The young girl’s face was pale to an alarming degree, her slightly long hair disheveled.
Her body was hunched over from the pain in her abdomen, trembling faintly, fragile and pitiful.
Qin Nanfeng glanced at her, this frail figure that seemed like it could topple over with the slightest breeze.
If the last time he saw her she was like a white magnolia, now she looked withered, as if scorched by the sun…
Suddenly, Qin Nanfeng’s eyes darkened as they flicked to the girl’s neck…
The youth frowned, a sudden tightening stirred somewhere in his chest, but his expression remained unchanged. He set down the plastic bag containing the medicine, cool and collected.
“I’ll carry you back.”
“Wh-what?” The girl was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Despite the dizziness clouding her mind, it took her a moment to react: “No need, I can manage… ah—”
Before she could finish, Qin Nanfeng had already stepped forward, one hand placed on her thigh, the other behind her back, giving her no chance to resist and lifting her up.
The sudden loss of weight made Lin Xinyuan cry out in surprise.
As she came to her senses, she realized she was being carried in a bridal-style hold.
“If your stomach hurts this much, don’t force yourself.”
Qin Nanfeng glanced down at her, expression neutral, then strode toward the bed.
“You…” Lin Xinyuan didn’t know what to say. A wave of embarrassment suddenly surged within her.
This position was just too awkward… especially for her, a fake woman…
That damn blond really knows how to tease…
Most girls would probably fall for it, wouldn’t they? Lucky she wasn’t a real girl.
Her expression flickering between emotions, the girl was gently laid on the bed, covered with a blanket. Qin Nanfeng even tucked in the corners.
Though it didn’t matter much since the air conditioner was on.
After covering Lin Xinyuan, Qin Nanfeng quietly asked, “What’s wrong with your neck?”
He had already noticed it when he first came in.
Without waiting for her to respond, he reached out his hand.
“I…” Lin Xinyuan stammered, unsure what to say.
Seeing the youth’s outstretched hand, combined with his indifferent face, made her inexplicably flustered.
She didn’t refuse and allowed that warm hand to grip her neck.
“Hiss…”
Her neck was a sensitive spot, not used to being touched, especially since it was injured.
The sudden contact brought an itchy pain.
But following that came a strange tingling sensation, and the warmth contrasting with the coldness of her own hands seemed to ease the discomfort somewhat…
It actually felt kind of nice…
Lin Xinyuan turned her face away, her eyes glassy, thinking with some bitterness.
Qin Nanfeng gently caressed her originally tender, smooth skin, now marked with a few scars.
Luckily, it had been treated in time, so probably no lasting blemishes…
But the large area of dark bruising told a story of serious injury.
Listening to her painful groans, Qin Nanfeng asked, “Does it hurt badly?”
“It’s alright. I put medicine on it at the school infirmary. It should heal in a few days.”
Lin Xinyuan replied without elaboration.
It was useless to explain anyway — Wu Xiaoyue had already been punished.
“Mm…”
Qin Nanfeng understood she didn’t want to talk about it and didn’t press further, though a cold glint flashed briefly in his eyes before vanishing.
“I bought medicine for you. Do you have hot water?”
The youth withdrew his hand from the girl’s slender neck.
Lin Xinyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, the blond didn’t push the matter.
She nudged the bedside table with her mouth: “There’s a kettle, but I just finished the water…”
For some reason, her tone held a trace of grievance, which to Qin Nanfeng’s ears sounded almost like a pout.
A pout?
His expression grew a bit awkward at the thought but neither confirmed nor denied it.
After a moment, he returned to normal and replied calmly, “Wait here.”
Lin Xinyuan frowned.
She hadn’t just lain down when the pain in her abdomen flared again.
Maybe the earlier movement had triggered it…
She bit her lips tightly, eyes closed, clutching her stomach, trembling all over.
Her hand repeatedly stroked her belly, trying to ease the sudden surge of pain, but it did little good.
Her hands were too cold; even with the air conditioner on, she still felt chilly.
Qin Nanfeng filled the kettle, set it on the heating base, plugged it in, then returned to Lin Xinyuan’s bedside and sat down.
“Xiaoyuan?”
Qin Nanfeng still called her by her female name from before, even though only the two of them were there.
But the girl didn’t respond at all.
