Chapter 33: Chapter 33 My Feet Don’t Stink Chapter 33: Chapter 33 My Feet Don’t Stink “Master, just pull over by the side of the road,” said Chen Cheng from the back seat to the designated driver.
After getting out of the car, he noticed that Xiao Meier, who usually waited at the door, had not appeared.
The rolling shutter door of the noodle shop was half-closed, revealing only half of the door face, yet a warm, yellow light still shone from inside.
“Asleep?” Chen Cheng locked the car and stooped to go inside.
He looked up towards the staircase and saw that the light on the second floor was still on: “Meier, are you there?”
“Xiao Cheng, you’re back?” Xiao Meier’s voice came from upstairs, followed by the sound of her walking with a heavy step followed by a light one.
Chen Cheng walked upstairs and said: “I thought you were resting.”
Xiao Meier appeared at the top of the stairs, her face devoid of makeup and still rosy from a shower, her wet eyes inexplicably moving.
“Were you very busy today?” Chen Cheng walked up the stairs briskly, a strong scent of Red Flower Oil hitting his face, almost masking the fragrance of shower gel.
“Meier, are you not feeling well?” He sharply sensed something was off.
Xiao Meier tried to hide it, “It’s nothing, you go wash up.”
But Chen Cheng’s gaze had already fallen on her slightly tiptoed left foot.
He immediately asked anxiously, “Meier, what’s wrong with your foot?”
Unable to keep it secret, Xiao Meier sighed lightly, “Mmm, I twisted it while cleaning this afternoon.
It’s nothing, I’ve already applied some Red Flower Oil.”
Chen Cheng frowned, “How can it be nothing?
Twisting your foot is not a minor issue!”
He supported Xiao Meier to sit down on his bed.
“It’s really nothing, Xiao Cheng.” Xiao Meier tried to stop him, but Chen Cheng insisted on checking.
Chen Cheng squatted down, holding her delicate foot in his hands to carefully examine her ankle.
As he gently pressed down on her ankle, Xiao Meier hissed and took a sharp breath.
Chen Cheng looked up, only to unexpectedly find a hint of pinkish color faintly visible beneath the pale blue nightgown.
“It’s even swollen,” he continued: “At least two sizes bigger!”
“It’s not that exaggerated!” Xiao Meier retracted her foot, “It’s truly nothing.”
“Change your clothes; I’ll take you to the hospital,” Chen Cheng stood up.
Xiao Meier struggled to stand up, “Such a small injury, why go to the hospital?
It’ll be fine after a night’s sleep.”
However, Chen Cheng did not listen to her and went straight to the closet, rummaging through it.
“What are you looking for?”
Ignorant of her refusal, Chen Cheng found a piece of clothing.
“You are in this state, don’t argue with me,” Chen Cheng said as he pulled out a black object.
When he turned around, he realized what he was holding was actually a pair of lace panties, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
Xiao Meier’s face turned red, and standing on tiptoe, she snatched away the item from Chen Cheng’s hands, “You little rascal, what are you randomly rummaging for!”
“Be good and change your clothes.
I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Chen Cheng hurried downstairs, and Xiao Meier, watching his flustered retreat, couldn’t help but laugh.
About fifteen minutes later, Chen Cheng shouted from downstairs, “Meier, are you ready?”
Only then did he go back up.
“Come up,” Chen Cheng squatted down.
Xiao Meier was slightly startled before she understood Chen Cheng’s intention and softly said, “Xiao Cheng, I can walk by myself.”
But Chen Cheng insisted, “Your foot is injured and it’s inconvenient to walk.
I will carry you down.”
“What are you being fierce for?” Xiao Meier said, as she carefully climbed onto Chen Cheng’s back, “It’s not like I said I wouldn’t do it.”
Chen Cheng stood up steadily, “How did you twist it?”
“I wanted to clean the place where we hung the banner before, and when I came down, I didn’t stand firm.”
Xiao Meier’s face had turned extremely red; she could feel Chen Cheng’s warm palm and broad back.
Did you fall anywhere else?”
