Chapter 029: I Enjoy Being Misunderstood

Suburban villa district.

Jiang Yao hobbled out of the bathroom, wrapped in a bear-themed bathrobe that Ye Yiyi had bought especially for her. She looked rather comical, like a kindergartener just learning to walk.

He Yunqing held a bottle of medicated oil in his hand and motioned toward the sofa with his eyes, signaling Jiang Yao to sit down.

Jiang Yao smoothed her disheveled hair and sat, extending a hand toward He Yunqing, wordlessly asking for the bottle.

He Yunqing, however, ignored her gesture and crouched down to examine her injury himself.

The place she had twisted was already swollen high.

"I can do it myself," Jiang Yao said, withdrawing her foot awkwardly.

“Don’t move,” He Yunqing commanded gently, pulling her foot back.

Unable to resist him, Jiang Yao pressed her lips together. “I don’t really need the medicated oil. If I rest for a couple of days, I’ll be fine.”

He Yunqing glanced up at her, his gaze cool and skeptical.

Jiang Yao swallowed, scratching her head absentmindedly.

He Yunqing’s large hand massaged her ankle with just the right pressure. Seeing her unconsciously flinch away, he looked up and asked, “Does it hurt?”

His deep, magnetic voice was laced with tenderness—enough to make any woman’s heart flutter.

Jiang Yao shook her head vigorously, like a little rattle-drum.

She was simply unaccustomed to it, unaccustomed to another man touching her ankle.

“Cheng Yanchi never touched it either.” She blurted out the words in an attempt to explain herself, but they sounded far more ambiguous than intended.

Jiang Yao immediately wanted to slap herself.

He Yunqing’s fingers paused briefly on her ankle, then continued to knead, half-serious, half-teasing. “Is that so? Then I’m the first.”

“No,” Jiang Yao’s voice suddenly deepened.

He wasn’t the first.

And there was no ‘first time’ any longer.

He Yunqing raised his eyes, glanced at her tense little face, then looked down again at her ankle.

There, a faint scar.

A mark once left by a rope, when it had cut into her flesh and bled.

He Yunqing’s cool fingertips gently traced the scar, asking again, “Does it hurt?”

“It hasn’t hurt in a long time,” Jiang Yao replied. She’d always been able to endure pain—and besides, it had been so many years. Scars, large and small, were nothing new to her.

He Yunqing said nothing, bowing his head as he continued to massage her ankle.

“Thank you for not asking who the first was,” Jiang Yao said softly, clenching her small fist.

He Yunqing pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled, capping the bottle with a breezy air. “I have no interest in anyone else’s romantic history.”

The doorbell rang.

Jiang Yao froze. Who could be visiting at this hour?

She got up, limping toward the door. In the doorway stood a beautifully elegant face—Eileen.

Jiang Yao stopped, stunned, then her mouth fell open wide. She nearly ran back to He Yunqing in a panic.

He, not understanding, frowned and pointed at her ankle. “Don’t run.”

This was no time to debate whether to run or not! If Eileen saw He Yunqing alone with her in such a state late at night, no amount of explanation could clear her name.

In her mind, Jiang Yao could already picture a scene of melodramatic chaos.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the images, then hurriedly pushed He Yunqing into a room and closed the door with a click.

Only then did she return to the entrance and open the door.

Eileen stood smiling faintly. “Hello.”

Jiang Yao glanced around, finally settling her gaze on Eileen, a little puzzled. “Do you know me?”

“Of course not,” Eileen replied, proud and elegant as a swan. “I was looking for Yunqing next door. He wasn’t in, so I thought I’d visit the neighbors. I hope you’ll keep an eye on Yunqing for me when I’m not around.”

She carried herself with all the poise of a hostess.

With that, Eileen raised the gift bag in her hand. “Handmade chocolates—the balance of sweetness and bitterness in this brand is exquisite. I hope you’ll like them.”

“You’re too kind,” Jiang Yao replied politely.

Eileen’s gaze swept casually into the house, her lips curved in a smile. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“Oh—yes, of course.” Jiang Yao stepped aside, gesturing her in.

Eileen’s high heels clicked across the floor as she surveyed the room with cool detachment. “Your place is beautifully decorated.”

She then gave Jiang Yao a once-over from head to toe. “Miss, you’re so young and already able to afford a house here. That’s impressive.”

Jiang Yao scratched her head. “It’s not mine, actually. I’m just staying here—it belongs to a friend.”

“A friend?” Eileen raised her eyebrows, then chuckled. “A male friend, I assume?”

Jiang Yao felt a twinge of discomfort. “Yes. Is there a problem?”

Eileen shook her head. “None at all. Just joking, don’t mind me.”

She turned, folding her arms, looking down at Jiang Yao with a superior smile. “Well, I have things to attend to. I hope Yunqing comes home soon. Most importantly, I hope he’ll keep his eyes open and not get tangled up with any unscrupulous women.”

Jiang Yao frowned. “Of course. I have things to do as well, so I won’t see you out.”

After Eileen left, Jiang Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing onto the sofa and staring up at the ceiling, mulling over Eileen’s words.

He Yunqing emerged from the room, appearing behind her at some point. “Was it necessary to hide?”

Jiang Yao jumped, sitting up quickly. “Of course! If your girlfriend saw us together like that, how could she not misunderstand? Losing your girlfriend might be one thing, but I’d be publicly condemned!”

He Yunqing’s narrow eyes narrowed slightly. “Two things.”

“What?” Jiang Yao blinked.

“First, who told you she’s my girlfriend?” His gaze was sharp, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Jiang Yao fiddled with the bear ears on her robe. “Isn’t it obvious? On set, the two of you seemed so close—who couldn’t see it?”

“So you were watching me on set?” He Yunqing’s lips quirked.

“I—” Jiang Yao was suddenly at a loss for words.

This man always had such a strange, sharp perspective!

“She isn’t my girlfriend,” He Yunqing said quietly.

“She’s not?” Jiang Yao eyed him doubtfully. “Then… what’s the second thing?”

He Yunqing smiled, his expression as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

“Why are you smiling?” Jiang Yao leaned forward.

He Yunqing said nothing, still smiling.

“He Yunqing!” Jiang Yao called his name.

He Yunqing restrained his smile, looking at her with utmost seriousness. “I like being misunderstood.”

Jiang Yao pursed her lips. What a peculiar fetish!