Once inside, Lu Ningfei gently eased Si Qin onto the couch before heading to his bedroom to retrieve a change of clothes and a first aid kit.
When he returned to the living room, Si Qin was still sitting on the couch, his head bowed as he trembled slightly. Lu Ningfei placed the clothes on the armrest and set the first aid kit on the coffee table. He crouched in front of Si Qin, his voice calm and measured.
"You need to get out of those wet clothes and wash up. Here's a change of clothes that should fit you."
Si Qin looked up at Lu Ningfei with tear-streaked eyes, his voice breaking as he spoke.
"Thank you, Brother…"
"Go clean up," Ningfei said softly.
Si Qin nodded weakly and took the clothes, disappearing into the bathroom to wash and change. As the door clicked shut, Lu Ningfei let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. He hadn't anticipated Si Qin coming to him, of all people, for help.
When Si Qin emerged from the bathroom, he was dressed in the clothes Lu Ningfei had given him—a simple pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. They were slightly loose, but they fit well enough. His hair was still damp from the quick shower he'd taken, and his face was pale, but he looked a little more composed.
Ningfei gestured for him to sit back down on the couch.
"Come here. Let me take a look at those burns."
Si Qin obediently sat, his eyes still red from crying. He winced as Ningfei gently applied balm to the reddened areas on his arms, neck, and face, the cool sensation of the ointment soothing the burning skin.
"Why… why didn't you ever tell me anything?" Si Qin asked in a choked voice, tears threatening to spill over again. "About what happened, about Father… about everything?"
Lu Ningfei paused for a moment, his fingers deftly wrapping a bandage around Si Qin's arm. He didn't look up as he spoke, his voice steady but tinged with bitterness.
"I hated you, Si Qin. You were the child of Si Qian—the man who betrayed my mother. Every time I saw you, I was reminded of what he did. Why would I tell you anything?"
Si Qin's shoulders shook as he cried silently, his head bowed.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Brother. I didn't know…"
Lu Ningfei finished bandaging the last of the burns and then gently patted Si Qin's head, his expression softening slightly.
"I don't care anymore, Si Qin. But I'll never forgive Si Qian or your mother for what they did."
Si Qin looked up at him, his eyes wide and filled with a mix of guilt and resolve.
"I'm with you, Brother. I don't care about them anymore. I just want to be with you."
Lu Ningfei smiled faintly, a rare expression that softened his usually stoic features.
"Good."
With the immediate crisis taken care of, Lu Ningfei stood up and moved to the kitchen. He needed to prepare a meal for them both.
He glanced back at Si Qin, who was still sitting on the couch, looking a little lost but calmer than before.
"I'm going to make some food," Lu Ningfei said. "You should rest."
Si Qin nodded, though he made no move to lie down. He seemed content to simply sit there, his eyes following Lu Ningfei's movements as he began to cook.
Lu Ningfei had just started preparing the ingredients when there was a knock at the door. He paused, wiping his hands on a towel as he made his way to the entrance. Si Qin had gone to the bathroom to wash his face, so Lu Ningfei didn't bother calling out to him before opening the door.
Standing in the hallway were Shen Zhiling and his younger brother, Shen Zhiwei. The contrast between the two was stark—Shen Zhiling stood tall and composed, his expression serious as always, while Shen Zhiwei leaned casually against the doorframe, his posture lazy and carefree. Despite their differences, both were undeniably handsome, each in their own distinct way.
Shen Zhiling was the first to speak, his tone firm and slightly commanding.
"Let me help you get medicine."
He said while taking out the medical kit.
Lu Ningfei's gaze flicked to the first aid box in Shen Zhiling's hand.
He raised an eyebrow but stepped aside, allowing them to enter.
"Come in," Ningfei said, his tone neutral. He closed the door behind them and gestured toward the living room.
Shen Zhiling went to coffee table to put down the first aid box but saw another one which was obviously used...
While, Shen Zhiwei wandered into the kitchen, his curiosity piqued by the smell of food.
"You're cooking?" Shen Zhiwei asked looking at the ingredients laid out on the counter.
"Yes," Lu Ningfei replied, returning to his work. "Just a simple meal."
Shen Zhiling, having ensured that the first aid kit was adequately stocked, walked over to the kitchen as well. He stood beside Ningfei, his gaze calm but interested. "What are you making?"
"Chicken soup with potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes," Lu Ningfei answered as he chopped the vegetables. "Pan-fried red mullet, stuffed mushrooms with minced chicken in sweet soy sauce, and stir-fried cabbage with dried shrimp."
Shen Zhiwei let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.
"You cook like this every day?"
"Only when I have the time," Lu Ningfei said with a small shrug. "I happened to have the ingredients on hand."
Shen Zhiling watched him work, his eyes following Ningfei's precise movements as he prepared the meal.
"Do you like chicken?" Shen Zhiling asked, his voice casual, though there was a hint of something more in his tone.
Lu Ningfei nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I do. Chicken is versatile, and it's easy to work with. Plus, it's comforting, especially on nights like this."
Shen Zhiling considered this for a moment before asking,
"What else do you like to eat?"
Lu Ningfei paused briefly before answering.
"Seafood. I grew up near the coast, so I've always had a preference for it."
A small smile played at the corners of Shen Zhiling's mouth.
"I like seafood too. Especially fish."
Lu Ningfei glanced at him, meeting his gaze briefly before returning to his cooking. "Then I'll make something with fish next time."
Shen Zhiwei, who had been watching the exchange with an amused expression, leaned back against the counter. "You two sound like you're planning a date."
Shen Zhiling glanced at his younger brother, who raised his hands.
"Sorry~"
Lu Ningfei didn't react to the comment, though he could feel a slight flush creeping up his neck. He focused on the pan in front of him, carefully placing the pieces of red mullet into the hot oil.
Shen Zhiling, on the other hand, simply smiled faintly and turned to help Ningfei with the preparations. He wasn't the type to cook but he had some experience in his last life too.
As the meal neared completion, Si Qin finally emerged from the bathroom, his face freshly washed and his expression more composed than before. He looked up in surprise when he saw the two Shen brothers in the kitchen, but Lu Ningfei quickly waved him over.
"Come sit," Lu Ningfei called out. "The food will be ready soon."
Si Qin nodded and made his way to the couch, though his gaze lingered on the Shen brothers, particularly Shen Zhiwei who was lazily sitting on the couch with his cellphone in hand and seemed to be playing games.
Si Qin rolled his eyes.
Idiot gamer.