Song Xi recovered well, and under the meticulous care of Sister Wang, her vitality grew day by day.
Her arm was almost healed, at least enough to manage a bowl of congee with ease.
The day her cast was removed happened to be the end of the month. She didn't go to the hospital; Lou Yuming directly asked Shao Cheng to bring medical equipment and attend to her personally.
The renowned hand surgeon from neurosurgery had stooped to being a family doctor.
Shao Cheng, considering himself aloof, was naturally speechless, and his attitude towards Song Xi was less than friendly.
While Lou Yuming was upstairs getting something, Shao Cheng loosened her bandages and casually asked, "You know Zhang Qi is grounded again?"
Song Xi was surprised. "When?"
Shao Cheng glanced at her, not intending to reveal too much. He wasn't a love strategist, after all.
"He gave you the bracelet?"
He had noticed it immediately.
Song Xi nodded. Although she hadn't found an opportunity to ask Lou Yuming, she knew it could only be him.
"I heard Old Lou bought a priceless diamond necklace at an auction in France a couple of months ago. It seems it wasn't this style."
He spoke nonchalantly, but Song Xi's ears registered a deeper meaning.
Shao Cheng observed her expression and continued, "However, pearls suit you better than diamonds."
At this point, how could Song Xi not detect the sarcasm in his words?
Though a little disappointed, she still forced a smile and feigned strength. "No matter what it is, I like it."
Stubborn.
As the cast was successfully cut open, Lou Yuming came downstairs with documents.
"How is it?" he asked.
"No major issues."
Shao Cheng frowned as he looked at the documents in Lou Yuming's hand. "Are you really going to give it to them?"
Lou Yuming handed him the documents while examining Song Xi's arm carefully. His voice was low. "Since I promised the Ge family, I'll give it to them. You can send it over later."
Shao Cheng shot Song Xi a cold, unfriendly look. "You've been planning this project for so long. How will you explain to the company if you hand it over so easily?"
"Does my company need to explain itself to others?"
Shao Cheng's face tensed. After a long pause, he said, "Forget it. Just know what you're doing."
Lou Yuming's expression darkened slightly.
After Shao Cheng left, Song Xi, who had been silent, suddenly clutched his sleeve.
"Is it because of me?"
Lou Yuming looked down at her, his gaze fixed on her delicate face. His thin lips uttered two words indifferently: "No."
"It's because of Zhang Qi," he explained with rare patience. "I told you, the Ge family is easy to deal with, but Old Man Ge is not."
"But aren't you on good terms?"
Seeing her innocent tone, Lou Yuming pinched her cheek. "In business, what 'good terms' are there? Besides, if the relationship is good, you need to show more sincerity."
Song Xi didn't know the project's value, but judging by Shao Cheng's words, it must be substantial.
So even friends needed to be measured by money. What about her and Lou Yuming? What would maintain their connection?
"Did you give me this bracelet?" she finally asked.
Lou Yuming held her wrist. It was a gift he had casually picked from an apology present for Zhang Qi to give to Ge Baitao. He hadn't expected it to look so fitting on her.
"Yes."
Song Xi's heart leaped to her throat, her eyes sparkling. "Why did you give it to me?"
"A token of my affection."
Her breath hitched. Before she could feel overjoyed, Lou Yuming added, "I gave it on behalf of Zhang Qi."
"What?"
"He did injure you, after all."
Song Xi plummeted from heaven to hell. The blow made her eyes sting bit by bit. Her voice trembled, "So it's not..."
"Not what?"
Song Xi quickly turned away, her heart aching. She bit her lip fiercely, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.
So it was all her own wishful thinking!
"Song Xi," Lou Yuming's brows furrowed.
The next second, the woman suddenly turned and, catching him off guard, kissed his lips.