"Okay, sure." Cen Jin quickly shut down her computer, tidied up the things on her desk, picked up her phone, and tried to get up to grab her bag from the coat rack.
As soon as she stood up, Jiang Baizhou saw through her intent. He took a long stride over, reached out his long arm, grabbed her bag, turned around, looked down at her leg dangling in mid-air, and casually hung her bag around her neck. Then, with a slight exertion of strength, he picked her up horizontally once again.
Cen Jin was a bit taken aback but wasn’t too surprised. She just felt that she had been carried more in the past couple of days than in all the twenty-something years before.
When they returned to the villa, Ms. Qin happened to be cooking. Since Cen Jin hurt her leg and it was inconvenient for her to move, Ms. Qin had hired a new employee for her shop and came home early to cook for her. Seeing Jiang Baizhou still carrying her inside made Ms. Qin smile with curved eyes, and she invited Jiang Baizhou to stay for dinner.
Miss Yu was returning home late today. Jiang Baizhou did not refuse and just said "Sorry for intruding" as he accompanied Cen Jin on the sofa, holding a medical ice pack and helping her apply it to her twisted ankle.
Seeing his earnest and meticulous demeanor, Cen Jin felt a bit embarrassed and tried several times to take the ice pack from his hand, but Jiang Baizhou dodged each attempt. He even gave her a cold, stern look as a warning.
"Dinner’s ready." Ms. Qin set the table and then walked to the living room, watching the harmonious scene between the two of them and smiling as she spoke, "Come over and eat!"
Jiang Baizhou nodded in acknowledgment, put the ice pack on the table, and looked at her, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, it’s not as painful as yesterday. I should be able to walk tomorrow."
With the help of Jiang Baizhou and Ms. Qin, Cen Jin sat down at the dining table. Ms. Qin first served them each a bowl of soup and smiled, "Try it and see how it tastes."
Cen Jin took a sip and nodded with satisfaction, "Mm, it’s delicious."
Jiang Baizhou also nodded in agreement, softly saying "Mm."
Hearing them say that, Ms. Qin was pleased and invited them to drink more. Halfway through the meal, Ms. Qin suddenly asked, "Cen Jin, isn’t it true that you’ll need to change the dressing on your leg in a couple of days?"
"Yes, that’s what the doctor said. I’ll check the situation in a couple of days!"
"When do you plan to go? Let me know so I can go with you then."
"No need, isn’t your shop busy?"
"No matter how busy I am, it’s not more important than you."
"Aunt Qin, I’ll accompany her then!" Jiang Baizhou slightly raised his head and timely interrupted Cen Jin’s words.
"You’re so busy, how can I bother you again..."
"Aunt Qin, don’t be so polite. I’m not very busy these days."
"Then..." Ms. Qin’s hesitant gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them. Seeing Cen Jin wanting to say something, she decisively agreed, "Alright then, I’ll trouble you, Bai Zhou. I made some hazelnut pastries this afternoon. Take them with you when you leave later."
"Thank you, for what? From when Cen Jin was little till now, she’s troubled you countless times and caused enough trouble. I haven’t even thanked you. It’s just a little dessert, no need to thank. If you need more, just say the word."
Hearing this, Jiang Baizhou instinctively glanced at Cen Jin, who was eating happily. Perhaps sensing his cold, stern gaze, Cen Jin paused and quickly turned to look at him. Thinking he didn’t want Ms. Qin to continue talking, she smiled and changed the subject for him, "By the way, how’s the renovation of your clinic going?"