After Chen Ziming showered, he came to Su Yue’s bedside.
He found her curled up in the quilt, only her small head peeking out, her eyes wide open.
She certainly didn't look like she was about to sleep.
"You need to rest more now," he said, reaching out to cover her eyes.
"I want to go to the bathroom," Su Yue said, her voice full of grievance.
...
Finally, it was time to sleep.
Su Yue lay down first. Though very sleepy, she still tried her best to keep her eyes open, looking expectantly at the man by the bed.
Chen Ziming lowered his eyelids, took a deep breath, and finally took off his shoes before getting into bed.
The moment he lay down, the girl beside him eagerly burrowed into his embrace.
She tilted her small face up, smiling sweetly.
"Sleep well," he said in a low voice.
"This is so good," she ignored him, gazing at him distractedly. "You're finally willing to hold me to sleep."
He didn't reply. His eyes, hidden by his eyelashes, appeared dark and deep.
Su Yue was so sleepy her eyelids felt heavy, and her head ached from being held up. So, she lowered it and snuggled further into his arms.
This action made the man hold his breath.
She had always done this, and he could never resist it.
What's more, her hands had started to become restless, fumbling around.
"Stop touching, go to sleep," he said in a hoarse voice, reaching out to grasp her playfully moving hand.
"Oh..."
Perhaps it was because she was too tired, but she was relatively obedient.
Only a sliver of consciousness kept her nestled in his arms, continuing to murmur:
"Please don't be angry anymore..."
"I think about you every day..."
"I felt so guilty and remorseful back then..."
"Thank you for protecting me..."
By the end, she had completely lost consciousness, her voice fading to a mere whisper of breath.
But a single tear still slid down from the corner of her eye.
It flowed onto his arm, wetting his skin through the thin fabric.
Slightly surprised, Chen Ziming lowered his head and looked at the girl sleeping soundly in his arms. His heart immediately softened immensely.
How could he truly be angry with her?
He was merely afraid she wouldn't cherish things properly again.
His long, slender fingers gently stroked her cheek, his gaze filled with infinite tenderness.
His voice then quietly followed:
"I think about you every day too."
"My darling."
She slept for a long time.
When she woke up again, Su Yue's mind was much clearer.
Feeling herself leaning against that familiar warm chest, her heart gave a start.
Her brain struggled to piece together fragments of memory, and after a long while, she finally recalled everything.
Except for the period after being drugged.
"Awake?"
A hoarse voice came from above her. Su Yue looked up, but could only see his chin.
Chen Ziming had been awake all night. He had finally gotten a good sleep and didn't want to get up yet.
So, with his eyes closed, he pulled her closer. "You were the one who insisted I hold you while sleeping, remember?"
Director Chen, his proud nature surfacing again, spoke without mincing words.
Su Yue remained silent in his arms for a long time.
Just as he was about to fall back asleep, he heard a wronged voice from within his embrace.
"But... I want to go to the bathroom."
Chen Ziming: ...
After he emerged from the bathroom, he had already gotten up and gone to the dining room.
"Come drink some water." Seeing her emerge, he poured her a glass of warm water.
Su Yue walked over obediently, her brow furrowed slightly as she drank the water absentmindedly.
Her memories became clearer and clearer, and she had many questions.
"Last night, you came to pick me up, didn't you?" she asked, setting down the cup and looking at him.
"Mm, don't worry, those beasts didn't succeed in anything," Chen Ziming replied calmly, taking a sip of water.
But Su Yue could tell something was off.
"Are you still angry?"
"What do you think?" His voice turned a little colder.
Su Yue lowered her gaze, unsure how to answer.
She had been getting retorted by him a lot lately, so she subconsciously assumed he was angry because she had casually eaten with a group of men.
Seeing her reaction, Chen Ziming frowned and leaned down to look into her eyes.
"You said you were thinking of me all the time before sleeping, looks like that was a lie," he said with a hint of helplessness as their eyes met.
"A lie?" Su Yue was a little surprised.
"If you were truly thinking of me all the time, you wouldn't have forgotten my personality," Director Chen began to list evidence.
Seeing her standing there dazed, he couldn't help but curve his lips and flick her forehead with his finger.
"Ouch!"
He ignored her, continuing his speech:
"I'm only angry about those scumbags' wicked intentions. With you, there's only heartache."
"I've already handled this matter. Rest assured, you won't encounter such danger again in the future."
"With me here, you have nothing to fear."