Chapter 88 - Should I Rub It for You?

Tang Huaijin carried the tearful Xia Xinya all the way to the school clinic. He knocked on the door and, under the direction of the bespectacled middle-aged school doctor, placed Xia Xinya on the nearby sickbed. He untied her hair so she could lie down comfortably.

“Doctor, her stomach hurts. Could you take a look? Maybe it was because she ran too fast just now.”

“Stomach ache?”

The female school doctor looked at Tang Huaijin’s anxious demeanor and the swollen eyes of the crying girl in his arms. She was equally flustered and didn’t hesitate to lift Xia Xinya’s short sleeve, revealing her slender waist and delicate navel.

Tang Huaijin was stunned, swallowing hard at the doctor’s actions.

Xia Xinya was momentarily shocked, and when she realized what was happening, her face turned crimson. She hurriedly tried to pull her shirt down, exclaiming in embarrassment, “You pervert, don’t look!”

Upon hearing this, Tang Huaijin quickly turned his head, his expression somewhat awkward.

The school doctor ignored her, scolding, “Don’t move.” However, seeing that she was lively enough to shout, she relaxed a bit, pressing various spots on Xia Xinya’s belly and asking, “Does it hurt?”

After a few questions, the school doctor rolled her eyes and stood up, saying, “You scared me. I thought it was something serious. It’s just indigestion and strenuous exercise, caught a chill. Drink some hot water and you’ll be fine.”

Saying this, the school doctor stood up, walked over, and grabbed a pack of indigestion tablets. She handed them to Tang Huaijin, who was standing aside, and complained, “Give your girlfriend an indigestion tablet and rub her belly. She’ll be fine soon.”

Xia Xinya blushed and quickly denied, “He’s not my boyfriend!”

Tang Huaijin’s expression was also a bit embarrassed, and he hurriedly said, “Doctor, you’ve misunderstood.”

The school doctor’s expression showed some impatience as she waved her hand, saying, “Alright, seeing how anxious you are, stop pretending. I’m not a counselor, I don’t deal with these matters.”

Tang Huaijin smiled wryly, “You really misunderstood…”

“Alright, alright, if not, then not. Here’s the medicine. Stay with her. I’m off duty now. Just close the door when you leave.” The school doctor nodded perfunctorily, a hint of amusement in her eyes. After speaking, she took off her white coat, hung it on the wall, grabbed her bag, and left the school clinic.

This school doctor probably wanted to help him out. Tang Huaijin watched as she closed the door on her way out, shook his head helplessly, and turned to look at Xia Xinya.

Xia Xinya’s face was flushed, her small hands covering her belly, her legs curled up as she lay on the bed, somewhat avoiding his gaze.

Tang Huaijin sighed, took a paper cup from the top of the nearby water heater, filled it with water, and pulled up a chair to sit beside Xia Xinya’s bed. He handed her the indigestion tablet, saying, “Take the medicine.”

“Oh…” Xia Xinya nodded obediently, took the tablet, put it in her mouth, and let him help her sit up to drink some water before lying back on the bed.

Tang Huaijin instinctively glanced at her belly and asked, “Feeling better?”

Xia Xinya pouted and said softly, “It’s not as painful as before, but it still hurts.”

Tang Huaijin nodded and said, “Then you should rub it yourself. The doctor said rubbing helps.”

Xia Xinya responded weakly, rubbing her belly a few times before stopping.

Tang Huaijin chuckled, “What’s wrong?”

Xia Xinya’s face reddened again, and she mumbled, “Tired, no strength.”

Tang Huaijin, amused, asked, “Should I rub it for you?”

Xia Xinya didn’t respond, pouting and fiddling with her fingers. After a while, when he didn’t act, she let out a dissatisfied hum.

Tang Huaijin laughed and asked, “I’m asking you, do you want me to rub it for you?”

Xia Xinya pouted, hesitated for a long time, and finally squeezed out a word, “Yes…”

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s, but Tang Huaijin heard it clearly. Smiling, he rubbed his hands together until they were warm and placed them over her belly through the thin fabric.

