Chapter 588: Inexplicably Fond of You

Inside the study—

The floor lamp in the corner cast a bit of light; Li Xiao tossed his shirt aside, looked down at his waist, and grabbed a bottle of medicine from the table.

Immediately after, he heard a knock on the study door.

"Come in."

He said it casually, and once finished, he sprinkled the medicinal powder directly onto the wound, clenching his teeth in an instant.

The wound was not large, but it was somewhat deep.

The medicinal powder brought an extremely stinging sensation in an instant.

Li Xiao, however, was already used to it.

He picked up the gauze and had just intended to wrap it on casually when he heard a gasp from behind him.

"When did you get hurt? Why are you hurt again? And you didn't even tell me!"

Cai Xiaotang blushed, her gaze sweeping quickly over his bare back; as she spoke, she threw the tray in her hand onto the table and snatched the gauze from his hand.

Li Xiao: "..."

Li Xiao turned his head hesitantly to look outside the door, confirmed he didn't see any of his subordinates, and only then withdrew his gaze, asking helplessly: "Why did you come?"

"Can't I come?" Cai Xiaotang retorted aggressively, frowning as she stared fixedly at the wound on Li Xiao's abdomen.

Li Xiao did not miss the unmistakable worry in her eyes.

Cai Xiaotang also suddenly realized her tone had been a bit sharp just now and hurriedly explained: "I just happened to run into someone coming up to bring you dinner, so I just came over... and it turns out someone actually got hurt and was hiding here secretly changing their dressing..."

Her tone carried a trace of dissatisfaction and a small complaint; after saying it, she couldn't help but be stunned for a moment herself.

Tsk...

Was what she just said too obvious?

Li Xiao and she were just a fake married couple, after all... If he was hurt, of course he had no need to report it to her...

Cai Xiaotang suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Li Xiao's heart stirred slightly, and he reached out, wanting to snatch the gauze back from her hands: "It's nothing serious, just bandaging it is fine..."

"Let me help you."

Cai Xiaotang avoided his movement and directly took the gauze to measure it against his wound.

Then, feeling guilty, she deliberately added: "Anyway, you helped me apply medicine today, so consider it a fair exchange..."

As she spoke, she then aligned the gauze with the center of the wound and pressed it on cautiously.

Her fingers carried a trace of warmth, touching Li Xiao's slightly cool skin.

The muscle lines on the man's abdomen were perfect; besides the new wound, one could see scars of various sizes left by old injuries, appearing somewhat inexplicably... sexy.

Cai Xiaotang suddenly felt her cheeks burn, but then she remembered the dream she had just had.

In the dream, Li Xiao was stabbed by someone with a knife...

"Li Xiao."

Cai Xiaotang suddenly called out to Li Xiao.

"Hm?"

Li Xiao responded subconsciously, his whole body having been unconsciously tense since just a moment ago.

Immediately after, he sensed a finger tracing around his wound, as if it were there and yet not.

Li Xiao's brow twitched, and he lowered his eyes to see someone's dishonest finger.

Just as he was about to speak, Cai Xiaotang's rarely gentle voice sounded in the room again.

"That... can you... stop being in the underworld?"

Her tone was cautious, her voice getting smaller as she spoke.

Li Xiao was stunned upon hearing this, looking at the person before him with increasing confusion.

Stop being in the underworld?

"Why ask this suddenly? Were you scared?"

Li Xiao feigned normalcy as he retorted, then hurriedly pinched her finger to move it away, his face once again wearing his usual smile: "I don't even take this little injury to heart; weren't you quite brave when you caught the thief today? How come I never noticed you were so worried about me before?"

"I..."

Cai Xiaotang was left speechless by his words, so she had to think quickly and replied dryly: "I'm afraid that if you accidentally kick the bucket one day, there will be no one left to protect me... getting hurt here or there every single day..."

Li Xiao, however, raised his eyebrows indifferently: "Don't worry, I have a hard life; I won't die anytime soon."

"Pah, pah, pah! Stop saying such unlucky things!"

Cai Xiaotang immediately widened her eyes at him; feeling somewhat helpless and not knowing what else to say, she turned and walked toward the door.

"Remember to eat your dinner! Don't let it get cold!"

After saying this, her figure disappeared outside the study door, her footsteps moving quickly.

Li Xiao chuckled softly and turned to look at the dinner tray left on the table.

Was it an illusion?

Why did it feel like someone who was always baring their fangs and brandishing their claws had suddenly become a bit gentle?

To actually care about someone...

And just now...

Thinking of the question Cai Xiaotang had asked him, Li Xiao paused slightly and shook his head helplessly.

What he did might not be something that could be brought out into the light, but it was certainly not as simple as just being "underworld."

And no matter who it was, these things would always have to be done by someone.

The next day—

Cai Xiaotang spent the whole day lying at home, bored to death.

She had assumed that since both she and Li Xiao were injured, they wouldn't need to train.

But she hadn't expected to be dragged to the training room upstairs right on time that evening.

"My wound just healed... you really are cold and heartless..."

Cai Xiaotang complained in a low voice.

Li Xiao listened to her slightly coquettish tone, feeling somewhat thoughtful.

It really wasn't an illusion.

Since when did Cai Xiaotang... start speaking with a hint of femininity?

"Were you just acting coquettish with me?"

Li Xiao teased with a smile.

Cai Xiaotang instantly bristled: "Who's acting coquettish! How could I possibly act coquettish! I was just stating a fact!"

Cai Xiaotang returned to her usual "bared fangs and brandished claws" self, and after finishing, she immediately couldn't help but feel a bit of regret.

Li Xiao, however, felt much more at ease instantly; he pulled her hand over and looked at the wound on her arm: "The wound has already scabbed over. Although it looks a bit serious, it's just a superficial injury. Since your arm is hurt, we can practice your legs more today..."

As Li Xiao spoke, he began to instruct Cai Xiaotang as he usually did.

He didn't forget to say earnestly: "Let me reiterate to you again, I am teaching you these things so that..."

"So that I can defend myself, so I shouldn't act rashly outside, and even less should I show off. My ears are almost calloused from hearing this..."

Cai Xiaotang took over the words before he could finish, and even deliberately made a face at him.

Seeing this, Li Xiao couldn't help but reach out and flick her forehead.

"Then why do you still treat my words as wind past your ears? Do you know what happens to anyone else in this villa who doesn't listen to me?"

"Hmm... getting expelled from your underworld gang?"

Cai Xiaotang asked back, deliberately pinching her voice.

Li Xiao couldn't be bothered to answer and couldn't help but be amused, so he could only shake his head and say: "If you were my subordinate, I wouldn't mind letting you experience it..."

He paused for a moment, then continued in a provoking manner: "However... your personality is indeed very suitable for being a man..."

"You're the one who's like a man!"

Cai Xiaotang glared at him, an alarm bell suddenly ringing in her heart.

Damn it!

Could Li Xiao have meant just now that she was like a tomboy?

She still wanted to pursue him; what was she supposed to do now?