“Baby, where’s your bracelet?”
“I put it away.”
“You… don’t like it? Then should I get you another one?”
“It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just too precious. I have to keep it safe. If it gets scratched or damaged, I’d be heartbroken.”
“Mmm~ Baby, you’re so sweet~”
“Just okay…”
Su Shanshan blinked at him affectionately, her eyes glistening with moisture. She tugged on Pei Xingyan’s arm, swaying her body happily.
Pei Xingyan was already somewhat used to her little habits and stared off into the distance, lost in thought.
She came to see him every day. If he didn’t see her even once, he’d feel uneasy. The other day, it was almost lights-out time, yet she was still clamoring to come see him. To save time, Pei Xingyan had to run downstairs to meet her, which really tired him out.
Today was no different. Neither of them had classes. She was ready to cling to him all afternoon in the pavilion, and she looked very happy.
But Pei Xingyan had something to do today—Lin Xiaoyu wanted to take him to get some clothes first.
He poked Su Shanshan’s shoulder, and the girl coquettishly grabbed his hand.
“Well…” he chose his words carefully, afraid to mention another girl and upset her.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Su Shanshan looked at him with a puzzled expression. “Is something going on?”
“You’ll have to eat by yourself tonight. I have something to take care of and need to leave school for a bit.”
“Oh…” Su Shanshan visibly deflated. Her straightened posture slumped, and her face clearly showed unhappiness.
But she was actually a very well-behaved girl. Apart from being clingy and a little too fond of praising people, she had no faults. Even though she looked so down, she silently nodded.
They both fell silent. Suddenly, Su Shanshan remembered something and looked up expectantly. “Can I go with you?”
Pei Xingyan shook his head firmly. He was going out with Lin Xiaoyu, and if he brought Su Shanshan along, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Besides, he was worried that Su Shanshan might get upset again and revert to that fierce state she’d been in last time. She had explained clearly that it happened because she saw him smile at another girl and lost control of her emotions.
“Ah?—” Su Shanshan dragged out the sound, whining and twisting her body like a noisy child.
“There’s nothing I can do, okay? Be good, alright?” Pei Xingyan could only soothe her like an elder.
Her eyes rolled mischievously twice. Taking advantage of the moment, she made a request, “Then can you hold me? If you hold me, I’ll behave, okay?”
This was completely premeditated. Su Shanshan looked at him with hungry yet determined eyes, inching closer and closer.
Pei Xingyan tried to retreat, but she had already blocked his way with her hand.
He could only pinch her arm a couple of times as a sign of hugging, but Su Shanshan was far from naive enough to accept such a perfunctory gesture. She clicked her tongue and shook her head, then opened her arms wide and pulled Pei Xingyan into a proper embrace.
Her hands roamed his back—sometimes pressing on his shoulder blades, sometimes touching his waist. Her head rested on his shoulder, breathing softly, filling his nostrils with her scent.
To Pei Xingyan’s surprise, the girl’s scent had a noticeable milky sweetness mixed with a fresh fragrance. He had originally thought she would smell like a more intense perfume.
Su Shanshan held him for quite a while before finally releasing him. She then reached up to stroke Pei Xingyan’s face, smiling foolishly.
Fearing she might suddenly kiss him, Pei Xingyan hurriedly smiled back and gently pulled her hand away.
He wasn’t just guessing. Su Shanshan was clearly a girl who pushed her limits. Her initial promises had long since been trampled into the dirt. She constantly tested Pei Xingyan’s boundaries; as long as he didn’t get angry, she dared to do anything—even slyly touching his leg during meals.
But Pei Xingyan didn’t dare reject her too harshly. The words from Li Doctor still echoed in his mind. No one could rule out that Su Shanshan might have borderline personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder.
He had hinted at taking her to the hospital, but every time he brought it up, Su Shanshan would play dumb. She acted well, but Pei Xingyan’s observations could not miss the resistance hidden in her heart.
He decided to wait for a better opportunity. Triggering a potential episode was never a good idea.
After lingering and cuddling with Su Shanshan in the pavilion for quite some time, chasing off several other disgusted students, Pei Xingyan really couldn’t delay any longer.
He stood up and patted Su Shanshan’s head, gently telling her he had to leave now.
Patting her head was an effective way to calm Su Shanshan. This girl was like a puppy, deliberately rubbing her head against his hand. Every time she did that, she would be extremely happy, and things would go more smoothly.
This time was no exception. She obediently nodded, then took out her water cup from her bag and insisted he drink some before leaving.
Pei Xingyan looked at the cup rim covered with lipstick marks. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if she cared more about his health or if she just wanted him to taste her lipstick.
But he always had to take a sip; otherwise, she’d definitely keep pestering him.
He took a small sip. The taste of water was overshadowed by her lipstick on his lips.
Su Shanshan happily took back the cup and rubbed the cup’s inner wall again, laughing blissfully.
“Be safe, baby~” she waved goodbye.
“Okay…”
Pei Xingyan finally left.
Suddenly, he began to reflect on himself. Though he didn’t admit it internally, his relationship and interaction with this girl were completely like that of a couple. He felt worried.
He worried about whether leaving her one day would hurt her and worried about what others—especially Ye Ziwei—would think if they saw him acting like this.
Although he often joked that Ye Ziwei’s basement was his home, what he feared most was what she might do if she hurt others.
The law… the law was the most untouchable thing. Sometimes, even if you are innocent, you still suffer punishment. Let alone if you actually committed a crime.
He had the hardest lesson—his parents were the example. They hadn’t done anything wrong, but because of negligence, they bore heavy charges and lost everything, including their freedom.
Pei Xingyan didn’t want anyone to suffer such a fate. He might be somewhat afraid of Ye Ziwei, but he absolutely did not want her to be harmed.
He suddenly felt a twinge of regret—regret for being dragged into this mess because he was desperate to make money. But he quickly shook his head and dismissed the thought.
As long as he could cure these patients with psychological illnesses, he could legitimately earn his payment. That was the key to proving his parents’ innocence—no turning back.
Pei Xingyan clenched his fist quietly, his determination deepened. He resolved to do everything in his power to make this deal happen.
By any means necessary, he had to succeed.