her heart pounded.
Mama Ou thought something had happened and rushed out of the house, anxiously asking, "What's wrong, what's wrong..."
"Sister Wantang, could you send me Wen Yan's WeChat? ~" Qiao Xinyue blinked her big eyes, her mind entirely focused on getting his WeChat.
Xia Wantang hadn't expected Qiao Xinyue to have such a strong reaction and felt a bit at a loss.
But in Mama Ou's eyes, her unruly daughter had scared the well-behaved young madam.
She immediately flew into a rage, grabbed Qiao Xinyue's ear, and said,
"What are you doing? Look how scared you've made Wantang."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch..." Qiao Xinyue cried out in pain, tears welling up in her eyes, "Mom, what are you doing?"
Xia Wantang quickly grabbed Mama Ou's hand.
"Mama Ou, you've misunderstood."
Only then did Mama Ou release Qiao Xinyue's ear, but she still said crossly, "Who told you to act like you've been enchanted? You deserve it."
Qiao Xinyue pouted, her enthusiasm completely extinguished, feeling very wronged.
"I was just trying to find you a son-in-law."
Mama Ou's eyes suddenly lit up, and she asked, "Son-in-law? What son-in-law?"
Qiao Xinyue rolled her eyes and said proudly, "Hmph, I won't tell you."
This piqued Mama Ou's curiosity. She immediately pressed for details, thinking she had actually found a boyfriend.
"Don't play coy, tell me quickly."
"I won't tell you, nya nya nya." Qiao Xinyue happily took a large bite of her ice cream, then let out little gasps from the cold.
Mother and daughter, one running, the other chasing and questioning, a picture of warmth.
Xia Wantang quietly held her water cup, watching with a serene smile.
She envied the casual way they interacted, the playful bickering that hid deep affection.
As for her, she had been born with shallow family ties. Fortunately, she had friendship. As for love, she dared not hope for too much.
At that moment, her phone chimed with a notification.
Ling Yuchen sent a message: "I'm coming back now."
Xia Wantang replied: "Okay, waiting for you."
Putting down her phone, she saw that Mama Ou, having failed to get an answer, had stomped off to the kitchen in a huff, threatening,
"You're not eating my cooking tonight!"
Qiao Xinyue was completely unfazed and sat down on the sofa with a victorious smirk.
"Sister Wantang, can you give me Wen Yan's WeChat now!"
Xia Wantang asked with a smile, "Do you really like him? Or is it just fangirling?"
Qiao Xinyue blushed and mumbled, "I don't know. I haven't met him, but he's really handsome."