Chapter 84:
–
The night was as dark as ink, with sparse silver-white moonlight filtering through the gaps in the curtains, slanting onto the foot of the bed.
On the floor, shirt, trousers, T-shirt, and short skirt were scattered in a messy pile, creating an air of ambiguity.
It wasn’t until three in the morning in the latter half of the night that the noises in the room gradually subsided.
Meng Shuyou’s temples were damp with sweat, and unable to resist her sleepiness any longer, she leaned into Pei Yuzhou’s arms and fell into a deep sleep.
After it ended, he didn’t leave, just holding her like that.
Meng Shuyou slept until ten in the morning, then hurriedly got up to wash up.
She never understood why she was always the one who ended up exhausted?
Was that man a perpetual motion machine? How did he have such great stamina, going to work after sleeping just three or four hours.
A flight at two-thirty in the afternoon—she ate lunch at home and, before leaving, double-checked all her documents to ensure nothing was missing.
Tina handed her a bank card, “Miss, this is Mister’s secondary card. Please keep it safe.”
Meng Shuyou didn’t take it, “I don’t need it. Give it back to him.”
Tina relayed, “Mister said if you don’t accept it, you can’t return to the country.”
“Do you have to be so domineering?” Meng Shuyou had no choice, “Give it to me then.”
Eating his, wearing his, and spending his money—was this what being kept meant?
She didn’t think too much about it, stuffed the bank card into her bag, and pushed her suitcase out the door.
The driver was waiting outside and came forward to put her luggage in the trunk.
Meng Shuyou bent down to get in the car.
Tina: “Miss, safe travels.”
Meng Shuyou waved, “Mm, goodbye.”
She arrived at the airport at one in the afternoon, checked in, passed security, waited half an hour in the VIP lounge, and boarded smoothly.
It had been over half a year since she last returned to the country. The moment she stepped onto the airplane, an indescribable feeling welled up inside her—perhaps mostly relief. This time going back, she finally wouldn’t have to face the Meng Family, and they wouldn’t have the opportunity to threaten her with her older sister anymore.
A layover in Seoul midway, total flight time sixteen hours.
Domestic time, just past seven in the evening, the plane landed at Bin City International Airport.
Meng Shuyou booked a hotel near the hospital and took a taxi there to check in.
She went back to her room to drop off her luggage, didn’t even have a sip of water, and immediately rushed to the hospital.
The hospital room door was half-open, with the sound of the television playing inside.
Meng Shuyou pushed open the door and saw Shu Man leaning on the sofa watching cartoons. Afraid of startling her, she lowered her voice, “Older Sister.”
Aunt Xue was folding clothes by the bed. Hearing the voice, she turned back with a delighted expression, “Yaoyao’s back.”
“Aunt Xue.” Meng Shuyou walked into the hospital room.
Aunt Xue’s eyes crinkled, “Why did you come back so suddenly? Have you eaten dinner?”
“I ate on the plane.” Meng Shuyou walked straight to the sofa and sat beside Shu Man, “Older Sister, I’m back.”
Shu Man stared at her for a moment, then murmured softly, “Yaoyao…”
Meng Shuyou’s nose stung, and she hugged her tightly, “I missed you so much.”
Shu Man was stunned for a moment, then gently placed her hand on her back.
The familiar embrace made Meng Shuyou feel as if she were back in the old days, reluctant to let go.
Aunt Xue turned to the small kitchen to cut some fruit and bring it out, “Yaoyao, how long are you staying this time? Isn’t school starting soon?”
Meng Shuyou let go of Shu Man, “At most two weeks.”
“Have some fruit.” Aunt Xue placed the fruit platter on the table, “You’ve gotten thinner out there.”
Shu Man took a piece of apple and held it to Meng Shuyou’s mouth, “You eat.”
“Thank you, Older Sister.” Meng Shuyou opened her mouth and took a bite, “You eat some too.”
