Having called ahead, Xie Jingran took Chu Anhe directly to the burn department’s expert consultation room at Haishi People’s Hospital.
Chu Anhe’s fair hand was red and swollen, with a few glistening blisters, looking somewhat serious.
“Ahh…”
The alcohol-soaked cotton ball brushed over the damaged skin, and Chu Anhe shuddered in pain, instinctively recoiling her hand.
“Don’t move.”
Xie Jingran’s warm hand reached out from the side, gently supporting her wrist.
“Doctor, could you be gentler? She’s in pain.”
The burn department director pushed up his glasses and looked helplessly at Xie Jingran. “Professor Xie, this is debridement. Of course it will hurt. If you’re worried, comfort your girlfriend don’t stare at an old man’s hands. You’re making me shake!”
Xie Jingran lowered his eyelids, looking at Chu Anhe’s pale lips from the pain. He said softly, “Hold on, it’ll be over soon.”
A familiar mechanical voice erupted in Xie Jingran’s mind at an inopportune moment.
Beep! Detected female lead experiencing strong pain. This is the perfect moment to demonstrate CEO-style ‘daddy affection’!
Mission: Lift your love’s hand, kiss the injury, and say tenderly: “Pain, fly away, my princess.”
Failure penalty: Perform Wang Xinling’s “Love You” at the clinic door; success reward: +30 minutes life value.
Kiss? Pain, fly away, my princess?
He was a thirty-six-year-old visiting professor, head of Shengshi Group, not a three-and-a-half-year-old in kindergarten! Was this idiotic system trying to make him socially die on the spot?
“All done. Time to dress the wound,” the doctor said, picking up gauze. “Don’t get it wet for the next few days.”
Chu Anhe sniffled and just as she wanted to thank him, she noticed Xie Jingran staring intently at her hand, now wrapped like a round Doraemon paw, his expression unreadable.
“Teacher Xie?” she called tentatively.
System countdown: 5, 4, 3…
A warm breath approached. Before she could react, Xie Jingran leaned slightly, pressing his cool, gentle lips lightly on the back of her wrapped hand.
“Don’t be so careless again… don’t hurt yourself like this,” Xie Jingran said, his voice dry, unable to speak the embarrassing line.
System: …Host didn’t speak the line, but fine, just barely passed. Hmph, tsundere.
Chu Anhe froze, staring dumbly at the man so close that she was completely petrified.
Xie Jingran straightened, adjusting his tie without changing his expression, as if the childish gesture had never happened.
By the time they left the hospital, it was fully dark. Neon lights illuminated the city, and the early winter wind carried fallen leaves.
“Hungry?”
Sitting in the car, Xie Jingran fastened his seatbelt and turned to Chu Anhe in the passenger seat.
Her right hand was thickly bandaged, looking both comical and pitiful.
Chu Anhe said seriously, “Teacher Xie, thanks to you helping me today, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
Xie Jingran was slightly surprised. He understood that this stubborn girl wanted to express gratitude in an equal way, even if her means were limited.
A faint smile touched his lips as he leaned back in his seat. “Since Chu wants to treat, I won’t refuse.”
Chu Anhe relaxed at his quick agreement, but a trace of embarrassment appeared on her face.
“I know a really good place! Though… It’s a little shabby, not in a busy area, but the food is amazing! When I was in a bad mood back in my freshman year, I came here. It’s really healing! Would you… like to try it?”
Her bright eyes sparkled, expecting a reaction like she was presenting a treasure.
Seeing her worried yet eager little expression, Xie Jingran’s mood unexpectedly lifted.
He started the car, his side profile softened in the dashboard’s glow. “Lead the way. I have no objection.”
Chu Anhe immediately sat upright and directed, “Alright! Head towards the university district, that old alley near the south gate!”
Half an hour later.
Xie Jingran stood at the entrance of a narrow, noisy alley, filled with the smell of cooking oil, staring at the greasy sign “Wang Ji Old Claypot Rice Noodles” lost in thought.
