Xiao Cheng leaned back in his executive chair, his gaze fixed on her in the dim light. "That arrangement works too. I've been quite busy lately, but don't worry about your parents, I'll take care of everything. I'll ensure they are safe and sound."
This public welfare event was organized by the Lancheg government, and all major companies were required to send representatives.
Xiao Cheng's father, Xiao Qitian, was also participating this time.
Xiao Qitian had never liked Meng Jingwei. Xiao Cheng intentionally arranged for Meng Jingwei to go to Liangchuan, hoping his father would get a better understanding of her.
He wanted Xiao Qitian to realize that Meng Jingwei was not a simple girl, and more importantly, he wanted Xiao Qitian to accept her.
To achieve this, Xiao Cheng had gone to great lengths.
He knew full well that if he went to Liangchuan with Meng Jingwei, Xiao Qitian might believe they were just putting on a show.
"Mm, I trust you. But how long will this trip to Liangchuan take? When do we depart?"
"We depart the day after tomorrow, but... it will be for half a month."
As he spoke, Xiao Cheng's eyes never left Meng Jingwei. He added, "If you don't want to go, I can find someone else."
Half a month was enough time for Xiao Qitian to observe Meng Jingwei thoroughly.
Xiao Cheng understood his father perfectly. With his personality, if he knew Meng Jingwei would be present, he would certainly keep a close eye on her.
Meng Jingwei was kind-hearted and resilient. After half a month of observation, Xiao Qitian would surely accept her.
Then, when she returned, he would confess his feelings to her.
"I can do it, no problem."
Meng Jingwei readily agreed.
Not only did she genuinely enjoy participating in public welfare activities, but she also owed Xiao Cheng a great deal. This opportunity to help him would also allow her to repay some of her debt.
After they finalized their plans, Meng Jingwei returned to the secretary department to continue her work.
They had dinner together again after work that evening.
After the meal, Xiao Cheng offered to drive Meng Jingwei home. Fearing that Xiao Cheng might discover she was currently living with Qing Muye, she said, "You'd better let me ride a shared bicycle. I want to get some exercise and lose some weight."
She insisted, and Xiao Cheng couldn't refuse. They parted ways.
It was already half-past eight when she returned to the Ye Se Apartment, but the apartment was pitch black, with no one inside.
Meng Jingwei sat on the sofa, tired and drowsy, but unable to sleep.
She went to the study, but Qing Muye wasn't there either. She sat in the study playing games.
It wasn't until eleven o'clock that Qing Muye finally returned.
He walked into the study and saw Meng Jingwei playing games on the computer. He then heard her say, "It's just ten consecutive wins in the peak match, what's so impressive about that."
Just as a game ended, Meng Jingwei took off her headphones and happened to see Qing Muye standing at the study doorway.
His uncanny appearance startled her.
"Qing Muye, don't you make any noise when you walk? You scared me half to death."
Her heart fluttered with fright, and she placed a hand on her chest. "Don't you know that startling people can kill them?"
"If you haven't done anything wrong, you won't fear ghosts knocking at your door."
The man, with fingers like fine jade, unbuttoned his sapphire blue suit and hung it on the hanger. He cast a cold glance at Meng Jingwei. "How is your job search going?"
"Work... uh... still looking." Her eyes darted away, and she quickly exited the game and stood up. "You have work to do, so I won't disturb you. Bye-bye."
She hurried out of the study, not wanting to waste any more words with Qing Muye.
Back in the living room, she lay on the sofa, still wide awake, playing with her phone and watching TV shows.
At half-past two in the morning, Qing Muye emerged from the study and saw Meng Jingwei engrossed in watching dramas, looking energetic. He asked, "Why aren't you sleeping?"
She lay on the sofa, hugging a pillow, and shook her head. "I can't sleep."
The man frowned slightly. "Did you sleep during the day?"
"No."
She sighed. "Perhaps... I'm used to my own bed. I can't get comfortable in a different place."
Qing Muye didn't say anything else. "Get some rest early."
He then returned to his room and closed the door.
Hearing the door close, Meng Jingwei glanced at Qing Muye's room door, feeling a bit puzzled. "This guy..."
He seemed angry, giving her the cold shoulder and looking rather displeased.
She didn't dwell on it and continued watching variety shows, erupting into laughter from time to time.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Qing Muye, hearing the sounds from the living room, his gaze grew deeper.
It was past four in the morning, and he could still hear Meng Jingwei laughing heartily and murmuring to herself.
Half an hour later, everything finally fell silent.
He emerged from his bedroom and saw Meng Jingwei asleep on the sofa, still hugging the pillow, sleeping soundly.
The man stood before her, his brows furrowed. He bent down, picked her up, and carried her to the guest bedroom.
She lay on the bed and turned over, continuing to sleep.
Because she was wearing a blue slip dress, even though she had her undergarments on, when she lifted her leg, a section of her fair, smooth skin was exposed, her undergarments subtly visible.
Qing Muye remained expressionless. He took another thin blanket and covered her before leaving.
She slept until she woke up naturally.
When Meng Jingwei woke up again, she found herself in the bedroom.
After getting up and freshening up, she walked out of the bedroom and found several paper bags in the living room.
She walked over and looked curiously. Seeing Qing Muye seated at the dining table, she asked, "What did you buy?"
"Pajamas."
"Don't I already have pajamas?" Meng Jingwei said as she took out the new sleepwear, only to discover they were loose short-sleeved tops and shorts – rather modest pajamas.
"Oh, that's great. I was just about to buy some myself. Since there are new ones, I don't need to."
Meng Jingwei had also intended to buy new pajamas herself. After all, living under the same roof with a man, wearing a slip dress was somewhat inappropriate.
Especially since she had been sleeping on the living room sofa for the past two nights, only to be carried to the bedroom by Qing Muye.
If she accidentally stirred his desires and unleashed his beastly nature, she would be the one to suffer.
She put down the pajamas, walked up to Qing Muye, and grinned. "Thanks, brother."
This woman, so glib with her words.
Whenever he did anything for her, she would flatteringly call him 'brother.' At other times, she would simply address him by his name.
Qing Muye had almost... gotten used to it.
However, in the next moment, the man slammed a receipt in front of her. "Remember to reimburse me."
Meng Jingwei's face immediately fell. "No way, Qing Muye. You're my brother, why do I have to pay for clothes you buy?"
"You could also consider settling the debt with yourself," the man said, scooping a spoonful of porridge with a spoon and eating it.
Meng Jingwei clutched the receipt and looked at the price of the two sets of pajamas – over three hundred. This was perhaps the cheapest clothing Qing Muye had ever bought.
Fortunately, the price wasn't too high, so she said, "Fine, it's just over three hundred. I can afford it."
After saying that, she asked, "Is my breakfast still in the kitchen?"