Chapter 23: I Don’t Mind Making Your Injuries Worse

"Besides, from what I can see now, her condition doesn't seem as severe as it was described in the medical records," Lu Yuanchong said, once again fixing his gaze on Lin Nanxun's face, which was utterly devoid of any trace of hostility.

The stranger's scrutiny made Lin Nanxun uneasy. Instinctively, she shrank back a little and edged closer to Shen Hanzhi.

"Bad man..." she whispered, reaching out to clutch the corner of his coat.

Her action gave Lu Yuanchong pause. He then lifted his eyes to look at Shen Hanzhi with renewed attention.

That cold, sharp face remained as composed as ever, betraying neither annoyance nor distaste.

This discovery left Lu Yuanchong visibly surprised. Faced with a woman who clung to him like sticky candy, Shen Hanzhi merely furrowed his brow—nothing more.

He knew well that Shen Hanzhi's aversion to women amounted to a psychological barrier, something Lu Yuanchong had ascertained when he first became his personal psychiatrist. Because of certain experiences in his childhood, Shen Hanzhi had grown up not only unable to like women, but harboring a strong dislike and deep-seated prejudice against them.

Lu Yuanchong had tried to help him overcome this issue, even going so far as to introduce a few gentle and harmless women to him. But every one of them had either been intimidated into silence by his stern and icy demeanor, or swiftly insulted and dismissed.

Today’s situation was a first for him, and he couldn't help but be curious.

"Her identity..." Lu Yuanchong looked at Lin Nanxun with interest, just about to inquire about her relationship with Shen Hanzhi, when Shen Hanzhi cut him off coldly.

"Can you cure her?" Shen Hanzhi asked, frowning.

Faced with this abrupt question, Lu Yuanchong shook his head.

"That’s hard to say..."

Shen Hanzhi's expression grew more serious.

"This isn’t something that can be fixed with medicine or injections. The real cure lies in healing the heart, and that may be a long process," Lu Yuanchong explained, and then, unable to contain his curiosity, he pressed further. "But I notice she relies on you a great deal. Are you two family?"

"Or is she... an illegitimate daughter of the Shen family?" The extent of the girl's dependence on Shen Hanzhi prompted him to hazard a bold guess.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Shen Hanzhi’s expression changed, his gaze growing displeased.

"No?" Lu Yuanchong grew even more intrigued. "Then... is she—"

"Picked her up on the street," Shen Hanzhi replied curtly, brows drawn together.

Lu Yuanchong looked astonished, and couldn’t help but jest, heedless of the risk. "Oh? I never expected such compassion from you. Truly admirable."

His teasing drew a dark cloud over Shen Hanzhi’s face. With eyes full of chilling intent, Shen Hanzhi fixed his gaze on Lu Yuanchong and asked, "Are your injuries not serious enough yet?"

Lu Yuanchong’s smile froze on his lips. Then he heard the man’s cold, merciless voice ring out:

"I don’t mind making them worse."

At those words, Lu Yuanchong blanched, hastily coughing twice in fright.

"Just a joke, just a joke—don’t take it seriously... I’m already badly hurt, I can’t take any more," Lu Yuanchong hurriedly explained with a forced laugh, inwardly breaking into a cold sweat and full of regret.

He had only himself to blame—he knew Shen Hanzhi was ruthless, yet still couldn’t keep himself from provoking him.