Chapter 24
Cannot Refuse
Qi Shenbai raised his head and looked at Xu Jiaojiao. The first thing he saw was the large band-aid on her forehead. He recalled that she had just experienced a car accident that day, having narrowly survived a life-and-death situation. However, she did not seem afraid. She still remembered to cook for him and apologize.
Qi Shenbai said, “You’re injured. You can cook for me some other time.”
“That won’t do. I have to keep my word.” Xu Jiaojiao reached out to touch the wound on her forehead, but Qi Shenbai gave her a look, so she put down her hand in embarrassment. “It’s just a scratch from the car glass shattering. It’s not that serious.”
Although she was very afraid when the car accident happened, she was no longer afraid when she woke up in the hospital and found out that she was still alive and healthy, all her limbs intact.
Qi Shenbai’s eyes flashed with admiration. Although this little girl was young, she was not fragile at all. She even knew how to keep her word.
Qi Shenbai relented. “Get another set of bowls and chopsticks. Sit down and eat with me.”
“But I…”
Qi Shenbai interrupted her. “After Yunduo’s accident, no one has eaten with me for a long time.”
“???” Xu Jiaojiao was confused. Didn’t she just have breakfast with him that morning? Did she not count?
However, Xu Jiaojiao did not turn him down. She went to the kitchen and brought back another set of bowls and chopsticks. She had eaten a little too much that night, so she really could not eat that much now. She scooped a bowl of fish soup and slowly drank it.
Qi Shenbai’s fingers were long and slender, and the black chopsticks in his hand made his fingers look even better. He ate slowly and gracefully. Xu Jiaojiao felt that it was weird if neither of them spoke, so she found a topic to talk about. “How’s Miss Yunduo?”
“After she woke up, I arranged for her to go overseas to recuperate. She’s recovering well for the time being.” Qi Shenbai put down his chopsticks and was about to scoop some soup when Xu Jiaojiao took the bowl from him. She smiled as she filled it. “That’s good. Yunduo is kind, and good things happen to good people. Her life will only get better from now on.”
Qi Shenbai took the bowl of soup from her and asked quietly, “How do you know that Yunduo is kind?”
“…” She accidentally let it slip! Xu Jiaojiao tried to make up for it. “Mr. Qi, you’re such a good person, so I bet Miss Yunduo is also a nice girl. You’re all good people.” She casually made up a story. She did not care if Qi Shenbai believed her or not, as long as she came up with some sort of answer in time.
Qi Shenbai saw through Xu Jiaojiao’s lie at a glance, but he did not expose her. He lowered his head and drank the soup. Xu Jiaojiao heaved a sigh of relief. That was too scary. She had to be more careful with her words in the future!
…
After Xu Jiaojiao came out of the bathroom wearing a set of pure white pajamas, she reached out and touched the band-aid on her forehead. She had paid special attention to it when she was showering, so it should not be wet.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Xu Jiaojiao thought it was the butler, so she turned around to look for the hairdryer. Her back was facing the door, and when she bent down, her pajamas moved up, revealing a small part of her fair waist.
Qi Shenbai shifted his gaze away without a trace and asked in a low voice, “What are you looking for?”
When Xu Jiaojiao heard his voice, she immediately stood up straight. “Mr. Qi?”
Qi Shenbai’s gaze fell on her wet hair, and the band-aid seemed to be wet as well. He frowned and said, “Sit down, I’ll help you treat your wound.” He gestured for Xu Jiaojiao to sit on the sofa next to him, but Xu Jiaojiao did not want to trouble him, so she quickly refused.
“No need, I can do it myself.”
Unfortunately, Qi Shenbai did not seem to hear her. He turned around and walked to the sofa, turning his head to stare at her silently.
“…” Unable to refuse, Xu Jiaojiao could only endure it. She obediently walked to the sofa and sat down. Just as she was about to look up at him, Qi Shenbai happened to bend over with a cotton swab and medicine. In an instant, their eyes met, and they were so close that they could feel each other’s breathing.
Xu Jiaojiao could not help but swallow her saliva. She blinked her big, clear eyes, and her heart was beating uncontrollably.
Qi Shenbai was the first to react. Without batting an eyelid, he averted his gaze. His gaze fell on the bangs hanging down her forehead. His fingertips pushed aside her damp hair, gently removed the band-aid, and threw it into the trash can.
When the band-aid was torn off, it tugged at her skin and caused some pain. Xu Jiaojiao’s thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fair fingers were tightly clenched together, as if she was trying to hold back a cry. Qi Shenbai thought that she was in pain, so his movements were gentler. Occasionally, he would gently blow air on the wound, as if he was taking care of a child.
The gusts of warm air not only warmed the wound, but also Xu Jiaojiao’s face. Waves rippled in her heart, and they did not stop for a long time. Xu Jiaojiao secretly raised her eyes and peeked at him.