LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 81
Xu Wanwan had to leave the hospital by herself in the afternoon since she still had classes in the evening, after staying with Ye Jinmeng for a while.
To give Shi Shuning and Ye Jinmeng some private space, Gu Qi didn't have dinner at the hospital. Instead, she had Ye Junli take her out for a meal.
At this moment, in the patient's room, only Shi Shuning was accompanying Ye Jinmeng for her meal.
Ye Jinmeng's wound was healing well. Although she could only have light food for now, she ate heartily.
Shi Shuning reached out and smoothed the stray hair on her forehead, smiling, "Eat slowly, there's still a lot left."
"Brother Shuning, it's a good thing I'm not picky with food. Otherwise, I'd have gotten too thin just eating hospital meals during my stay," Ye Jinmeng said.
Shi Shuning laughed, "Hopefully you won't have another chance to eat hospital meals again. Being healthy is the best."
After Ye Jinmeng finished eating, Shi Shuning cleared the utensils and sat on the chair beside the bed, staring at her intently.
Ye Jinmeng felt uneasy under his gaze and clutched the bedsheet tightly, not daring to move.
After a long silence, Shi Shuning finally spoke, "Meng, there's something I can't seem to figure out."
"...What is it?"
"It's... why did you protect Wanwan, even risking your life to shield her from the knife?"
Ever since Ye Jinmeng got injured, this question had been bothering Shi Shuning. He couldn't understand it and didn't dare to think about it.
They had only known each other for a month, yet she was willing to almost lose her life for Xu Wanwan...
Sometimes, he even began to resent Xu Wanwan. If it weren't for her, Meng wouldn't have gotten hurt.
Most importantly, Shi Shuning was afraid that Ye Jinmeng might like Xu Wanwan more than she liked him...
Ye Jinmeng's heart skipped a beat at Shi Shuning's question, and she lowered her head, unsure how to respond.
"Meng, I'm not blaming you or anything. But this incident, I was really scared," Shi Shuning said, gripping Ye Jinmeng's hand tightly, his body visibly trembling.
"Meng, I just want you to consider me when making decisions like this. Even if... even if you don't consider me, at least think about Uncle and Auntie. How heartbroken they'd be if something really happened to you..."
Listening to Shi Shuning's words, Ye Jinmeng felt a twinge of bitterness in her heart as well.
In truth, she was a little shaken herself. If the knife had deviated just a little more to the left, she might have really had to reincarnate.
But if asked whether she regretted it, the answer would definitely be no.
Ye Jinmeng pursed her lips to conceal the bitterness in her eyes, then said, "Brother Shuning, I'm sorry, I was a bit reckless. But... if I had to do it again, I would still do the same thing. Because... I owed it to Wanwan."
Shi Shuning's brows furrowed deeply, "Meng, you..."
"Brother Shuning," Ye Jinmeng looked into Shi Shuning's eyes, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint smile, "There are some things I can't tell you, at least not now, because it's Wanwan's secret. If one day, Wanwan is willing to reveal it, then I'll tell you everything."
Ye Jinmeng squeezed Shi Shuning's hand and brought it to her face, gently caressing his knuckles with her cheek.
"But, Brother Shuning, don't worry. I won't let myself get hurt again."
The soft, smooth sensation against the back of his hand made Shi Shuning's ears turn red instantly, no longer caring about Xu Wanwan's supposed secret.
As long as it wasn't what he had feared, that was fine.
Nevertheless, he said with feigned arrogance, "Since you've promised, you'd better keep your word. Otherwise, I'll tie you to my belt."
Ye Jinmeng's face also turned red as she nodded quickly while holding Shi Shuning's hand, "I know!"
Shi Shuning cleared his throat, "Ahem, there's one more thing I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I'm planning to start my own business now."
Ye Jinmeng's eyes widened, "Brother Shuning, you want to start your own business? You're not going to join the Shi Family Enterprise?"
Starting a business is so tiring! It would be much better to just get a cushy job at his family's company.
Shi Shuning nodded earnestly, "Yes, I'm going to start my own business, and I want to do it independently, without relying on my family. I want to carve out my own territory as Shi Shuning."
To show Uncle my capabilities, and to ensure you don't have to suffer hardships in the future.
"But... what about your startup capital? You're not going to ask your family for it?"
Shi Shuning's expression became slightly awkward, "Well, I'm using the allowance I've saved up to start my business. But I've promised my parents and elder brother that I'll treat the money as a loan. Once I start earning, I'll pay them back. So, I might not have much money for a long time..."
Ye Jinmeng laughed, "It's okay, Brother Shuning. I'll take care of your meals. I'll make sure you don't go hungry!"
Shi Shuning reached out and pinched Ye Jinmeng's chubby cheeks affectionately, "Alright~ Then I'll rely on Meng to support me from now on."
After returning to the university, Xu Wanwan went back to her dorm to get her textbooks for the evening class. Then, she headed to the cafeteria.
At the cafeteria entrance, she ran into He Junting, who had just finished his class.
Ever since her conversation with Ye Jinmeng at the amusement park, Xu Wanwan had come to terms with her feelings for He Junting and no longer suppressed them.
If she liked him, she would pursue him. Even if it didn't work out, it wasn't a big deal.
So, as soon as she saw him, Xu Wanwan greeted He Junting warmly.
"Hello, Senior He!"
He Junting was caught off guard by Xu Wanwan's enthusiastic demeanor, as she had seemed to avoid him from the very beginning...
Now, she was so warm and friendly. Was something wrong with her?
"Senior He?"
Seeing He Junting's dazed expression, Xu Wanwan couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
He Junting snapped out of his trance and cleared his throat, "Ahem, hello, junior."
"Senior He, would you like to have dinner together?" Xu Wanwan considered for a moment, then added, "You've helped me so many times, but I've never repaid you. Senior He, what would you like for dinner? It's my treat."
Upon hearing this, He Junting didn't decline.
"Alright."
They both only ordered rice and a couple of stir-fried dishes, then sat across from each other at the table, eating their meals in silence.
While eating, Xu Wanwan kept glancing at the man across from her. Since her rebirth, this was the first time she had really studied He Junting's face closely.
He Junting felt uncomfortable under her fixed gaze, as this was the first time a woman had dared to look at him so directly.
Oh, wait, scratch that. Besides his mother, sister, and Meng, she was the first woman. As for the other girls who had crushes on him, his aura would intimidate them from staring directly at him.
"Why... are you staring at me?" He Junting couldn't help but ask.
Caught in the act, Xu Wanwan's cheeks flushed slightly as she laughed awkwardly, "Oh, haha, it's nothing."
Then she quickly lowered her head to hide her amusement and started shoveling rice into her mouth hastily.
He Junting was perplexed by her behavior. Why did he feel like this Xu Wanwan had turned into a different person? What was going on???