Just as Tang Mianmian turned around to rest, the door was pushed open again. Thinking it was Yan Youlan returning, she snapped impatiently, "Can't you just let it go already?"
"Why? Not happy to see me?"
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
That man…
Tang Mianmian spun around abruptly and found herself staring into a pair of bottomless, captivating phoenix eyes.
"You…" she gasped, completely taken aback. She hadn't expected him at all.
He had changed into another outfit, looking even more striking than before. Even she couldn't help but feel her heart race.
This man… was dangerous.
He remained as frosty as ever, though his brows lifted slightly. "I just came to bring you something, but it seems I'm not welcome."
Her eyes followed his arm down to a food box in his hand, bearing the logo of a high-end restaurant.
As a self-proclaimed foodie, Tang Mianmian's eyes lit up immediately. "No, not at all! I'm thrilled to see you!"
"Really?" His skeptical gaze deepened, and the corners of his thin lips curved faintly.
Tang Mianmian quickly snatched the food box, her movements swift. "I'm starving! Thank you for bringing this!"
"Wait!" His dark gaze swept over her hand, noticing the faint blood seeping from a swollen bump where the IV needle had slipped out. His brows knitted together. "What's this?"
"Uh…" Tang Mianmian looked at her hand and realized the IV needle had come loose, leaving a slight bruise with traces of blood.
"I guess I didn't notice it slipped out," she said nonchalantly, adjusting the IV bag and pulling the needle out herself without the slightest complaint.
Still, he had caught the slight furrow of her brows at the moment of discomfort.
"Why did it come loose?" His voice remained calm, but there was an undercurrent of displeasure.
Tang Mianmian felt uneasy and avoided his gaze. "I said it's fine. It doesn't hurt at all."
"Lie down. I'll call the nurse," Long Yejue ordered curtly, his furrowed brows conveying his displeasure.
Under his imposing aura, Tang Mianmian obediently lay back on the bed, watching him summon a nurse with a quick call. Without saying a word, he returned to her bedside and gently took her hand, massaging it to relieve the swelling.
Unused to such contact, Tang Mianmian instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but he caught it firmly and barked coldly, "Don't move!"
"…"
This is so awkward.
He focused on massaging her hand, his seriousness making her uneasy. Her eyes darted around, trying to avoid looking at him.
The silence in the room was suffocating until the nurse finally arrived. Tang Mianmian took the chance to quickly withdraw her hand, as if it had been scalded.
Long Yejue frowned slightly, his fingers twitching as if reluctant to let go of the sensation of her hand.
"You need to be more careful," the nurse scolded gently. But as she felt the weight of Long Yejue's icy gaze, she immediately fell silent and diligently treated Tang Mianmian's hand.
Tang Mianmian, who had intended to apologize, noticed the nurse seemed more nervous than her.
Clearly, his aura was overwhelming.
And his charm was undeniable. The nurse's flushed face betrayed her.
Good looks truly opened doors wherever one went.
Compared to Su Shijie, this man was leagues above.
Though… she didn't even know his name yet. She'd have to ask him later.
After the nurse finished dressing her hand, she turned to Long Yejue and said, "Your girlfriend's veins are very delicate. Try not to let her move around too much. Any strain will make things worse."
"Got it."
"…" Who's his girlfriend?!
Also, why was the nurse so much gentler to him than to her?!
Tang Mianmian looked at Long Yejue's slightly softened face with a hint of resentment. "Why are you so good-looking, anyway?"
Long Yejue's lips twitched slightly, his voice cold. "Good looks aren't something you compliment a man for."
"I wasn't complimenting you," she retorted sourly.
"Eat." He opened the food box, the aroma wafting out and making her forget her frustrations as she reached for the chopsticks.
"Don't move!" He snatched the chopsticks away, scolding her.
"Why not? Isn't it for me?"
Long Yejue calmly arranged the light, nutritious dishes—clearly chosen with care. Then, with practiced ease, he picked up a piece of tofu and held it out. "Open your mouth."
Tang Mianmian was dumbfounded.
Was he… planning to feed her?
"I can eat by myself…" she started, but the weight of his gaze silenced her.
