He Jingnian reluctantly lowered his arm, glancing down at the wound on his left abdomen. To him, such a minor injury was truly nothing. The thought of Li Qiao being so worried about him filled He Jingnian’s heart with warmth.
If he could earn her concern like this, he would willingly endure a hundred such injuries.
Li Qiao brought over a bandage, reached around He Jingnian’s back, and began carefully wrapping the white gauze around him.
He noticed her slightly furrowed brows, and a faint smile touched his eyes.
Li Qiao looked up at He Jingnian, then let her gaze fall back to the wound. It had been caused by a dagger.
From the look in her eyes, He Jingnian could tell she had already figured it out.
Under Li Qiao’s care, He Jingnian remained still and obedient, letting her bandage the injury properly.
Once fully dressed, He Jingnian lifted his eyes to meet Li Qiao’s.
“Are you angry?”
“You shouldn’t have acted on your own,” Li Qiao replied coldly, her gaze fixed on him.
“Alright, I was wrong. I promise I won’t act alone again,” He Jingnian assured her with a soft smile.
Li Qiao’s tone softened. “This time it’s a minor injury. Next time, it could cost you your life.”
He Jingnian agreed without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Li Qiao went to fetch more medicine from the butler. Five minutes later, He Yi returned.
“Ninth Master, I’m sorry. I failed to protect you.”
“The fault isn’t yours. I underestimated him,” He Jingnian replied, his gaze growing distant.
Soon after, Li Qiao returned.
The atmosphere between them was unusually harmonious.
“Jingnian, you…”
A gentle female voice interrupted.
The person returning with an umbrella was Bai Ci.
Her eyes were fixed intently on He Jingnian.
He actually allowed Li Qiao to touch him.
“Why are you here?” He Jingnian frowned with clear displeasure.
“Li Qiao, I’m telling you—Jingnian is mine. Don’t you dare try to take him from me,” Bai Ci shouted, unable to hold back her anger.
“Bai Ci, what nonsense are you spouting? Leave. Now,” He Jingnian commanded.
“I won’t leave! Jingnian, I like you. I’ve always liked you. Why are you entangled with her?” Bai Ci was consumed by jealousy toward Li Qiao.
She had pursued He Jingnian for many, many years.
Throughout that time, he had never accepted her feelings and had even distanced himself from her.
But she didn’t care.
As long as He Jingnian hadn’t fallen for someone else, she could endure it. But this time, he had brought another woman home.
Bai Ci felt anxious and afraid.
Why did Li Qiao get to enjoy Jingnian’s affection and love?
After chasing him for so many years, Bai Ci’s heart had become twisted with resentment.
He Jingnian’s expression darkened, his sharp gaze fixed on Bai Ci. “He Yi, see our guest out,” he said in an icy tone, devoid of any emotion.
He Yi, who had been waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward and began dragging Bai Ci outward.
He Jingnian’s cold voice echoed once more, emotionless. “Jingnian…” Bai Ci cried out unwillingly.
“Get out!” He Jingnian roared, causing Bai Ci to tremble in fear.
In a fit of rage, she bit down hard on He Yi’s hand.
Yelping in pain, He Yi shoved her away.
Bai Ci seemed to have lost her mind. She lunged wildly toward Li Qiao, her face twisted and ugly, like a monstrous ghost.
“You’re not allowed to compete with me for Jingnian! You don’t deserve him!” she screamed hysterically, as if possessed.
Li Qiao’s hand had already reached for a talisman, but before she could act, He Jingnian stepped in front of her, shielding her from Bai Ci.
He Yi rushed over and tried to pull Bai Ci away, but she struggled frantically, resisting with all her might.
In the end, He Yi shoved her to the ground. Her head struck the corner of a table, and blood began to flow.
He Jingnian looked down at her coldly. “Get out.”
Bai Ci’s face turned deathly pale, tears welling in her eyes. She glared at Li Qiao with pure envy. Throughout the entire ordeal, He Jingnian had protected Li Qiao, who remained calm and unruffled.
