His fingers twitched slightly against the soft fabric of her hospital gown, feeling the undeniable warmth of her body beneath his palm. His dark eyes flickered with a storm of unreadable emotions—then deepened into something even darker.

Jiang Mian, however, was oblivious.

She wasn’t thinking about anything else—just that it hurt like hell, and that his touch somehow made it better.

She was only in this mess because of him!

“Jiang Mian—”

Before Shen Shiyan could finish, Jiang Mian cut him off with teary insistence.

“Rub it for me!”

…What?

Her half-dried tears clung to her lashes, making her look almost identical to the girl in that dream he’d had. In that dream, she’d cried too—because he had bullied her.

Jiang Mian hadn’t done anything suggestive, yet Shen Shiyan suddenly felt parched. His throat tightened as his gaze dropped, only to snap away again as if burned.

He tried to pull his hand back. “I’ll call the doctor.”

What the hell is a doctor gonna do?!

The moment she heard he was about to leave, Jiang Mian—somehow summoning strength from nowhere—wrapped her arms around his waist and clung to him like her life depended on it.

“Don’t go!”

Her soft, warm body pressed against him, carrying a faint, sweet scent. Shen Shiyan went rigid, his entire frame stiffening as he called her name.

“Jiang Mian, let go.”

“I won’t!”

“I’m just getting the doctor. I’m not leaving.” He tried to reason with her.

Jiang Mian tightened her hold, shaking her head stubbornly. Searching for an excuse, she mumbled, “I… I don’t want you to go. I’m scared that if you leave, you won’t want me anymore.”

She looked so unwilling to part with him, so pitifully attached, that it made his heart melt into a mess.

So she really was dependent on him. She couldn’t bear to be apart from him for even a second.

Shen Shiyan gently wiped away her tears. “Alright, I won’t go. But you can’t cry anymore.”

Good thing Jiang Mian couldn’t read his thoughts, or she’d laugh herself sick at how deluded he was.

If not for her unreliable body, she would’ve bolted as far away from him as possible.

Jiang Mian blinked, letting Shen Shiyan wipe away her tears. True to her word, she obediently held back the rest, though they still shimmered in her eyes, making her look even more pitiful.

“I won’t cry anymore!” she sniffled, biting back her sobs, her teary gaze making her all the more delicate and fragile.

“Good girl. Be good.”

As long as he didn’t leave, she could say whatever he wanted to hear.

Jiang Mian clung to his sleeve, nestling into his embrace, her chest still aching terribly.

According to the original character’s personality, she had to clear up this misunderstanding.

With a soft, teary voice, she asked, “So, Shen Shiyan… do you believe me now? Last night was really just a misunderstanding. I have nothing going on with that guy!”

Please, for the love of everything, don’t believe me. Keep misunderstanding me, dump me, and let me go free!

But then Shen Shiyan, recalling last night’s messages, nodded. “Mmm. I believe you.”

…Wait. What?

Jiang Mian was stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him.

He had clearly seen her getting tangled up with another guy—so why did he still believe her?

Curious, she asked, “Why did you suddenly believe me?”

Wasn’t he furious last night? Didn’t he storm off without a second thought?

Shen Shiyan didn’t hide it. “I saw the message he sent you last night.”

As he spoke, he handed her the phone.

Jiang Mian glanced at the screen and froze.

Seriously, Cheng Wenhan? Of all times, you had to screw up now?

So that’s why Shen Shiyan wasn’t mad anymore—because this guy had basically cleared her name for her.

Jiang Mian had to keep up the act. She huffed in mock anger. “You wouldn’t even listen to my explanation. Do you know how upset I was? And now you finally know the truth!”

Shen Shiyan picked up her phone, scrolled to the contact name Big Jerk, and shot her a cold glance. “Then explain this—why am I saved as this?”

Crap. She had changed it casually, completely forgetting about it. Now he had seen it.

There was no way someone as “devoted” as she was would ever use such a name for him.

