Chapter 687: Really?

At that moment, inside the private room.

Ning Xue was completely drunk.

She had been plied with alcohol by too many people.

Her mind felt heavy and dull, as if filled with lead; even the strength to lift her hand... gradually grew weak.

She wanted to refuse, but when the words reached her lips, the alcohol made them slurred, and she could only let others urge her to drink.

After another cup, Ning Xue felt her stomach churn and her head spin.

Finally, she could no longer hold on,...

Ning Xue swayed slightly, instinctively trying to get up.

Her voice carried a few drunken, soft notes: 'I... I'll go to the restroom...'

As soon as she finished speaking, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce's Wang Lingdao, who had been staring at Ning Xue, immediately stood up.

With a fawning smile on the leader's face, he quickly walked to Ning Xue's side and reached out to support her arm.

Wang Lingdao said in an ambiguous tone: 'Secretary Ning, you're drunk; let me help you go, so you don't fall.'

Ning Xue instinctively avoided his hand.

Ning Xue's head swayed slightly, her eyes showing a hint of instinctive resistance.

Although her mind was already fuzzy, she still managed to turn her head with difficulty.

Ning Xue looked toward Lin Yuan, who was sitting not far away.

Ning Xue's voice... carried a hint of grievance and reliance, speaking unclearly:

'No... no need, Director Lin... help me go...'

Lin Yuan, hearing that, immediately stood up...

He quickly walked to Ning Xue's side and carefully supported her swaying body.

Lin Yuan could clearly feel... her body's warmth and faint alcohol scent, as well as her trembling.

Lin Yuan slightly nodded to the crowd and said:

'Everyone, I'll first take Secretary Ning to the restroom; I'll be right back.'

Having said that, Lin Yuan carefully supported Ning Xue and slowly walked out of the private room.

Inside the private room, the people's faces showed a hint of disappointment and greed.

They gazed at Ning Xue's OL uniform silhouette, feeling even more consumed by desire.

It's a pity that such a good opportunity to accompany her to the restroom was snatched away by Lin Yuan...

Lin Yuan carefully supported Ning Xue, step by step, walking toward the restroom.

Ning Xue went limp, almost her entire body leaning on Lin Yuan...

Her cheeks burned, her eyes were unfocused, and she muttered indistinctly, 'Dizzy.'

Ning Xue's steps were unsteady... as if walking on cotton, making it hard to tell direction.

With great difficulty they reached the women's restroom door, and Ning Xue struggled to walk in by herself.

But as she lifted her foot, her high heel slipped, twisting her ankle,

'Ah~'

Ning Xue let out a soft cry and slumped heavily onto the ground.

She winced in pain, brows furrowed, tears about to fall.

'Director Lin... I twisted my ankle... I can't stand up...'

Ning Xue's voice carried a hint of sobbing, mixed with the softness of alcohol.

Her eyes... were full of grievance and helplessness.

She lifted her head... looking toward Lin Yuan standing at the doorway.

Ning Xue pleaded in a drunken tone: 'Please... come in and help me a bit—I really can't get up...'

Lin Yuan stood at the doorway, hesitating—

This is the women's restroom; for a man to go in would inevitably be improper^

But, seeing Ning Xue's painful helplessness, Lin Yuan really couldn't bear to ignore her.

After a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said softly:

'Hold on, I'll come in to help you.'

Having said that, Lin Yuan quickly stepped into the women's restroom and gently closed the door behind him.

Inside the restroom... a faint scent of incense lingered, mixed with Ning Xue's alcohol smell and a hint of her body fragrance.

Lin Yuan walked to Ning Xue's side and slowly squatted down.

He carefully supported Ning Xue's arm and asked softly: 'How is it? Does it hurt badly? Can you stand up?'

Ning Xue shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her voice choking:

'Pain... I can't stand, my ankle hurts so much...'

Her ankle was already slightly swollen; the twist wasn't light, and combined with her drunkenness leaving her weak, even moving a little hurt.

Lin Yuan looked at her reddened ankle, a pang of sympathy rising in his heart.

Lin Yuan's tone grew gentler: 'Don't move around, let me check it first.'

As he spoke, Lin Yuan... gently lifted Ning Xue's foot.

He carefully removed Ning Xue's high heel.

Revealing a slender, fair ankle, and that small, delicate foot.

Perhaps from walking all day, plus the heat of the banquet... she was sweating fragrant sweat.

Ning Xue's foot carried a faint scent of fragrant sweat.

It wasn't a pungent smell; instead, it mixed with her body's fresh fragrance……and a faint alcohol scent, forming a unique, alluring aroma that lingered around Lin Yuan's nostrils.

Lin Yuan's cheeks flushed slightly, and he unconsciously paused.

