Chapter 28: Medium-Weak

The filming wrapped up an hour earlier than expected.

Chen Shuoyin never ended up wearing his shoes. Her calves were slightly swollen, and the edges of her shoes had cut into her ankles, drawing a little blood.

Leaning against a tree trunk, she bent down to loosen the edges of her shoes and stuffed in a few layers of tissue. She massaged her sore legs, enduring the pain, when she heard someone calling out not far away.

“Reporter Chen!” Zhou Qi waved high, motioning for her to get in the car. Pei Yu stood beside the vehicle with his hands in his pockets, giving her an indifferent glance.

Last time, she didn’t take his ride. He had driven straight back to the set from Lanxi Village for an afternoon shoot and had stopped by to see Grandma on the way.

Since she returned to this time, Grandma had been bringing up Pei Yu often, always asking if there was any progress between them.

If he had to do it over again, he would still visit Grandma. But what if Grandma mentioned something she had said to Pei Yu?

He’d definitely assume she had a crush on him again.

Chen Shuoyin hesitated for a moment, then limped toward him, negotiating in a soft voice, “You’re heading back to the filming location by the Sishui River, right? The bridge is closed, and you’d have to take a detour. I won’t trouble you for a ride.”

“Also, Grandma is doing well lately. You don’t need to visit her.”

Pei Yu lowered his gaze and remained silent, his eyes fixed steadily on her feet. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Since he didn’t respond, Chen Shuoyin instinctively pulled her foot back.

The car engine started, and Zhou Qi opened the back door, waiting for them to get in.

Her unusually obedient and accommodating demeanor made Pei Yu feel as though she was deliberately distancing herself from him. His cold, narrow eyes lifted, locking onto her.

“A detour? That’s your excuse?”

“You think I’d care about a little extra fuel and time?”

He took a step closer, and Chen Shuoyin instinctively stepped back.

“It would be impolite not to visit her in person.”

The uneven cobblestones made it easy for her to stumble as she retreated.

His arm reached out, catching her with a firm grip. The slight pull brought her closer to him. Given their height difference, she had to tilt her head up while he looked down at her. His direct gaze made her heart pound in uncertainty. Just as she looked away, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist. Before she could react, she was lifted off the ground. Their eyes met again, this time in shock.

Pei Yu carried her to the back seat. The leather seat was smooth, and as she landed, inertia caused her to slide toward the middle. Before she could steady herself, her ankle was caught in his palm. He carefully removed her high heels, exposing her feet to the cool air. The blood-stained tissue fell away, revealing the raw, reddened wound beneath.

Pei Yu’s gaze darkened, his brows knitting slightly. His fingertips brushed close to the injury, and when she winced, he murmured under his breath as if scolding her,

“You’re so stubborn. How much unnecessary pain do you want to suffer?”

Nearby, the film crew and staff were still packing up and moving around. If they weren’t careful, someone might notice Pei Yu standing outside the car, holding a woman’s ankle in his hand.

Panic surged in Chen Shuoyin’s chest. She tried to pull her foot back, but his grip only tightened.

She gritted her teeth and kicked at him, barely nudging his abdomen. “Are you crazy? What if someone takes a picture and starts spreading rumors?”

She kicked again, but with her foot restrained, she couldn’t generate much force. When she pushed forward, his hand slipped down to her sole. His thumb pressed against the arch of her foot, rough skin brushing against her most sensitive spot. The touch sent an unexpected shiver up her spine, and she involuntarily let out a small sound.

Mortified, she raised her voice in protest. “I—I don’t want to be photographed with you! How many times are you going to disrupt my peaceful life?”

Pei Yu suddenly froze. For a brief moment, his entire demeanor stiffened before he resumed his movements as if nothing had happened.

He sat beside her. Her calf rested against his suited thigh, and in the process, her still-bleeding wound smeared onto his pants, staining the fabric dark.

The position was far too intimate, yet he remained unbothered. He gave instructions to the driver, “Zhou Qi, go to Sishui Alley on the other side of the river. Bring me the first aid kit.”

Chen Shuoyin felt like a prey caught in the hunter’s snare—trapped, unable to escape. She shook her head in protest. “No need—”

But the car jolted over the bumpy road. She lost her balance, sliding even closer to Pei Yu.

Pei Yu glanced down at her hands gripping his arm for support. His lips curved in an unreadable expression, as if mocking her contradicting actions.

Flustered, she quickly let go as if she had touched something filthy. Yet, the car hit another bump, sending her straight back into his space.

This time, he caught her entire leg.

Chen Shuoyin was starting to doubt Zhou Qi’s driving skills.

Pei Yu accepted the first aid kit, smoothly opening it. He methodically took out a cotton swab and antiseptic ointment. Pressing a dab of cream onto the wound, he gently spread it with the cotton swab.

After years of conflicts and arguments, having him tend to her wounds now felt entirely unnatural.

They weren’t the type of people who would sit together and help each other.

When he finished applying the ointment and placed a bandage over the wound, she immediately retracted her feet. “If you want to laugh at me, just say it. No need to hold it in.”

Pei Yu’s hands, once occupied, suddenly felt empty. He clenched them into fists and placed them on his lap. His voice was low and cold.

“Not in the mood to laugh.”

She didn’t pry into what had dampened his mood. Shrinking back into her seat, her gaze fell on the bloodstain on his pants. Her ears grew warm. “Hey, your pants… Let me wash them for you.”

“Sure—”

Before he could finish, she hastily added, “But just to be clear, I dirtied them by accident! I wasn’t trying to do it on purpose, so don’t turn around and use this to blackmail me later.”

Pei Yu had been in a strange mood since arriving at Lanxi Village. He let out a low hum and closed his eyes to rest.

The antiseptic had a faint cooling scent, and the tingling from the wound kept Chen Shuoyin completely alert.

Last time, she hadn’t even been in the car. Yet, Pei Yu had still gone to Sishui Alley afterward. According to Grandma, he had just been passing by—not visiting deliberately.

But if that were true, why did he take such a long detour?

Growing more suspicious, she leaned forward and asked Zhou Qi, “Assistant Zhou, did you guys have another reason for stopping by Sishui Alley?”

Zhou Qi was always straightforward. “Nope. After dropping you off, Pei-ge has to rush to the next shoot. Ever since the bridge closed, the detour takes twice as long. We wouldn’t come here without a reason.”

Chen Shuoyin thanked him and sat back properly.

Pei Yu glanced at her, his voice light. “Aren’t your dreams always so accurate? Can’t you predict my next move?”

“I didn’t dream about it, so how would I know?” she muttered. But his words made her thoughts spin.

Logically, changing circumstances should alter outcomes. Yet, despite her actions, two consecutive events had still unfolded the same way.

She looked at Pei Yu deeply.

Would the fire still happen?

Feeling her unwavering stare, Pei Yu turned his head slightly. Seeing her lost in thought, his eyes narrowed. “No need to thank me. I don’t like hearing it.”

She averted her gaze. “Who said I was going to thank you?”

The television in Grandma’s house suddenly switched to a live news broadcast.

“Good evening, hosts. This is Zhang Xiang reporting. Right now, I’m at the Sishui Riverside Ancient Street in Tanchu City. Behind me, you can see flames rapidly engulfing the surrounding buildings. The film crew is being evacuated—”

Hearing her colleague’s familiar voice, Chen Shuoyin’s blood ran cold.

She shot up from her seat, knocking over a wooden stool with a loud crash.

Grandma called out in alarm, “Yinyin—”

Chen Shuoyin dropped her chopsticks, slipped on her shoes, and ran out the door.