He recalled that she hadn't slept well for the past two days. Not wanting to disturb her, he took a blanket and threw it over her before going to the study.
Even though she was hit by the blanket, a very light gesture, Meng Jingwei was still startled awake.
She opened her eyes, and her spirits instantly improved.
After resting for a while, she went to the bathroom to wash and change, then borrowed a book from the study and lay on the sofa reading.
She was engrossed in her reading and felt like not much time had passed when Qing Muyye came out of the study. He glanced at her still reading and directly took the book away. "It's two in the morning, go to bed."
His tone was commanding, very much like an older brother being stern with his younger sister.
"Give it back to me!"
Meng Jingwei was in the middle of an engaging read when her hands suddenly felt empty, the book snatched away. She glared at Qing Muyye, displeased.
"Aren't you going to Liangchuan tomorrow?"
The man, with the book behind his back, reminded her.
"It won't affect me, I can still get up."
"Sleep."
Qing Muyye's face was cold. Without further ado, he took the book and returned to his room.
"Qing..."
Before she could finish speaking, the door to his room slammed shut.
Meng Jingwei couldn't help but mutter, "You jerk! Such a domineering and selfish dog man."
Without her book, she felt bored. She suddenly remembered the title and searched for it on her phone's reading app, found where she had left off, and continued reading.
As she read, it was already four or five in the morning. Exhausted, she could barely lift her eyelids and fell asleep on the sofa.
Qing Muyye walked over to the sofa and stood there for a moment. Seeing Meng Jingwei asleep on the sofa, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Did she sleep so little every day?
However, he didn't think much of it and carried her back to the bedroom.
He gently placed her on the bed and looked at her sleeping form. She was like a quiet and cute cat, very lovable.
This quiet side of her, unlike her usual fierce demeanor, only made her seem endearing.
"Mmm..."
Qing Muyye reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. But as his fingertips touched Meng Jingwei's cheek, she reached up and brushed his hand away, murmuring.
Then, she wrapped her arms around him like an octopus, holding him tightly, finding a comfortable position, and nestled into sleep.
Qing Muyye lay beside her, watching her quietly, carefully observing her face, from her eyes to her red lips. In the end, he couldn't resist leaning down and kissing her red lips.
Overwhelmed by emotion.
Her lips were very soft, slightly cool, and carried a hint of sweetness.
He found himself involuntarily captivated.
Sensing a physiological reaction, the man immediately moved back a little, ceasing the kiss.
He felt like he was playing with fire.
Although she had the same face as Li Yun'er, why did he feel no interest in Li Yun'er at all?
He was somewhat greedy for the unique scent on Meng Jingwei. That aroma was so familiar, making Qing Muyye feel relaxed, comfortable, and pleased.
He held her like this for a while, until her breathing evened out and she was sleeping soundly. The man finally let go of her and left the bedroom in a state of disarray.
He felt it was necessary to maintain a distance between them, otherwise, Qing Muyye couldn't believe how often he lost control when facing Meng Jingwei.
The uncontrolled physiological responses made Qing Muyye very displeased.
The next day.
As on the previous days, when Meng Jingwei woke up at seven, Qing Muyye was already awake.
He was sitting at the dining table eating. However, after glancing at the gourmet food on the table and smelling the fragrance wafting through the entire living room, Meng Jingwei only poured herself a glass of plain water.
In the dining room, Qing Muyye glanced at her and said, "Come and eat."
Meng Jingwei stood aside, sipping her water, and shook her head. "No, I'd better not eat."
The previous two days she had eaten congee, and a bowl of congee cost three hundred yuan.
If she ate today, it would be another three hundred yuan!
It was too expensive; she couldn't afford it.
"Gurgle gurgle—"
At that moment, Meng Jingwei's stomach declared an empty city, making her touch her belly in embarrassment. She immediately turned and sat on the sofa in the living room.
Seeing her flustered appearance, the man couldn't help but chuckle. "It's not charged."
"Not charged?"
Upon hearing him say it was free, Meng Jingwei's eyes lit up. She immediately put down her water glass, walked up to Qing Muyye, and asked, "It's really not charged?"
She really had no money to pay Qing Muyye.
Especially for such an outrageously expensive meal, she couldn't afford it.
"Mm."
"Hehehe, Brother, you're the best."
Meng Jingwei, having gotten a good deal, chuckled sheepishly. Her mouth seemed to be smeared with honey as she called him 'Brother.' Then she sat opposite Qing Muyye and looked down at the congee in her bowl, asking, "What kind of congee is it today?"
"Lean meat congee."
"Just what I like."
She happily scooped a spoonful of congee, blew on it, and tasted it. "Delicious."
Chewing slowly, savoring the rich and fragrant congee, she sincerely remarked, "Whose congee is this? The taste is amazing. Is it expensive? Can I afford it?"
"Expensive."
Qing Muyye, also eating the lean meat congee, sat opposite her and replied with a single word.
The word 'expensive' was enough to indicate the high price of the congee.
Meng Jingwei mused that if 'expensive' came from Qing Muyye, then it was 200% certain that she could afford it.
"By the way, I won't be back for the next half month. You can live your quiet life."
She held her spoon, blowing on a spoonful of congee as she spoke to Qing Muyye.
She thought that Qing Muyye didn't like her anyway, so he would surely be very happy to have half a month without her.
"Mm."
He replied again.
"Tsk, I knew it. If Grandma didn't like me, you wouldn't have taken me in."
"If you know, then that's good."
Meng Jingwei: "..." You jerk, if you can't say anything nice, don't speak!
If not for the current psychological pressure and her extreme caution towards the Li family, she would never be willing to live under someone else's roof.
Although it saved money, she could afford rent!
After the meal, Meng Jingwei cleared the bowls and washed them. She returned to her room, packed some essentials, borrowed a suitcase from Qing Muyye, and after everything was sorted, she stood in the living room and waved to Qing Muyye. "Qing Muyye, I'm leaving. Don't miss me too much."
The man sitting on the sofa, with his legs crossed, shot her a cold glance when he heard her speak. "What did you say?"
"Uh... heh heh heh, I said I'm leaving. Don't miss me too much."
She picked up her suitcase and chuckled sheepishly.
"Scram."
The succinct word 'scram' was delivered with utmost coolness.
Meng Jingwei rolled her eyes at him, put on her backpack, and walked directly out of the elevator, muttering, "What the heck. We've lived together for so long, we're practically roommates, and he doesn't care at all. Useless!"
Taking the elevator down to the negative second floor, as soon as the elevator doors opened, she saw Song Ci standing outside, also holding a suitcase.
"Assistant Song, are you going out too? Why are you also carrying a suitcase?"
She smiled slightly at Song Ci and asked curiously.
"This..."
Song Ci glanced at the suitcase in Meng Jingwei's hand. With just one look, he recognized it as his boss's suitcase, and he instantly understood. He nodded, "Yes, yes."
"Oh, then I wish you a safe journey." Meng Jingwei waved at him and left.
Behind her, Song Ci added, "Miss Meng, have a good trip too."
She waved without looking back, "Thank you."
See, Song Ci was much better. He even knew to wish her well; he was so human.