The entire room fell silent, with only dust particles dancing noiselessly in the beam of light.

Cen Jin quietly squeezed the tissue ball in her hand, her defensive posture diminishing slightly. For some reason, Li Wu’s suddenly lowered stance made her instantly recover her rightful position, that comfortable feeling of being in control and being relied upon was regained from this moment.

Especially the youth’s eyes, so clear, so sincere, like a tame deer that had gone out frolicking for a few days and returned to its nest begging forgiveness, awaiting its keeper’s punishment.

Cen Jin couldn’t help but let out a trace of malice. She had been in this lonely, confined situation for too long, to the point where this malice began to incite her, shouting desperately in her ear—quickly, choose him, drag another person down with you.

So she also couldn’t help but open her mouth, appearing conciliatory: “Fine then.”

Li Wu had been worried about being too rash but hadn’t expected Cen Jin to agree so easily. He was surprised into momentary speechlessness.

Cen Jin’s eyes had lost their dampness, her expression much more stable as she leaned back against the pillow: “Don’t crouch anymore, get up.”

Li Wu stood up straight, and this time, Cen Jin seemed to no longer feel that sense of pressure.

She became increasingly convinced of her judgment, reopening the book and glancing up at him: “You didn’t go to your part-time job today?”

The youth’s jawline was distinct as his eyes looked over through the backlight: “I went, but your friend called to tell me you weren’t doing well, so I came straight here.”

So it was Chun Chang who had sold her out. Cen Jin’s cheek muscles tightened briefly before she curved her lips: “I’m fine.”

Li Wu looked at her left leg, wanting to ask for details: “What happened?”

Cen Jin glossed over it: “Just accidentally fell and hurt my leg.”

Li Wu asked: “Is it serious?”

Cen Jin didn’t want to recall at all: “It’s okay, it hurt quite a bit the first few days, but these days I can barely feel anything,” she carelessly flipped through the book, asking though she knew the answer: “Aren’t you going back to work?”

Li Wu responded without hesitation: “Not going back, I want to stay and take care of you.”

Cen Jin laughed: “How can you take care of me as a male? Carry me to the bathroom?”

Li Wu choked, his ears steaming with heat, but he still asked: “Do you need to go to the bathroom now?”

Now Cen Jin was stunned too. She immediately refused: “No.”

“I used to take care of my grandfather,” Li Wu wracked his brains trying to make her lower her guard: “For several years even.”

Cen Jin looked at him: “You mean you’re very experienced?”

Li Wu slowly and seriously nodded: “Especially with people who can’t walk.”

Cen Jin: “…”

She snapped the book shut: “I’m not paralyzed.”

Li Wu said: “I know.”

Cen Jin casually moved her right leg, as if showing off her remaining assets: “This leg is still good.”

Li Wu followed her movement to look. Her leg bent then stretched, the nightgown sliding down to reveal her calf, slender and powder-white, bathed in light with an almost pearl-like quality.

His throat seized for an instant as he quickly averted his eyes.

Seeing him standing there like a blocked bottle gourd again, Cen Jin asked: “How long are you going to stand by my bed?”

Li Wu came back to his senses, instinctively asking: “Do you want some water?”

Cen Jin looked at him suspiciously: “No.”

He slipped into his role extremely quickly: “Is there anything you want to eat?”

Cen Jin said: “I’m not hungry.”

Li Wu said: “Then get more rest.”

Cen Jin lowered her head to read, pretending to be deaf and blind to him.

Seeing she had found something to do, Li Wu stopped disturbing her, left the bedside, pulled out a nearby chair, and sat down about a meter away.

He didn’t do anything, didn’t even take out his phone, just sat there, like an AI waiting to be summoned at a charging station.

The youth didn’t move a muscle, but his presence was terrifyingly strong. Cen Jin couldn’t focus on reading at all, and finally couldn’t take it anymore: “Aren’t you bored?”

He seemed to emerge from deep thought, his eyes full of “do you need anything?”

Cen Jin clenched her hand, trying to scare him away: “A young man like you, staying alone with me in a room for so long, with the door closed—what will Auntie Tang think?”

Li Wu’s face reddened slightly as he got up to open the door completely, then sat back in his original spot, maintaining his position.

Cen Jin was utterly convinced.

She confirmed that she couldn’t possibly focus on the book anymore and switched to watching dramas on her tablet.

Cen Jin put on headphones, using them to immerse herself.

But somehow, maybe because the room wasn’t very big and the youth’s volume was relatively prominent, she still glanced several times at this annoying presence.

Ten minutes had passed, and he really hadn’t done anything, just staring straight ahead at some point, his gaze somewhat distant.

So affected.

Who was he putting on this show for?

How could there be such a strange teenager?

He silently held his position there, like a young and fearless steadfast soldier. It was this very appearance that inexplicably aroused her sympathy, remorse… and many other complex emotions.

