Qianqiu arrived after the Police were already on the scene, just in time to see Li Chi and Gu Rao’s worried expressions as they faced Lu Yunze.
“Are you hurt at all, Young Master?”
“Why are there assassins again? Were they after you?”
“What was Lin Ying doing? Why didn’t he protect you properly?”
Faced with everyone’s concern, Lu Yunze could only force a smile to reassure them that he was fine.
But all around him, everyone’s gaze was still fixed on him—especially the sharp, unwavering look from Jiang Sui who stood behind him. That glare felt like a blade lightly pressed against his back.
“I said I’m fine.”
“I already told you, there’s nothing wrong.”
As he spoke, Lu Yunze even raised his own arm and slapped it firmly.
“I think you should go check on Lin Ying instead. He was attacked and might be in worse shape than I am.”
“Brother, that’s just how Young Master Lu Yunze is—always acting like he doesn’t need anyone’s concern.”
Seeing that he was truly unharmed, their attention soon shifted to Lin Ying. As they asked about his injuries, they didn’t forget to reprimand him for his failure in his duties as steward.
Lin Ying wasn’t seriously injured. He was already used to watching people’s moods and responded calmly even as Luo Lian vented her frustration on him.
After the Police arrived, they quickly escorted the thugs away, with Officer Wang himself making an appearance at the scene.
“Leave the follow-up to us, Mr. Lu. You and Miss Luo can head home without worry. As soon as the interrogation has results, we’ll notify you right away.”
“How’s the transfer arrangement going?”
“It’s already being handled by the airport staff. Master Lu should have received the message by now as well.”
Hearing their conversation, Jiang Sui took out her own phone and, sure enough, saw a transfer notification sent to her two minutes ago.
Because of this morning’s delay, they’d already missed their original flight and had to buy tickets for a later departure. This was also to avoid attracting more assassins.
“If they knew to ambush us at the airport, does that mean our movements have been exposed?”
Jiang Sui instinctively glanced at Lin Ying, who was still explaining things to Luo Lian on the other side, her gaze slightly narrowed.
Both attacks today owed much to Lin Ying’s assistance. Was he orchestrating things behind the scenes, or was he not an enemy after all?
Jiang Sui didn’t doubt the authenticity of her dream, but she was indeed worried about how things would unfold next. Could it be that her own interference had caused everything to spiral out of control, turning the original enemies into allies?
If this kept up, even with the knowledge she had from before, it would be hard to predict what might happen.
Whenever she thought about this, Jiang Sui felt a headache coming on. The thing she hated most was anything that went beyond her expectations—unexpected enemies, sudden twists in events, and…
“Sigh, what a mess.”
While waiting in the lounge, Lu Yunze handed over half a bottle of water to her.
“You look pale. Did you get hurt somewhere?”
Exposed. The hardest thing for Jiang Sui to control was also the most important trouble to manage.
She grumbled inwardly, then smiled, “No, but thank you for the water, Young Master.”
“I thought you weren’t someone who needed others’ leftovers.”
“There’s no harm. I just think Young Master is really unreasonable.”
“There you go again, saying inexplicable things. I think you’re the unreasonable one.”
Jiang Sui accepted the half-finished bottle, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip right in front of him.
It wasn’t that she didn’t mind sharing drinks with others, but she didn’t mind sharing with Lu Yunze. If she wanted to improve his favorability, she needed to show enough closeness.
There were only one or two sips left in the bottle. Just as Jiang Sui was about to hand it back to Lu Yunze, she realized he had somehow wandered away from the group.
Jiang Sui raised an eyebrow and quietly followed him.
She thought he was heading to the restroom, but unexpectedly, he circled to a quieter area, one hand feeling at his own shoulder, muttering under his breath:
“It really hurts… Damn, it actually split open. I wonder if the convenience store sells anything for bleeding… And this is my favorite shirt.”
Jiang Sui overheard the whole thing, her eyes lighting up with mischief.
While Lu Yunze was lifting his shirt to check, she silently crept up behind him and saw the blood-caked wound at the back of his head.
“Ahem.”
Even though she had softened her footsteps, Lu Yunze still sensed her presence and spun around quickly. When he saw it was Jiang Sui, his wary gaze turned to wry amusement.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you, Young Master. You know, hiding your injuries isn’t a good habit.”
“It’s not that I don’t want you all to worry.” Lu Yunze let out a helpless laugh.
“You’re only making us worry more like this. Want me to help you treat it?”
“You… You know first aid?” Lu Yunze’s eyes widened in surprise.
“If it’s just simple treatment, I can handle it. Hurry and turn around, we don’t have much time.”
“…Alright, I’ll trust you this once.”
With his permission, Jiang Sui hurried to the vending machine and bought a bottle of mineral water, then took a handkerchief from her bag.
