Today, it was because he was recognized by fans on his way home from school that he went to the cafeteria late, had a makeshift meal, and only thought about ordering a late-night snack after he got back.

Ethan Carter held up the meal box in his hand: “No need to order, I packed dinner and brought it back. Let’s eat together.”

Liam Bennett helped lay out and open the meal boxes one by one, his eyes lighting up: “Wow, hairy crabs! Wow, arctic surf clams!”

After being frozen all night, Ethan Carter finally regained a bit of his ravenous appetite amidst these familiar sounds of laughter.

Just as the boxes were set out, Henry Sullivan walked in, carrying a pair of freshly cleaned sneakers.

“Ethan is back? I was just about to ask when you’d be back. It’s already past ten—don’t tell me you forgot to charge your hot water bottle again.”

Ethan Carter was reminded: “Oh, right, I’ll go charge it now.”

The dorm heating wouldn’t be on for a few more days, so at night he relied entirely on his hot water bottle to survive.

He called Henry Sullivan over to join the late-night snack, plugged in the hot water bottle while stepping on the bunk ladder, then pulled up a chair and sat down.

The delicious food only truly revealed its appeal when set out on the makeshift low table made of cardboard boxes. Even though the packed dinner had lost some of its flavor compared to when it was freshly made, it was still much tastier than eating in a cold, impersonal restaurant.

Liam Bennett even pulled out a few bottles of cola that came with their takeout order. Paired with the late-night snack, it was more delightful than expensive red wine in a fancy restaurant.

The four of them chatted idly as they ate. Liam Bennett said, “We don’t start our hospital internship until next semester, right? I have a classmate next door—they’ve already started theirs this semester.”

Next to Yancheng University was Shuimu University, and their internship partner was the renowned Hexie Hospital.

“I heard the ICU at Hexie took in a big shot these past couple of days. Even the interns are being strictly checked for their IDs now.”

Blake Cooper, holding a lobster shell, asked, “What kind of big shot?”

Liam Bennett shook his head. “No idea. Interns don’t get to go to the ICU, and they’re not letting anyone near it these days.”

Henry Sullivan said, “If it’s gotten to the point of being in the ICU, maybe it’ll be in the news in a couple of days.”

Since it’s a big shot, it might even be the kind that gets reported nationwide.

After a bit more small talk, they finished their late-night snack and got ready to rest. Before washing up, Ethan Carter made sure to check his hot water bottle.

It was already warm.

But no matter how hot the water bottle was, it could only warm part of him. Once he actually lay down in bed, Ethan Carter still couldn’t escape the chill.

He was born with a cold constitution; no matter how many layers of blankets he added, it didn’t help. Even after being wrapped up all night, there was barely any warmth, as if he was frozen through, inside and out.

Once, when the dorm went on a trip together, the four of them slept on the floor in a wooden cabin. Liam Bennett was a restless sleeper and accidentally touched Ethan Carter’s leg while turning over, and the cold startled him awake.

He thought someone had pressed an ice pack against him.

At the time, Liam Bennett declared that 鹤鹤 desperately needed a cute little bed warmer.

This year’s fierce cold front and sharp temperature drop made things even harder. Even though Ethan Carter was used to the long winters, he still tossed and turned for ages before finally drifting off in the persistent chill.

When he woke up the next day, as usual, his hands and feet were icy, his fingertips tingling with numbness from the cold.

Bundled up in layers, Ethan Carter tiptoed to the window and pulled open the curtains.

The morning light outside was faint. Through the fogged-up glass, he could see the gray, overcast sky.

Another sunless day.

His phone on the desk vibrated twice, the screen lighting up with new messages.

Ethan Carter hadn’t yet recovered from the morning chill when he saw two messages that made it even harder to warm up.

[Ivy Harris: Keep next Tuesday free]

[Ivy Harris: Mr. Lu is coming to Yancheng. Meet with him.]

Author’s note:

Uncle Lu, your wife is in bed and feeling cold, get it?

——

100 red envelopes for this chapter. Didn’t expect some readers to wait for me to start this story… Surprised and nervous, bowing deeply.

Chapter 3 003

On the upper floors of the main building of Hexie Hospital in Yancheng, more than a dozen top experts in the field were holding a specialist consultation. Seated at the head of the table was none other than an academician of the National Academy of Sciences, the highest leader and official director of Hexie Hospital.

Dozens of meters away, in the intensive care ward, complex machines monitored every detail in real time, while medical staff in white coats moved in and out, busy but almost silent.

The air was nearly still, with only the beeping of the machines audible.

Like a warning, or a countdown.

Outside the intensive care ward, the exclusive waiting area was packed with well-dressed elites. Several high-level executives, who usually wouldn’t even want their names mentioned together, stood side by side, the atmosphere unusually calm and quiet.

A nurse hurried out of the ward. The executives saw her and rushed forward, vying to ask, “How is Chairman Liu doing?”

Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were the patient’s real family.

The nurse gave the same answer as before: “The patient’s condition is stable for now.”