Shen Xi's heart leaped, and she quickly put away the blue and white porcelain on the table, asking in a low voice, "Who is it?"
"Miss Shen, it's me," came Sister Fang's voice from outside. "Mr. Qin came by just now and asked me to give you something."
Shen Xi frowned slightly, walked over, opened the door, accepted the ointment from Sister Fang, glanced at it, and asked, "Did he say anything else?"
Sister Fang replied, "He didn't say much. He just asked if you were home and told me to give you this box of ointment quickly, then he left."
"Oh, thank you!" Shen Xi closed the door gently and walked back inside.
Looking down, she once again gazed at the box of swelling and pain-relieving ointment in her hand. Although she felt it was completely unnecessary, for some reason, a hint of inexplicable emotion arose in her heart.
She casually placed it in the drawer of the bedside cabinet and turned to walk towards the washroom.
Twenty minutes later, Shen Xi emerged wearing a nightgown. She immediately grabbed a cotton swab, took out the box of ointment from the drawer, squeezed some out, and evenly applied it to the injured area.
While showering at noon, she had noticed it was only slightly red and hadn't done anything about it. She hadn't expected that in half a day, it would have turned a large patch of blue.
As she was applying the ointment, Qin Si Ye sent her a WeChat message.
"Shen Xi, how is your leg injury? Does it still hurt? Is it feeling better after applying the ointment?"
As soon as Shen Xi saw the message, she reflexively pulled the quilt over and hastily covered her fair legs, as if the man opposite had x-ray vision and could see everything.
After a moment's hesitation, Shen Xi replied with five words: "Much better. Thank you!"
Immediately after, Qin Si Ye sent two more WeChat messages.
"Shen Xi, I'm sorry! I apologize again for my behavior today. I promise I will control my emotions from now on and never force you to accept me."
"However, I have a question I want to ask you, and I hope you can answer me honestly."
Shen Xi paused for a moment and then replied with three words: "Okay. Ask."
Qin Si Ye immediately sent his question.
"What do you think are the reasons we are not suitable? Am I not good enough?"
Although he was repeating himself, Shen Xi still replied very seriously, "No."
Qin Si Ye asked, "My appearance doesn't meet your standards for a boyfriend?"
Recalling his handsome and charming face, Shen Xi replied without hesitation, "No."
Qin Si Ye continued to ask, "Our values don't align?"
Shen Xi quickly replied, "I've already answered this question for you. That's not the reason."
Qin Si Ye's lips couldn't help but curl upwards, and he cautiously asked, "Then what is the reason? Can you tell me clearly?"
Shen Xi thought for a moment and quickly replied, "It's my own reason."
Qin Si Ye frowned, "Your reason? Is it because of the children?"
Seeing him throw out another question, Shen Xi replied with displeasure, "Mr. Qin, this is already the fifth question."
Unexpectedly, Qin Si Ye slowly sent two paragraphs.
"But the subsequent questions all revolve around the first question, and should be considered as one."
"Since I have already confessed to you, I am prepared to accept the children. I will definitely treat them as my own."
Shen Xi stared for a long time, and a thin mist slowly rose before her eyes. She couldn't even muster a reply.
Seeing her continued silence, Qin Si Ye didn't dwell on the topic further. Instead, he typed.
"I understand your feelings. I will never put any more pressure on you. Get some rest early!"
Shen Xi frowned slightly. What had she said for him to understand?
This man was truly inexplicable.
The next day, after breakfast, Shen Xi took the three children to the Qin family's house to accompany Xu Zhi Lan.
She had an agreement with Qin Si Ye that she would play chess with Xu Zhi Lan once every weekend for two months.
No matter what had happened between her and Qin Si Ye, this agreement would not change.
It was a way to repay Qin Si Ye for his help to the Qin family back then.
The reason she brought the children today was mainly so they could spend more time with Xu Zhi Lan, especially Shuo Shuo, teaching her how to play with the Rubik's Cube.
Upon arriving at Villa No. 1, Qin Si Ye and Xu Zhi Lan were having breakfast.
After greeting them, the three children ran to the sofa and started playing with the puzzle toys that Xu Zhi Lan often played with.
"Xi Xi, you're here so early. Have you had breakfast yet?" Xu Zhi Lan asked her with a kind smile.
Shen Xi glanced at them calmly and replied in a gentle voice, "Yes, Grandma. Please take your time. I'll get the chessboard for you first."