Jian Ran nodded and didn't try to persuade him to go back.
On the way back, she couldn't help but think of the time she had bumped into Chu Lulin being confessed to. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked the question that had been lingering at the back of her mind.
"Indulge my nosiness—do you really have someone you like?"
Someone you like so much that there's no room for anyone else.
Chu Lulin was taken aback, his fingers curling slightly at his side. "No."
"It was just an excuse."
Jian Ran blinked.
See, there wasn't really someone who was 'the one.'
"Your acting is really good. You even fooled me a little back then."
Chu Lulin's mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything more.
Not far from the bar path, there was a large lawn. In the evenings, people would set up tents and grills there for camping and barbecuing.
As they passed by, a group seemed to be packing up, taking down tents and dismantling grills.
But as luck would have it, the person folding a tent lost control, causing the tent to tilt and fall straight toward Jian Ran.
"Watch out!" someone nearby shouted.
Jian Ran turned her head at the sound and saw a steel pole from the tent frame hurtling toward her face.
Without thinking, Chu Lulin turned around and shielded her with his body, taking the blow from the steel pole on his back.
It happened so fast that Jian Ran didn't realize what had happened until she heard a low grunt from in front of her.
She quickly pulled away from Chu Lulin's embrace. "Are you okay? Where are you hurt?"
Chu Lulin shook his head slightly and moved his shoulder. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
How could Jian Ran not be worried? She frowned deeply. "Don't move. Let me see."
From his neck to his right shoulder, there was a red mark with minor abrasions.
"Did it hit your head?"
"No."
That was a relief.
By then, the people on the lawn had rushed over. They apologized profusely and insisted on taking Chu Lulin to the clinic, but he adamantly refused.
Even Jian Ran couldn't persuade him. He said it was too much trouble.
Once that guy got stubborn, he was really infuriating.
After they left the lawn area, Jian Ran was still worried. "If you won't go to the clinic, at least remember to apply some medicine when you get back. Do you have a first-aid kit in your dorm?"
Chu Lulin hesitated. "I don't know. I'll look for one when I get back."
He tried to lift his arm and said casually, "It doesn't seem that serious. Probably fine without medicine."
Hearing this, Jian Ran frowned. Not serious?
The red mark on the back of his neck was quite noticeable, and his T-shirt collar was stained with a bit of blood.
"I have a first-aid kit in my room. Come with me to get some medicine first," Jian Ran said firmly.
But then she thought better of it. She was afraid Chu Lulin's careless attitude might make him neglect it. "Actually, forget it. Come back with me. If I don't see you apply the medicine, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
Without giving Chu Lulin a chance to argue, she grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
What she didn't notice was that, in a secluded corner, a certain little white rabbit revealed a big bad wolf-like triumphant gleam in his eyes.
Back at the townhouse, Jian Ran swiped her card, entered, and turned on the lights in one smooth motion.
She pointed to the living room and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "Go sit on the sofa and wait. I'll get the first-aid kit from the bedroom."
Chu Lulin said 'Oh' and obediently sat down on the sofa.
When Jian Ran came out with the first-aid kit and saw him sitting up straight, a hint of satisfaction crossed her face.
At least he was being obedient now.
"You can't reach it yourself. I'll apply the medicine for you."
"Then I'll trouble Big Sister."
Jian Ran placed the first-aid kit on the side table, motioned for Chu Lulin to turn sideways, then knelt on the sofa. She picked up an iodine cotton swab and prepared to disinfect the wound first.
"It might sting a little. Bear with it."
With one hand pulling aside the collar of his T-shirt and the other holding the cotton swab, she leaned in, bent down, and gently dabbed at the wound.
"Hisss—"
Jian Ran's hand froze. She turned to look at him. "Does it hurt a lot?"
Chu Lulin nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on the floor, looking a bit embarrassed. "...A little."
Jian Ran chuckled. "I'll be gentler."