Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Once the group returned to the convalescent home, Si Zhengting felt Zhuang Nainai’s body trembling next to his. Even though he felt that he wasn’t in the position to speak for them all, he strengthened his resolve and booked two hotel rooms next to the home.
After experiencing such a huge impact to his psyche, Gu Deshou finally snapped back to his senses. Seeing how Zhuang Nainai’s face was still pale, he took the initiative and approved of Si Zhengting’s plan.
Zhuang Nainai wasn’t feeling very well at all. Although she wanted to reject his plan, she didn’t even get the chance to speak before she was hoisted into Si Zhengting’s arms and marched into the hotel.
Si Zhengting’s large figure seemed cold most of the time. However, he looked as gentle as water with Zhuang Nainai in his arms. He was afraid that she would be uncomfortable in his embrace, and he tried hard to extend his arms as far as they could go so that she would not be pressing up against his body.
When they reached the hotel, even Zhuang Nainai could feel that he was making the effort to treat her gently as he placed her on the bed, then left for the bathroom.
Zhuang Nainai lay on the bed. She felt as though she didn’t even have the strength to move her fingers.
She stared at the ceiling blankly.
There were two people on this earth who were of the utmost importance to her.
The first was Mother Zhuang, and the second was Si Zhengting.
Now that Mother Zhuang was missing, she was left with only one other person that she could rely on. She knew that Ding Mengya had something to do with her disappearance. In order to avoid the unpleasantness that could follow, before she found her mother, she should not maintain such intimate ties with Si Zhengting.
However… she really couldn’t hold on any longer.
She was so physically and mentally exhausted that she didn’t want to think about anything at all. All she wanted to do was to lie here quietly and wait for her mother’s arrival.
She closed her eyes, then felt Si Zhengting walking over and helping her to her feet. Then he said, “Soak your feet for a bit.”
Shocked, she opened her eyes and looked at him.
Si Zhengting explained, “Americans aren’t very good with hygiene. Who knows if this bathtub is clean? So don’t take a bath. You can soak your feet instead.”
His voice was unprecedentedly gentle. Zhuang Nainai couldn’t help but look at him and nod her head. “Okay.”
She was about to stand up and walk toward the sofa when Si Zhengting lifted her in his arms again. After she was gently placed on the sofa, he knelt down, rolled up his sleeves, then reached out for her feet.
Seeing him in such a state, Zhuang Nainai was beyond shocked. She wanted to pull her feet back, but he held them tightly.
She said, “Si Zhengting…”
Si Zhengting lifted his head, his gaze determined. His hands moved swiftly, quickly untying the laces of her sneakers. After he took them off, he interrupted her, “Nainai, no matter what happens in the future, please don’t distance yourself from me right now, alright?”
Zhuang Nainai was paralyzed with shock.
From the first moment that they had met up again, he had been ordering her about, telling her that she was not allowed to leave him and so on. This was the first time she had heard him speak in such a compromising tone.
Before she could say something in reply, she felt a glow of warmth around the arch of her feet. The warmth slowly rose from her feet and coursed through her entire body. She felt the ache in her belly ebbing away.
But the better he treated her, the more bitter she felt.
She wanted to say something and her lips twitched, but in the end, she fell silent and stared at him.
His large hands were soaked in the water, her feet in his palms. Then, he gently massaged them. Although his movements were highly inexperienced and disorderly, it made her entire body feel more relaxed in those moments.
After he had washed her feet, he lifted her up in his arms again and placed her on the bed. He tucked her under the covers and sat by her side, holding her hand. “Nainai, don’t think about anything for now. Sleep well.”
