Please, I'm Trying to Study, Your Highness! - chapter 28

Time stretched long and blurry, pulled by the gentle flow of water.

Dozens of minutes passed, maybe even longer.

The burning, stinging pain gradually faded into a numb warmth under the continuous rinse of cold water.

The skin on the entire inside of her thigh turned pale from prolonged contact with the cold water.

Only the scalded patch stubbornly retained a small flush of red.

Lin Hui turned off the faucet.

He turned around and rummaged through the white medicine box nearby, the sound of plastic packaging being torn open rustling in the air.

His fingers skimmed quickly over various medicines, finally picking out a roll of sterile gauze and some medical cotton swabs.

“No blisters. It shouldn’t be a big problem.”

He bent down and carefully dried the water around the wound with a cotton swab.

His movements were skillful, as if he often dealt with such minor injuries.

He cut the gauze to a suitable size, then wrapped it around the patch of skin, not too tight or too loose, covering it layer by layer.

Throughout the process, his fingers never touched her skin directly, yet it felt as if they were everywhere.

Qiao Nian braced herself against the counter, silently watching the boy tend to her.

The faint, pleasant scent from him lingered at the tip of her nose.

It drifted gently into her heart.

“This is just a temporary barrier to prevent infection.”

Lin Hui explained as he worked, his gaze focused on what he was doing.

“Remember to apply burn ointment when you get home. After you put it on, don’t get it wet. Check it again tomorrow. If it feels serious, go to the hos-hm? Why are you looking at me?”

“Ah… N-nothing…” Qiao Nian’s voice was soft and shy, and she shifted her hips awkwardly.

The cubicle felt stuffy, and her cheeks grew hot again…

She thought this to herself, subconsciously ignoring why she needed such a clumsy excuse.

Fortunately, the boy didn’t think much of it.

After finishing the bandage, he lifted her down from the sink again.

This time the contact was even briefer than before, but the sense of security from being held in strong arms remained.

Her feet touched the ground, and she tested a few steps.

“Brother Huihui… I can walk just fine now.”

“Mm.”

The boy held her arm, not letting go immediately, only stepping back once she was steady. “Wait here for a moment.”

With that, he walked out of the cubicle.

Qiao Nian was still puzzled when, a few minutes later, he returned with a pair of dark-colored pants in hand.

“Spare from the shop. Men’s style.”

He tossed the pants to her. “Put them on.”

As he spoke, the door clicked shut behind him.

Qiao Nian looked down at her own pants, now ragged and torn, and the sexy lace trim at the top of her thigh…

She suddenly realized, and the heat rushed to her cheeks, making her wish she could disappear into the floor.

So embarrassing…

She clutched the clean, creased work pants tightly, trying to calm her racing heart.

Without a word, she quickly changed into the obviously oversized men’s pants, rolling up the legs several times before her ankles finally showed.

Qiao Nian took a deep breath, composed herself, and pushed open the door to step out.

The spotlights at the bar were off, making the hall dim. Only the streetlights at the entrance barely illuminated the passage.

Qiao Nian followed the light toward the door, finding Lin Hui leaning against the glass.

He had already changed clothes.

One hand in his pocket, head slightly bowed, the blue glow of his phone reflected off his glasses.

His long fingers slid across the screen, tapping occasionally.

He was probably replying to someone’s message.

Even in the low visibility, Qiao Nian could clearly see Lin Hui’s tall figure.

The simple black hoodie made his skin look even paler.

His bangs were long, and the black-rimmed glasses sat squarely on his nose, covering most of his face.

It was such an ordinary face, one that would blend into any crowd without drawing a second glance-so why couldn’t she look away?

The girl’s steps unconsciously stopped.

She just watched him, dazed for a moment.

“Is someone coming to pick you up?”

Lin Hui didn’t look up, his casual tone pulling her out of her trance.

Qiao Nian’s shoulders stiffened, the tips of her ears burning a beat late.

“Ah… N-no! My house isn’t far from here, I can walk back myself.” She waved her hands quickly, her voice stammering.
Oh my god, what is going on today? How many times have I spaced out while looking at him already!

Upon hearing this, the young man straightened up, put away his phone, and slipped it into his pocket.

His gaze swept over her ill-fitting pants for a moment before moving away.

“If you don’t mind, let’s walk together.”

Qiao Nian gently pinched the fabric at the edge of her clothes.

That sentence was clever.

He didn’t say “We’re going the same way,” nor did he offer a patronizing “I’ll walk you home.”

Instead, it was an equal, inviting question, giving her the choice entirely.

“Mm… okay…”

**

One after the other, they left the café. Lin Hui locked the glass door with his key.

The cool night breeze blew in, lowering the heat on her flushed cheeks.

On the way back, he didn’t say a word, quietly moving to the outer side of the sidewalk to shield her from the busy road.

His actions were so natural, perhaps even Lin Hui himself thought nothing of it.

But Qiao Nian’s heart skipped a beat because of it.

An indescribable feeling, like wild grass, grew and spread in her heart.

Her hands twisted together in front of her, and she spoke up, wanting to break the silence that made her so nervous.

“Um… Brother Huihui, I’ve already transferred the money to you on my phone. Did you get it?”

“I got it.”

“Today… I really want to thank you. If it weren’t for you, I…”

“Just doing my job.”

“…Okay.”

Qiao Nian tried to find other topics.

She talked about funny things at school and the latest movies.

But Lin Hui always replied with short phrases like “Oh,” “It’s fine,” or “Not bad,” like a chat robot set to energy-saving mode.

Alright…

She felt a little deflated.

Qiao Nian secretly pouted, unable to help comparing the young man to other boys she knew.

The boys she’d met so far were either like Brother Lu Ze, caring in a domineering and matter-of-fact way,

Or like the male colleagues at the café, slick and eager, racking their brains to find topics she might like.

Those enthusiastic gestures always made Qiao Nian feel a vague sense of burden.

But Brother Huihui…

Thinking back to her days working part-time at the café,

His perfect sense of boundaries and casual help made it impossible to dislike him.

Just like now,

Even in such an awkward conversation, Qiao Nian didn’t feel any indifference from him.

She snuck a glance at Lin Hui beside her, then quickly looked away.

This feeling of being treated patiently…

It was so new.

Ten minutes later, a familiar villa appeared at the end of the road.

Her home.

She stopped in front of the ornate iron gate.

The streetlight cast a gentle glow, making Qiao Nian’s cheeks look rosy against her pale skin.

She softly thanked him, “Brother Huihui, thank you for walking me home.”

“No problem.”

Lin Hui didn’t say more, gradually walking away along the path they’d come.

Qiao Nian’s fingers clutched her clothes tightly.

Scenes from the café replayed vividly in her mind.

He had lifted her down from the sink.

The feeling of his arm around her back and under her knees… Even through her shirt, she could feel the solid, steady strength of his muscles.

Especially when he held her in his arms, the fresh citrus scent unique to him wrapped around her completely.

Her heart, which had been racing from pain and fright, slowly calmed down in his embrace.

His skin was an uncommon cool, pale shade, and when he bent down to cut open her pants, she could see the exposed collarbone beneath his open neckline.

So clean… it made her want to bite it and leave a mark.

“Thump, thump, thump…”

The little deer in her chest, quiet for so long, suddenly started pounding wildly.

Qiao Nian covered her face, which was heating up again.

She shook her head hard, trying to shake out all those messy images from her mind.

“Qiao Nian, Qiao Nian, what on earth are you thinking…”

She muttered softly to herself, the air swirling with a hint of frustration and embarrassment.

“I already have someone I like, so how can I… how can I think about another boy like this…”