Sister Hua was dazed, unaware that Jiang Feng had removed her pajamas until warm water enveloped her, snapping her back to clarity. Her eyes widened in disbelief, a mix of frustration and anger toward Jiang Feng.
Jiang Feng gave a wry smile, unable to explain. Stepping back, he sat on the floor, circulating his inner energy.
Noticing Jiang Fengâs sweat-soaked forehead, Sister Hua realized his effort wasnât intentional exploitation. Feeling slight guilt, she closed her eyes, savoring the warm waterâs comfort.
After about half an hour, Jiang Feng stood and approached the bathtub. The clear water had turned dark with impurities, signaling the treatmentâs progress. Given Sister Huaâs condition and his current cultivation, one session could only suppress her illness for a few days. Two more treatments were needed to prevent relapse for two years. A complete cure depended on both their luckâespecially his. If he couldnât break through to Foundation Establishment within two years, Sister Huaâs life would be limited to that time.
Jiang Feng kept this to himself. He grabbed a large towel to lift Sister Hua from the tub when a loud “bang!” echoedâthe roomâs door was kicked open from outside.
A tall figure rushed in.
âYoung Master Bai, President Hua is occupied. Please donât disturb her,â Ding Lin said urgently beside the figure. Ignoring her, he pushed Ding Lin aside, his gaze landing on Jiang Feng and Sister Hua in the tub.
Jiang Feng stepped between Sister Hua and the man. Recognizing him, his brow furrowedâBai Pojun of the Bai family.
Unlike typical aristocratic heirs, Bai Pojun was tall, rugged, and tanned from military service. His rough charm was marred by sinister eyes that unsettled Jiang Feng. Their gazes locked, anger flaring in Bai Pojunâs eyes.
Two days prior, Bai Pojun had invited Sister Hua to dinner and was rejected, leaving him irritated. Now, personally visiting, he was blocked by Ding Lin. As a Bai family member, Ding Lin couldnât stop him. Finding the door locked, he assumed Sister Hua was avoiding him. Furious, he kicked it open, unprepared to find Jiang Feng there.
Even more shocking was the intimate sceneâSister Hua in the tub, clearly unclothed, obscured only by Jiang Feng. Though Bai Pojun couldnât fathom why Sister Hua, who usually disdained Jiang Feng, was so close to him, the thought that Jiang Feng had taken what he coveted darkened his expression further.
Ding Lin, unaware of the treatment, regretted not stopping Bai Pojun, nearly in tears. She almost mistook the scene for something scandalous.
Jiang Feng glanced at Bai Pojun, then ignored him, wrapping the towel around Sister Hua. Though unaware of her ties to Bai Pojun, he felt responsible for undressing her and now ensured her modesty.
Bai Pojunâs eyes blazed at this. âJiang Feng, what are you doing? Get lost!â he roared.
Frowning, Jiang Feng replied coldly, âIâm busy. If youâre smart, leave now.â
Bai Pojun sneered, stepping closer. âJiang Feng, rumors say your guts have grown. You think you can order me? Who are you?â
Sister Huaâs expression shifted. âYoung Master Bai, donât act rashly,â she said hoarsely, her voice barely audible.
Her words fueled Bai Pojunâs rage. Her hoarse voice suggested to him something intense had happenedâsomething he couldnât accept. Worse, she seemed to protect Jiang Feng, intensifying his fury. âSister Hua, I respected you. If Iâd known you were this loose, Iâd have had you long ago!â
Angry and embarrassed, Sister Hua knew heâd misunderstood but was too weak to clarify. âYoung Master Bai, itâs not what you think. Please leave.â
âYou want me gone to keep your little affair?â Bai Pojun spat venomously.
Sighing, Sister Hua tried to explain, not for her own tarnished reputation but to protect Jiang Feng from Bai Pojunâs wrath. Her frailty made speaking difficult.
âSo itâs true!â Bai Pojun pointed at Jiang Feng, nearly jabbing his face. âGot anything to say?â
Jiang Feng, done talking, grabbed Bai Pojunâs finger and snapped it with a crack. Kicking his knee, he said calmly, âBai Pojun, youâve heard the rumors. My temperâs not great. Get out.â
âYouâŚâ Bai Pojun stared at his broken finger, shocked and furious. Heâd underestimated Jiang Feng, expecting no resistance. Yet Jiang Feng acted swiftly, breaking his finger before he could react, rendering his military training useless.
âOut!â Jiang Feng barked.
âFineâŚâ Bai Pojun laughed coldly, glaring. âJiang Feng, youâve got nerve. Believe me, once you step outside, Iâll ruin you!â With that, he stormed off.
To Jiang Feng, the threat was laughable, though he found the situation wryly amusing. He hadnât sought trouble, yet here he was, offending another.
Sister Hua, equally bemused but too weak to speak, looked at him with worry and a hint of deeper emotion.
Understanding her concern, Jiang Feng brushed it off. Having already crossed the Li family, one more enemy like the Bai family hardly matteredâespecially with the Huatian Racecourse sabotage likely to stir more trouble.
He wrapped Sister Hua securely in the towel, carried her to the bed, and removed the acupuncture needles. Seeing her condition stabilize slightly, he relaxed. Intending to ask about the racetrackâs visitors that day, he saw her exhaustion and gave up, offering care instructions before leaving.
Ding Lin glanced at Sister Hua, then followed Jiang Feng. âYoung Master Jiang, Iâm sorry. I couldnât stop Bai Pojun.â
Unlike Li Yuanjue, Bai Pojun was a key figure in Yanjingâs second-greatest family, not just arrogant but formidable. After this humiliation, Ding Lin dreaded the consequences.
Jiang Feng smiled lightly. âItâs fine. Donât worry.â
Ding Lin sighed. âYoung Master Jiang, President Hua misunderstood you before. I hope you donât hold it against her.â
âNo,â Jiang Feng said simply. Sister Hua had paid for her actions, and dwelling on it would be petty.
Relieved, Ding Lin added, âYoung Master Jiang, President Hua visited Yanjing University to find you. When she learned you were detained after clashing with Li Yuanjue, she rushed to the police station to help. Youâd already left, but after your car accident, she, Miss Chen Siran, and Miss Zhao Wuxia took you to the hospital.â
Chen Siran? Jiang Feng had heard from Ma Lianhao that Sister Hua and Chen Siran visited the hospital but didnât know theyâd brought him there. Curious, he asked, âWhat did Chen Siran want with me?â
âIâm not sure,â Ding Lin replied. âIt seemed important. She was anxious and concerned. You could call her to find out.â
Jiang Feng nodded.
Suddenly his phone rangâit was Ma Lianhao, saying heâd found a house and asking him to check it out.
Bidding Ding Lin farewell, Jiang Feng took a taxi to meet Ma Lianhao.