After wetting the handkerchief, she gently wiped away the blood around the wound. It was obvious that this was caused by a blunt object; the skin around it was swollen and purple.
So it really was from that hit earlier? And you actually managed to stay conscious…
Once most of the blood was cleaned, Jiang Sui tilted her head to study Lu Yunze’s face. His expression was steady, showing no sign of panic or distress.
Quite good at enduring pain. Let’s see how much more you can take.
Jiang Sui put down the handkerchief, leaned in close, and placed her hands on his shoulders. Then, she tilted her head and stuck out her pink tongue, lightly licking his wound like a kitten.
In that instant, Lu Yunze shuddered as if struck by lightning, a tingling numbness spreading from the wound to his entire body, almost making him turn around to look.
“Jiang Sui, what are you doing?”
“Disinfecting your wound, Young Master.”
“What kind of disinfection method is that?!”
“Don’t you know, Young Master, saliva contains enzymes that can kill germs. I can’t exactly go and buy you disinfectant right now, can I?”
“Then don’t disinfect it…”
“No.”
Jiang Sui’s grip on his shoulders tightened, and her tone was firm, like a stern mother scolding a stubborn child.
Lu Yunze took a deep breath and could only let her continue.
Honestly, this feeling… was oddly pleasant.
Every gentle touch of her tongue was like a tiny electric current passing through his skin, bringing a faint itch. At first it was slightly uncomfortable, making Lu Yunze almost reflexively pull away, but as time went on, that tingling itch didn’t fade—it deepened, transforming into an indescribable pleasure.
People say kittens licking wounds is soothing, but what Lu Yunze was experiencing now was even better than having the wound bandaged for real.
Lu Yunze was thoroughly enjoying it, but Jiang Sui’s feelings were just as intense.
At first, the bloody, iron taste did make her recoil, but after a brief moment, the unique flavor became almost like an addictive poison, creeping through her senses.
Especially as her tongue passed over the wound, gently brushing the warm, delicate skin nearby, a subtle, almost wild scent lingered in the air.
This wound was something Lu Yunze got protecting me. It’s proof of his devotion.
That thought was seared into her mind. For a moment, she felt like she truly tasted the deepest, wildest side of Lu Yunze’s heart.
What does this mean? It means my plan is working perfectly.
Everything so far hasn’t been for nothing. If this had been the Lu Yunze from their first meeting, he would have fallen hopelessly in love at the start, instead of resisting like he was now.
My position in his heart keeps rising, and his resistance to me keeps fading. The day he’s completely under my control is drawing nearer!
Jiang Sui was lost in her own fantasies—imagining Lu Yunze as her devoted tool, obedient to her every command, sweeping aside all obstacles.
By then, even the Ji family would be nothing more than a stray dog by the roadside!
But good days never last. When Lu Yunze realized she wouldn’t move away from his back, he reluctantly ended it himself.
After he put his clothes back on and covered his wound, Jiang Sui’s heart finally, regretfully, returned to calm.
“Not bad at all…”
Jiang Sui took a deep breath, as if savoring the lingering aftertaste of that exhilarating moment.
When they returned to the group, the timing was perfect—the boarding call for their new flight had just begun. Everyone grabbed their luggage and headed out.
Finally on the plane, Lu Yunze stowed his backpack, then took the empty bottle to fill it with warm water.
“Can’t believe I forgot to bring a thermos for once.”
That voice belonged to Lin Ying, who had also come to fetch water, holding an old-fashioned insulated cup in his hand.
“I forgot mine too, otherwise I wouldn’t have had to buy water.”
Lu Yunze muttered to himself, taking a drink, but nearly spat it out at Lin Ying’s next words:
“Is Young Master planning to collect both Miss Xiao and that maid together?”
“What?!”
Lu Yunze almost couldn’t form a coherent sentence.
“What are you talking about? Why do even you think something’s going on between me and Jiang Sui?”
“So it’s something with the maid, then. I understand now where Young Master’s true feelings lie.”
“What true feelings? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Seeing Lu Yunze’s flustered expression, Lin Ying couldn’t help but laugh.
“If it’s not true feelings, it’s still a fact that the maid and Young Master are close, isn’t it?”
Lu Yunze stumbled a little as he walked.
“Young Master, you’re not that young anymore—it’s time to seriously consider these things.”
Lin Ying’s last words echoed in Lu Yunze’s mind for a long time.
After returning to his seat, the girl by the window, He Yao, started gossiping about the day’s events.
Lu Yunze didn’t say a word or even look at her. He even turned around to glance at the seats behind him—Jiang Sui was sitting with Lin Ying.
Is it time to really think about this?
Lu Yunze’s fingers traced the surface of his drink bottle, feeling the warmth lingering on his back.
It wasn’t just sweat and blood dampening his shirt—it was the warmth that girl had left behind.
Just recalling that scene made Lu Yunze’s heart beat faster.