How can I repay this favor?
Meng Yihe leaned against the headboard, remained silent for a few seconds, and finally chose to follow the doctor's advice without asking any further questions.
He had to admit that with Cui Yu around, many things could indeed be handled well without him having to do everything himself, a realization that left him with mixed feelings. After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice lower than before.
"Thank you for everything this time."
Cui Yu paused in his typing reply, looked up at her, and a playful smile curved his lips.
"Director Meng has been thanking me quite frequently lately. What, has he finally realized how important I am?"
Cui Yu's teasing made Meng Yihe a little uncomfortable, but he still remained serious.
"I'm serious. If it weren't for you, the consequences would have been unimaginable. I'll remember this favor."
Meng Yihe habitually views interpersonal relationships as a quantifiable form of "favor" and "return," and he attempts to define and handle this relationship using the business logic he is familiar with.
Cui Yu put down the tablet and leaned forward slightly.
"Oh?" Cui Yu drawled out his words, as if he was extremely interested in the topic.
"So, how does Director Meng plan to repay this favor?"
Meng Yihe met his gaze, trying her best to appear calm and businesslike.
“You can make your requests. Project resource allocation, personal financial compensation, or any other request within my capabilities in the future.” He listed the forms of reward he could think of, as if laying out terms on a negotiating table.
Cui Yu listened quietly, her smile unchanged, but she gently shook her head.
“Project resources are all business-to-business, it’s pointless. Money?” He chuckled lightly, “Director Meng, do you think I’m short of money?”
Meng Yihe choked.
Indeed, given Cui Yu's status and abilities, money is the least valuable thing to him.
"So what do you mean?" Meng Yihe frowned slightly.
Cui Yu stood up and slowly walked to the bedside, looking down at Meng Yihe with a profound gaze that Meng Yihe couldn't decipher. He leaned down, placing his hands on the edges of the bed on either side of Meng Yihe's body, creating a highly authoritative posture. His voice was low and possessed an almost seductive magnetism:
"Let me think about it..."
His gaze swept over Meng Yihe's slightly pale face, landed on his lips which were slightly pursed due to nervousness, and then slowly met his eyes.
"How about..." Cui Yu paused deliberately, pleased to see Meng Yihe's eyelashes tremble slightly as he approached.
"Director Meng, try to stay up less late, eat on time, and listen to the doctor. Of course, that includes what I say too."
Meng Yihe was completely stunned, her pupils dilated slightly, as if she had never expected to receive such an answer.
What kind of return is this?
“Cui Yu, you…” Meng Yihe tried to find her voice, but found her throat was dry.
“Or,” Cui Yu continued slowly, a smile playing on her lips, seemingly oblivious to his shock. “Like your mother said, I’m working hard as a caregiver here, so Director Meng should at least give me some ‘special treatment,’ like… don’t always give me that stern look?”
Cui Yu's tone was half-true and half-false.
It sounded like a joke, but also like a serious condition.
Meng Yihe's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of heat rushed uncontrollably to his ears. He abruptly turned his head, avoiding Cui Yu's overly close gaze and unsettling aura, his voice taut: "I'm serious!"
“I’m taking it very seriously too.” Cui Yu straightened up, restoring the normal distance, and his smile widened.
"Taking good care of your health is the greatest reward for my 'hard work' this time. Is that too much to ask, Director Meng?"
"……as you like."
In the end, Meng Yihe could only manage to utter these three words. With a sense of helplessness, she lay back down, pulled the blanket up, and made a gesture of refusing to communicate.
Seeing his rare, frustrated, and helpless expression, Cui Yu's smile deepened.
No rush.
The "reward" he wants is far more than this.
But now, to see the usually calm and composed Meng Yihe display such an expression is already a small reward.
Meng Yihe had never felt so powerless in front of anyone; all rules and logic failed in front of Cui Yu.
Cui Yu knew when to stop and didn't continue with the "repayment" topic that had left Meng Yihe feeling bewildered.
After a while.
Cui Yu seemed to suddenly remember something and said without looking up, "By the way, I just received news. The mining company that was playing tricks on us before, that General Manager Zhang, had several related accounts under his name jointly summoned by the tax and audit departments yesterday afternoon. They acted very quickly."
He said with a hint of sarcasm, "It seems someone 'helpfully' provided a clue."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yihe pulled down the blanket, immediately realizing that this was no coincidence.
"You did this?" Although it was a question, the tone was almost certain.
Cui Yu then looked up from the screen and looked at Meng Yihe.
