The Night is Called Gentle - Chapter 47

This Time in the Master Bedroom.

Lin Zhixia had called the police.

Amid the chaos, those people had recorded videos. She absolutely refused to let those images spread online and become gossip for everyone’s idle chatter.

Yan Huaiqing remained silent the entire time, helping her deal with the paint wet wipes, clean water, essential oils her movements so practiced it was heartbreaking.

After reporting the incident, Lin Zhixia made a private phone call.

Yan Huaiqing stood under a distant streetlamp, wiping the paint off her neck.

Her stage makeup was still on, appearing especially vivid under the warm yellow glow of the streetlight. The dried crimson splatters on her face looked like scalding wounds, and her silk shirt seemed to burn like flames.

As she wiped with essential oils for the third time, she suddenly looked up and smiled at her the same smile as always, with a curve of the lips so precise it was heartbreaking.

Lin Zhixia hung up the phone and ran over to help her.

The semi-dried paint stretched into fine threads where their skin touched, glowing an eerie rose gold under the moonlight, like some kind of life form reassembling itself.

The night breeze was cool, yet a burning sensation seeped into their skin.

The police arrived quickly. Seeing the large amount of paint still on their skin, they promptly took photos for evidence and arranged for two female officers to escort them back to wash off.

In the police car on the way back, Yan Huaiqing leaned against the window, feigning sleep.

Lin Zhixia quietly searched on her phone for that forum, refreshing to see if any photos had been uploaded.

“Don’t look.”

Yan Huaiqing’s voice was soft as she fumbled for Lin Zhixia’s wrist, her thumb resting precisely on her pulse.

Lin Zhixia turned off the screen and looked at her.

The neon lights outside the window cast shifting shadows on her face, reminding Lin Zhixia of the first time she saw her, reciting Du Liniang’s lines: “If only we could love as we please among flowers and grass, live and die as we wish, then even sorrow would hold no regrets.”

So fragile.

Every glance felt like a stab to the heart.

The police car turned a corner, its siren lights off, and drove straight to the building where Yan Huaiqing lived.

Lin Zhixia hadn’t expected her third visit to be under such circumstances, nor had she imagined she’d be wearing her clothes again.

There wasn’t much paint on her most of it had been blocked by Yan Huaiqing only her arm and half her face were splattered.

Even after repeated scrubbing with essential oils, faint red marks remained on her skin. She didn’t dare imagine what Yan Huaiqing’s face and neck must look like.

Perhaps, with her agility, she could have avoided it all if Lin Zhixia hadn’t been there.

The thought filled her with belated guilt.

After showering and changing into Yan Huaiqing’s hoodie and sweatpants, she stood outside the master bedroom door, waiting.

The continuous sound of running water inside was unusually clear, like a dripping accusation.

She still had injuries on her shoulders would it be easy for her to wash?

After hesitating for a long time, Lin Zhixia pushed open the master bedroom door and knocked a few times outside the bathroom.

The sound of water abruptly stopped.

“Xiaxia, I’m fine. I can lift my arms.”

Yan Huaiqing had guessed her concern immediately, her voice damp and hazy with steam.

Lin Zhixia’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened, her voice slightly hoarse. “Okay, Teacher Yan, be careful. Call me if you need anything.”

“I’m fine. I might take a while longer. You can wait in the living room and help entertain the officers,” Yan Huaiqing’s voice came from inside again.

“Alright, take your time. No rush.” Lin Zhixia quietly stepped out.

When she entered the living room, one officer was on the phone while another asked her in a hushed tone if she was injured and inquired about the general situation that evening.

The officer on the phone informed her that the identities of the four individuals had been confirmed—they were all middle school students from nearby schools. To prevent photos from circulating and causing public discussion, the police would take immediate action overnight.

Yan Huaiqing emerged after two hours of washing up, dressed in light-colored loungewear, her hair still damp. Her face and neck showed faint patches of redness.

“Ms. Yan, are you okay? Did it wash off?” Lin Zhixia hurried over, carefully examining her face. Against her fair skin, the scattered red marks stood out starkly.

“It’s fine just some scrubbing marks. The paint is all gone,” Yan Huaiqing replied with a serene smile, looking back at her. “What about you? Any marks left?”

