"How did you get here?" Her voice carried a trace of drowsiness; she was so sleepy she didn't even want to open her eyes.
"You weren't picking up my calls," the man shifted his posture to let her sleep more comfortably, "so I came over directly."
Although they had been living together almost entirely for some time now, Fu Shijin had been extremely busy with work over the last couple of days and had been hard-pressed to find time for anything else. He gently smoothed her messy hair, tucking it behind her ears, fully revealing her pale, delicate face. The faint shadows under her eyes were now completely exposed.
He placed a light kiss on her eyelids, then got into bed.
"My phone probably died and switched itself off," Mei Ran instinctively nestled closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Stay with me, let's sleep a while longer."
"Have you been feeling unwell anywhere recently?"
"No," she mumbled softly, "Just a bit tired."
"Is that so..."
Mei Ran giggled, squirming away from the large hand that was wandering suggestively over her abdomen. "What are you... touching there?"
"That tickles!" The laughter chased away a good deal of her sleepiness. She opened her eyes, her gaze still somewhat bleary, tinged with a watery gleam in the lamplight.
"Shijin." She shook his arm, suddenly remembering something. "What's the situation online now?"
After recording the video, all the follow-up work had been entrusted to Fu Shijin and Ye Qihan. Mei Ran only knew it was scheduled for release today, but she had been swamped all day long and hadn't had a moment to check the netizens' reactions.
"Oh," Fu Shijin said nonchalantly, "It's still holding the number one spot on the hot search list, topping all the music charts. Also, Tianxing Entertainment's official Weibo has nearly crashed..."
"That exaggerated?" Mei Ran sat up in disbelief.
The man rested his hands behind his head, only raising his beautiful eyes to look at her, their depths filled with tender amusement. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "There's something even more exaggerated..."
"I find it unbelievable," Mei Ran said. "It's been seven whole years, hasn't it? How can they be so certain I'm the real MR? And before this..."
Mei Mengran had imitated so well, fooling everyone—why were they so sure this time?
His thumb gently stroked the back of her hand. "A fake can never become real. For those who genuinely like you, I believe it shouldn't be hard to tell."
"I feel a bit guilty," Mei Ran bit her lower lip, a flicker of dejection crossing her features. "Actually, I don't deserve them liking me this much. To like me for a full seven years just because of one song... it's overwhelming." She carefully and earnestly analyzed her own feelings, becoming almost incoherent. "I left without saying goodbye, and I even planned never to return. I betrayed their affection. And..."
"They have given me too much, far disproportionate to what I've offered. It makes me feel unreal, like I'm in a dream." After saying so much, she ended up somewhat confused herself. "Do you... do you understand what I mean?"
The man watched her quietly, his gaze growing deeper, like an unfathomable deep pool. After a long pause, he chuckled softly. "I, too, liked you for seven years because of your voice, and I'm prepared to like you for a lifetime." He squeezed her hand. "Ranran, some things, though incredible, truly do happen. Other things may appear perfectly flawless on the surface but are woven from countless lies."
"So you don't need to doubt. Those who like you will always be here."
"Oh, right," he added, "You might need to prepare yourself for being exposed."
Mei Ran's eyes widened in alarm, the last trace of melancholy in her heart replaced by full-blown shock. "What do you mean?!"
"The editor probably didn't handle it properly. A side profile of my face appears at the very end of the video."
Actually, it was likely Ye Qihan's doing—without his authorization, the video couldn't have been broadcast.
Her expression was far too vivid and amusing. Fu Shijin couldn't resist leaning over and kissing her slightly parted red lips. His tongue easily slipped in to taste her sweetness before he said, "But it's not necessarily a given that you'll be exposed."
"After all, to confirm from that video that you're MR, they'd first have to recognize me as Fu Shijin," he analyzed logically. "For someone unfamiliar, recognizing a person from just a side profile is probably not as simple as one might imagine. Furthermore, even if someone really does recognize me, the focus will at least be on the topic 'Fu Shijin is Ansel' for some time."
"Even if they find out my identity and know that 'Think It Over Carefully' is my only follow, how could they prove 'MR' is 'Think It Over Carefully'?"
Mei Ran nodded. "You have a point."
"Hm. Of course, there's another possibility."
He stated it directly: "Unless someone can recognize you just from your silhouette."
"Any other possibilities?" Mei Ran asked.
"Can't think of any for now."
She let out a sigh of relief. If she really were exposed, considering the fans' enthusiasm, it would inevitably affect normal work and life, wouldn't it?
