SC Chapter15

The smile on Xiao Cui’s face became strained. She reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear and hesitantly said, “Brother Xiao Ning, yesterday Grandma Wang on the street said that a relative came to your house. She heard that he had no one to rely on and was very good-looking, and that he would be staying here with you now. Ah… I only heard a bit of it; Grandma was probably just talking nonsense.”

Xiao Ning looked coolly indifferent. “How many do you want?”

“Huh?” Xiao Cui didn’t react immediately.

Xiao Ning rephrased the question, “How many flatbreads do you want?”

“Oh, four, four… the usual is fine.”

Xiao Ning quickly wrapped the flatbreads and placed them in Xiao Cui’s wicker basket. Xiao Cui looked at the still-steaming flatbreads, wanting to say something but holding back.

Xiao Ning lowered his head and continued working on the flatbreads. After a moment, he said, “She wasn’t talking nonsense.”

Xiao Cui was stunned. She blurted out in panic, “You didn’t really take him into your room, did you?” After saying it, she immediately covered her mouth, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

Xiao Ning frowned slightly, then nodded.

Tears welled up in Xiao Cui’s eyes. She stamped her foot, covered her mouth, and turned to run, but Xiao Ning called out to stop her. Xiao Cui paused, turned around, and complained, “What else do you have to say!”

Xiao Ning said, “You haven’t paid yet.”

Xiao Cui burst into tears as she threw the copper coins into Xiao Ning’s hand, wiped her nose, and walked away.

Xiao Yuan stared blankly while pointing at Xiao Cui’s retreating back. “That big sister is crying.”

“It’s nothing. She’ll be fine after a cry.” Xiao Ning collected the copper coins and put them into a small jar, then handed it to Xiao Yuan. “Keep this for next time you buy candied hawthorns.” Xiao Yuan happily held the small jar and sat beside Xiao Ning, keeping him company while he sold flatbreads.

Shen Yunjie still hadn’t woken up near noon. Xiao Ning had no choice but to take the medicine upstairs. Shen Yunjie was running a fever again, he was trembling beneath the quilt, his lips drained of color.

“Ah Yun.” Xiao Ning lifted him from the bed and let him lean against his chest. Shen Yunjie groggily opened his eyes, but the smell of the medicine in the room made him nauseous.

“Drink the medicine, then go back to sleep.” Xiao Ning blew on the medicine to cool it before feeding it to Shen Yunjie. Though dizzy, Shen Yunjie cooperated by opening his mouth to swallow the bitter liquid. After finishing the bowl, a sweet and sour fruit was suddenly put into his mouth.

“Xiao Yuan saved it for you.” Xiao Ning cleaned up the bowl and gently pressed Shen Yunjie back onto the bed. “Sleep now.”

Shen Yunjie tried to prop himself up. “Young Master, Xiao Yuan is…”

“Xiao Yuan is downstairs. I’ll keep an eye on him. You don’t need to worry.” Xiao Ning had his back to Shen Yunjie, then added, “You’ve at least practiced martial arts. Being in such poor health only causes trouble.” With that, he lifted his foot and left while slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

Shen Yunjie supported his throbbing forehead. As the medicine took effect, he fell back into a deep sleep. Xiao Ning peered through the crack in the door for a while, making sure Shen Yunjie was asleep again before he left.

Fortunately, the medicine Old Zhou gave was effective. By evening, Shen Yunjie’s fever had broken. He got up and joined Xiao Ning and Xiao Yuan for dinner, bathed Xiao Yuan, and made sure he was asleep before closing the inner room door.

Xiao Ning was sitting by the bed waiting for him. “Come here and take off your trousers.” Shen Yunjie paused but still obediently got onto the bed and undressed.

Xiao Ning threw the bottle of ointment into his lap. “Apply the ointment yourself.”

Shen Yunjie looked at the bottle in confusion. “Young Master?”

Xiao Ning looked at him coldly. “Don’t you know where the wound is?”

Shen Yunjie looked up. Upon realizing where the ointment needed to be applied, his ears burned hot. He clutched the small bottle in his palm, looking at Xiao Ning with embarrassment and confusion.

Xiao Ning leaned against the headboard and said in a low voice, “What? You’re already awake and still need me to help you?”

“There’s no need to bother Young Master…” Shen Yunjie, who was holding the bottle, started to leave, but Xiao Ning grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. Shen Yunjie stumbled as he leaned against Xiao Ning’s chest, then he heard Xiao Ning whisper in his ear, “Right here.”

Shen Yunjie lowered his thick lashes, opened the bottle, and dabbed some ointment onto his finger. He knelt up slightly, paused for a long moment, until he heard Xiao Ning’s impatient, cold snort. Only then did he insert his finger into the spot behind him. The ointment was cool to the touch, and as his fingertip pulled at the wound, a fresh surge of sharp pain shot through him. Shen Yunjie bit his lower lip, lowered his head in utter shame as his whole body was shaking.

Xiao Ning reached out, pinched Shen Yunjie’s chin, and forced him to look up. Seeing the faint tears in Shen Yunjie’s eyes, Xiao Ning kissed his lips and whispered softly, “I only asked you to apply ointment, yet you look as if I’m forcing you to violate yourself.”

Shen Yunjie shut his eyes. Xiao Ning held his wrist firmly, guiding his finger in before slowly pulling it out again to re-dip it into the ointment. Xiao Ning kissed the corner of his lips and said, “Use two fingers this time.”

……

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Forget it, forget it. You can imagine the rest.