Chapter 48 Chapter 48: A Brief Moment Of Tenderness
Chapter 48: A Brief Moment Of Tenderness
After finishing everything, Chi Xiao Cheng gleefully came over to Su Tao. “Tao Tao, what would you like to drink? Black tea okay?”
“Yes, thank you for the trouble, Xiao Cheng.”
Back in this familiar house, whether it was because of the air conditioning or the many memories once held here, Su Tao felt completely at ease sitting on the sofa.
She watched Chi Xiao Cheng crouch by the cabinet under the TV, her little bottom sticking out as she searched for the black tea she couldn’t remember where she’d put it, and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
“That’s odd, I remember the black tea being here?”
Chi Xiao Cheng rubbed her head, making a silly, cute sound.
Su Tao couldn’t resist reminding her, “It’s in the cabinet on the right, isn’t it? We put it away together back then. Have you forgotten already?”
“Is that right?”
Chi Xiao Cheng didn’t look back, turning instead to rummage through another cabinet.
Su Tao leaned back against the sofa, watching her gently.
Her gaze suddenly landed on a small trinket. “This thing is still here?”
She reached out.
Beside the drawer holding the remote control, hung a small necklace. At its end was an exquisitely crafted peach.
They had bought it during their summer vacation after their third year of high school, when they went to a park and were tricked by a shady man.
This little item cost them thirty yuan.
It was something that could easily be bought for five yuan at a toy store outside.
Chi Xiao Cheng didn’t even turn her head, as if she knew what Su Tao was talking about. “Because I love everything about Tao Tao. This little thing is our memory, of course I wouldn’t throw it away.”
Such words, which would normally make one blush, seemed perfectly commonplace coming from her.
But these casual words were neither teasing nor playful.
They were just like those focused, earnest confessions.
Filled with immense affection.
Su Tao felt a bit uneasy inside and changed the subject. “Did you find the black tea?”
“Found it!”
Chi Xiao Cheng held up a small can. “It was hidden really deep. Wait a moment, I’ll go boil some water.”
She was like a clumsy fool who knew nothing about housework. After a flustered scramble, she finally poured the water into the cup.
However, just as she picked up the cup—
Her hand trembled.
The scalding hot water immediately spilled onto her arm.
“Ah—!”
In the kitchen, Chi Xiao Cheng let out a scream, drawing Su Tao’s attention.
The girl anxiously ran over from the sofa.
What met her eyes was a reddened patch on the arm and steaming water stains on the floor.
She immediately rinsed the handkerchief she carried with cold water, and as she tended to the injury, she couldn’t help but chide, “Really, you’ve scalded yourself again. How can you be so careless?”
“I… I’m sorry.” Chi Xiao Cheng bit her lower lip, large tears seeming to well up in her eyes.
Seeing this, Su Tao’s heart softened, and her scolding tone softened as well.
She took Chi Xiao Cheng’s hand. “Let’s go out first. I’ll help you take care of it.”
She had Chi Xiao Cheng sit on the sofa, while she herself knelt in front, intently and gently wiping her forearm with a towel.
“Does it hurt?”
Su Tao asked softly.
Chi Xiao Cheng shook her head. “No, it doesn’t.”
As she spoke, she stared intently at Su Tao’s pretty, fair face, then her gaze fell on Su Tao’s focused movements, and a hint of satisfaction involuntarily appeared in her eyes.
“Host, did you burn yourself on purpose?”
The System’s voice sounded in her mind.
Chi Xiao Cheng merely curved her lips, offering no reply.
Who knew if it was on purpose or not.
I’m just a clumsy little thing, just like the original owner.
Isn’t it normal to get hurt?
Only then will Tao Tao care about me and feel sorry for me~
Unbeknownst to herself, Chi Xiao Cheng’s lips curved into an eerie smile, like that of a hunter observing prey, as she stared at Su Tao, who knelt before her, treating her injury.
When Su Tao’s gaze finally met hers, Chi Xiao Cheng quickly transformed back into a remorseful, pathetic little thing.
She sobbed and asked, “Tao Tao, am… am I very clumsy?”
Su Tao applied a bandage to Chi Xiao Cheng, then stood up and patted her head with a smile. “Yes, you’ve always been clumsy. Boiling water is going to be your lifelong enemy. You’ve been burned a few times before, haven’t you? You never learn your lesson.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Then be careful next time, okay?” Su Tao said with concern, put away the first-aid kit, and then went to clean the kitchen.
Then, skillfully, she made tea.
“Xiao Cheng, what do you want to drink?”
“Orange juice!”
Chi Xiao Cheng’s reply made Su Tao’s hand holding the cup tremble slightly.
Then she heard Chi Xiao Cheng’s voice again, “There’s some in the cupboard that’s not cold. One cup is enough!”
“Phew.” Su Tao breathed a sigh of relief.
So it was *that* orange juice.
She’d been scared to death.
One cup of orange juice and one cup of hot black tea were carried out together.
Chi Xiao Cheng sat obediently on the sofa, her two slender legs too short to reach the floor, her feet in white socks swinging back and forth, which was very cute.
This scene couldn’t help but remind Su Tao of their time before graduating from high school.
At that time, Brother Chi Song had just acquired this apartment, and both of them were surprised and curious.
Every weekend, they would stay here together for two days.
Back then, Chi Xiao Cheng was just as she was now: Su Tao would be cooking in the kitchen, and Chi Xiao Cheng would sit here obediently watching TV.
It seemed as if she was constantly keeping an eye on her.
Whenever Su Tao looked her way, this adorable little thing would offer a warm and healing smile.
Is this Xiao Cheng truly a yandere?
Su Tao, relaxed by the brief warmth, once again recalled her purpose for coming here.
To test her!
She needed to confirm whether this warmth was a fleeting illusion or an enduring reality.
“Boom—!”
Thunder rumbled outside, interrupting Su Tao’s thoughts. She snapped back to attention, and as she walked towards Chi Xiao Cheng, the smile on her face gradually stiffened.
Don’t hesitate, Su Tao!
This is all for Xiao Cheng’s own good.
If she’s a yandere, she must be treated, or something bad will happen sooner or later.
She came to Chi Xiao Cheng’s side, placing both the orange juice and the black tea on the table. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Chi Xiao Cheng pull a packet of powder from her pocket.
“Tao Tao, do you want to add some of this?”
Su Tao looked at the packet of grayish-white powder curiously. “What is this?”
Chi Xiao Cheng poured a glass of plain water nearby, then added a little of the powder to it, saying lightly, “This was prescribed at the hospital. Doctor told me it’s a benign medicine that can regulate the body and dispel fatigue. It can be drunk like a beverage; he told me to add a little whenever I drink water.”
Saying this, she looked at Su Tao’s slightly haggard face. “Tao Tao, you look a bit off. You must be very tired these past few days. Why don’t you add some too?”
Seeing that Chi Xiao Cheng had prepared it for herself, Su Tao didn’t think much of it. “Thank you, Xiao Cheng.”
“You should get some good rest.”
The powder slowly poured into the black tea.
Then Chi Xiao Cheng picked up the glass of orange juice and took a small sip.
The sound of rain pattering against the window, Chi Xiao Cheng narrowed her eyes in enjoyment.
Su Tao held her black tea, seemingly hesitating about something.
For a moment, both of them fell silent.
The strong wind slapped against the windows, and from the gaps, a howling "whoosh" surged in, making one’s hair stand on end.
Somehow, the lights seemed to dim slightly.
Su Tao held her black tea, turned her head, and looked seriously at the girl with tea-colored long hair beside her. “Xiao Cheng, I have something to tell you!”
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