Chapter 443: Dinner

Over twenty minutes later.

With the help of Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing, Huang Xinyu finally finished tending to Lin Xiao’s back wound. She was drenched in fragrant sweat, but her eyes sparkled with a look of relief.

“Xiao Xiao, how are you feeling now?” Huang Xinyu asked expectantly.

“Pretty good. Thank you, Auntie Xinyu.”

Bandages wrapped several times around Lin Xiao’s chest and back. He stood up from the sofa, planning to stretch his body a bit.

But before he could make a move, Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing had already grabbed hold of his arms, one on each side.

Huang Caixing asked seriously, “Big Brother Lin, what are you doing?”

“Stretching,” Lin Xiao replied, slightly baffled. “Didn’t the wound already get treated?”

“Nope,” Yuan Yu said firmly. The usually quiet and gentle girl now spoke with a decisive tone. “Big Brother Lin, until the injury fully heals, you are not allowed to move.”

Huang Caixing nodded in agreement. “Big Brother Lin, if you need anything, just tell us. Whatever you want to eat or do, we’ll help you. You just focus on resting and recovering.”

“Have I become a cripple in your eyes?” Lin Xiao smiled wryly. “It’s just a back injury. My arms and legs still work fine.”

“Lin Xiao, just listen to them,” Huang Xinyu said with a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, her tone meaningful. “Caixing and Little Yu are being thoughtful, you can’t let them down.”

Since even Huang Xinyu sided with Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing, Lin Xiao could only surrender. “Fine, I won’t move, alright?”

“Heehee, that’s the Big Brother Lin I know.” Huang Caixing rubbed her cheek against Lin Xiao’s shoulder affectionately, speaking in a sweet voice. “If you want to eat, I’ll bring your bowl. If you want to wash your face, I’ll wring out the towel. If you want to sleep, I’ll help you undress…”

Before she could finish, Yuan Yu cut in coldly, “And what if Big Brother Lin needs to use the bathroom?”

“Of course I’ll help him,” Huang Caixing answered without hesitation. Then her cheeks turned red and she became a bit bashful. “Big Brother Lin, don’t worry. I won’t peek.”

The corner of Lin Xiao’s mouth twitched. He turned his head away and said nothing.

“You little rascal…” Huang Xinyu sighed and shook her head, clearly at a loss. “Huang Caixing, you’re still a proper young lady. Can’t you act more reserved? Even I feel embarrassed for you.”

Huang Caixing stuck out her dainty tongue, completely unfazed. “That’s just how I like talking to Big Brother Lin. Comrade Xinyu, if you feel embarrassed, you can cover your ears.”

“Little Yu knows how to behave much better than you. She’s never said anything like that.”

“That’s because you don’t know her well enough. She doesn’t say it, but she definitely thinks about it.”

Huang Caixing made a funny face at Yuan Yu and said mischievously, “I know all her little secrets, Big Brother Lin. Let me tell you, the other day YuYu—”

“Don’t you dare!” Yuan Yu’s beautiful face flushed with crimson. She let go of Lin Xiao’s arm and pounced on Huang Caixing, covering her mouth with one hand. “If you say anything, I’ll tell Big Brother all your secrets too!”

“Mmmph mmph mmph…” 

With her mouth covered, Huang Caixing mumbled incoherently, struggling to break free. Once she finally did, she pouted proudly, “Go ahead and tell! I’m not afraid. Let’s see who knows whose secrets better!”

“Enough, enough. I don’t want to hear either of your secrets. This topic ends here.” Lin Xiao knew he had to step in, or the two girls would start bickering again. “Can you let me rest for a bit?”

Huang Caixing instantly switched from her proud mode to an obedient one, sweetly saying, “Big Brother Lin, come rest in my room. I’ll help you over.”

“Huang Caixing, your room’s a mess, it looks like a kennel. Can anyone even sleep there? Lin Xiao, if you want to rest, go to the guest room,” Huang Xinyu said while wiping sweat from her forehead. She looked up and added, “I’ll call you once dinner’s ready.”

“What do you mean no one can sleep there? It may be messy, but it’s super clean.” Huang Caixing flared up instantly, sounding quite indignant. “Little Yu, you sleep in my room all the time. Isn’t it clean?”

She turned to Yuan Yu with a hopeful look, winking repeatedly.

Yuan Yu tried to hold back a smile and reluctantly nodded, then turned to Lin Xiao and said, “Brother Lin, you should just sleep in the guest room. Little Cow’s room is full of plush toys. I’m afraid you won’t even have space to lie down.”

“No need. I’ll just close my eyes and rest here on the sofa,” Lin Xiao said as he shut his eyes, circulating his inner energy to repair the injured area. “Go do what you need to do. Don’t worry about me.”

Huang Xinyu stood up and headed to the kitchen. Halfway there, she looked back and waved to Yuan Yu. “Little Yu, come help Auntie make dinner, will you?”

“Alright.”

Yuan Yu pulled Huang Caixing’s hand and followed Huang Xinyu to the kitchen.

“Why are you pulling me? Comrade Xinyu didn’t even call me. And you two don’t need me either,” Huang Caixing protested. “I’d rather stay in the living room and keep Brother Lin company.”

Yuan Yu glanced at her. “How can we not need you? Who’s going to wash the vegetables and rinse the rice? Besides, Brother Lin just got hurt. He needs to rest. Let’s not disturb him.”

Huang Caixing pouted, her lips turning rosy. “Wash vegetables and rinse rice again? I’m not doing it.”

Despite her words, she still walked hand in hand with Yuan Yu into the kitchen.

Time passed quickly—over an hour went by.

On the sofa, Lin Xiao, who had been meditating, twitched his nose. A mouthwatering aroma drifted into his nostrils, stirring his appetite. He couldn’t help but open his eyes.

What greeted him was Huang Caixing’s cute and lively face.

She was standing in front of him, leaning forward, staring intently at his face. The distance between them was less than a foot. In her glossy black pupils, Lin Xiao could see his reflection.

In her hands was a large plate, with a freshly steamed, fragrant grouper fish on it—the very source of the delicious aroma that had awakened Lin Xiao.

The sudden movement of Lin Xiao opening his eyes startled Huang Caixing, and she almost dropped the plate.

Lin Xiao reacted quickly, reaching out like lightning to steady the dish. His expression was one of speechless helplessness.

Huang Caixing patted her chest and pouted, “Big Brother Lin, what are you doing? You scared me!”

“I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing?”

“Nothing, just looking at you.” Huang Caixing gave a bashful smile, dimples blooming on her cheeks. “Big Brother Lin, let me help you to the table. Dinner’s ready.”

“Alright.”

Lin Xiao rose from the sofa. Huang Caixing, blushing, walked up beside him and supported him.

Saying ‘supported’ might be generous. She was practically clinging to him. She held his arm and leaned against him, eyes filled with excitement.