Chapter 162: Don't Hold Her Back Either

"This time, you were too impulsive."

A stern voice cut off his thoughts.

The moment he raised his eyes, Cheng Chengxuan met his own big brother's solemn face.

Oh no, Big Brother is angry.

Just look at that expression—he had no doubt that if they weren't at An Luo's house, those fists would have come flying.

Big Brother had never once held back his punches just because he was the one getting hurt.

Thinking of this, Cheng Chengxuan instantly tensed up all over, the hairs on his back standing on end, and he hurriedly lowered his head to admit his mistake.

"This time it really was my fault. It won't happen again."

Cheng Sitao cut him off sharply.

"There won't be a next time!"

Remembering that An Luo was still standing nearby, Cheng Sitao didn't continue the lecture, only shot him an exasperated glare.

Saving you some face!

Then he turned his head to look at An Luo.

"Miss An, sorry to trouble you—go to my house and ask Aunt Zhou to brew a pot of soup to replenish blood and vital energy."

Knowing the two brothers had something to discuss.

An Luo understood and nodded.

"Alright."

Cheng Chengxuan smiled gently as he watched her leave.

"Stop looking, the door's already closed."

Cheng Sitao's slightly teasing voice rang out.

"Ahem!"

Cheng Chengxuan did his best to keep his expression normal as he pulled his gaze back, surveying the room's layout and furniture, when he suddenly heard:

"Have you thought about the future?"

"What?"

Seeing him dazed, Cheng Sitao repeated himself.

"I'm asking—about your feelings for Miss An, have you thought about what you'll do in the future?"

"You two are people from two different worlds. How can you be together?"

Hearing this, Cheng Chengxuan let out a long sigh.

This was also the thing he worried about most.

"But there's hope now, isn't there?"

If Big Brother has a chance to go back, then maybe he too has a chance to come over here every day, just like Yu'an?

"Besides, Big Brother, you know me—whether it's a matter or a person, once I've made up my mind, I will absolutely never change my heart."

"Even if in the end…"

"Then I'll bless her from afar. Knowing she's happy is enough."

Cheng Sitao pinched the bridge of his nose and said deflatedly.

"Do whatever you want. Anyway, the one who could actually rein you in isn't here right now."

"But!"

"Let me speak from the heart. It may sound harsh, but it's the truth."

His expression became unusually solemn.

"Miss An has already helped us a great deal—she's a great benefactor of our Cheng Family. If in the end heaven doesn't grant your wish, you…"

Cheng Sitao couldn't bear to look at his wounded eyes any longer and turned away, looking elsewhere.

"Don't hold her back either."

Hearing this, Cheng Chengxuan's eyelashes trembled. After a long while, he slowly nodded.

"Big Brother, I understand what you mean."

"I can only promise that until that Live Stream Room comes out with a clear result, I won't reveal my feelings to her."

Cheng Sitao looked at him deeply, then finally sighed helplessly.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Tell me about the plans going forward."

……

The two brothers chatted all afternoon. By the time An Luo came to knock on the door, the sky outside had just begun to darken.

"Knock knock knock!"

"You two, the soup is ready. Aunt Zhou also made a few dishes—time to eat."

Hearing An Luo's voice, Cheng Chengxuan looked at his big brother expectantly.

"Big Brother?"

Shouldn't you be leaving?

Cheng Sitao: "……"

He was almost amused into laughing.

Fine, fine, fine. So high and mighty, so impressive—use me and toss me aside, won't even offer me a bite of the ready-made meal, huh?

He lowered his voice and said exasperatedly.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Get a grip, will you? Look at that cheap, eager look on your face!"

Cheng Chengxuan smiled at him in thanks.

"Thank you, Big Brother."

Cheng Sitao opened the bedroom door.

"Miss An, I still have some work to take care of, so Cheng Chengxuan can only stay here with you for now."

Saying so, he glanced back stealthily and spoke in a low voice.

"But Miss An doesn't need to fuss too much. This kid is tough — an injury like this is nothing serious."

An Luo: "... Uh."

Um... are you two really blood brothers?

"Alright, I understand. Go ahead and take care of your work, don't worry."

After laying out all the dishes Aunt Zhou had prepared on the small table one by one, An Luo and Cheng Chengxuan sat facing each other in silence.

The two were silent for a long while.

"I'll serve you rice!"

"I'll serve you soup..."

One reached for the rice pot, the other reached for the clay pot.

"Pfft!"

"Pff!"

The two exchanged a knowing smile, which eased the awkward atmosphere somewhat.

"Let's just eat first."

Taking the bowl from the other's hand, the two began to eat.

Seeing that An Luo had only eaten a small bowl of rice before she couldn't eat anymore.

Seeing this, Cheng Chengxuan frowned slightly.

She eats too little — no wonder she's so thin.

