In about half an hour later, Luo Ziling returned from his morning exercise.
He assumed that the woman was still asleep. Thus, he opened the door very lightly. Even his movements were as quiet as possible.
The injured woman's eyes were wide open. When he moved next to her for another checkup, he was startled by the sight of her widened eyes.
"You're awake," Luo Ziling asked, blushing as he did.
She remained quiet, only looking at him oddly.
Luo Ziling had just understood something. He thought for a while and took a set of his own clothes—a new long-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of cotton slacks—and placed them next to the bed.
It was only early autumn in the northwestern part of China, and the temperature was still warm enough during the day. Wearing just one layer of clothing would be enough.
Luo Ziling then prepared breakfast.
"You…"
The woman's voice was heard.
Luo Ziling turned around and saw her slowly raising her head, revealing an angry and annoyed expression.
"What's the matter?" Luo Ziling asked curiously as he turned to meet the injured woman whose face was starting to show a little hint of embarrassment.
"Help me down," she said as she bit her lip.
"No," Luo Ziling firmly refused. "Your wounds are still severe. Don't move or they'll open up again."
"I want to get off the bed," she said. Her temper was flaring up this time.
Luo Ziling frowned.
"Help me get off the bed," she said. Her face flushed with a faint red. Her voice stiffened at the same time. Something about it presented a sense of pride, like she was saying it to save his own life.
"Oh… very well."
He understood something when he saw how she was eyeing the toilet.
After helping her with her problem, Luo Ziling went out of the house to prepare breakfast.
About half an hour later, he returned with a bowl of steaming hot porridge and a few buns.
"Breakfast is ready."
He placed the food on a short table and helped her sit upright.
"I'm fine on my own."
The woman was persistent. She glared at Luo Ziling before she placed her hands on the bed's railing, getting ready to push herself upright.
However, a piercing pain tore through from her chest to her heart. What energy she had was lost immediately. In the end, Luo Ziling extended a helping hand, and only then did she manage to get herself up.
She leaned against the two pillows that Luo Ziling had tucked behind her back. She raised her left hand and combed her messy hair back.
One night of sleep had almost rid the sickly complexion on her face. In fact, her cheeks now had a red glow.
The pinkish hue only made her beautiful eggshell cheeks look like something that was out of this world. Luo Ziling could not help but stare at her.
Seeing how the young man was staring at her in a dumbfounded manner, she got angry and threw him another furious glare. Only then did he avert his gaze and proceed to assist her.
"I'm fine on my own," she said, pointing at the bowl of porridge and gesturing for him to just bring it to her.
"Let me help. Your wounds are still in bad shape. You need to be more careful. I'll take a look at your wounds later, and if necessary, I'll change your medication," said Luo Ziling as he smiled naturally.
He sat on the bed and brought the bowl close to her and scooped a spoonful of porridge. He blew into the spoon a few times before feeding it to her.
She hesitated a little but opened her mouth in the end.
"I've made them. The buns and porridge," he said as if he wanted to flaunt it as an achievement. The corner of his lips arched slightly.
She only looked at him and said nothing, and that hurt him a little.
A man who could work in the kitchen; would it kill her to give him one or two compliments?