Of course he needed to be polite. They had only signed a dating contract; they weren't really lovers.
Nan Qing grumbled inwardly, still dwelling on Huo Yuzhou's icy gaze, like a butcher looking at a piglet.
But he had strained a ligament, and his calf was injured too. Bending it was difficult, and getting dressed and undressed really was a hassle.
"Please. Thank you."
Nan Qing thanked him, then turned his little face aside, pretending not to care as he looked at his own face in the mirror.
He didn't know how long had passed before he finally heard, "All done."
Fortunately, the shirt he wore today was long enough to cover his legs when he sat in the chair. Nan Qing felt a little embarrassed, but his face remained composed.
"I can handle the rest myself. Thank you."
Huo Yuzhou nodded. He wore a neat shirt and dress pants, his collar meticulously buttoned all the way to the top. His cool features betrayed nothing.
"I'll be right in the bedroom. Call me anytime if you need anything."
Nan Qing didn't dare look him in the eye. He could only mumble a couple of "Mm-hm"s, urging him to leave.
"Okay, okay. Don't worry. I'll be absolutely fine."
But the next second, his gaze landed on Huo Yuzhou's hand, and he saw the linen pants and the little scrap of fabric he was holding.
Nan Qing's pupils widened in shock.
Yet the upright, noble Mr. Huo failed to understand what he meant and looked slightly puzzled.
Nan Qing reached toward him in a panic.
"The clothes! Just leave the clothes. I'll do it myself!"
The wooden chair creaked. A large, well-defined hand reached over and settled on his shoulder, steadying him.
"Careful."
Huo Yuzhou held his shoulder, concern in his eyes.
"Can you manage on your own? The floor in this room is a little slippery. I'm very worried you'll fall."
Nan Qing stared at the things in his other hand, screaming repeatedly inside his head. Even his voice stumbled.
"It's fine. I can do it. Just give me those clothes."
As though he had finally caught on, Huo Yuzhou turned to look at his palm.
At that very instant, Nan Qing's pretty face flushed rose-red.
Yet Huo Yuzhou remained exceptionally calm. He even turned his sharply sculpted face back toward him, brows furrowed as he looked at him in confusion.
"You want to wash your own clothes? Is this how the Bai Family treats you?"
Nan Qing stumbled over his words.
How on earth did Huo Yuzhou's brain work? Was this the time to investigate whether the Bai Family's servants washed his clothes?
No, as an unhinged villain, did he really think his current behavior was appropriate?
Nan Qing steeled himself. "I can do it myself!"
The next second, he heard Huo Yuzhou give an almost imperceptible sigh.
"Have you become so independent already? It seems the Bai Family treats you very badly."
His tone was so solemn, as though being able to wash an article of clothing by himself was some extraordinary feat, and as though the Bai Family were utterly vicious for making him wash a few things himself.
For a moment, Nan Qing actually didn't know how to argue.
The man's large hand settled on his shoulder, then gently stroked his head.
"But you're unwell right now. Everything is inconvenient for you. Just like now-even though you're sitting quietly on the stool, I still worry you'll fall."
"We can discuss washing your own clothes later. There's no rush."
Nan Qing felt as though seven or eight bees had flown into his head and were buzzing around him in 3D surround sound.
His ears felt hot, and the scene before him felt a little absurd.
But clearly, Huo Yuzhou was even more absurd than he had thought.
"I'll wash them for you."
"By hand, just like before. I know."
Nan Qing: "!!!"
How could that be the same?
The Huo Yuzhou of the past had been a pitiful little thing living under someone else's roof. He had made him wash his clothes to humiliate him and push him to blacken.
Now Huo Yuzhou was already a powerful business tycoon, yet he still wanted to wash his clothes. Didn't that make his blackening ineffective?
The young man's round, moist eyes slowly blinked. At last, he belatedly realized what had felt off about his recent interactions with Huo Yuzhou-
On the night he was supposed to exit, he had worn a dress to harass Huo Yuzhou and made a string of unreasonable demands that amounted to courting death, but Huo Yuzhou had accepted them all.
During the torrential rain on Mount Pingqiao, he had come alone at the risk of his life, saved him from the brink of death, and taken exceedingly good care of him.
He had even set aside their past grievances to wash intimate clothing like this for him.
Apart from saying a few harsh, unfeeling things on the night Nan Qing had shown up to harass him, he hadn't wronged him in the slightest.
So his mission had failed because Huo Yuzhou didn't hate him at all!
Nan Qing's head buzzed-
It's over! I've raised Huo Yuzhou wrong!!!
His characterization has collapsed! The big-shot villain is gradually getting bizarre!!
He had bullied him for so many years and done every bad thing, yet Huo Yuzhou repaid evil with kindness. He even kept him well fed and cared for him without complaint!
Huo Yuzhou!
He couldn't have!!
Turned into a holy father!!!!
Steam swirled through the bathroom, but Nan Qing was distracted.
The bathroom door was frosted glass. Shrouded in steam, it looked like a white wall. The person inside couldn't see out, and the person outside couldn't see in.
But Nan Qing still couldn't help wanting to look outside.
He simply couldn't understand why Huo Yuzhou could repay evil with such kindness.
After washing hurriedly, he draped a bath towel over himself, dragging his injured leg. Then he carefully rose onto his toes and inched his way out.
The mirror was hazy beneath the mist.
Nan Qing reached out and wiped it. Droplets rolled down, and the mirror reflected a wet face.
His features were richly beautiful, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks.
He had the exquisite looks of a BJD doll, but the slightest expression, the lifting of his delicate brows, revealed an utterly spoiled, arrogant air.
He was the very image of a little villain in boots, brandishing a riding crop and lashing people at the slightest disagreement.
He bore no resemblance whatsoever to a delicate, innocent little white flower like Bai Ruanruan.
Oh-
If there had to be a connection, Bai Ruanruan would probably be the one getting whipped by him.
Nan Qing shook his head to himself.
He raised his hand and wiped the mirror, pretending nothing had happened.
But the next second, his foot slipped, and he fell with a smack.
"Qingqing-"
Two knocks came from outside. The instant the bathroom door opened, Nan Qing frantically pulled the towel over himself.
The next moment, a tall figure appeared in the steam-filled bathroom. The handsome man bent down, his face anxious.
"Did you hurt yourself?"
Nan Qing shook his head, blushing, and held out his arm for Huo Yuzhou to help him.
The instant he took his arm, the handsome, aloof man's gaze swept casually sideways, his eyes darkening.
At the same time, that familiar voice exploded in his ears again.
[So pink.]
[Want to kiss.]