Chapter 032: Did you really expect me to serve you?

"Jin’er, just let her make up for it," Xiao Jiu said with a smile from the side, his words clearly implying more than what was spoken.

Seeing everyone’s eyes fixed upon her, Jin’er had no choice but to frown and glance at Qin’er, waiting for her to feed her.

"All right, Yun, take good care of Jin’er. We’ll be heading out to work," Doctor Chen stood up and said.

"Yes, Master, Senior Brother, you can all go. I’ll look after her," Qin’er replied sweetly, her confident expression declaring that everything was under her control.

Thus, Xiao Jiu and the others rose and left. Soon, only Jin’er and Qin’er remained in the room.

"Come now, Jin’er, have some porridge," Qin’er smiled as she scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Jin’er’s lips.

Jin’er did not open her mouth but stared at her searchingly, trying to discern whether her kindness was genuine or feigned. The way she called her "Jin’er sister" sent chills down her spine...

"Sister, I know I was wrong yesterday. Senior Brother even scolded me. Please forgive me," Qin’er lowered her voice, her face sincere.

After speaking, she scooped up another spoonful of porridge and brought it to Jin’er’s lips. This time, Jin’er felt she could not refuse and opened her mouth for the porridge.

However, as soon as her lips touched the spoon, she recoiled sharply from the scalding heat.

"You!" Jin’er turned back, clutching her numb, stinging lips, glaring furiously at Qin’er.

"Oh dear, I’m sorry! I’ve never cared for anyone before and forgot the porridge was still hot. Maybe you should do it yourself, lest I accidentally hurt you again," Qin’er said with an aggrieved look, placing the bowl of porridge on the bedside table.

"I’ll head out to work now. Take care of yourself," she said, giving Jin’er a seemingly innocent smile before turning and leaving.

Jin’er clenched her teeth, her left hand tightly balled into a fist atop the quilt. She was certain she’d seen it: as Qin’er turned away, a smug, sinister smile flickered across her eyes.

Hmph! She knew people didn’t just change overnight.

Outside, Qin’er replayed the scene in her mind, unable to suppress a secret, triumphant smile.

Get scolded by Senior Brother because of her, and then actually serve her? Dream on! Hmph! That porridge wasn’t made for her, it was for Senior Brother to see. Trying to fight against me? Not a chance!

Jin’er licked her lips, discovering a blister had formed from the burn; she couldn’t help feeling annoyed.

Forget it. She’d best keep her distance from Xiao Jiu from now on. Besides, she now had Doctor Chen’s permission to borrow books as she wished and could go to him with questions. Thinking this, Jin’er took a deep breath and turned to look at the bowl of porridge.

She was genuinely hungry and considered making do with it, but recalling Qin’er’s smug, sinister smile, she almost wanted to throw the bowl.

Tsk, tsk! Why did her head wound throb so violently whenever she thought of Qin’er?

Just as she was fuming, footsteps sounded again at the door. Looking up, she saw that Xiao Jiu had returned.

"Huh? Where’s Qin’er?" Xiao Jiu entered and was surprised to see only Jin’er. Hadn’t that girl said she’d look after Jin’er? Why had she vanished so quickly?

"I’m not used to being cared for by others, so I told her to go about her own business," Jin’er replied, looking at him briefly before lowering her head.

She wasn’t afraid of Qin’er; she simply didn’t want to explain everything to Xiao Jiu. After all, they were siblings under the same master—who knew whom he would believe? Besides, she wanted no more trouble and only wished to focus on learning.

"Thank you, Jin’er," Xiao Jiu said solemnly.

"Thank me? For what?" Jin’er asked in confusion.

"For not telling Master the truth."

Jin’er thought for a moment before understanding. "Heh, it’s nothing. This little wound is no trouble."