Ning Yan felt a stir in his heart. He tightened his grip slightly and turned Bai Qingqing around—sure enough, her eyes were brimming with unshed tears, the tip of her nose flushed red.

“A little doll made of water,” he sighed, his tone softening as his thumb gently brushed beneath her eye. “What does my injury have to do with you anyway? This wound… Forget it. You’ll understand in time.”

He pulled her down to sit beside him and took out a plain handkerchief. “I figured this would come in handy on the road.”

Bai Qingqing took it silently, wiped her eyes, then carefully folded it and put it away. She adjusted the cushion behind Ning Yan so he could lean back more comfortably.

Ning Yan watched with quiet amusement. She might be crying, but she didn’t forget a single detail. And yet she was always blaming herself, always thinking she had to change.

The wound was on his right arm, and according to Wen Jiang, that arm had to stay completely still to avoid slowing the healing process. That made many things rather inconvenient.

When it came time to eat, Ning Yan raised his left hand and paused it awkwardly above the chopsticks. A faint look of frustration crept into his brows. Bai Qingqing picked up the chopsticks without hesitation, picked out a bite of food, and brought it to his lips.

Ning Yan gave a faint smile. “This is really too much trouble for you. I feel bad.”

Beside them, Wen Jiang and Mu Shu twitched at the sight—Ning Yan saying that while opening his mouth to eat like it was the most natural thing in the world. They both turned away, as if not seeing it would spare them the agony.

Mu Shu whispered, confused, “But his left hand isn’t injured. He’s using it just fine. Then why is he…”

“Shut it. Eat your meal. If you get whipped on the road, I won’t be able to save you,” came the cold reply.

Over there, Ning Yan was enjoying Bai Qingqing feeding him, finding the experience unexpectedly amusing. He’d seen others do this before and always thought it looked cloying and annoying. Their hands weren’t broken—why have someone else feed you? There had to be something wrong with that.

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But now, he found that being tended to with such meticulous care wasn’t bad at all.

“All right, I’ll eat two more buns. I can manage with my left hand. You eat your own.”

He didn’t push his luck and knew when to stop. Bai Qingqing still looked uneasy, but at his urging, she finally picked up her chopsticks to eat.

When night fell and it was time to change and rest, Bai Qingqing showed up again, carrying a basin of warm water and a jar of medicine. “Change the dressing before you sleep.”

Before Ning Yan could react, she’d already set the items down and stepped in front of him, reaching for his sash.

“Wait…”

He raised a hand to stop her, eyebrows arching in surprise. “You’re going to help me change?”

“Of course. How else would I apply the medicine without taking off your clothes? Don’t move—I’ll do it.”

Her expression was calm and unbothered. She took another step forward, but Ning Yan instinctively shifted back. She looked up, puzzled. “Why are you dodging?”

Ning Yan: …Right, why was he dodging?

Bai Qingqing continued untying his sash. Ning Yan lowered his gaze and could see the utter focus in her expression, down to the flutter of her lashes. She gently pulled down his sleeve, careful not to touch the wound.

Her slightly flushed fingertips were round and delicate, skillfully undoing the bandages. When the wound was exposed, her breath visibly hitched, but she swiftly cleaned it with boiled, sterilized cloth. Though her lips were pressed together in nervous fear, her hands never trembled. She moved with quiet precision, as though handling a fragile treasure.

Ning Yan found himself watching her, entranced. They hadn’t even left Xuancheng long, yet her cheeks already looked thinner. Likely the food along the way hadn’t suited her taste—he’d have to think of a way to make it up to her.