With the heavy weight lifted from her heart, Mei Ran flopped face-down on the bed, ready to fall asleep again. The view out the window, the pitch-black inkiness of the night, seemed to be gradually shrinking. "What time is it now?"
Fu Shijin lit up his phone screen. "Eight p.m. exactly."
Only then did she feel hungry, but she was too lazy to move. She could only ask softly, "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Mr. Fu," she displayed the playful look reserved only for him, "Can you cook?"
Fu Shijin met her gaze, bright with expectation. After hesitating a moment, he said, "...Yes."
"Mm-hmm," her smile curved her brows, "There are some vegetables in the fridge. I'd like to eat..."
"I'll come get you when it's ready." He tucked the covers around her, grabbed his phone from the bedside table, and then softly closed the door behind him as he left.
About half an hour later, Mei Ran vaguely heard the shattering sound of ceramics and was abruptly startled awake.
At the same time, in the kitchen.
Fu Shijin looked somewhat ruefully at the shards littering the floor, then at the stir-fried tomato and egg he'd managed to produce following a mobile phone tutorial, yet which left something to be desired. He let out a soft sigh. He swept the fragments into a corner first, washed his hands, and then continued to focus intently on the next, supposedly simpler dish—stir-fried broccoli.
When Mei Ran pushed open the kitchen door, this was the scene that greeted her: The man had rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, revealing his beautifully sculpted forearms. He was wrapped in a light blue apron, which didn't look too out of place from the back view; more than anything, he exuded a gentle, domestic air.
This man could don white gloves and meticulously appreciate antiques, could appear aloof and composed in front of others. Gradually drawing closer, one could see more and more facets of him.
All these facets, only she could see.
Mei Ran walked over slowly and wrapped her arms around his lean waist from behind, nuzzling the tip of her nose against his back.
"You're awake." The man turned his head, then suddenly frowned again. "Don't stand too close, watch out for splattering hot oil."
"I won't." Wasn't he shielding her entire body behind him?
A hint of indulgent smile appeared on Fu Shijin's face. He tucked her hands inside the apron before picking up the spatula again to continue stirring the slightly browned broccoli in the wok.
Mei Ran continued hugging him like that, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat against her, until the range hood was turned off, and someone gently bit her lip. Only then did she slowly open her eyes.
His handsome face was right before her eyes. "Dinner's ready. Go wash your hands first."
He had picked out some ingredients from the fridge and whipped up three dishes and a soup. Mei Ran had already set the table and filled two bowls with rice.
Wielding her chopsticks eagerly, she picked up a piece of tomato. "Let me have a taste first."
Fu Shijin pretended to glance over nonchalantly, but in truth, he was observing her reaction.
Mei Ran's brow furrowed faintly, almost imperceptibly, but in the next second, a smile appeared. "Not bad."
Really? He was somewhat doubtful. After all, it was his first attempt; he had a rough idea of how it might taste.
He picked up a piece of scrambled egg with his chopsticks, his brow knitting tightly. "Too sweet."
Hadn't he put in salt?
Mei Ran took a big gulp of soup to wash down the cloying sweetness in her mouth, breaking into a beaming smile. "Maybe the stir-fried potato strips with pork will be better."
She honestly felt the term "potato strips" was somewhat forced. The potatoes, in various shapes and uneven thicknesses and quite abstract forms, really made her wonder how they were chopped. Of course, she only thought this privately, to avoid crushing a certain someone's self-esteem.
The result was that after trying one piece, her barely controllable expression must have dealt a blow to the man across from her. Seeing him also pick up a piece to taste, he said, "Too salty."
"It's... alright." Mei Ran drank another mouthful of soup and was about to try again when his chopsticks intercepted hers. "Don't eat any more."
She tried to salvage the stalemate. "The soup is really good."
Fu Shijin's tone was flat: "That was stewed by Great-Aunt at home for me to bring over."
He had simply reheated it in the pot.
Mei Ran comforted him. "Maybe you're just not very skilled in the kitchen, but you're still pretty amazing in other areas."
"What areas?" The man lowered his voice to ask.
His tone was ordinary, but the look he gave her was filled with extreme suggestiveness. Anyone could guess what kind of "areas" he was referring to.
Mei Ran: "How about trying the broccoli?"
Her gaze landed on the limp, oddly-colored broccoli sitting on the white plate. Mustering her courage, she picked up a piece, put it in her mouth, and chewed hesitantly.
Huh? Though the presentation was poor, the taste wasn't bad at all?!
"You haven't answered my question just now."
