Pei Jiangmu seemed to be rooted to the spot by her resolute attitude and words.
He stared deeply into her eyes, as if trying to confirm the truth in her words over and over again.
After a long while, he finally seemed to be convinced by the determination in her eyes. With a voice still trembling with uncertainty, he said with difficulty, "The psychologist said that this situation is like... like a new - energy vehicle. It needs to be recharged regularly."
"Only in this way can it maintain basic stability and avoid sudden loss of control when the power runs out."
He carefully observed her expression and continued in a low voice, "And you, sister, are my... charging station."
"Recharge?" Meng Ruochao unconsciously repeated. Immediately afterwards, she suddenly remembered those chaotic and rough kisses in the darkness just now.
Her cheeks blushed uncontrollably, and her eyes flickered. "H - how to recharge?"
Could it be that they had to kiss and hug? That would be so improper!
Seeing her blushing, Pei Jiangmu's ears also quietly turned red. He quickly lowered his head, his voice so soft that it was almost inaudible. "Just an ordinary hug will do."
"Just five minutes a day is enough to maintain the energy for a whole day."
"I don't dare to expect more."
After saying that, he immediately added, his tone filled with humble pleading. "If you feel reluctant or uncomfortable, you can push me away at any time."
"Really, I promise I'll control myself."
"Of course, if you're not willing, I'll move out right away. I definitely won't bother you again!"
He completely handed the right of choice into her hands. His posture was extremely humble, vulnerable yet sincere.
Meng Ruochao looked at the unnatural blush on his pale face.
Listening to his humble and cautious request, and thinking of those hideous wounds on his arm that he had inflicted on himself to stay awake...
She hardly hesitated. She let out a soft sigh.
Then she took the initiative to open her arms, took a step forward, and gently but firmly hugged him.
"Okay." Her voice fell beside his ear, a bit shy but more gentle and determined.
"I'll recharge you for five minutes every day."
It was just a hug. She could do it!
Pei Jiangmu's body froze completely the moment she hugged him.
Immediately afterwards, an indescribable sense of extreme ecstasy and comfort swept over him like a tsunami.
He tentatively and almost piously reached out his hands and gently returned the hug.
He buried his face deep in the crook of her neck and greedily breathed in her reassuring scent.
It was so good.
His Ruochao was truly his light.
She was also the kind - hearted goddess.
Under the light, this gentle yet firm hug seemed to last for a century, and yet it seemed to be just a brief moment.
Meng Ruochao could clearly feel Pei Jiangmu's body gradually relaxing from its initial stiffness.
In the end, there was even a hint of imperceptible dependence.
He buried his head in the crook of her neck. His warm breath brushed against her skin, bringing a slight itchy shiver.
She didn't push him away. Instead, she just quietly and somewhat clumsily maintained the posture.
One of her hands gently patted his back, as if soothing a frightened child.
So this was the "recharge" he needed.
Meng Ruochao could hear her own slightly accelerated heartbeat.
She could also feel Pei Jiangmu's heartbeat gradually becoming steady and strong from its initial rapid and chaotic state. It seemed to resonate with the vibrations in her chest in a strange way.
She had never hugged anyone so quietly for such a long time.
Even with Yan Qiubai, most of their hugs were just for courtesy.
This hug was different.
It was free of desire, at least in her opinion. It was more like a silent support and healing.
Finally, she felt Pei Jiangmu move slightly in her arms.
Then he extremely slowly and reluctantly loosened his arms and took a small step back.
There was still little color on his face.
But the brokenness and madness in his eyes had faded, and they had returned to their usual clarity.
Now they were filled with gratitude that was too thick to dissolve and a hint of shyness.
He didn't dare to look directly into her eyes. With his eyelashes drooping, he said in a low voice, "Time's up. Thank you, thank you, sister."
Meng Ruochao also retracted her hands somewhat awkwardly. Her cheeks were slightly hot, and she casually pushed back the loose hair by her ear to cover her embarrassment. "N - never mind. Do you feel better?"
"Yeah." Pei Jiangmu nodded vigorously, his eyes shining like a child who had received a candy.
"I feel much better, really."
He lifted his bandaged arm and looked at it. "Thank you for taking care of my wound."
"Don't hurt yourself like this anymore." Meng Ruochao's expression became serious. She pointed at his arm.
"Promise me that no matter how uncomfortable you are, you're not allowed to use this method again."
"You can call me or come to me directly."
"The'recharge' can be done at any time. You don't have to wait until the 'power runs out'."
When she said the word "recharge", she still couldn't help blushing a little, but her tone was very serious.
She was really afraid of seeing such a bloody scene again.
Pei Jiangmu looked at the genuine worry and fear in her eyes. His heart felt warm and swollen, as if it was soaked in warm water.
He nodded seriously, "I promise you. I won't do that again."
The atmosphere between the two of them was a bit subtly awkward, but there was also an indescribable sense of intimacy flowing.
"It's very late. You should go and rest first." Meng Ruochao looked at the time and said softly.
"Then you should also go to bed early, sister." Pei Jiangmu nodded obediently, but his eyes still clung to her, as if he couldn't bear to look away for even a second.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, Meng Ruochao turned around and walked towards her bedroom. "Good night."
"Good night."
Ruochao. Pei Jiangmu's voice came from behind, gentle enough to drip water.
That night, neither of them slept very well.
Lying in bed, Meng Ruochao's mind kept replaying the thrilling scenes of tonight.
Pei Jiangmu's painful struggle, his broken whispers, his humble pleas.
And that long, soothing hug...
Everything was like a movie scene, swirling in her mind.
She was in a complete mess. There was sympathy, heartache, and confusion.
There was also a strange flutter that she couldn't even explain clearly.
That "dream" about him resurfaced again, intertwining with tonight's reality and making her restless.
In the next - door room, Pei Jiangmu couldn't sleep all night.
The wound on his arm throbbed faintly, but it was far less intense than the turmoil in his heart.
He leaned against the headboard of the bed and watched the sky gradually brighten outside the window.
The soft touch of her skin seemed to still linger on his fingertips, and the fragrance of her hair still lingered in his nose.
She actually agreed.
She agreed to give him a hug every day and to be his "charging station".
After the great ecstasy, there was deeper uneasiness and greed.
He was afraid that one day she would discover the truth.
He was also afraid that he would be insatiable and one day lose control of the beast named possessiveness in his heart, scaring her away completely.
On the other hand, he couldn't suppress his desire for more.
Just a five - minute hug was like drinking poison to quench his thirst. Instead, it awakened his long - suppressed and deeper longing.