No? Can I read the mind of my mortal enemy?

Shi Qiao stared blankly at the ceiling, unaware of how much time had passed.

The entire equipment room has only one small window in the roof.

As darkness fell, she was almost enveloped in gloom.

She was breathing heavily, her wrists were red from being rubbed raw by the thick hemp rope, and her stomach was growling with hunger.

She didn't stop trying even after that period of time passed.

She first kicked the metal skewer beside her hard with her foot, making a clanging sound in an attempt to attract the attention of the people outside the door.

No fruit.

That makes sense, the equipment room is in a remote location, and the tennis club was the last club to come this afternoon, so naturally no one came.

Next, she tried to use the raised points on the storage rack to rub the rope, but the rack was stacked on top of each other and filled with large balls, so she couldn't move it easily, otherwise moving one ball would affect all the balls.

They were completely trapped in a dead end.

Garlic bird, a strong woman who can bend and stretch.

Fortunately, Hong Kong is in the subtropics, and the nights in September are still relatively warm. If she were in her hometown of Beijing, she would have been lying on a cold bed.

She adjusted to a slightly more comfortable position to conserve her energy, intending to just make do and sleep there for the night.

Just wait until tomorrow, when the first person opens this equipment room.

That damned old hag, she'll see!

She's determined to unleash a powerful strike back!

His father's.

Gurgle.

My stomach growled again.

Well, I don't even have the energy to get angry now.

Waaah, I really want to eat seared salmon sushi...

She suddenly perked up her ears and felt the earth tremble.

Before she could react, a bolt of lightning completely illuminated the entire equipment room, making it so clear that Shi Qiao could even see several shuttlecocks on the other side.

Boom!

Shi Qiao tensed up suddenly, and her whole body was covered in goosebumps in an instant.

Her lips trembled, and she tightened her head, trying to cover at least one ear.

She's not afraid, she's not afraid.

It's just thunder; she's the kind of woman who's stomped on giant cockroaches in the south, so she's not afraid of it.

Shi Qiao kept her eyes tightly closed and kept silently reciting words to boost her courage.

Boom!

The thunderclap was even louder, as if it had exploded directly overhead.

She curled up even tighter, burying her head between her knees, only able to cover her ears slightly with her legs, her limbs trembling uncontrollably.

One sound after another, Shi Qiao gritted her teeth and endured it.

But fate seemed to be working against her, letting the thundercloud hover over Victoria Harbour University.

As she carried it, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.

A burning sensation gathered at the tip of her nose, constantly stimulating her tear ducts.

She wanted to go home, where she could never hear the thunder from her room.

She misses her mother and Aunt Lin.

Can someone please save her?

Even if... it's Pei Jingnian.

The door was suddenly opened, and the sound of rain poured in.

Shi Qiao shakily raised her head, but before she could open her eyes, a coat was pulled down over her head.

Pei Jingnian tenderly tore off the tape from her mouth, then gently covered her ears with both hands through the fabric, blocking out most of the thunder.

The man was in a worse state than her, his wet hair neatly swept back, his eyelashes clumped together by the rain.

His dark eyes, brimming with reflective raindrops, shone brighter than ever before.

"It's alright, Shi Qiao."

"I am here."

The tears that Shi Qiao had been holding back in her eyes suddenly burst forth as soon as she saw Pei Jingnian's features.

"Pei... Pei Jingnian, you've come to see me..."

"Why is this thunderbolt so loud...?"

"I'm...I'm so scared..."

She choked up so much that her words were broken into unnatural segments.

Tears soaked the two bright red scratch marks on her cheeks, piercing Pei Jingnian's heart.

His wife, his darling.

Seeing him cry like this, he was heartbroken.

He applied a little more pressure, covering her ears even more tightly.

"You're crying so hard your face is covered in snot, you little rascal."

Even while crying, Shi Qiao didn't forget to retort, "You're the one who's a freak."

Behind him, Lu Zhou waved the scissors in his hand and coughed lightly:

"I'm sorry to interrupt your heartfelt conversation, but could I please allow Your Highness some time to ease your mind?"

Suddenly, she stopped, only then remembering that she was still tied up. Her body was still twitching, and she nodded with a red nose, obediently turning her body to the side as much as possible.

