Chapter 42.2

Though Xie Yanzhao’s right arm was injured, it didn’t seem to affect him much.

As they were leaving the hospital, they bumped into Xu Zhu, who was carrying medicine. “Sister-in-law, are you heading home?”

“Yes,” Ruan Mingfu replied softly. “It’s always more comfortable at home than in the hospital.”

Xu Zhu nodded in agreement and handed over the medicine. “The powder in the bottle should be changed twice a day. The pills wrapped in paper should be taken three times daily. Once they’re finished, you’re good to go.”

Ruan Mingfu took a glance at the small bottle, which was about palm-sized, along with the paper-wrapped pills.

When she touched it, she realized there wasn’t much inside.

Enough for two days at most.

“Thanks, brother.”

Xie Yanzhao expressed his gratitude, and Xu Zhu waved it off.

“No need for thanks between us. Come on, I’ll give you both a ride home.”

Despite his injury, Xie Yanzhao could still use his left hand, and it didn’t hinder him much. He could even stir-fry Ruan Mingfu’s favorite dishes.

Seeing that he was willing to make such a fuss, Ruan Mingfu just let him do it.

A man’s diligence is the best wealth.

In the evening, Xie Yanzhao emerged from the bathroom, his body still damp, and saw that Ruan Mingfu was sitting by the bed, engrossed in a book.

Her dark brows and red lips appeared even more beautiful under the cool moonlight. Her half-dried long hair cascaded down, and she elegantly tucked a strand behind her ear with a delicate, fair hand, revealing her slender, graceful neck.

Hearing the sound, she turned and smiled softly, “You’re done?”

Xie Yanzhao felt his long-dormant heart stir to life.

At this moment, his mind was entirely filled with Ruan Mingfu’s image.

When she stood up, Xie Yanzhao noticed the clothes she was wearing. He froze for a moment, then his brows furrowed.

Ruan Mingfu was dressed rather revealingly.

Not only was the fabric thin, but it exposed a significant portion of her chest. The entire dress was held up by two slender straps on her shoulders, exuding an elegance mixed with allure. The dress was also short, barely reaching her thighs.

A ripple of emotion stirred in the calm depths of Xie Yanzhao’s eyes.

His throat moved, and he spoke in a hoarse voice, “What are you wearing?”

“Nightgown.”

Ruan Mingfu glanced down at herself, seeing nothing wrong.

She had made this with Hu Wanning the other day, though she did shorten it a bit later on.

Xie Yanzhao stared at her intensely, his desire like a roaring fire, quickly engulfing him. He forced down the heat rising within him, but his effort was evident as the veins on his forehead bulged.

He swallowed hard. “Change.”

Change?

The nightgown she had painstakingly made—he wanted her to change out of it?

Ruan Mingfu wasn’t about to listen to him.

“No!”

“Are you going to change or not?”

“No!” Ruan Mingfu puffed out her cheeks, her eyes filled with anger. “It’s for sleeping. Why should I change it?”

She muttered under her breath, “Old-fashioned.”

Though her voice was soft, it was still clear to Xie Yanzhao.

His expression deepened, and he chuckled from the sheer exasperation.

“Old-fashioned?”

Ruan Mingfu’s sixth sense began to sound alarms.

“Who—who said that? You… you said it yourself…”

It had nothing to do with her.

Ruan Mingfu swallowed nervously, instinctively taking a few steps back.

Oh no!

That familiar expression again.

“…You haven’t applied your medicine yet.” She couldn’t bear to look directly at the dangerous Xie Yanzhao, her head turned aside, but her ears were flushed red. “Come here and put on your medicine.”

Ruan Mingfu felt she was being overly cautious.

The man was injured, after all. What could he possibly do to her?

Xie Yanzhao’s dark eyes, like bottomless pools, locked onto her like a wolf eyeing its prey.

Obediently, he walked over and exposed his injured arm.

In truth, the wound wasn’t deep. Compared to the injuries he’d endured before, this was nothing more than a scratch. He didn’t even flinch.

But seeing the gruesome wound, Ruan Mingfu’s face was filled with guilt.

The man had gotten hurt because of her.

“Does it hurt?”

Ruan Mingfu leaned in, blowing gently on the wound, as if it would lessen his pain.

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze darkened further.

All these years, no one had ever asked him if it hurt or if he was tired…

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Ruan Mingfu frowned.

How could it not hurt with such a deep wound?

He was clearly trying to comfort her.

Such a good man~

Ruan Mingfu carefully sprinkled the medicine the hospital provided on his arm and then picked up a fresh bandage to wrap around the wound.

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze involuntarily fell on the top of her head.

The usual cold and fierce look in his eyes was now filled with nothing but tenderness.

They were so close to each other.

One was tall and strong, the other delicate and petite, and under the soft moonlight, the scene appeared surprisingly harmonious.

