Scold her
She was woken up by something poking her.
Let me tell you... Zuo Xiao recalled similar experiences with his predecessors: sometimes it was on a moisture-proof mat at a music festival, sometimes it was on a park bench at night, and the most exaggerated time was when people were queuing at Disneyland, and the person behind them got excited and embarrassed themselves to the point of blushing.
Haha, man.
Zuo Xiao pretended not to know. Her chest rose and fell more violently, as if she were lying on the waves.
Soon, a hand began to move restlessly. It first wandered over her arm, then curved from her wrist to her lower abdomen, stroking it in circles. Just as it was about to move to the next position, she suddenly grabbed it.
"Don't move, or the boat will capsize." She returned the words without changing them.
The other party was really well-behaved and didn't move at all.
"It's too sunny, let's go back to the camp." She said maliciously.
A chuckle came from above, followed by a lewd remark: "There are too many people in the camp, right?"
Zuo Xiao wanted to slap him, or castrate him, but she and he were in an inflatable boat, and with all the noise, their friendship could easily capsize.
She scoffed: "Then you stay here, I'll go back."
Luffy sighed, helped her sit up, and then picked up the oars.
When the boat reached the shore, he jumped into the water and swam back, like a mermaid returning to the sea after saving the prince. Zuo Xiao felt a little strange. He laughed at him for what he deserved, but also felt vaguely that he seemed a little miserable.
He still lay down next to Chen Liqing. Chen Liqing was wearing a floral shirt, shorts, and sunglasses. Zuo Xiao thought he was asleep, but he suddenly asked:
"Is it fun?"
"Very good." Zuo Xiao smiled, "How about you?"
Chen Liqing was silent for a long time, then stood up and said, "Let's go talk over there, okay?"
Chen Liqing walked ahead, and she followed. The two of them went into the woods.
"Are you having so much fun now?"
Sunglasses obscured Chen Liqing's eyes, but they couldn't mask the intensity of his lecture. For a moment, Zuo Xiao saw a reflection of his father in him.
Her father was a typically serious and dreary man. "Sense of humor" was not in his vocabulary, much less the now-popular "relaxed" feeling. In her memory, her father had always been a man of few words for the first twenty years. It was in recent years, after she had been home less and less, that he had gradually become more talkative, often rambling on the phone. His messages were always repetitive, either telling her to return to Nanjing to pursue her career or warning her not to learn bad habits or show up in public. He'd occasionally inquire about her love life, asking her to bring Zhou Zhihui home or arrange for them to meet. Sadly, she hadn't kept her father's advice, except for not showing up online.
Zuo Xiao knew what Chen Liqing was referring to. If it were her father, seeing Luffy, covered in wounds, playing Jenga with her in public, he'd probably be so angry he'd vomit blood and tie her up and take her back to Nanjing.
She smiled and said, "I've been having a lot of fun. Have you lost your memory?"
Chen Liqing shook his head: "You weren't like this before."
"What's this like?"
Chen Liqing took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible, "The Zuo Xiao of the past would not have slept with a man she had just met, flaunted him in public, and...played those disgusting tricks."
Zuo Xiao scoffed and said frivolously, "There are many things more disgusting than this. You're just not lucky enough to see it."
Chen Liqing couldn't hold it in, his lips trembling with anger. After a pause, he said, "Are you really happy playing like this?"
Zuo Xiao raised his eyebrows: "You haven't tried it, how do you know it's unhappy?"
"I can see it." Chen Liqing gritted her teeth. "You're not that into him. Sleeping with him is just a manifestation of your emptiness. Because Zhou Zhihui abandoned you, you gave up on yourself, indulged in depravity, and numbed yourself with alcohol and sex... If you keep going like this, you'll destroy yourself!"
"Is he worthy?" Zuo Xiao laughed in anger. "How hilarious... and you. Before becoming someone's father, can you please look in the mirror first? Why didn't you say you were decadent when you were drinking and partying? Why didn't you say you felt empty when you slept with a girl while drunk?"
Chen Liqing gasped in anger, his face flushing red. Zuo Xiao raised his head and looked at him provocatively. For a moment, the two of them fell silent.
After a while, Chen Liqing said, "I've never been fond of drinking and clubbing. Aside from necessary business engagements, every time I've drunk and clubbed, it's always with you. As for the so-called sleeping with a young girl, you know exactly what it is, so why bother provoking me with that?"
"You mean, you're great, glorious, and right, so you have the right to tell me what to do? Then may I ask, did I let you accompany me? Did I allow you to be my father? What does my self-degradation have to do with you? You're so interesting..."
"It's boring, extremely boring." Chen Liqing interrupted him, his voice trembling slightly, "I'm stupid, I'm cheap, I had to rush to like a heartless person... But Zuo Xiao, I don't owe you anything! If you can listen to these words, then listen, if not, forget it!"