Shu Man had just eaten and wasn’t hungry at all, holding the apple to feed her.
Meng Shuyou said, “Aunt Xue, thank you for your hard work. I’ll take care of Older Sister these next few days. You go home and rest, and spend more time with your daughter.”
Aunt Xue nodded, “Alright, you sisters haven’t seen each other in so long, you must have a lot to talk about. Call me anytime if you need me.”
“Mm, be safe on the road.”
After Aunt Xue left, Meng Shuyou chatted with Shu Man for a while, and the two watched television together.
“When we were little, we used to lean together like this, eating snacks while watching TV.”
“One time I got so absorbed watching TV that I forgot to do my homework, and you covered for me in front of Mom, then secretly stayed in the room with me at night to help me catch up.”
“Another time I used Mom’s new lipstick like a crayon and scribbled all over my notebook. Mom scolded me, and you protected me.”
Before Meng Shuyou turned ten, she didn’t have an obedient personality. She liked to be naughty at times and would get into trouble. After returning to the Meng Family, she was forced to become the gentle, obedient, and rule-abiding young lady of a prominent family in others’ eyes.
Shu Man looked at her blankly.
A touch of melancholy rose in Meng Shuyou’s heart, “It’s a pity you don’t remember.”
Back then, life was carefree, and every day was happy.
By nine o’clock, Shu Man started to feel sleepy.
Meng Shuyou took her to bathe and then to bed.
Shu Man’s routine was very regular; she went to sleep every night at ten.
The phone’s incoming call ring suddenly sounded.
Afraid of waking Shu Man, Meng Shuyou quickly grabbed her mobile phone and went out to the balcony.
It was a telephone call from Mister Pei; she pressed to answer.
A low, rich voice came from the receiver, “You there?”
“Mm.” Meng Shuyou leaned against the railing blowing in the wind, with strands of hair by her cheek fluttering messily. She lifted her hand to tuck them behind her ear, “I’m at the hospital with Older Sister.”
“The doctors and medical team will arrive in two days.” Pei Yuzhou held a fountain pen and lightly tapped the desk, “Want to switch to a better hospital? I can arrange it for you.”
“Yes!” Meng Shuyou answered eagerly.
This hospital had shares from the Meng Family, so Meng Yan could come make trouble anytime. With her older sister here, she could never feel at ease.
“Alright, once the medical team arrives, they’ll take over. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Meng Shuyou’s voice rose unconsciously, “Thank you, Mister Pei.”
The weight in her heart finally settled completely.
Pei Yuzhou leaned back in his chair, his tone lazy, “I don’t accept verbal thanks.”
After spending so much time together, Meng Shuyou fully understood his meaning.
His needs in that area were really strong, even tireless.
After a moment of silence, Pei Yuzhou broke the quiet, “Go to sleep early.”
Meng Shuyou said “oh.”
–
As night fell, the bar was filled with blaring music, a mixed crowd, and the strong scent of alcohol hitting the face.
Meng Yan frowned tightly, found the private room, and pushed the door open directly.
Zhao Yunrui had his arm draped over the back of the sofa, surrounded by two sexy bar girls.
“Young Master Zhao, have another drink.”
“Want some grapes? I’ll peel them for you.”
Their voices were coquettish and seductive, alluring and enchanting.
Meng Yan’s anger surged, and she forcibly suppressed her temperament, spitting out one word: “Get out!”
The bar girls paled in fright and quickly got up to leave.
The good atmosphere ruined, Zhao Yunrui looked displeased, “Why are you here?”
Meng Yan walked up to him and snatched the wine glass from his hand, “Let’s talk.”
Zhao Yunrui was impatient, “Nothing to talk about. I said this engagement must be broken off. You have no say in what I do now. Stop bothering me.”
Meng Yan’s nails dug into her palm, “Why can you just break off the engagement whenever you want? Does your Zhao Family not care about its reputation anymore?”
