Chapter 30: Internal Heat

The blanket dropped over her head, plunging Willow Avery into darkness.

The bed dipped beside her, and the faint, clean scent of medicine from the man filled her senses.

The black silk fabric brushed against her fingertips, carrying his lingering body heat.

Willow’s heart hammered against her ribs.

The night before, she had been inside the covers while he was outside.

But now, they were sharing the same bed.

Scandalous thoughts began to pop into her head uncontrollably.

Like Julian Kingston leaning close to her ear, the veins on his forehead bulging...

Or him gripping her waist...

Just as Julian adjusted the blanket, Sterling Kingston pushed the door open and walked in.

"Julian, when is Willa’s school anniversary? Old Liu told me that the lead dancers have different costumes from the others. Since she’s moved in, I haven't given her a proper gift. I’ll contact a designer to custom-make one for her."

As for the school, a quick word would be enough.

"Alright," Julian nodded.

Seeing him agree, Sterling walked to the bedside and handed him his phone. "I’ve picked out a few designers. Which one do you think is better? I’ve checked; Willa studies classical dance, and these are all famous national-style designers."

Julian took the phone and swiped the screen, but suddenly realized something was wrong.

Under the blanket, it was far too hot.

The girl must have been suffocating, as she was exhaling heavy, hot breaths.

To hide her silhouette, he had purposefully bent one leg, which resulted in all of her breath puffing right against his...

Center.

Since it concerned Willow's costume, he didn't want to handle it half-heartedly, so he offered a temporary excuse. "I’m a bit tired. I'll look at it tomorrow."

"How can looking at a phone be tiring?" Sterling glared at him, then seemed to realize something. "You haven't looked for a girlfriend all this time—could it be that your body is weak?"

It was only eight o'clock, and his job consisted of sitting in a hospital checking pulses.

Tiring himself out just by moving his hands.

Truly useless.

Thinking back to his own younger days...

He was getting off track.

He stared at his son. "You’re a doctor yourself; if you’re weak, can't you take supplements? If it’s really that bad, go buy some... animal stamina boosters—"

"Ahem, Dad," Julian frowned, "Could you be a bit more refined?"

Willow was right there.

"I’m talking to you about having children, and you’re talking to me about being refined? Your father has never been refined in his life—"

Seeing Sterling starting one of his long-winded speeches, Julian interrupted him in time. "The designers you picked won't do. I’ll prepare a list of files and give it to you tomorrow."

"How are they not good enough!" Sterling poked the screen. "I spent three days picking and choosing, you brat—"

As he spoke, he noticed the fine sweat on Julian’s forehead.

"Is it that hot today?"

It was already early autumn.

Julian glanced at the blanket out of the corner of his eye and said, "I have a fever. Have someone bring a thermometer."

Sterling: ??

Hopeless. Simply hopeless.

Catching a fever in this weather; it seemed his son really was weak beyond help.

Better forget the thermometer and just buy ingredients for a tonic.

A strong one.

After Sterling left, Julian lifted the blanket.

Willow’s small face was flushed crimson as she gasped for air.

"Uncle Julian," she looked at him, her voice soft and weak, "it was too hot."

Julian hummed softly. "It was quite hot."

Willow pushed the blanket aside. "Then I’ll be going now."

She couldn't stay!

She really couldn't stay!

She had almost reached her limit...

Carefully crawling out, she crouched by the door and poked her head out to look around.

Just as she was about to leave, Julian’s deep voice came from behind her: "I'll take you to school tomorrow."

Willow turned around, looking at him in surprise.

The man raised his hand, lightly wiping the hot sweat from his forehead, and spoke nonchalantly: "The injury on my back."

"Uncle Julian," Willow said, afraid of something uncontrollable happening again, "how about letting a servant or a colleague help you?"

Julian looked up at her.

"I don't like other people looking at my body."

Willow: "I am 'other people' too."

Julian said calmly, "You've already seen it. One more time doesn't matter."

Willow: !!!

Was her uncle hinting at something?

She fled with weak knees.

After she left, Julian’s gaze fell on the spot where Willow had just been lying.

He lifted the corner of the blanket; it was full of her sweet scent.

His body couldn't help but lean toward it.

...

Breakfast time.

Willow looked at the bowls of tonic soup being served and turned to Sterling in surprise.

"Grandpa Sterling, are you sick?"

"Not me, it’s your uncle," Sterling thought of Willow as half a granddaughter, so he didn't hide it. "Do you know why he doesn't look for a girlfriend? And why he shuts all women out?"

Willow shook her head.

Sterling sighed. "Think about it for a moment."

Willow thought seriously.

Her uncle indeed showed no interest in women. Aside from the accident that happened between them that day, he had never shown any desire.

Could it be...

"Does Uncle Julian... like men?!"

Julian, who had just stepped into the dining room: "..."

"Wrong," Sterling waved his hand. "He's weak. In such good weather, he actually managed to catch a fever."

Julian again: "..."

Willow didn't dare to join the conversation. Yesterday, she was the one hiding under the blanket, and her uncle had just made up a random excuse.

"Julian," Sterling saw him standing at the door and beckoned him over. "Come here, drink two more bowls."

Julian sat at the dining table.

He recognized all the Chinese medicinal herbs in the clay pot.

Drinking this would definitely cause a nosebleed.

He pressed his temple. "I’m fine."

"Stubborn. Drink it," Sterling forced it upon him. "Willa is one of our own; don't feel embarrassed."

Willow, suddenly being mentioned, buried her face in her plate.

She saw nothing.

Julian toyed with the soup bowl. "I'll drink it, but I’m taking Willow to school later."

Sterling slammed the table. "Why! I should be the one to take her!"

Julian looked at him. "To discuss her costume. I don't trust an old man’s taste."

Since it was for Willow's benefit, Sterling let him have his way.

"Then hurry up. Don't make her late for school."

After Julian finished two bowls, he picked up Willow’s backpack and walked out of the estate.

Willow hurried after him.

Once in the car, she told him, "Uncle Julian, there’s no need for a custom dance costume."

"It’s the old man’s idea. I can't change it."

Julian started the car and asked her in detail about the type of dance and the color of the original costume.

"Don't worry. I'll have the designer make something similar."

"But..." Willow still didn't want to trouble them. "I can just wear the school’s."

"Listen to me," Julian said after a pause, "the old man will be happy to see it."

"But..."

Willow wanted to say more, but Julian had already stepped on the brakes. He took the ointment from the armrest box and handed it to her. "Apply the medicine."

At the mention of his injury, Willow didn't dare to delay. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned toward Julian.

Compared to yesterday, it looked much better today.

After carefully and quickly applying it, she pulled back. "Uncle Julian, does it hurt? Your back is so stiff."

"It’s fine." Julian pulled his shirt back up and didn't look at her again. "Go to school."

Willow nodded and left with her bag.

Julian fastened his buttons and drove to the hospital.

As soon as he walked through the door, two lines of blood ran from his nose.

Adrian Cross cried out in shock, "Damn, damn, damn! Julian, what happened to you? Have you been bottling it up?"

Julian pulled out a tissue and said calmly, "Internal heat."

"What kind of heat?" Adrian winked suggestively. "A woman's heat?"

Julian walked toward his consultation room and gave a faint "Mm."

Adrian reacted three seconds later: !!!

He just heard some gossip!

"Can you tell me in detail? What's the situation?"

One moment it was a child, the next a woman; he could only guess that years ago a woman slept with him and secretly had his child.

Julian turned on his computer. "Next time."

Adrian: I knew he’d play the mystery card again.