"Wow, you're still feeling wronged?" Zuo Xiao thought he was childish and ridiculous. "Did I make you like me? Do you really like to add drama to yourself?"
In an instant, Chen Liqing's body swayed, and Zuo Xiao almost thought he was going to fall. But he quickly regained his composure, looked at her quietly, and turned away after a moment.
"You're running off after pretending?" Zuo Xiao ran after him, shouting angrily, "Stop!"
Chen Liqing ignored her and quickened his pace. Zuo Xiao quickly followed him, "Chen Liqing, being a father is so satisfying, isn't it? You must apologize to me! You—Ah!"
Chen Liqing stopped and looked back. Zuo Xiao was sitting on the ground with a distorted face.
His expression suddenly changed, and he stepped forward quickly: "What's wrong?"
Zuo Xiao lowered his head and grabbed his right ankle: "I sprained my ankle."
Suspecting she was cheating, Chen Liqing squatted down and looked at her face carefully, only to see that she was biting her lip and her face was pale. Upon closer inspection, he saw tears in her eyes.
He took her hand away and looked down at her ankle: "Does it hurt?"
"Nonsense! Try spraining it yourself!"
"Which way did it sprain? Outward or inward?"
"It seems to be inside—ah!" He raised his head, tears welling in his eyes, "What are you doing?! It hurts so much!"
Chen Liqing took his hand away and curled his lips: "It shouldn't be a big problem. Let's observe for two days first. You can't move your feet for the next two days."
Zuo Xiao exploded on the spot: "I'm in so much pain, and you still say it's okay? Where's your conscience?!" As he spoke, he became sad, "It's all your fault! You scolded me for no reason and even made me sprain my ankle... Damn, you must have done it on purpose!"
"Can you please be reasonable?" Chen Liqing said harshly, but his voice softened. "You wanted to follow me, and you still blame me?"
Zuo Xiao glared at him angrily, saying "Get lost," and tried to stand up. Chen Liqing was quick to pick her up and hold her in his arms.
"I told you not to move your feet. Are you deaf?"
Zuo Xiao's anger faded slightly after being treated this way, and a sense of grievance welled up. He kept nagging, "It doesn't matter if I'm deaf or lame, it's none of your business."
Chen Liqing pursed his lips, said nothing, and walked back in the direction he came from.
It wasn't long before they saw the camp. Zuo Xiao's hands remained hanging down, not around Chen Liqing's neck. Firstly, it wouldn't be nice to be seen in public; secondly, she wasn't worried about Chen Liqing losing his grip and dropping her. This kid had nothing but strength.
By this time, everyone had gathered under the canopy. Little Tiger Teeth came over from next door and joined Zhuang Jinghao, Zhuang Yu'an, and Liang Sirui at a table, playing poker. Luffy stood there, staring toward the woods, like a man staring at his wife.
Suddenly, Chen Liqing appeared at the edge of the woods, holding someone in his arms. Luffy's face changed, and he strode over.
His movement attracted the attention of others. The four people who were playing cards turned their heads to look and were stunned.
"What's wrong?"
"I sprained my ankle." Zuo Xiao said in Chen Liqing's arms.
Luffy didn't say anything, reaching out and taking her into his arms. He returned to the camp and gently placed her on the recliner.
The three girls gathered around and asked, "What's wrong?" Zuo Xiao explained again, "I just twisted my ankle accidentally."
Zhuang Jinghao and Xiao Huya chattered around Zuo Xiao. Chen Liqing came over and said, "It doesn't look serious at the moment. It will be fine after a few days of rest. Don't move your foot for the next two days. Wrap it with a bandage and keep it elevated above your heart. If the pain is unbearable, you can apply ice, but don't use it for more than ten minutes."
After saying that, he walked aside, took off his clothes and went swimming by himself.
Luffy brought over the omelet table, placed a camping box on it, and lifted Zuo Xiao's right leg up. Zuo Xiao waved his hand, motioning him to come closer, and whispered, "I want to go back to the guesthouse to use the restroom. Also, I need to change my sanitary pad..."
Luffy went into the tent, changed into dry clothes and pants, and then carried Zuo Xiao on his back. Zhuang Jinghao also said that they wanted to go back to the B&B together, but Zuo Xiao stopped him: "Female guest No. 2, don't forget your mission."
It was around four in the afternoon, the hottest time of the day. Zuo Xiao lay on Luffy's back, feeling the heat and freshness. She had never been carried on a man's back in the woods in her entire life!
Suddenly, Luffy's thin body looked more masculine. I couldn't help but touch it, thinking, "It would be better if it were thicker."
Back at the B&B, Zuo Xiao directed Luffy to do this and that. Soon, not only was the hygiene issue resolved, but he was also comfortably lounging on the sofa, the air conditioning on, Luffy's legs resting on his head, and being fed cherries and watermelon. It was a bit more pleasant than being by the lake, if only his feet weren't aching.
