I don't know how much time had passed when Meng Ruozhao suddenly stood on tiptoe and leaned closer to check the wound at the corner of his mouth.
As the distance between them got closer, her breath inevitably hit his protruding Adam's apple.
Pei Jiangmu tightened his grip on her hand.
"Let's still go to the hospital. Are there any other injuries?"
Her voice was very soft, as if she thought it would be a great pity if there were scars left on this handsome face.
Pei Jiangmu shook his head with a blushing face.
"No need. Sister, just help me apply the medicine when we get back. There are no other injuries."
In the moonlight, he smiled innocently, as if the shivering just now was only because the night wind was too cold.
He insisted not to go to the hospital.
Meng Ruozhao had no choice but to compromise.
What Pei Jiangmu was thinking was that if they went to the hospital, how could he let her apply the medicine to him with her own hands?
And what Meng Ruozhao was thinking was that he should be short of money and didn't want to owe her too much.
Thinking of this, she felt even more sorry for him.
When they got back to "Fuyunxuan", while Meng Ruozhao went to get the first - aid kit, Pei Jiangmu finally calmed down all his emotions.
He said guiltily, "Sister, I scared you tonight."
Meng Ruozhao buried her head and rummaged through the box to find the iodine.
Not long ago, it was he who applied medicine to her.
Unexpectedly, in just a few hours, their roles had reversed.
"It's okay. You were just trying to protect me. But in the future, when you encounter such things, try to stay calm and don't be impulsive."
She emphasized again.
Pei Jiangmu nodded. "Sister, I know. I'll control my emotions better in the future."
"However, today was supposed to be a very happy day. I didn't expect such an episode."
Meng Ruozhao sat down beside him and smiled.
"It doesn't matter. The hot - pot was delicious, and the fireworks show was beautiful. Just remember these things."
Pei Jiangmu's fingertips unconsciously drew circles on the edge of the first - aid kit.
This seemingly casual action actually exposed his inner anxiety.
Just like a cheetah must measure the distance with its tail before launching a fatal attack.
Meng Ruozhao didn't notice.
She was bending over, holding a cotton swab and carefully looking at the instructions on the medicine, as if she was afraid of applying it wrong on him.
Pei Jiangmu didn't urge her either. He just squinted slightly, and his gaze stuck to the fair skin on the back of her neck.
There was a light - brown mole the size of a grain of rice there, like a coffee stain that had accidentally splashed on.
When they used to sleep together, he had left marks there with his canine teeth countless times.
And every time before they slept together, he would deliberately hold her tightly until she begged for mercy before reluctantly letting go.
That delicate tactile sensation of their skin touching and her trembling warmth spreading to his body could relieve the itching deep in his soul better than any painkiller.
While he was in a daze, Meng Ruozhao put down the instructions, dipped the cotton swab in iodine, and leaned closer. As she moved, the collar of her clothes slipped down slightly, revealing her delicate collarbone.
Pei Jiangmu's pupils suddenly contracted.
He couldn't help but recall the countless times he had left ambiguous red marks there.
She had also complained to him many times while looking at those marks in the mirror, asking him if he was a dog and why he liked to bite her so much.
How could she go out and meet people like this?
And his response every time was to be even more excessive.
He wouldn't really hurt her, but he would make her beg for mercy.
...
These beautiful and sweet memories were now only remembered by him alone.
But it didn't matter. He would re - brand her soul with his own mark.
"It may hurt a little. Bear with it."
Her careful reminder came before the cotton swab.
There was also an advantage to being unfamiliar.
At least, when she used to apply medicine to him, she would always scold him with red eyes, saying that he deserved to be in pain.
Pei Jiangmu let out a soft "um". His gaze still lingered on her collarbone, and his thoughts were still immersed in the memories of the past.
Meng Ruozhao leaned over slightly, and the cotton swab in her hand slowly approached the wound at the corner of his mouth.
Her movements were as gentle as if she were handling a rare treasure.
The moment the iodine touched the wound, Pei Jiangmu still couldn't help but tremble slightly.
It couldn't be compared with the other pains he had endured.
But since she was by his side, he didn't want to bear it. He even wanted to show it more obviously.
He gritted his teeth tightly, as if he was trying hard to endure the stabbing pain.
Meng Ruozhao looked up and saw his slightly furrowed brows. A hint of pity welled up in her heart.
She said softly, "It's okay if you can't bear it. Just cry out."
Pei Jiangmu looked at the concern in her eyes.
For a moment, he seemed to have returned to the past filled with love.
He wanted to smile, but it pulled at his wound, and he gasped.
But he still insisted on responding, "Sister, I'm okay. This little pain is nothing."
He was really stubborn and vain.
Meng Ruozhao smiled to herself and then focused on treating his wound.
A strand of hair slipped from her cheek and blocked her view.
Pei Jiangmu subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to tuck it behind her ear, but his hand stopped abruptly halfway.
Meng Ruozhao noticed his action and gave him a puzzled look.
Pei Jiangmu smiled awkwardly and explained, "Your hair is blocking your view. I..."
Meng Ruozhao was slightly stunned and then realized what he meant. A complex emotion welled up in her heart.
He probably wanted to help her but was afraid of offending her.
Sure enough, if he hadn't been so scared just now, he wouldn't have dared to hold her hand at all.
She tucked the hair behind her ear and continued her action, trying to make her tone sound natural. "It's okay."
Pei Jiangmu looked at her and suddenly said, "Sister, no one but you and the doctor has ever applied medicine to me."
It was true.
After all, he didn't allow others to touch him casually.
But now, these words sounded a bit uncomfortable to Meng Ruozhao's ears.
Combined with the tragic past he had revealed before, what she understood was that except for her and the doctor, no one really cared whether he lived or died.
Meng Ruozhao's hand paused for a moment, but she didn't comfort him as Pei Jiangmu had expected.
Instead, she said seriously, "Really? Then in the future, you should be more careful to protect yourself and don't get hurt."
Pei Jiangmu paused. Did he play the pitiful card too much?
Did he annoy her?
But the next second, Meng Ruozhao continued, "Even for those of us who care about you."
He let out a sigh of relief, showed a smile, and his eyes were burning. "Yes, I will. Thank you, sister."
Finally, the wound was treated. Meng Ruozhao let out a long sigh.
"Okay. Pay attention not to let it get wet in the next few days. It should heal soon."
Pei Jiangmu looked at her serious expression, and his heart was filled with a morbid obsession.
He said softly, "Sister, you're so good to me."
Facing this almost whispered words from the young man, Meng Ruozhao blushed slightly.
She stood up to pack the first - aid kit. "It's nothing. You were just trying to help me."
Pei Jiangmu stared at her intently and really didn't want her to leave his sight.
"Sister, can you stay with me tonight and not leave?"
There was a hint of imperceptible pleading in Pei Jiangmu's voice.
Meng Ruozhao's action paused.
She knew that Pei Jiangmu might still be in a state of shock because of what happened tonight.
But she still hesitated a bit about being alone in a room with a young man.