Seriously, sir? You can even pursue a professor?

The night is getting darker.

The pattering sound of water gradually stopped.

Suddenly, Ruan Hongzhuang's short, startled cry came from inside the restroom.

Tang Zheng's heart tightened. He quickly got up and ran to the bathroom door. "What's wrong, Aunt Ruan?"

There was a two-second silence inside before Ruan Hongzhuang's somewhat suppressed voice, tinged with pain, came through, "...It's nothing, I just slipped accidentally."

"Did you bump yourself anywhere?"

"No, I just twisted my ankle."

Tang Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. It was alright to twist his ankle; if he had accidentally bumped into something else, it could have been much more serious.

"Are you dressed? Do you need me to come in and help you?"

"No need, I need to rest for a while."

After a while, the bathroom door opened from the inside, and steaming heat rushed out. Ruan Hongzhuang, supporting herself on the door frame, limped out.

Perhaps because she twisted her ankle, the water droplets on her body had not been wiped off completely. Her cotton loungewear was soaked in places, clinging softly to her curvaceous figure.

Her hair wasn't dried properly; her long, dark, damp hair cascaded down like a waterfall, with a few strands clinging wetly to her fair, slender neck. Tiny, crystal-clear water droplets hung from the ends of her hair, swaying gently with her slightly furrowed brows.

Her cheeks were still very red, whether from the lingering effects of the alcohol or from the pain, she couldn't tell; her brows were slightly furrowed and her lips were tightly pressed together.

Tang Zheng stepped forward to help her up. "Which ankle did you twist?"

"Left foot."

Tang Zheng's gaze fell on her left ankle, which was somewhat red and swollen, but it didn't look too serious; it should just be a common sprain.

"Should we go to the hospital to get it checked out?"

"Need not."

"Then let me help you to the sofa to take a look."

"Hmm." Supported by Tang Zheng, Ruan Hongzhuang lifted her foot and tried to walk forward, but as soon as she put weight on her left foot, she gasped in pain and swayed.

"Don't move, Aunt Ruan, I'll carry you over." Tang Zheng said, and before Ruan Hongzhuang could reply, he bent down, supported her knees with one hand, and steadily put his arm around her back with the other, and carried her horizontally.

Ruan Hongzhuang's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and she looked up at him with her watery eyes, her tone still calm: "I'm fine, put me down, I can walk by myself."

"Don't be stubborn." Tang Zheng looked down at her, then picked her up and walked towards the sofa.

Ruan Hongzhuang didn't say anything more; her foot was indeed quite painful.

A faint fragrance wafted from below, entering Tang Zheng's nostrils and making his breathing somewhat disordered, his steps becoming a little heavier.

Aunt Ruan is not light. After all, she is over 1.7 meters tall, which is a bit taller than her sister. In addition, she is very well-endowed in all the right places, even a bit overweight. So her weight can't be too light.

Fortunately, his body is currently at its best, so it wasn't difficult to carry him.

Tang Zheng glanced at Ruan Hongzhuang in his arms, "Aunt Ruan, how much do you weigh?"

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him without speaking, but her gaze carried a dangerous undertone. A chill ran down Tang Zheng's spine and straight to the top of his head.

"This is too light. It feels like I can't feel anything when I hold her. Aunt Ruan, you should eat more. Being too thin is bad for your health." As soon as Tang Zheng said this, his life was saved.

Ruan Hongzhuang withdrew her gaze and ignored Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng continued walking forward. Sure enough, no matter what type of woman she was, she was very concerned about her weight.

Soon, Tang Zheng carried Ruan Hongzhuang to the sofa, bent down, and gently placed her on the sofa.

"Let me check how serious your injury is?" Tang Zheng said, squatting down and looking at the feet that were wearing cute bunny slippers and looked like white jade.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him with her eyes down, her toes twitching involuntarily, her pink toes gently tapping downwards.

"It doesn't look like anything serious. I'll get you some cold water to apply to it; that should relieve the pain and swelling," Tang Zheng said, turning his gaze away and walking towards the bathroom.

He used to sprain his ankle occasionally when playing basketball, so he has some knowledge about this.

Upon arriving at the bathroom, Tang Zheng found a clean towel, soaked it in cold water, wrung it out until it was half-dry, and then returned to the sofa.

"Aunt Ruan, put your feet on the sofa, I'll put an ice pack on them for you," Tang Zheng said, looking at the small feet on the sofa.

"Mmm," Ruan Hongzhuang replied, pulling her foot out of her slipper and then gently placing her leg on the sofa.