Lin Zhixia scratched her cheek. “I’m okay, but it feels itchy.”

“Could it be an allergic reaction?” Yan Huaiqing leaned in for a closer look, her fingertips gently brushing Lin’s cheek.

Lin Zhixia felt even itchier and shrank back slightly. “Ms. Yan, let me help you blow-dry your hair.”

“Sure,” Yan Huaiqing smiled at her. “But let’s talk to the officers first. It wouldn’t be right to keep them waiting too long.”

After a brief statement and an examination of the injury on her shoulder, the two officers left.

“Ms. Yan, why didn’t you go to the hospital for an assessment?” Lin Zhixia asked, watching her.

“As you saw, those bruises don’t qualify as minor injuries. I don’t want to make a fuss,” Yan Huaiqing closed the door calmly.

“Are you planning to let them off?” Lin Zhixia frowned.

“Ms. Lin, you’re a victim too, and the luxury car also suffered damage. Haven’t we already made our demands clear?” Yan Huaiqing’s lips curved slightly.

The police had responded swiftly and politely, even working overnight to apprehend the culprits and block photos and videos the underlying reason was obvious.

Lin Zhixia sniffled sheepishly, then looked up at her with a pitiful expression. “Ms. Yan, my face is still so itchy. Let’s go to the hospital.”

“Is that so?”

Yan Huaiqing took a step closer, gently lifting Lin’s chin with her left hand to examine her face. “But it looks to me like there aren’t even any marks left on your face.”

“Ah…” Lin Zhixia protested, scratching her cheek again.

“Maybe you should try scratching a few red marks into your skin. That way, I’ll have something to describe to the emergency room doctor,” Yan Huaiqing suggested helplessly.

Lin Zhixia quickly stopped and shifted her gaze to Yan’s neck. “Your marks haven’t faded, and you still have that injury on your shoulder. It’d be better to get it checked at the hospital for peace of mind.”

“During rehearsals, falls and bumps were common. I know my limits.”

Yan Huaiqing turned and retrieved a first-aid kit from the cabinet, then led her toward the bedroom. “If you’re worried, come help me apply the medicine.”

Lin Zhixia obediently followed her, watching as she opened the kit, took out a spray, removed her sweatshirt, and sat on the edge of the bed wearing only a tank top, her back turned.

Drawing closer, Lin could see a palm-sized bruise on her shoulder bluish around the edges and purplish in the center, with slight broken skin where she’d been struck, oozing traces of blood.

The bruise extended into faint red marks that trailed along her collarbone, neck, behind her ear, and down to her jaw.

The sight made Lin Zhai’s breath catch, her heart tightening instantly.

Yan Huaiqing handed the spray back to her, her tone matter-of-fact. “Three sprays.”

“Teacher Yan, this bruise looks pretty serious. Are you sure it didn’t damage any bones or tendons?” Lin Zhixia took the spray but hesitated to use it.

“Not sure. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow’s hospital visit to know for certain,” Yan Huaiqing replied, tilting her head slightly.

“Then why aren’t you the least bit worried?” Lin Zhixia leaned forward to look at her.

“Well.”

Yan Huaiqing thought for a moment. “It’s definitely not a fracture or dislocation. Based on the pain, it feels like a soft tissue contusion. At worst, it might be a minor bone crack, but that’s highly unlikely. Even if we go to the hospital, they’ll just take an X-ray to confirm and then prescribe some ointment for recovery.”

“Teacher Yan, how many times have you been injured to gain this kind of experience?” Lin Zhixia’s heart ached even more, her expression twisting with concern.

“I’ve actually been injured relatively few times. Many martial arts actresses end up with broken bones all over before they even finish learning their craft.”

Yan Huaiqing raised her hand, brushing her hair to one side, and gestured for Lin Zhixia to apply the spray.

Lin Zhixia couldn’t resist lightly touching the edge of the bruise with her fingertip. She saw Yan Huaiqing’s shoulder tremble slightly but then quickly relax.

It must have hurt.

She withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushing red.

“I’m going to spray it now.” She shook the can a few times and aimed it at the wound.

“Don’t let your hand shake. Press down firmly to the end so it sprays evenly,” Yan Huaiqing said, her tone like an experienced doctor instructing a student.

