Surviving the apocalypse with a wife and a system! [GL]

Yan Cijin gently stroked the wound with her fingertips and said, ”Sit still on the bed, I’ll go get a band-aid.”

Bai Li opened her mouth to say no, but afraid of making her cry again, she quickly replied obediently, ”Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

She finally breathed a sigh of relief as she sat on the edge of the bed; coaxing someone was so difficult. But she felt it was worth it and if it was for this woman, she would probably do anything in this world to coax her even if she has to get on her knees and beg her, she would do it. Bai Li still didn’t quite place a name on these feelings that she had for yan cijin but she paid them no mind for the moment. She would just let things take their natural course and wait for the moment she herself comes to realize how she feels and what exactly she feels.

Yan Cijin walked to the first aid kit and opened it slowly, still pretending to be calm, though the corners of her mouth kept trying to lift. She really had not been angry for long. She had been more upset at Bai Li’s habit of carrying everything alone and not letting anyone know what was going on than anything else. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that Bai Li really was too used to facing danger alone, as if it had become normal to her. That made Yan Cijin both annoyed and worried. She had no right to control Bai Li, and she knew that. But knowing that did not stop her from feeling uneasy when Bai Li got hurt.

Bai Li sat on the bed as told and looked around the room from where she was. The room was neat, with the kind of order that came from someone who was used to taking care of other people. A few things were placed neatly by the wall, and the bedding looked clean and soft. Bai Li’s gaze drifted back to Yan Cijin, who was still standing by the first aid kit with her head slightly lowered. Bai Li suddenly realized that Yan Cijin had probably been holding back a lot more than she let on. She looked calm from the outside, but when she worried about someone, she worried in a very real way. That thought made Bai Li feel even more guilty.

”You really should not have cried,” Bai Li said after a while, her voice a little softer now. ”I was the one being stupid.”

Yan Cijin paused for a second, then glanced at her. ”You finally know that?”

Bai Li gave a small, helpless smile. ”I know now.”

Yan Cijin snorted lightly, though her expression was already much better than before. ”You know now because I cried?”

Bai Li scratched the side of her nose. ”No. I knew before. I just did not think it through enough.”

”That sounds like an excuse.”

”It is not an excuse. It is me being honest.” Bai Li leaned back a little on the bed, then quickly sat up straight again when she remembered Yan Cijin was still angry, or at least pretending to be. ”I really did not want you to be scared. I just thought if I handled it myself first, then you would not have to worry.”

Yan Cijin took the band-aid box and walked back over, still holding her usual calm face, but her steps had become lighter. ”And did that work?”

Bai Li looked at her and answered very seriously, ”Obviously not.”

That made Yan Cijin almost laugh. She turned her face away just enough to hide it, then sat down on the edge of the bed beside Bai Li. The movement was small, but Bai Li still noticed it immediately. Yan Cijin was no longer standing far away. She had actually come and sat right next to her. Bai Li felt that tiny bit of closeness like a quiet reward. It made the room feel warmer all at once.

”Hold still,” Yan Cijin said, peeling open the band-aid packaging.

Bai Li nodded right away. ”Okay.”

”Do not move around.”

”I won’t.”

”Do not suddenly make a weird face either.”

Bai Li blinked. ”Why would I make a weird face?”

Yan Cijin looked at her from the corner of her eye. ”Because you do that when you are nervous.”

Bai Li was silent for a second, then said honestly, ”That is a bit mean.”

”It is true though.”

Bai Li could not argue with that, so she just let her shoulders relax and sat there properly. Yan Cijin leaned in and gently touched the scratch on Bai Li’s cheek. Her fingers were cool, and the touch was careful, as if she was worried about hurting her. Bai Li had the strange thought that Yan Cijin was always like this. Even when she was upset, even when she was pretending not to care, her hands were always gentle. That made Bai Li’s chest feel a little tight in a way she could not explain.

Yan Cijin frowned slightly at the wound. ”This should have been cleaned better.”

”I already cleaned it,” Bai Li said.

”Not well enough.”

Bai Li opened her mouth, then shut it again. ”You really like finding fault with me.”

Yan Cijin made a small sound. ”I am not finding fault with you. I am being practical.”

”That is also a kind of finding fault.”

Yan Cijin glanced at her, and Bai Li immediately became quiet for half a second before adding, ”But I accept the criticism.”

That finally made Yan Cijin’s lips twitch. She pressed them together, trying hard not to smile too openly while she tore open the band-aid wrapper. Bai Li watched her and suddenly felt a little more at ease. The atmosphere was not as stiff anymore. It was still a bit awkward, sure, but in a normal way now, not in the miserable way from before.

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To be continued.