“It’s for reducing inflammation and relieving pain.”
Yesterday he had lost control and seemed to have hurt Ning Xi.
Only now did Ning Xi realize the purpose of the ointment he gave her.
Actually, after drinking the Spirit Spring water, all her physical discomfort had already disappeared, but what surprised her was Jiang Chengbei’s thoughtfulness and attentiveness.
This young man was actually quite likable!
She blinked and deliberately leaned her face closer to him. “So… how do I use this ointment?”
How to use it…
How else could it be used…
They were standing so close that Jiang Chengbei could even feel her faint fragrance drifting into his nose. Although he was twenty-six, he had almost no contact with women.
Now, being looked at like this by Ning Xi, his whole body felt hot.
“J-just… apply it… three times a day.”
He stammered as he spoke.
His ears turned bright red.
Ning Xi suppressed a laugh, continuing to tease recklessly, her voice soft and sweet as honey.
“Or… do you want to help me?”
The moment she said it, Jiang Chengbei seemed to choke, coughing violently, his tall, upright body jolting back as if electrified. His handsome face flushed scarlet, eyes wide in shock.
After a long moment, he barely managed to get out a sentence:
“That… that wouldn’t be appropriate, right?”
Ning Xi was so amused at his reaction that she laughed heartily.
“What are you thinking? Go boil the water!”
Tsk tsk, one had to admit, teasing a pure, awkward soldier was really fun.
Jiang Chengbei: …
Realizing he had been toyed with, he looked at Ning Xi helplessly.
Though embarrassed, he actually felt pleased. She was willing to talk to him, willing to tease him at least it was progress.
Better than her speaking harshly to him.
“Alright, I’m going.”
The man’s steps were brisk as he headed to the kitchen.
Ning Xi couldn’t miss the delight flickering in his eyes and wondered to herself could Jiang Chengbei have a masochistic streak? Otherwise, why would he smile so brightly?
The hot water was soon ready.
Jiang Chengbei carried two full buckets, one in each hand, placing them directly in Ning Xi’s room. Thoughtfully, he also prepared a bucket of cold water. As he stepped out, he glanced back at her.
“I’ll guard the door here.”
The original owner loved cleanliness and used to bathe daily. After coming to the countryside, she didn’t know how to use the rustic stove. At first, Tian Guilan helped boil water, but over time, she began subtly advising her to save water.
The water was free, but boiling it every day consumed firewood.
Gradually, the bathing schedule went from once a day to every three days, then weekly, and finally every half month.
Especially after what happened yesterday, Ning Xi felt sticky all over.
Now, with the steaming hot water, she enjoyed a long, comfortable bath.
While she relaxed, Jiang Chengbei, guarding the door, suffered. The sound of running water triggered uncontrollable thoughts.
His mind was filled with scenes from the straw hut yesterday.
The little girl, pale and soft, her almond-shaped eyes glistening, holding onto him and begging him not to leave…
A sudden tightening in his lower abdomen made him snap out of it. Jiang Chengbei hurriedly adjusted his breathing, silently reciting the Three Major Rules and Eight Points for Attention, taking some time to calm the restless heat within him.
He even doubted himself.
Could it be that he, too, was lustful?
Ning Xi finished bathing, changed into clean clothes, and opened the door. Her glossy black hair was half-dried and fell smoothly over her shoulders. The steam had made her delicate, oval face even rosier and more vibrant than the peach blossoms in March.
She was about to tell Jiang Chengbei to pour the water when she saw him turn around.
She could feel the darkness in his gaze deepen, and then…
“Whoosh!” Blood sprayed from his nostrils.
“Jiang Chengbei, you’re having a nosebleed!”
Jiang Chengbei felt it too and was mortified. He didn’t dare meet Ning Xi’s eyes, quickly wiped at it, lowered his head, and walked into the room, his voice hoarse.
“I’ll go pour the water.”
Even now, he was thinking about pouring the bathwater. Ning Xi didn’t know what to say and ran in to grab a handkerchief to wipe him. But the more she wiped, the more the blood flowed.
Ning Xi glared at him.
“What’s wrong with you?!”
Jiang Chengbei, feeling scolded, flashed a hint of grievance in his dark eyes. “It’s not my fault.”
“Not your fault? Then whose fault is it?”
“Yours.” The man murmured lowly. “You’re too beautiful.”
And so fragrant.
Ning Xi: “…”
Ah, so much for the cold, icy exterior all an act. She had really flustered him!
After a messy struggle, the bleeding finally stopped.
Jiang Yanyan returned and immediately saw the two of them being clingy together. She curled her lips disdainfully and muttered, “Seductress.”
All because she was using her looks to tempt him.
Such a woman was clearly not content with staying put.
Her second brother was just attracted to novelty; a woman like Xinrou (Cao Xinrou) would be better for a stable life.
No, she had to go comfort Xinrou.
At the Cao household, Jiang Yanyan grabbed Cao Xinrou and began unloading her mouth.
“Xinrou, you don’t know how shameless Ning Xi is. In broad daylight, she’s hugging and holding my second brother! He even cooked for her himself, and he says Ning Xi is the woman he’s chosen. Anyone who messes with her is messing with him!”
“He even scolded me yesterday, all for Ning Xi!”
Cao Xinrou, already upset, felt like vomiting blood hearing this.
She bit her teeth tightly, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth, and after a long while, finally let out a soft sob.
“Yanyan, stop talking. I feel terrible inside.”
Jiang Yanyan sympathetically grabbed Cao Xinrou’s hand.
“Xinrou, don’t give up. A capitalist young lady like Ning Xi isn’t cut out for domestic life. My second brother is just curious; once he’s bored, they’ll break up. Your second brother still has feelings for you.”
“Otherwise, why would he remain single all these years? The person he truly cares about is you. Marrying Ning Xi is just to repay a favor.”
To comfort Cao Xinrou, Jiang Yanyan would say anything.
She was lying through her teeth, but Cao Xinrou believed her. She got up, took a stack of stationery from the drawer, caressed it carefully, and then handed one sheet to Jiang Yanyan.
Jiang Yanyan didn’t think much and unfolded it.
After reading, her eyes widened like copper bells.
“Th-this… is a letter my second brother wrote to you?”
“Yes. We’ve been corresponding for the past two years.”
This was also what made Cao Xinrou sad. In the letters, Jiang Chengbei didn’t directly confess his love, but he subtly expressed affection and longing. Why, then, did he act like a completely different person when they met?
Not even a single word?
“Do men’s hearts change so quickly…”
As she spoke, hot tears fell, and Cao Xinrou couldn’t hold back anymore. She buried her face in the bed and cried loudly.
Jiang Yanyan gripped the letter tightly, her eyes red with anger.
“I never thought my second brother was such a traitor! Xinrou, don’t cry yet. These letters are proof. He flirted with you in writing but didn’t take responsibility, then turned around to marry someone else, wasting your youth. Even if you reported him to the authorities, you’d be in the right!”
“The person he should marry the most… is you!”