Meng Ruozhao looked at his sincere offer and then at his battered "war - damaged" appearance.
Thinking that he had sat on the carpet all night for her, she just couldn't bring herself to say no.
Moreover, the thought of going back alone to face the Du family really scared her.
If she took Pei Jiangmu back with her, in case they tried to detain her by force, at least there would be someone to call the police for her.
Although she didn't know where her trust in him came from, she just felt safer with him around.
"Okay, then I'll trouble you."
She replied softly, with a hint of gratitude and resignation.
At an angle Meng Ruozhao couldn't see, the corner of Pei Jiangmu's mouth twitched into a very faint, triumphant arc.
She had allowed him to step into her private territory.
Even if it was just under the guise of a "porter".
But the invisible chain between them tightened another link.
The scorching summer sun shone through the car window onto Pei Jiangmu's well - defined side face.
He drove the car quietly. His right hand, wrapped in thick bandages, rested on the steering wheel, looking extremely clumsy and vulnerable.
Meng Ruozhao sat in the passenger seat. Her gaze drifted towards his hand and the unhealed bruise on his lip from time to time. The guilt in her heart twined like a vine.
The car was Meng Ruozhao's. It wasn't a fancy one and was under the Du Group.
When she first came back, Du Feng, in an attempt to show his fatherly love, offered to buy her a car so that it would be more convenient for her to get around.
The cars Du Feng offered were all luxury ones.
Before she could say anything, Xia Lian immediately looked worried. "But Zhaozhao had a car accident. She must be really scared of driving, right?"
If Meng Ruozhao hadn't caught the fleeting jealousy in her eyes, she might have really thought Xia Lian was worried about her.
"I have some lingering fears, but I can't let one setback stop me."
Meng Ruozhao responded appropriately, but her meaning was clear.
Xia Lian's expression froze for a moment, but she still kept on persuading.
It was probably something like a too - good car had too much power and driving too fast could lead to accidents. These were all lousy excuses that didn't hold water.
But Du Feng actually listened.
Or maybe he really didn't want to spend too much money on Meng Ruozhao.
The couple had clearly planned it. One played the good cop and the other the bad cop.
In the end, Du Feng made the decision, saying that he would allocate a car from the company for her.
This was the car. It was nearly ten years old, and Meng Ruozhao rarely drove it.
But today, when moving, even though she didn't have many luggage items, it was definitely more convenient to drive herself.
Pei Jiangmu volunteered to drive, saying he was worried about her state.
Meng Ruozhao's stomach did feel a bit uncomfortable, so she agreed.
"Does it still hurt?"
She stared at Pei Jiangmu's hand for a while and finally couldn't help but break the silence in the car with a soft question.
There was a tenderness in her voice that she didn't even notice.
Pei Jiangmu seemed to be startled by her voice. He tilted his head slightly to glance at her.
Then, as if embarrassed, he quickly shifted his gaze back to the road.
A shy smile curved his lips. He shook his head. "It's okay. It's just a bit inconvenient. I'm sorry."
He paused for a moment. His voice dropped a bit, with a hint of self - mockery. "I feel like a useless person."
"Don't say that!"
Meng Ruozhao immediately retorted, a bit anxiously.
"You didn't rest all night because of me. That's why your injury feels worse, right? I should be the one saying sorry."
Looking at his somewhat pale jawline outlined by the sunlight, she felt even more uncomfortable.
"It has nothing to do with you."
Pei Jiangmu immediately denied it, his tone gentle but firm.
"I... was just worried about you."
He said the last three words very softly.
It was as if a feather had brushed across the tip of her heart, carrying a kind of clumsy sincerity unique to teenagers.
After saying that, he seemed a bit embarrassed.
A faint blush crept up his ears, and his left hand gripping the steering wheel tightened.
Meng Ruozhao's heart was gently hit by that blush and the words "worried about you", creating a strange ripple.
She quickly shifted her gaze to the passing street scenes outside the window, trying to suppress that uneasiness.
Finally, the car stopped smoothly outside the Du family's villa.
Facing the building that now put so much pressure on her, Meng Ruozhao took a deep breath, preparing herself to face the interrogations and cold looks.
She pushed open the car door and was about to get out when Pei Jiangmu unbuckled his seatbelt even faster.
"I'll go in with you."
As he said that, he got out of the car nimbly and walked around to her side.
The movement tugged at the injury on his right hand. He frowned imperceptibly and let out a very soft gasp.
"Ouch..."
"Take it easy!"
Meng Ruozhao's heart immediately tightened. Without caring about her reserve, she instinctively reached out to support his uninjured arm.
"I told you not to move around! Just wait for me in the car!"
There was a worried scolding in her tone. Her fingertips could feel the firmness and warmth of his arm muscles.
Pei Jiangmu looked down at her hand on his arm. His eyes darkened.
Then he regained that innocent and helpless look.
"I'm fine. I'm just afraid you'll be wronged if you go in alone."
He tilted his head slightly, getting closer to her. His voice dropped, with an intimate feeling like sharing a secret.
"I'll just stand beside you and keep quiet. I can be a background prop."
"In case someone tries to make things difficult for you, at least there'll be someone here. My height should be a bit intimidating."
His warm breath brushed against her forehead faintly.
Meng Ruozhao felt the side of her face that was closer to him start to heat up slightly.
The protective meaning in his words was so obvious, carrying a kind of reckless loyalty unique to teenagers.
It melted a bit more of the vigilance and defense in her heart.
She even forgot to ask why he was so sure that someone in her family would make things difficult for her.
"Okay then."
She finally gave in. She let go of his arm but warned him.
"Don't be a hero, and don't say a word. Just watch."
She was afraid that his "injured" state would cause more trouble.
"Okay."
Pei Jiangmu nodded obediently, like a large dog that had retracted its claws, following half a step behind her.
When they entered the Meng family, the atmosphere was indeed as Meng Ruozhao had expected, cold and oppressive.
Du Feng was sitting on the sofa, his face ashen.
Wu Qian was standing beside him, with a complex look in her eyes. It seemed she hadn't slept all night.
Maybe she had been trying to contact and find Meng Ruozhao.
When they saw Meng Ruozhao and Pei Jiangmu come in one after another, both of them were obviously stunned.
Pei Jiangmu was so noticeable that even though he didn't say a word and just followed quietly, he couldn't be ignored at all.
Du Feng even forgot to scold Meng Ruozhao first for running away yesterday and not answering the phone.
He sized Pei Jiangmu up and down with a scrutinizing look.
"Who is he?"
Du Feng's voice carried the authority and displeasure of a superior.
"My friend."
Meng Ruozhao stopped in her tracks. Standing a few meters away, she said calmly.
Maybe it was because Pei Jiangmu was standing behind her, giving her a great sense of security.
So when facing Du Feng, she was calmer and more composed than she had thought.
"He's here to help me move some things."