Chapter 369

"Then you can make any request you want," she replied. After all, she only had limited money and one life to give.

"Okay," he responded.

She was taken aback. "Did he justagree to my request? He's being rather easygoing."

"How's your hand? Is it still burning?" He shifted his gaze to her hand, still under the running cold water.

"It doesn't hurt as much now. Since it's been under water for a while, I think it should be fine," she replied.

He turned off the tap and used his handkerchief—which he always carried—to wipe her hand dry.

"Do you have any ointment at home? It still looks quite swollen. It's better if you apply some."

"Oh, we do."

"Bring it here now."

Lina Sweeney ran to her room for the burn ointment. When she found it, she realized, "Why am I so obedient?"

However, that thought remained just that. She took the ointment and returned. She saw Hadwin Stephenson in the living room chatting with her parents.

Approaching, she heard her mother say, "Oh, so that's it. Lina sent you back to your hotel room after you got drunk and took care of you all night. Lina is a kind-hearted girl. We always teach her that helping others is a joyful thing."

Lina nearly slumped to the floor. Kind-hearted? A joy to help? If Mom knew what "good deeds" I've done, she wouldn't be saying that at all.

"Indeed. If not for her meticulous care, I might have been in worse condition. Drunkenness sometimes risks asphyxiation if vomit enters the airway," Hadwin Stephenson said, looking at Lina. "I'm truly grateful to Lina."

That sentence made Lina feel extremely guilty.

Her parents added, "Oh please. That was something she needed to do. We're all fellow countrymen; we help each other abroad."

Lina wanted to disappear.

Hadwin Stephenson waved at her. "Come, come. Sit here."

She obeyed and sat beside him. Immediately, she felt too obedient, like a pet dog. Eeks! Yucks! I'm not some pet dog! she thought.

Hadwin Stephenson took the ointment, lowered his head, and applied it to her burn.

Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney exchanged glances. Mrs. Sweeney then asked, in a friendly tone, "Tingxin, what other family members do you have? Have your parents retired?"

"My father has passed away. My mother has lived abroad and has no plans to return," Hadwin Stephenson replied.

"Do you have any siblings?" Mrs. Sweeney continued.