Wanqiu calmed down.
Chu Yigui held Wan Qiu's hand the whole time, and his warmth touched Wan Qiu, turning her cold fingertips into a healthy, rosy hue.
When he released his grip, Wanqiu's fingers were warm, but it was unclear whether he had warmed Wanqiu or simply left the warmth to Wanqiu.
"Where should I sleep tonight?" Chu Yigui asked.
Time flies, and many of the residential buildings across the street have already turned off their lights, signaling the arrival of night.
After thinking it over, Wan Qiu decided to give up her favorite little bed, saying, "You can sleep in my bed."
"And you?" Chu Yigui asked.
"I'll sleep on the sofa."
Chu Yigui nodded.
Sitting on the narrow single bed, Chu Yigui's fingers unconsciously stroked the mattress.
The bed had only a very thin mattress, and was hard, almost like a bed frame, but it was very clean.
Chu Yigui glanced at her phone; there was a message from Yang Xiaoyu.
Mother: Yi Gui, could you do me a favor? Could you please treat Wan Qiu's injury?
Mom: I saw that his bruises were very bad today. I don't know how the rest of his body is. I'm really worried.
Mom: I put the ointment at the door.
Mom: I'm sorry to trouble you, Yigui.
A series of messages made Yang Xiaoyu's worries almost overflow the screen.
Yang Xiaoyu may not be a perfect mother, but there is no denying that she is trying her best to be a good mother.
Chu Yigui tilted her head and asked, "Want to take a shower before bed? You sweated a lot today."
"Yes." Wan Qiu nodded.
Chu Yigui casually made an inviting gesture: "You go first."
Wan Qiu nodded.
Chu Yigui watched as Wan Qiu entered the bathroom, took in a clean set of clothes, and closed the door.
Hearing the sound of running water coming from the bathroom, Chu Yigui went to the door.
A plastic bag full of various medicines lay quietly by the door. Chu Yigui opened each one to read the instructions.
In the cramped bathroom, water dripped down Wan Qiu's slender, thin shoulders as she carefully and meticulously washed herself.
When Wan Qiu was alone in the bathroom, his expression finally became somewhat dazed.
He actually made a friend.
His friend is very beautiful, has beautiful handwriting, beautiful hands, and a pleasant voice.
As Wan Qiu lathered himself with soap, he noticed a tiny bubble shimmering with iridescent light under the dim bathroom light. The little bubble that had caught Wan Qiu's attention suddenly burst open for no apparent reason.
Wan Qiu felt that Chu Yigui was very similar to this bubble.
The gauze on her arm got wet by accident, so Wanqiu simply took it off and cleaned it with soap.
Wanqiu will preserve anything that might be useful in the future.
My mom just doesn't like having trash in the house, so it has to be hidden.
"Wanqiu, what are you doing?" Chu Yigui's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "You've been washing for a long time, do you need any help?"
Wanqiu looked at the gauze he was washing in his hands, realizing that this had wasted some time.
Chu Yigui's voice was very close; she must be standing right at the door.
He wasn't dressed yet, and subconsciously reached out to grab his clothes, forgetting to answer Chu Yigui's question first.
As if she was worried about him, Chu Yigui pushed open the bathroom door.
Ning Qiaozhen disliked Wanqiu locking the door, and Wanqiu had not developed the habit of locking the door.
Suddenly, Wan Qiu stood in the water and met Chu Yigui's gaze.
The air was somewhat silent, and Wanqiu's dry clothes, which she had used to cover herself, were gradually dampened by the water falling from the showerhead.
It was seen.
His injuries were seen.
Wan Qiu's obvious panic.
Chu Yigui looked at Wan Qiu for a long while before lowering her eyes and saying, "I'm sorry."
Chu Yigui closed the door, but there was no remorse in her expression.
He opened the door on purpose.
As a friend who was unaware of Wanqiu's injuries, he had no sufficient reason to treat Wanqiu; he needed a 'chance' opportunity to see the injuries.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, Chu Yigui was still shocked when she actually watched it without any reservations.
Chu Yigui rubbed his forehead, Wan Qiu's figure still lingering in his field of vision.
Standing in the water, the water flow could not conceal the hideous and terrifying scars covering Wan Qiu's skin.
Wan Qiu was very thin, with shoulders so thin that the joints protruded slightly, like a walking skeleton, strongly supporting a fragile body.
Such a body could even be described as bizarre, but it was not ugly; it had excellent curves, which was enough to prove that it was an excellent body.
However, this excellence was not appreciated.
Chu Yigui witnessed firsthand just how cruel the misfortune that befell Wan Qiu truly was.
Wanqiu stayed in the bathroom for a long time, then put her pajamas back on, along with long sleeves and trousers.
The fact that the traces that should not have been seen were seen again left Wanqiu at a loss.
"Why are you wearing so many layers in this heat?" Chu Yigui asked when he saw Wan Qiu come out.
"Mm." Wan Qiu looked away.
"Don't you want me to see it?" Chu Yigui asked bluntly.
Wan Qiu nodded, then shook his head.
It wasn't just because she didn't want to be seen, but also because Ning Qiaozhen was unwilling.
"Did you show these marks just for me? When you accused your dad of hitting you, I didn't care? Are you trying to play tricks on me? Do you think I'm easier to bully than your dad?"
Ning Qiaozhen's tendency to take her anger out on others when she was in a bad mood made Wan Qiu absolutely refuse to expose her wounds to the air, even when she was at home.
The clothes that other people's children gave him, which he had outgrown, were reused as his pajamas.
"I bought some medicine." Chu Yigui flicked the plastic bag beside her, making a rustling sound. "I want to apply the medicine for you, is that alright?"
Wan Qiu was stunned, somewhat bewildered.
“Your injuries are a bit serious. If you don’t want me to see you, I can take you to see a doctor.” Chu Yigui’s tone was casual, not forceful, and even gentle.
But the more casually Chu Yigui mentioned his injury, the more she was reminding Wan Qiu that they had been discovered.
—If anyone finds out I hit you, you're not allowed to go to school anymore.
—If you dare cause me trouble, you'll never be able to leave this house again.
"I'm not injured." Wan Qiu clutched the hem of her clothes and pulled it down, struggling to deceive herself.
Chu Yigui stared at Wan Qiu, as if he were looking at a young hedgehog that had already raised its soft, sharp spines all over its body, trying its best to defend itself but to no avail.
Chu Yigui's expression softened, and he asked, "Wanqiu, do you know that friends will definitely have one or more little secrets?"
"Hmm?" Suddenly having the topic changed, Wan Qiu looked at Chu Yigui again to observe Chu Yigui's expression.
Chu Yigui was smiling. This smile might not have been one of happiness, but it was calm, like a gentle breeze caressing a hedgehog, telling it that it was safe.
"Let's keep this a little secret between us."
secret?
This secretive, somewhat taboo word touched Wan Qiu.
"No one who shouldn't know will know; it's a secret." Chu Yigui spoke slowly, word by word, giving Wan Qiu ample time to process it.
Chu Yigui pointed at Wan Qiu, extended her little finger, and slightly bent it: "Is that alright?"
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