Switched Life:I Went Viral on a Family Variety Show-Chapter 42 I’m Not Cold, I’m Just Poor

Chapter 42: Chapter 42 I’m Not Cold, I’m Just Poor

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"Cough, cough, cough—" Sang Ning lightly clenched her fist against her lips, coughing softly to clear her throat.

Li Juezhou glanced sideways at her, catching a glimpse of her slender waist beneath the fitted short T-shirt and her long, pale, straight legs exposed under her shorts.

He took off his thin jacket and draped it over Sang Ning’s legs.

???

Sang Ning looked at Li Juezhou in confusion. What was he trying to say?

"I thought you might be cold," Li Juezhou said, his tone as calm and collected as ever.

Sang Ning handed the jacket back to him. "I’m not cold."

I’m just poor...

"Um..."

Sang Ning hesitated, noticing that he was watching her with an intrigued look.

She decided not to hold back any longer and spoke directly, "Can I borrow some money from you?"

Li Juezhou suddenly laughed, the corners of his lips curling up into a faint smile.

This girl sounded so assertive—if you knew her intentions, you’d think she was borrowing money; if you didn’t, you’d think she was demanding a debt payment.

Sang Ning met Li Juezhou’s gaze and continued to explain, "The show crew took all our phones. I don’t have a single penny on me. The money for my mom’s medical expenses..."

Before she could finish, Li Juezhou interrupted her.

"Don’t worry. I’ve already covered it."

Another string of question marks floated through Sang Ning’s mind. He had been by her side the entire time and hadn’t left—when did he pay?

"Fine, consider it as you lending me the money. I’ll pay you back after the show ends."

"No need. It wasn’t much. Consider it a small token of care for your mom."

"Absolutely not!" Sang Ning looked at Li Juezhou, her expression resolute. "We’re not related—I can’t take advantage of you."

Besides, she’d heard from Shen Fang that Li Juezhou was an auxiliary personnel, not part of the formal staff.

Auxiliary staff salaries were lower, only half those of regular staff members.

This high-end hospital wasn’t the kind of place someone with his salary tier could normally afford.

Seeing how insistent Sang Ning was, Li Juezhou seemed to think of something, and a small, barely detectable smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he pulled out his phone.

"What’s your phone number?"

Sang Ning paused for a moment before saying, "Just give me yours. I lost my phone, but I’ll contact you once I get a new one and restore my SIM card."

"Didn’t you say the crew had taken your phones?" Li Juezhou chuckled, putting his phone away again.

Sang Ning straightened up and patted her chest. "Don’t worry. I have enough credibility. I won’t leave your debt unpaid."

"What’s your phone number?"

Li Juezhou stood. "I’ll grab a piece of paper and write it down for you."

"No need." Sang Ning quickly stopped him. "I have a sharp memory. Just say it once."

Li Juezhou looked skeptical, feeling she was brushing him off, but still recited his phone number.

After the number was spoken, a long silence followed.

The atmosphere only brightened again when Hu Zhi finished her examination and came out.

"Xiao Ning, I keep telling you I’m fine. The doctor said so too—it’s just some superficial injuries. A bit of topical medicine will do."

After speaking to Sang Ning, Hu Zhi approached Li Juezhou, who stood up as she did.

"Wow, young man, you’re so tall! Auntie feels like I’m looking up at a mountain when I see you. Sit down quickly."

Hu Zhi pressed one hand on Li Juezhou’s shoulder, trying to push him back into the chair. Sang Ning cast a sharp look at her.

"Mrs. Hu Zhi, please watch your words and actions. This kind of behavior could be classified as harassment!"

Hu Zhi withdrew her hand but couldn’t tear her gaze away from Li Juezhou.

Such an excellent young man. He seemed to match Xiao Ning well. If only he could become her son-in-law.

Hu Zhi’s stare made Li Juezhou uncomfortable, giving him goosebumps. He hurriedly said, "Auntie, since you’re fine now, I’ll send you both back."

Hu Zhi’s smile grew brighter as she nodded repeatedly with satisfaction. "Young policeman nowadays are reliable. Auntie will make sure to send your department a banner to give you some extra credit!"

Li Juezhou’s expression froze. "Thank you, Auntie, but that’s really not necessary. I don’t like being too showy."

Sang Ning sensed the headache Li Juezhou was getting from dealing with Hu Zhi and quickly pulled her away.

"That’s enough. Why do you talk so much nonsense?"

With her daughter speaking up, Hu Zhi didn’t dare to go further.

On the way back to Yuan Village, Hu Zhi openly expressed her admiration for Li Juezhou, flattering him endlessly. When getting out of the car, she even reluctantly asked, "Young man, will Auntie get to see you again in the future?"

Li Juezhou pressed his lips into a polite smile and replied, "If fate allows."

After bidding goodbye to Li Juezhou, Hu Zhi felt a small emptiness in her heart and mumbled to herself, "What a shame. If I were twenty years younger, I’d definitely chase after this handsome policeman."

"Ha." Sang Ning coldly snorted, crossing her arms as she looked at Hu Zhi and mocked, "Take a good look at your miserably gambling-addicted self. Which handsome guy wouldn’t be scared off?"

Hu Zhi averted her eyes, guiltily pressing her lips together as she weakly promised Sang Ning, "Next time, I won’t."

"There won’t be a next time. If it happens again, I’ll personally grab a knife and chop your hand off. I mean it!"

Sang Ning’s tone was steady, but it sent an inexplicable chill down Hu Zhi’s spine. She raised her eyes only to meet Sang Ning’s icy, pool-like gaze.

"What are you staring for? I’m not kidding around. If you can’t quit your gambling addiction, I’ll help you quit. I don’t believe that without hands, you’d still be able to touch mahjong tiles." Sang Ning said bluntly.

Hu Zhi felt even colder.

Sigh, she used to think Xiao Ning was her sweet little obedient daughter. Turns out she was just as rebellious as Sang Chuan.

"Got it. I promise I’ll quit." Hu Zhi sighed heavily, looking dispirited.

Sang Ning gave her a faint glance and then turned to walk into the courtyard.

Hearing the sounds inside the courtyard, Sang Chuan immediately sprang up from his bed and walked out of the brick house. Seeing Hu Zhi trailing behind Sang Ning with such a downtrodden demeanor, he seized the chance to provoke her, "Mom, I heard you got arrested. How’d you get released so quickly?"

Hu Zhi picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at Sang Chuan with all her might. "Why don’t I just smash your insolent little head!"

Song Shiye followed Sang Chuan out, yawning and rubbing his eyes. Upon seeing Sang Ning had returned, he turned back into the brick house and came out moments later with two small packages in hand.

"Sister Sangsang, the program crew distributed toiletries and a change of clothes for you and Aunt Hu."

"Thank you." Sang Ning took the packages from Song Shiye’s hands. "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

"Couldn’t sleep since you and Aunt Hu hadn’t come back yet." Song Shiye rubbed his eyes again and pointed to the stove in the courtyard. "I boiled some hot water for you both—should be ready to use now. You should quickly wash up and go to bed."

Sang Ning gave Song Shiye a look of gratitude before turning her eyes to Sang Chuan, throwing him a glare. "Look at you, learn from him!"

"Huh." Sang Chuan’s face immediately darkened, and without another word, he slammed the door and went into the brick house.

Of course, Sang Ning preferred the obedient brother who made her look good—he would never cater to her whims.

It was obviously him who went to the river to fetch the water that had been boiled, and yet Song Shiye, that sneaky little flatterer, wouldn’t tell Sang Ning the truth!