You already knew, so why did you still ask me? Hua Xian let out a yelp but did not dodge, allowing Chi Meng to vent her anger. Chi Meng felt the hand on her waist and slowly released her bite.
“Why did you struggle? Were you not afraid I would actually bite through your vein?”
Hua Xian tightened the hand around her waist, flashing a brilliant smile: “I knew you wouldn’t.” After saying this, she did not forget to plant a loud kiss on her cheek.
“Go away! Stay away from me!” Chi Meng frowned, pushed her away, and buried herself under the blanket, leaving only her eyes exposed.
Hua Xian looked at her, her eyes filled with gentle affection, and then she turned and walked out.
Chi Meng watched her retreating back, her frown deepening. I told her to leave, and she actually left. When did she become so obedient?
After a moment, Hua Xian returned, holding a towel and an ice pack.
“Mengmeng, stick your foot out. I am going to ice it first.”
Chi Meng looked at her suspiciously. Hua Xian immediately puffed out her chest, stating confidently, “Trust me, I just Googled it, and it says ice packs can relieve pain and reduce swelling.”
Chi Meng: Is that so? I do not believe it.
Although she thought this, she still stuck her foot out. Hua Xian pulled the lazy sofa over, sat by the bed, and leaned forward, grasping Chi Meng’s foot with one hand.
Chi Meng flinched, then averted her gaze, saying coldly, “Just apply the compress. Keep your hands to yourself!”
“This is a normal procedure. I cannot apply the compress if I do not hold it.” Although Hua Xian said this, she could not resist rubbing the foot a few extra times under her hand.
Chi Meng’s feet did not match her height; a woman of 1.7 meters (5’7″) had a shoe size of only 36. Her instep was narrow, and her toes were adorably round, making the sensation of holding them quite pleasant.
“If you are not going to compress it, then get off!” Chi Meng could not stand Hua Xian’s gaze and struggled to pull her foot away.
Hua Xian was afraid of hurting her, so she dared not use force on her hand and quickly said, “I will compress it, I will compress it! Do not move around, or it might swell even more.”
Chi Meng turned back to look at her. Although her expression was fierce, her voice softened: “If you do not want to compress it, then go out. Do not use the excuse of reducing my swelling to do something else.”
“Hmm? Do what?” Hua Xian leaned in to look at her, her eyes clear, like a large puppy waiting to be fed.
“Nothing!” Chi Meng turned her face away, refusing to make eye contact with Hua Xian again.
Hua Xian looked at her reddened ear tips, the corner of her lips curling into a faint arc.
She is fierce on the surface, but more innocent than anyone in reality. So adorable.
A dampness came from the towel; the ice inside must have begun to melt. Hua Xian collected her scattered thoughts and concentrated on applying the cold compress for Chi Meng. However, as soon as she placed the towel on, Chi Meng violently retracted her foot.
“What is wrong?”
“It is too cold.”
Chi Meng wore a look of aggrieved “I knew you were unreliable,” which made Hua Xian’s heart flutter. Her hand had been holding the towel, so she could not test the temperature, but she tried it on her face—it was indeed a bit icy.
“Then I will warm it up with my hand first, and compress it once it is not so cold.”
“Will that even work? I really should not believe anything you say.” Chi Meng pulled her foot back, turned over, and presented her back to Hua Xian.
Chi Meng: I do not want to face you.jpg
Hua Xian felt a little awkward. Just then, the doorbell rang, and she immediately stood up, as if she had been rescued.
“The medicine is here! I will go down and get it!”
Seeing her so happy, Chi Meng’s somewhat recovered mood instantly vanished. She said faintly, “The person has come all this way. It is not easy. Please invite them in to sit for a while.”
“Ah, this… is that necessary?” Nanzhi probably did not really want to be a guest in their house.
Chi Meng squinted at her, sneering: “What is wrong? Are you afraid I will eat your precious little sister?”
Hearing the deliberately emphasized two words, “little sister,” Hua Xian felt she was in trouble. She could only agree with a forced sense of duty.
“Why did you take so long to get here?” Nanzhi handed the medicine to Hua Xian and timidly peered into the house. Only after confirming Chi Meng was not around did she relax.
“Stop looking. Mengmeng is upstairs. Come on in.” Hua Xian took the medicine and made way for Nanzhi.
Nanzhi quickly hopped backward, looking at Hua Xian and saying, “Sister… Huahua, you cannot repay kindness with enmity. I kindly brought you medicine, but you want me dead.”
