Maybe because she hadn't heard any response from Pei Jiangmu for a long time, Cui Ran took a deep breath secretly and continued.
"I'll definitely give you an explanation about the engagement then. If you want to seek some benefits for your sweetheart, that's okay too."
"I can ask my mother to adopt her as a god - daughter. In this way, if you two get married, the outside world won't criticize her because of the engagement."
"After all, we can insist that the initial engagement was between you two."
The elevator "dinged" as it reached the first floor. Pei Jiangmu suddenly looked up and frowned at her.
Cui Ran met his gaze with a candid look in her eyes.
"I'm not trying to be nice to you. I just don't want to waste time. Think it over and give me an answer."
After saying that, she turned around and left. The sound of her high - heels tapping on the ground was still clear, but it lacked the urgency when she came and had a touch of resolute determination.
Pei Jiangmu stood there, watching her back disappear at the entrance of the hall. His brows didn't relax.
He never expected that Cui Ran would say such things.
This woman seemed to be more transparent than he thought.
However, he didn't believe her.
Now, regarding the engagement, he couldn't even trust Pei Jingdu, so how could he casually trust someone who was also involved in the engagement for her own interests?
He didn't even get out of the elevator. After pressing the button for the floor he came from, he leaned against the wall, his face as gloomy as if it could drip water.
Come to think of it, how did this woman find out about Mother Pei's hospitalization so quickly?
Was she very concerned about the Pei family?
Wasn't this a critical period for her to seize power? How could she have the leisure to care about such small things?
What substantial benefits could it bring to her power - grabbing to visit her future mother - in - law in the hospital?
He frowned and dialed Qi Yu's phone number, his tone cold.
"Check how Cui Ran found out that my mother was hospitalized."
Qi Yu on the other end of the phone paused for a moment and quickly replied, "Yes, boss. I'll check right away."
After hanging up the phone, Pei Jiangmu took a deep breath.
He had to find a way to deal with this engagement as soon as possible.
At least, he had to settle it before Zhaozhao remembered everything.
Just as he was thinking about Meng Ruozhao, his phone rang again. The screen showed the Chinese characters "Zhaozhao".
Yes, only for this name did he use Chinese characters.
Pei Jiangmu's face softened instantly. After answering the phone, his voice became extremely gentle.
"Sister, what's up?"
Meng Ruozhao's soft voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Pei Jiangmu, have you finished your business? I just got home. How's it going with you?"
Hearing her concern, Pei Jiangmu felt a warm feeling in his heart, and most of his annoyance dissipated.
"I'm fine. I may have to stay here for a while longer. I'll go back after I'm done."
"Okay, then don't overwork yourself. Take care of your body." Meng Ruozhao said softly.
"Okay, I know."
Pei Jiangmu hung up the phone with a faint smile on his lips.
How could a money - grubber like Pei Jingdu understand that his Zhaozhao was his most precious treasure.
The elevator door opened again. Pei Jiangmu stepped out. The smell of disinfectant in the corridor seemed stronger than before.
He didn't stop at the ward door this time. Instead, he walked to the window in the safety passage and looked out.
Cui Ran's words were still echoing in his ears.
"Seek some benefits for your sweetheart"
"Ask my mother to adopt her as a god - daughter"
These words sounded as if she was thinking about him everywhere, but Pei Jiangmu knew clearly that a person like Cui Ran never did anything without benefits.
She said these things either to take more advantages from the Pei family under the pretext of "calling off the engagement".
Or she had other motives. And what was this "motive"?
His brows furrowed even more.
At the beginning, he chose Cui Ran as the partner for the arranged marriage because he thought she was completely focused on the power struggle in the Cui family, had no interest in the Pei family, and wouldn't pester him.
But now it seemed that he had underestimated the ambition of these children from wealthy families. Even Cui Ran, who seemed to be "out of the picture", was secretly keeping an eye on the Pei family's movements.
Just as he was thinking, his phone vibrated again. It was a message from Qi Yu.
"Boss, I've found out. Miss Cui learned about Madam's hospitalization from the old mansion's nanny an hour ago."
"However, I asked the nanny. She said that it was your father who gave the order after confirming that Madam was okay."
A cold light flashed in Pei Jiangmu's eyes. Sure enough, it was related to his father.
Obviously, his father asked Cui Ran to visit the patient in order to get his mother and Cui Ran closer.
Then his mother would urge him to fulfill the engagement as soon as possible.
He turned off the phone screen and turned around to walk towards the ward.
No matter what his family was planning, he would never compromise.
When he reached the ward door, he deliberately slowed down and took a look inside through the glass on the door.
His mother had woken up and was looking at the flowers brought by Cui Ran while leaning against the head of the bed. There was a smile on her lips, which obviously meant that she had a better impression of Cui Ran.
The nurse was tidying up the fruits beside her and chatting with Mother Pei from time to time. The atmosphere seemed very peaceful.
Pei Jiangmu took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and pushed the door open.
Hearing the sound, Mother Pei looked up at him. The smile in her eyes faded a little, but she still asked,
"Back? I'm fine here. Why didn't you send Ranran back?"
"She has her own car."
Pei Jiangmu walked over and sat on the chair beside the bed. He reached out and touched the back of Mother Pei's hand. The temperature was normal.
"Mom, at this time, why are you still worrying about how others go back? You should care more about your own body."
"You child, how can you talk like that? Ranran is a sensible girl. Her words are very pleasant to hear."
Mother Pei sighed and looked at him with a touch of expectation in her eyes.
"A Mu, Mom knows you may have your own thoughts in mind, but Xiaoran is really a good girl. If you two can get along well, Mom will be at ease."
Pei Jiangmu didn't want to send her back to the emergency room again, so he didn't rush to refute. He just said softly,
"Marriage can't be rushed. I'm still young. I want to focus on my career first."
"And the most important thing for you now is to get well soon. Don't worry about these things."
Mother Pei was about to say something, but he interrupted her.
"The doctor said you can't get too excited or think too much, or it will be bad for your heart."
"If you really care about me, just have a good rest, okay?"
Looking at the seriousness in her son's eyes, Mother Pei swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
She knew Pei Jiangmu's personality. Once he made up his mind, not even ten bulls could pull him back.
Being so cold to Cui Ran, he probably had someone else in his heart.
If she pushed him too hard, she might stimulate him and cause another rift with the family like last time.
If that happened, her body might really not be able to bear it.
"Okay, okay, okay. Mom won't say anything. Mom will listen to you and get well soon."
Mother Pei patted his hand, her tone full of helplessness.
"Your elder brother said he would stay with me today. He's gone to the next room to deal with official business. You can go back today."
Pei Jiangmu snorted in his heart.
At least Pei Jingdu still knew to accompany the patient voluntarily. It seemed that he was still a decent person.
He stayed in the ward with Mother Pei for a while until she fell asleep again due to drowsiness. Then he left quietly.