Chapter 90

Chapter 90

When Song Qingning stepped out of the car, she twisted her ankle and thought it was nothing at first, but the pain grew more intense with each step.

Li Muye soon noticed something was wrong and swiftly carried Song Qingning to a flower bed.

He held her ankle and gently pulled up her pant leg; she hissed in pain, causing Li Muye to immediately ease his touch.

Looking at the swollen ankle, Li Muye frowned. "It looks serious."

As he spoke, he cradled her knee and prepared to carry her to the hospital.

The moment her body went weightless, Song Qingning clung to Li Muye, feeling insecure. "I can still walk..."

Suddenly, she paused, squinting at someone in the distance, forgetting her struggle. "Is that Senior Shen?"

Hearing this, Li Muye turned his head. With better eyesight than Song Qingning, he quickly identified Shen Tingzhou standing at the entrance of the building.

Li Muye gently placed Song Qingning back down and called out, "Doctor Shen, come take a look. Ningge's foot is twisted."

Upon hearing that Song Qingning was injured, Shen Tingzhou hurried over.

He had her stand on the ground and pressed a few spots on her swollen ankle, asking if it hurt.

Finally, Shen Tingzhou concluded, "No bone damage, just a slight dislocation of the ligaments and small joints. No need for hospital fixation; rest for a few days and it should be fine."

Being an athlete, Li Muye was familiar with such injuries and let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Shen Tingzhou stood up and said, "I have some anti-swelling medication in my car. Wait here while I fetch it."

Li Muye volunteered, "I'll go get it, Doctor Shen. I'm faster."

Shen Tingzhou handed him the car keys. "The car is parked in a spot by the roadside. The medicine is in the trunk."

Taking the keys, Li Muye ran out of the neighborhood.

The weather was cold today, and Song Qingning was sweating from the pain. She had been in air-conditioned places, so her clothing was light.

Worried about her catching a chill, Shen Tingzhou sent a message to Li Muye and then carried Song Qingning back home.

Song Qingning rented Shen Tingzhou's house and had lived there long enough without changing the password.

Shen Tingzhou skillfully entered the six-digit code, and the lock beeped as he pushed the door open.

To his surprise, Li Jingchong and Li Jinghang were both there.

But it was the Lantern Festival, so it made sense for the family to gather for a meal... right?

Seeing Song Qingning being carried in by Shen Tingzhou, Li Jingchong asked sternly, "What happened?"

Song Qingning explained, "I twisted my ankle."

Shen Tingzhou placed Song Qingning on the sofa and asked, "Do you have any ice?"

"Yes," Li Jinghang replied, going to fetch it.

Shen Tingzhou rolled up Song Qingning's pant leg; the swelling had worsened, with some areas turning deep purple.

This was normal.

He took the ice from Li Jinghang, asked for a towel, and applied the ice pack to Song Qingning's ankle.

Soon, Li Muye, panting heavily, arrived with the medicine. "Doctor Shen, the medicine."

Shen Tingzhou took the medical kit but continued applying the ice pack without opening it.

Song Qingning had recovered from the initial sharp pain and eagerly shared her recent academic progress with Shen Tingzhou.

Her grades had steadily improved, much to Shen Tingzhou's delight.

Shen Tingzhou did not withhold his praise. "With your current grades, you can choose any medical school."

Song Qingning blushed slightly. "I've researched all the universities you mentioned."

Her goal was to study forensic medicine, and the best schools for that were not in the capital, meaning she would have to leave the Li family to pursue her education.

Shen Tingzhou glanced instinctively at the three Li men.

All three stared at him with a familiar look, one that told him the living room was filled with the air of resentful husbands.

Shen Tingzhou wasn't sure if their reaction was due to jealousy or concern about steering Song Qingning towards forensic medicine.

"Considering all factors, I want to go to Z University," Song Qingning said, her eyes brightening as she looked at Shen Tingzhou. "Senior, what do you think?"

Feeling the pressure, Shen Tingzhou spoke cautiously. "I think that idea... sounds good."

Song Qingning felt a sense of accomplishment, her cheeks flushing red. She then discussed professional matters with Shen Tingzhou.

Though Shen Tingzhou was not in forensic medicine, he had friends in the field and knew some basics.

After a deep conversation, Shen Tingzhou realized that Song Qingning seemed set on this path and had done thorough research.

Listening to her three-year plan, Shen Tingzhou sensed her maturity beneath her shyness.

Free from two troubled families, Song Qingning was indeed growing towards the sun.

She mentioned the book Shen Tingzhou had given her. "I recently reread it and gained new insights."

Shen Tingzhou faintly heard someone making sarcastic remarks—“May you always find peace and strength within.”

Shen Tingzhou, like a cat sensing blood, turned his head alertly. Beside him were three faces with no expression, and their mouths were all tightly closed.

Shen Tingzhou turned back in confusion, and the words rang in his ear again — "May your heart always be calm and strong."

He looked over again, but still saw only three emotionless faces and three tightly shut mouths.

Song Qingning looked over, puzzled. "Senior?"

Shen Tingzhou cleared his throat lightly. "It's nothing, go on."

The ice pack was almost done. When Shen Tingzhou applied medicine to Song Qingning's ankle, he heard those words once more.

He closed his eyes, rubbed the medicine, and evenly spread it on Song Qingning's ankle.

In the end, when Song Qingning confirmed she would go to Z University, Shen Tingzhou had also finished rubbing the medicine. He got up to wash his hands in the bathroom, and the feeling of being pricked by needles instantly vanished.

