A Dangerous Proximity

“You look really cute like this.”

Wen Yuzhi’s ear had just been twisted, and she immediately responded with two words.

“Shut up.”

Qin Huairen turned and walked away.

After walking for a while, she realized all the paths looked the same, so she awkwardly slowed down.

Wen Yuzhi seemed to do it on purpose, following behind her at an unhurried pace.

Finally, Qin Huairen stopped in embarrassment and snapped,

“Can you walk faster?”

Wen Yuzhi let out an “oh,” smiling as she walked ahead, clearly in a good mood—though smiling made her face hurt.

They went to eat hotpot, still at the same Chinese restaurant as before.

The ingredients were ready, and everyone else had already left.

The butler hesitated at the door.

Wen Yuzhi told him to leave as well.

The butler suggested she treat her wounds first and avoid spicy food.

Wen Yuzhi simply nodded and waved him off.

Still worried, the butler reported the situation to Dr. Lu Shiyu.

But unlike before, the doctor didn’t ask many questions and simply said to follow Wen Yuzhi’s wishes.

The butler was confused.

Previously, even small injuries would be treated seriously—why was no one concerned now?

Before starting the hotpot, Wen Yuzhi prepared to mix the dipping sauce herself.

Qin Huairen looked around, then called out,

“Where’s your doctor?”

“Busy.”

Qin Huairen frowned.

Shouldn’t a private doctor prioritize their patient?

She stopped Wen Yuzhi.

“Handle your injuries first. If the doctor isn’t coming, what about the butler?”

“He’s off work.”

“….”

Qin Huairen was speechless.

She grabbed the spoon from Wen Yuzhi’s hand.

“I don’t know what kind of rules your wealthy family follows, but being injured like this and having no one care is ridiculous.”

She made Wen Yuzhi lead her to the place where she had treated wounds before.

But Wen Yuzhi hesitated.

“Ah Ren, I’m really hungry. Can we eat first?”

Her tone sounded pitiful.

At that moment, Qin Huairen’s stomach growled loudly in the quiet room.

Embarrassed, she relented.

Wen Yuzhi could eat first, but had to keep the ice pack on her face.

Wen Yuzhi obediently held the ice pack and mostly ate vegetables and mushrooms.

Qin Huairen was hungry too, but strangely, even though everything tasted just as good as last time, she didn’t feel the same appetite.

Wen Yuzhi’s phone kept buzzing.

Qin Huairen glanced over and saw her typing rapidly, clearly dealing with something urgent.

She could guess what it was.

After tonight’s incident, Wen Heyun would definitely retaliate.

And she wasn’t wrong.

Wen Yuzhi calmly handled everything, even turning the situation back against him.

After finishing, she put down her phone and looked up—only to see Qin Huairen watching her.

She smiled, then winced slightly from the pain.

“Still smiling?” Qin Huairen said irritably.

“That’s what you get for not treating your wounds.”

Wen Yuzhi looked aggrieved.

“I just feel happy seeing you.”

Qin Huairen stiffened her face.

“Don’t call me ‘Ah Ren.’ We’re not that close.”

“What should I call you then?”

“I don’t care. Just not that.”

Wen Yuzhi sighed softly.

“Then I’ll have to call you ‘baby.’”

Qin Huairen choked on her drink, coughing violently.

Wen Yuzhi patted her back, concerned.

“Are you okay?”

Qin Huairen glared at her, face flushed.

But Wen Yuzhi only smiled.

“I just want to call you that.”

Qin Huairen threatened to hit her.

Wen Yuzhi leaned closer.

“Then hit my left cheek.”

Qin Huairen pushed her away.

“You pervert. Stay away from me.”

“If you’re done eating, let’s go treat your wounds.”

Wen Yuzhi led her upstairs.

But instead of the treatment room, they entered a bright, luxurious suite.

“This is where I usually stay.”

She suggested they shower first.

Qin Huairen was stunned.

“I’m treating your wounds, not performing some ritual.”

Wen Yuzhi explained seriously, completely missing the sarcasm.

Qin Huairen didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry.

Before she could refuse, Wen Yuzhi added,

“It’s late. Stay here tonight.”

Then she turned and walked into the bathroom—taking off her clothes as she went.

Qin Huairen’s eyes widened.

“Can’t you do that inside?”

Wen Yuzhi tossed her top aside casually.

“This is home.”

She turned back with a smile.

“Here, you’re free to do whatever you want.”

Before Qin Huairen could react, her eyes caught a glimpse—

Her body flushed instantly with heat.

She quickly turned away, cursing under her breath.

After a long while, her face still hadn’t cooled down.

The entire day replayed in her mind—the dream, the temple, the hug…

Everything was overwhelming.

It was already 1:30 a.m.

After hesitating, she went to shower as well.

When she came out, her mind was clearer—

But thoughts of Wen Yuzhi refused to leave.

She shook her head, trying to stop thinking.

After changing into clothes from the walk-in closet, she discovered they cost over 12,000.

Her heart ached.

“These brands are ridiculous…”

She kept scanning items, shocked by the prices.

Then came a knock.

“Ah Ren?”

“Stop calling me that.”

“I thought you fell asleep.”

Qin Huairen rolled her eyes.

After some teasing, she finally opened the door.

Wen Yuzhi was leaning there, smiling.

Under the light, her eyes sparkled brightly.

But when it came time to treat her wounds, her demeanor changed completely.

She winced, complained, and even asked Qin Huairen to be gentler.

Qin Huairen refused.

“You should’ve thought about that earlier.”

When she applied medicine near her eye, Wen Yuzhi clenched her lips tightly.

Her lips looked soft and slightly swollen under the light.

Qin Huairen couldn’t help staring.

Then, as Wen Yuzhi licked her lips slightly from the pain—

A dangerous thought crossed Qin Huairen’s mind.

She shook her head quickly.

But her hand slipped, pressing the wound too hard.

Wen Yuzhi gasped in pain.

“I’m sorry,” Qin Huairen said instinctively.

Wen Yuzhi looked surprised.

“It’s okay.”

Her eyes were slightly moist, yet she was comforting her instead.

Qin Huairen felt a strange ache in her chest.

To make it easier, Wen Yuzhi suddenly knelt in front of her.

The impact of that posture stunned Qin Huairen.

It mirrored the scene from her dream.

Her mind went blank.

She could barely hear what Wen Yuzhi was saying.

Under the light, her eyes looked like a galaxy.

Qin Huairen’s heart pounded wildly.

A suppressed desire surged again.

As Wen Yuzhi focused on applying medicine, Qin Huairen stared down at her—

The resemblance to the dream became overwhelming.

Her thoughts slipped.

Before she realized it, she leaned down slightly.

At that moment—

Wen Yuzhi suddenly opened her eyes.

Their gazes locked.

Qin Huairen snapped back to reality.

She tried to pull away, but Wen Yuzhi grabbed her wrist.

“You were thinking about that.”

It wasn’t a question.

“What?” Qin Huairen blurted.

Wen Yuzhi suddenly stood up, pulled her closer, and kissed her lightly.

“This.”

Qin Huairen’s face turned completely red.

She tried to argue, but Wen Yuzhi smiled mischievously.

“How did it feel?”

“…Not good.”

“That’s strange,” Wen Yuzhi said softly, wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling her closer.

“Try again properly.”

“You—mm…”

Her breath was stolen once more.