Chapter 72:
Zhao Hesong raised an eyebrow, “So this isn’t business.”
He suddenly had a bold guess—was it success in romance?
Meng Shuyou lay on the bed all afternoon and finally recovered.
After dinner in the evening, she arranged flowers with the servant in the living room.
Idle with nothing to do, just to pass the time.
Bellflowers and gardenias picked from the garden, in full bloom during their season.
Meng Shuyou picked up the scissors to trim the branches and leaves, and asked curiously: “I see the flower bed has the most bellflowers planted. Does Mister Pei like them?”
The servant answered softly: “I heard that bellflowers were Mister’s mother’s favorite flower during her lifetime.”
Meng Shuyou suddenly thought that the woman in that oil painting might be Mister Pei’s mother.
The same beautiful and rare green eyes, though Mister Pei’s pupils were a lighter color, probably diluted by Asian genes.
“Have you met Mister Pei’s mother?”
The servant shook her head gently, “No, I only started working here three years ago, and Mister’s mother had already passed away.”
Meng Shuyou actually wanted to ask Pei Yuzhou, but was afraid of touching his taboo.
The sound of the door opening came from the doorway.
The servant put down the flowers in her hand and walked over, “Mister is back. Have you had dinner?”
Pei Yuzhou gave a light “Mm” and walked into the living room.
Meng Shuyou looked up, met his gaze and quickly looked away, moving her lips softly, “Mister Pei.”
“Come upstairs with me.” Pei Yuzhou walked toward the elevator.
Meng Shuyou’s movements paused slightly, “I haven’t finished arranging the flowers.”
“The servant will take care of it.”
She hesitated for a few seconds and silently followed.
Entering the elevator, Pei Yuzhou pressed the button and casually asked: “What did you do at home today?”
Meng Shuyou looked down at her toes, “Nothing much, just ate, slept, and browsed my mobile phone.”
Arriving at the second floor, the elevator door opened.
Pei Yuzhou walked out.
Meng Shuyou followed behind him into the bedroom, her chest uneasy, “Mister Pei, can we not tonight…”
Pei Yuzhou took off his wristwatch and tossed it on the table, “Go lie on the bed yourself.”
Meng Shuyou’s cheeks burned red as she watched him enter the bathroom.
Why make it feel like attending to him.
The sound of running water “swished” for more than ten seconds.
After washing his hands, Pei Yuzhou came back.
Meng Shuyou was still standing in place.
Pei Yuzhou unfastened his cuffs, “Do you want me to carry you?”
Meng Shuyou’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s hum, “It still hurts a little.”
Pei Yuzhou pulled her wrist and pressed it on the bed, “Let me see.”
Meng Shuyou squirmed, “Don’t look.”
Even after seeing each other naked, it was still embarrassing.
Pei Yuzhou unbuttoned his shirt, “Then it seems there’s nothing wrong.”
“Don’t…” Meng Shuyou gave in, obediently lay down, and buried her face to the other side.
Her nightgown was pushed up by his large hand.
Moments later, a cool sensation came, easing the discomfort.
After applying the ointment, Pei Yuzhou set down the ointment, wiped his fingertips with a tissue, “So delicate.”
Meng Shuyou was unconvinced, “Clearly you’re too…”
She didn’t dare say the rest.
Pei Yuzhou asked leisurely, “Too what?”
Meng Shuyou muttered, “You know yourself.”
Pei Yuzhou changed the subject, “I’m going on a business trip to Boston tomorrow. Want to come with me?”
Meng Shuyou sat up on the bed and straightened her clothes, “You’re going on a business trip—what am I supposed to do there?”
“Conveniently attend an auction.” Pei Yuzhou unbuttoned his shirt.
Two fresh red scratch marks on his neck stood out prominently on his skin.
When he turned around, there were even more on his back.
Meng Shuyou was surprised; she hadn’t realized she’d scratched so hard, and she lowered her eyes guiltily, “How many days?”
“Back in two days.”
She nodded, “Then I’ll go with you.”
Anyway, she was bored at home.
Pei Yuzhou went into the bathroom to shower.
Meng Shuyou lay on the bed, staring blankly at the pattering sound of water.
After an unknown amount of time, the bathroom door opened.
She snapped out of it and looked over.
Pei Yuzhou’s hair was wet, steam misty, wearing a gray silk robe loosely belted, collar open, muscles even and firm, lean and robust.
He casually wiped his hair with a towel, “Not sleepy?”
“Slept for a long time this afternoon.” Meng Shuyou turned sideways to face him, “Aren’t you going to dry your hair?”
Pei Yuzhou wiped it a few times and set down the towel, “Too lazy.”
“Let me dry it for you.” Meng Shuyou threw off the quilt and got out of bed, “Where’s the hair dryer?”
“On the bathroom counter.”
She put on slippers, went to get it, returned to the bedside, and plugged it into the outlet.
Pei Yuzhou leaned against the headboard, letting her fuss.
The hair dryer turned on, making a “whirring” sound in the room.
Meng Shuyou adjusted the setting, gently running her fingertips through his hair.
Even his hair texture was good, fluffy and soft to the touch.
A faint shampoo fragrance diffused in the air.
His hair was short and dried quickly.
“Done.”
Meng Shuyou turned off the hair dryer, unplugged it, and was about to turn to go to the bathroom when her waist was suddenly encircled by an arm, and she fell onto his lap with the force.
Pei Yuzhou lifted her chin, his gaze perceptive, “Something you want from me?”
Meng Shuyou blinked.
How did he see through it? She hadn’t shown it.
Did he have mind-reading powers?
Pei Yuzhou lightly pinched her cheek, “Spit it out.”
Meng Shuyou hesitated for a moment and confessed, “That painting you bought at the art gallery before—can I see it one more time?”
Pei Yuzhou raised an eyebrow, “So interested?”
“The person in the painting is so beautiful.” Meng Shuyou stared into his eyes, “You both have green pupils.”
“What are you trying to say?”
She knew her measure, “I won’t ask if I can’t.”
Pei Yuzhou’s voice was mild, “I didn’t say you can’t ask.”
With permission, Meng Shuyou spoke: “So is she your mother? You look a bit alike.”
Pei Yuzhou gave a “Mm.”
“So, does Madam Kasa know your mother?”
“Only met once.”
Meng Shuyou sighed, “To paint so well from just one meeting.”
She recalled the woman in the painting, wondering what could trap someone so dazzling in family background and appearance.
Pei Yuzhou said: “The painting is with my grandfather.”
Meng Shuyou gave up, “Then forget it.”
Pei Yuzhou took the hair dryer from her hand and placed it on the bedside table, “Sleep. Get up early tomorrow.”
“Oh.” She lay back on the bed.
The ceiling light turned off, leaving only a dim wall lamp.
Meng Shuyou wasn’t used to sharing a bed with someone; she’d slept alone for so many years, and suddenly having a man beside her felt uncomfortable.
She’d slept too long during the day and had no sleepiness, wanted to turn over but was afraid of disturbing Pei Yuzhou.
In the quiet space, breathing was shallow.
Even though her movements were minimal, Pei Yuzhou keenly noticed and simply reached out to pull her into his arms, “What are you moving for?”
“Did I disturb you?” Meng Shuyou looked up and said softly: “I’m not sleepy. Maybe I should sleep in the next room.”
Pei Yuzhou rubbed the back of her head, “From now on, you can only sleep here.”
Meng Shuyou could only dispel the thought.
She didn’t remember how she fell asleep later, perhaps because of the reassuring scent always on his body.
