Chapter 40: Yunnan Baiyao
Inside the room, Teng Yi abruptly pulled off his shirt.
His sun-kissed skin and well-defined back muscles exuded a powerful aura. It made sense—he was a Breaking dancer. Without upper body strength, how could he execute those gravity-defying, jaw-dropping moves?
Ruan Yu had originally intended to greet him, but the moment she saw him strip off his shirt, she hesitated at the doorway, too embarrassed to enter. She thought she’d steal one last glance before leaving.
“Not coming in?” Teng Yi suddenly turned around. “What? Enjoying the sneak peek?”
Caught red-handed, Ruan Yu was mortified.
How did he know she was watching him?
As if reading her mind, Teng Yi raised a hand and pointed at the mirror.
Ruan Yu froze, then realized—of course, the mirrors. The practice room was lined with them.
“I forgot my phone,” she said, lingering at the door with no intention of stepping inside. “I’ll grab it and go. I won’t disturb you.”
She turned to leave in a hurry.
“Wait!” Teng Yi called out.
Ruan Yu’s feet rooted to the spot. She glanced back awkwardly.
“What is it?”
“Need a favor.”
“Huh?”
“Come here.”
Though hesitant, Ruan Yu couldn’t just ignore him if he genuinely needed help. What if it was something urgent?
She pushed the door open but kept her head lowered, not daring to look at him. Her canvas shoes tapped lightly against the wooden floor, the sound amplifying her nervousness.
“Why the downcast eyes?” Teng Yi smirked. “You were staring pretty boldly earlier.”
Ruan Yu: “…”
What kind of person was he? One moment, he was the epitome of a gentleman—gentle and refined. The next, he was teasing her like some street punk.
“What do you need help with?” she asked, her face burning.
Teng Yi studied the blush spreading across her cheeks, as if sunset hues had been kneaded into her skin. Knowing he shouldn’t push further, he turned and retrieved a bottle of Yunnan Baiyao spray from the storage cabinet, handing it to her.
When Ruan Yu recognized the item, her heart clenched. All shyness forgotten, she immediately looked up, scanning him from head to toe for any signs of injury.
“Finally looking at me?” He chuckled.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, just some soreness in my back muscles.” He turned slightly, presenting his back to her.
Ruan Yu raised her hand, instinctively wanting to touch his back, but stopped just short, hovering uncertainly.
“Where exactly?”
“Here.” He reached back and pointed below his right shoulder blade.
Ruan Yu aimed the nozzle at the spot and gave a light spray.
The scent of Yunnan Baiyao instantly filled the air.
“Anywhere else?”
He pointed lower.
Following his finger, Ruan Yu spotted a fresh, oval-shaped bruise—likely from a recent impact.
Her heart ached. Even though she knew the spray wouldn’t hurt, she still applied it with extra care.
“More?” she asked.
Teng Yi turned around and gestured to his left ribcage.
Ruan Yu leaned in to spray it, then suddenly realized—he could’ve easily reached this spot himself. Why did he need her help?
She looked up and caught him grinning.
Ugh. Teasing her again.
Annoyed, Ruan Yu shoved the Yunnan Baiyao spray back into his hand."If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."
OpenNovel