"By the way, have you reported this to the police? This is a criminal offence and must be punished."
"My friend has done that." She didn't know about the investigation, but she knew Li Chuanmo had involved the police.
"That's good, good. So you're still in the hospital now? Who's taking care of you there now?"
"My friend is here, taking care of me."
"Really? The same friend? She has a heart of gold. Thank her for me. How did you get to meet her? Does she work with you in the office?"
Li Chuanmo chose that time to walk in. He didn't notice she was on the phone, so he just walked to her side to hold her hand, saying, "how are you feeling now? The doctor said you should be able to eat liquid food soon, so hang in there."
The line went silent for a while, and Pei Yueran signalled to Li Chuanmo that she was on a call. She knew the questions would come pouring soon.
They did.
"So, the 'she' is a 'he' after all. I see", Director Zhou drawled. "Start talking."
"Mum, it's not what you think."
"Really? What do you think I'm thinking? I'm waiting to hear the full story."
"Mum, there's really nothing to tell."
"I think there are a lot of things I would like to know. How did you meet? Was he the young man you were talking to me about? Li Chuanmo right?
Pei Yueran sighed. "Yes Mum, he's the one."
"Aha, so that means I know the backstory then. Tell me about the latest developments."
"Mum..."
"What?"
Li Chuanmo suddenly said, "Hello Auntie, my name is Li Chuanmo. I'll come with Yueran to visit you soon, and I'll answer any questions you may have then."
Director Zhou went silent for a few moments before responding, "Okay Chuanmo, Auntie will be waiting. Please take good care of my daughter."
"I will Auntie."
"I'll call you later Mum. Take care."
"Alright Ran'er, take good care of yourself. When are you leaving the hospital?"
"Tomorrow"
"Are you sure you don't need me to come?"
"No Mum, I'll be fine."
"Alright Ran'er."
They ended the call there, but a minute later, Director Zhou's message came in: 'Remember— all.the.details!'
Pei Yueran groaned, "My mum doesn't give up easily."
"That's a good trait."
"Ah, except when she's using that good trait to dig into my private life. Did the doctor talk about any precautions I have to take when I get discharged?"
"Yes, he did. I'll make sure you you're well taken care of."
Pei Yueran raised a brow, "And how are you going to do that? Come and stay with me?" she asked jokingly.
"I was thinking you would come and stay with me." Li Chuanmo replied calmly.
"You can't be serious."
"Why not?"
"Because how can I come and stay in your house?"
"I'll take you there once you've been discharged."
"Stop kidding, you know that's not what I meant. I mean why should I stay in your house?"
"Again, why not? You need care and you live alone. It's obvious I need to take care of you."
"I can take care of myself." Remembering how painfully difficult it was to even move, Pei Yueran decided that wasn't convincing enough, so she continued, "Also, I can always hire a caretaker, it doesn't have to be you."
"Alright then."
While Pei Yueran was feeling disappointed that he gave in just like that, she saw him making a call.
"Who are you calling?" she blurted out, belatedly realizing how rude it was. But Li Chuanmo answered her.
"I'm calling Yuchen to pack."
"Why? Traveling again?"
"We will stay at your place for a couple of weeks. You won't mind Yuchen staying over right?"
Li Chuanmo's expression was so deadpan that Pei Yueran was speechless. What kind of plot was this?
"What?"
"Oh, don't worry about Yuchen. He's, he's...an okay boy." Li Chuanmo finished weakly.
After half a day, he didn't know how to describe his son in a way that would make her 'not worry'. He couldn't say with a clear conscience that Li Yuchen was not a troublemaker.
"Don't! Hang up!" Pei Yueran shouted.
Li Chuanmo raised a brow.
"We will be good company."
Pei Yueran almost yanked her hair out in frustration, but the pain doing that would cause made her rational. "That's not what I'm talking about Chuanmo, and you know it."
His name sounded so sweet coming from her, he mused. It sounded like soft music. He decided he really liked hearing her call his name and wished she could keep calling him that. It sounded much better than Li Chuanmo or Chairman Li.
".....and awkward. Are you listening to me? Li. Chuan. Mo!"
Pei Yueran was talking, giving reasons why it was better she stayed at home alone, when she noticed that Li Chuanmo was absentminded.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
Pei Yueran stared at him for a few seconds while calming herself down. She then repeated, "I said us staying together is not a good idea. People will gossip. Besides, it would be uncomfortable and awkward."
"Really? Then come and stay at my place."
Is he even listening???
"Chairman Li, thank you, but no." Pei Yueran said firmly.
So we're back to 'Chairman Li' now, right? Li Chuanmo thought.
Ever since that night, although they had grown closer, they had never explicitly mentioned anything about a formal relationship. Li Chuanmo knew he was being a coward, but he didn't want to start a relationship or say anything about feelings. What if she didn't feel the same way? What if it ended badly?
A relationship was a difficult matter for him at the moment, but making her stay with him was not.
"We either stay in your house or mine. Choose."
"You're insufferable! I'm going home, and going alone!"
"Really? Okay." Li Chuanmo answered. He started typing on his phone.
What is he up to now? Pei Yueran wondered.
She didn't have to wonder for long.
After a few minutes, she received a call from her apartment complex. The gist of it was that her house was currently having electricity and water issues that would take a few days to fix, and that they were sorry for the inconvenience.
Pei Yueran cut the call and glared at Li Chuanmo, incredulous. How did he even do that?
"Can we go to my house now?"