Xiao Meier shook her head, her damp hair brushing back and forth around Chen Cheng’s neck, stirring his restless heart.
“Xiao Cheng, let’s just forget it.”
“Just be good and listen, don’t worry about anything else.”
After they went downstairs, Chen Cheng put Xiao Meier down and locked the noodle shop’s door.
Then they hailed a taxi by the roadside and rushed towards the People’s Hospital.
After consultations and an X-ray, it was confirmed that Xiao Meier had a soft tissue contusion.
The doctor prescribed treatment, advising ice application and plenty of rest.
Sitting on the bench in the emergency room, Xiao Meier’s thoughts drifted.
She remembered the way Chen Cheng had bustled about taking care of her, and a delayed sweetness began to bloom in her heart.
Ever since her grandmother passed away, it had been years since she felt cared for .
She thought she would live out the rest of her life strong and alone, never imagining the bullet fired twelve years ago, would strike her right between the eyes three days ago.
“E-er Sister, here.” Chen Cheng, who had gotten an ice pack from the nurse’s station, came back to her side.
Chen Cheng crouched down, wanting to lift her leg.
But Xiao Meier withdrew a bit hesitantly and said softly, “Maybe I should do it myself.”
Chen Cheng smiled and shook his head, “You’re not comfortable now, let me do it.”
“But I just walked a while, and it’s so hot today, I’ve sweated.” Xiao Meier was embarrassed, “And, there are so many people here…”
Chen Cheng said teasingly, “Afraid it smells?
Don’t worry about it.
Back when Shu Biao and the others played soccer, what sweaty feet haven’t I smelled?”
“My feet don’t stink!~”
“Then that’s settled.” Seizing the opportunity, Chen Cheng lifted one of Xiao Meier’s legs, “Does it feel cold?”
“His~” Xiao Meier weakly responded, “It’s not cold, it’s okay.”
“If you feel it’s cold, I’ll just move it a bit further away,” Chen Cheng said with concern.
“It’s fine now.” Xiao Meier’s face was burning hot, probably too warm for the ice pack to cool down.
Chen Cheng looked up and said, “You’re always so stubborn.
I said we should hire a cleaning crew, but you insisted on doing it yourself.”
Xiao Meier was about to retort when she met Chen Cheng’s eagle-like gaze, intently fixed on her.
“The doctor said you need to rest,” Chen Cheng moved the ice pack slowly, “let’s not open the noodle shop for now.
As for Wanbao Hall, I’ll find someone to take care of it.”
Chen Cheng looked up again, “Not listening again?”
“I’ll listen to you,” Xiao Meier murmured.
“That’s more like it!”
Chen Cheng sat down on the ground, “You just focus on getting your foot better.
When we open for business, just show up looking all pretty.”
“Don’t sit on the floor, it’s very dirty,” Xiao Meier cautioned him.
Chen Cheng smiled, “Then you’ll clean it for me, won’t you?”
“I’m a patient!” Xiao Meier replied defiantly.
Finally admitting you’re hurt, huh?” Chen Cheng grinned from ear to ear, “Didn’t you say it was nothing just a moment ago?”
Hearing this, Xiao Meier lifted her other foot, attempting to “teach” this little rascal a lesson.
But Chen Cheng was quick, and he caught both her tender little white rabbits.
While admiring those elegantly fair arches, filled with infinite tenderness, his heart swayed and without resisting, he began to gently caress them.
Xiao Meier was startled by this sudden touch, her heartbeat skipped a beat, her fingers clutched the fabric of her dress on her knees, and her eyes hurriedly averted.
“What are you doing?!”
Chen Cheng’s lips curved with a playful smile, meeting her flustered gaze, “Just some dust, helping you wipe it off.”
Xiao Meier saw his smug look; her heart was a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
“You’re teasing me again!” She lightly kicked his chest with her foot.
You’re the Big Willow Tree with the shadowless kick?” Chen Cheng held onto the small foot that hadn’t moved away yet, “I’m internally injured!
You have to take responsibility now!”