Chapter 137 Were You Not Answering My Call Because You Were Kissing or in Bed?

The quiet kitchen should only have had the presence of pots and pans.

But now, there was a girl standing by the stove that was always kept on to ensure a supply of hot water.

She wore a light purple floral dress, her long, shiny black hair cascading down her back, and her slender figure flickered in and out of the light.

The sunlight fell on her, as if covering her with a golden halo, like an angel.

Everything seemed so perfect, except for her actions.

Chu Xinran was using a ladle to scoop water from the stove and pouring it bit by bit on her right hand, seemingly unafraid of the pain.

Fang Zhou, who had just stepped in and saw her actions, was really startled. He quickly ran over to stop her.

He grabbed Chu Xinran’s hand and tried to take the ladle from her with his other hand.

“Let go of me!”

Chu Xinran resisted, struggling fiercely, and the two of them began a tug-of-war.

“Xinran, what are you doing!”

Fang Zhou’s tone was urgent, not understanding why she was doing this. Was it really that fun to torture herself?

“None of your business!”

You go on a date with Han Xi, why do you care about me!

Seeing Fang Zhou, Chu Xinran’s eyes turned red, but she stubbornly argued with him.

Fang Zhou, being stronger, twisted the ladle out of her hand and tossed it onto the table.

“What’s wrong with you! This hot water isn’t a joke; it could severely burn you!”

“It would be better if it did! Then no one would bother you anymore!”

This was the first time Chu Xinran had spoken to Fang Zhou in such a loud voice, like a cornered little rabbit.

Fang Zhou’s temper flared up as well. Why was she so self-righteous while hurting herself?

For a moment, he even wanted to retort, ‘Then I should really thank the heavens.’

Chu Xinran, emotional, had eyes glistening with sorrow that Fang Zhou couldn’t understand, looking like a porcelain doll that could shatter with a slight push.

Fang Zhou was stunned, taking deep breaths, telling himself repeatedly: Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, this isn’t the time to be angry.

Once he calmed himself, he spoke.

“I didn’t mean that. I’m just worried about you, afraid you’re in pain.”

“Let me see your hand.”

As he spoke, he lifted her hand, placing it under the bright light to examine.

“See, it’s all red and blistering.”

When Fang Zhou’s tone softened, Chu Xinran couldn’t hold it anymore.

The man before her carefully observed her hand, his brows furrowed, forming a deep line, concern etched on his face.

Especially in his eyes, which were mostly filled with tenderness, as if he were looking at a rare treasure.

Her tears flowed like a flood, unstoppable.

Chu Xinran turned her head away, not wanting him to see her so vulnerable.

In Fang Zhou’s heart, he must think she was despicable, always using such tricks to get his attention.

But Fang Zhou, I’m not using tricks; I’m using my true heart to exchange for yours.

Why… do sincere people never get a response?

Is it because I’m not good enough, or because I shouldn’t have called you?

If I destroy the hand that called you, would I not know you were on a date with another girl?

Fang Zhou didn’t know her thoughts. He seriously examined her hand, which was very red with several blisters.

Glancing at the still steaming water on the stove, he saw it was hot but not yet boiling. It was close but not fully boiled.

Fang Zhou felt a chill run through him, quickly pulling Chu Xinran away from the dangerous stove.

He couldn’t even think what would have happened if it had been boiling water; Chu Xinran might have been severely burned.

Why was she so fearless, not afraid of cuts or burns, as if she wasn’t even afraid of death? What was she afraid of?

“You…”

Just as he was about to ask if she was in pain, he saw the school beauty crying, tears on her smooth, porcelain-like face like little pearls, making her look even more fragile.

I knew it, how could it not hurt? She’s crying from the pain!

“Come here, let’s rinse it with cold water to ease the pain.”

Fang Zhou led her to the faucet, turned it on, and put her hand under the running water.

The cool sensation traveled from her hand to her brain, easing much of Chu Xinran’s earlier grievance.

She thought to herself: Maybe I’m still a despicable person. Seeing him so concerned about me, it feels worth it even if I get burned to death.

After two or three minutes, her hand was no longer as red and scary. Fang Zhou’s worry also eased a bit.

“We need to get some burn ointment. You go back and apply some toothpaste first, I’ll go buy the medicine.”

Fang Zhou let go of her hand, giving her instructions, and then prepared to leave. But after thinking carefully, he realized it wasn’t right to leave her alone here.

What if she gets another impulsive idea and starts burning herself again?

“Come with me. I heard from Principal He that there’s a clinic nearby.”

It’s better to go directly to the clinic. Such a beautiful hand shouldn’t be scarred.

“Why do you care about me?”

Chu Xinran stood there blankly, tears hanging on her face, making her look pitiful.

Don’t you hate me? After all, I’m so despicable.

“You’re my junior, my ex-girlfriend, and still my friend now.”

Fang Zhou sighed, not understanding why she was being so roundabout.

If anyone was here, burned by hot water, he would care.

This was Fang Zhou’s instinct as a human, a kindness ingrained in his bones, taught since childhood.

Fang Zhou’s eyes were full of sincerity, so sincere that Chu Xinran seemed to see the way he looked when he confessed to her back then.

The young man, full of vigor, holding flowers, standing before her and saying, “I like you, Xinran, be my girlfriend.”

That moment, even the wind heard the sound of her heart.

“And Han Xi, what is she to you?”

“When you didn’t answer my call while on a date with her, was it because you were kissing or in bed?”

Chu Xinran smiled bitterly, feeling utterly broken.

She was waiting for Fang Zhou’s verdict.

Like a criminal kneeling in court, waiting for the judge to decide her fate.