Meanwhile, Meng Ruozhao, who was standing to one side, had been in a slight daze since Pei Jiangmu suddenly changed his expression.
She watched as Pei Jiangmu exuded an overwhelming aura and sharply retorted to Du Xixi, leaving her with no way to fight back.
His clear logic, venomous yet accurate words, and the way he called her "Ruoruo"...
An inexplicable and intense sense of familiarity suddenly hit her.
It seemed that... a long time ago, there was also someone who had protected her like this.
Using the same cold and sharp words to make those who bullied her feel ashamed...
Who was it? Why... couldn't she remember at all?
Just as she was in a daze, Pei Jiangmu had already ended the confrontation. He casually glanced at Du Xixi, who looked like she was about to faint from anger, as if even one more glance would sully his eyes.
Meng Ruozhao also came to her senses. Suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, she looked at Du Xixi and spoke calmly, delivering a final "blow."
"Du Xixi, if you really like Yan Qiubai that much, then go after him yourself."
"What's the use of always trying to get my attention and slandering me?"
"Could it be that... the person you're really interested in is actually me?"
She paused for a moment and showed a look of disgust.
"But I'm straight. I really have no interest in someone like you who acts all the time, from head to toe."
After saying that, she didn't look at Du Xixi's about-to-explode expression anymore. She tugged on Pei Jiangmu's sleeve.
"Let's go. It's not worth wasting time on someone like this."
Pei Jiangmu immediately restrained all his sharpness and returned to his slightly weak and vulnerable self, looking like he needed someone to take care of him. He obediently responded.
"Okay, I'll listen to you, sister."
The two of them left hand in hand, leaving Du Xixi behind. She was so angry that she almost flipped her wheelchair, but could only vent her anger on the bodyguards, attracting more contempt and snickering from the people around.
After walking some distance, Meng Ruozhao couldn't help but look back at Pei Jiangmu's profile.
The way he was just now... was really familiar.
Where on earth had she seen it before?
That inexplicable sense of familiarity was like a stone thrown into a lake. After rippling a circle of ripples, it was quickly covered by more urgent real - world concerns.
Meng Ruozhao shook her head and stopped thinking deeply. She carefully supported Pei Jiangmu to the surgical clinic.
The doctor carefully examined the hideous bruise on Pei Jiangmu's back. He cleaned the wound, applied medicine, and bandaged it skillfully.
Throughout the process, Pei Jiangmu gritted his teeth and remained silent. Only the fine cold sweat oozing from his forehead and the occasional tense muscles revealed his pain.
Meng Ruozhao watched from the side, her heart tightening. She didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
After the external wounds were treated, the MRI results came out.
Thankfully, the report showed that there were no injuries to the bones or spine. It was just a severe contusion of the soft tissues on his back.
The doctor instructed that he must rest quietly in the near future, avoid strenuous exercise and pulling, and then prescribed some medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, as well as some external medicine.
Only then did Meng Ruozhao let out a long sigh of relief. Most of the uneasiness in her heart subsided.
However, just as she was holding the prescription and about to leave the clinic with Pei Jiangmu.
The elderly doctor quietly grabbed her sleeve and motioned for her to stay, asking Pei Jiangmu to go out and wait first.
Pei Jiangmu looked at the doctor in confusion, then at Meng Ruozhao, his eyes full of questions.
Although Meng Ruozhao was also puzzled, she still nodded to him: "You go wait outside for me first. I'll come out soon."
Only then did Pei Jiangmu obediently respond and slowly walked out of the clinic. He thoughtfully closed the door behind him.
As soon as the door closed, the doctor's expression became serious. He lowered his voice and asked Meng Ruozhao.
"Little girl, you're his family member, right?"
"When I was treating the wounds on his back and arm just now, I noticed that the wounds on his arm seemed to be self - inflicted. What's going on?"
Since Pei Jiangmu's arm wound also needed to be changed, the doctor treated it together.
Now hearing the doctor's question, Meng Ruozhao's heart sank suddenly. The stone that had just been put down instantly rose to her throat, and her face turned pale.
"Yes... it was him... when he was in a bad mood... Doctor, is there a problem?"
Her voice involuntarily trembled.
The doctor pushed his glasses and spoke in a solemn tone.
"The problem could be big or small. After all, I'm not a professional psychiatrist."
"When a person has self - harm wounds on their body and shows no concern about them... this is usually a sign of serious psychological problems."
"It could be extreme depression, anxiety, or some kind of personality disorder, post - traumatic stress disorder, etc."
"As a family member, you must pay high attention to this. Pay more attention to his emotional changes and communicate with him patiently."
"You'd better persuade him to go to a professional psychological and psychiatric department for a comprehensive assessment and treatment."
"This is not a trivial matter. You mustn't take it lightly."
The doctor's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Meng Ruozhao hard in the heart.
She suddenly remembered that on the set just now, when the heavy chandelier fell, Pei Jiangmu had rushed over without hesitation, even desperately, to protect her in his arms.
That speed, that reckless posture...
Thinking about it now, it wasn't just simple "protection."
It was almost like an... instinctive, even self - destructive impulse.
Didn't he consider his own safety at that time?
Did he even subconsciously think that it didn't matter if he died?
This thought was like a bucket of ice water poured on her head. Meng Ruozhao instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and her hands and feet turned ice - cold.
She didn't dare to think any further. In a daze, she thanked the doctor, took the prescription, and walked out of the clinic with unsteady steps.
The corridor outside the clinic was relatively quiet as it was almost time to get off work.
The setting sun was sinking in the west. The golden - red light shone obliquely through the window at the end of the corridor, casting long and warm light spots on the floor.
Pei Jiangmu was quietly leaning against the wall by the window, waiting for her.
The setting sun's rays just happened to fall on him, gilding his whole body with a soft golden edge.
He tilted his head slightly and looked out of the window. His long eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyelids. His face was still pale due to blood loss and pain, and his lips were very pale.
His simple clothes looked a bit thin in the light. The whole person was enveloped in a quiet and fragile atmosphere of sadness, as if he would break with just a touch.
Meng Ruozhao watched this scene, and her heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand. It suddenly ached.
The doctor's words, his madness during the episode that night, the wounds on his arm, his selfless protection, and his vulnerable and lonely figure at this moment...
All these pictures intertwined and turned into a surging, bitter feeling of heartache and fear that instantly engulfed her.
Almost without hesitation, she quickened her steps and walked forward.
The moment Pei Jiangmu turned his head in surprise, she opened her arms and tightly hugged him.
And the moment she hugged him.
A voice in her heart told her: Meng Ruozhao, you're doomed. You feel different about this man.