The warm palm pressed against her cool forehead felt very comfortable.
Yet, Han Yingying recoiled as if struck by lightning, taking a step back to widen the distance, turning her head away, unable to look at him, and replied in a choked voice,
"I'm fine, just here for a check-up."
"I'll keep you company." Watching his hand fall empty, Fu Yingjun flashed a look of surprise in his eyes.
"No need, someone's with me." Han Yingying stepped back, putting more space between them.
"I'll take you to register first. When the person accompanying you arrives, I'll hand you off to him. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease." Fu Yingjun said, reaching out to grab her hand.
"Senior, really, it's not necessary..." Han Yingying struggled to break free from Fu Yingjun's grasp, feeling extremely embarrassed.
He had just rejected her confession and now here he was, fussing over her. Did Fu Yingjun think she wouldn't feel heartbroken, or did he think she had no pride?
"You are my sister, what's with all this formality?" Fu Yingjun frowned reproachfully at her, "Are you saying we can't even be siblings if we can't be lovers?"
Han Yingying felt her breath catch, and tears nearly spilled beyond her control.
Siblings?
She had harbored a secret crush on Fu Yingjun for two years, rejecting the national medical school's direct admission offer to attend the same university as him.
After preparing diligently for an entire summer, she mustered up her excitement to confess her feelings to him, only to receive in return—
"I have a girlfriend now. I've always seen you as a sister, in the past and it will be the same in the future."
Heartbroken, she sought solace in drinking and made a grave mistake, wrestling with her guilt towards Shen Mosheng and the innocent life involved.
Yet Fu Yingjun appeared before her as if nothing had happened, still caring for her and calling her his sister.
How could he be so cruel?
Who would save her? She could hardly breathe...
"Excuse me, let her go."
As if hearing her silent plea, a cold voice suddenly rang out.
Then, a strong hand seized Fu Yingjun's wrist with ease, flinging his hand away and shielding Han Yingying behind him. His tone was calm, yet inexplicably filled with an icy chill.
"She already has a brother who cherishes her very much; she doesn't need your concern. You should spend more time caring for your girlfriend—she's quite upset."
Looking at that tall figure's back, Han Yingying's nose tingled with emotion.
Shen Mosheng had come to rescue her...
Fu Yingjun turned towards Zhuo Huining, who had been standing quietly by his side, with a hint of surprise, "Ningning, are you jealous?"
Gently brushing the hair by her ear, Zhuo Huining smiled gracefully, "Why would I be? I know Han Yingying is your sister and very important to you. It's normal for a brother to care about his sister."
A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes, but Fu Yingjun quickly looked towards Shen Mosheng with a cheerful smile, "My Ningning is always so understanding and never gets jealous, especially not over Yingying."
To Han Yingying, this statement felt like a harsh slap to her face, exacerbating her embarrassment.
"Is that so?" Shen Mosheng looked at him impassively, his voice even-toned, "Then you're truly unfortunate."
Fu Yingjun's expression stiffened, "What do you mean?"
Shen Mosheng's reply was off-topic, "Stay away from Yingying in the future. And drop the brother and sister act. Your girlfriend may not be jealous, but I will be.
"And when I get jealous, my temper isn't very good. It just so happens I'm skilled in Sanda, boxing, Wing Chun, and free combat. I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and might beat you up so badly you'd have to be hospitalized for a year and a half, which wouldn't look good."
"Are you threatening me?" The smile vanished from Fu Yingjun's face, his tone displeased.
"No, just stating the facts," Shen Mosheng said indifferently, then gently pulled Han Yingying closer, the coldness in his voice already fading, "Yingying, let's go."