Chapter 18 It is proper for husband and wife to help each other…
Chapter 18
Thinking to herself, no matter how much they outwardly opposed each other, Jiang Xuli ultimately cared about her father, Jiang Mingxu.
That's normal.
After all, Jiang Mingxu and his ex-wife divorced, and their child had been living with him ever since. Over the years, the father and son had depended on each other, so Jiang Xuli naturally had a deep dependence on his father.
However, Chinese parents have always been ashamed to say "I love you." They use strictness instead of gentleness and blame instead of concern. As a result, the children they raise are clumsy and awkward in expressing their attachment.
Besides, Jin Ran felt that Jiang Mingxu really didn't know how to raise children.
Even she, a former unmarried woman, knows that when a child is sick, what they need is care, not blame.
Thinking this way, Jin Ran suddenly realized a problem.
Jiang Mingxu is thirty-five years old this year, while Jiang Xuli is fifteen years old. Doesn't that mean the former had a child when he was twenty?
Twenty years old, still in college...
Taking a deep breath, Jin Ran couldn't help but recall when she was twenty years old.
She had just been admitted to university. Compared to the three years of high school, which felt like a prison, the beautiful and free university was like a paradise for new students. She was like a fish in water, enjoying herself all day long.
That year, she actively participated in club activities, made many friends, and even had several passionate romances.
In her view, everything was a normal life experience, but when the person in the story was Jiang Mingxu, Jin Ran's thinking became rather limited, and she simply couldn't imagine Jiang Mingxu pursuing a girl.
Should I offer milk tea with a cold face?
She was slightly amused by her own humor, then realized what she was thinking and immediately shook her head.
Stop! Stop!
Past experience has taught Jin Ran that being curious about a man is not a good thing, because the genes in human nature will make her unconsciously want to uncover secrets.
Deciphering requires getting close and understanding, but when two people get closer, things often develop in a different direction.
Jin Ran has been in relationships and is not opposed to them, but that was only before she transmigrated into the book.
Right now, all she wants to do is focus on her career.
The stable job and generous benefits of a teaching position clearly appealed to her more than men. You see, in her parents' eyes, civil servants and other government-affiliated positions were better than CEOs!
She quickly calmed down. On the other side, upon learning that Jiang Mingxu was injured, Jiang Xuli couldn't wait to go back.
Jin Ran didn't dare let him ride the bike anymore, so she pulled him down and quickly said before the boy got angry, "You don't even know where your dad is. Instead of running around like a headless fly, we might as well have Xiao Sun take us there."
Jiang Xuli frowned deeply, but finally gave in.
Neither of them was in the mood to talk the whole way.
The car sped along the road following the flow of traffic. Jin Ran originally thought they would go to the hospital or some clinic, but unexpectedly, Xiao Sun took them home.
As soon as the car stopped, Jiang Xuli jumped out and ran into the villa. Influenced by him, Jin Ran also became nervous. Although she had thought Jiang Mingxu's wounds were not serious, what if they were?
Remembering the help the other person had given her, Jin Ran quickened her pace.
When the two of them pushed open the door, panting, they saw Jiang Mingxu sitting in the living room, flipping through a magazine.
The man wore a dark gray shirt with the collar half open, revealing his muscular chest. His tanned skin seemed to have a layer of light in the natural light. His long fingers tapped the pages of a magazine, his fingertips piercing the paper like bamboo stalks. If you smelled it closely, there was a faint smell of smoke in the air.
"You're back?"
He turned his head to the side, his voice steady and powerful.
Jin Ran stared at the other person carefully for a moment.
Apart from being a little pale, it seemed there was nothing seriously wrong.
Jiang Xuli was also aware of this.
He was running so fast that his chest was heaving violently due to lack of oxygen, and a metallic taste rose in his throat with each breath.
Upon learning that his father was alright, the boy relaxed after being tense the whole way.
But he was alright. Jiang Mingxu frowned when he saw his condition.
Why are you running so fast?
It was another scolding without even asking any questions. Jiang Xuli found himself getting used to it. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and said expressionlessly, "It's nothing."
His nonchalant attitude and apparent lack of intention to explain made Jin Ran, who was following behind, widen her eyes in disbelief.
No, she doesn't have the awareness to make sacrifices silently...
