Chapter 34: After All, She’s a Reserved Girl

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: After All, She’s a Reserved Girl

After taking off her stockings, the attentive Xiao Ran took out the povidone-iodine from the first-aid kit. Compared to rubbing alcohol, iodine was the much gentler option, significantly reducing the pain.

He dabbed some povidone-iodine onto a cotton ball and looked at the nervous Yan Xici, saying seriously, "This might sting a little. I’ll be as gentle as I can."

Seeing the iodine-soaked cotton ball about to touch her wound, the girl was so nervous she was on the verge of tears. "Th-Then you have to be really gen—"

"Ah!"

The moment the iodine touched her skin, the girl couldn’t help but yelp. Luckily, it wasn’t too loud.

Xiao Ran had already dabbed the medicated cotton ball on her skin before she could even finish her sentence.

"It doesn’t even hurt. What are you shouting for?" Xiao Ran teased her.

Povidone-iodine really didn’t hurt. She was just scaring herself for no reason.

The girl froze, then carefully registered the sensation. It really didn’t seem to hurt. It was all her fault for being so tense.

Probably embarrassed at having made a fool of herself, she awkwardly stuck out the tip of her tongue. "I was just a little scared, that’s all."

’How embarrassing. Brother Xiao Ran must think I’m such a baby...’

Xiao Ran quickly dabbed it a few more times. "There, all better now."

He then took out a small piece of gauze, placed it carefully over the wound, and secured it with white medical tape.

Mission accomplished. He finally let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing Xiao Ran wipe sweat from his brow, the girl couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She blinked her glistening eyes, her tone sincere and apologetic.

"Brother Xiao Ran, did I cause you more trouble? I’m really sorry to put you through this."

"Not hard work, just a hard life," Xiao Ran quipped.

He got up and went to the dining room to pour Yan Xici a glass of water.

The innocent girl stared at Xiao Ran’s back, a baffled expression on her face. She looked like she wanted to say something, but held back... then wanted to again.

’Have I really made his life that miserable?’

At this thought, the corners of the girl’s pretty eyes drooped, and her small, rosy lips formed a pout.

Her delicate face fell, making her look like a dejected little kitten that had been thrown out of the house.

Xiao Ran returned with the water and set it on the table. Seeing her expression, he couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, I was just kidding. Drink some water and get some rest. I’m going to make dinner."

Hearing Xiao Ran admit he was joking, the girl instantly brightened up.

’She knew it!’

’I might be clumsy, but I’m not bad enough to make someone’s life miserable!’

’I’ll definitely make it up to him!’

Xiao Ran picked up the eggplant that had been smashed earlier, grabbed a small bag of ground meat and some water spinach, and headed into the kitchen.

The girl was now alone in the living room. With nothing better to do, she lay down on the sofa, picked up her phone, and started reading her brother-in-law’s new book.

In the novel, the female lead loved the male lead’s cooking, so he brought her meals every day. The sweetness practically overflowed from the pages. Unfortunately, there were only two Chapters. Still wanting more, she glanced toward the kitchen.

Xiao Ran was in the kitchen wearing an apron, likely chopping vegetables. Yan Xici took a deep breath and, for some reason, began to associate her brother-in-law with the male lead from the novel.

Her heart began to beat faster without her realizing it. ’If I’m the female lead, and my brother-in-law is the male lead, then doesn’t that mean...’

She gulped and patted her warm cheeks, trying to convince herself, "It’s all fiction. Stop letting your imagination run wild. Besides, aren’t there plenty of guys who can cook in TV dramas?"

’Right. That doesn’t automatically make someone a male lead.’

’He just writes books, that’s all. It’s not like he has any weird ideas!’

’I’m just overthinking it!’

’Definitely!’

...

Xiao Ran was an old hand at cooking, after all, moving around the kitchen with practiced ease.

He sliced the eggplant, spread a thick layer of ground meat between the slices, and fried them in the wok. A moment later, the rich aroma of the meat filled the air. After adding some scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers, the dish was complete.

Next, he heated the wok, added cool oil, and stir-fried the water spinach. These were all dishes he loved to eat, so making them was second nature to him.

In less than half an hour, dinner was ready.

After portioning out the rice and placing the dishes on the table, Xiao Ran finally took off his apron. He walked over to the sofa and looked at the girl, who was still absorbed in her phone, an exasperated look on his face.

"Time to eat."

The girl was completely engrossed in the novel and jumped at the sound of Xiao Ran’s voice. She instinctively locked her phone screen and sat up in a panic.

After half an hour of rest, her leg was feeling much better.

At least the sharp pain was gone, though a burning sensation remained.

She naturally extended a delicate, fair hand, tilted her head up slightly, and blinked her sparkling eyes at Xiao Ran. Her message was as clear as day: she wanted him to help her up.

From his angle, her long, thick lashes curled up in a beautiful, natural arc. Her eyes sparkled with a soft, lovely light, as if someone had kneaded the morning sun into them.

Seeing her expression, Xiao Ran was both exasperated and amused. He couldn’t resist teasing her a little.

"Oh, so *now* you need me? Why didn’t you listen when I told you not to ride the bike?"

Seeing that Xiao Ran wasn’t going to help her, the girl pouted sullenly.

’I knew it. Xiao Ran is so petty!’

She straightened her back and carefully got to her feet. Her fair wrist hooked directly around Xiao Ran’s arm, and she leaned her weight against him. "I’m the patient here. Can you stop being so petty?"

Perhaps because she had been near the window, her arm felt cool to the touch, and her skin was incredibly soft and supple.

Xiao Ran, on the other hand, was warm from cooking. Combined with the fact that he worked out, his arm had a bit of muscle, feeling firm in comparison.

The skin-to-skin contact felt a little strange to Xiao Ran, especially since she was now leaning her entire body against him. He was genuinely afraid she might fall again.

The oblivious girl didn’t notice the change in Xiao Ran’s expression at all. In her mind, he was the best brother ever, so a little physical affection was perfectly natural.

She even found it fun whenever they had any physical contact.

She couldn’t help but remark, "Why are you so firm all over?"

Honestly, even when she poked his cheek earlier, it felt nice, but it didn’t have that soft, bouncy feel. The girl found this very puzzling.

Xiao Ran: "..."

’What kind of bizarre question is that?’

’And what’s with this "firm" business?’

He swallowed hard and finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. "You’re a girl, you know. Could you be a little more reserved?"

’It’s a good thing I’m her brother-in-law. If she were this handsy with any other guy, I’d probably die of anger!’

The girl’s eyes widened as she retorted indignantly, "Come on, what century are we in? Besides, I wouldn’t be like this with anyone else! It’s only because you’re my brother!"

’How could he accuse me like that!’

’In front of other people, I’m always a very well-behaved and proper young lady.’

’I’m just more comfortable around him! How could he say that about me!’

’Hmph. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.’

The girl decided she didn’t need his support anymore.