Chapter 70: It’s Not the Skin That Itches, It’s the Heart (Part 2)

Cooling balm is a household miracle remedy—great for everyday minor ailments like headaches, dizziness, nausea, stomachaches, mosquito bites… It soothes and relieves pain and itching with a refreshing coolness when applied to the skin.

Lu Zhanlin’s allergic reaction wasn’t too serious. Applying the balm and getting a good night’s sleep would allow his body to metabolize the allergen naturally.

After Chu Yue grabbed the ointment and turned back to look at Lu Zhanlin, she saw the tall man standing stiffly by the bed. His gaze was dark and heavy, and he didn’t move a muscle.

She curled her legs under her on the bed and scooted back slightly, patting the empty space beside her. Then she urged him:

“Come on, get up here.”

Lu Zhanlin’s throat tightened. The corners of his lips twitched slightly as he forced out a word: “Okay.”

It really wasn’t his fault that his mind wandered—Chu Yue’s words were just too suggestive.

And yet she had said them with such calm eyes and straightforward tone, leaving Lu Zhanlin feeling like he was the only one whose thoughts had gone somewhere indecent.

In no time at all, Lu Zhanlin was lying on the bed in the prone position that soldiers used during training, but somehow, his body was more rigid than during actual combat drills.

Because once again, Chu Yue lifted his shirt, exposing his firm, muscular back to the cool air.

Chu Yue whispered, “It’s a little cold—just bear with it, I’ll finish quickly.”

Lu Zhanlin (mentally): Cold? I’m not cold at all. I’m burning up.

Chu Yue dipped her fingers in the balm and touched the reddened skin on his back, gently rubbing the ointment in, bit by bit.

Her fingertips were soft and cool, brushing over Lu Zhanlin’s hot, swollen skin. The man, head bowed, frowned deeply.

What torture.
Worse than getting shot.

Chu Yue worked quickly but carefully, covering every red patch, big or small. But there was one area of redness—right at Lu Zhanlin’s waistband.

Half of it was visible. The other half was not.

Was she really going to pull his boxers down?

Chu Yue glanced at it, then looked away. Then she peeked again… and looked away again.

To pull, or not to pull—
That was the question.

Lu Zhanlin lay motionless, all his focus centered on her fingers. After a while, he no longer felt her touch and asked, voice low and hoarse:

“Are you done?”

Chu Yue gave one last glance at the red patch at his waistband and quietly replied, “Mm, done.”

Well, if it’s in that spot, he’ll just have to deal with the itching a little.

She was not going to let things spiral out of control tonight.

The moment Lu Zhanlin heard she was finished, he immediately sat up, adjusted his clothes, and quickly turned off the light.

The entire time, he kept his back to her—as if turning around would reveal something terribly embarrassing.

Once the room returned to darkness, the man silently let out a breath of relief.

The couple lay down again.

Chu Yue tucked the balm back under the pillow. The air still carried a faint, minty medicinal scent.

She asked softly, “After applying the ointment… do you still feel itchy?”

Lu Zhanlin replied, “No. Not anymore.”

“I put it under the pillow. Take it with you tomorrow. If it starts itching again, just put on a little more.”

“Okay. Got it. Let’s sleep.”

Lu Zhanlin closed his eyes and silently began to recite Principles of Firearms and Guidelines for Group Army Operations in his head, looping them over and over.

He was wide awake.

Because the itchy spots on his body?

They didn’t itch anymore.

But his heart… oh, how it itched.