Chapter 54 Deliberate Mischief and Helpless Indulgence

Song Jingmo stood outside the door, a suffocating heaviness lodged in his chest, mixed with frustration.

He knew Lu Er’s temperament better than anyone—soft words worked, hard ones didn’t. Yet whenever it came to Lu Er, his prized calmness and self-control would completely fall apart.

Guilt coiled around his heart like creeping vines.

Forcing himself to calm down, he reminded himself that the little troublemaker was still sick and probably starving by now.

Rubbing his temples, he turned and went into the kitchen. He hurriedly rinsed the rice and set the porridge to cook, then took out vegetables and meat, quickly washing and slicing them into thin strips.

His movements remained swift and precise, but a lingering worry clouded his brows.

Soon, the porridge in the pot began to bubble, releasing a light fragrance. Song Jingmo carefully added the vegetables and shredded meat, stirring slowly.

In the bedroom, Lu Er threw himself heavily onto the bed, burying his head under the blanket, feeling both wronged and afraid.

The moment he slammed the door, he regretted it—especially when no sound came from outside for a long time.

Was Song Jingmo really angry? Did he find him annoying now and didn’t want to bother with him anymore?

Lu Er quietly peeked his head out from under the blanket, pricking up his ears to listen nervously.

Only when he heard the steady rhythm of chopping from the kitchen did his tense nerves finally ease a little.

Thankfully, Song Jingmo hadn’t left.

After a few minutes, still uneasy, Lu Er climbed out of bed barefoot and crept to the door, pressing his ear against it.

Confirming that the reassuring sounds were still there, he finally returned to bed.

Hugging his knees, he sank back into his sadness—like a child who deliberately causes trouble to get attention, yet fears being abandoned for real.

The more he thought, the more aggrieved he felt.

Song Jingmo had actually scolded him like that, even saying he lacked common sense.

But he was bad at studying—he wasn’t as smart as Liao Xubai. Song Jingmo knew that.

Besides, Liao Xubai was practically trying to steal him away. He wasn’t made of ice—how could he stay calm?

After a while, there was a soft knock on the door.

Lu Er’s heart leapt with joy, but on the surface, he held back and deliberately stayed silent.

After a few seconds of silence outside, Song Jingmo pushed the door open and walked in.

Standing by the bed, he looked at the figure curled up under the blanket, wrapped into a little cocoon with only the back of his head showing, like a silkworm. He felt both exasperated and amused.

Worried Lu Er might suffocate himself, Song Jingmo reached out and gently tugged at the blanket.

Lu Er struggled half-heartedly before letting it go, but still stubbornly kept his back turned, using the back of his head to express his dissatisfaction.

Seeing the pale nape of his neck and slightly messy black hair, Song Jingmo’s heart softened.

Lowering his voice, gentle and compromising, he asked, “Still angry?”

Lu Er ignored him.

Song Jingmo sighed and coaxed softly, “I worked all day and was a bit tired. When I saw you doing something foolish, I got upset and lost control of my emotions for a moment. I spoke too harshly.”

As he spoke, his fingers lightly brushed the exposed strands of Lu Er’s hair. “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Hearing the apology, most of Lu Er’s grievance melted away. Still, he complained, “So just because you worked all day and are tired, you can yell at me?”

“No. I’m sorry. I was too harsh. I shouldn’t have treated you that way.”

Lu Er lifted the blanket and sat up, his eyes red. “You call that a little harsh? You looked like you wanted to eat me alive.”

Song Jingmo quietly looked at him, his gaze deep.

Realizing the ambiguity of his words, Lu Er quickly changed the subject and started bringing up old grievances. “And you didn’t even tell me you came to H City. Were you planning to secretly go on a date with Liao Xubai and thought I’d be in the way?”

Song Jingmo froze for a moment before explaining, “Didn’t Keyan tell you? He booked the flight, and I saw that he messaged you.”

“How is that the same?”

Lu Er grew even more upset, his reddened eyes like a wronged rabbit. “I want you to tell me personally. From now on, wherever you go and whatever you do, you have to report to me yourself. Got it?”

Looking at his stubborn yet slightly uneasy gaze, Song Jingmo softened, his tone indulgent. “Alright. From now on, wherever I go and whatever I do, I’ll tell you personally.”

With that promise, Lu Er felt better and began to act spoiled. “Then why did you bring Liao Xubai with you?”

Out of so many doctors at the hospital, why him?

Song Jingmo answered calmly, “I came to H City mainly to see you. Liao Xubai insisted on coming along, and the other doctors weren’t too willing to make the trip.”

“Besides, this surgery is very difficult. His professional skills are strong, and we work well together in the operating room. From the patient’s perspective, he’s the best choice. I had no reason to refuse.”

Lu Er felt like he was on a roller coaster. The first half of the sentence made his heart bubble with sweetness, while the second half made him feel as sour as if he’d eaten ten lemons.

Pouting, he muttered, “You’re so compatible—why don’t you just get together?”

Seeing his undisguised jealousy, Song Jingmo almost laughed.

He had only gone on a business trip with Liao Xubai, yet Lu Er had already worked himself into this state. If he actually got together with Liao Xubai, he didn’t dare imagine what foolish things Lu Er might do.

His heart couldn’t take repeated shocks.

To avoid becoming the laughingstock of his colleagues, Song Jingmo decided to eliminate all potential risks.

“Er’er, as a doctor, I have to be responsible for the patient’s life and choose the best partner for the surgery.”

“But I can promise you—I will never like Liao Xubai, and it’s even more impossible for me to be with him.”

That clear assurance was like a pill of reassurance, instantly calming all of Lu Er’s unease.

The corners of his lips twitched upward uncontrollably, though he forced them down and huffed, pretending to reluctantly accept.

At that moment, his stomach growled loudly.

Lu Er’s face flushed with embarrassment.

A trace of amusement flashed in Song Jingmo’s eyes as he extended his well-defined hand. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Lu Er’s eyes shifted, a hint of smugness appearing after being coaxed. “I want to eat in bed.”

Song Jingmo had a serious cleanliness obsession. Forget eating in bed—eating in the bedroom at all was absolutely forbidden.

Sure enough, his brows furrowed slightly.

Lu Er secretly rejoiced, putting on a deliberately defiant posture, his watery eyes looking at him innocently as if to say, What are you going to do about it?

Song Jingmo stood there, struggling internally for a moment before finally giving in under Lu Er’s pleading gaze.

“Wait here.”

Watching him leave, Lu Er rolled happily on the bed like a mischievous little cat that had gotten its way.

He knew it—Song Jingmo always gave in to him.

Soon, Song Jingmo returned carrying a tray. On it was a bowl of fragrant vegetable and shredded meat porridge, along with a small dish of refreshing pickled vegetables.

He placed the tray on the bedside table, picked up the bowl, and gently stirred it. Scooping up a spoonful, he blew on it to cool it before bringing it to Lu Er’s lips.

“Eat.”

Looking at the spoon held out to him, then at Song Jingmo’s seemingly cold yet indulgent face, the last traces of grievance in Lu Er’s heart completely vanished.

Enjoying being served, he pushed his luck. “I want that cucumber!”

Song Jingmo glanced at him but said nothing. He obediently picked up a piece of pickled cucumber and fed it to him.

Watching Song Jingmo’s focused profile, Lu Er suddenly felt that throwing a little tantrum… wasn’t so bad after all.

Perhaps this was exactly like Zhou Yu being willing to suffer the blows—one willing to hit, the other willing to endure.