I moved slightly out of his embrace and turned to look at my knee. But with tearful eyes, I couldn’t see clearly. Daniel Carter looked down at me and actually smiled, "Still crying? Is it that terrifying?" I hated him in my heart, hated him for putting me through such ’torture,’ so I didn’t want to pay attention to him. He didn’t mind and took out a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to me, "Do you want to wipe it yourself, or should I help you?" Pouting, I resentfully grabbed the handkerchief and wiped my tears. Once I calmed down a bit, just as I wanted to push him away and pretend to be strong, the doctor came over again, "The needles need to be adjusted, don’t worry, it won’t hurt." Watching the thin steel needles pulling at the swollen flesh, moving up and down in the doctor’s hands, I instinctively felt fear and quickly turned to bury myself in his embrace again. Daniel Carter seemed to be laughing, as I noticed the vibration from his abdomen. "Doctor, be gentle." He reminded softly. "The movements are very gentle, there will be a slight aching and swelling sensation, which is normal." The doctor replied. I didn’t respond, because I couldn’t speak; just enduring that discomfort exhausted all my energy. The treatment lasted forty minutes, during which I clung to Daniel Carter and cried for forty minutes, soaking the clothes on his abdomen. After the treatment was done, he looked at the watermark on his clothes and jokingly said, "If my abdomen catches cold, it’s thanks to your tears." My eyes were still moist, and I glanced at him, surely looking tearful and pitiful at that moment. I complained discontentedly, "You seem quite happy to see me suffer, don’t you have any humanity?" He slightly straightened his posture, his mouth curled in a mock disdain, "Sneaking out to play without informing me, this is your comeuppance." "..." I pressed my lips, unable to respond. By the time we left the hospital, it was already eleven at night. I still couldn’t walk, so Daniel Carter carried me back to the car. I was too lazy to struggle anymore, after crying in his arms for so long earlier, trying to clarify the relationship now would be too melodramatic. "What should I do? Take you home or temporary stay at my place?" Daniel Carter asked as he got into the car, looking at me. My ears twitched, my face stunned, and I stared at him. Temporary stay at his place? Does it mean ’cohabiting’ directly? Realizing my misunderstanding, Daniel Carter quickly explained, "Don’t overthink, I just thought you needed someone to take care of you." I blinked and regained myself, saying softly, "Home, I can manage myself, if it’s not possible, I’ll find a friend to come over." The divorce case with Adrian Gordon hasn’t settled yet, even if I’m not resisting contact with Daniel Carter at this moment, the idea of ’cohabitation’ is still absolutely impossible. It’s a matter of principle. Daniel Carter looked at me, then smiled faintly, "Alright, I’ll take you home." On the way, I was drowsy. Having been troubled by pain all day and tense during the treatment just now, now that the pain had eased and my body relaxed, I felt utterly exhausted, with heavy eyelids. "If you want to sleep, take a nap, I’ll call you when we get there." Daniel Carter said softly, as I jolted awake drowsily. I glanced at him without speaking, my head tilted as I fell into a deep sleep. In a daze, my shaking head found support. Heavy sleepiness made me lazy to lift my eyelids, so I naturally leaned my body weight over. I didn’t know how long I slept during the drive, but when I woke up, I felt exceptionally calm inside. That short dream was sweet and comforting, perhaps because I leaned against Daniel Carter. "Can you walk now?" The car stopped steadily, Daniel Carter got out first and walked around to open my door. I lifted my leg to feel and hurriedly said, "I can walk, acupuncture helped." I had to admit, the doctor Daniel Carter found was indeed skilled. The acupuncture looked daunting, but its effect was remarkable; after one treatment, I felt significant pain relief. Daniel Carter responded, standing by the car door, waiting cautiously as I stepped down. I walked very slowly, with him holding the medicine in one hand and pinching my arm with the other. A few short steps took me several minutes. After we got upstairs into my apartment, he was still cautious, "Can you manage washing up and going to the bathroom alone tonight?" I thought, even if I couldn’t, so what? Would he stay to help me wash or support me going to the bathroom? I couldn’t say that, so I responded confidently, "I can, don’t worry." I nodded, standing there. Because of my limited mobility, I didn’t go to the door to see him off, just watched him longingly, pondering some things in my mind. Daniel Carter looked at me a few times, presumably still worried. But given our current relationship, he certainly couldn’t suggest staying overnight. Last time I was drunk, which was unexpected. Now we’re both sober, if he stays overnight, no one can guarantee what might happen. After a brief awkward pause, he turned to walk towards the door. I panicked inside and instinctively called out, "Hey!" He turned around at the sound of my voice, his face showing some fluctuations, "What’s up? Is there something else?" "I..." I swallowed, looking at him, my hands uneasily twisting together, and said in a low voice, "This morning, you were