She sobbed quietly, full of grievance.
Mu Xichen held her in his arms, his heart aching.
He kissed her lightly on her cheek and said gently, “Let’s get you out of the bath first, the water’s gone cold.”
After saying this, he realized that her skin had turned pale and bloated from having soaked for too long.
Li Beinian cried even harder now, as she leaned against him limply, trying to draw air in between sobs.
Mu Xichen’s heart almost broke. He scooped her up, lifting her fully out of the water, then pulled a towel off the rack and wrapped her in it. He carried her out of the bathroom.
Bo Chengcheng stood at the door as Mu Xichen carried the naked Li Beinian out of the bathroom. Although she was only crying softly, it sounded so pitiful that she couldn’t bear to look.
She had never seen Li Beinian cry.
And certainly not this pitifully!
Mu Xichen turned and said to her, “There’s a first aid kit in the locker next to the red wine cupboard, please fetch it.”
Li Beinian had circled her arms around Mu Xichen’s neck. She seemed weak, but she wouldn’t let go.
Realizing that there was someone else in the house, Li Beinian gradually ceased her crying.
Mu Xichen placed her on the bed and teased her wet hair aside. At once, the large, scarlet patch on the side of her neck was revealed.
Her delicate and fine skin was chafed, and the tiny red blood spots were clearly visible.
The broken skin was white from soaking in the bath.
A lifeless, heartbreakingly white.
And amidst this white area, a deep purple bruise could be seen.
Mu Xichen’s dark eyes suddenly narrowed in a frown.
This was… a love bite?
He had been out stationed for five days, even if he had given her any, they would have faded.
Observing her, he suddenly had an unstoppable and crazy thought.
He opened his mouth as his hand reached out to touch it gently.
His heart seared with pain.
He no longer had a calm and steady demeanor from a few moments ago. He looked into her bloodshot and swollen eyes, asking softly, “Who did this?”
On hearing these words, her tears once again started to flow like broken strings. Then, she started to cry aloud.
Her reaction confirmed what he suspected.
His hand holding her suddenly trembled.
Sensing the change in him, Li Beinian opened her mouth to speak, but emotions choked her, and no words came out.
He tightened his arms around her.
Drawing her into his steady embrace, he shut his eyes.
His eyes began to burn. He had never felt this sorrowful.
She was shaking in fear.
He felt as though there was an invisible hand over his chest, squeezing him to the point that he was unable to breathe.
After a while, Mu Xichen finally spoke, comforting her in a hoarse voice, “It’s fine, it will be fine, don’t cry.”
She clung on to him tightly, burying her face in his chest, shaking from her sobbing.
Holding her closer still, his Adam’s Apple shifted up and down once like a knuckle in his throat, before he whispered, “I’m sorry, Ah Nian. I’m sorry…”
His voice was deep and dull and filled with self-blame. He held her tightly, showing no intention of releasing the embrace.
“I should have been home sooner…”
Li Beinian took a deep breath. She had wanted to stop crying. However, it only made her cry harder.
Was he thinking that her violator had been successful?
What was he thinking!
Now she felt a little embarrassed, but alas, she couldn’t stop herself from crying.
As he held her, he kissed the tips of her wet hair and said, “Don’t be afraid, I’m right here.”