A thought surfaced in Jiang Yourning's mind. Silently, she raised a hand and lightly touched beneath her nose.
Seeing the hot, red liquid on her hand, she went cross-eyed on the spot.
[I'm doomed. I've embarrassed myself all the way to Grandma's house!]
[Aaaah!!! This defies science! I didn't get a nosebleed when I watched him strip before, so why did one come gushing out now just from looking at his face?!]
[Qing Qianxue won't think there's something seriously wrong with me, will he?]
[Somebody save me!]
[Is it too late to turn around and run, or just pretend to faint?]
Qing Qianxue looked at the bright red streak beneath her nose and listened to Jiang Yourning's outrageously bold thoughts. The tips of his ears reddened involuntarily, and he, too, froze for two seconds.
Then, however, the corners of his lips lifted despite himself. His cool voice sounded again, slowly, with a hint of teasing.
"Does Sixth Miss Jiang always express her thanks in such a refreshingly unconventional fashion?"
"I..."
A flood of words reached Jiang Yourning's lips, but she could not find a suitable excuse. Then Qing Qianxue spoke again.
"The weather has been hot and dry lately. Perhaps Sixth Miss Jiang has excess internal heat, causing a nosebleed. Shall I have the kitchen prepare some soup to clear the heat and cleanse your system?"
"Yes, yes, yes! I've been a little overheated. I already had a nosebleed when I got up this morning. I didn't expect another one now."
Jiang Yourning nodded frantically, forgetting even to wipe away the blood.
[Thank you, my good friend, for handing me an excuse. Otherwise, my lifelong reputation would've been ruined.]
"In that case, Qian Miao, bring some mung bean soup from the kitchen."
Qing Qianxue nodded and raised his eyes to