Chapter 269
Just as Suzy was about to stand up, Derek suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her.
Resting his head against her shoulder, he nuzzled lightly against her neck.
"What’s wrong?" Suzy asked.
"I just wanted to hold you for a moment."
His voice was soft. He pressed a gentle kiss against the side of her neck before reluctantly letting her go.
"I’m going back to sleep."
Carrying the empty cup, Suzy left the room.
The water she had given Derek contained spiritual spring water.
Even after observing all of his symptoms, she still couldn’t shake her concern.
At least now that he had drunk it, she felt somewhat reassured.
By evening, dinner was ready. The food had long since been set on the table.
Derek still hadn’t woken up, so Suzy went to check on him. She knocked several times, but there was no response.
Finally, she opened the door and discovered him still asleep.
Not only asleep, but sleeping deeply enough that he seemed completely disconnected from the world.
She shook him firmly, and Derek mumbled something incoherent before slowly opening his eyes.
"Suzy?"
His voice was thick with sleep.
"It’s time to get up," she said. "Dinner’s ready. Are you still tired?"
"Yeah." His voice came out hoarse. "I’m still really sleepy. Can I sleep a little longer?"
Suzy didn’t force him.
"Alright. Go back to sleep. If you get hungry later, come out and eat. I’ll save something for you."
Derek caught her hand before she could leave. Lowering his head, he pressed a kiss to the back of it.
"You’re the best, Suzy."
After mumbling a few sleepy words of affection, he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep almost immediately.
Suzy stood there for a moment, studying his peaceful face.
A faint crease formed between her brows.
Then she remembered the spiritual spring water he had already taken.
He should be fine... right?
Back in the living room, Thomas and Leonard looked up when they realized she was alone.
"Where is he?" Leonard asked.
Suzy shook her head.
"He said he’s still tired. I told him to keep sleeping."
"Could he be sick?" Leonard frowned.
At this point, Derek had slept far longer than anyone normally would.
"He already drank spiritual spring water. I don’t think..."
Suzy trailed off.
Leonard inhaled sharply. He knew exactly how effective her spiritual spring water was.
"Then maybe he’s just unbelievably sleepy," he said. "Let’s eat first. We can save him some food."
Suzy nodded in agreement.
The three of them finished dinner together. Throughout the evening, Suzy checked on Derek several times.
Each visit revealed exactly the same thing––he was still sleeping.
By ten o’clock that night, he still hadn’t woken up. Even Leonard and Thomas were beginning to find it strange.
"He’s been asleep practically the entire day." Leonard stared toward the hallway. "Does that seem normal to anyone?"
"When I checked on him, he responded every time," Suzy said. "It doesn’t seem like anything serious."
The three of them continued discussing it uneasily.
At that moment, Derek finally emerged from his room. His chestnut hair stuck up in every direction from sleep.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked at them in confusion.
"What are you all talking about?"
All three heads turned simultaneously.
"You’re finally awake!"
Leonard nearly jumped to his feet.
"You’ve been sleeping forever. We were starting to think something happened to you."
"I..." Derek yawned halfway through his sentence. "I’m just tired."
Another yawn followed immediately.
"Sorry for making everyone worry."
"Are you hungry?" Suzy asked. "I saved dinner for you."
Derek rubbed his stomach and nodded.
"Starving."
"Go sit down. I’ll bring it out."
After sending him to the dining table, Suzy headed into the kitchen.
A moment later, she returned carrying a steaming bowl of beef noodles she had taken from her storage space.
"Eat while it’s hot."
She set the bowl in front of him.
Derek looked up and flashed her a grin so foolishly happy that she almost laughed.
"Hurry up and eat."
She pushed a fork and a spoon towards his hands.
Derek obediently nodded.
Taking a sip of the rich broth, he visibly relaxed.
"Wow." His eyes curved into crescents. "This is really good."
"I’m heading back to the living room. When you’re finished, just leave the bowl in the kitchen."
"Okay."
Only then did Suzy return to the others.
Leonard called from the couch.
"When you’re done eating, come play some games."
"Sure."
Derek continued eating. At first, he moved at a normal pace. Gradually, however, his movements slowed.
Leonard had already loaded the game and was waiting patiently.
After several minutes, he began to notice something odd––Derek was eating absurdly slowly.
Since when had he taken this long to finish a bowl of noodles?
It wasn’t even a large serving.
"Are you still eating?" Leonard asked. "Why are you taking so long?"
Derek finally set down his chopsticks.
"I’m done."
After putting away the bowl, he joined Leonard in the living room.
They played two rounds together.
Before long, Derek’s attention started wandering.
One yawn followed another.
Leonard stared at him in disbelief.
"You’re sleepy again?"
Derek instinctively shook his head. Unfortunately, before he could answer, another enormous yawn escaped him.
Leonard sighed.
"If you’re tired, just go sleep."
And so Derek returned to his room. The remaining three exchanged bewildered looks.
"Has he always slept this much?"
"Maybe he completely wrecked his sleep schedule."
"Let’s see how he is tomorrow."
The next morning, Suzy headed straight across the hall after waking up.
She wanted to check on Derek immediately.
The good news was that he was already awake.
In fact, he had risen even earlier than Thomas.
When he spotted her, he immediately walked over.
"Suzy, you’re here!"
He pointed proudly toward the dining table.
Freshly cooked dumplings sat there, steam still rising from them.
"I made dumplings from the batch we wrapped the other day. Come eat with me."
"Sure."
The two of them shared breakfast together. Derek had even prepared portions for Thomas and Leonard, neatly stored in the kitchen. After spending so much time together, the four of them had become surprisingly close.
As they ate, Suzy watched him carefully.
"Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Derek paused mid-bite. Then he obediently shook his head.
"No. I feel completely normal."
"Still sleepy?"
"Much better." He smiled reassuringly. "You don’t need to worry about me. I probably just pushed myself too hard staying up that night."
His energy genuinely seemed better.
Aside from looking somewhat pale, he appeared fine.
"Good."
Suzy finally exhaled.
"If you’re alright, then I can stop worrying."
Derek blinked at her.
The smile in his eyes became impossible to hide.
"Knowing you care about me this much makes me really happy."
Being cared for felt wonderful.
Especially when that person was Suzy.
After breakfast, Thomas woke up.
Not long afterward, Leonard wandered in as well.
The four of them spent some time watching television together.
Eventually, Derek excused himself and returned to his room.
He claimed he needed to grab something.
Several minutes passed. Then several more.
Still, he didn’t come back.
A strange feeling settled over Suzy.
Unable to ignore it, she got up and went to check on him.
When she opened the door, she discovered that Derek had fallen asleep again.