Chapter 21: The Strange Lump
Qiu Yiyao leaned against Bai Peiyu’s chest, his face mere inches from hers. His high, straight nose, well-shaped thin lips, and a pair of sly, deep-set eyes exuded an air of mystery.
Though they had been this close before, this was the first time Qiu Yiyao studied him so carefully.
Seeing her suddenly fall silent, Bai Peiyu didn’t turn away; instead, he chuckled softly, “What’s the matter? Dazed by my good looks?”
At his words, Qiu Yiyao nearly spat a mouthful of old blood in his face.
She struggled to get out of his embrace. “Pah! Good looks my foot. You’re not even as handsome as our school heartthrob.”
“Is that so?” Bai Peiyu glanced at her sideways. “Do you like the school heartthrob, but he doesn’t like you?”
“No way,” Qiu Yiyao hurriedly denied. “Unlike you, whose mind is always filled with love and longing, wandering around aimlessly, thinking only about young girls.”
“So you found out, huh?” Bai Peiyu’s lips curled into a teasing smile. He leaned closer to Qiu Yiyao. “You should be thankful you’re not attractive, or I’d have devoured you long ago.”
“You…” Qiu Yiyao snorted indignantly. “Get lost, don’t block my way home.”
She pushed Bai Peiyu away, turning toward the road, still fuming—uncertain if it was because he insulted her looks or something else.
Watching her retreating figure, Bai Peiyu raised an eyebrow, then turned to glare sharply at a passerby who was staring at him. “Got a problem?”
The passerby quickly lowered their gaze and looked away.
...
Qiu Yiyao touched the red, swollen lump on her arm, puzzled.
The bump was much larger than a mosquito bite, neither itchy nor painful, with a faint reddish hue.
She thought about where she’d been—mostly at home or wandering near the school—and wondered if she’d been bitten there.
Suddenly, the image of a smooth, bare insect flashed in her mind, making her shudder and break out in goosebumps.
Instinctively, she believed that insect was the culprit.
She burst out of her room, shouting loudly, “Dad! Help! Dad!”
Whenever she faced something she couldn’t handle or felt afraid, her first thought was always her father.
Qiu Shengming was making dumplings in the kitchen. Hearing her cries, he peeked out. “What’s wrong?”
...
“Dad, look,” Qiu Yiyao stretched out her arm. “I don’t know what bit me, but do you think I’m poisoned? Why is this lump so big?”
“Don’t worry, let me see.”
Qiu Shengming put down the dough, rubbed his hands, and examined the bump carefully. “Where did it happen? Why’s it so swollen?”
He found it odd too and pressed gently.
Suddenly, the bump seemed to react; its color shifted instantly from pale red to a deep, blood red, as if a large splash of blood had stained her arm.
The change startled them both.
Qiu Yiyao’s eyes widened, fear of the unknown creeping back into her heart. “It’s over, Dad! Am I going to die? This…”
Her voice choked with emotion. “Dad, your daughter is unfilial.”
Her legs weakened, ready to collapse, but Qiu Shengming caught her. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m here, don’t be afraid. Sit down and wait for me.”
He instructed her to rest on the sofa and dashed out the back door like a flash.
Qiu Yiyao trembled uncontrollably. The sight of that smooth insect was already chilling enough; now this strange bump made her heart race as if it might leap from her chest.
Even more terrifying was the unsettling feeling, whether real or imagined, that something was wriggling beneath the bump.
Less than a minute later, Qiu Shengming returned through the back door, followed by Li Zhen. “Help me take a look at this,” he urged anxiously.
Li Zhen appeared calm and composed.
She grasped Qiu Yiyao’s arm, inspected the bump silently, then signaled to Qiu Shengming.
They spoke quietly in a corner, with Qiu Shengming glancing back at Qiu Yiyao, his expression grave.
Their behavior, to Qiu Yiyao, was like doctors in a hospital secretly telling the family to prepare for the worst behind a patient’s back.
Her heart plummeted; she leaned against the sofa and began to weep, regretting her reckless wandering.
Li Zhen glanced over with concern. “Hey, why are you crying now?”
Qiu Shengming hurried over. “Silly child, we’re just discussing things. Don’t be afraid. It’s just a normal bug bite; a little rest and you’ll be fine.”
...
Qiu Yiyao didn’t believe them. “Don’t lie to me! The bump changed color just now—what bug bite changes color like that?”
Tears streamed down her face, mixed with snot.
Li Zhen stroked her head gently. “Even if your dad wanted to deceive you, how could I? Sleep for a while, and you’ll feel better.”
Her voice was tender, the touch as comforting as a mother’s. Qiu Yiyao stopped crying. “Really?”
“Of course.”
No sooner had the words fallen than a wave of drowsiness washed over Qiu Yiyao, as if she hadn’t slept in days and was desperate to lie down.
She leaned against the sofa and closed her eyes.
Some unknown time later, Qiu Yiyao groggily opened her eyes, still lying on the sofa, now covered with a small blanket.
Rubbing her eyes, she sat up and noticed the guest room door was open, with movement inside.
Curious, she got up and walked toward the door, only to see Bai Peiyu preparing to step out.
“Why are you in my room?” she demanded loudly. Though Bai Peiyu had stayed in the guest room for a while, they had since swapped rooms, and this was now hers.
“Just checking it out.”
Bai Peiyu’s expression remained unchanged. “I really didn’t expect a grown girl like you to be so bad at tidying up.”
Qiu Yiyao recalled the suitcase lying on the floor. Pushing past him, she entered the room and found the suitcase wide open, with underwear glaringly on top.
Her face flushed with embarrassment. She wasn’t untidy out of laziness; living alone in her room, she found it pointless to keep things neat—after all, she had to wear them anyway, so convenience mattered most.
She stammered, “None of your business.”
“I couldn’t care less,” Bai Peiyu replied, “I’m just worried about the guy you’ll have in the future, but…”