Chapter 173: Chapter 173: I’m Still Young and Healthy

As her vision went dark, her other senses grew sharper.

The wet sensation trailing at the base of her ear, the tickle of his soft breath, the sound of his lips brushing against her skin... Everything was exceptionally clear.

In the cramped space, Jiang Qingli could clearly feel Gu Nian slowly drawing closer.

He leaned down, his long fingers hovering around her sides. After a pause, he gently grasped her waist.

Even through the fabric, Jiang Qingli could feel the heat of his body, warmer than her own.

’So hot.’

It made her own cheeks flush, and the tips of her ears burned.

He took her earlobe into his mouth. Jiang Qingli shied away, complaining softly, "That tickles."

’If this were Baili Jing, he would definitely be laughing and asking, "Is that so? Where does it tickle? Don’t you like it, baby?" Then he would kiss me even more intensely.’

But Gu Nian clearly didn’t get it.

He stopped, blinking. His curled lashes brushed against the shell of her ear, making the whole thing feel tingly and weak.

Gu Nian paused for a few seconds before planting his hands on either side of her, creating some distance.

He watched her expression, and after confirming she wasn’t disgusted, he leaned over her again, his gaze traveling up to meet hers from below.

Like a little animal afraid of having done something wrong, the young man asked cautiously, "Doing this... does Sister hate it?"

Jiang Qingli pinched his overly warm rabbit ears and wiggled them. "Isn’t it a little late to be asking that now?"

’This rabbit is better at reading people than anyone.’

’Usually, at the dinner table, if I eat something that tastes mediocre, he has a glass of water ready for me before I even have a chance to frown.’

’He must have sensed just now that I wasn’t really resisting, which is why he dared to cozy up to me.’

’And...’

’Even though he’d just said something seductive about "getting me dirty," his movements were gentle and careful, as if I were a fragile piece of fine porcelain that would shatter with the slightest force.’

It was the same now.

Once again certain that she didn’t hate it, the young man lowered his head again, kissing her earlobe and nuzzling the skin behind her ear.

Jiang Qingli couldn’t see the time on her watch and was a little worried. "Your injury..."

"I’m still young. My constitution is excellent," Gu Nian said, his voice hoarse. "It’ll be fine if Sister just pets my ears more..."

’He was actually being selfish by saying that.’

’Gu Nian felt that today’s environment wasn’t ideal.’

’The theater’s infirmary was for emergencies and very cramped. Plus, he’d just spent a while falling on the floor, so his image was far from perfect.’

’He wasn’t some casual beast like Qin Muye; he wouldn’t just give his first kiss to Sister so carelessly.’

’It would be best to leave a good impression on Sister.’

The rabbit ears on his head were gently stroked by the girl’s slender fingers.

She was very serious about it, as if solving a difficult puzzle. The pads of her fingers carefully traced every vein, tending to every fine hair.

Inhaling the pleasant scent of the girl’s hair, Gu Nian’s fingers, resting by his side, curled up, tightly gripping the white sheet.

A muffled, suppressed sound escaped the young man’s throat, each gasp falling beside her ear.

The tips of Jiang Qingli’s ears grew a little hot.

’It’s just petting his ears. Th-there’s no need for such a big reaction, is there...?’

She felt his breath was scorching hot and wanted to pull away, but as she moved, her knee bumped against an unexpected protrusion...

"Uh, S-Sister..."

The young man couldn’t hold it back, his hot breath puffing against her ear.

Jiang Qingli froze, her scalp tingling.

’Th-this reaction is really too much, isn’t it?!’

’I really was just petting his rabbit ears!’

Seeing her reaction, Gu Nian pulled back a little and said in a low voice, "I’m sorry, Sister. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just couldn’t help it..."

"I’m not going into heat on purpose," he said, his voice dejected. "I really can’t control it... I’m sorry, Sister..."

Jiang Qingli: "..."

’What is going on? It’s not even spring, so why is every single one of them so easily triggered?!’

She opened her mouth, trying to change the subject. "So... when does your heat cycle end?"

"Doesn’t Sister know?"

He seemed to chuckle softly, his lips pressing against the shell of her ear as he spoke slowly—

"Male rabbits can go into heat in any of the four seasons."