Lin Yuan nevertheless forced down the embarrassment in his heart; his fingertips……lightly landed on Ning Xue's swollen ankle.

Ning Xue began to knead gently.

His pressure was gentle, fearing to worsen her pain.

「Bear with it, I'll help you rub it; it can ease the swelling and pain. 」Lin Yuan said softly……

Ning Xue leaned against the wall, her whole body still weak.

She felt Lin Yuan's warm fingertips……land on her ankle, the gentle pressure alleviating much of the pain……

Ning Xue's heart……welled a hint of warmth, plus a hint of shyness hard to hide.

She lowered her head slightly, watching Lin Yuan's earnest kneading,

Ning Xue's cheeks……reddened further, her breathing becoming a bit hurried.

Ning Xue's muffled mutter……gradually ceased, leaving only faint breathing and occasional soft hums.

Lin Yuan focused on kneading her ankle.

His fingertips……could clearly feel Ning Xue's delicate skin……and that faint scent of fragrant sweat.

Lin Yuan's heart inevitably fluttered a little.

But seeing Ning Xue's pained, helpless appearance,

Lin Yuan, again forcibly suppressing his wandering thoughts, he only thought of helping her relieve the pain.

The restroom was very quiet, only the two of them breathing and Lin Yuan's gentle kneading making faint sounds.

An ambiguous atmosphere quietly arose, forming a stark contrast with the noisy private rooms outside.

Just as Lin Yuan was focused on kneading, Ning Xue suddenly let out a soft whimper, her voice tinged with barely concealed pain.

She spoke softly and aggrieved: 「Director Lin……foot……ankle still hurts, not eased at all……」

Upon hearing that, Lin Yuan's motion jerked to a halt, his heart tightening.

He hurriedly lowered his head to carefully examine Ning Xue's ankle——

Earlier he had only attended to gentle kneading, with no time to look closely.

Now, Lin Yuan leaned in and discovered her ankle was more swollen than before.

Ning Xue's originally slender, fair ankle had now swollen into a ring, the skin showing an abnormal pale red, making one's heart ache to see.

Lin Yuan again gently pulled aside the stocking on Ning Xue's ankle, his gaze moving downward.

Lin Yuan suddenly discovered that the skin on Ning Xue's hind ankle……had been rubbed raw by her high heels.

The wound wasn't deep, but it showed a faint red and oozed a fine bead of blood.

Obviously, it was from Ning Xue walking all day plus the friction of her high heels that caused the abrasion.

Ning Xue noticed his gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Her voice carried a hint of shyness and pain as she softly added:

「Also……the hind ankle hurts, rubbed raw by the high heels……」

Ning Xue said, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes full of unbearable pain, her post-drink fragility intensified, making one feel even more pity.

Lin Yuan looked at the swollen, red ankle and the abrasion, feeling somewhat helpless and pitying.

Lin Yuan furrowed his brows tightly: 「I usually carry a Silver Needle on me, but I didn't bring it; using the kneading technique just now cannot reduce the swelling, nor can it treat the wound. 」

Lin Yuan fell silent for a moment, his gaze landing on Ning Xue's abraded hind ankle.

Lin Yuan seemed to have made a decision, his tone becoming exceptionally gentle, also tinged with cautious probing:

「Let me handle it for you; this will ease the pain faster and prevent wound infection, if you……don't mind. 」

Upon hearing that, Ning Xue's voice was as faint as a mosquito, tinged with shyness and gratitude: 「No problem……Thank you, Director Lin, thank you for the trouble. 」

Having obtained Ning Xue's consent, Lin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

The worry in Lin Yuan's eyes faded, leaving only gentleness and seriousness.

He slowly squatted, his movements gentle as if handling a priceless treasure.

Lin Yuan carefully……lifted Ning Xue's jade foot wearing the stocking.

His fingertips……could clearly feel the stocking's delicate texture, plus the warm sensation from the sole.

That faint scent of fragrant sweat once again lingered around Lin Yuan's nostrils, making his heartbeat quicken slightly.

Lin Yuan had no hesitation, lowering his head slightly……

He brought his lips, lightly close……

Then.

Lin Yuan……gently pressed his lips to Ning Xue's abraded hind ankle.

Lin Yuan's motion was gentle, with no offensive intent.

At this moment, Lin Yuan felt only pure concern and pity.

Lin Yuan knew well that human saliva contains immune cells.,

According to traditional Chinese medicine verification, saliva has the effects of staunching blood, invigorating blood circulation to dispel stasis, and alleviating wound pain.

At present there are no tools; using saliva……is the safest, quickest way to help Ning Xue ease pain and treat the wound.

「Ah?! 」 Ning Xue……was startled by this sudden action, her delicate body trembling.

She felt as if shocked, instinctively wanting to pull her foot back.