"You and Chen Liqing went into the woods and sprained your ankle?" Luffy laughed. "Is there some hidden plot that hasn't been unlocked yet?"
"Actually, this is your fault." Zuo Xiao spat the cherry pit into his palm. "You took off your clothes and showed off everywhere. Chen Liqing thought we were playing too wild and accused you of being too ostentatious. She dragged me to the grove and gave me a lecture."
"Haha!" Luffy laughed heartlessly, "So I'm the one who started it. Then I have to be responsible for you."
"Then you'll also sprain your ankle?"
"No, who will take care of you if I sprain my ankle?"
Seeing that it was past five o'clock, Zuo Xiao said, "Send me back to my room and call me when it's time for dinner."
The B&B had two floors and seven rooms, and they had booked the entire place. Luffy carried her up to the second floor and said, "Do you want to take a shower before going to bed? It will be more comfortable."
Zuo Xiao felt that he had bad intentions, but he had indeed been sweating and a shower would be more comfortable, so he agreed.
As expected, what Luffy meant by "take a bath and then sleep" was that they would bathe and sleep together. Zuo Xiao was exhausted from his tossing and turning, and fell asleep soon after lying down.
When she woke up, she smelled the aroma of barbecue, but Luffy was not there. She called him and he came into the house and picked her up.
It was already late, and several people were barbecuing in the yard. Zhuang Yu'an and Liang Sirui were mainly busy, while Chen Liqing was not there. Zhuang Jinghao was playing with his phone alone, looking lonely.
Seeing Zuo Xiao arrive, Zhuang Jinghao quickly moved a chair over and sat down next to her, whispering in her ear, "How did you hurt your foot? What happened between you and Chen Liqing?"
Zuo Xiao told her what he had said to Luffy, and also gave her an important piece of information: it turned out that Chen Liqing himself did not like drinking and clubbing. At heart, he was a good boy who lived a healthy life and an old-fashioned person with conservative ideas.
Zhuang Jinghao looked worried when she heard this: "Then I drank and danced, and even climbed into his bed so frivolously, so I definitely have no chance..."
"Don't be afraid," Zuo Xiao said. "I also drink, party, and sleep with men, but didn't he still fall in love with me? It shows that liking someone is completely uncontrollable, so you still have a chance. But we can indeed adjust our strategy and do more healthy activities with him in the future, and less drinking and partying. By the way, where's he? Where did he go?"
Zhuang Jinghao looked melancholy: "After you and Brother Luffy left, he started to keep to himself and didn't stay with us. I don't know where he went. Maybe he went back to his room to rest."
"This guy is so boring!" Zuo Xiao said angrily.
"Well..." Zhuang Jinghao said hesitantly, "I think he must be angry... He must be very upset when you and Luffy show your affection like that... If it were me, I would definitely cry my heart out..."
"You're quite empathetic." Zuo Xiao scoffed, "Then he hugged me. Do you hate me?"
"That's not the case." Zhuang Jing was so sensible that it made people feel distressed. "You don't like him... Besides, you grew up together, so it's only natural for him to take care of you."
She sighed deeply and continued, "Actually, I'm conflicted. I hope you can make him give up on this idea, so that he might be able to see me. But sometimes I think, how great it would be if you liked him too, so that he would be happy..."
Zuo Xiao was stunned. She knew Zhuang Jinghao was always happy to be a spectator, a little angel who would sincerely applaud others, but she had never expected her to be so self-sacrificing. She was too considerate of others and too self-deprecating. She felt a little sorry for her and a little angry at her lack of fighting spirit. She secretly decided to do her best to help her find a partner.
The sad atmosphere didn't last long, and the little cutie suddenly burst out laughing.
She hugged Zuo Xiao's arm and said with a smile, "That little girl from the camp next door, the one with the cute little canine teeth, guess what she said to you?"
Zuo Xiao thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Are you saying I'm pretty? Or are you saying I'm lucky?"
"Hehe..." the little cutie said heartlessly, "She said you're so awesome! At first she thought my brother was your boyfriend, but later she found out Luffy was the one. Who knew it was Chen Liqing who brought you back from the grove!" She became increasingly excited as she spoke, "Hahaha! She said you're so awesome, you're like the modern-day Wu Zetian! All three of these men are in your harem!"
Zuo Xiao glared at her: "Is it appropriate for me to gossip like this? Don't you consider Chen Liqing at this time? Or your friend Liang Sirui?"
"I admire you..." the little cutie said to her coquettishly, "My master is a heartthrob! With my master giving me advice, why would I worry about not being able to win Chen Liqing?"
At this moment, a cough was heard beside him. It was Luffy, who came over from Zhuang Yu'an and Liang Sirui and said awkwardly:
"Louder! The whole of China will know your master has a harem."
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