Call her smart or selfish, Jin Ran knew from a young age that the heroines in novels who silently give their all usually have to go through all sorts of misunderstandings, hardships, and emotional and physical torment before they can achieve a happy ending.
She wasn't that noble, so if she was kind to someone, she would definitely find a way to let that person know.
So he spoke up decisively: "Xiao Sun said your wound reopened, and we were worried about you, so we ran back."
Jiang Xuli, who was instantly proven wrong: "?"
The boy's face turned bright red, and he glared at her, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't do it!"
Jin Ran helplessly shrugged, looking like she couldn't do anything about it: "Fine, you're not worried, and you didn't almost lose your shoes."
It must be something wrong with her eyes; she must have been seeing shoes flying for no reason.
Jiang Xuli: "..."
Across from him, Jiang Mingxu watched the two bickering, his expression shifting from surprise to oddness, and finally to contemplation.
When did the two of them become so familiar?
He put down the magazine and pinched the bridge of his nose wearily: "Xiao Sun is exaggerating. It's nothing serious."
He paused slightly, then said, "Next time you encounter something like this, run slower, or find Assistant Wang."
Assistant Wang was in charge of everything except the housekeeper, which naturally included reimbursing the boss for a pair of lost shoes.
Jin Ran imagined the man's unexpected meaning and chuckled.
This time, Jiang Xuli responded with a snort and stormed upstairs in a huff.
But no matter how you look at that back view, it seems like they're fleeing in panic.
Once the boy's footsteps disappeared at the end of the stairs, Jin Ran turned to Jiang Mingxu again: "Are you really alright? I remember when I was discharged from the hospital last time, the doctor told me not to do any strenuous exercise."
She moved closer and her gaze fell on the man's arm draped over the back of the chair. In fact, she had smelled a faint scent of blood hidden beneath the smoke since earlier, and she noticed that the man was still wearing the same clothes he had worn to the company during the day.
Considering what Xiao Sun had said, Jin Ran boldly guessed that the other party had actually just returned from the company and might have arrived only a few minutes earlier than them.
Jiang Xuli was young and easily provoked, so she didn't think things through. Although she didn't know what had happened, she still suggested, "How about I take a look for you?" out of consideration for the ride.
Jiang Mingxu paused, then raised his eyes.
For some reason, there wasn't a single servant in the living room today. The sun had set outside the window, and in the dim twilight, a blurry, overlapping shadow enveloped the man.
He opened his half-closed eyes, and at that moment, he finally looked her in the eye.
"What are you looking at?"
"Take a look at the wound. If it's bleeding, I can help you with some simple treatment. We can't just leave it unattended." Jin Ran gestured with her hands.
Jiang Mingxu fell silent again.
Jin Ran was speechless. She had no bad intentions, so why was he being so wary? She looked over for no reason and met a pair of dark pupils.
Here it comes, here it comes, that oppressive feeling of being scrutinized!
Jin Ran resisted the urge to look away, and finally, on a whim, she winked at him affectionately.
Jiang Mingxu: "".
It's a long story, I looked away.
The atmosphere suddenly broke. Just as Jin Ran was waiting for a response for a long time and regretting her actions, Jiang Mingsu lowered his eyelids and reached out to unbutton his shirt.
"Um, do you have any bandages at home?"
Seeing this, Jin Ran quickly looked away, appearing very busy, but seemingly busy with something.
Jiang Mingxu was unaware of the situation, so he called the housekeeper.
Upon hearing that Jin Ran needed bandages, Butler Cheng was quite surprised and subconsciously looked at Jiang Mingxu, who nodded: "Give her the things."
Before long, the all-powerful housekeeper Cheng brought over bandages, along with a full set of medical supplies including alcohol, iodine, gauze, and cotton pads.
Everything is ready.
Thanks to Jin Ran's junior high school homeroom teacher, who had studied medicine, she placed great emphasis on safety education and taught students various first aid knowledge from a young age.
So even though it was a long time ago, Jin Ran was able to easily get what she needed from the medical equipment at this moment. She carefully cut open the old bandage on Jiang Mingxu's arm to reveal the wound underneath.
It was a long, narrow abrasion that had already scabbed over, but now it had been violently torn open, revealing a shocking sight of the scarred flesh beneath the centipede-like scab.
Jin Ran felt pain just looking at him, but Jiang Mingxu didn't react at all, as if he didn't feel anything.