In the end, Ruan Mingfu even tied a neat little bow.

Satisfied with her work, Ruan Mingfu’s eyes sparkled with contentment.

“All done.”

She was about to put the scissors away when Xie Yanzhao scooped her up with one arm.

Ruan Mingfu yelped in surprise, dropping the scissors, which hit the floor with a crisp sound.

She was about to scold him when Xie Yanzhao said in a calm voice, “Now, it’s my turn.”

Before his words even fully landed, Ruan Mingfu found herself thrown onto the bed.

The force left her dazed, and by the time she recovered, Xie Yanzhao’s large frame loomed over her like a mountain.

Ruan Mingfu was utterly trapped.

Before she could even get angry, she saw the unhidden desire in Xie Yanzhao’s eyes. Swallowing nervously, she suddenly felt timid.

“Xie Yanzhao, you’re injured.”

So, he should let her go, right?

But Xie Yanzhao had no intention of granting her wish.

His lips curled into a slight smile, making Ruan Mingfu’s instincts scream danger. Her heart trembled, and she regretted everything.

Why, oh why did she provoke him in the first place?

“Old Xie, you’re injured. You shouldn’t exert yourself…”

Unexpectedly, Xie Yanzhao’s expression grew even more peculiar.

Still pressing down on her, he asked with a hint of confusion in his eyes, “Oh?”

Ruan Mingfu nodded vigorously.

So, hurry and let her go.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, leaning closer to whisper in her ear, “If my hands can’t do the work, my mouth will do just fine.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Wait!

It can’t be what she thinks, right? Help!

Seeing the panic on her face, Xie Yanzhao bit down on her delicate collarbone…

The next day, Ruan Mingfu indeed woke up late.

Lying in bed, she thought back to what had happened the night before and angrily pounded the mattress in frustration.

That awful man!

What netizens in later generations said was right, it feels bad for a man who will suffer misfortune for his whole life.

The dog man was particularly bad last night.

He kept tormenting her and asking if he was old. If she didn’t give a satisfactory answer, he would harshly ‘punish’ her and then ask the same question again once she had calmed down.

What was even worse was that he forced her to call him “husband.”

Thinking about the series of embarrassing nicknames that dog of a man made her use, Ruan Mingfu felt a gnawing anger.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and she angrily pounded her fists on the bed.

Damn that dog of a man.

Damn it!

But her temper only lasted until breakfast.

That dog of a man knew her too well. A meal that suited her tastes could calm half of Ruan Mingfu’s anger. After a bit more coaxing, the rest of her anger would disappear.

When Ruan Mingfu came to her senses: “…”

Damn it, he had her all figured out.

But once her anger had been vented, Ruan Mingfu didn’t continue to sulk.

With Old Gu’s orders to stay at home, that dog man had nothing to do and decided to tidy up the front yard.

Though summer was more than halfway through, it was the right time to plant radishes and vegetables.

Even though Xie Yanzhao’s arm was injured, it didn’t really affect him much, and he still had his left hand. Even with this, he worked faster than Ruan Mingfu could.

Soon, two plots of land near the water tank had been cleared.

Seeing the almost identical seeds, Ruan Mingfu curiously asked, “What’s the other type?”

“Cabbage.”

“Ah?” Ruan Mingfu looked disappointed. “Why are there only radishes and cabbages?”

It wasn’t Xie Yanzhao’s fault. It was just due to the region. If it had been earlier, there might have been more variety. But now it was August, and it was too late for that.

By winter, the snow here could be thigh-deep, and any vegetables would freeze to death.

After Xie Yanzhao explained, he continued, “How about I get some carrots to plant?”

Though carrots aren’t cold-resistant either, they can be harvested before winter arrives.

With a refrigerator at home, they could keep for two to three months.

Ruan Mingfu, being so delicate, couldn’t handle just radishes and cabbages all the time. Planting some carrots would provide a change of taste.

Xie Yanzhao’s idea was good, but Ruan Mingfu’s face turned green.

But she couldn’t change it, so she reluctantly said, “Alright.”

Better than nothing.

Anyway, the land was already cleared, so they might as well plant.

“By the way,” Ruan Mingfu thought for a moment and said, “Should we plant some scallions and garlic, and maybe some chives too?”

She also liked chive pastries.

“Sure.”

As long as Ruan Mingfu suggested something, Xie Yanzhao agreed.

Chives are quite hardy and can be eaten all year round if the climate is suitable.

Thinking of the famous rooftop gardens, Ruan Mingfu proposed, “Let’s plant the chives in boxes so we can move them inside when it’s cold.”

Their house was large enough.

Even if they emptied out a room, it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Alright, I’ll do whatever you say.”

With Xie Yanzhao’s agreement, the last bit of Ruan Mingfu’s hidden frustration dissipated.

If Gu Yilin knew, she’d probably be even more disappointed and scold her for being love-struck.