Tang Zheng walked to Ruan Hongzhuang's feet, his gaze falling on her sprained ankle. "It might be a little cold."

As he spoke, he gently applied a cold towel to Ruan Hongzhuang's swollen ankle.

The icy sensation made Ruan Hongzhuang tremble slightly, and she unconsciously let out a soft moan, her pearly teeth biting her red lips lightly.

Tang Zheng looked at her. Her cheeks were even redder than before, whether from the pain or from drinking. Her eyes were slightly watery, with red corners. Her long eyelashes were wet and drooping. Her bitten lips were an alluring rosy red.

Tang Zheng's breath hitched, his throat tightened, and he subconsciously swallowed.

"Um... Aunt Ruan, don't move around too much. Apply ice for a while first. I'll go get a hairdryer to dry your hair so you don't catch a cold," Tang Zheng said, getting up and walking towards the bathroom.

Soon, Tang Zheng's figure disappeared from the living room.

Ruan Hongzhuang slowly raised her head, glanced in the direction of the restroom, parted her red lips slightly, and slowly exhaled.

In the bathroom, Tang Zheng went to the sink, scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it on his face. The icy water stimulated his skin and slightly suppressed the inexplicable heat in his heart.

He looked at himself in the mirror, took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, then picked up the hairdryer that Ruan Hongzhuang often used on the sink and turned back to the living room.

In the living room, Ruan Hongzhuang remained in the same position, sitting sideways on the sofa.

Tang Zheng went to the coffee table, plugged in the hair dryer, and went to Ruan Hongzhuang's side.

"I can do it myself." Ruan Hongzhuang turned to look at Tang Zheng and extended her hand.

"You're all injured now, sit down and relax," Tang Zheng said, turning on the hairdryer and adjusting it to a gentle warm setting.

Ruan Hongzhuang did not refuse again. She lowered her head slightly and gathered her wet hair to Tang Zheng's side. A few strands of wet hair clung to her skin, winding downwards and quietly disappearing into the neckline of her cotton loungewear.

Tang Zheng's fingers ran through her slightly cool, damp hair. The warm breeze hummed, blowing her hair and carrying with it her increasingly rich, warm fragrance into his nostrils.

He gently stroked her hair, avoiding getting too close to her scalp in the wind. His gaze fell on her drooping, pale pink earlobes and the delicate lines of her shoulders and neck below her collar, so fair they were almost dazzling, shimmering softly in the warm light.

Tang Zheng's fingertips brushed against the back of Ruan Hongzhuang's ear, making her feel a little itchy. She subconsciously moved her head and leaned forward a little, causing the neckline of her cotton loungewear to swing forward slightly.

A touch of deep purple lace unexpectedly caught Tang Zheng's eye.

The delicate lace patterns are intertwined and outlined, subtly revealing the full and soft curves and shadows underneath.

Tang Zheng paused, his throat tightened, and his breathing slowed down.

He coughed lightly to ease his slightly tight throat, then took a step to the side to avoid the mysterious scenery that had suddenly appeared.

He focused on drying his hair, but the scene that had inadvertently stumbled upon him kept replaying in his mind, over and over again…

The warm air from the hairdryer seemed to become even hotter, causing a few beads of sweat to appear on his forehead.

He turned off the hairdryer, placed it on the coffee table, and looked at the pair of small feet on the sofa. "I'll rinse the towels again."

As Tang Zheng spoke, he walked to Ruan Hongzhuang's feet, picked up the towel placed on her ankle, and turned to walk towards the bathroom.

Upon arriving at the bathroom, Tang Zheng washed his face with cold water again, then rinsed the towel with cold water before returning to the living room, where Ruan Hongzhuang was drying her hair with a hairdryer.

He walked over and gently placed the cold towel back on her ankle. His gaze inadvertently swept over her; she had one hand holding her long hair and the other holding a hairdryer, the curve of her profile exceptionally beautiful.

A warm breeze swept by, causing her hair to flutter gently, revealing her fair neck and beautiful jawline. Her off-white cotton loungewear swayed slightly with the movement of her arms.

Beneath the soft fabric, the curves of the body are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden.

Tang Zheng looked at the television screen not far away and did not choose to blow-dry Aunt Ruan's hair.

He's such a young comrade, he can't withstand so many tests.

Time seemed to stretch out for an exceptionally long time.

The hair dryer finally stopped, and Tang Zheng had changed the cold towel five times in total.

