Chapter 33: The Feeling of a Heartbeat

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The Feeling of a Heartbeat

Xiao Ran was a skilled cyclist; it only took a few minutes for him to arrive at his doorstep.

He parked the bike and stood in front of the girl. In the same way as before, he lifted her straight off the back seat. He carried her over to the elevator, which happened to be waiting on the first floor, and only then did he glance down at the girl in his arms.

The girl took the hint and quickly reached out to press the button.

With a DING, the doors opened, and Xiao Ran carried her inside.

Xiao Ran carried her all the way to his front door before saying, "The code!"

The girl extended her fair fingers and quickly tapped a few numbers on the keypad. With a BEEP, the door unlocked.

She pulled the door open with a gentle tug, letting Xiao Ran carry her inside. He carefully set her down on the sofa. Though she said nothing, she felt a complete sense of security.

Xiao Ran gently placed her on his white sofa. "Don’t move. I’m going to get the first-aid kit," he said, then turned and went to his bedroom.

He took out his personal first-aid kit and walked over to Yan Xici’s side.

Yan Xici was wearing a pair of white Mary Janes. The shoes were spotless.

Their small size made them look quite dainty.

He reached out, gently undid the velcro strap, then gripped the middle of the shoe and pulled lightly.

At his touch, the girl’s pretty, almond-shaped eyes widened slightly. Her glistening pupils were filled with shyness, and even her toes curled involuntarily.

’He’s actually taking off my shoe!!!’

’Come on, that’s a girl’s foot!’

’I’m this old, and besides my dad, this is the first time a man has ever taken off my shoe.’

’It hasn’t even been ten minutes... have I lost two of my "firsts" today already?’

The more the girl thought about it, the more awkward she felt. Her heart began to pound, THUMP-THUMP-THUMP, and her palms started to sweat.

But despite her nervousness, she knew that Brother Xiao Ran was only trying to help.

’In the end, it’s all my fault!’

And so, the sensible girl suppressed her nervousness and embarrassment, trying to turn her slightly flushed face away so Xiao Ran wouldn’t see.

Though Xiao Ran appeared calm and collected, he was actually quite nervous himself.

After all, the gesture was undeniably intimate.

As he slipped the shoe off, her pretty foot was revealed.

The girl had beautifully shaped feet. Clad in white stockings, they looked small and delicate, without the slightest hint of any odor.

His gaze traveled up from her foot, along her slender leg, to the trace of blood on her knee. Xiao Ran frowned.

’The fight’s not over yet. I’ve still got work to do.’

’I can’t bandage it without taking off the stocking, but taking it off is definitely going to hurt!’

’The area is already injured, after all.’

Xiao Ran’s heart ached as he glanced at the girl reclining on the sofa.

Her face was no longer ashen, but had turned a rosy pink. She seemed to be in much better spirits.

Unaware that her blush was from shyness, Xiao Ran coughed twice to hide his own awkwardness.

"Uh, I’m going to help you take off your stocking now."

Helping someone take off their stockings was a true test of one’s composure.

Even though he thought of Yan Xici as his younger sister, they weren’t related by blood.

An intimate act like this was bound to be a little nerve-wracking and awkward.

Hearing that he was going to take off her stocking, the girl’s reaction was just as strong as Xiao Ran’s. Her whole body visibly tensed.

Her heart skipped a beat, then the blood rushed back through her veins with such force it felt like a physical blow. The sensation was almost unbearable.

She looked at Xiao Ran, her glistening eyes filled with unconcealed panic.

"I... I can do it myself!"

’This is killing me! What kind of weird scene is this?’

’Why does he have to take off my stockings?!’

’This is way too intimate!’

With that thought, she tried to pull her leg back, but the moment she moved, a sharp pain made her gasp.

The girl sniffled pitifully. It was both painful and embarrassing.

From the pain, beads of sweat formed on her temples, the sides of her nose, and even her palms.

The sight made Xiao Ran’s heart ache for her.

"Okay, stop moving. Let me."

His gaze fell once more upon the white stockings. They shimmered faintly in the sunlight, accentuating the beauty of Yan Xici’s legs.

Compared to black, white stockings are much more demanding. They are stricter on the shape of one’s legs; the white color magnifies even the slightest imperfection.

But Yan Xici’s legs seemed to have been made for them.

She looked just like a character who had walked right out of an anime.

Xiao Ran, however, was in no mood to admire the view. He swallowed hard, took a small pair of scissors from the first-aid kit, and fixed his gaze on her leg.

Yan Xici bit her lip, her body ramrod straight with tension.

’Her mind immediately conjured up some rather adult scenes of fabric being ripped...’

"Brother Ran!"

’You said you were going to take it off, so why the scissors?! Is this some kind of violent streak?!!!’

It was no exaggeration to say that every nerve in her body was stretched taut. Her brain had practically short-circuited.

"It’s okay, don’t be scared. The wound is right where the stocking is. If I just pull it off, it’ll hurt more."

Though Xiao Ran’s explanation sounded calm, his heart was pounding like a drum.

’This is absolute torture.’

’I’m a man, too, okay?!’

’This is just cruel.’

Hearing Xiao Ran’s explanation, the girl wasn’t scared anymore. Instead, she stared at the stockings on her leg with a pained look. "A-a pair costs fifty..."

’I just bought these! This is only the second time I’ve worn them, and now they’re getting cut. My heart can’t take it!’

’Now that my private stash is gone, how am I supposed to buy more stockings?’

Seeing the girl’s pitiful expression, Xiao Ran couldn’t help but laugh. The last trace of awkwardness vanished.

’This was the first time I’d ever met someone with such a bizarre train of thought.’

’She’s not worried about her leg, but she’s worried about the money?’

"This is no time to be worrying about money, okay? I’ll reimburse you!"

Then, remembering the look from the sales agent when they were house hunting, he changed his tune. "You know what, forget it. I’ll buy you some pants. Don’t wear these things anymore. See how much of a pain they are to get off when you’re hurt!"

’Buy her more? Like hell!’

’She’s so young, dressing like that all day... I’m really worried she’ll attract the wrong kind of attention and get hurt.’

"Pants are hot!" the girl pouted.

’Boys will never understand the struggles of a pretty girl!’

Xiao Ran didn’t say anything. He stretched the edge of the stocking to create a small gap, then made a light snip with the scissors.

Stockings are easy enough to tear by hand, so against a pair of sharp scissors, they stood no chance. With a RIIIP, a handspan-long tear appeared.

The girl took a deep breath, her glistening eyes fixed nervously on Xiao Ran. "Brother Ran, p-please don’t cut anymore..."

’The cold metal of the scissors sliding against my leg... To be honest, I’m a little scared.’

Xiao Ran: "..."

’Does she have to torture me like this?’

Resigned, he used both hands, starting to peel the stocking down inch by inch.

’I have to admit, the feel of stockings against skin is incredible.’

Though Xiao Ran wasn’t a pervert, this was still a torturous ordeal for him.

A full half-minute passed before he finally managed to get the stocking completely off.

They both let out a simultaneous sigh of relief.

Yan Xici swore that was the longest half-minute of her entire life!