Mei Ran promptly stuffed a piece of broccoli into his mouth.
Their dinner got by with the soup and one plate of broccoli. Fu Shijin loaded the bowls and chopsticks into the automatic dishwasher, wiped his hands, and walked out. Mei Ran was in the living room watching TV, lounging casually and looking half-asleep, yawning now and then.
He glanced at the TV screen—Animal Planet—and couldn't help curling his lips slightly.
If she really was pregnant, shouldn't prenatal education start around this time?
Fu Shijin walked over and switched the channel to a music station. He watched alongside her for a good while. Another piece of music ended. Finally, Mei Ran lazily propped her eyelids open, hooked her arms around his neck, and said, "Carry me to take a bath."
After the bath and having her hair blow-dried, it was only just past ten o'clock. Mei Ran lay in bed and found the man beside her unusually quiet. She turned her head and looked at him in the soft glow of the bedside lamp.
He had been watching her all along. Their gazes met as if drawn by the same thought, like two dazzling silver rivers unexpectedly splitting open the dark night sky.
She pressed her hand against his chest, her legs tangling around his waist. "Not tonight?"
After intimacy, it wasn't just the man who could come to crave the taste. She wanted him too.
Instantly, the man's gaze darkened to its extreme, his throat moving visibly. He seemed to be struggling to calm his breathing, his scorching breath fanning her cheeks. "I want to," his voice was startlingly hoarse, "I want to very much."
But perhaps he couldn't right now.
"Ranran," his hand returned to cover her abdomen, caressing it gently over and over. "Take some time tomorrow to go for a check-up."
Mei Ran was stunned for a moment before comprehension dawned. "You mean..."
Her fragmented words were swallowed by his kiss, his tongue circling and plundering, nibbling and suckling slowly, the utmost of tenderness and passion.
That night, the two embraced surprise, anticipation, and excitement as they drifted into sleep.
Early the next morning, the sky was still murky and indistinct, adorned with a rare, vivid crimson morning glow hanging at the horizon, its thousand golden rays brilliant and dripping with freshness.
The "Morning Entertainment Bulletin" released shocking news: Actress Mei Mengran attempted to commit suicide by charcoal burning in a rental house in an urban village. There was also a middle-aged woman of unidentified status in the room. The woman died on the spot. Mei Mengran was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. Her current condition is unknown, her survival uncertain...
Mei Ran first went to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. After charging her phone, she was surprised to find several missed calls, all from the same person. She called back. "Brother."
"Think Think, I'm at the hospital now," Mei Liangzhi said. "Ranran... something's happened..."
"I know. I'll be there in five minutes."
Mei Liangzhi had just returned from a business trip to London last night and was suffering from jet lag. He hadn't expected to receive a call from the hospital right after lying down...
Looking at her cousin, exhausted and utterly drained, his face etched with weariness, Mei Ran found her voice trembling the moment she spoke. "H-How is she now?"
The night's heart-pounding turmoil had sapped nearly all of Mei Liangzhi's strength. His voice was so hoarse he could hardly speak; he could only shake his hand listlessly.
Just then, a doctor approached, a flicker of surprise crossing their eyes when they saw Mei Ran.
"Dr. Wang, how is she now?"
Dr. Wang sighed. "We managed to resuscitate her, but she hasn't woken up yet... and we don't know when she will."
Mei Ran's heart plummeted straight down, as if gripped by a pair of tight fists, making it hard to breathe.
"The patient's will to live is extremely weak, almost nonexistent. You need to be prepared."
Mei Liangzhi sat down on a chair and closed his eyes.
Mei Ran returned to her office, telling herself over and over again, "She won't die. She won't die like this..."
Two lines of tears suddenly streamed down.
Mei Mengran had been discovered attempting suicide alongside her birth mother, but her mother had had her mobility restricted before death. It looked more like premeditated murder. Why would she do this? How deep was the hatred? Dr. Wang also said there was a wound on her neck, apparently from a bite, very deep...
Could it have been her mother who bit her?
Her career had suffered an unprecedented blow. Knowing there was no hope of recovery, had she, in the end, chosen to die together with the woman who dragged her into the abyss?
"Senior Sister! Senior Sister!"
While Mei Ran's thoughts were chaotic, the clear, bell-like laughter of her little assistant came from outside the door. "Dr. Liu from Obstetrics and Gynecology asked me to tell you that the test results are in."
Her eyes sparkled as they roamed over Mei Ran's abdomen. She asked pointedly, "What kind of test was it?"