If not for how tightly she was gripping the blanket, Lin Zhixia might have been fooled by her calm demeanor.

She adjusted her grip on the spray, aimed at the bruise, and pressed the nozzle. The scent of medicine mixed with shampoo fragrance spread through the air.

After applying the spray, Lin Zhixia helped blow-dry her hair. It wasn’t until 3 a.m. that they finally went to bed.

Lin Zhixia had taken another step forward she was now sleeping in Yan Huaiqing’s master bedroom, right beside her.

At 1 a.m., nightlife enthusiasts were still enjoying themselves. At 2 a.m., late-night travelers were on their way home. At 4 a.m., birds began to chirp. At 5 a.m., street vendors and sanitation workers started their busy day…

Only the night at 3 a.m. could truly be called night when everything had settled and complete silence prevailed.

Lying in bed, Lin Zhixia breathed in the faint scent of medicine and the crisp aroma of herbs.

She turned on her side and, by the dim moonlight from the window, gazed at the person beside her. She couldn’t resist the urge to burrow into her embrace.

Yan Huaiqing’s sleeping posture was elegant, though her brows were slightly furrowed, as if remnants of pain lingered even in her dreams.

She seemed even more suited to being held.

Lin Zhixia’s shoulder twitched, almost reaching out.

“Still not asleep?” Yan Huaiqing suddenly spoke, her voice low and hoarse.

Startled, Lin Zhixia quickly pulled her shoulder back and pretended to be pitiful. “I’m scared. Can’t sleep.”

Trying to fool someone in the middle of the night? Ridiculous.

If she weren’t restrained and unable to move, she’d have picked up the glass shards from the floor and thrown them back.

Yan Huaiqing opened her eyes, a slight smile curling at the corner of her lips. “Then what should we do?”

Uh…

Lin Zhixia felt embarrassed and changed the subject. “Does your shoulder still hurt?”

“It hurts,” Yan Huaiqing sighed softly. “It hurts so much I can’t sleep.”

“What should we do?” Lin Zhixia asked anxiously.

“I don’t know,” came the soft reply, as if still tinged with lingering pain.

“There’s painkillers in the first aid kit. I’ll get them for you.” Lin Zhixia grew even more worried, propping herself up on her elbow to rise.

“No need.” Yan Huaiqing suddenly grabbed her wrist and gave a gentle tug.

The force was definitely not strong.

But Lin Zhixia didn’t care she took the opportunity to roll right up against Yan Huaiqing’s shoulder.

A faint hint of laughter seemed to drift through the air. Her face flushed, and she didn’t dare move.

“You’ll probably feel better after a nap,” Yan Huaiqing said, not moving either, her gaze cool as she watched Lin Zhixia lying sideways beside her.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Lin Zhixia’s neck would ache in that position.

Of course it would.

But since she had already rolled over, she couldn’t just roll back now.

Lin Zhixia quietly clenched the bedsheet.

“Xiaxia, why don’t you change your sleeping position? I’m worried I might press against you like this,” Yan Huaiqing’s voice was so gentle it made Lin Zhixia’s heart flutter nervously.

“Oh, it’s fine,” Lin Zhixia replied softly.

“Are you sure it’s fine?” Yan Huaiqing asked again, a faint trace of amusement in her tone.

The tips of Lin Zhixia’s ears grew warm, but she stubbornly stayed close, murmuring under her breath, “Mm-hmm.”

Yan Huaiqing didn’t say anything more, only let out a soft sigh. Her fingers quietly slipped to the back of Lin Zhixia’s neck and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Ah !”

Lin Zhixia instinctively pulled her neck back and looked up at her. “Ms. Yan, what are you doing?”

“Isn’t your neck sore?” Yan Huaiqing withdrew her hand, lying on her side as she watched Lin Zhixia.

“A little.”

Lin Zhixia finally admitted it honestly, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she nestled closer to Yan Huaiqing’s pillow, adjusting to a slightly more comfortable position. Her voice muffled, she said, “I’m too tired to move.”

Yan Huaiqing lowered her gaze to look at her, a flicker of helplessness in her eyes, tinged with a hint of indulgence.

“As you wish,” she said lightly, tucking her arm under the blanket and pressing it gently against Lin Zhixia.