14 Chapter 14 (Revised)

When Wen Jingyi was brought over, a servant had already been notified to prepare a medical kit, which had just arrived.

Just as Xie Jinnan began to ask, the servant carrying the kit reached the doorway. The servant inside immediately took it, asking cautiously, "Young Master, do you intend to dress the Young Mistress's wounds yourself?"

Let Xie Jinnan dress her wounds?

Wen Jingyi refused almost without thinking, "There's no need, just let the servant..."

"You may leave."

The servant, as if granted an amnesty, quickly set down the medical kit and hurried out.

Xie Jinnan rarely returned to the family estate, and even when he did, he never stayed long, let alone lost his temper there. However, his grim expression just now, even if not quite a full-blown rage, was enough to strike fear into anyone. The servants were desperate to get away, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.

With only the two of them left in the bedroom, Wen Jingyi looked at the tall man before her, his imposing stature casting a shadow that seemed to envelop her completely. The atmosphere turned inexplicably strange. Wen Jingyi opened her mouth, "I can do it myself."

Xie Jinnan, however, acted as if he hadn't heard her. He retrieved burn ointment and medical cotton swabs from the kit. When he turned to look at her, his gaze—firm and unyielding—directed her toward the chair beside her. In a low, gentle, yet authoritative voice, he said, "Sit down and let me apply the medicine."

Perhaps accustomed to his gentlemanly demeanor, the sudden shift to assertiveness sent a strange sensation through Wen Jingyi. By the time she realized it, she was already seated, forced to look up at the man standing before her.

He remained standing. He tore open the swab packaging, took out two, dipped them in the ointment, and then leaned down, gently applying it to her reddened hand. His touch was light and his technique practiced; other than a slight itching sensation, Wen Jingyi felt almost no pain.

So, a grown man could be this gentle.

She raised her eyes, gazing at his lowered, long eyelashes. Against the light, his facial contours were cast in shadow, making them appear deeper and more defined, his cold and aloof features softened.

"Thank you," she said.

Xie Jinnan had just finished applying the medicine when he heard her thanks, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He felt he had told her more than once not to be so formal with him. For now, he chose not to dwell on it, tossing the used swabs into the wastebasket and fixing his gaze on the young woman. "Who did this?"

Wen Jingyi was such a dignified and well-mannered person; since they had met, he had never seen her lose her composure. Given her nature, she would have been extremely cautious during her first visit to the family estate, and it was unlikely she would have been so clumsy as to lose her grip on a teacup and spill it on herself.

Wen Jingyi had not expected him to care so much about the incident, and she hesitated to tell the truth. But if she didn't, he could likely just ask the servants. He would find out eventually. She could tell that while Shen Baoning didn't like her, the spilling of the tea had truly been unintentional.

"Shen Baoning?" The girl remained silent for a long time, so Xie Jinnan guessed it himself. Seeing her eyes flicker, he confirmed his suspicion, his gaze darkening.

Earlier in the study, he had heard his father mention that Shen Baoning was bringing Lin Zhiyu over today, which was why he had set aside his work and rushed to the backyard. Lin Zhiyu was reserved and unlikely to cause trouble. Shen Baoning, however, was like an unbridled horse, sometimes acting without regard for consequences. He had gone over precisely because he feared she would do something similar to what she had done back in Nancheng.

Who would have thought he would still be a step too late?

"Jinnan, I'm really fine. And Baoning didn't mean it. With so many elders present, a child like her wouldn't be so bold."

Wen Jingyi did not want to start off her marriage by picking fights with the Xie family. Besides, it was an accident, and there was no need for her to hold a grudge.

Xie Jinnan kept his handsome face stern; if a servant were to walk in now, they likely wouldn't even dare to raise their heads. Wen Jingyi felt a sudden sense of helplessness. She now understood just how much he valued his word—he had promised her respect and protection, and he was clearly a man of his word.

Not knowing how to persuade him otherwise, she reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve, looking up at his face, her voice soft and delicate, "Jinnan, can we just let this go?"

The girl's voice was extremely soft, laced with a plea.

Xie Jinnan's gaze shifted downward to the girl's fair, slender fingers. She was clutching his sleeve, not daring to grab much, just a tiny bit—like a kitten’s furry paw hooking onto his clothes, trying to act spoiled.

He suddenly felt that being acted spoiled by a young woman might not be such a bad thing.

Noticing his gaze, Wen Jingyi followed it and realized he had been staring at her hand on his sleeve. Her cheeks flushed, and she immediately pulled her hand back, still attempting to reason with him, "I just married into the family, I don't want to cause a scene."

Xie Jinnan’s gaze drifted over her withdrawn hand, his tone indifferent, "As you wish."

Wen Jingyi’s eyes curved into a smile, "Thank you."

Xie Jinnan was already tired of hearing her thanks. He turned and headed to the walk-in closet, where he indeed found numerous clothes and jewelry items prepared for her. Given his mother’s personality, even if she hadn't prepared them herself, she would have ensured that He Ru had everything taken care of.

The style of his bedroom had changed significantly. Though it still appeared masculine at first glance, many details now included feminine touches—the heavy curtains had been replaced, the bedsheets were now light-colored, the closet was filled with a girl's clothes, and the bathroom was stocked with her toiletries. There were even various skincare products on the vanity.

His gaze swept over the dazzling array of dresses on the rack. He selected a dress with loose sleeves, walked directly to Wen Jingyi, and handed it to her, "Change your clothes; we can head over for lunch afterward."

Wen Jingyi took the dress, "Okay."

Xie Jinnan was about to step out to give her space, but realizing something, he turned back, "Can you manage to change on your own?"

Wen Jingyi instinctively tightened her grip on the dress and nodded, "I can."

Watching the girl instantly grow tense, Xie Jinnan found it somewhat amusing—she was still just a young girl after all. "Do you need someone to help you?"

As if terrified he might insist on helping, Wen Jingyi quickly replied, "No, thank you."

"Hm."

Xie Jinnan turned and walked out.

Wen Jingyi let out a sigh