Meng Ruozhao was slightly taken aback.
Excellent?
Yan Qiubai was indeed excellent, an absolute standout.
Loved her deeply?
That was hardly the case.
He was always moody towards her, being quite contradictory.
However, she didn't want to go into details. With a somewhat evasive look in her eyes, she replied perfunctorily, "Just so - so."
Good was good, and bad was bad. What did "just so - so" mean?
Could it be that she had really fallen for that usurper?
Pei Jiangmu was almost grinding his teeth in anger, but he quickly lowered his head. His long eyelashes fluttered slightly, masking the eagerness in his eyes.
Then, a perfect, faint smile curved his lips. His tone was self - deprecating yet also a bit cautious.
"Sister must be being modest. Sister is so beautiful and excellent. Your boyfriend must be equally good to be worthy of you."
"Otherwise, someone like me doesn't even have the qualification to stand beside sister."
Meng Ruozhao detected the implicit probing and flattery in Pei Jiangmu's words, and felt a bit helpless.
She originally didn't want to dwell on this topic, but Pei Jiangmu seemed to be holding on to it.
However, maybe he just wanted to find a topic to avoid an awkward atmosphere.
Anyway, he was praising her. She didn't think much about it and even joked along.
"All in all, with such a face, you don't need to be so self - deprecating."
Pei Jiangmu was slightly stunned. The tips of his ears instantly turned crimson, like clouds scorched by the evening glow.
His eyes darted around in a flurry and he didn't dare to meet Meng Ruozhao's gaze.
Even the saying "people get busy when they're nervous" was perfectly demonstrated in him.
He picked up the serving chopsticks and gently stirred them in the boiling red - oil hot pot. His fingertips were slightly reddened by the steam.
Then he picked up a piece of tripe and put it on Meng Ruozhao's plate.
When he looked up again, his eyes seemed moist as if steamed by the hot air.
As soon as he met Meng Ruozhao's gaze, his face blushed even more. His voice was shy and trembling.
"It's really a great honor for my face to be affirmed by sister."
After saying that, as if he had said something extraordinary, he didn't dare to look at Meng Ruozhao's reaction and quickly buried his head in eating.
In fact, the moment he lowered his head, he pressed his tongue against his cheek - it was a secret, contented smile.
He knew that even if his Ruozhao didn't remember, she still liked his face the most.
Seeing his shyness, Meng Ruozhao was a bit curious. "What, hasn't anyone ever praised you for being good - looking?"
In today's terms, it was such a handsome face.
He should have been praised since childhood.
So why was he so embarrassed just because she praised him?
Pei Jiangmu was suddenly choked by the spicy oil. When he turned his head to cough, the tips of his ears turned even redder.
It wasn't that no one had ever praised him, but who would dare to casually comment on his appearance?
For him, his appearance was the least worthy thing to mention.
However, as long as it could attract his Ruozhao, it was the best thing.
But did his Ruozhao know that when she praised him like this, he would be tempted to hug her?
Meng Ruozhao quickly poured him a glass of iced plum juice.
He picked up the glass and took a gulp. The water droplets condensing on the rim of the glass wet his trembling fingertips.
The distinct knuckles showed sharp lines due to self - restraint, while his Adam's apple bobbed, revealing his suppressed thirst.
He closed his eyes slightly, feeling the plum juice sliding down his throat, trying to suppress the surging emotions in his heart.
When he opened his eyes again, there was a hint of indescribable sadness in them.
"Because all my life, the most I've heard is 'jinx'."
Meng Ruozhao's heart tightened. There was immediately a look of pity in her eyes as she looked at him.
"How could... how could anyone say such a thing about you?"
She heard the shock in her own voice.
Pei Jiangmu's expression was full of loneliness and helplessness. He looked like he was about to cry.
"When I was born, my mother lost her uterus due to massive hemorrhage. My family all said that I was the one who brought bad luck to her."
"When I was one year old, there was a big problem with the family business. My father almost got arrested."
"At that time, all kinds of ugly words were thrown at me. They said I was a jinx, a disaster to the family."
He lowered his head, let out a bitter laugh, and continued.
"When I was ten, the butler who had always been very kind to me died in an accident while trying to save me."
"After that, the way my family looked at me became even more disgusted."
"It was as if I was the source of all misfortunes. They thought that as long as I was around, the family would never have peace."
His fingers unconsciously dug into the table.
"Later, I had my own dreams. I wanted to pursue my own life."
"For others, pursuing their dreams may only encounter some setbacks, but for me, just for pursuing what I wanted, I was completely expelled from the family."
"Maybe it was because they thought I was inauspicious. Anyway, I was already an adult, so they took the opportunity to kick me out. It was good for everyone."
Pei Jiangmu took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all those painful memories into his lungs.
"Since then, I've worked hard to prove that I'm not the inauspicious person they said I was."
"But the truth is, it seems that God really doesn't stand by my side. Even my classmates dislike me."
"I should really be a jinx. So it's only right that I'm so poor and down - and - out."
Saying this, he looked at Meng Ruozhao. His eyes were full of obvious, suppressed longing and dependence.
"Sister, only with you do I feel accepted and normal."
His voice was very soft, but every word hit Meng Ruozhao's heart heavily.
She finally completely let go of her guard against him.
No wonder he had a noble air but was financially strapped, always speaking cautiously with a humble flattery.
No wonder he was so handsome and well - behaved. He should have been the center of attention everywhere, but he was kicked out by the landlord and had nowhere to stay.
No wonder even on his birthday, his family didn't care about him. He could only buy himself a sandwich to celebrate.
...
All the unreasonable things now had answers.
Meng Ruozhao unconsciously reached out her hand, wanting to comfort him, but stopped halfway for fear of offending him.
She looked at Pei Jiangmu and seriously tried to comfort him.
"Those are all nonsense. They're just excuses others make for their own misfortunes."
"If you're a jinx, then what are they who gave birth to a jinx?"
"You're great. If they say you're not, it's their problem."
Pei Jiangmu looked at Meng Ruozhao. A glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
"Sister, only you say so."
His voice was choked with sobs.
"For so many years, only you have praised me and thought I was good."
Meng Ruozhao felt even more pity. She couldn't help but reach out again and pat the back of his hand.
"Don't think like that anymore. Remember, the people you don't like must not be good people. How can the people who don't like you be good people?"
"Blame others more and reflect on yourself less."