Ning Chen patted Ning Jing's back and handed her water.
"Wen Xin, rushing won't help. You'll encounter many such situations in the future, so you need to get used to them sooner."
Ning Chen's tone was gentle, and his gaze toward Ning Jing was remarkably firm.
Ning Jing, who had just composed herself, was stunned, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Was he forcing her to accept this reality?
Ning Jing pursed her lips again, then looked at Ning Chen. "Brother, it's not like that. Even if we get married, we can still get divorced."
Ning Jing's innocent eyes held a rare depth, as if signaling to Ning Chen that what happened the night before was not a shackle, and she wouldn't use it to trap him.
Moreover, it was her mistake to begin with, and Ning Chen was so innocent.
Divorce?
Ning Chen's knuckles turned white as he gripped the glass, and a turbulent emotion churned within him.
Not wanting to startle Ning Jing, he quickly averted her gaze and took a deep breath.
He couldn't stand Ning Jing calling him "brother," especially not just now.
But she was Ning Jing, what could he do if he couldn't stand it?
Ning Jing could sense Ning Chen's discomfort. She didn't quite understand what he was thinking and dared not say more.
After a while, Ning Chen calmed his emotions and picked up the cutlery to offer the steak to Ning Jing.
This time, Ning Jing didn't hesitate. She ate the steak in front of her, chewing slowly, glancing cautiously at Ning Chen from time to time, as if trying to please him.
Only after Ning Jing finished eating and went upstairs to change did Ning Chen beckon. The maids who had been waiting not far away finally dared to come forward to clean up the spilled milk and the cup that Ning Chen had crushed.
"The way he looked at Young Master was so scary." The maid stretched as she wiped the table. She caught sight of Ning Chen's gaze towards Ning Jing's bedroom and froze.
"Don't talk nonsense. Hurry up and take out the trash." The older maid pulled her aside and handed her the garbage bag.
The maid couldn't help but glance at Ning Chen again before taking the trash and leaving.
...
"Brother, are we leaving?" Ning Jing, wearing a floral dress and holding a small white vintage handbag, stood before Ning Chen.
"Yes." Mu Qi's gaze shifted to Ning Jing's slender fingers, but he ultimately bypassed her and walked ahead.
As they were about to get into the car, Ning Jing intended to sit in the back. However, Ning Chen opened the passenger door first. Ning Jing found it difficult to refuse and silently tightened her grip on her bag strap.
The car ride was silent. Ning Jing wanted to speak several times, but every time she looked in Ning Chen's direction, she lost her courage.
After a few more attempts, Ning Jing completely deflated, turned her head to the window, and rolled it down.
Ning Chen noticed the change in Ning Jing. He frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, not wanting to hear her mention divorce again.
After getting out of the car, Ning Jing frowned at the crowds ahead.
It was the weekend, and the streets were packed with people, both strolling and not.
"Follow behind me," Ning Chen said, taking the lead and clearing a path for Ning Jing.
Ning Jing quickly followed.
Upon arriving at the cinema, Ning Jing chose a horror movie from the many options.
She had heard that fear could cure anxiety. Ning Jing wasn't sure if she was anxious yet, but she was certain she was extremely nervous.
Less than five minutes into the movie, amidst the terrifying sound effects filling the theater, Ning Jing regretted her choice.
Twenty minutes later, Ning Jing was on the verge of tears from fright.
A few minutes later, Ning Jing watched as the protagonist, snoring in bed, had a hand resting by the side of the bed, hanging down. Suddenly, a cold, pale, bluish hand emerged from under the bed.
Accompanied by a sudden burst of horrifying sound effects, Ning Jing abruptly buried her head in Ning Chen's neck.
Ning Chen froze, momentarily unsure of what was happening.
Then he felt a slight dampness on his shoulder.
"Scared?" Ning Chen stroked Ning Jing's head.
"I'm not," Ning Jing said, sniffling.
"Xin Xin is so delicate." Ning Chen's voice was incredibly soft. He then covered Ning Jing's ears with his hands.
His doting words didn't calm Ning Jing. Soon, she pushed his hands away.
"Brother, what happened to the person lying on the bed?" Ning Jing's voice trembled as she spoke.
Ning Chen glanced at the bloody scene and a smile touched his lips. "He's doing just fine."
"Is he still planning to go on an adventure?" Ning Jing swallowed hard and asked.
"Yes, he is. But a very capable Taoist priest will accompany him."
Hearing this, Ning Jing subtly turned her head to look at the screen.
Ning Chen noticed and, seeing the screen display the Taoist priest drawing a talisman, didn't stop her.
However, just as Ning Jing turned her head, the scene shifted to the protagonist, covered in blood, falling from the bed onto the floor.
"Ah!" Ning Jing couldn't help but scream and buried herself in Ning Chen's neck again.
Ning Chen frowned and cupped Ning Jing's head. "Do you want to stop watching?"
"No, I want to know the ending." The fabricated plot by Ning Chen successfully piqued Ning Jing's mix of timidity and curiosity.
"Alright." Ning Chen held Ning Jing's head tightly, a sense of helplessness mixed with secret joy.
"Brother, you look very good today." After a while, Ning Jing pulled out slightly from Ning Chen's neck and spoke, clutching his collar.
Ning Chen was wearing white casual pants and a green jacket that day.
Green was Ning Jing's favorite color, and light colors were what she usually wore.
Ning Chen: "Mm, I know."
If Ning Jing had moved a bit closer, she might have felt the abnormal warmth of Ning Chen's ears.
"Brother, your hair looks so smooth." In the terrifying atmosphere, Ning Jing couldn't help but make small talk.
"Do you want to touch it?" Ning Chen didn't quite understand Ning Jing's current state, but he felt happy.
Ning Jing indeed raised her hand and touched Ning Chen's head.
"Mm, it's soft and smooth."
"Brother, you're really handsome." Ning Jing raised her hand again and touched Ning Chen's face.
Ning Chen's eyes were already squinting with a smile. He was genuinely happy.
"Brother, why is your skin so smooth and delicate?" The horrific sound effects pulsed intermittently, and Ning Jing couldn't stop herself from talking incessantly.