In the early autumn, the wind was always cold.


    Before Mnie could say anything, Xander’s voice deepened. “Why is your forehead so cold? Is it because you’re wearing too little?”


    Mnie turned to the side to avoid Xander’s touch before she shook her head and replied, The wind picked up a little, that’s all..”


    11


    Xander did not mind her obvious evasion and pulled his hand back naturally. Then, he pointed at the small green vine in front of Mnie and said, “It has thorns. Be careful.”


    Only then did Mnie look at the vine he was pointing at. It was emerald green with tiny blue flowers dotted all over it. Next to those flowers were small, sharp thorns. If she did not look closely, she would not have seen them.


    The houses here were all quite old. The roofs and balconies were filled with simr vines, drooping down toward the street.


    At first, Mnie thought it was just an ordinary nt and did not pay much attention to it. Now, she felt a little puzzled. “Why does every household in this street have these vines?”


    “This neighborhood wasn’t very safe at one point. This thorny vine is a good security measure.


    11


    Mnie noticed that the back of his hand was slightly red, and she frowned. “Let me see your hand.”


    Xander paused for a moment and extended his hand to her Sure enough, the back of his hand had been scratched by the thorns. It was not a deep cut, but there were a few drops of blood oozing out.


    Mnie looked at the cut with eyes full of guilt. “I’m sorry. I was careless, and I got you hurt.”


    Xander retracted his hand nonchntly. “This is nothing.”


    Mnie could see just how sharp the thorns were. He was not fooling her with that lie. She thought for a moment before saying, “I remember there’s a clinic up ahead. Let’s go get your wound checked out. You have to take care of your hands, you know.”


    Xander was Burning Star’s lead designer, and he was in charge of the designs for the


    exhibition hall. Mnie could not take the risk.


    Xander did not say anything else in response, following Mnie to a nearby clinic.


    The wound was only skin deep/After disinfecting it, the doctor just put a band-aid on it.


    Even so, Mnie refused to let Xander carry the buffalo wings on the way back. She snatched the takeout bag from his hands.


    Xander was exasperated. “It’s really no big deal. There’s no need to be so careful.”


    Mnie insisted, “I can carry this, don’t worry about it.”


    Xander wanted to say something, but when he saw Mnie’s expression, he closed his mouth.


    As a result, Xander took a shelling from Liana when they arrived at the hospital.


    Xander, how could you let Mnie carry your things?! And you call yourself a man?!”


    Xander could only look at Mnie.


    Mnie cleared her throat and exined, “He hurt his hand. I insisted on carrying the things.” Liana finally noticed the band-aid on Xander’s hand, but she was not particrly bothered. Instead, she said coldly, “If I remove the band-aid right now, would the wound have healed already?”


    Mnie stared at her toes. She <i>had </i>wanted to show her concern for Xander’s wound, but now she got him scolded by Liana instead –


    “Still…” Liana suddenly changed the topic and said with a smile, “Mel, I didn’t know you were so considerate. My useless little brother is lucky to have you.”


    Now it was Mnie’s turn to feel exasperated,


    Xander came to her rescue at the right time. “Did the doctor give you the green light to eat the buffalo wings already? If not, I’ll take them away.”


    Liana held her food protectively and said, “The doctor said that I’m recovering well. I can eat all the hot wings I want!”