Huo Rou stepped out of the bathroom, and the air outside made her realize she had forgotten to wrap a towel around herself. Blushing, she reached for a nightgown in her wardrobe, only to have her arm enveloped by a wave of heat.
She was carried to the bed by Qin Ningyi, who then sat in front of her to apply medicine to her wounds.
His body was very warm, and the medicine felt cool on her injuries. Qin Ningyi's movements were gentle and tender. As he applied the ointment, he also blew softly on the wounds, as if he were more afraid of her pain than she was.
These minor wounds shouldn't have hurt that much, yet she had cried.
Qin Ningyi used the back of his hand to wipe away her tears. "I'll be even gentler."
Qin Ningyi, who had been silent until now, started to chatter. "Now that you know it hurts, don't do that again. You can fight if you want, but you have to look out for yourself. It's you who gets hurt..."
His hands moved more gently, and the heat radiating from his body subsided slightly. His gaze was focused on her wounds, as he scolded her and soothed her at the same time.
Listening to his voice, Huo Rou discovered for the first time that Qin Ningyi could be so talkative. She hadn't been in that much pain...
She sniffled and leaned in to kiss his chattering lips.
He sounded like an old man.
"It doesn't hurt."
His hands paused. "It doesn't hurt?"
"Yes, I lied to you."
The hand that had been applying the medicine grew hot, and his once-focused gaze began to waver.
"Ah!!"
Huo Rou was pulled into his embrace. He kissed her tear-reddened eyes and held her arm, where the injuries were most concentrated, above her head.
Her soft voice fractured as Qin Ningyi released her lips, his handsome eyes reflecting Huo Rou's current appearance.
She looked even more like a little rabbit.
Later, with eyes burning red, Qin Ningyi kissed her fair butterfly bones.
These slightly bruised butterfly bones fluttered their wings before him, marked with red plum blossoms, trembling for half the night.
When Huo Rou woke up, her wounds no longer hurt. They felt cool, as if she had just applied medicine.
After breakfast, Qin Ningyi had to go to the company to handle some matters. The meeting that Xiao Konglin had mentioned yesterday was at noon.
Qin Feiwuan's call came through. "Ningyi, you're back?"
"Mm." Qin Ningyi could hear Chen Guochao's boisterous voice from Qin Feiwuan's side.
After a burst of noise, Qin Feiwuan's voice came closer to the receiver. "I want to go home."
"The doctor said you need rest," Qin Ningyi, who had already inquired about her condition from the doctor, disagreed with her statement.
Chen Guochao righteously chimed in from the other end, "Did you hear that? Hurry up and lie down!"
Qin Feiwuan didn't even look at him. Her voice was soft but full of determination. "I can rest at home. It's not peaceful here."
When she woke up and saw Chen Guochao, she thought she was still dreaming.
She hadn't seen this "radish head" show so much emotion in years, and it felt like a lifetime ago.
But her heart was already wounded. Her fragile peace, she didn't want it broken by a single look from him.
"Have someone pick me up."
Ignoring Chen Guochao's protests on the phone, a flicker of light flashed in Qin Ningyi's eyes. "Alright."
He was in such a hurry now, but what had he been doing before?
"A Rou, my sister will be back later. Let her keep you company," he said, unceremoniously making arrangements for the patient. "Don't go out for now!"
Last night's BDD operation had been a bit hasty. After analyzing it with Si Nian, they both felt there were still some people in Yu Chang City.
He was going to the company to solve problems, and also to find those people.
Huo Rou had naturally thought of this too. She nodded. "I know."
Although she had seen Si Nian's back last night, she could guess Qin Ningyi's cooperation with Si Nian. She was worried, but also couldn't help but say, "Be careful."
"Or should I still..." The matter had started because of her, how could she let him handle it alone? Huo Rou hesitated, then spoke up.
Chen Long cut her off. "I'll go with him."
Ordered to stay home by the two of them, Huo Rou had no choice but to give up struggling and accept their concern.
However, she couldn't just do nothing...
Qin Ningyi's car had just pulled out of the Qin residence when Chen Guochao's call came.
"What?"
Chen Guochao spoke with great frustration. "Old Qin..."
"You're on your own," Qin Ningyi's voice was faint, and he hung up without further explanation.
More vehicles began to appear behind him...