Chapter 029: Get Out! I Want You Out of My Sight!

Jin’er pouted, wanting to explain but not knowing how. Truth be told, she had never called Xiao Jiu by name directly before; she had always addressed him that way in her heart. Just now, provoked by Qin’er, she blurted it out. It seemed Xiao Jiu was six or seven years older than her, and addressing him so familiarly might not be appropriate.

Still, the person in question hadn’t objected—why was she so agitated? Perhaps Xiao Jiu didn’t mind at all. He was certainly much kinder than she.

“Hey! I’m talking to you!” Qin’er, seeing Jin’er lost in a daze, grew increasingly frustrated.

“It’s getting late. I’m going to my room to rest. You should sleep early too. Good night.” Jin’er ignored her, said this calmly, and turned to leave.

But as she turned, she was yanked violently backward.

“I’m not finished! Get back here!” Qin’er, angry and impatient, strode over and grabbed her forcefully.

Caught off guard and weakened from illness, Jin’er stumbled and struck her head against the stone pillar, crumpling to the ground.

At once, stars danced before her eyes and her mind went blank. Blood seemed to well up at her temple, trickling down and soaking her hairline.

“Jin’er!” Xiao Jiu, who had come to remind her to rest, witnessed the scene and rushed over, eyes wide with shock.

“Jin’er! Jin’er, are you alright?” He called out anxiously. Seeing her brow furrow, faintly conscious, he quickly gathered her into his arms and carried her straight into her room.

Qin’er stood frozen for a moment, then, panic-stricken, hurried after them. Just as she reached the door, Xiao Jiu burst out from within, nearly knocking her over. He spared her only a brief glance before striding away without a word.

Watching his unfamiliar, hurried figure disappear, tears welled instantly in Qin’er’s eyes. He had never treated her like this before—never.

Moments later, Xiao Jiu returned with a medicine box, again brushing past her without acknowledgment.

Feeling wronged and on the verge of tears, Qin’er bit her lip and entered the room, silently taking a place to the side. She watched Xiao Jiu tend to Jin’er, anxiously wringing the hem of her sleeve.

After a flurry of activity, Xiao Jiu finally finished bandaging Jin’er’s wound.

Seeing her pale lips and haggard face, Xiao Jiu felt a tightness in his chest. He took her left hand, intending to feel her pulse, but noticed a white silk scarf wrapped around her wrist.

What happened? Did she injure her hand? With this in mind, he reached to untie the scarf, but Jin’er, now more lucid, pulled her hand away, frowning.

“It’s nothing, just a scratch,” she said weakly.

“You look unwell. Let me check your pulse,” Xiao Jiu said, worried, reaching for her hand again.

“I said I’m fine!” Jin’er pulled back once more, a note of impatience in her voice.

“Hey! My senior brother is just trying to help you!” Qin’er caught the flicker of panic and fear in Jin’er’s eyes and grew curious about what the scarf concealed. Since Jin’er refused to show Xiao Jiu, Qin’er was all the more determined to see for herself.

Without hesitation, Qin’er stepped forward and grabbed for Jin’er’s hand, trying to tear the scarf away.

Jin’er’s expression changed. Ignoring her splitting headache, she sprang up, yanking her hand back and shoving Qin’er two steps away.

“Get out! Get out!” she screamed, eyes red, her voice nearly hysterical.