Fang Anning stared in shock at He Tingchen's back.
For a long while, she finally asked in a low voice, "How did this happen?"
There was nothing unusual about He Tingchen's front, but on his back, there was a scar running from his shoulder down to his lower back.
This scar was about three inches wide, uneven, clearly caused by a long, hard object.
It seemed to split his entire back in two, looking extremely fierce and terrifying.
"Scared?" He Tingchen countered.
Fang Anning nodded, then suddenly realized it wasn't appropriate. She quickly added, "No, it's just... I feel pain for you."
"Pain for me?" He Tingchen's eyebrows knitted together, confusion flashing in his eyes.
Fang Anning hurriedly picked up the towel, washed it again, and gently wiped his back, saying, "It must have hurt a lot at that time! Don't worry, I will be gentle."
"It happened many years ago, it doesn't hurt anymore," He Tingchen said in a deep voice.
Fang Anning could tell that the scar was very old.
Still, she wiped very carefully.
After finishing wiping his back and helping him put on his pajamas, she asked, "Are you sure you don't need me to wash below?"
He Tingchen's ears reddened, and he said angrily, "No need, get out."
"Cut it, you just use me and then tell me to get out; wash yourself, I'm not even bothered to help you." Fang Anning, scolded, left in displeasure, throwing the towel on his face.
He Tingchen: "…"
He roughly pulled the towel off his face.
This was the first time a woman dared to treat him like this. Especially after seeing his back, she still had the audacity to maintain such an attitude.
"Get off the bed."
Ten minutes later, He Tingchen came out of the bathroom controlling his wheelchair.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he exited the bathroom, he saw Fang Anning lying on his big bed, sound asleep.
He Tingchen became furious, picked up a teacup, and threw it against the wall, followed by his loud shouts.
The sound of the teacup shattering and He Tingchen's shouting woke Fang Anning abruptly.
She sat up hastily, looking bewildered, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Who allowed you to sleep on my bed?" He Tingchen asked with a dark face.
Fang Anning replied, "I'm your wife, if not here, where should I sleep? Would you like it if I slept in someone else's bed?"
"Get off, this is my bed, you do not deserve to sleep here," He Tingchen scolded coldly again.
Fang Anning gritted her teeth angrily, got off the bed, and asked, "So where should I sleep?"
"Anywhere."
He Tingchen, controlling his wheelchair, moved towards the nightstand. He took out a remote, lowered the bed, and lay down.
However, shortly after lying down, he smelled her scent on the bed and said irritably, "It's all your scent, really unpleasant."
Then, he pressed the bedside bell.
Soon, Mrs. Chen came in with others.
He Tingchen ordered, "Arrange this woman somewhere else, change all the bedsheets and blankets to new ones."
"Sir, the old master instructed that the bride should not leave your room," Mrs. Chen reminded softly with respect.
The anger was palpable around He Tingchen, although he was wearing a mask that hid any frown.
Mrs. Chen's head bowed even lower, her hands nervously intertwining.
Fang Anning glanced at Mrs. Chen and said to He Tingchen, "Don't make it difficult for her, I'll sleep on the couch."
"Change the sheets," He Tingchen scolded Mrs. Chen again.
Mrs. Chen immediately nodded, and along with two other maids, changed all the bed linen to new ones.
The old ones were about to be taken out.
"I want the blanket, I will use it."
Before Mrs. Chen left the room, Fang Anning stopped her and asked for the blanket.
"Be good."
Mrs. Chen, grateful for Fang Anning helping her out of a tight spot earlier, whispered advice to her as she closed the door.
Fang Anning nodded, reassuring Mrs. Chen.
When she returned, He Tingchen had already gone to sleep, and the lights were off.
The room was pitch black, nothing was visible.
Fortunately, she remembered where the couch was. She groped her way to the sofa and climbed up to sleep.
The next day, Fang Anning got up and stretched.
The room wasn't as dark as it was at night, but it was still dim. The heavy curtains blocked all the sunlight from outside.
Fang Anning made the bed and changed her clothes to go downstairs.
Mrs. Chen saw her and hurriedly greeted, "Wife, you are up. Breakfast is ready and waiting for you."
"Thank you!" Fang Anning thanked.
She walked to the dining room, only to find a man indeed sitting there waiting for her.
However, this man was not He Tingchen.