Damn it, when did he become so pathetic?
But those eyes were indeed clear and pure. Compared to the murky, profit-and-desire-filled gazes he was used to, these were exceptionally clean.
So clean that he found himself completely defenseless.
Just like last night, she lay there, bare-faced, without any of those messy perfumes, her entire being radiating a clean aura.
In his world, that was a unique existence! It had given him a good first impression.
However, after waking up the next day, he reasoned that it must have been the hormones raging within him that night, casting a filter over his perception of this woman.
But even with that thought, what happened, happened. For his first woman, he would certainly treat her well.
After such an incident, an unspoken intimacy naturally formed between them.
Although, strictly speaking, this was their first meeting.
But after meeting her again, he changed his mind. Xia Wantang's pure gaze had indeed made a good impression on him.
Yet, it was possible this was only because of what had happened last night.
In any case, perhaps this was what people called fate!
The moment Ling Yucheng averted his gaze, Xia Wantang quickly withdrew hers.
But in the next second, she heard the doctor say, "Alright, get ready. I'm going to start suturing."
Xia Wantang swallowed, glancing at the array of bottles, jars, and needles on the trolley. Her legs began to tremble.
Still, she tried her best to adjust her mindset.
She gave herself a pep talk:
"Don't be afraid, it's alright, it'll be over soon, very soon..."
Just as fear gripped her, a pair of large hands gently covered her eyes. The man's voice was warm as he said, "It'll be over soon. Close your eyes."
At the same time, a clean, pleasant scent, rich with masculine hormones, filled her nostrils.
Xia Wantang's face flushed, and she remained rigidly still, afraid to move.
Beneath his palm, the woman's eyelids fluttered. Her long eyelashes brushed against his palm, causing a ticklish sensation that stirred his heart.
The doctor, without looking aside, began diligently treating the wound.
Despite the striking man before her, her professionalism quickly took over, and she focused.
After disinfecting, the doctor began to suture.
The needle piercing her flesh sent a searing pain through Xia Wantang, causing her to tremble. Yet, she bore it without a sound, biting her lip as tears slowly streamed down her face.
It truly hurt, a pain that pierced to the bone.
Fortunately, it was only two stitches, and they were finished quickly.
His palm felt damp. Ling Yucheng paid it no mind, his gaze fixed on her bitten lip, a flicker of pain in his eyes.
Forcing a stitch to hold must have hurt. How could a needle piercing flesh not hurt?
This woman was so strong, she hadn't uttered a single cry.
Her vision returned, and Xia Wantang smiled.
Because this meant it was over, she had gotten through it.
Although there was still a dull ache, the worst pain had passed, hadn't it?
"The wound needs to be bandaged to prevent infection. Disinfect it twice a day, avoid contact with water. I'll prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication later..."
The doctor instructed while packing up.
Xia Wantang nodded and said, "Thank you, Doctor."
Ling Yucheng watched her, especially when she smiled. He wondered,
Why could this woman smile at a time like this? Wasn't she in pain and crying just moments ago?
Xia Wantang absently wiped the tears from her face before turning to Ling Yucheng with a sheepish apology, "I'm sorry. Thank you."
Ling Yucheng pursed his lips, remaining silent, simply standing beside her.
He had always been a man of few words, and Xia Wantang didn't mind.
Soon, the doctor returned, applied a bandage to Xia Wantang's wound, and handed the anti-inflammatory medication to Ling Yucheng.
Outside the consultation room, Han Xiao and the dean were waiting.
Ling Yucheng exchanged pleasantries with the dean for a moment before escorting Xia Wantang away.
They got into the car and left the hospital. It was almost noon.
Finding a high-end restaurant nearby, Ling Yucheng prepared to take Xia Wantang for a meal first.
The private room contained only the two of them and a waiter. He handed the menu to Xia Wantang and said, "Order whatever you'd like."
Xia Wantang didn't refuse. Although the dishes were expensive, she could tell that the man before her was certainly not lacking in wealth.
Living in a wealthy family, she had some perception.
Not to mention anything else, that car alone must have cost at least several million.
She ordered two dishes and then returned the menu to Ling Yucheng.
Ling Yucheng casually ordered a few more dishes and handed the menu to the waiter.
After the waiter left and closed the door, only the two of them remained in the room.
Xia Wantang had many questions, and now, finally, she had the opportunity to ask. She looked at Ling Yucheng, her eyes filled with inquiry.
"What happened last night?"
Ling Yucheng calmly poured Xia Wantang a glass of hot water and said, "I will take responsibility."
Xia Wantang remained silent, not drinking the water, but quietly waiting for him to continue.
"Last night, I was in room 209, Du Jiasheng was in 206. I have already retrieved the hotel surveillance. It was your father... your adoptive parents who brought you to my room, but they must have made a mistake..."
Ling Yucheng recounted the events of that night.
He also added his suspicions, but he didn't mention the aphrodisiac, only that he had drunk too much.
He also stated that it was his first time and that he was willing to take responsibility for her.
After listening, Xia Wantang laughed, tears streaming down her face.
She couldn't blame Ling Yucheng for not exercising self-control, as she had indeed gone into his room for no reason.
If it hadn't been for him, her fate would have been far worse, because Du Jiasheng was not only lecherous but also disgusting.
Ling Yucheng handed her a tissue and said apologetically, "I took advantage of your vulnerability. I'm sorry."
This was indeed his mistake. Last night was truly bizarre; how could he have been so impulsive?
"It's alright. I won't force you to take responsibility either."
Xia Wantang felt much better. At least she didn't feel like she had been defiled.
She would consider it a one-night stand. They owed each other nothing, and besides, he had even taken her to the hospital to get stitches.
Ling Yucheng's brows furrowed into a knot. He said, "No, this is my choice."
Time is not everything; feeling is.
Not all shotgun weddings are unhappy, and not all long-term relationships are happy.
At least for now, he genuinely wanted to care for Xia Wantang.
Xia Wantang instinctively felt it was unreliable, given they had known each other for less than a day.
However, with Ling Yucheng's status, what kind of woman couldn't he have?
She didn't believe she possessed the charm to inspire love at first sight in someone who appeared successful and handsome,
especially under such a disheveled state.
Whether it was out of guilt or something else, Xia Wantang was definitely not going to accept this man so hastily.
Ling Yucheng, of course, wouldn't force the issue. Instead, he inquired about something else.
"Who hurt you?"