The hug came out of the blue, even with a touch of recklessness, but it carefully avoided his injured areas.
Pei Jiangmu was completely stunned. His body instantly went rigid, and his mind went blank.
What had happened? What had the doctor told her?
Could it be that there was something wrong with the examination results?
It couldn't be. He knew his own body well...
But the next second, a surge of overwhelming joy like a tsunami swept over him.
After all, his Chaochao had taken the initiative to hug him, and so tightly!
To hell with the examination results. All that mattered was that Chaochao had hugged him.
He almost couldn't control himself and wanted to hug her back, to crush her into his very being.
But his remaining rationality desperately suppressed this impulse—he couldn't scare her. He was a "patient" now, a "little brother" in need of care.
He struggled to contain the excitement and longing churning inside him, his body stiff as he let her hug him.
Then he carefully rested his chin on the top of her head, feeling the slight tremors and warmth of her body.
After a while, he asked in a soft voice, filled with uncertainty and caution.
"What's wrong? Is... is there something wrong with my examination results?"
His voice carried just the right amount of worry and vulnerability.
Meng Ruochao was jolted back to reality by his words. She suddenly realized that her actions might have scared him.
She quickly let go of him and took a small step back, forcing a somewhat strained smile on her face and shaking her head repeatedly.
"No, no! The examination results are fine. There's nothing wrong with your bones or spine. The doctor said it's just a flesh wound. You just need to rest well."
She took a deep breath, trying to make her tone sound light and natural.
"The doctor specifically told me that your wound is quite deep. You mustn't get it wet recently, and you need to pay attention to your nutrition. So..."
She paused for a moment, then flashed a brighter smile.
"So we're going to have a big meal today. Order whatever you want. I'll make sure you get well-nourished!"
She never mentioned the doctor's reminder about his psychological issues, burying all her worries and fears deep in her heart.
All she wanted now was to be nicer to him, even better, to make him feel the warmth and care. Maybe...
In this way, he wouldn't have those terrifying thoughts anymore.
Pei Jiangmu carefully observed her expression.
Although he thought her reaction just now was a bit strange, her smile at the moment seemed normal, so he felt relieved.
Then he followed her words and showed an expectant and obedient smile.
"Really? Thank you, sister. Then I won't be polite."
"No problem! Let's go!"
Meng Ruochao smiled and took the initiative to hold his arm, as if this could dispel the inexplicable uneasiness and chill in her heart.
The setting sun cast their shadows long as they walked side by side towards the end of the corridor. The scene was warm and beautiful.
But the shadow of worry in Meng Ruochao's heart lingered for a long time.
On the way to the restaurant, Meng Ruochao's phone rang. It was Yi Mo calling.
On the other end of the phone, Yi Mo's voice was filled with concern and relief. She carefully inquired about Pei Jiangmu's examination results.
After learning that there was no major problem and that he just needed to rest, and that the two of them were about to go for a meal, Yi Mo immediately proposed to join them with a very reasonable reason.
"Chaochao, I must treat you guys to this meal! If it weren't for little brother Pei's quick reaction and his push, it would be me lying in the hospital today!"
"He's my savior. Emotionally and rationally, I have to thank him properly. Where are you? I'll come right away."
Meng Ruochao hesitated for a moment while holding the phone.
Pei Jiangmu didn't seem to like being in a crowded place.
But that impulsive hug and the doctor's words made her feel a bit nervous and uncomfortable when facing Pei Jiangmu.
Maybe... having one more person around would help her calm down.
So she told Yi Mo the name of the restaurant: "It's still that 'Lanyue' we went to last time."
"Okay! I got it. I'll be there right away!" Yi Mo hung up the phone briskly.
Meng Ruochao and Pei Jiangmu arrived at the restaurant first and were led by the waiter to a relatively quiet booth.
Meng Ruochao handed the menu to Pei Jiangmu and told him to order whatever he wanted, while she absent-mindedly sipped her water.
Pei Jiangmu keenly sensed that she seemed to have something on her mind, but he didn't ask. Instead, he just obediently looked at the menu and occasionally asked her, "Does sister like this?"
It wasn't long before Yi Mo arrived.
However, neither Meng Ruochao nor Pei Jiangmu expected that Yi Mo wasn't alone.
Behind her was Pei Jingdu, dressed in a casual suit, exuding a noble and steady aura.
Yi Mo wore a proper smile on her face and took the initiative to explain.
"Oh, what a coincidence. I was just parking at the entrance when I saw President Pei coming here for a meal alone.
I remembered that President Pei had paid the bill for us last time, so I went over to say hello and casually mentioned that we were having dinner here again today.
When President Pei heard that you were here too, he said he wanted to say hello, so I took the liberty of inviting President Pei to join us for dinner."
She looked at Meng Ruochao and Pei Jiangmu, her tone inquiring, "Chaochao, little brother Pei, you... don't mind, do you?"
Meng Ruochao was a bit surprised. She subconsciously glanced at Pei Jiangmu beside her first.
She saw the gentle smile on Pei Jiangmu's face fade. His cold gaze swept over Pei Jingdu, and a fleeting shadow flashed deep in his eyes.
But soon, he turned to Meng Ruochao and showed a smile without a hint of resentment.
"Of course it's okay. The more the merrier."
He behaved generously and sensibly.
Seeing that he had no objections, Meng Ruochao felt relieved. She politely nodded at Pei Jingdu and said, "President Pei, please take a seat."
Pei Jingdu hooked his lips in a playful arc and calmly sat down on the other side of the booth.
He had indeed come to dine alone today. He didn't expect to meet Yi Mo at the entrance.
Yi Mo still remembered him and took the initiative to come over to say hello. During the conversation, she mentioned that Meng Ruochao and "a part-time younger brother from the studio" were also having dinner here.
He originally wanted to decline.
But when he heard the words "part-time younger brother" and saw the all-too-familiar figure in the booth through the glass window, he immediately changed his mind.
His good little brother... was really addicted to acting?
He ignored the busy affairs of the Pei Group, disappeared all day long, and it was extremely difficult for even their own family members to see him.
It turned out that he was here playing the role of a "poor college student" and plotting something?
He was going to see what this kid was up to.
Pei Jingdu's gaze casually landed on Pei Jiangmu, with a hint of exploration and amusement.
Pei Jiangmu naturally caught his elder brother's malicious look.
He knew Pei Jingdu too well. This guy had always taken pleasure in seeing him in a difficult situation, especially when he was troubled by love.
He definitely had bad intentions in coming here. He must be here to watch his joke and cause trouble.