Her mind worked fast, and suddenly, inspiration struck. She put on an aggrieved expression. “That’s because you didn’t come back that night! You have no idea how long I waited for you!”

Shen Shiyan: “…”

Before he could process her words, Jiang Mian raised her tear-filled eyes, looking utterly pitiful. “I feel awful… I can barely breathe. Can you rub it for me?”

Shen Shiyan’s eye twitched. If not for the fact that her face was indeed a little pale, he would have suspected she was deliberately seducing him.

His breath grew heavy, and, with a stiff expression, he reluctantly placed his hand on her chest and rubbed it.

The way he was rubbing wasn’t really helping. Jiang Mian’s eyes darted around, and soon, she had a new idea—his lips.

If she could just kiss him, that would be even better.

Her gaze was too blatant. Shen Shiyan took one look at her and immediately knew what she was thinking.

His face darkened. Even now, she’s still trying to seduce him?

“Jiang Mian.” His tone was serious, a warning clear in his voice—Don’t even think about pushing your luck.

Jiang Mian bit her lip in aggrieved silence, then buried her face in his chest, her voice soft as she called him.

Not even a kiss? This stingy man!

Since she couldn’t kiss him, she decided to hold onto him instead. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pressed her cheek against his chest, sighing inwardly.

Hugs were nice, but they weren’t nearly as effective as a kiss.

She stayed nestled in his embrace, looking every bit the obedient little thing—meanwhile, all her thoughts were still circling around his lips.

Outside the room, He Lai had arrived early in the morning.

Of course, she didn’t want Shen Shiyan and that vixen Jiang Mian to be together. Using breakfast as an excuse, she had come to keep an eye on them.

Clutching the still-warm food, He Lai took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

She silently reminded herself—no matter what she saw inside, she had to stay calm. She couldn’t let that little witch Jiang Mian get under her skin.

Inside the ward, Jiang Mian was still clinging to Shen Shiyan, unwilling to let go until she fully recovered.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Shen Shiyan was a man who valued his dignity. He didn’t want to be seen tangled up with Jiang Mian in front of others—it would make him look undisciplined. So, he ordered her to let go.

Jiang Mian shook her head. “Not unless you kiss me.”

If he didn’t kiss her, she absolutely wouldn’t let go!

This woman—she really didn’t miss a single chance to seduce him.

Yet, Shen Shiyan had no way to deal with her. “Be good, listen to me.”

Yeah, right—listen to your nonsense!

Jiang Mian silently cursed. Her dark eyes locked onto his, and in mere moments, tears welled up, threatening to spill.

Seeing that she was about to cry again, Shen Shiyan didn’t even think—he just lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“That’s it?”

A forehead kiss?

She wanted a real kiss!

A forehead kiss was nowhere near as effective—her chest still ached. Tears streamed down her face as she pouted, completely unreasonable. “No! Kiss me here!”

She puckered her soft, pink lips, motioning for Shen Shiyan to kiss her properly.

This woman—getting bolder by the second. If he didn’t put her in her place, she’d never learn.

Shen Shiyan’s face instantly darkened. His voice was cold. “Jiang Mian!”

Even if she had to call him “Dad,” she still hurt!

A real kiss was the only cure.

Between fearing Shen Shiyan and preserving her own life, she, of course, chose survival.

On the surface, she obediently let go, but her wide, round eyes were filled with grievance, and her cheeks puffed up in frustration.

Shen Shiyan ruffled her hair. “Alright, I’ll let you kiss me later.”

Later? Who knew when “later” even was? Every second delayed was another second of suffering!

Without sparing her another glance, Shen Shiyan grabbed his coat and called out, “Come in.”

In that instant, Jiang Mian shot up from the bed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and went straight for her target—kissing him hard.

She miscalculated the force. Their teeth accidentally clashed, and a sharp sting shot through her lips. Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain.

