“What’s wrong?”
Qin Nanfeng was momentarily stunned but quickly realized what was happening.
He hurried back and reached the girl’s side.
“Uh… I… I think my foot cramped…”
Lin Xinyuan’s eyes welled with tears from the pain.
The muscles in her calf kept twitching uncontrollably. She tried not to cry, but simply couldn’t hold back…
“Let me take a look.” Qin Nanfeng squatted down and motioned for her to stretch out her foot.
She obediently stretched out her foot without hesitation.
“I’ll massage it for you. It might hurt a little, so bear with it.”
“O-okay…” Lin Xinyuan was in too much pain to think, so she gritted her teeth and agreed right away.
After all, better a short pain than a long one.
No sooner had Qin Nanfeng spoken than he placed his hand on her calf.
Unlike Lin Xinyuan’s perpetually cold palms, his were scorching even in winter.
The moment his large hand touched her calf, Qin Nanfeng didn’t even have time to start massaging before her leg instinctively tried to pull away.
Luckily, Qin Nanfeng was quick and steady, grasping her leg firmly.
Without waiting for her to react, he began to knead the muscle.
He had some experience, so he tried to reduce the pressure, but it couldn’t be too light either; otherwise, it wouldn’t work and would just torment her.
Even so, Lin Xinyuan groaned softly in pain.
Her one foot was barely holding her up, and she nearly collapsed to the ground, hastily supporting herself with her hands.
Her breathing was uneven, and faint whimpers of pain escaped her lips from time to time, which unsettled the young man’s heart…
After a while, the cramping finally eased, and Lin Xinyuan felt the pain gradually subside.
“All better…” Qin Nanfeng said, but his hand still rested lightly on her calf over the fabric, gently massaging without immediately pulling away.
“It’s probably because you walked so long before and didn’t stretch your leg muscles in time before sitting for a while, which caused the cramp after just a few steps this morning.”
“Hmm… I see…”
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan felt a little embarrassed and simply forced a smile to brush it off.
It was too humiliating to look weak in front of that smelly blonde, even though this wasn’t the first time…
“Uh… can you… let go now…?” Lin Xinyuan’s expression was a bit uncontrollable, and she sounded somewhat puzzled.
I thought he said he would?
Why isn’t he letting go?
This guy… weird.
“Mm.” Qin Nanfeng’s expression remained unchanged as his hand slowly moved away from her calf.
Then, still holding her arm through her coat, he gently pulled the girl up.
The movement naturally caused a muscle twitch, and Lin Xinyuan involuntarily let out a small hiss of pain.
But it wasn’t over yet.
After that, Qin Nanfeng suddenly turned around and squatted down.
Before Lin Xinyuan could ask, he explained, “You just had a cramp, and although it’s eased… you haven’t fully recovered yet. It’s not good for this leg to walk now, so I’ll carry you.”
“Is that so?” Lin Xinyuan asked uncertainly.
She had the habit of night running back when she was still a boy, but she always warmed up beforehand and exercised within her limits.
Afterward, she would stretch to relax her muscles, so cramps rarely happened.
If they did, it was in bed, so painful she couldn’t get up…
Not like now, with this fragile body forcing so many steps and causing a cramp.
She didn’t fully understand the mechanics, so although her tone was doubtful, she already believed most of it.
After all, she still felt pain standing just now; walking would probably be even worse.
And from what she could tell, smelly blonde wouldn’t be so bored as to lie to her.
“Of course, if you don’t believe me, you can try walking yourself.”
Qin Nanfeng glanced back slightly, giving her a ‘believe it or not’ look, which made Lin Xinyuan even more convinced and stopped questioning.
But…
Having that smelly blonde carry her still felt strange.
They were friends, no doubt… but friends could only do so much…
Oh well… he already carried her once, so this shouldn’t be a big deal, right?
This must be a sign of a close relationship…
Thinking that, Lin Xinyuan looked again at Qin Nanfeng, who still wore the same expression.
After hesitating a moment, she bit her lip and decided not to refuse.
Otherwise, who else would stay here with her in the cold?
She couldn’t be so selfish! Coming out alone was worrying enough!
“All right…”
Lin Xinyuan slowly moved closer to Qin Nanfeng.
Just as she was wondering how to climb up, he seemed a bit impatient.
“Come on, you’re freezing me to death.”
His tone was sharp, as if that was just how things were.
Lin Xinyuan didn’t dare delay.
Since he had given her his jacket, she’d feel bad getting sick from the cold.
So she quickly leaned forward, disregarding any particular position, and pressed herself against him.
“Hold on tight.”
Qin Nanfeng’s voice had barely faded when, without waiting for Lin Xinyuan’s reaction, he placed his hands on her thighs, supported her from below, and stood up, starting to walk.
Under the effect of gravity, at the moment she was lifted, Lin Xinyuan felt as if she might fall, and she hurriedly wrapped her arms around the smelly blonde’s neck.
Seeming to notice her reaction, Qin Nanfeng lifted the person on his back slightly as he walked, making her sit higher and more securely held.
Before Lin Xinyuan could relax, she suddenly felt those large hands move from her thighs to the base of her legs, supporting her hips.
The girl shuddered and was shocked, stammering, “H-hey… y-you… don’t put your hands there…”
As she spoke, the spot being held felt unbearably awkward.
Qin Nanfeng’s hands were so hot it felt like their warmth was penetrating through her coat, burning her skin…
Perhaps because of the walking motion, she felt his hands were gently kneading as well…
A strange tingling sensation swept through her body, turning Lin Xinyuan’s mind into a fog.
This feeling…
So strange…
Qin Nanfeng’s tone was puzzled: “Why? This way it’s more stable, if you don’t want to fall off?”
The girl’s face suddenly flushed.
She wanted to lightly pat the smelly blonde’s head but was too afraid of falling, so she clung tightly around his neck.
Qin Nanfeng slightly turned his head and nudged her arms holding him, “I’m not moving around, but you… don’t hold so tight… you’re almost choking me.”
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan looked at the red marks left by her tight grip and felt a bit embarrassed, loosening her arms immediately. “Sorry!”
Though she wasn’t holding as tightly anymore, she still didn’t dare let go.
“Mm.”
Qin Nanfeng looked back toward the road ahead.
Hidden from Lin Xinyuan’s sight, a light flickered in his eyes that he couldn’t suppress…
Around them, everything grew quiet.
The two walked wordlessly, the world seeming to shrink to just the rhythmic sound of footsteps.
The girl was light, like a fluffy marshmallow, soft and pliant as she rested on Qin Nanfeng’s broad back, seemingly at his mercy…
With each step, her body moved gently, and even through the coat, his hand could feel her round, firm little hips—soft yet toned.
Unfortunately… maybe still a bit small…
Or maybe the clothes were just too thick…
Smelling the familiar scent of orange from the girl, he nonetheless didn’t feel the tenderness he imagined on his back and inwardly felt a twinge of regret…
Lin Xinyuan, carried on Qin Nanfeng’s back, was unaware of his inner thoughts.
She was somewhat uneasy, lying on his wide back, arms hugging his neck, a strange tension gripping her entire body.
Qin Nanfeng’s unique scent, mixed with his strong masculine aura, left her at a loss.
Especially those hands…
They embarrassed her terribly.
She wanted to tell Qin Nanfeng not to move his hands, but felt that would be too selfish since it was already kind of him to help.
So, Lin Xinyuan could only silently pray they would soon leave the park…