Chapter Twenty-Six: I Was Accidentally Bumped in the Chest by a Beautiful Woman

Long Fei drove out, but returned to the villa in less than half an hour, carrying a packet of traditional medicine in his hand. When he arrived, Qi Yufei was already waiting for him in the living room.

Placing the medicine on the table, Long Fei sat down on the sofa opposite Qi Yufei, hanging his head like a criminal awaiting judgment. Even with his eyes closed, he could guess that Qi Yufei surely knew everything about what had happened that evening. The method he’d used for detoxification seemed rather risqué in retrospect—Ye Qian was just a nineteen-year-old girl, her body not yet fully matured, yet he’d seen her completely exposed and had even kissed her on the backside. Just for that alone, Qi Yufei had every right to demand an explanation.

“What’s this medicine about?” Qi Yufei’s question caught Long Fei off guard. He looked up in confusion. “What do you mean? You’re asking about the medicine?”

Qi Yufei gave him a reproachful glance, smiling. “Why? Is my question so strange, or is there something on your conscience?”

Long Fei, startled, discreetly wiped the sweat from his brow and replied respectfully, “Oh, I just went out to get this medicine for Miss Ye.”

“You know medicine?” Qi Yufei’s eyes were full of curiosity. Like Ye Qian, she was increasingly aware that Long Fei was not an ordinary young man—he seemed to possess some real skills.

Long Fei nodded politely. “I studied with my foster father for a few years. Common ailments are no problem for me.”

With a thoughtful “Oh,” Qi Yufei paused before asking, “Where is your foster father from? Where is your hometown? Do you have any family?”

Long Fei’s expression changed, and after a moment’s hesitation, he furrowed his brow and said, “I don’t know where I’m from, and I don’t know where my foster father was from either. But we lived in Hubei. I was an orphan from childhood, and my foster father passed away just a few days ago, so aside from a younger sister, I have no other family in this world.”

Noticing the gloom on Long Fei’s face, Qi Yufei realized her question had touched upon something painful or forbidden for him. She quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. And thank you for saving Qian. She’s very grateful to you, just like I am! Honestly, Qian is a good-hearted girl, even if her temper isn’t the best, and she’s got a real talent for business.”

Long Fei glanced at Qi Yufei cautiously, not quite understanding what she meant. Was she not going to hold him accountable for taking liberties with her daughter? Or had Ye Qian concealed some of the truth?

Seeing Long Fei remain silent, Qi Yufei continued, “By the way, don’t call her Miss Ye anymore—just call her Qian. It’s more intimate that way. And you don’t have to call me Mrs. Ye either. Just call me Aunt Qi.”

“Is that appropriate?” Long Fei was a little troubled. He couldn’t quite grasp Qi Yufei’s intentions. Was she deliberately drawing him closer? Could it be that she really wanted him to take responsibility? Long Fei let his imagination run wild—if he had to marry that little demon, it would only be acceptable if Aunt Qi herself was included. The thought of such a future made a sly, lecherous smile creep onto his lips.

Noticing Long Fei’s suddenly lascivious grin, Qi Yufei blushed and asked, “Long Fei, what are you thinking about?”

“Huh?” Long Fei jumped. “Nothing, nothing. I’ll go prepare the medicine for Miss Ye—oh, for Qian! You should get some rest too.”

“Do you know how to brew medicine?” Qi Yufei regretted the question as soon as she asked it. If Long Fei knew medicine, of course he’d know how to brew it.

Indeed, if Long Fei didn’t know how to brew herbal medicine, hardly anyone would. His mastery of traditional medicine surpassed that of most so-called experts.

By the time Long Fei brought the freshly brewed decoction to Ye Qian’s room, she was lying there quietly, staring at the ceiling, her whole demeanor gentler than before—a marked change from the previous day. Long Fei felt a pang of guilt. Perhaps what had happened today would affect her for the rest of her life. Maybe she would never again be the carefree, audacious Ye Qian she once was. People grow up, and with growth comes pain; those who are still young long for maturity, while the grown often yearn for the innocence they’ve lost.

Qi Yufei was sitting by Ye Qian’s bedside, but had fallen asleep, her pose tender and endearing. The thin nightgown outlined her graceful curves, stirring Long Fei’s heart with a sudden urge to carry her to her own bed—but in the end, he had the desire, but not the courage.

“Drink this medicine—it will help you recover more quickly,” Long Fei said softly.

Ye Qian’s expression shifted again, regaining her usual look as she frowned and pouted, “I don’t want to.”

Long Fei was taken aback. “Why not?”

“Because it’s bitter.”

Her reasoning made Long Fei want to laugh and cry. If medicine wasn’t bitter, how could it cure anything? She was obviously just being difficult. He grew a little angry—he had spent half the night brewing that decoction, a prescription that would have amazed even the best specialists, perhaps even fetched a high price. Yet Ye Qian showed no appreciation.

