My Identities Were All Exposed After I Was Pampered by Everyone at My Grandfather's House!

Qiao Yue fell silent upon hearing Qiao Yu’s words. All she could do was pray the girl would pull herself together.

Qiao Yu asked the nurse to push him closer to the bed. “It hurts, doesn’t it?” He asked, concern reflecting in his eyes.

With the light shining around him, dyeing his hair the same colour as the sun, Qiao Yu looked radiant.

Qiao Yue subconsciously avoided Qiao Yu’s gaze. She had always tried to maintain a certain distance from the Qiao family, but familiarity bred attachment, and she longed for the care and kindness they showed her.

“I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt much. I didn’t even realise my ribs were broken back then,” Qiao Yue joked, smiling.

However, Qiao Yue did not know that her seemingly ordinary smile and pale face made Qiao Yu’s heart ache even more.

“You protected me this time, but I’ll protect you in the future.”

Before he fell unconscious, Qiao Yu recalled the figure of Qiao Yue defending him as she was dragged away by those kidnappers. If only he had been stronger, Qiao Yue would not have been taken away.

Qiao Yue could tell Qiao Yu was blaming himself again, but there was nothing she could do.

“Fourth Brother, did the doctors say how long it’d take for your leg to recover?”

“Three months, give or take. You’ll need at least three months for your broken ribs to heal,” Qiao Yu replied.

Speaking of her injury, Qiao Yue wondered why it seemed so abnormal. Although she had puked blood, she did not feel much pain back then or now.

She had been injured many times, so she had developed some pain tolerance, but it was her first time experiencing almost no pain. It was very strange.

“Did the doctors say when we can be discharged?” Qiao Yue asked.

“I can be discharged anytime so long as I am in a wheelchair. You’ll need to remain in the hospital for a week under observation. Afterwards, you’ll need to spend a week at home to rest and recuperate; no going to school!”

Qiao Yue nodded. That was good. It did not make much difference whether she went to school or stayed home.

Just as Qiao Yue was happily dreaming of her stay at home, Qiao Yu’s following words turned her dream into thin air.

“Even if you don’t attend school, you’ll still have to sit for the final exams. Don’t worry; I’ll tutor you while you’re confined at home. You can lie in bed and listen,” Qiao Yu said calmly.

“What?” Qiao Yue’s eyes widened into saucers. “I’m already in this state, and you’re still thinking of tutoring me?”

If words could be written on her face, they would have read how speechless she was.

“Of course, you need tutoring! You’re injured, and that’ll delay your studies. Since you protected me, this is the least I can do for you. I’ll repay you by helping you improve your grades!” Qiao Yu declared.

Qiao Yue’s expression morphed into a rictus of pain. This was revenge, not repaying a debt!

“Fourth Brother, I’m sure you can see I’m in no condition for tutoring. Please let me handle things myself.”

Qiao Yu shook his head determinedly. “That’s what you said the other day, and look how much it has done for you. This time, I shall oversee your studies to ensure you understand the material properly!”

Qiao Yu’s insistence left Qiao Yue with no other option but to give in; not even her pleas for mercy found purchase in his stone-like heart.

The two of them talked about the kidnappers. From Qiao Yu, Qiao Yue learned that the girl’s family did not plan to allow the girl to appear in court. Instead, they wanted to enter into a bargain of some sort. However, the district attorney’s office would not allow them this leeway. The kidnappers thought they had gained a lucky break; little did they know what awaited them was something a hundred times worse than dying in prison.

Qiao Jing reappeared later that evening. He immediately noticed Qiao Yue was awake, so he asked, “How do you feel?”

Qiao Yue giggled. “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt. Brother, you don’t have to keep me company if you’re busy.”

“I’m not busy,” Qiao Jing answered.

Qiao Yue nearly choked. That could not have been further from the truth; even his assistant was drowning in paperwork!

Qiao Yue noticed Qiao Jing’s assistant, who silently stood behind him. In his hands was a lunch box.

“Brother, is that for me?” Qiao Yue pointed at the item in the assistant’s hands.

The assistant quickly said, “Miss Yue, this is something Mr Qiao prepared for you.”

“You made this?” Qiao Yue asked in disbelief.