MDMB 07

Chapter 07

 Applying Medicine

Qingqing stopped and turned back to look at his dark expression, her heart filled with unease.

For a brief moment, she wanted to tell him the truth. But then she remembered something and hesitated.

Even the director who had raised her didn’t believe what she said. How could a brother she had only known for one day believe her?

If Brother thought she was a bad child who lied, would he send her back to the orphanage?

Qingqing didn’t dare say anything. She really liked this brother who brought her beautiful cakes, and she was afraid he would hate her.

Tilting up her soft, fair little face, she said in a sweet voice,

“Brother, I’ll get better in a couple of days~”

After thinking for a moment, she forced out a flattering smile, trying to get away with it through sheer cuteness.

Fu Yueci pressed his lips together, his handsome face cold.

Without another word, he picked Qingqing up and placed her on the bed.

“Brother!”

The little girl was startled. When she saw him crouch down to look at her leg, her trembling voice shook with fear.

Her reaction immediately gave Fu Yueci a bad feeling.

If everything was fine, why would she be this frightened?

Thinking this, he carefully rolled up her pant leg. Then he froze in place.

There were so many scratches on her calf!

Not only that, there was a large bruise on her knee, especially glaring against her fair, soft skin.

As if realizing something, Fu Yueci’s face darkened. He grabbed the child’s hand.

Her palm was red, covered with freshly formed scabs.

These injuries clearly weren’t caused by a simple fall like she had claimed before. Those were obvious scratches, and the area near her wrist was a serious abrasion.

Fu Yueci’s gaze hardened.

His voice dropped several degrees, cold as a frozen lake.

“When I asked you at the orphanage, did you lie to me?”

A trace of guilt flashed through Qingqing’s eyes.

She lowered her head and muttered softly,

“Sorry…”

Fu Yueci took a deep breath.

His heart sank straight to the bottom.

Not because of Qingqing.

Because of himself.

He had been careless.

When the child said she had fallen, he should have asked more questions.

As a result, her injuries had gone untreated until now. If he hadn’t noticed something was wrong, who knew how much longer she would have hidden them?

Without saying another word, he let go of her hand.

Then he walked out and closed the door behind him.

Qingqing was so scared that she didn’t dare make a sound. Even her breathing became cautious.

When the door shut, her tear-filled eyes trembled.

Was Brother angry?

Because she had lied, did he think she was a bad child now?

Had he left because of that?

Staring at the tightly closed door, tears rolled down her cheeks one after another.

She wiped them away messily and jumped off the bed, her little face pale as she headed toward the door.

She wanted to apologize.

She hadn’t lied on purpose.

She had just been too scared.

Just as she reached the doorway, Fu Yueci returned.

In his hands were a medical kit and a paper shopping bag.

Seeing Qingqing off the bed, he frowned slightly.

“You’re injured. Why did you get down? Stay on the bed.”

“Brother, I thought…”

The little dumpling burst into tears of relief.

Her eyes were red as she obediently climbed back onto the bed.

Fu Yueci set the medical kit on the table and opened the paper bag first.

He took out a goose-yellow dress, removed the tag, and handed it to Qingqing.

“I had someone buy it just now. Make do with this for now.”

The little girl stared blankly as she accepted it.

Seeing her dazed expression, Fu Yueci frowned doubtfully.

“Do you know how to put it on? If not, I’ll ask Aunt Liu to come help.”

“I can! I can!”

Qingqing immediately nodded.

Two little dimples appeared on her tender cheeks.

Seeing that, Fu Yueci gave a small grunt of acknowledgment and stepped outside, closing the door firmly behind him.

Leaning against the white wall beside the room, his mood was far from pleasant.

He seriously suspected that the child had been bullied in the orphanage.

That would explain why she was so cautious, so well-behaved, and far more obedient than children her age.

A knock came from the room.

Fu Yueci snapped back to reality.

He opened the door only a tiny crack and called inside,

“Are you dressed?”

Qingqing’s soft voice floated out.

“All done~”

Only then did he push the door open and enter.

The little girl looked especially bright in her new clothes.

Her skin was naturally fair. Light colors didn’t make her look washed out; instead, they made her seem even more adorable.

Like a little glutinous rice ball wrapped in a yellow coat.

Absolutely cute.

Although that was what he thought, what came out of his mouth was as tsundere as ever.

“Not bad. You look a bit more like a member of the Fu family now.”

Qingqing beamed happily.

“Thank you, Brother! I really like it~”

Fu Yueci bent down and carried her back to the bed.

He brought over the medical kit and crouched down.

His dark bangs fell forward, partially covering his eyes.

Qingqing felt something cool on her leg.

She couldn’t tell whether it was the medicine or her brother’s hand.

Earlier she had been wearing long sleeves.

After changing into the dress, her lotus-root-like little arms were exposed, allowing Fu Yueci to see the injuries on them as well.

Silently, he finished applying medicine to every wound.

The antiseptic was dark in color, almost black-purple.

Against her pale skin, it looked like large patches of dark birthmarks.

After treating every visible injury, he asked,

“Any more injuries anywhere else?”

Qingqing shook her head slightly.

“Nope. Thank you, Brother!”

Fu Yueci put away the medical kit and left it by her bedside.

After finishing, he pulled over a chair and sat facing her.

There were some questions he needed to ask.

“At the orphanage, was someone bullying you?”

Qingqing froze for a moment.

Then she shook her head blankly.

“No~ The director says we’re not allowed to fight. If we fight, we won’t get food~”

Looking at her innocent, adorable face, Fu Yueci softened his tone slightly.

“Then how did you get those injuries?”

To prevent her from brushing him off with the same excuse again, he immediately added,

“Don’t tell me you fell by yourself. I’ve never seen a child that clumsy.”

Qingqing’s eyes widened.

But… she really had fallen by herself!

“Waaah… I’m a dummy…”

This time, Fu Yueci was the one who fell silent.

He truly couldn’t believe it.

“You fell by yourself?”

“Mhm…”

“…”

He eyed the pitiful little girl suspiciously.

Could this child actually be that clumsy?

Of course, there was another possibility.

They had only known each other for one day. Maybe there were things she didn’t want to tell him yet.

He didn’t press further.

He didn’t want Qingqing to feel uncomfortable.

His gaze landed on the unopened cake sitting on the table.

Walking over, he removed the packaging.

He cut off a slice and placed it on a plate before handing it to Qingqing.

“Here. Don’t eat too much. Dinner’s soon.”

The little dumpling didn’t take it.

Instead, she gently pushed the plate back toward him.

Two dimples appeared on her adorable face.

“Brother, you eat first~”

Fu Yueci paused.

Then he set the plate down, cut another slice, and handed that one to Qingqing.

This time, the little girl happily accepted it.

She scooped up a bite with her fork and put it into her mouth.

Her eyes immediately narrowed with bliss.

Delicious!!

After another bite, Qingqing seemed to remember something.

She looked at Fu Yueci and asked quietly,

“Brother, should we take some to Third Brother too? Does he like cake?”

A trace of nostalgia appeared in Fu Yueci’s eyes, as if he were remembering something.

When Third Brother was little, he had loved sweets.

His gaze fell on the half-remaining bow-shaped cake.

The hand holding his fork tightened slightly.

Maybe…

Maybe they should bring him some.