"Is your ankle feeling better, Aunt Ruan?" Tang Zheng turned to look at Ruan Hongzhuang and asked.

Ruan Hongzhuang tried moving her ankle; it was still a little painful, but bearable. She nodded, "Much better."

Tang Zheng glanced at the time on the wall; the hour hand had already passed eleven.

"It's getting late. Let me help you back to your room to rest. Apply some safflower oil to your foot tomorrow, and it should be fine in a few days."

"it is good."

Ruan Hongzhuang put her fair and smooth feet back into the cute bunny slippers, and stretched out her arm so that Tang Zheng could help her stand up.

She leaned her weight on Tang Zheng and tentatively took a step forward. A wave of pain washed over her, and she instinctively frowned.

"How about I carry you back, Aunt Ruan?"

"No need," Ruan Hongzhuang said, frowning, and took another step forward.

Seeing her like this, Tang Zheng bent down and picked her up in his arms again.

One is born, the second is cooked.

Ruan Hongzhuang's body stiffened for a moment, then she looked up at him and said, "Put me down."

Tang Zheng ignored her and turned to walk towards the bedroom.

"Put me down," Ruan Hongzhuang said again.

Tang Zheng ignored him and continued walking forward.

Before Ruan Hongzhuang could say "put me down" for the third time, Tang Zheng carried her to the bedroom door.

"Aunt Ruan, please open the door."

"Put me down, I can walk by myself."

"If you don't open the door, I'll just keep holding you like this." Tang Zheng looked down at Ruan Hongzhuang, looking like a rogue.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him, placed her hand on the doorknob, gently turned it, and opened the door.

The bedroom was dimly lit, with only a small nightlight on the bedside table.

Tang Rui, who was drinking honey water, heard the sound and subconsciously turned her gaze toward the door.

With a thud, the thermos cup in my hand fell to the ground.

"You..." She opened her mouth wide, her expression as if she had seen a ghost, even more shocked than if she had seen a ghost, instantly sobering her up from her still somewhat drunk state.

"Aunt Ruan twisted her ankle while taking a shower and can't walk," Tang Zheng explained.

"Oh." Tang Rui looked at her younger brother, then at her best friend. "What a surprise! I thought you two were secretly dating behind my back."

She said with a regretful expression, bent down to pick up the thermos from the floor, and put it on the bedside table.

It's a pity about her honey water.

Tang Zheng carried Aunt Ruan to the bedside and gently placed her on the bed.

"How's the injury, Hongzhuang? Let me see?" Tang Rui leaned closer, her gaze fixed on her ankle.

"It's nothing serious, you'll be fine in a couple of days."

"Oh." Tang Rui looked away, it seemed that there was indeed nothing between the two.

What a disappointment!

Tang Zheng pulled out a few tissues and wiped up the spilled honey water. "I'll make you another cup of honey water."

He picked up the thermos from the bedside table, turned around, and walked out of the bedroom.

Tang Rui watched her younger brother leave, then turned to her best friend beside her and whispered in her ear, "Hey Hongzhuang, what does it feel like to be hugged by my brother? Did your heart race, like a deer's beating around your neck?"

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at her and said indifferently, "Get lost."

A short while later, Tang Zheng returned with the prepared honey water and handed her the thermos: "The water is a little hot, sis, blow on it before you drink it."

"Mmm." Tang Rui took the cup and blew on it gently.

"I'll be going now. Aunt Ruan, you should get some rest. If it gets worse tomorrow, go to the hospital to get checked out."

"Mm," Ruan Hongzhuang replied, looking at him.

"Goodnight, ladies." Tang Zheng waved his hand, turned and left the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Tang Rui blew on the thermos, took a small sip, then looked at Ruan Hongzhuang lying next to her and asked:

"Hongzhuang, are you really not going to reconsider? My brother is so caring, and so handsome. He's even started working out, and he can cook now, and..."

"Shut up."

"Sigh..." Tang Rui sighed, "It seems I will never be able to call you my dear sister-in-law."

Ruan Hongzhuang turned over, closed her eyes, and prepared to fall asleep.

Then, as if thinking of something, she suddenly opened her eyes, glanced down at her collar, and closed them again.

In the living room, Tang Zheng took a change of clothes and went into the bathroom.

A faint fragrance still lingered inside. Tang Zheng went to the shower and took another cold shower.

"She's just my sister. My sister says purple has a lot of charm..."

Since I keep trying to conjure up images in my mind, I might as well fight fire with fire.