Chapter 26 Why Should He Be Down and Out?

Qu Qingzhi had called for a video chat more than ten times, but no one picked up.

She grew annoyed, got out of bed, changed her clothes, and dashed downstairs, shouting,

“Uncle Liang, arrange a car for me; I need to go out!”

Just as she was in a flurry, the calm voice of the system suddenly sounded:

**[Plot Triggered!]**

**[Forcefully touch Xie Muhuan’s abs and mock him: “You don’t even have a reaction, are you even a man?”]**

Qu Qingzhi’s hurried steps came to a sudden halt.

“System dog!” she couldn’t help but curse. “Can you be a little human? He’s already in such a bad state, and now you want to rub salt in the wound?”

**[Humiliating Xie Muhuan is your task.]** The system said seriously, then muttered, **[Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t call me ‘system dog’ anymore? You liar.]**

“The plot in the book mentioned that after the cruise incident, he has psychological barriers regarding that aspect. If I go over now, forcibly touch him and mock him, won’t that just worsen his psychological trauma?”

**[That’s your task.]**

The system reiterated its point.

Qu Qingzhi was at a loss for words.

But she still had to go.

Xie Muhuan must be engaging in self-harm again; he might even have collapsed in his room without anyone knowing.

Fortunately, the apartment wasn’t far from her house, and she arrived within twenty minutes.

The entrance to the apartment had a keypad lock, and Qu Qingzhi simply punched in the code to get inside.

The door to Xie Muhuan’s room wasn’t locked; she pushed the door open and heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.

Was he scrubbing himself again with all his might?

How could she let him know that he wasn’t dirty!

“Xie Muhuan, are you in there?” Qu Qingzhi knocked on the bathroom door.

Perhaps the sound of the water drowned out her knocking, as Xie Muhuan did not respond.

Feeling it would be inappropriate to barge in, she took out her phone and sent him a series of messages:

**[Xie Muhuan, I’m in your room, hurry up and come out.]**

**[You have five minutes. If you don’t come out, I’ll barge in.]**

**[Don’t blame me for seeing you naked then.]**

**[Countdown: 4 minutes and 50 seconds…]**

**[4 minutes and 30 seconds…]**

She counted down to 2 minutes and 10 seconds when she heard a click from inside the bathroom, the sound of the doorknob turning.

The youth appeared with an expressionless face, handsome yet pale.

He had lost a lot of weight over the past month, his facial features sharper and more pronounced, exuding a hint of a sinister aura.

“I told you, I’m fine.” His voice was low and cold, with a hint of hoarseness.

“You’re fine?” Qu Qingzhi raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down.

He was wearing the black pajamas she had bought for him.

His hair was half wet, droplets falling and soaking the collar of his shirt.

The wound on his left wrist had been hastily bandaged with a fresh dressing.

Despite that, the bandage was still seeping with bright red blood.

“Lift your shirt; I want to check.” Qu Qingzhi said imperiously.

Xie Muhuan’s eyes turned gloomy, and he slowly lowered his lashes, saying lightly, “I won’t forget your kindness in saving me. But that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with me.”

Qu Qingzhi scoffed, “I’m going to do whatever I want with you. What can you do about it? Don’t think that just because you’re living in Su Xingye’s apartment, I can’t kick you and Granny Xu out. Right now, you’re just a useless person!”

Xie Muhuan suddenly raised his gaze, staring directly at her.

“Did I say something wrong?” Qu Qingzhi didn’t flinch, looking back at him mockingly. “You only know how to self-harm. Have you ever thought about how sad Granny Xu would be if she found out? You probably forgot that there are only a few days left until the college entrance exams, right? With this depressed look, what good university do you think you can get into?”

Xie Muhuan’s eyes grew sharper, flashing with anger.

“Maybe on the day of the exams, you’ll faint at the door before you even step into the examination hall.” Qu Qingzhi continued to ridicule him. “You don’t even apply medicine, and you keep making your wounds worse. If this continues, they’ll get infected and fester. By the time you have a high fever and fall into a deep sleep, it’ll be just the excuse you need to be useless.”

Xie Muhuan’s dark pupils were like a storm brewing, Qu Qingzhi’s words hitting a secret spot deep within him.

He was dirty, but he wasn’t qualified to lie down and give up.

He hadn’t gotten his revenge yet, hadn’t become strong, and didn’t have the ability to protect the people he wanted to protect.

He was even broke and had to rely on Su Xingye for help.

Why should he be down and out?

“Let me see if your wound has festered. If it has, it’ll perfectly match your wishes.” A smirk curled at the corner of Qu Qingzhi’s lips as she unexpectedly lifted the hem of his shirt!

Taking the opportunity, she reached out to touch him.