"I'm just a law-abiding businessman. At most, I just happened to learn about some unreasonable situations and felt it was necessary to 'report' them to the relevant departments."
Meng Yihe looked at him without saying a word. This kind of silent yet ruthless revenge gave him a slight jolt. He found that he didn't feel disgusted, and even felt a cold sense of tacit understanding.
"Very efficient." Meng Yihe simply commented in the end, then leaned back against the pillows.
Cui Yu smiled, not surprised by his reaction.
"So, can you now trust me to handle these 'trivial matters' and fulfill your 'reward' with peace of mind, Director Meng?"
Meng Yihe's emotions, which had just begun to calm down, were stirred up again. He avoided Cui Yu's gaze and said, "...I did not agree to that kind of reward."
"Oh?" Cui Yu raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"But you didn't object just now, so I thought Director Meng's word was law and that he had tacitly agreed."
His logic was impeccable, leaving Meng Yihe speechless once again.
He seemed to never win an argument with Cui Yu.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the ward door, and Zhao Lei walked in carrying an exquisite food box.
"Director Cui, Director Meng, the meals have been delivered."
Zhao Lei keenly sensed the subtle tension in the room, but his professionalism kept him composed. He simply placed the food box on the bedside table and respectfully withdrew. The aroma of the food slowly wafted through the air, temporarily dispelling the awkwardness.
Cui Yu stood up and opened the food box.
Inside was a light yet carefully prepared fish porridge and a few side dishes.
He ladled out a bowl of porridge, the temperature just right. He didn't hand it to Meng Yihe immediately, but instead took a spoon and slowly stirred the porridge in the bowl, looking up at the person on the bed who still had a tense face.
"Are you going to eat by yourself, or do you need me to be 'attentive' to the end and fulfill the 'return' clause by feeding you?"
Cui Yu's eyes held a smile, the kind of smile that looks like he's watching a good show.
Meng Yihe: "!!!"
"I'll do it myself!" Meng Yihe practically spat out the words through gritted teeth. He quickly reached out and took the bowl and spoon, his movements so fast it was as if he was afraid that if he hesitated even a second, Cui Yu would actually do it.
Cui Yu watched his almost hasty actions with satisfaction. Finally, she stopped teasing him, leisurely sat back in her chair, and served herself a bowl of porridge.
The two ate their lunch in silence.
Meng Yihe ate very quickly, almost mechanically, wanting only to end this unsettling mealtime as soon as possible. The warmth in his stomach gradually spread, but the restlessness in his heart did not subside.
Cui Yu, on the other hand, appeared much more composed. He ate slowly and deliberately, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the person opposite him who seemed to want to bury his face in his bowl. A hint of a smile flickered in his eyes.
After finishing the last bite, Meng Yihe immediately put down his bowl and spoon, grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth, his movements hurried and eager to distance himself from the situation. He was just about to pick up the briefing he hadn't finished reading when Cui Yu's voice rang out.
"It's not good to overexert yourself right after eating." Cui Yu put down her cutlery and elegantly wiped her hands with a napkin.
"Take a half-hour nap, that's the doctor's order."
Meng Yihe froze, his fingers tightening around the edge of the document. He was really uncomfortable with being "managed" in every way, especially by Cui Yu.
“I’m not sleepy,” he struggled, his voice dry.
“Even if you’re not sleepy, you need to rest.” Cui Yu stood up, walked to the bedside, and very naturally took the document from his hand, casually placing it on the table in the distance.
"It takes time for your body to recover. One of the side effects of the forced drug is that you are easily fatigued, but you may not be aware of it. Close your eyes, even if you are just lying down."
Meng Yihe looked at her empty hands, then looked up at Cui Yu standing by the bed.
The other person's height and the angle from which he was looking down created an invisible sense of oppression, making his words "I don't need it" stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered. He pursed his lips, stared at Cui Yu for a few seconds, and finally succumbed to those seemingly smiling but actually firm gazes.
Meng Yihe leaned back resignedly and closed her eyes tightly.
Cui Yu looked at his unusually "obedient" yet resentful expression, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. He carefully pulled the blanket up a little, covering Meng Yihe's shoulders, the movement as natural as if he had done it countless times. His fingertips accidentally brushed against the skin on Meng Yihe's neck, bringing a slightly cool touch.
Meng Yihe's body trembled almost imperceptibly, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she ultimately did not open her eyes. She simply turned her face slightly to the other side, avoiding the source of the disturbance.
Cui Yu withdrew his hand and did nothing more.
He simply stood there and quietly looked at Meng Yihe for a few seconds.