Ning Xue's pretty face……instantly reddened like a ripe cherry, even her neck taking on a faint blush……

Ning Xue's eyes were full of panic and shyness, her voice tinged with hurried panic, she hurriedly tried to stop,

Director Lin, don't……don't do this! My foot……my foot is dirty, please stop quickly!

She flusteredly tried to pull her foot back, yet she didn't dare to look at Lin Yuan.

Ning Xue kept her head bowed low, her cheeks burning hot as if about to ignite, her heart filled with shame and turmoil——

She never imagined that Lin Yuan……would actually help her treat the wound in such a way……,

That warm sensation……landed on her ankle, making her whole body go numb.

Ning Xue's heartbeat……raced as if it were about to jump out of her chest.

Shyness and a nameless flutter intertwined, leaving her flustered.

Lin Yuan felt her struggle, and his motion paused.

Lin Yuan, however, did not stop; he merely lifted his head and spoke in a gentle, soothing tone:

"Not dirty, not at all. Don't move around, bear with it a little longer—this will help it heal faster; otherwise, if the wound gets infected, it will hurt more."

Saying that, he lowered his head again and continued……helping Ning Xue treat her ankle wound.

Lin Yuan's eyes……were filled with seriousness, without a trace of distraction.

Ning Xue's struggle gradually weakened; she could only stand there, face flushed, stiffly leaning against the wall.

She passively endured Lin Yuan's efforts to stop the bleeding.

She could clearly feel……Lin Yuan on her ankle, gentle and earnest, with no hint of offense.

Ning Xue's shyness remained intense, yet mixed with a hint……of indescribable warmth.

Gradually, even the pain in her ankle seemed to ease considerably.

Ning Xue clenched her lips, not daring to make a sound, only able to let Lin Yuan tend to her wound, her cheeks burning hot as if about to smoke.

Thus, Lin Yuan attentively kissed Ning Xue's scraped ankle, his movements gentle yet firm, each second passing……

After a few minutes, Lin Yuan slowly lifted his head and carefully examined the wound——

On Ning Xue's ankle, the fine beads of blood that had been seeping had stopped, and the redness and swelling seemed to have faded a bit.

Lin Yuan let out a breath of relief; the seriousness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a touch of gentleness.

Seeing this, Ning Xue quickly lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

Ning Xue's voice……carried a lingering shyness……and a hint of barely noticeable embarrassment.

Ning Xue whispered: "You……you wipe it off, my foot……is still dirty."

She said, instinctively wanting to pull her foot back,

Ning Xue's fingertips twitched slightly, the flush on her cheeks not fading at all, her breathing still a bit hurried.

Lin Yuan watched her shy, evasive demeanor, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Lin Yuan spoke in a gentle, somewhat casual tone: "Not dirty at all, you're wearing stockings—very clean."

Lin Yuan, while speaking, casually picked up a nearby tissue and gently wiped the corner of his lips, his motion natural and tender, without the slightest hint of disdain.

Ning Xue's pretty face flushed even more in an instant, as if a flame had been added, her ears reddening to the point of almost dripping blood.

She lightly shook her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito, tinged with a bit of embarrassment as she explained:

"No……I walked all day, my feet are sweaty, definitely not clean."

Saying that, she buried her head even lower, not daring to look into Lin Yuan's eyes……

Ning Xue's heart was again filled with shame and turmoil, even her fingertips felt hot.

She feared that if she spoke those words……, Lin Yuan would despise her.

Lin Yuan looked at her bashful demeanor and smiled helplessly.

Lin Yuan simply softened his tone, half-joking, half-serious, explaining: "What sweat smell? It's clearly fragrant."

When he said this, on one hand it was true——

That faint fragrant sweat……mixed with Ning Xue's natural scent, was indeed alluring;

On the other hand, Lin Yuan, too, was doing it to ease Ning Xue's embarrassment, so she wouldn't feel psychologically burdened.

That's why he made such a joke……

But Ning Xue, upon hearing it, her delicate body tensed slightly.

She was as if hit by a paralysis spell, instantly frozen.

Ning Xue instinctively lifted her head, her misty almond eyes widening round.

She stared at Lin Yuan, face full of bewilderment, and let out a soft, doubtful gasp:

"Ah?"

Ning Xue's pretty face……remained flushed, like a ripe apple, even her neck taking on a faint blush.

The shyness in Ning Xue's eyes had not yet faded, and now it was mixed with a genuine sense of astonishment,

In her gaze……lay utter disbelief, as if she hadn't heard Lin Yuan's words clearly.

After a moment of silence, Ning Xue gathered her courage and lifted her head.

Ning Xue's voice was soft, carrying a hint of probing and shyness, as she cautiously asked:

"Truly……really? My foot……really smells fragrant?"