Chapter 31 – Applying the Ointment

Lu Hanzheng’s eyes instinctively paused on her rosy lips.

Thinking about their smooth, tender feel made him unable to stop imagining.

The endless daydream flushed his face with heat.

Wen Nian lazily leaned against the doorframe, looking at him with endless charm.

The man coughed dryly, trying to cover up his embarrassment.

His expression was slightly awkward.

“This is a special ointment for bruises. Apply it to the injured area, and remember to rub the ointment in well.”

He handed her a small box.

It was clearly a special military supply.

Wen Nian didn’t take it but turned to sit down by the bed.

Lu Hanzheng hesitated for a moment, then followed in and closed the door behind him.

“After you apply this ointment, you need to massage it slowly and thoroughly so the medicine absorbs better.”

Before he finished speaking, Wen Nian had already undone two of the frog buttons on her nightdress.

Seeing this, Lu Hanzheng thought something was wrong. He strode over and quickly covered her chest with the dress.

The man glared at her and scolded, “Stop fooling around! Button up!”

Wen Nian looked confused. How could she apply ointment without taking off clothes?

“Aren’t we supposed to apply medicine?”

They’d already kissed, and he’d already seen everything—what was the point of being shy now?

When they’d tangled lips before, it hadn’t been like this.

Lu Hanzheng had practically wanted to press her into his body then.

His hands had gripped her waist so hard it still hurt.

She had seen the red handprints on her waist during her bath—they were still there.

“Apply it yourself.”

The man didn’t dare look up, tossed the ointment on the bedside table, and was about to leave.

From behind, Wen Nian tightly wrapped her arms around him. He couldn’t just leave like that.

“You have to help me apply it. If you caused this injury, you have to take responsibility.”

She turned his body toward her, snow-white arms draping over his neck, starting to act coquettish and clingy.

The green military uniform on him was perfectly pressed, not a crease in sight.

His high, sharp nose, narrow phoenix-like eyes, and thin red lips—

He was pure uniform temptation.

She loved this aura of restrained desire.

“Help me apply it—I can’t see where it is.”

She whispered close to his ear, her soft breath fragrant like orchids.

Her smooth skin pressed against him, her chest pressing firmly against his hard chest.

His Adam’s apple moved as he fought down a certain impulse in his chest and abdomen, then pushed her away.

“No.”

Wen Nian was a bit frustrated, stomping her foot angrily.

“Fine, forget it. I’ll find someone else to do it.”

Just as she was about to leave, the man heard her words, immediately came back, and glared at her.

“Who else are you going to find?”

“None of your business. You’re my boyfriend; what’s wrong with helping me apply some ointment? If Zheng Jiahe were my boyfriend, he’d definitely help.”

Lu Hanzheng’s face darkened. Grabbing her arm, he scolded:

“Do you dare?”

When Lu Hanzheng got serious, he was terrifying.

Though his voice was low and calm, his presence was overwhelming, making people instinctively afraid.

He was truly angry. His grip tightened, making Wen Nian wince in pain.

After all, he was the physical fitness champion of the Thunder Legion. Even a casual squeeze was too much for her to bear.

“Let go, you’re hurting me.”

As soon as Wen Nian spoke, he immediately released his hand.

Her snow-white wrist was already reddened, and her skin was tender to begin with—after using the nourishing lotion, it had become even more sensitive.

Her constitution was almost on par with a delicate princess; even a little pressure left marks on her skin.

“You’re bullying me! I’m not talking to you anymore. You go away.”

Wen Nian felt utterly wronged. It was just letting him apply some ointment—why did it feel like she was asking for his life?

What’s there that couples can’t do?

She just wanted to be close to her boyfriend. Was that so wrong?

Wen Nian was a modern woman—easygoing and straightforward.

She never acted shy or coy.

She enjoyed life and loved freely.

She simply couldn’t understand how people in this era were so conservative—on the streets, not only kissing but even holding hands could get you scolded.

And now she had to deal with Lu Hanzheng, so strict and rigid, utterly lacking any romantic sense.

Lu Hanzheng stood awkwardly by her side, feeling sorry about what happened earlier.

“Sorry, I… I didn’t mean to.”

Wen Nian turned away and ignored him.

Even if he apologized, it didn’t mean she would forgive him.

The man quietly stayed close, softly coaxing her.

Seeing her pout but still not look at him,

Lu Hanzheng sighed and opened the ointment box.

He smeared a bit on his finger, took her wrist, and gently applied and massaged it.

After finishing the wrist, as if making up his mind about something,

Lu Hanzheng knelt on one knee, his slender fingertips reaching toward her clothes.

Slowly lifting the hem with a solemn, respectful expression, without the slightest disrespect.

His trembling fingers placed gently on the bruise under her collarbone, carefully rubbing in circles.

His eyes held no distractions.

Veins bulged on his hands, and beads of sweat dripped heavily down his forehead.

No one knew how long he applied the ointment before slowly buttoning up her frog buttons one by one.

His expression was serious and stern as he looked at her.

“Don’t ever say things like that again.”

Wen Nian obediently nodded.

She had been upset earlier, only speaking out of anger.

There was no way she could care for a weak pretty boy like Zheng Jiahe.

Not to mention he even had a tendency for domestic violence.

Lu Hanzheng paused, staring seriously at her, then continued:

“Even if we’re dating, there are boundaries. Too much closeness or inappropriate actions are not allowed.”

Wen Nian pouted. Dating can’t do this, can’t do that—what’s the point then?

Seeing her unconcerned attitude, Lu Hanzheng still couldn’t let go and added a few more words.

“Also, now that you have a boyfriend, you have to keep your distance from other men.”

“What about with you?” Wen Nian casually twirled a stray lock of hair at her neck and asked.

“Even with me, you have to keep your distance in public.”

Wen Nian puckered her lips. What era was this? This kind of thinking was just outdated feudal nonsense.

Seeing her completely unconcerned, Lu Hanzheng anxiously reminded her again.

“Did you hear what I said?”

Her bright eyes twinkled as she smiled sweetly.

“I heard you.”

…

After breakfast, Wen Nian left as usual. After dropping Jiang Wenwen off at school, she took a detour to the supply and marketing cooperative.

He Xiuli had left a message for her, saying that her sister had sent some fabrics from Shanghai and asked her to find time to visit the cooperative.

Because of the skincare oil, her relationship with the He family had taken a huge leap forward.

Several women from the He family had used the face oil and seen obvious improvements.

Previously, He Xiuli had introduced others to Wen Nian, who came looking for skincare oil one by one.

Later, Wen Nian found it too troublesome and simply gave He Xiuli the distribution rights, letting her act as the agent.

Wen Nian only needed to supply her with a fixed amount of skincare products each month; she no longer involved herself in sales.

The only difference was she lowered the wholesale price for He Xiuli by thirty percent.