Jiang Li got out of the car first and reached out to pick up Mango, but was stopped by Xie Huaichu.
"Go see your grandmother first. She's been worried for a long time."
"But aren't you afraid of dogs?" Jiang Li asked.
She had wanted to ask him this earlier, back at the factory, when he had taken Mango from her hands, but the situation hadn't been right to ask such a question, so she had held it in until now.
Xie Huaichu carefully placed Mango on the ground after lifting it from the bike and coldly responded to her question.
"I am indeed afraid, but do you think this one can still pose a threat to me?"
Hearing this, Jiang Li instinctively lowered her gaze.
Mango, lying on the ground like a puddle of mud, was indeed completely harmless.
Jiang Li clenched her fists, her expression a little uncomfortable. "I'll go see my grandmother."
With that, she hurried off toward the living room.
Watching the young girl's hurried retreat, Xie Huaichu silently sighed.
The girl was cold toward him, it seemed like his pursuit was still a long way to go.
As soon as Jiang Li stepped into the living room, Lin Gui Fang rushed up to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, heart aching terribly.
"My little A Li, you've scared Grandma to death."
Jiang Li gently patted Lin Gui Fang's back with her left hand and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry, Grandma. I made you worry."
"Grandma isn't blaming you," Lin Gui Fang slowly pulled her back, looking her over carefully to make sure she was unharmed before sighing in relief.
"Grandma understands how much Mango means to you."
Jiang Li endured the pain, trying her best to appear fine.
"Grandma, I promise, there won't be a next time."
"Foolish child." Lin Gui Fang raised her hand to wipe away her tears, then smiled warmly at Xie Huaichu, who had entered.
"Little Xie, I really owe you a big thank you today."
Xie Huaichu gave a light smile. "Grandma, don't say that. It's the least I could do."
"Yes, Xiaofang, don't be so polite to this brat."
Xie Zhen Guo spoke up, "He's a man only if he can help Jiang Li."
Xie Huaichu: "…"
So, if he hadn't found Jiang Li today, he wouldn't have been a man?
Jiang Li glanced at him from the side, and just as he turned his head, their eyes met.
The girl's eyes were so clear and pure that they made Xie Huaichu's heart flutter.
He forced himself to look away and steady his mind.
After sending off Xie Zhen Guo, Jiang Li accompanied Lin Gui Fang to the bedroom in the back yard.
Once she had calmed Lin Gui Fang down and helped her to bed, she noticed that Xie Huaichu was still waiting by the long corridor in the front yard.
In the deep night, he was wearing just a shirt as he stood beneath the corridor, his eyes looking into the distance, his posture tall and dignified.
Jiang Li stared at his figure, a strange feeling creeping up in her heart.
She gently touched her right arm and walked toward him.
Hearing her footsteps, Xie Huaichu turned to look at her.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Jiang Li stopped in front of him, hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.
"I've done such a big favor for Miss Jiang, and you haven't even offered me a cup of tea?"
As he spoke, his gaze dropped to her right arm, and his brow furrowed instinctively.
Hearing his words, Jiang Li couldn't help but bite her lower lip.
After a moment, she raised her eyes to meet his. "There's tea in the tea room, I'll take you there."
The two of them walked toward the tea room, one after the other.
As soon as they stepped into the room, Xie Huaichu grabbed Jiang Li's left hand and pulled her into his arms, hugging her.
Jiang Li's right arm was injured, so she couldn't use it, and her left hand was now trapped by him, leaving her unable to resist.
This made her extremely angry, her face flushing red.
"Xie Huaichu, what are you trying to do?!"
"I just want to see your injury," Xie Huaichu lowered his gaze, speaking seriously.
"My injury is fine, no need for you to check," Jiang Li lifted her head to look at him, her eyes filled with anger.
"If you don't let me see it, I'll just keep holding you like this," Xie Huaichu said, his tone calm and composed, but his eyes darkened slightly.
"You!" Jiang Li was infuriated, "You're shameless!"
Xie Huaichu didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed, lifting a hand to gently brush the stray hair behind her ear.
"Hmm, I am indeed quite shameless."
"So, you either let me see your injury, or I'll keep holding you."
Jiang Li: "…"
"Let go." She pressed down her frustration and spoke to him.
Xie Huaichu knew she had given in, so he took a step back.
Jiang Li rolled up the sleeve of her right arm and held it in front of him, angrily shouting, "There! Take a good look!"
Xie Huaichu found her pouty, angry expression incredibly cute.
He looked down at her swollen arm, feeling a pang in his heart. "Is there a first-aid kit at home? I'll help you apply the medicine."
"No need, I can do it myself." Jiang Li pulled down her sleeve and gave him a clear hint to leave. "It's late. Mr. Xie, please leave."
"Where's the first-aid kit?" Xie Huaichu ignored her dismissive gesture and asked persistently.
Just as Jiang Li was about to retort, he interrupted again. "If I don't see the first-aid kit, I'll just keep holding you."
Jiang Li: "…"
Ahhhh! He's crazy!!
Xie Huaichu finally got the first-aid kit. He looked at the person who was standing far from him and tilted his chin. "Come here."
"…"
Why should I listen to you!
Jiang Li simmered with anger but ultimately walked over to him.
"Sit down."
Jiang Li shot him a fierce glare before sitting down beside him.
"Take off your clothes," Xie Huaichu continued to command.
Jiang Li's eyes widened in anger as her patience snapped, "Enough already, are you done?!"
"Would you rather let me help with the medicine, or should I keep holding you?" Xie Huaichu looked at her with a smirk, his tone tinged with playful amusement.
Jiang Li clenched her fists, her face turning red with fury. "…"
This bastard!
She unbuttoned the front of her nightgown and slipped off the sleeve of her right arm.
Underneath the nightgown was a white camisole, exposing her delicate shoulder.
Her skin was fair, with a faint blush to it.
And lower down was…
Xie Huaichu swallowed, quickly averting his gaze.
He poured some huanghua oil into his palm and rubbed it until it warmed up. His voice softened when he spoke to her.
"It will hurt a bit, bear with it."
"Mm." Jiang Li responded, instinctively clenching her left fist.
Xie Huaichu took her wrist with one hand and gently placed the other hand on her swollen forearm, massaging it back and forth.
Jiang Li furrowed her brow and turned her head away, biting her lip and forcing herself to stay silent.
"If it hurts, you can speak up," Xie Huaichu observed her pained expression and said.
"Just apply the medicine, stop talking so much," Jiang Li's frown deepened, and there was an edge of coldness in her voice.
Upon hearing this, Xie Huaichu didn't say anything further and continued to apply the medicine, though his movements became much gentler.
Afterward, he took some painkillers and a glass of warm water and handed them to Jiang Li.
"Take the medicine."
Jiang Li took the pill, put it in her mouth, then grabbed the glass with her left hand and drank the water in one go. "Now you can leave."
"Turn around," Xie Huaichu ignored her dismissive words and continued.
"Why?" Jiang Li looked at him warily, her frustration boiling over.
"To check your back," Xie Huaichu replied flatly.
"My back?" Jiang Li frowned and asked in return, then it seemed like she remembered something.
Oh, right. When she was fighting those dog traders in the yard, she had been struck on the back.
But how did he know?
Jiang Li eyed him suspiciously, silent.
It seemed like Xie Huaichu had guessed her thoughts, as he casually explained.
"I watched the surveillance footage. How else would I have found you?"
Jiang Li rolled her eyes inwardly, her heart full of a bitter, resigned feeling.
Yes, yes, you're so smart, you're so capable, you're the best in the world.
She huffed, turning her back to him in exasperation.