The neon lights outside the window flickered in Pei Jiangmu's deep eyes, reflecting a complex glint that intertwined pain and contentment.
Time slowly slipped away in this silent gaze.
The sky gradually turned from the inky black of night to a tinge of grayish white.
Pei Jiangmu maintained the same posture, his back straight, like an indefatigable stone guardian.
His legs and feet had long gone numb. His injured right hand unconsciously curled slightly by his side, sending dull pangs of pain, but he didn't seem to notice.
In his world, there was only the person sleeping in front of him left.
I don't know how much time had passed. Meng Ruozhao seemed to be caught in some disturbing situation in her sleep.
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her breathing became a bit rapid.
A few indistinct murmurs escaped from her throat, with a thick sob. Crystal tears seeped from the corners of her eyes, glaringly obvious in the faint morning light.
Pei Jiangmu's heart tightened instantly!
He instinctively reached out his hand, using his intact left hand to gently and carefully wipe away the tears from the corner of her eye.
The touch of his fingertips was warm and moist, as if a heavy rain was about to pour down in his heart.
His movements were extremely careful, as if he was wiping a rare treasure.
Just as his fingertips left her skin.
As if sensing something, Meng Ruozhao's long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.
The initial daze of waking up only lasted for a fraction of a second.
When her vision focused.
When she saw the figure sitting on the carpet beside the bed, so close, and just retracting his hand.
"Ah!"
A short exclamation blurted out.
Meng Ruozhao almost instantly sprang up from the bed, her heart pounding wildly, all traces of sleep gone.
She instinctively grabbed the quilt in front of her chest, her eyes full of shock and undisguised vigilance.
"You... Why are you here?"
Her voice was hoarse from just waking up, but full of suspicion and wariness. Her body instinctively shrank back.
A man, sitting silently beside her bed while she was in a defenseless sleep.
Even if this person had always behaved "innocently" and even if she had allowed him to stay.
But this behavior was too over the line, too dangerous!
Countless terrifying thoughts flashed through her mind instantly, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.
Pei Jiangmu took in all her instant panic and vigilance.
A sharp pang of pain and a cold surge of anger flashed through his heart - was she afraid of him?
Did she really look at him with such a look?
But the next second, these emotions were perfectly suppressed by him.
Didn't this just prove that he had taught her well?
Always be on guard against men.
Even if he was now included in this category.
A look of pure, worried and slightly exhausted expression quickly replaced his features.
He didn't answer her question immediately. Instead, he frowned slightly.
His concerned gaze lingered on her face, and his voice was deep and hoarse, dry from staying up all night.
"Sister, you're awake. How do you feel? Did you have a nightmare last night?"
Meng Ruozhao was stunned by his question. Her vigilance was still there.
But she was a bit confused by the worry in his tone.
"Night... nightmare?"
"Yeah."
Pei Jiangmu nodded, his eyes full of genuine distress. He pointed under his eyes to show her.
"You cried for a long time last night and kept talking in your sleep... Your voice sounded very scared. I couldn't hear what you were saying clearly, but you were crying badly."
His voice became even softer, with a soothing tone.
"I got up to drink some water. I heard some noise outside and was a bit worried, so I came in to take a look."
"Seeing that you seemed to be in great pain in your nightmare, I was afraid of scaring you if I woke you up, so I..."
He paused for a moment, as if a bit embarrassed. He slightly lowered his eyelids, and his voice became even softer.
"...just sat here for a while, thinking that if you cried even more badly, I would wake you up."
He raised his right hand wrapped in thick bandages and stiffly rubbed his forehead.
His face showed the exhaustion of staying up all night, as well as a bit of uneasiness due to his "intrusion" and "overstepping".
"Sorry, I scared you. I was just a bit worried."
Meng Ruozhao was stunned.
She looked at the undisguised worry and exhaustion on his face.
She looked at his injured hand, which was even more glaring as he rubbed his forehead.
Then she recalled the wetness at the corners of her eyes and the dryness in her throat when she woke up.
Did she really cry badly in a nightmare?
And did he stay here all night just because he was worried about her?
Just sitting on the carpet?
A huge sense of guilt instantly overwhelmed her previous vigilance like a tidal wave.
She remembered the injuries on his hand and face. She remembered that he had also been in a "fierce battle" yesterday and his body needed rest.
But because of her nightmare, he had sat on the carpet all night.
"You... You sat here all night?"
Meng Ruozhao's voice was full of disbelief and deep self - reproach.
Her previous vigilance vanished without a trace, replaced by intense guilt and embarrassment.
"Your hand is still injured! How could you sit on the ground!"
She quickly threw off the quilt and got out of bed. She didn't even bother to put on her shoes. Stepping barefoot on the carpet, she looked at him anxiously and remorsefully.
"Sorry! I'm really sorry! I... I had no idea at all. Did I wake you up? Get up quickly!"
She reached out her hand to help him up, but was concerned about his injured hand. Her movements were a bit clumsy. Her face showed real anxiety and apology.
Pei Jiangmu watched her instant change of attitude.
Watching the sincere guilt and concern in her eyes, the cold anger in his heart that had arisen from her vigilance completely dissipated.
It was replaced by a twisted sense of satisfaction and pride.
The tactic of feigning weakness combined with the posture of a "guardian" really worked.
Or rather, his Ruozhao had never been able to resist him.
He took advantage of her support and slowly stood up, moving his stiff and numb legs and feet.
But a relieved smile appeared on his face.
"It's okay. I'm a big man. I'm tough. As long as you're okay, sister."
He deliberately moved his injured right hand, making her gasp in nervousness.
"I really don't remember what I dreamed about."
Meng Ruozhao shook her head remorsefully, trying hard to recall but only having a blank mind, with only a lingering feeling of unease.
"Maybe there have been too many things going on recently."
She glossed over it vaguely, not wanting to mention the hospital and her father. But the weariness and pressure in her tone were real.
Pei Jiangmu saw her lowered eyelids and remorseful expression. He knew the time was right.
He casually suggested, "Since you're awake, do you want to pack up early and move your luggage over?"
He paused for a moment. Before she could respond, he continued, his tone natural and considerate.
"Is it convenient for you to go back and get it alone? Do you want me to go with you?"
He asked carefully, his eyes full of pure concern.
"I'll accompany you. In case something happens, I can help out, at least be a porter."
He waved his bandaged hand and smiled self - deprecatingly.
"Although this hand is temporarily useless, the other hand can still carry some things."