He picked up a clean pair of serving chopsticks, placed a chicken leg in An Luo's bowl, and gave her a slight smile.

"This one's pretty good. Won't you have a bit more, Miss An?"

An Luo quietly rubbed her stomach.

She really was already full.

"I..."

"Does Miss An not like chicken? Then have some fish."

Saying so, he picked up another large piece of fish belly meat.

In the blink of an eye, the small bowl was nearly full again.

An Luo's eyelid twitched at the sight. Afraid he would keep serving, she quickly picked up her bowl.

"It's enough, really, it's enough."

Cheng Chengxuan curved his lips slightly.

See, she can still eat a few more bites, can't she?

An Luo gnawed on the chicken leg and suddenly thought of a little skit she'd seen online before.

Does she now count as one of those people who, even when full, can still squeeze in two more bites?

At the thought, An Luo felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.

Guessing she couldn't eat any more, Cheng Chengxuan picked up a soup bowl, ladled some soup, and set it in front of An Luo.

"This soup's not bad. Miss An might as well have a bit more."

Then he picked up his own chopsticks and began eating quickly and in large bites, yet without the slightest hint of rudeness.

An Luo sipped her soup in small mouthfuls, watching him eat like that.

It was her first time seeing the phrases "gale sweeping away the clouds" and "unhurried and methodical" appear in the same person at once.

Noticing her gaze lingering on him, Cheng Chengxuan got so nervous he nearly bit his own tongue.

Why does she keep looking at him?

Could it be because he's eating too much?

But he really just didn't want to waste food.

Miss An wouldn't think he couldn't be supported just because he eats a lot, would she?

With a complicated heart, Cheng Chengxuan finished three dishes and a soup.

After the bowls and chopsticks were tidied away, the two fell into an eerie silence once more.

An Luo squeezed her fingers and was the first to break the strange quiet.

"I heard from Yu'an about the time those bad people broke into my home. Thank you for saving me."

Cheng Chengxuan looked at her with an earnest expression.

"You don't need to say thank you to me."

Never say those two words to him.

Meeting such an eager gaze, An Luo felt as if she'd been burned and awkwardly looked away.

You two are people from two different worlds, An Luo — snap out of it!

"Um, it's already very late. You should rest early. I'll head back to my room first — call me if you need anything."

Saying that, she rose and walked out.

"Wait!"

"Hiss!"

Cheng Chengxuan had just been about to stand up and look for the clothes he'd worn over, which had the gift he'd bought inside, but he tugged at his wound and immediately let out a pained gasp.

"How are you feeling?"

An Luo watched him with worry.

Faint traces of blood had already seeped through his grey casual clothes — the wound was bleeding again.

An Luo frowned and went to fetch the medicine the doctor had left behind.

"Why wasn't the wound stitched up?"

Cheng Chengxuan leaned against the headboard, head tilted back, eyes half-closed, looking utterly weak.

"Big Brother said that if stitches are put in, they have to be taken out later, and if we go back, getting them removed won't be convenient."

Right — he was going back eventually. They were people of two different worlds.

An Luo lowered her eyes and set the medicine on the bedside table.

"Then reapply the medicine yourself."

Cheng Chengxuan nodded and pitifully dabbed the medicine on himself.

An Luo looked away, trying hard not to be moved.

No, no, no — An Luo, remember: feeling sorry for a man brings terrible luck!

"Miss An, what's wrong?"

"Huh?"

An Luo turned to look at him, putting on an air of nonchalance.

"I'm fine."

Cheng Chengxuan pretended not to notice and nodded.

"Then would Miss An mind finding me a mirror? I can't see the back of my neck."

Saying so, he tilted slightly, exposing the wound on the back of his neck.

"Forget it — let me help you."

An Luo sighed softly, then picked up a cotton swab, dipped it in iodine, and disinfected the area first.

Looking at his dark, glossy, thick hair, An Luo had to admit — she was jealous.

Green with envy.

That hair quality could shoot a shampoo commercial.

Feeling the soft breath fanning behind his ear, and especially noticing that intent gaze.

Cheng Chengxuan felt sparks exploding in his head, his whole body tensing instantly, gripping the blanket on his lap tightly.

Miss An — why is she looking at me like that?

Suddenly hearing a soft groan, An Luo's hand paused.

"Was that too hard? Sorry, I'll be gentler."

Even closer!

A faint fragrance lingered at his nose. Cheng Chengxuan's face grew redder and hotter, so hot his brain couldn't think, so hot he forgot his elder brother's earlier instructions, and he nearly blurted out his feelings on the spot.

He let out a long breath, so nervous it trembled slightly.

"M-Miss An, I…"

An Luo hummed in reply, swapped the cotton swab for a fresh one, and in the span of turning around…

He was gone!

???

"He's already gone?"