"No unnecessary movements," he reminded her coldly, leaving her no choice but to open her mouth.
However, his feeding technique left much to be desired. She hadn't even swallowed her first bite when he shoved more food into her mouth.
"Hold on!" she protested, her mouth too full.
Long Yejue finally realized his mistake and set the chopsticks down. Looking at her intently, he said, "I'm Long Yejue, 28 years old, unmarried."
"…"
What was that supposed to mean?
Was he teasing her because she couldn't multitask?!
"I'm not lacking money but missing a wife. Let's get married."
"Pfft…"
Tang Mianmian choked on her food, completely unprepared for his sudden proposal.
Long Yejue's face darkened, as if he were ready to explode at any moment.
"I'm sorry…" Tang Mianmian apologized tearfully, feeling like the villain in this scenario.
Why propose so out of the blue?
He seemed to suppress his anger, standing up slowly. The white shirt he had just changed into was now stained.
"I'll clean this up," he said, heading to the bathroom.
Tang Mianmian reached for a napkin to clean the table but was interrupted by his sharp command, "Didn't I tell you not to move?"
"I just wanted to tidy up…" she mumbled, too intimidated to meet his gaze.
His eyes turned colder as he took the napkin from her hand and cleaned up the mess himself.
"Is this how you propose to everyone?" she blurted out, trying to break the tension.
He paused, his brows tightening. "No."
"Then how?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"I said no. I've never proposed to anyone before."
"…"
Then why her?
She wanted to ask but didn't dare.
"Don't move. I'll finish this quickly," Long Yejue ordered after cleaning up.
Tang Mianmian nodded obediently, raising her uninjured hand. "I promise!"
A rare smile flickered across his deep eyes, a fleeting expression that disappeared as quickly as it came.
When the sound of running water came from the bathroom, Tang Mianmian snapped out of her daze.
She had been staring at him!
Who said only women were dangerous temptresses?
What did he say his name was? Long Yejue? It had a nice ring to it.
And he's rich…
What did "not lacking money" even mean?
The thought of Yan Youlan's earlier threat suddenly resurfaced, wiping away her brief cheerfulness.
Lowering her gaze, she bit her lip. If her parents found out about this mess…
When Long Yejue returned, he immediately noticed her somber expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his tone softening.
Tang Mianmian hesitated for a long moment before blurting out, "Can you really help me deal with Yan Youlan?"
He nodded slightly. "But I have conditions."
"I know." She forced a smile. "Let's get married."
Though it was her own suggestion, why did it feel so unsettling?
"Then we'll get the marriage certificate tomorrow," he said flatly, picking up the chopsticks again to resume feeding her.
"Tomorrow? That's too soon—mmmph!"
Another mouthful of food silenced her protest.
"You've already agreed," he said calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Tang Mianmian felt utterly defeated.
Despite wanting to argue further, every attempt was thwarted by another bite of food.
By the time she finished eating, he hadn't said another word.
This man clearly wasn't a talker—steady and reserved. What did he even do for a living?
After tidying up, Tang Mianmian thought he was finally leaving. But then there was a knock at the door.
Who could it be so late at night?
Long Yejue got up to answer, revealing An Yi standing there with several bags in hand.
"Miss Tang hasn't gone to bed yet, I see," An Yi said with a smile, setting the bags down.
With someone else in the room, how could she sleep?
"What are you doing here so late?" she asked curiously.
"These are your laptop, tomorrow's documents, toiletries, and a change of clothes," An Yi explained as he organized the items.
Tang Mianmian was baffled.
Was he planning to move in or something?
"Hmm. You can leave now," Long Yejue said with a nod, taking out his laptop and placing it on the bedside table.
"Prepare my household registration book for tomorrow," Long Yejue instructed as An Yi was about to leave.
"Household registration book?" An Yi seemed puzzled but didn't question further. "Alright. When will you need it?"
"After the meeting tomorrow afternoon, bring it here."
"…Understood."
An Yi left, kindly closing the door behind him.
Tang Mianmian fidgeted awkwardly, feeling uneasy with a man in her hospital room—or rather, her temporary hospital home.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked, looking up briefly from his documents.
"Are you planning to stay here tonight?" she asked hesitantly.