"As long as they’re stimulated."

...

At 2:40 PM, Jiang Qingli pushed open the infirmary door.

She had planned to sneak to the conference room, but who knew that opening the door would reveal three males crowding toward it.

Baili Jing stood in the middle, flanked by the two Yuan Family brothers.

Although all three of them looked concerned, the thought of Gu Nian’s current state made Jiang Qingli afraid someone might see him. She slammed the door shut, her movements bordering on panic.

Baili Jing acted as if he hadn’t noticed her flustered state at all, smiling warmly. "Baby, is Xiao Gu alright?"

"Yes, he’s much better."

Jiang Qingli lowered her head, feeling inexplicably guilty.

Baili Jing took her hand. "Then let’s go."

Hearing his choice of words, Jiang Qingli paused. "You’re going too?"

"I forgot to mention, baby, I’ve taken over as the producer for the stage play for the time being." The handsome young man’s eyes curved, the upward tilt at the corners making him look just like a cunning fox. "I look forward to working with you, Chairman Jiang."

The two of them were already several steps away as they talked.

Nearby, Yuan Shiyao stared at their retreating backs and sneered.

He didn’t chase after them immediately. Instead, he glanced at Yuan Shimo beside him, who was frowning as he stared at the infirmary’s closed door.

Yuan Shimo was no longer an undergraduate and never participated in any organizations, so of course, he had no reason to follow them to a meeting.

He had indeed planned on waiting outside for Jiang Qingli.

Withdrawing his gaze, he met his younger brother’s eyes.

His eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses were calm and rippleless. "What is it?"

His tone was flat, just like in the past, yet worlds apart.

An undeniable rift had, after all, formed between them.

Yuan Shiyao’s gaze fell, his spirits low. "It’s nothing," he said softly.

As if seeing through his brother’s thoughts, Yuan Shimo spoke slowly, "Ah Yao, if you only saw her as your sister-in-law and a friend, I wouldn’t be treating you like this."

Hearing this, Yuan Shiyao gave a bitter twist of his lips, his voice low and helpless. "At first, that’s what I wanted too... Brother."

Yuan Shimo looked at his brother, the emotions in his eyes behind the lenses complex, but he still stressed, "She only sees you as a friend."

Yuan Shiyao silently glanced at Jiang Qingli’s retreating figure, his lips pressed together, not saying a word.

A moment later, he spoke.

"...I know."

After saying this, Yuan Shiyao turned and walked toward Jiang Qingli’s retreating figure.

-

Just as the elevator doors opened, footsteps sounded from behind.

Jiang Qingli had already stepped inside, but hearing the noise, she raised her hand to press the ’open door’ button, waiting for Yuan Shiyao to enter before they rode the elevator together.

Yuan Shiyao smiled at her politely. "Thank you, Sister-in-law."

Jiang Qingli smiled back.

But she seemed a bit distracted, her eyes fixed on the floor indicator.

After a moment of thought, she asked, "By the way, what was done about Ling Sheng?"

Yuan Shiyao said, "He violated the school rules and has been sent to the disciplinary office. He’s been scheduled for mandatory anti-bullying and anti-discrimination education this afternoon. His parents will be notified tomorrow."

Jiang Qingli was quite satisfied with this ruling.

She looked at Yuan Shiyao and thanked him earnestly. "You’ve worked hard. Thank you so much. I’ll treat you to a meal some other day."

’And I should give him a gift, too.’

’But I don’t know what Yuan Shiyao likes. I’ll have to ask Cat Teacher.’

Meeting her gaze, Yuan Shiyao’s heart sped up. He was stunned for two seconds before saying, "Alright, then. It would be rude to refuse."

Surprised that he agreed so readily, Jiang Qingli asked, "When are you free?"

"I’m good whenever. It’s up to you."

"Let me see, then..."

Jiang Qingli was a woman of action in this regard; as she spoke, she was already pulling up her terminal to check her schedule.

The elevator was a bit stuffy. Jiang Qingli unconsciously used her fingertips to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

The gazes of the two males fell upon her ear. Both of them froze, their pupils constricting as their brows furrowed tightly.