Chapter 36: The Scent of a Girl
Toan Phuong obediently sat beside Kieu Ly.
The way she focused so intently on his face, leaning in close to inspect him, made it hard for him to breathe normally.
A spring breeze gently played with her loose hair, carrying a faint, refreshing scent that made his heart skip a few beats.
He wanted so badly to reach out and touch her hair—but held back, afraid it would be inappropriate.
After checking his face and finding no visible injuries, Kieu Ly said:
"You fell earlier, and your knee looks scraped. It's probably bruised or bleeding. Roll your pants up and let me see."
Toan Phuong rolled up his pant leg and, sure enough, there was blood.
He hadn't noticed it while running, but now the pain was starting to hit.
He sat on a stone bench while Kieu Ly crouched down by the curb. She soaked some cotton with antiseptic and carefully cleaned the wound.
Every time the antiseptic touched the cut, it stung, and Toan Phuong had to fight the urge to pull his leg back.
But what made him even more flustered was the situation itself.
The position they were in was… suggestive. Anyone walking by might get the wrong idea.
He swallowed hard and reached for the cotton.
"Let me do it myself."
Kieu Ly looked up at him in surprise, clearly not expecting this brat to get shy.
And when she looked up from that angle, her face so close and her eyes wide, sparkling like summer stars, Toan Phuong was momentarily dazed.
Their eyes met.
And suddenly, Kieu Ly also felt a little embarrassed.
She handed him the antiseptic-soaked cotton and let him take over.
Once the wound was disinfected and loosely bandaged, Kieu Ly offered to take Toan Phuong home.
At first, he was going to refuse—but after a second thought, he nodded.
Kieu Ly sat in front, pedaling the bike. Since she didn't know the way, Toan Phuong had to give her directions.
She rode slowly, and Toan Phuong sat behind her, finding it nearly impossible to stay focused.
Her long, flowing hair kept brushing against his face in the breeze. The scent from her hair and her clothes filled his chest every time he took a breath.
Ever since meeting Kieu Ly, Toan Phuong realized—girls smell really nice.
Kieu Ly always wore light-colored clothes: white, pale blue, sometimes yellow.
She was always clean and neat. Even her bicycle looked like it was freshly washed.
To him, whether in real life or in dreams, Kieu Ly was the embodiment of purity and softness.
And her scent—subtle and comforting—lingered like a whisper.
Aside from the slightly awkward position of sitting behind her, Toan Phuong loved everything about this moment.
Sitting this close to her, breathing in her fresh, gentle fragrance, stealing glances at her silky black hair... and watching her without needing to hide it.
He wished this road could go on forever.
Just then, Kieu Ly's voice pulled him back to reality:
"We're coming up on the intersection—do I turn here?"
Toan Phuong grinned:
"Nope, not yet. Just keep going. I'll tell you when."
He should've told her to turn.
But he intentionally chose a longer route.
By the time they arrived at Toan Phuong's house, it was already too late for the study session.
Kieu Ly had no choice but to leave and promised to make up for it next time.