There's a knife hanging over all of them now. He doesn't know if they can resolve this in the end, whether he'll be implicated, whether he'll still have the right to stand by her side, or even if he'll survive.

Therefore, this relationship must not be revealed until it is confirmed that the matter can be perfectly resolved.

He didn't know what the final outcome would be, so he wanted to treat her as well as possible until the very end, not wanting her to envy others.

Given their family's current status, he is destined not to be too high-profile, so his identity is ultimately not a good match for her.

He didn't have much, but he wanted to give it all to her.

The moment he saw her again and confirmed it was her, his heart, which had already been fluttering with desire, was captivated.

He's completely ruined, and he's unwilling to cut his losses in time.

He wouldn't expect her to respond; in this game of emotions, it was he who had fallen for her.

And she doesn't know anything right now. What if she scares someone away? He won't even know where to cry then.

"Alright, alright, Little Swallow, I won't steal your girl. Yongqi, why don't you apply the medicine to Little Swallow?"

Ertai feigned helplessness and echoed her, his expression remaining completely calm. Everyone's attention was focused on their loved ones, and no one was dwelling on Xiaoyanzi's accidental remark.

Little Swallow's words have zero credibility; otherwise, so many unexpected things wouldn't have happened.

Little Swallow: ...

...

Shen Nian had no idea that Ertai had considered so much in such a short time.

"I... I'll do it."

Seeing the person squatting in front of him applying an ice pack to his forehead, Chen Nian felt extremely uncomfortable. He stammered and reached out to take the ice pack.

Having never been in a relationship, she had never been in close contact with a man, whether in her past or present life. Suddenly being taken care of so carefully by Ertai made her feel flustered.

"Don't be nervous, I won't eat you. I apologize for what happened last time. I didn't mean to offend you, so please don't be angry." Also, stop avoiding me.

Seeing the panic in the person's eyes, Ertai gently comforted him while dodging Chen Nian's hand that was about to touch the ice pack, sincerely apologizing. The rest of the words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.

"Last time?"

Ertai's words successfully diverted Shen Nian's attention. Had she been angry about something last time?

"Yes, I didn't mean to grab your wrist, don't be angry."

Seeing that people were no longer fixated on grabbing the ice pack, Ertai nodded slightly, put down the ice pack, took out the pain-relieving and swelling-reducing ointment he had specially asked Physician Chang for, and began to apply the ointment to the person.

Before she can react, quickly wipe it off for her. Once she comes to her senses, she'll feel embarrassed again.

Don't think she was embarrassed; it was his first time applying medicine to a girl. Despite his calm demeanor, he was actually quite nervous inside.

The cool texture melted away, and whether it was because the ointment was working too quickly or Ertai's fingertips were too hot, Chen Nian's porcelain-white face suddenly felt hot.

I was lost in thought, unsure how to describe that feeling.

"I wasn't angry last time, was I?"

Seeing the sincerity and earnestness in Ertai's eyes, Chen Nian disregarded the discomfort on his forehead and answered seriously.

"If you're not angry, then why have you been avoiding me these past few days?"

Hearing what Shen Nian said, Ertai finished applying the medicine, got up and sat down next to Shen Nian. Seeing that Shen Nian wanted to pour hot milk, he poured her a cup of hot milk first, and then poured one for himself as well.

He sipped his drink slowly, lowering his eyes to hide the tension and anxiety within. He was determined to figure this out to avoid making the same mistake again.

"When have I ever avoided you these past few days?"

She hasn't left the house for the past few days. How did she manage to avoid Ertai? Could it be that someone is impersonating her and hiding whenever they see Ertai?

Chen Nian's thought process was a bit peculiar, and he thought about it jokingly.

She only hid once, the day after she ate his melon seeds; she didn't hide for several days.

"Then why don't you go to the Imperial Study?"

Seeing Chen Nian's serious expression, Ertai inexplicably felt that he must have misunderstood something, and continued to ask.

"Wait a minute, the bruises under your eyes, are they because I didn't go to the Imperial Study?"

Looking at the blue-black hue under Ertai's eyes, Chen Nian's usually dull mind suddenly clicked, and she asked a question in a leap of thought.

"No, it's just that I've been too tired these past few days."

Ertai felt that Chen Nian's leaps of thought needed to be adapted to; they were jumping too fast.

"I see~"

Hearing Ertai say this, Chen Nian believed him and nodded.

She said, how could I possibly influence others? It's good that it's not, it's good that it's not.

"If you want the bruise to fade quickly, you can try the ointment I gave you. By the way, do you still have any ointment? If not, I'll give you some tomorrow."

"No, there isn't any left."

I was about to say yes, but after hearing Chen Nian's last sentence, I quickly changed my mind.

What bad intentions could he possibly have? He just wanted to see her more often.

"Then I'll bring it to you tomorrow?"

Shen Nian didn't doubt Ertai's words; she believed him because he said so.

"Hmm, does that mean you're going to the Imperial Study tomorrow?"

Listening to Chen Nian's words, Ertai asked with anticipation.

"Oh right, how about I have Xuan'er give it to you tomorrow?"

She's currently on sick leave and hasn't gone to the Imperial Study. If she goes to deliver medicine to Ertai tomorrow, wouldn't that mean she's recovered?

No, no, she's not well yet, she doesn't want to go to the Imperial Study.

That reason isn't wrong; she's not fully recovered yet and still needs to take her medicine for another day.

I'll just put it off for as long as I can; Master Ji's class is so boring.

Ertai: ...He finally understands what it means to lift a stone only to drop it on your own foot.

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