212: Chapter 211 Sprained Ankle

The path was not wide, just enough for two people to walk side by side.

To the left was a gently rising hillside covered in weeds and low shrubs, while to the right was a shallow riverbed; the current was slow, but the babbling of the water could still be heard.

Beneath their feet was a gravel path that crunched with every step.

Chen Tong and Su Mian followed behind Chen Fan.

Chen Tong was humming a tune of unknown origin, completely off-key, yet she remained oblivious, looking perfectly content with herself.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the riverbed took a turn, and the previously narrow stretch of water suddenly opened up.

The water was not deep and was clear enough to see the bottom.

The hillside on the opposite bank was covered in trees, a mix of deep and light greens, with several wild peach trees whose branches were already budding with pink flowers—it was quite beautiful.

Chen Tong squatted by the river and reached out with her right hand to splash the water. "This water is so clear, I wonder if it's drinkable." She said, looking eager to try.

Su Mian, standing to the side, saw this and felt a bit tempted to try it herself.

"It's best not to drink it," Chen Fan advised against it.

"Why?" Chen Tong looked at him, confused.

"What if someone upstream peed in the river?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Tong wore an expression of disgust. "You're so gross."

After Chen Fan's interruption, she no longer had any desire to taste the river water. Although she didn't think anyone would actually pee upstream, there was always that possibility.

Chen Fan stood on the bank, looking around, and found that the scenery on the other side of the river was indeed quite nice.

"Let's go take a look on the other side." Chen Fan stepped onto the first stone.

Chen Tong followed behind him, jumping onto the stones carelessly and moving quickly without any fear, crossing to the other side in just a few steps.

She turned and waved at Su Mian, her voice as crisp as a bell: "Mianmian, come quickly! The scenery is even better over here!"

Su Mian nodded and carefully stepped onto the first stone.

She was not as bold as Chen Tong and walked with great caution at every step.

When she reached the largest stone in the middle, she stepped onto it. Perhaps her footing was slightly off, landing on the sloping edge of the stone, and she lost her balance.

"Ah—"

Su Mian let out a soft cry; it wasn't loud, but it was filled with obvious panic.

Her right foot twisted, and she slid off the stone.

She instinctively reached out to steady herself on a nearby stone, her fingers just barely managing to grip the surface. Her body swayed violently, but she managed not to fall.

However, her ankle had twisted in the moment she slipped, feeling as if something inside had given a sharp, painful jolt. The pain caused her brows to knit together instantly, and she crouched on the stone, afraid to move, clutching her right ankle tightly with her other hand.

Hearing the sound, Chen Fan spun around, his brow furrowed. He crossed back in a few strides and crouched in front of her. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Su Mian crouched on the stone, one hand propping up her body on the surface, the other clutching her ankle tightly. A look of pain appeared on her face, and her lips were slightly pursed as if she were enduring the agony.

Seeing Su Mian's expression and her action of clutching her ankle, Chen Fan asked tentatively, "Did you sprain your ankle?"

"Mm." Su Mian nodded, her voice muffled.

"Let's go, I'll help you over first." Chen Fan reached out his hand, palm up, and held it steadily before her.

Su Mian placed her hand on his arm and carefully used his support to stand up.

Her center of gravity was still unstable as she stood, and her body swayed. Chen Fan quickly reached out to support her waist, his palm pressing against her side to steady her. "Slowly, no rush, take it one step at a time."

Chen Tong was already waiting on the other bank and rushed forward to help when she saw this. Supporting Su Mian's arm, she kept muttering, "Careful, careful."

The two of them worked together to help Su Mian sit down on a flat rock by the bank.

"Let me see how bad it is." Chen Tong knelt down on one knee, carefully lifted Su Mian's foot, gently took off her shoe, and then slowly removed her sock.

The moment the sock was removed, a foot like white jade was revealed, its toes rounded and plump, with nails neatly trimmed.

Chen Fan stood to the side, his gaze involuntarily falling on that foot, and he couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

However, he quickly averted his gaze—he was only looking to check the injury and had no other thoughts.

By now, Su Mian's originally slender ankle was swollen like a little steamed bun.

Chen Tong gently touched the swollen area. The moment her fingertips brushed the skin, Su Mian let out a hiss, her body recoiling, and her brows knitting together.

"It's swollen so badly," Chen Tong looked up at Su Mian, her tone filled with obvious worry. "It'll be hard to walk back. It takes at least half an hour, and your foot definitely won't be able to take it."

"Then let's rest here for a while; maybe it will get better," Su Mian said, enduring the pain.

"Your foot is already like this, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible."

She paused, her gaze shifting between Chen Fan and Su Mian, as if she had suddenly thought of a good idea. "How about… let Chen Fan carry you on his back? He's strong, so it shouldn't be a problem for him to carry you."

Su Mian was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. "No need to trouble him, I'll just walk slowly, I should be able to manage."

"How can you walk when your foot is swollen like this?" Chen Tong said, then looked at Chen Fan. "What do you think? Can you carry her?"

"No problem." Chen Fan patted his shoulder.

Su Mian was silent for a few seconds, her gaze shifting back and forth between their faces, and finally, she nodded slightly. "Then… alright."

Chen Fan turned around and crouched halfway in front of Su Mian, his back to her. "Get on, Sister Su Mian."

Su Mian looked at his back, took a deep breath, and slowly leaned onto him. Her hands first rested lightly on his shoulders, not daring to use any force, and her body leaned slightly backward, trying her best not to press too closely.

"Hold on tighter, don't fall off," Chen Fan said.

"Mm." Su Mian replied, her voice muffled. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, and her body pressed against him bit by bit.

As she got closer, a faint scent of jasmine drifted over. It was light and fresh, like the smell of body wash left after a shower, or perhaps the lingering fragrance of some laundry detergent. It smelled very nice, making one want to take another sniff.

As Su Mian's entire weight pressed onto him, Chen Fan could feel a mass of softness pressed tightly against his back. Even through several layers of clothing, he could clearly feel its astonishing contour and elasticity.

Back in the summer, Chen Fan had noticed—at that time, Su Mian was wearing a thin T-shirt, and he had thought that this girl had developed much better than her peers.

But looking from a distance and feeling it pressed against him like this were two completely different things.

After this close contact, it further confirmed this point.

She was truly a slender frame bearing bountiful fruit.