Chapter 53: Asking for a Hug

She originally thought he would act coquettishly, play the victim, or act cute to make her stay. Unexpectedly, he instead gave her directions to leave. However, Lu Yuner didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave. Instead, she looked into the room and asked, “Where is Xiao Yuan? Isn’t he accompanying you?”

“I’m staying here tonight. Xiao Yuan went back to inform the household, but…” Su Qingwan’s eyelashes lowered, his hands clasped together and silently curled tighter. His tone was downcast as he said, “Elder Sister Yuner doesn’t need to worry. I’m actually… completely fine.”

Even though he had a thousand reluctances in his heart, he knew that compared to Elder Sister Yuner’s unwillingness, it was enough to make him extremely heartbroken.

Lu Yuner carefully examined his expression, frowning slightly. Then her gaze fell on Young Master Su’s back. Taking advantage of his inattention, she gently pressed down, only to hear the young man let out a pained “hiss.” Although it was brief and very quiet, Lu Yuner still caught it.

Lu Yuner asked, “It really doesn’t hurt?”

Su Qingwan endured the pain without making a sound, weakly nodding his head. However, a crystal-clear tear silently slid from his phoenix eyes.

This scene happened to be seen by Lu Yuner. She sighed lightly, “Little liar.”

With that, Lu Yuner picked up Su Qingwan in her arms and walked towards the bed. She found that he seemed lighter than before. Su Qingwan tried his best to control himself, but when Lu Yuner picked him up, he ultimately failed.

Su Qingwan’s eyes were slightly red, clinging tightly to Lu Yuner’s embrace. His voice was thick with choked sobs as he couldn’t help but murmur, “Elder Sister Yuner, it hurts.”

The young man’s low moan carried a hint of softness and delicacy, silently falling into the depths of Lu Yuner’s heart. She was suddenly slightly numbed by these words.

Now he finally told the truth.

At the moment when the pleasure boat capsized, surrounded by darkness, she was forced to separate from Young Master Su. It must have been then that Young Master Su was hit by objects from the boat.

In fact, she hadn’t protected him well today. No matter what, she was responsible.

She placed Su Qingwan on the bed and noticed the prepared ointment on the bedside table. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “If Young Master Su doesn’t mind, I…”

As she spoke, she looked towards Young Master Su, but was suddenly stunned by the sight before her.

The young man sat upright on the bed, his loose ink-black hair gathered in front of him. His upper garments were half-removed, revealing a patch of dazzlingly white and slightly bruised back. His swan-like long and slender neck had a faint pink hue. The thin white undershirt that wasn’t fully removed hinted at a waist so slim it could be encircled by one hand.

“Elder Sister Yuner, I don’t mind. Please help me apply the medicine!” Su Qingwan’s cheeks were now tinged with two adorable spots of red. He turned his head to look at Lu Yuner, and the beauty mark under his bright and gentle phoenix eyes seemed particularly enchanting and alluring.

Lu Yuner’s eyes suddenly darkened, and she slightly averted her gaze, finally understanding what it meant for beauty to be a feast for the eyes.

She was but a common person, and the seven emotions and six desires were inevitable. But at present, there were no servants, and she knew that Nanxi’s temperament would certainly not allow him to open the door.

Lu Yuner took a deep breath, adjusted her state, picked up the ointment and sat down beside the bed. She opened the lid, and a fresh medicinal fragrance wafted out. Skillfully, she scooped out a dollop of milky-white ointment with her fingertip. Looking at those particularly prominent bruises on the tender skin, she momentarily hesitated, her hand stopping in mid-air.

Lu Yuner briefly closed her eyes, then slowly opened them. With tightly pressed lips, she carefully applied the ointment to the bruised areas, being extra gentle to minimize the pain.

As the ointment was applied, accompanied by a cool and soothing sensation without any stinging, the touch on the fair and smooth skin immediately made Su Qingwan’s body stiffen. He actually felt so comfortable that it was somewhat numbing, and he couldn’t help but want to let out a soft moan. But he still pressed his lips together, not making a sound, afraid that Elder Sister Yuner would think he was being wanton.

But… this feeling of being on cloud nine was truly irresistible, giving rise to an undisguisable greed in his heart, wanting to indulgently seek more.

“The medicine is applied. Young Master Su can put his clothes back on.” Lu Yuner quickly finished applying the ointment and was about to get up to put the medicine back in its original place.

“Elder Sister Yuner, don’t go!” Before Lu Yuner could stand up, Su Qingwan turned and threw himself into her arms, tightly hugging her waist. His choked voice was clearly trembling, “Elder Sister Yuner, I’m so scared! At that time in the Liusu River, it was so dark, and the river water was so cold. I thought I was going to die… I thought… I would never see Elder Sister Yuner again…”

Lu Yuner’s body instantly stiffened, stunned by Young Master Su’s sudden crying and pouncing. Su Qingwan hadn’t put his clothes back on and was half-naked, leaning against her.

She lowered her eyes and happened to see the milk-white, smooth skin presented before her, very close, very close.

The handsome young man exuded a bodily fragrance from within, like the fresh scent of newborn sprouts and tender leaves, lingering around her nostrils.

Exceptionally fresh and sweet.

“I… I’m really scared… Elder Sister Yuner, can you hug me… please…” Su Qingwan looked up, his bright eyes welling up with tears. His body also trembled with sobs, like a frightened puppy seeking comfort in her arms.