Chapter 20 Men Always Talk Big

“Come on.” Fang Mo said nonchalantly. “Just because I have a girlfriend doesn’t mean I can’t have friends. You’re much more important than others.”

Xi Yue felt both warmed and exasperated. “If your crush hears you say that, your chances of confessing will be ruined.”

“So be it. I’m not eager to confess anyway.” Fang Mo mumbled, looking uncomfortable.

Although they pretended to be a couple, Xi Yue knew that Fang Mo had been secretly in love with someone for a long time. For some unknown reason, he hadn’t confessed yet, claiming he wasn’t worthy of her.

Xi Yue hoped his secret love would succeed.

“Alright, you should take care of yourself first! You said you wanted to be a dancer, but look how careless you are with your body!” Fang Mo scolded her, shaking his head.

Xi Yue grinned sheepishly.

Noticing the dried blood on her hand, Fang Mo took a wet towel. “Come on, let me clean that for you.”

He gently held Xi Yue’s delicate, pale wrist.

Despite doing a lot of manual labor, her hands were soft and smooth, without a hint of calluses.

Her slender bones made her appear thin, but her skin was surprisingly plump and tender, with a faint rose scent that was unusually pleasant to touch.

“Xi Yue, do you have a natural fragrance? You always smell nice.”

Xi Yue sniffed herself. “Really? I never noticed.”

Fang Mo couldn’t resist rubbing her skin with his fingertips. “Maybe I imagined it.”

Realizing the inappropriateness of his actions, he quickly glanced at Xi Yue to see if she noticed. Fortunately, she didn’t.

Relieved, Fang Mo wrapped the towel around his fingers and gently wiped her skin. Her skin was so delicate that even the lightest touch left red marks.

Fingers, wrists, forearms.

As he continued, Fang Mo’s face began to heat up. He warned himself not to think inappropriately, but his hands seemed to have a mind of their own, wanting to explore further.

“Ah!” Xi Yue cried out softly. “Fang Mo, you’re hurting me!”

Fang Mo snapped back to reality, realizing his fingers were already on her collarbone. Below that was her chest.

He hastily withdrew his hands, pushing the chair back with a loud screech. “Sorry!”

The movement had caused a wound on Xi Yue’s collarbone to bleed again.

She winced in pain, about to scold him, but noticed his reddened ears and embarrassed expression.

Xi Yue blinked, then glanced down.

After being hospitalized, she had changed into a loose hospital gown. The size S gown looked like an L on her, gaping in places.

As Fang Mo wiped her, the gown slipped around, revealing her pale shoulder and ample chest.

Xi Yue’s face flushed. She quickly pulled the blanket up to cover herself. “I’m fine now. Maybe... you should go back.”

Fang Mo cleared his throat. “No, I can’t leave you alone.”

“I’m not alone,” Xi Yue pointed out. “My mom is in the next room, and the butler visits often.”

“But—”

“No buts. Don’t miss your classes.”

Even if she needed care, having a man around wasn’t appropriate.

Fang Mo absently rubbed his fingers together, still feeling the warmth of her skin.

A subtle fire seemed to ignite within him, causing a slight stir.

...It really wasn’t appropriate.

If he stayed longer, he might embarrass himself.

Fang Mo clenched his jaw. “Alright, I’ll go back to school. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

Xi Yue nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Once Fang Mo left, the room fell silent.

Xi Yue adjusted her clothes under the blanket, then leaned back against the pillows, feeling drowsy.

Half-asleep, her stomach growled.

Xi Yue opened her eyes and checked the time. It was already 1:30 PM.

No wonder.

She touched her flat stomach.

Hungry.

She considered pressing the nurse call button when the door opened.

Xi Yue turned her head to see Zong Du standing in the doorway, expressionless.

“Mr. Zong?”

Her stomach growled again.

Xi Yue blushed. “I—”

About to explain that she hadn’t eaten since the previous afternoon, she saw someone else peeking out from behind him.

Xi Yue, “…Miss Lin.”

“Xi Yue,” Lin Yanyan clung to Zong Du’s arm and walked over to the bed. “I heard from Brother Zong that you were hospitalized. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thank you for coming, Miss Lin. I—”

Growl.

Xi Yue’s face turned crimson as her stomach rumbled again. She pressed a fist to her stomach in embarrassment.

“I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon—”

Growl.

Xi Yue bit her lip, feeling her face burning.

Lin Yanyan chuckled softly. “That means your digestive system is working well.”

Xi Yue felt mortified. “Thank you.”

Kill her now, please.

Her words were followed by another short laugh.

Xi Yue took a deep breath and tried to act casual. “Thank you for visiting me. I’m afraid I can’t entertain you in my current state. Perhaps—”

“You’re not trying to get rid of us, are you?” Lin Yanyan pouted, looking hurt and delicate. “We just got here.”

Xi Yue was prepared to engage in polite conversation but was thrown off by her straightforwardness.

What a bitch.

Xi Yue understood and feigned annoyance. “I don’t mean that. I’m just worried I can’t be a good host.”

“No need to host us,” Lin Yanyan clung to Xi Yue’s hand and shook it. “I came to ask you a favor.”

“What is it?”

Lin Yanyan smiled sweetly and glanced affectionately at Zong Du.

Xi Yue’s heart skipped a beat.

Lin Yanyan looked back at Xi Yue, her eyes shamelessly revealing her thoughts.

“We are getting engaged. Can you perform at my engagement party?”

Xi Yue’s heart sank. “Engaged?”

“Yes,” Lin Yanyan’s smile was smug, like a hen showing off her success. “Auntie said Brother Zong isn’t getting any younger and is pushing for our engagement.”

She looked Xi Yue in the eye. “Auntie wants me to have a baby soon for the Zong family.”

Then she turned shyly to Zong Du. “Brother Zong, how many kids do you want?”

Zong Du walked to the bed and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “How many? You’re still a kid yourself.”

Lin Yanyan stuck out her tongue and turned back to Xi Yue. “Men always talk big, but in bed—”

She leaned closer to Xi Yue’s ear. “You know, he doesn’t even use protection.”

Xi Yue’s mind went blank.

What did Lin Yanyan mean?

What the hell...

One hand held by Lin Yanyan, Xi Yue forced herself to stay calm, while her other hand under the blanket clenched tightly.

Her heart raced uncontrollably as she resisted the urge to look at Zong Du.

She managed to hold back.