Meng Ruozhao's fingertips curled unconsciously, and her heart pounded like a drum in her chest.
She felt a strong sense of familiarity - the curve of the shoulders and neck, the habit of tying hair, the outline of the window lattice...
This back view looked so familiar!
Even the entire scene felt extremely familiar to her.
It was as if she had seen this painting countless times somewhere.
Shock shot through her body like an electric current. She could almost feel the faint itch as the clothes of the person in the painting brushed against the tip of her heart.
"Such a wonderful painting," she finally found her voice after a long while. It was dry but unusually clear, and every word carried a heavy weight.
"What's the name of this painting?"
"The Thirteenth Heartbeat," Pei Jiangmu's voice was very soft and gentle, as if he was afraid of disturbing something.
Or perhaps he was truly hit hard by the plagiarism controversy.
Meng Ruozhao didn't look at him but continued to stare at the painting on her phone.
"I believe you didn't plagiarize."
"If possible in the future, could you take me to see this painting?"
Pei Jiangmu suddenly looked up at her.
Deep in those eyes that always seemed to be deliberately camouflaged, complex lights suddenly surged, like a deep pool with a stone thrown into it.
He was actually shocked that Meng Ruozhao seemed very familiar with this painting.
At least, he thought she should be.
Did she remember something?
After all, this painting was done by him in college when their relationship was at its best.
The girl in the painting was her.
It was also a birthday gift for her 19th birthday.
However, she easily believed him without him presenting any evidence.
His Zhaozhao, as expected, would always unconditionally stand by his side, no matter when or under what circumstances.
He tightly pursed his lips, and his Adam's apple slid up and down nervously. It seemed as if he wanted to say something, but all the words got stuck in his throat.
Finally, it only turned into a barely noticeable, almost spasmodic tremor on his lips. "Okay."
"I really believe you," Meng Ruozhao's voice sounded again.
This time it was even more firm, with a hint of partiality that she herself didn't notice.
It also dispelled the intangible shock brought by the painting.
"We can't let them splash this dirty water on you for nothing. I know a very good lawyer who specializes in intellectual property disputes. Shall I introduce him to you?"
Coincidentally, one of her previous designs also had some controversy.
At that time, she registered an account under the name of [Fuyunxuan].
She would occasionally post some pictures.
Unexpectedly, someone came out of the blue and accused her of plagiarizing another store.
Although she didn't have many fans, she attached great importance to copyright, so she immediately checked out the store the person mentioned.
There was indeed a somewhat similar design, and it was posted a few days earlier than hers.
But she knew she definitely didn't plagiarize, and there were only a few similar elements.
However, just to be on the safe side, she collected the process of her creation and also consulted a relevant lawyer.
But in the end, it wasn't necessary because the other person came to apologize.
"Really?" Pei Jiangmu's voice finally broke through the blockage in his throat, with a hoarse tone of disbelief.
Meng Ruozhao nodded. "Of course. As long as you need it, contact me at any time. I'll take you there."
After a pause, she added, "When dealing with this kind of thing, we should rely on the law. Don't be impulsive. Otherwise, if you lose the fight, you'll end up in the hospital, and if you win, you'll end up in jail."
Pei Jiangmu looked at her deeply and then nodded obediently.
"I understand. I won't be so impulsive in the future."
"From now on, I have someone to back me up."
He tilted his head slightly. The light in his eyes was as soft as melted sugar, and his voice carried a hint of barely noticeable grievance and dependence.
"In school before, when I encountered this kind of thing, I didn't know what to do. I could only keep it to myself."
"Now that you're here, I don't feel so scared anymore."
As he said this, his gaze fell on Meng Ruozhao's frowning eyebrows.
He stretched out his uninjured left hand and gently touched the space between her eyebrows. His action was cautious, with a kind of almost pious cherish.
"Sister, I'm okay. Don't frown."
The temperature of his fingertips was slightly cool, but it seemed to have some kind of magic that softened Meng Ruozhao's heart.
The uneasiness brought by the familiarity of the painting surprisingly subsided a little.
Meng Ruozhao unconsciously raised her hand and covered the back of his hand on her eyebrows, patting it gently.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. As long as we didn't plagiarize, we can definitely clear this up."
Her voice was gentle and firm, like a beam of light shining directly into the darkest corner of Pei Jiangmu's heart.
There were the lies he carefully weaved and his almost paranoid possessiveness towards her.
But at this moment, he just wanted to indulge in her sudden tenderness.
Enjoy the shelter of her unique scent that only belonged to him.
He grabbed her hand with his backhand. The warmth of his palm was transmitted through the skin, with a slight tremor that was barely noticeable.
"Okay, I'll listen to you, sister."
The two then chatted for a while about the issue of copyright.
Before they knew it, the night had become as thick as ink, completely covering the world outside the window.
Meng Ruozhao glanced at the time, stood up, and picked up the thin coat hanging on the armrest of the sofa.
"I'm going to the supermarket to buy some things."
She needed to buy toiletries and sanitary pads.
She also had to buy some food in case of emergencies.
"I'll go with you," Pei Jiangmu almost immediately responded and stood up.
Meng Ruozhao paused and looked back at him.
"Aren't you busy with school?"
She thought that after such a big thing happened to him, he must stay at school.
The sparkle in Pei Jiangmu's face instantly faded, like a candle suddenly snuffed out.
He lowered his head slightly, and his gaze fell on the gauze on his hand. His voice was muffled, with a deliberately exaggerated sense of depression and exhaustion.
"I don't really feel like going these days."
"My teacher also told me to wait for news."
After a pause, he added in a low voice, as if talking to himself but loud enough for Meng Ruozhao to hear.
"Moreover, I'll just feel annoyed if I go."
The light from the ceiling lamp was a cold white, clearly casting a small shadow under his drooping eyelashes.
The slightly pursed lips with the wound and the desolate aura emanating from his whole body.
It almost took on the form of a silent accusation.
Looking at him like this, Meng Ruozhao's mind was filled with anger about his being beaten, sympathy for his experience, and the secret flutter brought by the painting...
They were instantly jumbled together.
Maybe the light was too cold, or maybe he looked too much like a large dog soaked in the rain and in need of shelter at this moment.
She almost blurted out, "Then... you can stay here for these few days."
As soon as the words came out, even she was stunned.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened the soft fabric of the coat.
The white light fell into Pei Jiangmu's suddenly bright eyes, like stars being thrown in.
The astonishment that immediately welled up in them and a glint of a light named "success" that was almost impossible to suppress.
They intertwined into a dazzling starry sea.
However, that light only flickered for a moment and was quickly concealed by his lowered eyes.
He swallowed hard.
When he looked up again, there was only a mixture of great gratitude and just - right emotion on his face.