Work Text:
"Please, A-Yuan take your medicine," Shen Qingqiu said in a pleading voice. "There's honey in it this time."
Shen Yuan was sick in bed with a fever. Mu Qingfang advised for the boy to lie in bed and take his medicine.
"Nothing sweet except maybe honey."
That's what the healer told him.
Like most children the boy didn't want to take a single sip. That was Shen Qingqiu's first mistake. Giving the medicine knowing it was bitter before adding honey. Now Shen Yuan is suspicious.
Sighing Shen Qingqiu took a sip in front of the child. "See? It's good."
That seemed to convince the boy. Shen Yuan opened his mouth and accepted a spoonful of medicine.
-
It was a normal day for Shen Qingqiu when he suddenly noticed Shen Yuan wobbling while walking around the house.
"A-Yuan, come here."
Obediently the child did. The boy's face was red and was blinking slowly. Shen Qingqiu touched his face to realize it was extremely hot.
Mu Qingfang was summoned immediately.
"He has the flu," he told Shen Qingqiu. "The weather is getting colder and children get sick easily around this time of year."
Shen Qingqiu was given a list of instructions to Shen Yuan get better. The child cried of course. He didn't like staying in bed but didn't have the strength to leave it either.
"Bapu, tummy hurts," he whimpered. "Head hurts."
"I know, A-Yuan," Shen Qingqiu said patting the child's head. "You'll feel better soon, I promise."
-
A week of fever later, Shen Yuan was better and out of bed. Shen Qingqiu had his room cleaned from head to toe making sure the sickness was gone from the area.
The child looked outside the window.
"Bapu, the leaves turn red!"
Shen Qingqiu smiled. "Autumn is here."