Shen Tingzhou turned on the faucet and washed his fingers, noticing that there were actually four toothbrushes on the suction cup toothbrush holder.

Could the Li family father and son take turns sleeping here?

Even if they came together, they could do such a thing.

When Shen Tingzhou came out after washing his hands, the Li family father and son were no longer as resentful as before.

As long as Song Qingning didn't look at Shen Tingzhou with that idolizing gaze, the three of them were quite normal.

Shen Tingzhou gave a fake smile. "If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Song Qingning wanted to invite Shen Tingzhou to stay for lunch, but felt that on this special day, Shen Tingzhou might prefer to be with his family or Mr. Xu Xun.

Li Muye said cheerfully, "Doctor Shen, let me see you off."

Shen Tingzhou nodded with a smile to the people inside and then walked quickly outside.

Li Muye escorted Shen Tingzhou to the elevator. "Thank you so much today, Doctor Shen."

"No problem." Shen Tingzhou asked casually, "Mr. Song is going to study at Z University, what about your whole family..."

Li Muye, straightforward as ever, said, "We discussed it and decided to respect Brother Ning's wishes. Anyway, I'm not in a hurry. Brother Ning can take his time to think, and make a decision whenever he's ready."

"But—" Li Muye chuckled, pleased. "Unlike my elder brother and father, I don't have a company. I can visit Brother Ning often, even study with him."

In terms of time spent, the second-generation heir had an absolute advantage.

Seeing that they wouldn't hinder Song Qingning's studies, Shen Tingzhou didn't ask any more questions.

The elevator arrived, and Shen Tingzhou stepped in.

Li Muye waved with a smile. "Goodbye, Doctor Shen. Let's have dinner another day."

After Shen Tingzhou left, Li Muye suddenly realized something as he walked back—

Did he reveal anything just now? Did he say anything strange that might make Doctor Shen think too much?

There shouldn't be! Li Muye felt that Shen Tingzhou was quite dull in this aspect and wouldn't notice anything.

With his mind at ease, Li Muye happily went back to find Song Qingning.

-

Leaving the residential area, Shen Tingzhou drove straight home.

He hadn't lied to Kang Qiqiao; he really did tell Xu Xun he would come back for dinner.

When he got home, he was greeted by a bright-eyed Xiao Xu, who dimmed his brightness as Shen Tingzhou approached.

Shen Tingzhou: ?

Xu Xun sniffed Shen Tingzhou.

Shen Tingzhou looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Xu Xun ignored Shen Tingzhou's leaning back and sniffed his neck twice, like a drug-sniffing dog, saying sternly, "There's a strange smell on you."

Shen Tingzhou grabbed his collar and smelled it. "Maybe because of the intense exercise today, I sweated a bit."

Xu Xun raised his head and looked directly into his eyes. "It's the little wife's scent. You met him, didn't you?"

"Little wife" was the nickname Xu Xun gave to Song Qingning. Shen Tingzhou found it amusing yet unbelievable.

Shen Tingzhou asked curiously, "How did you smell it?"

Xu Xun raised an eyebrow. "Did you really meet him today?"

Shen Tingzhou didn't hide it. "Yes, he twisted his ankle, so I helped him check it."

Xu Xun hummed softly.

Shen Tingzhou never understood why the Li family father and sons harbored a subtle hostility towards him, nor why Xu Xun had a subtle hostility towards Song Qingning.

Xu Xun didn't hide his attitude and imitated Song Qingning's way of calling Shen Tingzhou. "Senior."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Xu Xun's weird voice mimicking Song Qingning's "May your heart always be calm and strong" was exactly the same.

Shen Tingzhou held his face, smiling. "Speak normally!"

Xu Xun made a fish face.

Shen Tingzhou couldn't hold back his laughter but still "educated" Xu Xun. "He's just my junior..."

Xu Xun shook his head and imitated Shen Tingzhou's tone, "Xiao Xu."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Shen Tingzhou didn't understand why Xu Xun disliked Song Qingning, so he asked blankly, "Why?"

In terms of clinginess, Song Qingning couldn't match He Zitan; in terms of boldness, she couldn't surpass Su Yu. Xu Xun hadn't reacted this... exaggeratedly to either of them.

Xu Xun remained silent.

Shen Tingzhou squeezed Xu Xun's face with his palm, "Xiao Xu? Calling Xiao Xu, is Xiao Xu home?"

Xu Xun closed his eyes and said, "Ran away from home."

Shen Tingzhou laughed, "I really don't know why. Can you tell me?"

Xu Xun pushed away Shen Tingzhou's hand and cupped Shen Tingzhou's face instead, "Because I've never seen what you were like in high school!"

Shen Tingzhou was taken aback, not expecting Xu Xun to be bothered by this.

However, he then understood something else—

No wonder the three Li brothers were so wary of him; deep down, they hoped that when Song Qingning was at her weakest and most vulnerable, it would be them who saved and cared for her.

Their wariness towards Shen Tingzhou stemmed from their own regret.

Similarly, Xu Xun's dislike of Song Qingning was the same.

Xu Xun leaned closer, looking at Shen Tingzhou closely, and said with jealousy, "I don't like being the last one to meet you."

He also wanted to see what Shen Tingzhou was like in high school, that spirited young man who was the white moonlight in many people's hearts.

If he had known Shen Tingzhou back then, perhaps they could have had an innocent campus romance.