And the malice that had originally driven her to let him stay had all mysteriously softened. Her deliberate ignoring of him had even become a mistake, becoming something despicable.

How could this be?

Maternal aftereffects?

Cen Jin deeply regretted it—Li Wu hadn’t come to take care of her, he’d come to add to her troubles.

She could only pause the drama and ask a second time: “Li Wu, are you just going to sit there?”

Li Wu again seemed to quickly withdraw from some dimension: “What do you need? I’ll get it for you.”

Cen Jin: “…”

She said: “Go out, go watch TV in the living room. I’ll call you if I need anything.” She was eager to arrange him somewhere that would let her feel at ease.

Li Wu said: “I don’t want to watch TV.”

Her tone became somewhat severe: “So you have something to do here? Aren’t you just sitting here wasting time?”

Li Wu gave her a puzzled look: “I’m thinking about problems.”

Cen Jin lost the ability to converse. He wasn’t a guardian at all—he was a prison warden.

Cen Jin continued watching her drama, but soon, a subtle bodily sensation appeared—she needed to use the bathroom, to urinate.

She glanced at Li Wu, deciding to hold it and call Auntie Tang later.

But she had to make the call without anyone knowing, absolutely couldn’t, and didn’t want to let Li Wu know about her urgent need. That would be too embarrassing.

After absent-mindedly watching the Japanese drama for another dozen minutes, Cen Jin’s urge increased, so she turned her head to tell Li Wu: “Don’t just sit there, go help Auntie Tang watch the kitchen.”

“What’s wrong,” seeing her agitated expression, he instantly understood: “Need to use the bathroom?”

Cen Jin’s face froze for a moment before she smiled slightly, changing to an excuse that would completely shut him down: “I need to change my sanitary pad.”

Li Wu’s face and ears instantly turned red, not making a sound.

“Can you handle that?”

Li Wu didn’t dare look directly at her anymore, responding in a muffled voice: “…I’ll go get Auntie Tang for you.”

He got up and left as soon as he finished speaking.

Being young and thin-skinned, Li Wu’s walking posture was almost limping as he left. When he reached the kitchen, his face was still burning hot to his ears as he called softly for Auntie Tang.

Auntie Tang was stirring soup: “What is it?”

Li Wu said: “Sister needs you for something.”

Auntie Tang quickly covered the pot, wiped her hands, and hurried out of the kitchen.

Li Wu followed her out a bit, looking toward Cen Jin’s room. Strangely, after Auntie Tang went in, she didn’t close the door. Soon, Cen Jin’s startled cry came from inside.

Li Wu rushed to the doorway in two quick steps, peering inside to see Cen Jin trying to get out of bed with Auntie Tang’s support. Auntie Tang was trembling, perhaps having accidentally bumped the injured limb. Cen Jin was standing on one leg, one hand at her waist, grimacing in pain.

Cen Jin’s long hair fell as she complained: “Auntie Tang, hold me steady!”

Auntie Tang was already small and thin, and being leaned on like this, she was willing but unable. She could only apologize apologetically: “Jin Jin, I didn’t mean to, I already have shoulder peri arthritis on this side.”

Cen Jin frowned helplessly, moving her arm from behind Auntie Tang’s neck to support herself on the nearby cabinet surface, letting out a frustrated whimper.

That soft whimper struck Li Wu’s heart. His chest felt like it was being bitten by hundreds of ants, aching densely again. He hesitated no longer, striding over, and before either woman could react, he picked Cen Jin up in his arms.

“Ah?!”

The sudden weightlessness made Cen Jin cry out in surprise, instinctively grabbing onto whatever she could reach for support.

She clutched Li Wu’s T-shirt collar, tearing quite a large hole, and after seeing the young man’s entire sharp collarbone and a large patch of skin, Cen Jin’s ears burned hot as she hurriedly let go.

“You…” want to die?—but with Auntie Tang present, Cen Jin couldn’t act out, nor could she move around wildly. She could only glare at him threateningly, but the youth only briefly met her eyes before looking away, leaving her with just his tense jaw. His face was impossibly red; Cen Jin could see it crystal clear.

He pretended to be calm, his tone serious: “Auntie Tang, I’ll carry Sister Cen Jin to the bathroom, you come to help her take care of things.”

Auntie Tang was also startled by his sudden action, responding with a confused face: “Take care of what?”

Li Wu couldn’t say it directly.

Cen Jin bit her lower lip, beyond speechless.

He walked quickly with his head down, carrying Cen Jin to the en-suite bathroom. Though he had acted with thoughts of healing and sympathy, his chest was pounding even more violently. How could such a sharp sister be so light and soft? It was unbelievable.

Li Wu’s fingers were loosely curled, his palms not daring to touch her skin at all, only using his arms to support under her armpits and the hollow of her knees.

Cen Jin was also trying to avoid more skin contact with him, but the youth’s entire body was tense and hard like a branding iron—she could feel the heat even through her nightgown. She was a mermaid with a critically injured tail, with no choice but to curl up awkwardly against his front, not daring to struggle unnecessarily for fear of affecting her injured leg.