The warm temperature spread from her belly, making Xia Xinya feel comfortable. Her previously furrowed brows relaxed, and she let out a contented hum.

Tang Huaijin repeated the warming technique three times before gently rubbing her belly, scolding lightly, “Stubborn girl, why don’t you just say it directly next time?”

Xia Xinya had never had a boy touch her belly before. Even through a layer of clothing, she could feel a tingling sensation spreading from his hand movements to her heart, making her unable to retort and only obediently respond, “Okay…”

Although the sensation was pleasant, soft yet resilient, after a while, Tang Huaijin frowned, seeing Xia Xinya seemingly asleep, humming contentedly. He asked, “Is it not hurting anymore? If it doesn’t hurt, I’ll stop. You think my hand doesn’t get tired?”

Though her belly no longer hurt, the rubbing felt so good that Xia Xinya didn’t want him to stop. She slightly opened her eyes, sneaked a glance at Tang Huaijin, and said awkwardly, “It still hurts.”

Liar. Tang Huaijin rolled his eyes but didn’t stop. After a while, he suddenly asked, “Xinya, do you still think you like Bai Yuerou?”

Xia Xinya didn’t open her eyes, instinctively replying, “Of course.”

Tang Huaijin wanted to make one last effort to see if he could convince Xia Xinya. He withdrew his hand and said softly, “Really? Then why don’t you pursue her?”

With the rubbing hand gone, Xia Xinya opened her eyes, looking somewhat displeased, “Who said I’m not pursuing her? I’m just not in a hurry. Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘Haste makes waste’?”

“Oh, aren’t you afraid Bai Yuerou might end up with someone else?”

Xia Xinya snorted softly, “No way. I’ll keep an eye on Rou, chase away those annoying boys.”

“So you see, you’re just afraid of losing Yuerou, right?” Tang Huaijin looked into Xia Xinya’s eyes, speaking earnestly, “That’s not liking.”

“Who says it’s not liking?” Xia Xinya’s expression turned smug, “The book says if you want to be with someone forever, that’s liking.”

“Sigh.” Tang Huaijin felt overwhelmed, unsure how to communicate with her. Xia Xinya had a peculiar ability to temporarily lower your IQ to her level, leaving you speechless.

After thinking for a while, he said, “That statement isn’t wrong, but it’s not detailed enough.”

“If it were detailed, it should be if you want to be with someone forever and do certain things together, that’s liking.”

Xia Xinya blinked, asking, “What things?”

Tang Huaijin hesitated for a moment, “Things couples do, like kissing. Do you feel like kissing Bai Yuerou or want her to kiss you? There are many things, I won’t list them all. You’ve read enough comics.”

Xia Xinya stared blankly at Tang Huaijin, subconsciously glanced at his lips, and then, realizing what she was doing, her face turned red. She said angrily, “Why are you telling me these things?”

Tang Huaijin glared at her, “Stop pretending to be an innocent elementary student. It’s the internet age, no need to be so shy. Think carefully about this.”

Xia Xinya covered her flushed face with her small hands, avoiding his gaze and staying silent.

Seeing her so shy, Tang Huaijin’s heart sank, fearing she might have actually thought about it.

He forced a smile, saying, “No, right? So you see, you don’t actually like Yuerou, nor do you want to kiss a girl. Admit it.”

Feeling guilty, Xia Xinya found his words even more irritating. When she heard the word “admit,” she couldn’t hold back her anger, “How can you say that? You’re not me. How do you know what I’m thinking? I do like Rou, and I hate you the most!”

Hearing her say that again and with no response from the system, Tang Huaijin’s heart sank completely.

There’s no choice but to try Mrs. Xia’s method.

Seeing Xia Xinya so emotional, Tang Huaijin sighed helplessly, “Alright, I’ll prove it to you. Remember our bet.” Saying this, he reached out to rub her head.

As soon as his hand touched Xia Xinya’s soft hair, she dodged like she was electrocuted, glaring at him with a flushed face.

Tang Huaijin rolled his eyes, annoyed, “If you’re better, get up quickly. Are you leaving or not? If not, I’m going back to class.”

“Fine, I’ll leave.”