Chapter 42: Entered His Apartment (Part 6)

She looked around as she stepped out, found the restroom, and hastily ran there, opening the door, entering, and locking it behind her.

The living room restroom was spacious and followed the same simple and elegant decoration style as the rest of the house.

Ji Anning turned to lean against the sink, her hands clutching her skirt against her chest, finally taking a deep breath.

So embarrassing, every time she was alone with that guy, the pressure was immense.

Knowing full well how he despised her weakness, couldn't you, Ji Anning, have a little more backbone?

He's not going to eat you!

After calming her heartbeat, Ji Anning turned to face the mirror, only to realize just how terrible her current appearance was.

The worst wasn't her appearance, but her... clothes.

The white T-shirt, though no longer clinging to her body, had become transparent from the dampness, revealing the red bra underneath, its outline and seams all too clear.

On closer inspection, one could see the faint and not-so-faint marks that recent nightmare had left on her body.

Ji Anning's heart skipped a beat with nervousness.

Did her uncle see just now?

'Achoo'

Startled by her nervousness, Ji Anning sneezed suddenly, then realizing what happened, she sneezed several more times in quick succession.

Forget it, no more thinking about that, she should be grateful that she hadn't gone straight back home, sparing her mom, grandfather, and the relatives at her grandaunt's house from seeing her in this state.

Otherwise, she would be doomed.

The fountain water was filthy, so Ji Anning quickly took a shower, dressed in the maroon dress, and walked to the mirror to look at herself.

The maroon color made her skin look even paler, as if the dress was custom-made just for her.

She herself felt instantly refreshed, as if she had become radiant and revitalized.

A smile involuntarily curved her lips upwards, her hands pinching a small part of the hem of her dress, her smile bright and gentle as she lost herself in the moment.

But soon her thought returned to her predicament, and she hurriedly packed up her dirty clothes, holding them as she left the restroom.

Pulling open the door, she saw Ji Chicheng holding a bowl headed towards the sofa.

"Uncle, I'm ready," Ji Anning said, holding her dirty clothes as she walked toward Ji Chicheng.

Her gaze and tone, as well as her steps, were all a bit timid.

Not daring to look directly at Ji Chicheng's face, she lowered her head slightly, her half-dry, half-wet long hair cascading down one side, draping casually across her chest in an unintended display of languor and sensuality.

In Ji Chicheng's eyes, a predatory gleam flashed for an instant, a surge of possessiveness almost making him forsake his earlier restraint.

Seeing that Ji Chicheng remained silent for quite a while, Ji Anning raised her head to look at him.

Only then did Ji Chicheng calmly divert his gaze from her and, pointing to the bowl he had just placed on the coffee table, said to Ji Anning, "Drink this."

Was what in the bowl prepared just for her?

Ji Anning was momentarily surprised, her eyes shifting to the bowl with its dark and unappetizing broth, instinctively furrowing her brow, "What is this?"

"Isatis root," Ji Chicheng responded, then continued to look at Ji Anning, "The old man has gone to sleep, don't sneeze when you get back."

So he was worried she might catch a cold and wake the grandfather with her sneezing.

Like father, like son, indeed. Just as the grandfather doted on him, he was so dutiful in return.

Their filial bond was truly touching.

Ji Anning pursed her lips and, saying nothing further, approached the coffee table, leaned forward slightly, and took the bowl in both hands, bringing it to her lips. She sipped a bit to test the temperature, found it just right, closed her eyes, threw her head back, and downed it all at once.