“Are you going to drink it or not? If not, I’ll just go pour it out.” Long Fei’s tone hardened, his voice suddenly louder.

“What’s going on?” The noise finally woke Qi Yufei, who rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked.

“She says she won’t drink the medicine. Fine, I’ll pour it out. But without it, she’ll be stuck in bed for half a month!” Long Fei turned to leave.

But Ye Qian called out anxiously behind him, “Come back—I’ll drink it!”

Long Fei, bewildered by her sudden change of mind, said with a wry smile, “Didn’t you just refuse? Why the change?”

“Why do you care? I’ll drink it if I want, not if I don’t. Right now, I’m thirsty anyway—call it quenching my thirst, hmph!” Ye Qian’s face flushed; her fib was so transparent.

Seeing the quarrel resume, Qi Yufei didn’t try to intervene. Instead, she smiled, knowing her daughter’s moods better than anyone. She understood Ye Qian was simply pouting at Long Fei, but Long Fei was too dense to get it.

When Ye Qian drank the medicine, she scowled and shot Long Fei a fierce glare.

After a long, exhausting night, it was nearly three in the morning when Long Fei finally headed to bed. Qi Yufei thanked him again, but refused to leave Ye Qian’s side. Before long, Ye Qian drifted off to sleep.

Watching her daughter sleep peacefully, Qi Yufei gazed at her beautiful face, her thoughts drifting back to Beijing, twenty years before.

Long Fei’s medicine worked wonders; after a night’s rest, Ye Qian woke up feeling much better, able even to get out of bed. Seeing her mother still sitting by her side, dark circles under her eyes, Ye Qian felt her own eyes sting, as if tears might fall.

“You’re awake?” Qi Yufei asked, gently stroking Ye Qian’s hair, her voice full of concern. “Are you feeling better?”

Ye Qian nodded silently, then slowly sat up and said in a spoiled tone, “Mommy, I’m hungry!”

“All right, I’ll make you breakfast—your favorite: congee with preserved egg and lean pork!” Qi Yufei’s heart finally settled now that she saw her daughter was truly recovering. She had doubted Long Fei’s medical skills at first, but now she was thoroughly convinced—he really was a miracle doctor in her eyes.

“Wow, I love your congee the most, Mommy!” Ye Qian cheered.

Remembering how embarrassed she’d been in front of Long Fei the night before, Ye Qian’s face flushed red. After pushing her mother out of the room, she darted into the bathroom for a shower—after the ordeal of the previous night, she really was in need of a good wash.

To her surprise and delight, the wound on her backside had miraculously healed. Though a faint mark remained, it was barely visible. Like any girl, she cared about her appearance—even a tiny scar, though hidden, was a flaw. Now, thanks to Long Fei’s treatment, it was almost invisible.

A smile blossomed on Ye Qian’s face, a smile meant especially for Long Fei—though, of course, he had no idea. Nor did Ye Qian know that Long Fei had expended a great deal of inner strength to heal her, and that, to avoid leaving a scar, he had used his mouth and energy to draw out the poison—otherwise, he could simply have let a doctor handle it.

Leaving Ye Qian’s room, Qi Yufei hurried off to shower as well. She paused unconsciously by Long Fei’s door, then tiptoed past.

When Qi Yufei entered the kitchen, she could hardly believe her eyes. Long Fei was humming a tune while preparing breakfast. The omelet on the stove looked perfect, the milk was already hot, and something was bubbling merrily in the clay pot.

“You—you—” Qi Yufei pointed at Long Fei, shaking her head.

Long Fei grinned. “You slept in so late, I got hungry, so I decided to make breakfast. Is that so strange? Never seen a man cook before? If you think this is surprising, wait till you see what else I can do!”

It was true he was hungry, but it was hardly late at all. Qi Yufei understood his good intentions and felt a touch of gratitude.

“Let me help you!” Qi Yufei squeezed into the kitchen.

“No need—ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to—” Long Fei had just turned around to refuse her help, but instead collided headfirst with Qi Yufei, who had rushed in. Feeling the softness of her chest pressed against him, Long Fei nearly lost control, but his self-restraint was strong, and Qi Yufei’s reaction was fast—she drew back immediately.

“It’s fine, it’s not your fault. I’m just making congee with preserved egg and lean pork for Qian—she loves it best!” Blushing, Qi Yufei lifted the lid off the pot and gasped in surprise.

“Ah, it smells wonderful!”

The aroma was indeed enticing. Not only did Qi Yufei praise it, but Ye Qian, who had just come downstairs, was drawn by the scent as well.

“Wow, it smells amazing! Mommy, did you finish it so quickly? Wait—Long Fei, what are you doing here, cooking in the kitchen?” Ye Qian exclaimed, pointing at Long Fei in surprise. She’d hired him as a bodyguard, not a housekeeper! Was he here to take advantage of her mother?

(Today’s update may end here. Over the weekend, I’ll reach a hundred thousand words—I won’t let everyone down!)