Chapter 61

The following day was the weekend. Tao Yi Xi got up slightly later than usual and when she woke up, she found that there was something in her grasp.

She laid on her side, staring absentmindedly at the silver anklet wrapped around her fingertips. A whole night had passed, and yet her emotions had not calmed down. With a soft sigh, she put the accessory back in its original place.

She decided to read a book for a while and waited for her phone to vibrate. He would usually start bothering her with various questions around this time.

Hence, the unusual silence made it hard for her to focus. Setting aside the book, she proactively clicked on his contact page.

[How are you feeling today?]

As soon as her message was sent, the words ‘Typing…’ appeared below his name.

[I’m good.]

Tao Yi Xi raised an eyebrow. It was such a good opportunity to act weak and pitiful, and yet, unexpectedly he did not take it. A playful thought suddenly came to mind. 

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Gu Jing Yuan reluctantly confirmed.

It was such a good opportunity to get closer, how could he not want to?!

However, he was currently covered in bruises, with the residue of the medicine the doctor applied on him yesterday. His well-trained physique was marred by these injuries, making him look unsightly and unimpressive. He did not want her to see him like this.

‘Knock, knock, knock—’

A series of muffled raps sounded from outside the door. Gu Jing Yuan, who was eagerly awaiting her response, held his phone without dragging his eyes away from the screen.

“Nanny Yang, I really don’t need your help to apply the ointment,” he called out.

“Then I’ll do it,” A graceful and pleasant voice resonated. Stiffening, he turned his head.

“You… Why did you come over?”

The lie he just told was instantly exposed.

“I came to see how your ointment application is going but it seems like you haven’t started yet.”

Tao Yi Xi entered and closed the door. As she slowly made her way to his bedside, Gu Jing Yuan involuntarily tighten his grip on his clothes.

She glanced at him before walking towards the bedside table.

There was a box of painkillers with two tablets gone, as well as a spray and ointment, all scattered on the table.

She carefully read the instructions on the ointment bottle before taking a cotton swab and turned to face him.

“Take your shirt off.” Her words were concise.

“… I can do it myself later.”

“Sure, then show me how you’ll be applying it.” She handed it to him.

Gu Jing Yuan reluctantly accepted the bottle and swab as he said, “You, you turn around.”

Tao Yi Xi hummed and turned with her back facing him. Yet, her ears caught the rustle of fabric and the sound of his sharp inhale that he failed to suppress.

As Gu Jing Yuan’s arms were also injured, it was difficult for him to reach his back to apply the ointment without tugging on the wounds. 

A shadow fell over his vision, and when Gu Jing Yuan looked up, he was surprised to find that she had somehow turned around and was now standing in front of him.

Gu Jing Yuan paused for a moment, then he immediately put down his shirt to conceal his wounds.

“You! How could you not keep your word!”

“En, I lied.” She calmly admitted before taking the swab from him without without hesitation.

“In fact, there’s no need to apply the medication, it will recover eventually, I know that based on experience.”

“Enduring it will only hinder your recovery. Do you want your injury to hurt for a few more days? Then when will you be able to attend classes again?” Her dewy eyes reflected in his, carrying a pitiful look that softened his resolve, while her direct question struck at the heart of the matter.

If he did not return back to school, she would be affected by his actions as well.

Gu Jing Yuan visibly loosen up. With his head drooping, “Got it.”

This time, she easily took the applicator from him.

As bending over was too tiring, she chose to sit on the carpet ground, but he stopped her.

“The floor is dirty; sit on the bed.”

“Oh.”

She moved closer, close enough for him to catch a whiff of her unique fragrance. As she drew nearer, the pounding of his heart reverberated in his ears. He rolled over and closed his eyes, trying to block his senses.

Tao Yi Xi did not think too much about his actions. She lifted his shirt without further ado, and the bruises made her frown, unable to think of anything else.

With the cotton swab at hand, she squeezed a little ointment onto it, and gently applied it to his back, her movements was as light as a feather.

As she moved downwards, towards his lower back, he suddenly stiffened. Afraid that she had used too much pressure and hurt him, Tao Yi Xi unconsciously blew on the area hoping it would alleviate the pain, yet the breeze only seemed to fuel his fire.

“It’s, it’s enough.” His deep voice halted her.

“I’m not done yet,” she replied with a slight furrow of her brows.

Her wrist was encased in his grip, and the palm pressing against her skin was scouching.

Tao Yi Xi raised her head and saw the blush spreading from his ears to his neck. When she looked back at the place where she had blown, her eyes squinted as she fathom a guess in her heart.

The more he resisted, the more she felt like teasing him. A mischievous smile lifted the corners of her innocent face, full of charm and cunning.

“Ge-ge, does it hurt?” Her voice was particularly sweet like honey.

A small electric current shot straight from his tailbone to the crown of his head, and Gu Jing Yuan shivered involuntarily.

“Speak properly.”

“What’s wrong?” She questioned, unusually coquettish. “It’s so swollen here.”

Her wrist was completely wrapped in his hand, but the tip of her index finger managed to escape out of his grip and playfully glided over the wound. Her touch was light and gentle, he felt no pain, only that his breathing became heavier.

He knew she was doing it on purpose.

Watching him getting embarrassed was a perverse pleasure for Tao Yi Xi.

In that moment, blood rushed to his head and emotions overpowered his rationality, and the desire hidden beneath his injuries surged.

“Ah!”

With a surprised squeal, she suddenly found herself lying on the bed, her long hair scattered on his deep blue bed sheets.

Her eyes, widened in astonishment, collided with his deep, unfathomable gaze. At that moment, the youth was no longer just a boy; his intense presence caused her heart to race.

He pressed down on her, their faces very close and their breaths intermingling. 

