A Partner’s Concern

Zhuang Xun’s eyes widened, fixated on the fabric in Shen Xian’s hand. It was… the material from her own shirt.

The next second, the already damaged seams finally gave way. Zhuang Xun’s clothes fell open, leaving her face a flushed, brilliant crimson.

Shen Xian blinked, then quickly averted her gaze, looking at the torn fabric in her hand with a hint of genuine shock. “I barely used any strength. How did these clothes rip so easily…?”

Zhuang Xun instinctively covered her chest with both hands. How was she supposed to even open her eyes at a moment like this?

“Little Zhuang Xun, are you angry?” Shen Xian’s voice cut through the quiet room with striking clarity.

Zhuang Xun could feel her arm being gently pulled, a ticklish sensation on her palm. She shifted slightly, and Shen Xian’s figure, back-lit by the afternoon sun, blurred before her eyes. She looked down at her body, involuntarily exposed to the air, and caught Shen Xian stealing occasional downward glances.

Her voice carried a hint of desperate restraint. “Senior, please… don’t look anymore…”

Shen Xian offered no reply.

Zhuang Xun, whose gaze had long since retreated, found herself compelled to look at her senior once more. As a passing cloud obscured the dazzling sunlight, Zhuang Xun finally discerned the expression on Shen Xian’s face.

Shen Xian’s ears were a bright, telltale red, and an almost imperceptible blush tinged her cheeks. Then, a warm liquid dripped onto Zhuang Xun’s chest.

Zhuang Xun’s eyes instantly widened, entirely forgetting her current state of undress. She abruptly sat up, reaching a hand toward Shen Xian’s nose. “Senior! Why are you having a nosebleed? Is it because of the heat?”

The next second, Shen Xian caught Zhuang Xun’s hand and pulled a few tissues from a nearby box to cover her nose. “My apologies… it might be due to the recent hot weather.”

Zhuang Xun asked with frantic concern, “Senior, would you like something to drink? Should I go buy you some water?”

Immediately, a cold sensation brushed against her waist, followed by a dull, delayed ache.

Shen Xian’s voice reached her ears, firm once more. “In your current state, how could you possibly go out?”

Only then did Zhuang Xun remember that she was barely clothed, making it impossible to go anywhere. “My… my spare clothes are still in the lounge. I’ll contact Senior Ning.”

Zhuang Xun stretched out her other hand, fumbling for her phone on the bed. Just as her hand closed around it, before she could even send a message, Shen Xian’s slender fingers pressed down on the screen.

Zhuang Xun looked up. Shen Xian’s gaze fell to her waist, then she calmly stated, “There’s no need to contact her. I have a set of clothes I left in the infirmary locker.”

“Clothes left here…?”

“Shouldn’t you first explain what happened here?” Shen Xian’s hand touched Zhuang Xun’s left side. The severe bruising there was an alarming sight.

Even Zhuang Xun was somewhat astonished. She knew very well that Ning Qi’s strikes were harsh, but in the heat of the duel, she hadn’t paid any attention to such “minor” injuries. Later, the adrenaline had made the pain seem even less significant. But if her waist looked like this, she didn’t want to know what her back looked like.

Shen Xian poked at the bruise. “Doesn’t it hurt?”

The injury, which she hadn’t paid much mind to, throbbed under the touch. The sensation grew increasingly pronounced, forcing Zhuang Xun to toss her phone aside to catch Shen Xian’s wrist. “Senior, please don’t poke it.”

Shen Xian stopped. She slid her chair back, her hand brushing over Zhuang Xun’s skin to wipe away a stray drop of blood from the nosebleed. “Now, explain what happened.”

Zhuang Xun averted her gaze. “Senior, could you please get me those clothes first?”

In this state… she simply couldn’t concentrate on a conversation.

Shen Xian didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stood up and walked to a nearby cabinet. Soon after, the sound of rummaging reached Zhuang Xun’s ears. When Zhuang Xun looked toward the sound, Shen Xian was already holding out a piece of clothing. “Try this.”

Zhuang Xun’s pupils trembled. This one… She recognized it.

“It’s my old training uniform. I don’t know if you’ll fit into it, but it’s better than nothing.”

A few moments later, Zhuang Xun had pulled the garment on. “It seems to fit quite well.”

Shen Xian sat back in her chair, a medical kit in her lap. Zhuang Xun touched the fabric and took a small, private breath. The clothes carried Shen Xian’s scent.

Shen Xian gave Zhuang Xun no more time to stall. “Alright. Speak.”

Zhuang Xun released her grip on the hem and looked at her. Shen Xian, with one leg crossed, added, “After you’ve explained, I’ll unzip the back of that uniform and bandage you properly.”

Zhuang Xun gave a simple, abbreviated explanation. “I accidentally got injured during a sparring session with Senior Ning. It’s just a minor injury; it looks more serious than it is.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.” Shen Xian’s tone was calm, but her gaze was fixed on Zhuang Xun, waiting for the real answer.

Zhuang Xun swallowed hard. Was she supposed to reveal that she had sought out Ning Qi for special training because she was afraid of being a burden? Would it be misunderstood?

“If I don’t ask directly, I have a feeling you won’t tell me the truth, Little Zhuang Xun.” Shen Xian uncrossed her legs and stood up, blocking the sunlight. “Why did you suddenly decide to spar with Ning Qi?”

“Senior… do you really want to hear the truth?”

Shen Xian gently brushed away the stray hairs covering Zhuang Xun’s eyes. “Logically speaking, as your partner, I should go question Ning Qi for letting you get this hurt. However, more than confronting her, my primary concern is your well-being. Of course I want the truth, but if you’re unwilling to speak, I won’t force you.”

Shen Xian’s hand traced a path down Zhuang Xun’s cheek, stopping near the bruised waist. “But I won’t allow such a situation to happen again.”

Zhuang Xun’s gaze followed Shen Xian’s fingers. After a moment of thought, she slowly began, “I wasn’t trying to hide it from you. I asked Senior Ning to help me with some special training. You haven’t seemed to get much rest lately, and I didn’t want to make you even busier because of me. I shouldn’t have contacted her without telling you. If you wish to punish me, I will accept it.”

Zhuang Xun’s voice softened. She couldn’t tell if Shen Xian was angry.

“Wrong.”

“Wh…at?”

Shen Xian’s eyes held a hint of heartache. “While it’s frustrating that you hid your training with Ning Qi from me, I will support any decision you make. Because I am your senior—and your partner. You can seek training from Ning Qi; her foundational strength is undeniable. But that is not a reason for you to sustain such serious injuries.”

Shen Xian spoke slowly yet firmly. “You should value your body even more than I do.”

Zhuang Xun gazed at her silently. Was Senior saying that she values me highly?

Suddenly, a sharp sting on her forehead drew Zhuang Xun back to the present. Shen Xian had flicked her. She heard her senior’s stifled laugh.

“And also, regarding this ‘team member’ talk… I don’t know who told you that. I’ve never needed a ‘team member.’ We weren’t a leader and a follower before, and we aren’t now. You, Little Zhuang Xun, are my partner. Don’t belittle your own status.”

Shen Xian smiled gently. “And now, what you should be doing is resting while I finish these bandages. Good afternoon, Little Zhuang Xun.”