Both their breathing became slightly irregular in the silent confrontation.

Seeing that the young and strong Li Wu was helping to carry her, Auntie Tang felt relieved, then suddenly remembered she had soup simmering in the kitchen. She hurriedly gave a couple of instructions before rushing off.

Li Wu was dumbfounded, wanting to call Auntie Tang back, but she had already slipped out of the room.

Li Wu could only steel himself to carry Cen Jin into the bathroom, bending down to carefully place her on the toilet.

There was a low stool in front of the toilet that Cen Jin had been using to rest her leg lately.

It was just a few meters, but Li Wu was covered in sweat—not from exhaustion, but from panic.

He didn’t dare look at Cen Jin as he straightened up and walked to a nearby cabinet, looking up and down frantically, as if searching for something.

Cen Jin was also unsettled, sitting there giving him a cold sidelong glance as she opened her lips: “What are you looking for?”

Li Wu stopped, seeing his red and flustered face in the mirror, and quickly shifted his gaze away in embarrassment.

Cen Jin asked: “Sanitary pads?”

Li Wu made an “mm” sound, afraid she would think too much: “I’ll get Auntie Tang right away.”

Cen Jin sighed, pretending to be generous: “No need, I lied to you. I’m not on my period, I just need to pee.”

Her wording was extremely blunt, making Li Wu feel like he was about to burst into flames.

“Go out,” at this point, Cen Jin could only keep her voice steady: “Close the door for me.”

Li Wu hurriedly walked out.

As soon as the bathroom door closed, Cen Jin clenched her hands, irritably punching the air to vent.

After a moment, she lowered her right leg, properly supported her upper body, lifted her dress and loosened her pants, then sat back on the toilet seat.

Just as she was about to relieve herself, she suddenly frowned, alertly calling out: “Li Wu?”

“Mm?” The youth must have been standing against the door, as his voice came through clearly.

Cen Jin’s heart skipped a beat as she cursed silently and asked: “You’re still at the door?”

“Mm.”

“Go further away!” Cen Jin’s cheeks warmed slightly as she scolded him away, not wanting him to hear any strange sounds.

“Oh.”

Cen Jin wasn’t reassured: “Have you gone?”

“I’ve gone.”

She was quite suspicious: “Why is your voice still so loud?”

“…”

From outside came another burst of hurried footsteps. The youth seemed afraid she wouldn’t believe him and deliberately stepped heavily on the floor, getting further and further away.

What kind of situation was this? Cen Jin was so embarrassed she wanted to turn invisible or sink into the ground. She covered her forehead and closed her eyes, desperately tilting her head back to complete what would be the most humiliating urgent need of her life.

Maybe the room was too small.

Li Wu had moved almost to the opposite corner wall, but that water sound was still surprisingly clear. A strange, shameful heat gathered in his lower abdomen and brain as the youth stood with his hands behind his back, like being punished by standing in the sun, his face blood-red, his Adam’s apple repeatedly bobbing.

After waiting a while, there came the sound of flushing from the bathroom, followed by Cen Jin’s call: “I’m done.”

He hurried over, his hand just touching the doorknob before pulling back as if electrocuted, asking: “Can I come in?”

“Come in.”

He was mortified to death, while she was embarrassed to death.

Cen Jin sat glumly on the toilet, her expression dark, no longer wanting to look at him even once.

Li Wu looked down at her for a moment, bent his back, wrapped his arms around her back and legs, and lifted her again.

His movements were always without warning. Cen Jin was startled for a moment, one hand climbing to his shoulder. She tensed her entire face, using the same hand to give his shoulder a hard slap: “Next time can you say something first?”

It hurt quite a bit, but being scolded with that reproachful slap made Li Wu inexplicably feel pleasure throughout his body. He lowered his eyelashes and curved his lips slightly, responding with a low: “Oh.”

Cen Jin caught his expression: “You’re still smiling?”

“Not smiling.” Li Wu pressed his lips together tightly.

Cen Jin stared at him intently, asking angrily: “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

Li Wu said: “No.”

Cen Jin’s calf hung outside his arm as she suddenly seemed unaware that she had already been restrained by him: “Did you carry your grandfather like this too?”

“I always carried him on my back,” Li Wu kept a straight face: “Your situation is different.”

“How is my situation different?”

Li Wu gave her a glance: “You’re a girl.”

Cen Jin hadn’t been referred to this way in a long time and was momentarily stunned. When she realized, she gritted her teeth: “And you still say you’re not taking advantage of the situation?”

Yes, he was taking advantage of the situation, he was a shameless scoundrel. Li Wu felt hot all over from her words. When he reached the bedside, he took a deep breath, his face full of righteousness, and as she had requested, gave advance notice: “Sister, I’m going to put you on the bed now.”

What he received in response was a fierce punch straight to his chest. Li Wu was completely baffled.