Although she had held back some force with that kick earlier, fists and feet have no eyes, and that area was particularly vulnerable.
Jiang Si wasn’t sure what the consequences of that kick would be.
“Should we… apply ice or heat to it?”
But the moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Si dismissed the thought.
She worried that her fussing might turn a minor issue into a serious one.
At a time like this, going to the hospital was the better option.
“Wait here, I’ll get the car,” she said, turning to leave.
Yet before she could take a step, Huo Tingzhou caught her wrist.
His grip wasn’t tight, but it was enough to stop her.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Earlier, he had been too distracted by her cry of pain, his attention entirely focused on her injured wrist.
He hadn’t expected his wife to strike so suddenly—and with such precision.
Though she had succeeded in her sneak attack this time, Huo Tingzhou still felt the need to remind her.
“Sisi,” he called her name, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “Not everyone will let go just because you cry out in pain.”
After a pause, he added, “So this move of yours might only work on me. If you encounter someone with ill intentions, the more you cry out, the more they might…”
He left the rest unsaid, but Jiang Si understood.
Thinking it over, Huo Tingzhou pressed his lips together, his expression leaving no room for argument. “From now on, let Uncle Chen take you to and from places.”
Perhaps sensing he had been too stern, he softened his voice and added, “Alright?”
Jiang Si’s confidence had long been shattered during their earlier exchange.
Now, she was willing to agree to whatever he said.
Besides, Huo Tingzhou would soon be leaving for Hei Province, and Jiang Si didn’t want him worrying about her while he was training.
“Mm.”
Seeing her nod, Huo Tingzhou finally relaxed.
He ruffled her hair gently. “Don’t worry, I’m really fine now.”
But was he really?
Jiang Si’s gaze lingered on his lower half.
“Then lie down on the bed. I need to check how bad it is.” She couldn’t rest until she saw for herself.
Watching her flustered, anxious expression, Huo Tingzhou swallowed the “I’m fine” on the tip of his tongue.
He pressed his tongue against his cheek, then suddenly shifted his tone.
“Whether I’m fine or not… just looking won’t tell you much. This… this needs to be tested to know.”
At first, Jiang Si didn’t catch his meaning—until she met his burning, suggestive gaze.
By then, it was too late.
...
A night of passion followed.
Huo Tingzhou proved with actions that not only was he unharmed, but he was also brimming with energy—his stamina rivaling that of a man in his twenties.
The next morning, he woke up refreshed, his entire demeanor radiating satisfaction.
Jiang Si, on the other hand, looked like she’d been drained of all vitality by some insatiable demon.
Her body ached, and she slept straight until the sun was high in the sky—no, even later than that.
If not for the ticking hands of her watch, she would’ve thought it had stopped.
How had this happened? She remembered waking up briefly around eight in the morning.
She had told herself she’d rest for just ten more minutes before getting up—so how had she opened her eyes to find it was already two in the afternoon?
Rubbing her sore waist, Jiang Si groaned in frustration.
Now she truly understood what it meant to “lift a stone only to drop it on one’s own foot.”
It was at this moment that Huo Tingzhou walked in.
Seeing she was awake, he sat by the bed in high spirits, even considerately picking up her clothes to help her dress.
Jiang Si didn’t refuse—after all, it wasn’t the first time he’d helped her get dressed.
So she leaned lazily against him, letting him assist her.
Noticing the faint marks on her neck, Huo Tingzhou’s expression turned slightly awkward, and he could only hold her with one arm.
With his other hand, he selected a high-necked woolen sweater from the wardrobe.
"Wear this—it’s warm," he said casually.
Jiang Si couldn’t be bothered to call out his little ulterior motive and obediently put on the sweater.
"Do you want to eat downstairs, or should I bring the food up?"
As he asked, Huo Tingzhou carefully smoothed her long hair with his fingers.
Though Jiang Si still felt too lazy to move, she hadn’t left the room since dinner the previous night.
Besides, the room needed some fresh air.
"Let’s eat downstairs," she decided.
Seeing she still looked drowsy, Huo Tingzhou agreed and promptly scooped her up into his arms.
Jiang Si gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Put me down! I can walk on my own!"
What would Grandma and Grandpa think if they saw this?
"Don’t worry, they’re not home," Huo Tingzhou murmured, as if he’d already guessed her concern.
"They took Suisui and Zhaozhao to Old Master Wang’s place."
Sure enough, the downstairs was quiet.
Huo Tingzhou set her down at the dining table before heading to the kitchen to bring out the warmed dishes.
Two dishes and a soup.
He’d also prepared a bowl of bird’s nest soup with brown sugar for her.
Jiang Si was already starving and began eating in small, delicate bites.
Huo Tingzhou sat beside her, occasionally adding food to her bowl or pouring her water.
His gaze hardly left her.
He could still look at her now, but soon, when he left for Heilongjiang, he’d only have her photos.
The thought made his eyes soften even more.
As they were finishing their meal, noises came from the entrance—Grandpa and the others had returned with the little ones.
The moment Suisui and Zhaozhao saw Jiang Si, they stretched out their tiny arms, demanding to be held.
"Mommy~"
"Mommy~~"
The children were over five months old now, calling for her more frequently and clearly each time.
Jiang Si immediately set down her chopsticks. "Come here~ Mommy’s got you."
But before she could act, Grandpa chuckled and said,
"Jiang Si, you should rest more these next few days. We’ll take care of Suisui and Zhaozhao."
With that, he urged Huo Tingzhou to fetch the crib from upstairs.
For now, the little ones would stay in their room.
After all, the elders slept lightly and could never get enough of doting on them.
Jiang Si was puzzled. She’d just woken up a little late—it wasn’t like she was sick.
Why was Grandpa suddenly telling her to rest more?
Grandma Huo approached, her face full of concern. "Jiang Si, are you feeling better from your cold?"
Noticing Jiang Si’s slightly flushed cheeks, Grandma Huo even reached out to check her forehead.
"At least there’s no fever. Tingzhou, you should’ve added an extra blanket at night."
Though the house had heating, spring had arrived, and the warmth was fading day by day.
Hearing this, Jiang Si finally understood. So that’s why Grandma and Grandpa were acting this way.
"Grandma, I’m fine now," she said, then shot Huo Tingzhou a pointed, humorless glance.
