“Don’t cry. It’s just an injury—I’m used to it.”  

The man’s hoarse voice murmured low in her ear, carrying the familiar sense of security Xu Xiaoyue knew well.  

She sniffled, her nose red. If it weren’t for her, Yan Ye might not have gotten hurt.  

Xu Xiaoyue looked up and met the man’s dark eyes. Unlike their usual coldness, they now held a hint of tenderness, softened by a faint smile.  

“How can you still smile when you’re hurt like this?”  

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, threatening to spill over.  

The man’s rough fingertips, calloused with a thin layer of hardened skin, brushed against the delicate skin beneath her eyes, sending a faint, ticklish sensation through her.  

“Alright, it’s nothing.”  

Nearby, Chief Li watched the scene unfold, stunned.  

What’s going on with these two? Could it be that Regiment Commander Yan has taken a liking to this little girl? 

Recalling how the man had unhesitatingly ordered the handcuffs to be removed from the young woman earlier, it was possible he’d already fallen for her then.  

Chief Li suddenly smacked his forehead. Ah, even heroes can’t resist a beauty’s charm—my thick skull is only realizing it now. 

Thankfully, he hadn’t said anything inappropriate in front of them.  

Noticing the gazes of those around them, Yan Ye frowned. He shifted his body to shield Xu Xiaoyue, his expression darkening with displeasure at the intrusion.  

“Assaulting an officer in public—Chief Li, you know how to handle this, right?”  

“As for Comrade Xu, I’ll be borrowing her for now. She’ll be sent to the station later.”  

This time, Chief Li was quick to comply, nodding eagerly. “Understood, Regiment Commander Yan.”  

…

“Uncle Wang, please take a look at him! Will the wound on his arm leave a scar?”  

Xu Xiaoyue supported Yan Ye with one hand while pushing open the clinic door with the other, her voice urgent.  

“Goodness, how did this happen?”  

The elderly man stepped forward, his eyes scanning Yan Ye’s complexion before casually taking the man’s pulse. He understood immediately.  

“Comrade Xu, help him lie down inside first. I’ll go get the medicine.”  

With the doctor’s instructions, Xu Xiaoyue didn’t overthink it. She carefully guided Yan Ye inside.  

Traditional Chinese diagnosis relied on four key methods: observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking.  

Observation meant examining the patient’s complexion, tongue coating, and pulse. Listening involved noting the patient’s voice and breathing. Questioning referred to inquiring about symptoms, and pulse-taking was, of course, checking the pulse.  

Just by observing Yan Ye’s ruddy complexion and rapid pulse, Uncle Wang could tell the man was merely a little… excited.  

At this point, even if a bull charged at him, Yan Ye could probably take it down without issue.  

…

Inside the room, Xu Xiaoyue carefully helped Yan Ye lie down, her heart filled with worry and guilt.  

She stood up, about to check why Uncle Wang hadn’t returned yet, when the man suddenly grabbed her wrist.  

“Where are you going?”  

Xu Xiaoyue tugged her hand but couldn’t break free. “I’m going to see why Uncle Wang isn’t back with the medicine yet.”  

Seeing how nervous and concerned she was for him warmed Yan Ye’s heart. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, though his tone remained as indifferent as ever.  

“Uncle Wang is old—his movements are naturally slower. If you rush him, he might forget something important.”  

“Really?” Xu Xiaoyue’s eyes held doubt, but she obediently sat back down.  

Uncle Wang, who had been standing outside the door with the medicine, overheard the thinly veiled remark and shook his head. A second later, he knocked.  

“Uncle Wang’s here!”  

Xu Xiaoyue shot to her feet, rushing toward the door without a second’s delay.  

As Uncle Wang stepped inside, he glanced at Yan Ye lying on the bed and flashed him a knowing look.

This brat… Back when he was on a mission and had to undergo surgery for a fractured thigh, he stubbornly refused anesthesia. But now, with such a minor injury, he’s rushing to lie on the hospital bed like it’s urgent.  

His subordinates should really see this—the man they usually call the “Demon King Yan” is now pulling all sorts of tricks just to scheme his way into this young woman’s heart.

Yan Ye felt increasingly uncomfortable under that knowing gaze and coughed lightly, using one hand to remove his shirt.  

As the man stripped off his top, his powerfully built upper body was instantly on full display. The striking sight of his bronze skin made Xu Xiaoyue’s eyes involuntarily dart toward him before she could stop herself.  

His abdomen was taut, with sculpted abs that looked as if they’d been carved from stone. Along the sides, his Adonis belt faintly traced downward, the subtly raised muscle lines radiating raw strength.  

No wonder he’s a soldier trained by the military—state-approved, top-tier genetics. Even doing nothing, he oozes testosterone. 

Xu Xiaoyue’s cheeks burned as if she’d gotten heatstroke, her gaze flickering between stealing glances and nervously looking away, afraid of being caught.  

What she didn’t know was that Yan Ye had noticed her staring the moment her eyes first wandered over.  

Her flustered (and slightly shameless) expression had already been thoroughly memorized by the man.  

…

Uncle Wang gave the wound a brief glance. “Superficial injury, nothing serious. Just bandage it up and avoid water.”  

“I’ve got something to attend to outside. Comrade Xu, I’ll leave the bandaging to you.”  

Xu Xiaoyue, still dazed from the sight of the man’s physique, nodded blankly.  

A few seconds later, she suddenly snapped back to reality. Pointing at herself, she asked in disbelief, “Huh? Me?”  

Uncle Wang stood up. “Bandaging isn’t hard. Just dab some iodine and wrap it with gauze. This kid can handle pain, so go ahead. I need to check on things outside.”  

Without giving her a chance to refuse, the old man walked out and closed the door behind him.  

Talk about being thrown into the deep end.  

Xu Xiaoyue stiffly stood to the side, washing her hands and drying them with gauze before stealing another glance at Yan Ye’s toned body. She silently reminded herself: Don’t drool. Don’t you dare drool.

“I’m starting now,” she warned in advance.  

Yan Ye nodded in acknowledgment.  

Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady herself. Picking up the iodine, she poured some onto a cotton ball and carefully leaned toward his wound.  

Frowning, she studied where to begin.  

Damn it.

His face had turned ashen, and he abruptly grabbed his discarded shirt, draping it over himself.  

“Are you… hot?” Xu Xiaoyue asked, puzzled.  

The man’s voice was unusually hoarse, veins faintly bulging along his arm as he urged, “It’s fine. Just hurry up.”  

“Oh.”  

His tone made her expression sour. She assumed he was annoyed at her for being too slow.  

The next second, she pressed the cotton ball firmly against his wound.  

A sharp sting mixed with scorching heat shot through him. Yan Ye shut his eyes, feeling like he was losing his mind.  

How could he be thinking about… those things… in broad daylight?

Xu Xiaoyue didn’t miss his frown and immediately looked at him nervously, afraid she’d hurt him.  

“Does it hurt? I’ll be gentler.”  

Her voice was soft, almost tender.