Hua Xian scratched her cheek and replied, “It is not that serious, is it? Mengmeng is actually a good person. You just have a prejudice against her. Come on in. You came all this way; I cannot let you leave empty-handed. I will cook dinner tonight, a few of my best dishes. It is a good chance for you to spend more time with Mengmeng and clear up any misunderstandings.”
Nanzhi: Yes, I do have a prejudice, but Chi Meng has a prejudice against me.
How dare she have prejudice against Queen Chi?
“I do not think that is necessary. I am afraid my misunderstandings with her cannot be resolved.” Nanzhi tried to back out, slowly retreating.
Given the level of Chi Meng’s dislike for her, she was afraid that she would be gone before any misunderstandings were resolved.
Hua Xian smiled lightly, extended her long arm, and pulled her in.
“Why be so formal? We are family.”
Nanzhi: “…” I am not worthy to be family with Queen Chi.
As soon as she entered the house, Nanzhi involuntarily grew nervous, terrified that Chi Meng would jump out from somewhere in the next second and sarcastically mock her.
“You sit for a while. I am going upstairs to apply the medicine for Mengmeng.”
Nanzhi thought back to the morning’s events and pouted: “Why do you need to drag me in when you two could just have your private time?”
Hua Xian said she was going to apply medicine for Chi Meng, but who knew what else they would do? She was tired of being relegated to the sidelines.
Hua Xian blushed a little and said awkwardly, “This morning was an accident. This time will definitely be quick.”
Nanzhi: I do not believe a word you say!
Hua Xian walked upstairs with the medicine, not forgetting to call out to Nanzhi, “Go to the kitchen and make yourself a cup of coffee.”
Nanzhi’s face was indescribable. Who makes a guest brew their own coffee? It is polite, but only barely.
Hua Xian pushed open the master bedroom door and happened to see Chi Meng attempting to climb onto the bed. Her foot seemed to have swollen even more.
“Did you go to the restroom?”
“Mhm.” Chi Meng mumbled a response, then said no more.
“You cannot walk on your foot. Next time you need to go to the restroom, call me, and I will carry you.” Hua Xian finished speaking, leaned over, and gently blew on the red, swollen area of her ankle. Then, she squeezed the ointment onto her hand and lightly rubbed it on.
Chi Meng was somewhat resistant, but Hua Xian firmly held her ankle, giving her nowhere to escape.
After applying the ointment, Hua Xian looked at her slender, pale calf, unable to look away for a long time. Chi Meng felt uneasy under her gaze, and she increased the pressure in her foot slightly.
“Let go once you are done applying it.” Her tone was less harsh than before.
Hua Xian acknowledged her, leaned over, and kissed the top of her foot.
Chi Meng: “!!!”
Hua Xian knew when to stop and quickly straightened up. She placed the medicine on the cabinet and casually stroked Chi Meng’s hair.
“I am going down to make dinner. You be a good girl and stay put.”
Chi Meng’s cheeks were faintly pink, but her expression remained aloof. She lifted her chin and asked, “Is Nanzhi downstairs?”
“Yes.” Hua Xian answered truthfully.
Chi Meng held out both hands, saying loftily, “A guest has arrived. We cannot leave her waiting in the living room. I will go and keep her company.”
Hua Xian seemed troubled and asked, “Do you really want to go?”
Chi Meng frowned: “What are you worried about? Are you afraid I will make things difficult for your dear little sister?”
In the short span of half an hour, this was the second time Hua Xian had heard the words “little sister.” She vowed never to let anyone call her “older sister” again.
Seeing her hesitate, Chi Meng’s eyes gradually cooled, and she withdrew the hands she had extended.
“If you do not want me to go down, then fine. You go out.”
Hua Xian sighed silently. She reached her hands under Chi Meng’s bottom and picked her up as if she were a child.
“It is not that I do not want you to go down. I am just wondering when my little, jealous child will have a little more trust in me.”
Chi Meng was simply too insecure, which was why her emotions were so erratic. It was not her fault.
Chi Meng looked astonished. After a long moment, she said, “I have no idea what you are talking about!”
Hua Xian curved her lips, said nothing, and slightly adjusted her grip on the person. Chi Meng let out a soft cry and clutched her neck. Realizing that Hua Xian had done it on purpose, she angrily bit her ear.
“Ouch~”
Nanzhi looked up, confused. Did they get a dog?