Lu Zhou held the scissors, but before he could make a move, a burning gaze fell on his hands from the side.

It seems to be saying—

"If you dare to cut her, I'll cut you up."

He mustered all his strength, closed his eyes for five seconds as if he were possessed by a bomb disposal expert, and then breathed a sigh of relief before carefully untying Shi Qiao.

The last rope came undone, and Pei Jingnian bent down and picked Shi Qiao up through her clothes.

Lu Zhou called out to Jiang Youran and Shen Chen, the two third wheels behind him, to leave, and waved away the virtual pink bubbles.

Sigh, when will he be able to hug his baby so openly and legitimately?

A long way to go.

It took a while for Shi Qiao to calm down.

Pei Jingnian handed Shi Qiao an umbrella. "Can you still use this umbrella, Shi Qiao?"

She then realized she was being carried in a princess carry, her face flushed red. "Just put me down, I... I can walk by myself."

Boom!

As the thunder roared, Shi Qiao, like a startled kitten, squeaked and reflexively grabbed Pei Jingnian's collar.

But he kept muttering, "I really don't need you, I don't need you."

Pei Jingnian's face was gloomy, raindrops condensed on his hair, and his eyes, after being soaked in water, were crystal clear.

Her eyes, swollen from crying, were reflected in the water.

"I need to."

Shi Qiao froze, then blinked.

Huh? What did he say?

Pei Jingnian's ears burned, the pink tips hidden beneath his tousled black hair. Without a word, he shoved the umbrella he was holding into Shi Qiao's arms and cleared his throat.

"I mean, I need you to hold the umbrella for me."

"There's only one."

Shi Qiao mumbled, "You, you put me down, and I can barely share an umbrella with you, and besides, I..."

The man lowered his head, showing no intention of letting go. "I'll carry you and we'll walk faster."

Shi Qiao glared at him fiercely, and just as she was about to say something, Pei Jingnian reached out and pinched her little mouth, which was about to smack.

Manually mute the microphone.

He gently touched Shi Qiao's forehead, and his features suddenly magnified.

"My ancestor, I can't argue with you, please give in."

Honey, you're all sweaty after playing ball and haven't showered yet. What if you catch a cold?

[Hurry home and give yourself a nice, warm bath, okay?]

This whole thing started because of me.

Please, wife, don't push me away.

Shi Qiao blinked her eyes, as if she had swallowed a piece of honey, which kept stirring her warm heart, and the sweetness spread and permeated her completely.

"Forget it, you should just leave."

She wrapped her arms around Pei Jingnian's neck, rested her chin on his shoulder, and deliberately pulled down the clothes separating them a little.

Pei Jingnian was soaked to the bone and looked like an ice statue.

He always called her an idiot.

She hugged him tighter, trying to share some of her body heat with him, but she failed and was once again completely enveloped.

"Put your clothes on and take your umbrella." The voice fell in my ear, speaking very slowly.

"I'm gone."

This is completely different from Pei Jingnian's usual fierce demeanor.

Her gaze fell on the lingering blood at the base of his ear.

It's really... quite different.

Pei Jingnian.

"Um?"

"Thank you."

She spoke very softly, and then turned away into the rain.

Pei Jingnian's body was visibly tense, his brows were slightly furrowed, and his thin lips opened and closed several times.

"Don't... thank me."

You shouldn't thank me.

His voice trembled.

Don't be so nice.

You should scold me.

Shi Qiao choked up, not expecting Pei Jingnian to be so conflicted about this matter. She gently tugged at the corner of his clothes.

"Although I did suffer an undeserved misfortune because of you."

"But you know, you were also trying to save me from this predicament."

Shi Qiao's inner thoughts: It's none of your business how water and fire came about.

"Oh dear! So, you shouldn't blame yourself too much!"

"You just need to reflect on your actions a little."

"But if this happens again..."

"There won't be a next time." Pei Jingnian tightened his grip on her arm, his tall frame appearing hunched over. "There won't be."

【Wife, why are you so good to me?】

I'd rather you curse me to death.

I really, really, really like you.

She turned her head away, her stray hairs brushing against her ear, as if obediently trying to please.

"Shi Qiao." His voice was a little hoarse.

"I'm really... sorry."

"This will never happen again."