“Ugh…”
Lin Xinyuan groaned in pain.
The torment was unbearable.
If not for the fact that others were around, she probably would have cursed that damned jade bracelet to pieces by now.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
Qin Nanfeng asked again.
This time she responded with a slight nod.
Though silent, the pained grimace on her face said everything.
The youth thought for a moment, rubbing one hand with the other hesitantly, then glanced at her.
Her menstrual state was more agonizing than any girl he’d ever seen.
With that thought, he extended his hand beneath the covers…
Lin Xinyuan felt utterly miserable but was startled when something slid into her bedding.
She suddenly opened her eyes wide.
“Ah… you… you…”
The girl exclaimed in shock.
When she saw Qin Nanfeng’s hand, she immediately relaxed: “You jerk…”
Suddenly, that warm hand was resting on her belly.
“What are you doing…”
She wasn’t wearing thick clothes—just a long-sleeve shirt and an inner sweater—but for some reason, under that gentle touch, the pain seemed to lessen.
Lin Xinyuan’s white, delicate hand still gripped that large hand, instinctively wanting to pull it away but couldn’t tell if it was because she was too weak or too comfortable.
She never did pull it away; her hand stayed there.
Both froze for a moment, eyes locking, and in the end, Lin Xinyuan gave in, her hand sliding away like it was electrocuted.
“This will make you feel better, right?” Qin Nanfeng said with a hint of regret after her hand left.
Seeing no response from Lin Xinyuan, he continued, “May I go a little deeper? That would make you even more comfortable.”
Lin Xinyuan understood what the blond meant, but the words sounded strange…
Though reluctant to admit it, she had to admit… his touch felt much better than her own.
If it was a bit closer, it might help more.
She still felt awkward but for some reason didn’t object.
Nor did she nod — more like tacit consent.
Seeing her reaction, Qin Nanfeng guessed what she was thinking and without hesitation lifted the outer sweater, slipping his hand inside.
Just beneath the thin long sleeve, he began to stroke her little belly.
Soft and tender.
Even through the fabric, Qin Nanfeng could feel the astonishing smoothness of her skin.
The sensation was irresistible.
If only he could play with it forever…
As he stroked that soft belly, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes, but his expression soon became conflicted…
Meanwhile, Lin Xinyuan, though feeling embarrassed, couldn’t deny that the burning warmth of that big hand was far better than her own touch.
That was the main reason she had calmed down.
“Ugh…”
The long-lasting pain made Lin Xinyuan feel as if bathed in sweet rain.
She squinted her eyes and let out a soft sigh.
But she quickly snapped back, pretending nothing had happened.
She glanced at the youth beside her, who wore an amused, almost teasing smile.
The girl’s pale face flushed faintly.
She mumbled bashfully, “Shut up…”
Qin Nanfeng didn’t respond but withdrew his hand and tucked the blanket back in.
“I’m going to get water. We’ll continue in a bit.”
“Who said I wanted to continue…”
Lin Xinyuan muttered softly, her hand still stroking the spot where his hand had been.
That difference… it was too much…
Her quiet complaint was overheard by Qin Nanfeng, who had already stood and was fetching the kettle.
He could only smile helplessly.
After pouring a cup of water for the girl and setting it on the bedside table, he resumed his previous “work,” waiting for the water to boil and cool slightly.
Time passed slowly.
After a while, Qin Nanfeng handed her the medicine.
Seeing her swallow the pills, he passed the cup and reminded, “Try to avoid taking too many painkillers. Only take them if the pain is unbearable in the next few days, understand?”
Lin Xinyuan drank the warm water with the medicine, the soothing warmth flowing down her esophagus to her stomach, easing the discomfort slightly.
She nodded obediently, “Okay… I understand…”
Her skin was fair, her features delicate.
Her rarely seen obedient demeanor combined with her sickly pallor made her appear fragile like a flower.
Like an orchid wilted by rain, she was withered but still stunningly beautiful.
Now curled up under the covers, only a small part of her body exposed, her slightly long hair charming and neat, her white hands cradling the cup, sipping the remaining warm water.
This scene made Qin Nanfeng think of the tabby cat he had raised as a child…
His hand itched to reach out and touch her soft, furry hair, but reason prevailed, and he restrained his impulse as best he could…