She reminded me, "I'll redo it for you. I might use a bit of force, so just let me know if it hurts."
Jiang Mingxu hummed in agreement.
Whether he will tell or not, only he knows.
Because of the need to treat the wound, the two were unusually close, almost whispering in each other's ears, so close that Jiang Mingxu could smell the pomegranate scent in the woman's hair if he lowered his head slightly.
He held his breath for a moment, thinking he would feel disgusted, but it seemed he didn't.
Jin Ran moved very gently, her fingers occasionally brushing against her arm, so the sensation of her skin was transmitted through tiny dots, warm and cool, like a piece of jade being nourished.
“It’s warm,” he suddenly said.
"What temperature?"
Jin Ran didn't hear clearly. She hadn't bandaged in a long time and was a little rusty, but something was better than nothing. After she finished bandaging, she subconsciously wanted to tie a bow, but she stopped herself at the last minute.
"alright."
Looking at her masterpiece, she was very satisfied and couldn't help but say, "You are the first customer to enjoy my service."
Jiang Mingxu looked down at the crookedly wrapped gauze on his arm, his expression calm: "So shouldn't I pay you some compensation?"
"ah?"
Is this a pleasant surprise? The reward from a powerful CEO must be extraordinary.
Jin Ran really wanted to agree immediately, but for the sake of her public image, she could only reluctantly refuse, "Oh, no need, it's only right for husband and wife to help each other."
Waaaaah, my heart is bleeding.
Jiang Mingxu noticed her subtle movements, a smile flashing in his eyes: "Since we're husband and wife, it's only natural for me to give you a gift. You can think about it carefully, is there really nothing you want?"
His deep, magnetic voice, like the chanting of the Sirens in Greek mythology, was full of allure and magic.
Jin Ran thought to herself, of course she wanted something.
They want money, they want power, and they want to secure a teaching position.
But reason told her that she couldn't say any of this.
Jiang Mingxu wasn't stupid, nor was he a philanthropist who would throw money around for fun. There were some things he could give her willingly, but she couldn't ask for them directly.
Jin Ran could only rack her brains to think of something that could replace it.
Then something really came to her mind.
Something that won't ruin your image and can also satisfy your own needs.
"You really want to pay me?"
She cautiously probed.
“Of course, it’s still because you don’t want it.” Jiang Mingxu thought for a moment, “If you really don’t want it, then…”
"I want it, I want it." Jin Ran immediately interrupted him, a charming smile on her face. "Okay, you said it yourself. I can't just bring it up and then complain that I'm asking for too much."
Jiang Mingxu looked at her with interest: "You go first."
"I would like to request that a desk and a chair be placed in your study as my own private office space!"
Since Jiang Mingxu returned from her business trip, she has been forced to move her study from the study to the bedroom. As everyone knows, people get sleepy when they are near a bed, and her study efficiency has been greatly reduced these days!
Jin Ran had been troubled by this for a long time, but now she finally had a solution. Moreover, this request did not involve any monetary interests and could be packaged as a little scheme for her to get closer to him.
Jin Ran had a good plan, but she was still afraid that Jiang Mingxu would object. At first, she spoke with great enthusiasm, but later her momentum unconsciously weakened: "Is it okay?"
Her eyes were bright and clear, like those of a fawn in the forest.
Jiang Mingxu deliberately frowned, and seeing the other person's uneasy expression, his already less-than-pleasant mood turned strangely pleasant, and he finally nodded.
"Can."
Upon hearing this, Jin Ran immediately smiled, her heart leaping with joy. She was the type to brighten up at the slightest bit of kindness, and just as she thought her demands were simple enough, perhaps she could even push her luck a little further, the butler led someone in.
"I heard you're injured again, let me see." Wei Mo appeared like a gust of wind, and as soon as he got close, he saw the crooked bandages on Jiang Mingxu's arm and couldn't help but exclaim, "Who wrapped it like that? It looks terrible!"
Jin Ran: "..."
? ? ?
Looking at the person sitting on the sofa, and then at Wei Mo in his white coat, she felt awkward.
It turns out they weren't just ignoring it; they had hired a family doctor.
What's the point of her rushing to bandage someone's wounds? Is she funny?
:)
Seeing this, Jiang Mingxu finally couldn't help but turn his face to the side and cough quietly.
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