Chapter 36: Good Girl

The next moment, the man suddenly reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, preventing Shen Chutang from falling. The waist in his embrace was so delicate it could barely be held in one hand. He frowned slightly, glanced at Shen Chutang several times, and finally took out the Lotus Secret Fruit from his chest. "Here, take it."

Shen Chutang had been considering whether to follow him and later sneak the fruit away, but she hadn't expected him to simply agree. "Thank you! Handsome, can I have your contact information? I'll transfer the money to you later, I promise you won't be shortchanged."

The man turned and strode out.

Shen Chutang stared at his retreating figure, puzzled. "You're just going to give me something worth five million for nothing?"

His steps paused. He turned his face slightly to look at her, but he stood with his back to the light, so Shen Chutang couldn't see his features clearly.

"This is my contact. I don't need five million, but you owe me a favor."

Shen Chutang took the number from him. To hand over five million to a stranger—he really was a peculiar man.

But that didn't matter now. With the Lotus Secret Fruit in hand, her chances of success were higher. As soon as the auction ended, Shen Chutang hurried home. She had just opened the door when she saw Lu Beiqin coming out of the bathroom, drying his hair.

"You're back," he said.

Lu Beiqin nodded. "It's so late. Where have you been?"

Shen Chutang, mysterious and excited, took out a box and showed off as she came up to him. "Let me show you something good!"

She opened the box. "Look!"

Lu Beiqin peered inside, confused. "What is it?"

"This is the Lotus Secret Fruit. I went to the herbal shop today, happened to see it, and bought it!"

Lu Beiqin gave her a meaningful look. "Is it really that easy to buy something like this? They just sell it in herbal shops?"

Shen Chutang closed the box. "Of course not. I was just lucky."

Lu Beiqin curled his lips in a faint smile. "I see. You're lucky then. Have you eaten?"

Shen Chutang shook her head. After hearing there was a Lotus Secret Fruit at the black market auction, she hadn't thought about food at all, and even got into a fight. Though she lost, the outcome was still good. The exertion had left her hungry.

Lu Beiqin spoke, "Go take a shower. I'll make noodles."

Shen Chutang nodded eagerly. "Great, I want seafood noodles. Lots and lots of shrimp!"

Lu Beiqin nodded, indicating he understood.

Shen Chutang went to the bathroom and undressed, only to notice in the mirror a clear bruise on her shoulder. The man's grip earlier had been strong.

She could tell he had gone easy on her. If they'd really fought, she likely wouldn't have come out ahead.

After showering, Shen Chutang wrapped her hair and came out. Lu Beiqin had already cooked two bowls of noodles, carefully topped with big shrimp, thick slices of meat, and fried eggs. Just one look made Shen Chutang ravenous.

She grabbed her chopsticks and took a bite, praising him enthusiastically. "I didn't expect your cooking to be this good—the noodles taste amazing!"

Shen Chutang was truly starving, and ate heartily. Lu Beiqin's cold gaze lingered on the girl before him, appraising her. Suddenly, he noticed a distinct bruise on the left side of her shoulder.

She was wearing a camisole for sleep, and her skin was pale, making the bruise stand out.

Lu Beiqin cleared his throat softly and looked down at his noodles. "What happened to your shoulder?"

Cheeks puffed out with food, Shen Chutang looked like a little squirrel foraging. "It's nothing, just bumped it by accident. Doesn't hurt."

"Remember to apply some medicinal wine after eating."

Shen Chutang shook her head, not bothered at all. "It's fine, nothing serious."

"No," Lu Beiqin insisted, unusually stubborn. For the sake of his delicious seafood noodles, Shen Chutang agreed.

After dinner, Lu Beiqin fetched the medicinal wine. Shen Chutang poured a little into her hand, warmed it, and casually rubbed it onto her shoulder. "Done!"

She was about to get up and return to her bedroom, but Lu Beiqin stopped her.

He poured the medicinal wine into his palm, warmed it, and pressed his broad hand to her shoulder, massaging gently. "Bear with it for a moment."

Shen Chutang wasn't concerned. She'd grown up climbing trees, raiding birds’ nests, fishing in rivers—bumps and scrapes were nothing new. She hardly cared about such minor injuries.

"It really doesn't hurt anymore. Not necessary."

"Be good," he replied.

Shen Chutang felt her cheeks warm, but she obediently sat on the sofa without moving.

"All done." Lu Beiqin finally withdrew his hand, tidied up the medicine kit, and turned to put it aside.

"Wait!" Shen Chutang called.

Lu Beiqin paused, his gaze deepening. "What is it?"