"Dr. Xie, that young lady just now..." The orthopedic doctor looked gossipy. "She seemed pretty angry. You didn't bully her, did you?"
Xie Huaichu's lips curled into a faint smile, his tone indulgent. "Mm, the kid at home is having a little mood. I have to go coax her."
The orthopedic doctor gave a knowing look and nodded eagerly. "Got it, got it. Then you'd better hurry, or she'll vanish on you."
Xie Huaichu gave a slight nod and turned to leave.
By the time he found Jiang Li, she was already in the elevator heading down to the first floor.
With his long legs, he stepped in just as the elevator doors were about to close.
Jiang Li didn't spare him a glance and moved a big step to the side, clearly trying to put distance between them.
Seeing this, Xie Huaichu let out a helpless sigh and moved closer to her. "Get some proper rest when we get back. Don't strain your right hand."
"Put the ancient book restoration work on hold for now. Wait until your hand recovers—otherwise, you might end up with lingering problems."
Jiang Li still didn't respond, turning her head to give him the back of it.
Xie Huaichu felt a deep sense of helplessness.
He curled his fingers slightly, then stepped closer and reached out, trapping her between himself and the elevator wall. "Jiang Li, can you not treat me like this?"
His voice was soft, with a note of plea.
His deep, dark eyes bore into the girl in his arms, silently waiting for an answer.
Jiang Li's left hand subconsciously clenched—she could hear the pleading in his tone, but in the end, she didn't soften. Or rather, she couldn't let herself soften.
Her bright eyes chilled, and she looked up at him. "Mr. Xie, there are things I choose not to say out loud to preserve your dignity. Don't make me regret that."
Xie Huaichu: "..."
A shadow passed through his eyes. Annoyance flickered in their depths—perhaps her repeated rejection had finally pushed him too far.
He raised his long, elegant fingers and gently pinched her chin, narrowing his eyes. His thin lips parted slightly. "Is that so? And what if I insist on being shameless?"
Before she could respond, he lowered his head and kissed her.
The kiss was forceful at first, pressing hard against her lips, biting and grinding.
With her right hand out of commission, Jiang Li could only use her left to push against his chest, struggling to shove him away.
But the strength between men and women wasn't equal—no matter how she tried, she couldn't budge him.
In a panic, Jiang Li tried to lift her leg to strike his lower abdomen, but Xie Huaichu sensed it and dodged just in time.
Instead, he leaned even closer, wedging a long leg between hers, pinning her in place.
His lips stayed on hers, a little crazed, almost obsessive in how they lingered.
The kiss gradually shifted—from domineering and aggressive to slow, teasing.
Jiang Li's resistance began to falter. Her body grew weak. Realizing this, Xie Huaichu wrapped a strong arm around her waist, pulling her close.
Jiang Li's breathing was ragged, cheeks flushed. Her left hand instinctively clutched at his shirt.
Only after a long while did Xie Huaichu reluctantly pull away, though he didn't let her go completely.
Forehead pressed to hers, his voice low and hoarse. "Little Jiang Li… your body's already betrayed your heart."
"Please… stop pushing me away. Don't treat me like a stranger anymore, okay?"
Jiang Li's eyes shimmered, tinged red, and the tear-shaped mole at the corner of her eye looked even more seductive.
She was breathing lightly, her heart racing.
Lowering her gaze, she didn't dare look at him—afraid she'd fall again into the depths of those tender eyes.
"Ding." The elevator arrived at the first floor. Xie Huaichu reacted quickly, pulling his coat around her and wrapping her in his embrace as they stepped out together.
Several young nurses waiting outside the elevator watched the scene, stunned.
"Was that Dr. Xie?"
"Looked like him."
"He was holding a girl?! I'm honestly shocked."
"Right? Dr. Xie's always been known for being aloof and distant, completely uninterested in women. Is spring finally here for him?"
"Looks like there's going to be good news at our hospital real soon."
At the hospital entrance, Fang Ruan stood next to a car, seemingly waiting for someone.
When she saw Xie Huaichu walking over with Jiang Li's hand in his, her eyes widened. "Lili, are you two… together?"
At her words, Jiang Li instantly flung Xie Huaichu's hand away and gave him an annoyed glare. "Absolutely not."
She'd only let him hold her hand because he gave her no choice.
The jerk always cornered her with impossible options—either hold hands or get carried. She wanted to punch him.
"Then you two…" Fang Ruan clearly wanted to gossip more, but Jiang Li cut her off swiftly, "What are you doing here? Are you sick?"
Fang Ruan waved a hand. "I'm perfectly fine. Dr. Xie called me and said you weren't feeling well. He asked me to come pick you up."
"Lili, what happened? Where does it hurt? Is it serious? What did the doctor say?" Fang Ruan anxiously looked her over, checking her from head to toe.
"Don't touch her right hand." Xie Huaichu grabbed Fang Ruan's arm and calmly stopped her. "She injured her forearm—be careful not to hurt her."
At that, Fang Ruan's face immediately filled with worry. "She got hurt? How? Is it serious? Did you get an x-ray? Any fractures? Do you need a cast?"
The rapid-fire questions were enough to give Jiang Li a headache.
She shot another glare at Xie Huaichu before turning to Fang Ruan with a smile to reassure her. "Ah Ruan, don't worry—I'm fine."
"It was just a bump. It's a little swollen, but I already used some medicinal alcohol for it and saw a doctor. No serious issues."
"Really? You're not lying to me?" Fang Ruan clearly didn't buy it.
She knew her too well—Jiang Li always kept things to herself, no matter how much she was hurting.
Back in college, she once had a high fever and still dragged herself to class, only to collapse halfway through and scare everyone to death.
"I'm not lying." Jiang Li reached out and pinched her cheek gently. "I want to go home now. Will you take me?"
Fang Ruan could never resist that soft, innocent look in Jiang Li's eyes. She melted instantly. "Of course. I'll take you home."
As she spoke, Fang Ruan looked up at Xie Huaichu. "Dr. Xie, we'll be heading off then."
"Mm." Xie Huaichu nodded, his gaze fixed on Jiang Li the entire time. But the girl never turned to look at him again. "Drive safe."
The car cruised slowly down the road. Fang Ruan kept glancing sideways at the girl in the passenger seat, full of questions.
"Lili, about you and Dr. Xie…"
"Ah Ruan, I think…" Jiang Li let out a soft sigh, elbow propped on the window, her expression troubled and not at all happy. "I think I might be falling for him."
"This is a good thing, though. Why do you still look so down?" Fang Ruan was genuinely happy for her from the bottom of her heart.
But the next second, it was as if something suddenly occurred to her. Her brows furrowed, and her expression darkened.
"Lili, are you still haunted by what happened when we were kids? Still unable to move on?"
"Ah Ruan," Jiang Li's voice was laced with deep sorrow. "I was never meant to have someone. So I don't want to hurt him because of me."
Fang Ruan fell silent, her grip on the steering wheel tightening unconsciously.
A long moment passed before she spoke again. "Lili, is there really no chance at all?"
"You could talk to Dr. Xie. Maybe he could help you out of it. He—"
"Ah Ruan, I can't get out on my own," Jiang Li leaned wearily against the seat, her eyes closing as she spoke in a soft, ethereal voice tinged with grief. "I've tried so hard to forget... but I still can't move on."