Having shed her coldness and sharpness, Meng Yihe appeared somewhat vulnerable at this moment, yet she also possessed a stubborn and unyielding spirit.
Cui Yu looked at him for a while before turning around and walking back to the chair by the window. But instead of sitting down immediately, she picked up her suit jacket and gently draped it over Meng Yihe.
The coat still carried the scent of Cui Yu's cedar pheromones, crisp and calm, subtly enveloping Meng Yihe.
Meng Yihe's breathing paused for a moment.
He recognized the smell; it was this smell that brought him a sense of security when he was in a daze in the abandoned warehouse.
Now, it strikes again.
He tried to push it away, but his body seemed frozen in place, unable to move. The scent seemed to have a calming magic, quietly intertwining with the still somewhat restless cherry brandy pheromones within him, actually easing the deep-seated discomfort.
The thought of struggling lasted only a moment before being overwhelmed by immense exhaustion and a secret longing.
He was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
In the end, he let the coat, which smelled of cedar, firmly pin him to this unsettling "gentle" trap.
...
After processing several important messages, Cui Yu looked up at the hospital bed.
He carefully traced the other's quiet eyelashes, straight nose, and pale lips, as if trying to etch this moment of vulnerability and tranquility into his heart. Perhaps only at times like this would Meng Yihe put away all her sharp edges and coldness, allowing him to get so close.
After watching for an unknown amount of time, Cui Yu finally moved.
He stood up, moving so slowly that he made no sound, walked to the bedside, and stretched out his hand, his fingertips hovering a few millimeters above Meng Yihe's cheek.
I want to touch it.
But in the end, he only gently stroked it with his gaze.
Then, he slowly moved down, extremely carefully pulling the suit jacket, which had slipped down slightly, back up to make sure every corner was covered.
Only after confirming that Meng Yihe was truly asleep did Cui Yu finally step back and sit back down in the chair by the window. He picked up the project briefing that Meng Yihe had been eyeing for a long time and silently began to read it, occasionally making marks on it with a pen.
Time passed by, second by second.
Meng Yihe slept soundly without nightmares or being startled awake. She was awakened by the gradually setting sun outside the window and a slight dryness in her throat.
His eyelashes fluttered a few times, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The moment consciousness returned, the first thing I felt was the weight of the covering and the familiar scent of cedar.
He paused slightly, then turned his head to look.
Cui Yu's suit jacket was still neatly draped over him. The jacket's owner was sitting by the window in the light and shadow, head down, intently looking at the documents in his hands, his profile outlined in the deep contours of the setting sun.
The scene was so quiet it felt almost unreal.
At work, Cui Yu toned down his usual cynicism and banter, appearing exceptionally calm and reliable.
Meng Yihe had to admit that this person was exceptionally outstanding by any standard.
He is capable, skillful, and decisive.
He even received meticulous care that he had never received from anyone else.
Just as he was lost in thought, Cui Yu seemed to sense his gaze and looked up from the documents.
Their eyes met.
Cui Yu's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then quickly returned to their usual smile.
"Awake?" Cui Yu put down the documents, stood up and walked over. "Looks like my 'supervision' worked well; it's rare for Director Meng to sleep so soundly."
As if a secret had been discovered, Meng Yihe hastily looked away and subconsciously tried to sit up.
As he moved, the suit jacket covering him slipped off, and Cui Yu naturally reached out to catch it, casually draped it over the back of the chair, then leaned over and skillfully picked up a water glass and handed it to his lips.
"Have some water."
Meng Yihe drank a few sips of water from his hand. The cool liquid relieved the dryness in his throat and cleared his confused thoughts.
He took the cup, held it himself, and said softly, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Cui Yu smiled, his gaze sweeping across his face. "You look much better. It seems there are benefits to being 'obedient,' huh?" He started speaking in that teasing tone again.
Meng Yihe did not immediately refute.
He held the water glass, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the cool rim. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly asked in a low voice, "You haven't been resting at all?"
He noticed the pile of documents next to Cui Yu that had clearly been carefully reviewed and annotated.
Cui Yu raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that he would ask this, then smiled and said, "What? Director Meng is finally starting to care about your 'temporary caregiver'?"
Meng Yihe: "...I was just acting out of basic interpersonal politeness."
He tried to make his tone sound businesslike, but he seemed somewhat unsure of himself.
“Okay.” Cui Yu shrugged. “I’ve taken care of some work, not tired. Watching someone sleep peacefully is much more interesting than dealing with Dingsheng’s little tricks.”
Meng Yihe stopped talking and just looked down at the ripples in the water glass.
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