She failed to notice the air conditioning device in the elevator; she only grew colder as she waited, unconsciously curling herself into one corner. Despite her attempts, she was unable to resist the cold.
He sat by her side. His heart was wrenched with pain at the sight of her lethargic palm-sized face, which was burning red due to the fever. Her breathing had turned quick and shallow.
Not wanting to give up, he went to press the alarm bell again. Alas, the battery had truly gone flat, and no sound came forth no matter how many times he pressed it.
He kicked the elevator door in despair and produced a loud slam.
He tried shouting for help.
He knew very well, though, that, with this elevator down in the basement, no one would hear his cry for help unless someone happened to be passing by.
Mindless shouting would be a waste of effort.
In reality, a few people who had parked their cars in the basement moved to go up the hotel, but seeing that this elevator was faulty, they used the other one, instead.
In this world, most people were apathetic toward others and always in a hurry. After all, in most circumstances, they would be unbothered with situations that did not affect them.
Hence, no one went to the reception to report about the breakdown.
Some even thought that the elevator was under maintenance and did not raise an enquiry.
Time ticked by.
He took a gander at her phone. It was already three in the morning. The battery was about to go flat from the continuous play of music.
He stopped the music to retain some battery power.
This was his way of preserving their last strand of hope. If a miracle did happen, and the phone received signal somehow, they could use it to call for help.
The woman, still shaking from the cold, had shrunk further into the blanket.
He put his hand lightly on her forehead; it felt alarmingly hot.
He grew more anxious and uneasy.
This tight and narrow space would feel suffocating to anyone after a while. As for her, because she was running a fever, she might pass out. She could even end up in respiratory distress if her fever did not abate any sooner. In worst-case scenario, there was the likelihood of her fever leading to asphyxia.
Hence, he told her softly, “Shishi, don’t fall asleep, yeah? Stay awake.”
She answered mechanically in a hoarse and weak voice, “I’m feeling so cold, and my head is hurting…”
Frowning, he reached out one of his arms to embrace her, but just as he moved his one limb, he caught sight of her brows furrowing while dipping his head, and his arm froze momentarily.
His heart struggled for some time as he watched her shoulders tremble from the cold, and finally, he put his hand on her shoulder and slowly pulled her into his arms.
She was stunned and instantly heard his loud and powerful heart beating away next to her ear. Thud, thud, thud, thud—
He tugged and wrapped the blanket tighter around her.
“Don’t fall asleep. Someone will come and save us soon.”
He comforted her gently. As he felt her body stiffen, he quickly clarified, “I’m doing this… only because you are feeling cold.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice sounding like mosquito buzz.
“Let’s practice our script,” he suddenly suggested.
He was really worried that she would fall asleep this way, and the fever would overtake her.
Actually, he did not know how efficient this hotel was and when help would arrive.
At this moment, he could only comfort her in this manner.
However, she was too weak to talk to him, much less to practice their lines.