Chapter 25

She was instantly startled, a bit at a loss, and tentatively asked, “Brother, are you alright?”

Ling Qiao, who had been focused on eating, looked up at the sound and was equally surprised to see Jin Yuchuan’s flushed face.

“Why are you blushing in front of your sister?” Ling Qiao teased.

Jin Yuchuan glanced at him, a surge of frustration rising in his heart. He restrained himself from losing control in Ye Chunxi’s presence.

He took a tissue and wiped the corner of his mouth.

The butler handed him some water at the perfect moment, and he drank it heartily.

His chiseled side profile was smooth and resolute. Jin Yuchuan tilted his head back, exposing his Adam’s apple, which moved up and down.

Water droplets inadvertently trickled down along his throat, flowing toward the quiet place concealed beneath his clothing.

It was both sensual and captivating.

Ye Chunxi snapped out of her daze, took the oil dip in front of him, and turned to instruct the servant to prepare a fresh one.

After Jin Yuchuan finished drinking, his complexion recovered somewhat. Lowering his gaze, he saw the girl beside him placing ingredients into the clear soup pot.

Only then did Ling Qiao realize what was happening and teased, “Sister, you don’t know, Jin Ye is very sensitive to spicy and stimulating food. Usually, the servants have to be extra careful. Didn’t expect he’d get triggered just from eating with you.”

He laughed heartlessly.

Ye Chunxi turned her head away. Her moist, deer-like eyes, blurred by steam, lifted slightly. As the mist cleared, they became even clearer and more translucent, shimmering with a delicate radiance.

“Sorry,” she murmured, feeling somewhat guilty.

Jin Yuchuan composed himself and reassured, “It’s nothing. You didn’t know before.”

Ye Chunxi lowered her eyes. “I’ll be more careful from now on.”

Ling Qiao’s expression stiffened suddenly, feeling ignored, looking dumbfoundedly at the two opposite them.

“You didn’t know, but don’t you know your own condition? If you can’t eat it, why insist? Are you trying to make your sister worry on purpose?”

Jin Yuchuan said nothing. His cold, dark eyes swept over Ling Qiao, carrying an imposing pressure.

Ling Qiao immediately shut up, too afraid to speak, burying himself in his food.

Ye Chunxi dipped several slices of tripe into Jin Yuchuan’s oil dip, puzzled. “Why force yourself?”

Jin Yuchuan avoided her gaze. “It’s nothing serious.”

He hadn’t eaten spicy food for a long time and had forgotten the flushed feeling.

He only planned to endure a few bites and then leave, so he didn’t take it seriously.

Ye Chunxi tightened her grip on her chopsticks, quietly chiding, “You really don’t take care of your body.”

Ling Qiao, ever talkative, couldn’t resist teasing again, “With so many private doctors around Jin Ye, why would he worry about his health?”

He seemed to know he was about to get a glare, so he kept his head down, looking both fearful and unable to hold back, which was quite amusing.

Ye Chunxi took a deep breath, lips parting as if to say something, but the courage faded.

Jin Yuchuan’s expression darkened slightly. His shimmering peach blossom eyes shifted, a faint light passing through them.

“You have a talent for traditional Chinese medicine,” he said tentatively, reaching out his hand. “Since you’re so worried about me, why don’t you take a look?”

Ye Chunxi raised an eyebrow, her gaze dropping to the hand that unexpectedly appeared before her, staring intently.

She had realized from reading those Chinese medicine books that she had some aptitude in the field.

But it was only theoretical; she had never truly tried it.

Still, Jin Yuchuan’s proactive offer to let her take his pulse made her feel a little timid inside.

Having lost her memory, she could only recall fragments through books.

She didn’t think she was qualified to diagnose pulses.

Hesitating, Jin Yuchuan extended his hand further.

His usually cold tone softened considerably, like the gentle warmth of spring.

“It’s just a try. It won’t hurt.”

Ye Chunxi pressed her lips, put down her chopsticks, and placed her hand over his pulse.

The weather was slightly chilly, and their hands felt cool.

The touch of skin stimulated their nerves but also carried warmth, gradually heating up until a faint flush rose.

Ye Chunxi felt sharp pains in her mind, frowning in discomfort.

After a long pause, she said, “You’ve been overworking yourself. You seem a bit weak…”

Ye Chunxi sat down and turned her head, puzzled. “International Convention Center?”

“Yes,” Butler Kong explained, “There’s a seminar today at the International Convention Center in Jincheng City. Many experts in neurology will be there; renowned doctors will gather.”

He smiled kindly, his aged face gentle and approachable, not forgetting to boost Jin Yuchuan’s image.

“The young master really cares about you. With so many experts, it’s usually hard to get an appointment. I heard the vice president of the medical alliance will attend this time— even he isn’t easy to invite.”

Ye Chunxi’s eyes flickered slightly, a warm feeling rising in her heart, strangely so.

Her eyelashes lowered as she ladled the pumpkin porridge before her.

Perhaps it was the sudden presence of family, or maybe Jin Yuchuan’s concern made her feel cherished.

This feeling made Ye Chunxi uneasy.

After all, she had never been an emotional person.

After breakfast, Ye Chunxi wanted to take a walk outside. Butler Kong accompanied her, citing her unfamiliarity with the deer garden.

It was April, the flowers in full bloom, willows swaying gracefully, clear waters whispering, and mountains layered in lush greenery. Everywhere was steeped in the fragrance of spring.

A gentle breeze swept through the vibrant scene, carrying the scent of nature.

Ye Chunxi walked across the plank bridge over the artificial stream and paused at the main courtyard gate.

“Brother doesn’t live here?” she asked.

“No,” Butler Kong said. “This deer garden was actually a birthday gift given to the young master when he turned eighteen by the old master. It’s mostly been left unused. The young master rarely comes here; only the servants stay to maintain it regularly.”

His tone carried a hint of weariness.

A momentary sadness crossed his face, but it vanished as soon as he saw Ye Chunxi.

“Now that Miss Ye is here, the deer garden finally has its owner.”

Ye Chunxi turned around. “What about the others?”

“What?” Butler Kong was momentarily taken aback.

Ye Chunxi pursed her lips and said straightforwardly, “Isn’t your brother close with the family?”

“Well…”

The Jin family’s internal conflicts were known to outsiders in part.

But since it was a family matter, Butler Kong was reluctant to speak.

Moreover, Ye Chunxi kept calling Jin Yuchuan “Brother.” Whether she intended to be his wife or had simply adopted a sister, he was uncertain.

After pondering for a while, Butler Kong replied tactfully, “The young master’s uncles and cousins all have their own careers and rarely meet. His parents passed away early. The old master raised him, and the grandfather and grandson share a close bond.”

Ye Chunxi detected the evasiveness in his words.

Nan Sheng, who had already shared the number, was anxious. “Master Jin, do you want to intervene?”

Jin Yuchuan waved his hand. “If she wants to play, let her play.”

He was merely curious about the people around Ye Chunxi. Whether she herself would be involved was of no concern.

He only needed to confirm that she was Bai Lan.

...

After breakfast, Ling Qiao hurried to the nearby waterside pavilion.

Ye Chunxi was sitting in the small courtyard, reading medical books. Her long black hair was soft and hazy, carelessly draped over her shoulders.