Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Ruan Qing slept until he woke up naturally. The first thing he did upon getting up was flip open the blanket to inspect his legs. Neurological damage—it wasn't too severe; acupuncture and massage should be able to restore function. Just as he let out a sigh of relief, the bedroom door was suddenly pushed open. Chu Yi walked in carrying an exquisite fruit platter, his eyes filled with a smile and his voice so gentle it could practically drip water: "Qingqing, you're awake?" Ruan Qing nodded, his peripheral vision surreptitiously sweeping across the corner of the room. Sure enough, there was a surveillance camera. Chu Yi placed the fruit platter on the nightstand, picked up a bright red strawberry with a fork, and held it to Ruan Qing's lips, saying softly, "Don't be in a hurry. Recovery takes time. How about eating some fruit first?" Ruan Qing obediently opened his mouth, the sweet aroma of the strawberry blooming on the tip of his tongue. However, Chu Yi's gaze fell upon his slightly moist lips, the color of his eyes gradually darkening. "The wounds can't touch water," Chu Yi spoke suddenly, the pad of his finger gently brushing past the corner of Ruan Qing's mouth. "Tonight, let me help you wipe down your body." ! A wave of heat surged into Ruan Qing's ear tips. His eyelashes fluttered, yet he still nodded with a flushed face. Chu Yi smiled in satisfaction and picked up a piece of mango with the fork, holding it out. This time, however, Ruan Qing turned his head to dodge it. His cheeks were crimson, and his fingers unconsciously clutched at the bedsheet as he whispered in a tiny, muffled voice: "I... I want to go to the bathroom..." Chu Yi's movements paused for a second, a glint of playful amusement flashing in the depths of his eyes. Yet he feigned regret as he let out a sigh: "My apologies, that was my oversight." Setting down the fruit platter, he reached out and scooped Ruan Qing up into a horizontal princess carry. Ruan Qing leaned against his chest, the clear, cool cedarwood scent on the man lingering around the tip of his nose, making his heart beat faster for no clear reason. But right now, he had absolutely no mind for romantic tension! His bladder was about to explode!!! This bastard was so focused on drugging him to knock him out—did he seriously never consider that a person would get woken up by a full bladder?! Ruan Qing gritted his teeth and made a mental note of this grudge, swearing he would seek revenge sooner or later. However, upon reaching the bathroom, Chu Yi showed no intention of putting him down. Ruan Qing struggled and kicked his legs, though unfortunately, they had no sensation. "Just put me down on the toilet seat... and then go outside!" Chu Yi frowned, looking full of worry: "The floor is so slippery—what if Qingqing falls?" "I won't fall! I'll hold onto the rack!" Ruan Qing was so anxious the rims of his eyes turned red, his voice carrying a hint of pleading. "Wait until I'm better, then you can hold me again, okay?" A clear compromise, but Chu Yi didn't take the bait. He still shook his head, "Qingqing, there's nothing to be shy about." He lowered his head, his lips practically pressing against Ruan Qing's earlobe, "When I wiped down your body earlier... I already saw everything long ago." !!! Ruan Qing was so embarrassed and outraged he wanted to die on the spot. Finally unable to endure it any longer, he grabbed Chu Yi's collar in a tight grip: "Hus... band!" He squeezed those two words out from between his teeth, the outer corners of his eyes flushed red. "Go outside... alright?" Chu Yi's pupils shrank slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing. He was clearly pleased by this form of address: "Husband." Yet he stubbornly put on a difficult front: "But Qingqing won't be able to stand up after finishing in the bathroom either," he sighed, his fingers rubbing against the side of Ruan Qing's waist in an ambiguous gesture. "Why bother with an unnecessary step?" Ruan Qing: "..." Ruan Qing was left speechless, but... He really didn't have a kink for being watched while using the bathroom! Chu Yi let out a low chuckle, dark emotions churning at the bottom of his eyes. Suddenly, he leaned maliciously right next to Ruan Qing's ear. "Shh..." Warm breath wrapped around a frivolous whistle sound, tickling his eardrum like a feather. Ruan Qing's entire body shuddered, letting out a startled cry: "Ah!" His fingers clutched Chu Yi's collar violently, his knuckles turning white. A wet flush leaked out at the corners of his eyes. His eyelashes fluttered frantically, and even his voice carried a crying tone: "You... don't...!" Yet Chu Yi pushed his luck even further. One hand steadily supported the crook of his knees, while the other hand reached straight for his waistband. Ruan Qing was so ashamed and furious he wanted to die, holding onto the elastic band for dear life without letting go. During the silent tug-of-war between the two, the fabric rustled noisily. "Qingqing is being disobedient," Chu Yi murmured like a sigh, his lips brushing past Ruan Qing's scalding earlobe as if by accident. Suddenly, he blew another long, drawn-out whistle. "Shh..." ! The roots of Ruan Qing's legs went limp, and physiological tears instantly rolled down his cheeks. In utter despair, he let go of his grip and closed his eyes in self-abandonment, letting Chu Yi's fingertips hook into the edge of the fabric. Pulling it down inch by inch. The instant the cool air touched his skin, his entire body shuddered from the chill, burying his face like an ostrich into the crook of Chu Yi's shoulder. The man's chest vibrated as he let out a low, pleasant laugh. When his palm pressed up against him, the temperature was scalding hot. "Relax a bit." "Otherwise it will hurt." Ruan Qing bit his lip. To make matters worse, Chu Yi insisted on continuing to blow that damned melody using airy tones right by his ear. Shh... shh... Pervert!!! Ah!!!! Ruan Qing's wet eyelashes stuck together. Chu Yi's palm pressed against his skin, the pad of his finger rubbing against that small patch of skin as if by accident. "...Are you done or not..." He bit his lip, his voice squeezed out almost from between his teeth. Yet Chu Yi intentionally slowed down his pace. "What's the rush?" His voice was raspy, carrying a bit of banter. "Didn't Qingqing say he wanted to do it himself? How come you need my help again now?" Bastard!!! Ruan Qing was so ashamed he wished he could die, yet his body was stiff due to excessive tension and shame. Chu Yi's breath fanned across the side of his neck. "...Chu Yi!" Unable to bear it any longer, he finally shouted his name with a crying tone, "You... stop playing around..." Chu Yi's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing, and he finally stopped tormenting him. Yet right at the instant Ruan Qing just breathed a sigh of relief. Splash— The crisp sound of water rang out, exceptionally clear in the quiet bathroom. Ruan Qing froze for a second, and in the next moment, his entire face turned completely flushed red. He wished he could dig a hole on the spot, bury himself inside, and never see anyone ever again. Chu Yi let out a stifled laugh, rubbing his knuckles against Ruan Qing's burning cheek, his tone doting yet malicious: "Qingqing is so cute." ——Cute my ass!!! Ruan Qing kept his eyes shut tight, burying his face in Chu Yi's embrace in absolute self-abandonment, completely giving up on struggling. Yet Chu Yi seemed to have finally had his fill of playing. Unhurriedly, he adjusted Ruan Qing's clothes, then leaned down and gently took a tiny bite on his bright red ear tip. "Will you still dare to push yourself next time?" ...There's a next time?! Ruan Qing was so angry he wanted to bite someone, but his legs simply wouldn't cooperate, leaving him no choice but to let Chu Yi carry him back to the bed. The man tucked the blanket around him, lightly tapping his finger on Ruan Qing's lips, dark emotions churning at the bottom of his eyes. "Go to sleep," he said softly. "Tonight... I'll help you wipe down your body again."