Chapter 28: This Young Lady Truly Has a Big Heart!

Originally, Xia Qingqing’s heart ached from being stung by Lin Feng’s words, but when she heard what he said next, her mood instantly lifted.

These were truths even her mother had never shared with her.

Since she was little, her mother had been gravely ill. Living in the countryside, they barely scraped by with the help of her grandparents. Most days, her grandparents were busy running the factory and couldn’t spare much time, so after school, she would rush home to care for her bedridden mother.

From the time she was eight and old enough to understand, the burden of endless chores fell on her shoulders like a mountain. She had no time to play, and because her family was so poor, she was always carrying a faint odor, which made her unwelcome among her classmates.

This went on for ten long years...

Yet, her naturally stubborn spirit refused to yield to fate. She poured herself into her studies, hoping to change her destiny. Perhaps the heavens were moved by her efforts, for after she entered middle school, her mother gradually regained clarity and could speak again.

It was then that Xia Qingqing learned she had a brother who’d been lost since childhood, someone she’d never even met.

What surprised her even more was that her mother had a broad horizon, having traveled to many big cities. Her mother was knowledgeable and often talked with her about the world after school.

No longer was she a lonely, withdrawn child.

From then on, smiles often blossomed on her face, and she sometimes fantasized about meeting that lost brother someday.

She always thought her brother must have been born a little slow—otherwise, how could he have been missing for so many years...

At this thought, Xia Qingqing suddenly laughed!

How could Brother Lin possibly dislike her? If he really did, why would he take the time to say all these things to her?

“Thank you!” Xia Qingqing beamed, her smile wide as she gripped Lin Feng’s arm tightly and leaned forward. “Can I call you Brother Feng from now on?”

Lin Feng: “...”

He had only seen her fall silent and assumed she was taking his words to heart. He hadn’t expected that after a moment, she’d act as if they were even closer than before...

He truly had no idea what went on in Xia Qingqing’s little head and decided it was best to say nothing.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes!”

With a bright smile, Xia Qingqing continued, “Brother Feng, why don’t you come to my place for a while? Since I’ve delayed your meal, let me cook for you to make it up!”

Lin Feng’s eyelid twitched. This little sister was as resilient as a cockroach.

“No, we’re almost at your stop. I’ll take you home and still have time to make it back to the office.”

“No way!” Xia Qingqing’s grip tightened on Lin Feng’s sleeve, holding on for dear life. “No matter what, you have to let me thank you today—I still haven’t thanked you for taking me to the hotel last time!”

She was pulling so hard that his clothes were nearly misshapen.

Lin Feng realized he probably couldn’t talk his way out of this today.

When they arrived at the stop, he supported Xia Qingqing off the bus and guided her through winding paths, finally reaching the elevator building.

The area near Yihan Group was on the outskirts, also called the business district. Many companies were based here, and most residents in the nearby buildings were workers. The apartments weren’t luxurious, but they were more than enough for someone living alone.

They exited the elevator and stopped at apartment 603. Xia Qingqing opened the door.

The room was sparsely furnished, less than twenty square meters, but everything was neatly arranged. Despite its size, it had all the essentials: a desk, a bed, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom.

Xia Qingqing hung her bag on the wall hook by the door and cheerfully pulled Lin Feng inside.

“Brother Lin, have a seat. I’ll check what ingredients I still have in the fridge.”

She seemed to have forgotten her injured foot entirely...

This little sister really had nerves of steel!

Lin Feng’s mouth twitched; he turned her by the shoulders and pressed her down onto the bed.

“Do you not want your foot anymore?”

Xia Qingqing was stunned by the sudden move. Lin Feng’s handsome face loomed close, and her heart began to race uncontrollably!

Glancing around the simple room, Lin Feng sighed. “Just sit here. I’ll go downstairs and buy you some medicine, and bring back something to eat as well.”

Before Xia Qingqing could respond, Lin Feng had already picked up the keys and left.

As she watched his departing figure, Xia Qingqing’s thundering heart gradually calmed.

He was so good to her—going out of his way to buy her medicine and food. She knew it; how could Brother Lin possibly dislike her? He was just not good at expressing himself!

Excited, Xia Qingqing caught sight of her underwear hanging beside the window. Her cheeks flushing, she endured the pain, struggled to her feet, and quickly gathered up the embarrassing items.

Not long after, Lin Feng returned from downstairs.

He set the food in the lunchbox Xia Qingqing had prepared and handed her the medicine. After examining her swollen ankle, he fell silent for a moment before saying, “This sprain is pretty bad. You really ought to go to the hospital, just to be safe.”

“No way!”

Xia Qingqing protested immediately. “A hospital visit is so expensive, and you have to wait in line forever. My foot would heal before I even got seen—I’m not going!”

Lin Feng had never met anyone so stubborn.

“All right, let me take a look then,” he sighed, squatting down.

Xia Qingqing felt his large hands cup her ankle, while his other hand gently examined her foot.

The texture of his gloves brushed against her skin, a subtle sensation rising from her foot straight to her heart.

She blushed without realizing it.

After a careful check, Lin Feng finally relaxed. “It’s just a sprain. I’ll put some medicine on it. Rest for a few days, and don’t move around too much…”

He opened the herbal oil and poured some onto his fingertips. “If you can’t handle high heels, don’t wear them. Yours are way too small…”

“I thought if I bought them a bit small, they’d stretch out over time and last longer...” Xia Qingqing blushed, trying to explain.

The cool, soothing touch of the medicine spread over her ankle.

Lin Feng’s technique was so effective that in just a short while, her pain had eased considerably.

“You work at Yihan Group now; your salary should be pretty decent!” he remarked as he applied the medicine.

“I’m still in my three-month probation. It’s only eight thousand a month...”

Xia Qingqing replied softly, her cheeks burning as if on fire.

“Eight thousand’s not bad at all!” Lin Feng was puzzled. “You live alone, and the company provides meal subsidies. You shouldn’t need to spend much every month.”

“I still have to send money to my mother...”

“You send money to your mother?” Lin Feng was momentarily surprised, then asked, “Do you have younger siblings?”

“No…” Xia Qingqing shook her head. Her usually lively voice was now tinged with sadness. “I only have an older brother, but my mother needs money for her treatment. I’ve been working part-time since university to support her...”