Not only did her teeth ache, but her lips throbbed too.

She instinctively licked her lips, tasting the metallic tang of blood.

Did she just split her own lip?

Jiang Mian quickly covered her mouth, inwardly cursing—this time, she really lost big.

With tears welling up, Jiang Mian whimpered at Shen Shiyan, hoping for sympathy. “I’m bleeding!”

Shen Shiyan’s face instantly darkened. “It’s my blood!”

Jiang Mian froze. His?

She hesitantly touched her lips—now that she thought about it, they didn’t really hurt that much.

Blinking, she glanced up at him. Sure enough, his lower lip had split from the impact, the skin slightly torn.

So it really was his blood…

Jiang Mian’s expression shifted to one of heartache as she hurriedly apologized. “I didn’t mean to! I just wanted a kiss!”

Shen Shiyan wasn’t sure if he should be angry—or if he should just grab her and kiss her back even harder.

Sensing an opportunity, Jiang Mian wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice soft and sweet as she coaxed him. “Don’t be mad, okay?”

Hidden from his view, a sly smile flickered across her lips.

Serves you right! That’s what you get for not letting me kiss you—now your lip’s busted!

“I’ll wipe it off for you… and maybe blow on it?”

After secretly gloating, Jiang Mian lifted her head, her expression instantly shifting to one of tender concern. She gently wiped the blood from his lip, then softly blew on it. “There, all better.”

At that moment, He Lai adjusted her expression and pushed the door open—only to be greeted by this scene.

“President Shen, I came to visit Miss Jiang and brought breakfast…”

But the sight before her made her voice falter. Jiang Mian was nestled in Shen Shiyan’s arms, wiping his lips with an intimacy that burned straight into He Lai’s heart.

The smile on her face nearly crumbled. She wanted nothing more than to hurl the breakfast in her hands straight at Jiang Mian’s head and tear her to shreds.

But reason held her back—if she lost control now, Shen Shiyan would have her fired in an instant.

Her manicured nails dug sharply into her palm, but the pain in her chest far outweighed it, leaving her numb and stiff.

That bitch Jiang Mian—she’s doing this on purpose! Don’t fall for it. Stay calm!

Repeating the mantra in her mind, He Lai took a deep breath and forced herself to steady.

“President Shen,” she called again, finally dragging their attention back to her.

Shen Shiyan pried Jiang Mian’s hands off him, his voice cold and detached. “Why are you here?”

His displeasure was obvious. He Lai’s heart clenched, but she forced a smile and repeated her earlier words.

Jiang Mian, now obediently sitting to the side after being pushed away, listened to He Lai’s explanation with a look of surprise.

He Lai came to visit her? And even brought her breakfast?

Was that supposed to be a joke?

Taking a closer look at He Lai’s outfit—soft pastels, delicate makeup—she was dressed to impress. This wasn’t a hospital visit, this was a calculated move to see Shen Shiyan. And as for the breakfast? That was clearly meant for him. Jiang Mian was just an afterthought—an excuse.

Shen Shiyan turned back to her. “Are you hungry?”

Jiang Mian’s stomach had been growling all morning. She nodded obediently.

He Lai immediately stepped forward and handed over the food, her voice gentle. “President Shen, I bought your favorites for breakfast. As for Miss Jiang, I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got you the same as President Shen’s. Please take a look.”

Only she knew how much effort it took to hold herself back from losing control and slapping Jiang Mian across the face.

Jiang Mian was starving. The moment the aroma of food hit her nose, her mouth practically started watering.

She cast a lazy glance at He Lai. Even though He Lai tried to mask her emotions, Jiang Mian still caught the flash of resentment and malice in her eyes.

She was willing to bet that if Shen Shiyan weren’t here, He Lai would have already torn off that sweet, gentle facade.

Buying breakfast for her? That was like a weasel paying respects to a chicken—definitely not out of kindness.

Who knew if she had slipped something nasty into the food?

=^_^=