“This is it!” Chu Anhe exclaimed excitedly. Using her uninjured left hand, she boldly grabbed Xie Jingran’s coat sleeve and tugged him inside.
“Although this place looks shabby, it’s been open for twenty years! Back in my freshman year, when I was upset, I’d come here it’s really healing!”
Xie Jingran looked at the crowded alley, frowning, instinctively resisting the chaotic environment.
But seeing the lively smile on Chu Anhe’s face, he sighed, swallowing the words “let’s go somewhere else.”
“Boss! Two signature claypots, one mild spicy, one…” Chu Anhe glanced at Xie Jingran, “can you handle spicy?”
“A little,” he replied modestly.
“Then one mild spicy, one slightly spicy! Add two fried eggs, and two servings of tofu puffs!”
The shop was small, with just a few folding tables and plastic stools.
Xie Jingran looked at the shiny red plastic stool, took out a tissue to wipe it, and sat down.
His long legs curled up uncomfortably under the low table.
“The environment isn’t great, but the food’s really good,” Chu Anhe said shyly, looking at him. “And… eating here makes you feel alive.”
“Feel alive?” Xie Jingran, scalding his chopsticks in hot water, looked up at her.
“Yes.” Chu Anhe propped her chin on one hand, watching the steaming baskets outside. “Here, people eat heartily, talk loudly. When sad, drink a beer and cry. When happy, grab some skewers. The ordinary life, the smells and sounds of it soothes the heart.”
Xie Jingran paused slightly.
The warm yellow light fell on Chu Anhe’s face. Though her complexion was a bit tired, her eyes were clearer than the stars.
For the first time, she was sharing her world with him.
Not to please him, not to show off, just to share what felt warm.
“Indeed,” Xie Jingran said, putting down his chopsticks, a faint smile on his lips.
Soon, the claypots arrived.
The red soup boiled vigorously. The fried eggs soaked in broth were golden and tempting, the beef chunks thick and rich, and the aroma of cilantro filled the air.
“Eat quickly! The fried eggs taste best after three seconds in the soup!” Chu Anhe, despite only having one usable hand, handled the spoon adeptly.
Xie Jingran watched her bite into the tofu puff soaked in soup, steaming and hot, yet she held it in without spitting it out. His gaze softened involuntarily.
He picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of beef.
The taste was oily and salty, not meeting his nutritional standards, but the rich spicy flavor instantly awakened his taste buds.
“How is it?” Chu Anhe asked eagerly.
Xie Jingran nodded, giving a fair evaluation. “The beef is ordinary, but the broth is well-prepared, with layers of flavor.”
Chu Anhe’s eyes curved into a smile.
Just as they were enjoying their meal, a few drunk troublemakers at the next table suddenly went berserk, slamming the table. A newly opened beer bottle tipped over with a “bang,” glass shards and liquid spraying toward Chu Anhe’s face!
“Watch out!”
It all happened so fast.
Startled, Chu Anhe looked up and saw a strong, long hand firmly shielding her face and eyes.
“Clink.”
The shattered glass and beer splashed onto Xie Jingran’s expensive cashmere sleeve, leaving a mess.
Xie Jingran withdrew his hand, ensuring she wasn’t startled, and glanced lightly at the adjacent table.
The would-be rowdy drinkers immediately fell silent and left sheepishly.
“All fine now.”
Xie Jingran poured some barley tea into Chu Anhe’s cup, his tone as calm as discussing the weather.
“Eat. The fried eggs will lose their flavor if they cool.”
Chu Anhe gripped her spoon tightly, her heart racing in this humble, smoky little shop.
System: Beep! Detected female lead’s affection level skyrocketing! Current value: 30/100. Host, seems street food has more impact than Michelin!
Xie Jingran ignored the system, gently placing the fried egg from his bowl into Chu Anhe’s bowl.
“I don’t eat fried food,” he lied without a flicker of emotion. “You finish it for me. Don’t waste it.”