Li Qiao tugged at the corner of her mouth, glancing at him, "I’ve seen it before."
After speaking, she looked down at the palm of his hand again and frowned uncomfortably, "Don’t get it wet these days; the wound is kind of inflamed."
If it hadn’t been for holding hands when they left the Mansion, Li Qiao wouldn’t have accidentally discovered the injury in his palm.
"It’s nothing, just a minor injury." Shang Yu looked at his gripped fingers, curled his lips into a smile in response, and then curled his joints to hold her hand in his.
Li Qiao looked at their intertwined fingers, the displeasure in her eyes dissipated somewhat, but she still emphasized, "Still, be careful with it."
"Okay." The man agreed amicably, with a smile on his lips that softened his features.
Hearing this, Li Qiao met his gaze, satisfied, and cocked an eyebrow.
The boyfriend was quite obedient.
After work, Li Qiao said goodbye to Shang Yu, and drove to the hospital with Luoyu.
Jiugong’s wrist was broken, and the swelling hadn’t gone down yet, so he needed to stay in the hospital for observation as per the doctor’s orders.
Li Qiao arrived at the ward with milk in hand and before she even entered, she heard Jiugong grumble with a sigh, "That girl, it’s been several days and she’s not answering my calls; I think she’s looking to rebel."
Shortly after, Mo Qi’s pacifying voice came through, "Teacher, Xiao Li might be really busy and hasn’t seen your calls."
"Nonsense, she’s doing it on purpose."
Hearing Jiugong’s robust voice, Li Qiao slowly pushed the door open, "Is Teacher talking about me?"
Uncle Zhong the Ninth’s voice sharpened as he stared at Li Qiao, dumbfounded for a moment, and then full of resentment, "You still know to come over?"
Li Qiao handed the milk to Mo Qi, sat down in the soft chair in front of the bed, crossed her legs, and looked at Jiugong’s wrist, "How’s the hand?"
"The doctor said you can leave once the swelling goes down, but it will take at least two months for the bones to heal. Teacher may not be able to take any job for a while," Mo Qi explained.
Jiugong, finding him meddlesome, pursed his lips in displeasure, "Enough, why say so much? Go and get some hot water in the sink; I have something to discuss with your junior sister."
Mo Qi, scratching his head, glanced around and picked up the water pitcher to leave.
He felt there were many secrets between the teacher and Xiao Li; every time they talked, he would be sent away.
Always looking so mysterious.
After Mo Qi left, the irritation on Jiugong’s face faded somewhat.
He leaned back against the headboard, giving Li Qiao a sidelong look. After a moment of silence and a sigh, he said, "Girl, you know everything, don’t you?"
Although he phrased it as a question, his eyes showed he understood.
Li Qiao looked at him and nodded unhurriedly.
Seeing this, Jiugong took a deep breath, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Did Master Yan tell you?"
He was well aware that after he finished the call with Master Yan, the secret of his identity couldn’t be kept any longer.
"Mhm, he only gave me an overview." Li Qiao tapped her knee with her fingers, "Can I know the reason?"
Tu Anliang was his son; what deep hatred was there to warrant Jiugong willingly having his wrist broken?
At that moment, Jiugong turned his head towards the window, lost in thought, eyes clouding over, "Perhaps it’s because I owe him."
At these words, Li Qiao understood that the teacher did not want to delve into it further.
Thus, she did not press on, simply watching silently as Jiugong’s temples grayed, and after a long while, she finally spoke, "Teacher, just this once. If he hurts you again, then I... will no longer be able to stand by and do nothing."
In the end, Li Qiao chose to compromise.