Behind her was the bed and there was nowhere to escape. As long as he lowered his head, he could kiss her.

“Fooling around?” he murmured.

“I’m not,” she obediently denied, blinking her dewy eyes, innocent as ever.

“Little liar.” He softly reprimanded, but with a hint of intense indulgence. His gaze traveled from her captivating eyes, to her straight nose, and finally settled on her full, cherry lips.

Tao Yi Xi immediately sensed the danger and tightly pursing her lips, which caused it to become even redder due to the pressure.

His gaze became more intense, “I’ll punish you for not telling the truth.”

“Hmm? Mmphm—“

Their warm lips pressed together, and his thin lips keenly experienced the softness of her once again. Neither dared to move for a while. He tentatively took her lower lip into his mouth, his tongue cautiously probing the lips he had longed to taste.

In this aspect, the youth seemed to be naturally talented. His masculine instinct drove him to encroach and plunder, taking more than he should and the surging desire overshadowed the wounds on his body.

At that moment, Tao Yi Xi still did not know that guys should not be provoked, especially him. After holding back for so long, once he let go, from now on things would easily get out of control.

Her snowy white skin gradually took on a rosy hue, and her beautiful eyes became misty with a shallow layer of moisture. 

Gu Jing Yuan was fully immersed in the moment.

He felt something pushing against his chest and only then did he realize she was not taking in air during the whole process, hence he stopped, albeit feeling unsatisfied and reluctant.

Tao Yi Xi was panting heavily, almost out of breath. Her originally rosy lips glistened like a juicy cherry, tempting one to have a taste.

“Have you rested enough?” he asked in a low and husky tone. His forehead rested against hers, their noses almost touching.

“…” With much difficult, she finally managed to catch her breath, but he still wanted to continue?!

Gu Jing Yuan’s lips curved upwards as he lowered them towards hers once more.

Unfortunately, this time, they were blocked.

He pressed his lips against her resisting index finger, feeling somewhat disappointed. He bit that finger, eliciting a tingling sensation down Tao Yi Xi’s spine.

Tao Yi Xi glared at him fiercely, unaware that her watery eyes were utterly lacking in intimidation.

“Are you a puppy?!”

“If I am, can I kiss you again?” Gu Jing Yuan shamelessly inquired.

“…No, get up!” She pushed forcefully against his chest. Despite his lingering desires, Gu Jing Yuan had no choice but to relent.

He rolled over and laid beside her. Tao Yi Xi finally got a reprieve and wanted to hit him, but she did not know where to start. Afterall, she witnessed firsthand the numerous injuries he had sustained all over his body.

For once, it was her turn to suffer such a big loss; she had played with fire and ended up getting burned.

She quickly climbed up, grabbed the spray, pulled up his sleeves, and sprayed a generously layer of ointment on his forearm. The pungent medicinal smell making him cough a few times.

Humph! Serves him right.

While Gu Jing Yuan coughed, he continued observing her with an indulgent expression.

He felt that he had been narrow-minded before. Now, it seemed that all these injuries were quite worth it!

He squinted his eyes contentedly, resembling a cat that had successfully stolen a fish.

After venting her indignation, Tao Yi Xi’s temper dissipated. Regaining her rationality, she suddenly realized that if she had not had trouble breathing just now, she would not have resisted at all.

She did everything quickly and swiftly stepped away from the danger zone. She sat down on the nearby small sofa, putting some distance between them. She still had more important questions to ask him.

“Why did you go to the neighboring city to brawl with that Thirteenth Middle School delinquent?”

She did not recognize the individuals from the small group in the holding cell, but with a little thought, she could guess who Gu Jing Yuan had confronted in the other city.

“I had someone trace the IP address, and it was revealed to be done by Zhang Li Li. I also found records of her hiring online trolls.”

Zhang Li Li, the girl with heavy make-up who provoked her in the neighboring city.

Gu Jing Yuan started to explain, “Last time when she caused trouble for you, I’ve already warned her but she didn’t learn her lesson. Although I wouldn’t raise a hand against girls, it doesn’t stop me from indirectly teaching her a lesson. When I was bashing that guy from Thirteenth Middle School, I made sure to emphasize on the reason why I seeked him out. I heard that the guy has a reputation for not discriminating between genders. Since he suffered so much from my end, who do you think he will go after for revenge?”

Tao Yi Xi fell silent.

“In the end, I didnt expect to be stopped by the police officers. I haven’t even vent enough yet.”

“He’s already so injured that he needs to be sent to the emergency room, that should be enough.”

“Are you scared? I’m not a good person to begin with.” He seemed a bit apprehensive.

Tao Yi Xi wanted to laugh. If he was not considered to be a good person, then she wondered if she had ever met one.

She shook her head. “It’s just that there’s no need to leave a criminal record for such a person.” Fortunately, he has a good father who is willing to clean up after him.

“I know my limits. At most, he only passed out momentarily but he’ll wake up soon after. By the time the weekend is over, this matter will be resolved.”

‘If it’s not resolved by then, then that guy can just expect another round of beating. Next time, I’ll make sure to choose a better location.’ Gu Jing Yuan thought darkly, hoping that person was sensible enough, otherwise he was going to get it…

“This whole incident started because of me. I’m sorry, and thank you,” Tao Yi Xi was sincerely grateful to him from the bottom of her heart.

She considered herself firm in her convictions, but she also understood that this was just a facade of strength born out of helplessness against trash like them – a temporary solution.

Being able to receive support from her classmates at school was already a great comfort. In the world of the internet, the schemes that happened in another city, with her academic future uncertain, she had felt out of her depth.

Yet, he stood up for her without hesitation.

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I was having such a hard time finding the character named ‘Zhang Li Li’, only to finally find it in chapter 45.. Author-sama didn’t even bother to give her a name till now LOL