Shen Liannuo winced in pain, reaching up to touch her bruised cheek. The burning sensation was so intense it had gone numb.
She secretly congratulated herself that she had fallen only after using the restroom. Had she fallen while pulling up her pants, she would have had no face left to speak of.
"It's nothing, I just need to lie down for a bit."
She wasn't that delicate; a fall wouldn't worsen her injuries.
Lying on the bed, she pulled the thin quilt over herself and turned onto her side, her back to Song Jun. "You should rest. I'm fine."
Song Jun's presence made Shen Liannuo feel a bit uncomfortable. She preferred to be alone, for a bit more peace.
"Alright. It's getting late, so get some rest. I'll arrange for a female nurse to look after you tomorrow." With that, he stood up and left, closing the hospital room door.
However, Song Jun didn't go far. He lay down on the long bench in the hallway outside the room to sleep.
From such a close distance, he could better protect Shen Liannuo's safety.
...
By the time Meng Jingwei and Qing Muye left the hospital, the night was already deep. The two returned to the Night Serenity Apartment.
The Night Serenity Apartment was where they had lived from the time they met until they got married.
It wasn't as dazzlingly luxurious and opulent as the Imperial Court Villa, but it exuded a sense of homey warmth.
Compared to the coldness of the Imperial Court Villa, the Night Serenity Apartment was more inviting.
After returning to the apartment and freshening up, Meng Jingwei stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of red wine and gazing at the vast city, her heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
"What are you thinking about?"
Qing Muye walked over and hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder and asking softly.
His cheek was pressed against Meng Jingwei's skin, and his breath caught the faint, clean scent of her dark hair from her shampoo.
It seemed Meng Jingwei really liked this brand of shampoo. The scent hadn't changed from the first time Qing Muye knew her until now.
"I'm wondering what Qing Kangyu's purpose was in looking for you."
Meng Jingwei leaned against his chest, her fair fingers like jade caressing the glass surface of the wine glass, lost in thought.
"We'll face whatever comes. You don't need to worry too much."
The reason Qing Muye hadn't told Meng Jingwei the truth before was because he didn't want her to worry excessively about this matter.
Meng Jingwei nodded slightly, a faint hum escaping her lips like a mosquito's whisper. She then asked, "Then tell me honestly, is there anything else you're hiding from me?"
She was testing Qing Muye, wanting to see if he would tell her about the hundreds of billions he had spent on the Hidden Clan.
The amount of diverted funds was so vast that Meng Jingwei couldn't even imagine it, considering it an astronomical figure.
"Yes."
After a few seconds of hesitation, Qing Muye nodded.
Meng Jingwei's eyebrows slightly arched, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile, assuming Qing Muye would tell her everything.
But then she heard...
"I missed you very much during the two days I was away from Lan City." His infinitely gentle tone sent shivers down her spine.
However, Meng Jingwei's face fell slightly. "...That's it?"
The man blinked, straightened up, and brought her face towards him with his large palm. "Don't you miss me?"
His expression was as if he were accusing her: "I was thinking of you, and you didn't miss me?"
It was a look of grievance and unwillingness.
Meng Jingwei blinked her long lashes, her deep gaze fixed on Qing Muye. From his chiseled face, she could feel his intense love, yet his persistent secrecy put her in a passive position.
In fact, Meng Jingwei felt a bit displeased.
But upon reflection, everything he did was for her own good, and she felt genuinely touched.
Meng Jingwei turned to face Qing Muye directly, her hand holding the wine glass lightly encircling his waist. Her cheek rested against his chest. "A Ye. I hope there is no hidden secret between us, and that we are always open and honest with each other."