angry, right...? I’m sorry... I should have told you in advance." Daniel Carter turned around to face me squarely, but didn’t move closer. That handsome, mature face was calm, even his gaze was reserved and deep. He stared at me, pondered for a moment, and asked in a low voice, "Can you tell me why you’ve been deliberately distant from me these past few days?" I was stunned, my gaze faltering. Of course, as sharp and intelligent as he is, how could he not feel it? He pressed further: "Is it because you haven’t met someone for the second trial and want to avoid suspicion, or did someone say something to you?" My heart was even more startled. He actually guessed that someone said something to me. I grew more conflicted, thinking of my aunt’s and grandmother’s words, thinking of the recent comments in the circle about me, torn in my heart. "Daniel, you’re right, I’m a coward... I’ve thought it through seriously, the gap between us is too big, even if you don’t care, your family doesn’t care, once our relationship is confirmed, once it’s public, there will be a lot of rumors outside, which is not good for you and your family." Daniel frowned and walked toward me. The faint sense of pressure instantly hit me. But my legs couldn’t move, so my heart retreated, my feet still stuck in place. He stopped two steps away from me, showing deep confusion and puzzlement between his handsome brows: "Why does my love life need the public’s approval?" "It’s not about needing public approval, but at the very least I can’t tarnish your reputation, make you a laughing stock in the circle, right? Otherwise, I’d feel... very upset." I tried to explain, but found I couldn’t find the right words. I feel like if I didn’t like him that much, I wouldn’t think so much. At this moment, I finally understand the saying — liking is possession, love is restraint. My feelings for Daniel Carter, in just a few months, surpassed the six or seven years I spent with Adrian Gordon. I’ve fallen in love with him, which is why I’m so trembling with fear, so worried. I don’t know if I should say I’ve moved on too quickly, or if Daniel is just too charming. "You’re so outstanding, how could you tarnish my reputation?" He raised his hand and actually pinched my face, smiling indulgently, "Lily, be a little selfish sometimes, you’ll live happier." I looked up at him, my heart’s defenses continuing to crumble. "It’s late, hurry up and wash up and go to sleep. I’ll come see you tomorrow." After pinching my face, his large hand lightly squeezed my shoulder, instructing in a low voice. I nodded, "Mm, then you should head back." I watched him turn and leave, and after closing the door, I let out a long breath and sat down by the dining table. My legs still hurt, but since they had been hurting all day, they were already a bit numb, and the pain was much relieved compared to during the day. It was cold, and I was too lazy to bathe, so I just washed up a bit, then struggled to move to the bed, lifting my legs onto it, slowly straightening them, lying down stiffly. Early the next morning, I woke up to unread messages on WeChat. Daniel Carter sent me a message at seven, asking what I wanted for breakfast. Although I really enjoy this kind of care, I also feel like the more I trouble him, the more I owe him, and the harder it will be to repay later. So, I replied: [Wennie Lane is coming today, you go ahead with your own things.] After sending the message, I felt uneasy again. I worried whether these words would make him angry again, make him think I’m distancing myself from him... Follow current novels on novęlfire.net Suddenly, the phone rang, he was calling. I hesitated for two seconds before answering, "Hello..." "Are you sure you’ve told your friend, and your friend is coming to take care of you?" "Mm, I told her last night." In fact, I hadn’t had a chance to say it, but only by "lying" could he put aside his worries, right? "Okay, then I’ll head to the office first, I’ll pick you up after I’m done with work, you still need treatment today." I was startled, only then remembering I had to go to the hospital for traditional Chinese medicine treatment today. "Umm... I think I’m feeling much better today, could I not go?" I was really afraid of acupuncture, recalling the scene made me anxious. "No, if this injury isn’t fully treated, it will leave a root problem and be troublesome later." He firmly refused. "Around ten o’clock, I’ll come to pick you up." "Alright... you focus on your work." After hanging up, thinking about having to do acupuncture made me howl into my pillow, tears almost flowing. Feeling upset, I went ahead and told Wennie Lane about my wretched string of bad luck. Upon learning, Wennie Lane rushed over to my place immediately. Seeing how badly I had fallen, she looked distressed and pained: "You’ve had such a year, you should find some time to pray at a temple, change your luck." I asked curiously, "Will it work?" "Well, if you’re sincere, it will work." I just smiled and brushed it off. I believe more that fate is in my own hands. Wennie Lane stayed and had breakfast with me, upon knowing that Daniel Carter would come pick me up for treatment, she couldn’t resist gossiping and teasing again. At ten thirty in the morning, Daniel Carter indeed showed up on time. Wennie Lane was very bold, when she saw Daniel enter, she went straight to the point and asked, "Mr. Carter, when did you start liking Lily?"