Chapter 043: No Need for You to Worry About Me

Xiao Jiu stood frozen in place, watching her briskly retreating figure with growing confusion. Joking around? That answer was far too far-fetched. With a slight frown, he made his way toward Jin’er’s room.

“Jin’er?” He stopped at the door, seeing it slightly ajar. Not wanting to barge in, he stood at the threshold and called softly.

The door was quickly opened.

“Do you need something?” Jin’er looked at him coolly, her tone distant.

Xiao Jiu’s heart tightened; he couldn’t understand why she was suddenly treating him so coldly.

“Um, about earlier, the two of you…” he asked awkwardly.

Jin’er, impatient, turned her face aside. “Didn’t I tell you to ask her yourself? Whatever she said, that’s what it is. Or…” She suddenly turned back, eyebrow arched, “are you here to interrogate me?”

She didn’t believe Qin’er would confess what had happened last night; she’d probably complain instead, claiming Jin’er was bullying her.

“Jin’er, what’s wrong?” Xiao Jiu looked at her detached expression, pain welling up inside him. “I just worry about you.”

“Thank you. But there’s no need for your concern.” With that, she slammed the door shut.

Startled, Xiao Jiu took a step back, staring at the door in bewildered distress. What was going on with her? He hadn’t done or said anything wrong, had he?

Inside, Jin’er leaned against the door, her heart pounding with unease. She knew Xiao Jiu treated her well. Acting this way toward him now would surely make him feel bad.

But she truly didn’t want to be involved in his and Qin’er’s affairs anymore; all she wanted was to focus entirely on studying medicine and not think of anything else.

Outside the door, the sound of Xiao Jiu’s footsteps faded away, carrying a trace of dejection. Jin’er took a deep breath and forced down the flicker of guilt in her heart.

Not long after, Jin’er went out to join everyone for breakfast. The meal was laced with awkwardness.

Neither Xiao Jiu nor Qin’er seemed to have much appetite, their gazes drifting toward Jin’er from time to time. Jin’er feigned indifference and ate quietly, while one of the assistants kept glancing at the three of them with perplexed eyes.

After breakfast, everyone set about their work. Before long, Doctor Chen arrived.

“Good morning, Master,” Jin’er greeted him with a gentle smile.

“Good girl,” Doctor Chen replied cheerily, taking Jin’er by the arm and leading her to the study.

Watching them walk away, Qin’er ground her teeth in silent fury. Damn it! First she stole my senior brother, now she’s after my master! Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!

From a short distance away, Xiao Jiu silently observed the hatred burning in Qin’er’s eyes, his own brows knitting in worry.

He kept recalling that morning’s incident—Qin’er’s terrified look, crying for him to save her, then suddenly claiming they were just playing around.

Normally, Qin’er would have clung to him, demanding he stand up for her. Since when would she say they were only joking? It was just too strange, too out of character.

Could it be that Qin’er had done something to Jin’er before?

The more Xiao Jiu thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and his worry only deepened. But from the look of things, neither of them intended to tell him what had happened.

What should he do?

The entire day, Xiao Jiu wandered in a daze, his thoughts circling endlessly. Qin’er seemed her usual self, except for the occasional glare she shot at Jin’er, secretly fuming.

Jin’er, meanwhile, devoted herself entirely to following Doctor Chen. She was spared most other chores now.

Doctor Chen truly seemed intent on imparting all his knowledge to her, explaining everything in meticulous detail. After seeing each patient, he would carefully analyze the case for her. By day’s end, Jin’er felt she had gained a great deal.