"Just because... just because..."
Shen Ximan racked her little brain before coming up with a decent reason. To save face, she leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"Just because I saw you crying and calling for Mom with my own eyes!"
"... " Bo Jingyu's face instantly darkened.
Sure enough, the dream just now really happened, and so did the shame.
Qian Li looked back and forth between them in confusion. "Am I not supposed to stay here? Should I go out?"
Shen Ximan looked at him speechlessly. "What do you think?"
He got the message and quickly prepared to go out.
"Call the doctor in on your way."
"Got it, Second Madam."
Bo Jingyu was so angry that he didn't dare to say a word.
If that incident just now was really exposed, his majestic image in front of his subordinates would surely be shattered instantly.
As naughty as she was, Shen Ximan knew this was reality. The moment he fainted, she felt as if her heart had stopped. When he opened his eyes just now, his eyelashes were still wet.
Bo Jingyu must miss his mother very much.
Thinking of this, she felt more and more like a jerk. All she did all day long was cause trouble for him and couldn't do anything else.
"Since you're awake, I'm relieved."
Shen Ximan slowly prepared to leave.
"Wait."
He pulled out the IV needle in his hand, propped himself up against the pain in his calf and sat up. His calm eyes looked into hers.
"Oh my god, why did you pull it out!" She rushed over anxiously.
"How are you going to deal with the debt your grandfather owes?"
Bo Jingyu's words were cold and emotionless.
Shen Ximan's body froze. Her hand, hanging in mid - air, felt awkward for a while and then slowly dropped to her sides. So he just wanted to settle the score before she left.
As expected of a businessman.
"I'll pay it back as soon as possible."
"How soon?" He ignored her expression and continued to press.
"Do you have to be so aggressive the moment you wake up?"
The worry in Shen Ximan's eyes hadn't faded yet, and now anger was mixed in. "I'll pay it off within a month. You don't need to urge me!"
This complicated emotion of love and hate made her feel very entangled. Escaping was the only solution for now.
She wiped the tears that were about to fall from her eyes and quickly turned around.
"I'll pay it for you."
Bo Jingyu's deep and hoarse voice sounded again.
If it weren't for what happened today, he would surely have stuck to his position, created some scandal with Li Xiaoru to force Shen Ximan to leave Yancheng. This was the quickest and safest solution.
But he didn't expect Bo Siming's persistence. He thought that after the divorce, everything would be okay, but Bo Siming took advantage of his weakness to achieve his goal.
Bo Jingyu didn't want to experience such a thrilling thing again.
Shen Ximan had to stay by his side. Only in this way could she not be kidnapped and get hurt for no reason.
"What do you mean? Look down on me?"
Shen Ximan didn't understand his intention and said angrily.
"You have no background and no education. How are you going to pay it back?"
Bo Jingyu didn't explain but kept his distance.
"I'll sell everything I have to pay you back!"
"I just said, I'll pay it for you."
She snorted. "Don't tell me you still have feelings for me. I won't be fooled again. Haven't you played enough tricks on me?"
Shen Ximan knew that saying this so bluntly would hurt people, but her mouth just couldn't be controlled, and all the words just came out.
"My leg is injured, so I can't attend the cooperation meeting with Juanyi. As an indirect perpetrator, shouldn't you go for me?"
Bo Jingyu couldn't find any other reason, so he had to use work as an excuse.
Only in this way could he keep her.
"I!"
All the complaints stuck in Shen Ximan's throat suddenly stopped.
After all, this was really her problem.
"Tell that Ru girl in advance." She mumbled sourly, avoiding his eyes.
He smiled when she was being petty, then quickly regained his composure. "Okay, I will."
"What about my grandfather?"
Although Shen Ximan was being tough - mouthed, she felt inexplicably happy inside.
"Just don't let him see you." Bo Jingyu was swiping his phone screen, canceling all his originally busy schedules one by one.
"I'll give you an extension. Pay it off by the end of this year."
She counted on her fingers. There were still five months left.
"Thank you. I'll pay the interest."
Seeing Shen Ximan becoming docile, he got a mischievous idea. He stared at her half - smiling. "So, what's your relationship with A Hairui? Just curious, no other meaning."
Bo Jingyu got injured because of her and also extended the deadline for the compensation after the agreement with her grandfather. There was no reason for her to play mind games with him anymore.
"I have a friend who works there."
"The representative?"
"... Yes."
He put his hand under his lower lip. "I remember there was a woman who often followed you. She helped you when you retrieved the 'treasure' and when you ran out of the hospital. Right?"
The word "treasure" caught her attention.
"Tre... treasure?" Shen Ximan looked at him in confusion.
Bo Jingyu paused and scratched his cheek uncomfortably.
"An Ruo."
The old memories suddenly replayed in her mind...
"Good morning, baby."
"I miss you too. Did you have a good time these days?"
"I'll come to see you tomorrow."
When Shen Ximan eavesdropped on his phone call in Huazhi Village, she once thought he had someone else outside! Now that she knew the reason, she wished she could find a place to hide and reflect.
Who would be jealous of their own sister!
"When did you two get so close?" To ease the awkward atmosphere, she twiddled her fingers and lowered her head, changing the topic.
"When you were hiding from me and secretly going to the Dongjiao Mansion."
Bo Jingyu's smile became stronger. He didn't even notice it himself.
This kind of natural conversation wasn't bad.
Shen Ximan stared at him with wide eyes and stammered, unable to say a complete sentence. "You, you! I..."
He helped her out. "Your little tricks can't deceive anyone. Next time when you secretly meet someone, clean up the hair on the bed, or there will be someone more meticulous than me."
There was obviously something else behind his words.
It turned out that he had always known her whereabouts. He knew but didn't take the initiative or contact her.
Shen Ximan felt a little lost for no reason.
"You have a good rest. If you need anything, just tell..."
Before she could finish her sentence, he interrupted.
"Braised pork slices with soft tofu."
Bo Jingyu's expression was calm. He turned his face and looked at the scenery outside.
"Ah, ah?"
Seeing her confused expression, he sighed.
"I've had a headache recently and haven't eaten much. Just bring something over."
After saying that, he still left some leeway in his heart.
His mother's braised pork slices with soft tofu were superb. No one could replicate it. To keep this wonderful memory intact and not break its original appearance, he shouldn't make things difficult for Shen Ximan.