Xie Huaichu gently slipped her pajama top off, and Jiang Li's body instantly stiffened.
Even with her back to him, she couldn't help feeling embarrassed.
The injury on her back was right below her neck and above her chest.
In other words, the thin white camisole she wore underneath would have to be pulled down slightly as well.
Xie Huaichu's long fingers lightly hooked the strap on her shoulder and slowly slid it down.
As his eyes fell on her fair, delicate skin, he involuntarily swallowed hard.
Forcing himself to push down the ripple in his chest, he poured some red herbal oil into his palm and rubbed it warm.
Then, he gently pressed his hand against her injured back and began to rub.
"Hss…" Jiang Li sucked in a sharp breath, pain flashing across her face. Her left hand instinctively clutched in front of her chest.
"Bear with it," Xie Huaichu said, his tone low and gentle, even though his expression remained somber and focused.
Jiang Li didn't answer, just gave a faint nod.
When the treatment was finally done, Xie Huaichu carefully helped her put her clothes back on.
Jiang Li stared straight at the door, her meaning clear as day.
Xie Huaichu felt a headache coming on.
This little girl really couldn't wait to send him off.
"I can't leave tonight," he said, utterly composed, yet there was an unmistakable trace of mischief in his voice.
"You're being shameless again?!" Jiang Li glared at him furiously.
Xie Huaichu curved his lips slightly. "Jiang Xiaoli, did you forget? My bike is still back there."
Jiang Li pursed her lips. "Then call your driver to come pick you up."
"It's so late. It would be rude to disturb someone's rest," he replied calmly.
Jiang Li: "…"
He actually made sense. She couldn't even refute him.
Her gaze swept over the tea table and suddenly brightened. She pointed at the motorcycle keys. "Take my bike instead."
"I realized on the way back—it's out of gas," Xie Huaichu said, shooting down her suggestion without blinking.
"I still have that little jeep. Take it," Jiang Li was determined to send him away.
"I don't know how to drive it," he said slowly, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
Jiang Li looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Yeah, right. You can drive a Maybach but not an electric jeep?"
"I'm not lying. I really can't. And…" He met her disbelieving eyes, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "I have a phobia of confined spaces."
Jiang Li's mouth twitched: "…"
So this was just his roundabout way of insulting her little jeep. Unbelievable.
Just then, a loud crackling noise came from outside. Jiang Li quickly walked to the window to check.
It was raining. Heavily.
The wind howled through the yard, and puddles had already formed.
Jiang Li: "…"
Did the sky really have to rain now?
Xie Huaichu, watching the downpour, looked rather pleased.
He walked over to her, his eyes deep, the faintest smile playing on his lips.
"See? Even the heavens don't want me to leave."
Jiang Li shot him a fierce glare and snapped, "Then sleep here alone. Freeze your brain out."
She turned on her heel and walked toward the door. Xie Huaichu remained calm, arms crossed, watching her petite figure march away.
"It's true—nights are chilly. But it's fine. I can take it."
Her footsteps slowed, but she kept going.
"Sleeping on the floor's not so bad, really. Sure, it'll hurt my back, strain my waist, freeze my feet, but so what? I can endure it."
She slowed even more, fingers clenching. Just two more steps to the doorknob.
"It's only one cold night. Worst case, I take a sick day tomorrow. Though it's a shame about my patients. They—"
"Xie Huaichu." Jiang Li abruptly turned around, teeth clenched, glaring at him. "You are truly the worst."
Bedroom.
Jiang Li opened the wardrobe and pointed to a pink comforter beside her.
"You're taking this out and sleeping on the sofa."
Xie Huaichu obediently took the comforter and laid it out on the couch.
Her bed was right in front of the sofa—not far at all.
She climbed onto the bed, tugged the blanket up to her chin. "Go to sleep. First thing tomorrow, you leave."
Xie Huaichu lay on the sofa, hands folded behind his head.
From where he was, he had a clear view of everything she did.
At this moment, the little girl was curled up in bed, but clearly wide awake.
After she turned over several times, he finally spoke.
"Lie still. Stop tossing around. Your arm and back are still injured."
Jiang Li sat up in frustration, cheeks puffed, glaring at him. "It's all your fault. You just had to annoy me!"
Xie Huaichu also sat up, propping his arm on the couch as he gazed quietly at her sitting against the headboard.
"Jiang Xiaoli, can we talk?"
"I have nothing to say to you," she snapped, turning on the bedside lamp and picking up a book to distract herself.
"There's something I've been wondering about," Xie Huaichu said patiently. "Who taught you to fight? You're really good."
Her hand paused slightly mid-page, and her expression grew a little distant.
After a long moment, she replied coolly, "That's none of your business."
Xie Huaichu: "…"
This girl really knew how to test a person's patience. He couldn't even coax her.
"Alright. If you don't want to say, then I won't press." He adjusted his tone, softened his voice. "Mango's doing okay. Once the anesthetic wears off, he'll be back to normal. Don't worry too much."
"As for those dog traffickers, I had Mo Yan handle them when I got there. They'll be taken down completely—they won't hurt anyone again."
"Your injuries can't be ignored. You should go to the hospital tomorrow, get an X-ray, make sure there's no bone damage."
"I only did some basic pain relief tonight. A proper checkup is safest. You—"
"My grandpa taught me," Jiang Li suddenly said, cutting him off.
Xie Huaichu was startled. He sat up straighter, watching her quietly.
The little girl turned her face toward the window, as if reminiscing.
"My grandpa was a soldier. He knew so many things."
"Combat, boxing, self-defense—he was a master at all of it. He was good at shooting, riding, even driving tanks."
"He told me martial arts weren't just for staying strong. Girls needed to protect the ones they love too."
"He taught me so much. I really admired him. I still do."
Jiang Li kept her gaze fixed on the window the entire time.
It was as if she were speaking to Xie Huaichu, yet also like she was murmuring to herself.
Her voice was soft and gentle, cottony and warm in the quiet of the room, making it inexplicably comforting to listen to.
"Is your grandfather still in the military?" Xie Huaichu asked, clearly surprised by all that she had shared.
Jiang Li turned her head, and a deep sorrow clouded her delicate features.
She lowered her gaze, fingers clutching the blanket tightly, her entire being shrouded in grief.
"No. He died during an anti-drug operation."
Xie Huaichu's pupils contracted slightly. His eyes darkened with emotion, and his voice carried a note of guilt.
"I'm sorry, I didn't—"
"It's alright. You didn't mean to bring it up," Jiang Li replied gently. "It's late. You should get some rest."
With that, she curled back into the covers.
Her eyes were rimmed red, and soon, tears began to fall silently, one drop after another, soaking into the pillow.
ps: access ahead chapters? come to my https://www.patreon.com/c/Seraphim777