Chapter 70: Drinking Your Own Vinegar
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
If time could turn back, Song Qingluo swore she would control her mouth and restrain her actions, not saying hurtful words and not doing hurtful things.
Debts owed must always be repaid.
For instance, now.
She wished she could slap herself twice: I told you not to speak so rashly! This is what you get for being so ruthless!
"I won't," Song Qingluo kissed her hand, "If I could, I would want to become your key, your phone, staying with you day and night. I fear you might think I'm too clingy instead."
Gentle kisses fell like raindrops on Wen Ruoxian's body.
Wherever they landed, small sparks spread into a raging fire. Wen Ruoxian felt like she was burning, submerged in boiling water, unable to breathe. Her mind was in a haze, her heartbeat out of rhythm.
"Mm... weren't you tired? Go to sleep..." She reached out to push Song Qingluo away, biting her lip.
Still reserved, unable to withstand her passion. As long as she had a shred of reason left, she wouldn't let go. But if she truly had to reject her, she couldn't bear to be cruel.
The internal conflict tormented her even more.
Song Qingluo had long seen through this and wasn't willing to stop. She deliberately leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Do you think I can still fall asleep now?"
With that, she sealed her lips.
...
Wen Ruoxian was very sensitive.
Just a light touch on her skin with the fingertips would make her tremble uncontrollably. A single breath seemed impossible to take back. Though clearly aroused, she refused to make a sound, gritting her teeth and holding back with all her might.
At first, Song Qingluo found it amusing to tease her mischievously, but after a while, she started feeling a bit frustrated.
Could it be that her technique wasn't good?
This thought flashed through her mind briefly but was quickly dismissed. After all, the body's reactions don't lie, and Wen Ruoxian's inability to control her emotions left no room for her to doubt herself.
By the middle of the night, Song Qingluo was so tired that she could hardly keep her eyes open. Yawning, she went to grab some wet wipes. After using more than ten, she listened to Wen Ruoxian's breathing gradually deepen, finally feeling satisfied as she held her and lay down.
That dazed and unfocused face was already drifting into sleep.
Song Qingluo brushed away the stray hair at her temple and kissed her forehead, "Ruoxian... I'm sorry. In the past, I was always sulking and said many hurtful things to you. I know that no matter how much I explain or promise, it will sound hollow, so I will prove it with my actions. You are very important to me."
Wen Ruoxian's eyelids drooped, her eyelashes trembling lightly. Her breathing grew deeper and deeper, and the slight frown on her brow gradually relaxed.
Even in sleep, her hands and feet were neatly placed.
As Song Qingluo watched her sleeping face, she suddenly understood that her reluctance to make a sound wasn't simply out of shyness. It was because there were too many restraints within her, like invisible ropes binding her.
This was Wen Ruoxian's personality.
It was shaped by the people she had met, the experiences she had gone through, and the education she had received since childhood.
At this moment, Song Qingluo realized that she was beginning to understand Wen Ruoxian, from the outward appearances to the inner repressions, gradually getting to know her more deeply.
She loved her, and she loved every aspect of her at any time.
"Although I call you old-fashioned and prude, the truth is, I don't dislike you being like this at all. The more I say it, the more I actually like it..."
"Because this is you, the Wen Ruoxian whom I love so, so much."
Song Qingluo held her in her arms, whispering softly. After finishing her words, she yawned and said into the air, "Turn off the lights."
The bedroom instantly darkened.
Moonlight shone through the gap in the curtains, spilling onto the head of the bed.
….
Wen Ruoxian slept especially soundly that night.
The next morning, when she woke up from her sleep, her mind was somewhat dazed. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling in a daze for a moment. Pulling back the blanket, she found herself completely naked, and only then did she recall what had happened last night...
She turned her head to look beside her, finding no one there. She reached out to touch the bed; it was still warm.
Where’s Qingluo?
She sat up, and looked around.
The room was spacious and empty, with unfamiliar furniture arrangements. Overlapping memories surged in... Wen Ruoxian suddenly felt a great sense of panic, countless possibilities flashing through her mind.
"You're awake?" Song Qingluo came out of the bathroom, rubbing her eyes. She saw Wen Ruoxian sitting on the bed, lost in thought, her hair messy, her shoulders and neck half exposed, and her face slightly pale.
She slipped back under the blanket, chuckling, "I woke up before you..."
Before she could finish speaking, Wen Ruoxian hugged her tightly and asked in a trembling voice, "Where did you go?"
"To the bathroom," Song Qingluo replied, feeling a bit puzzled. Seeing the panic on Wen Ruoxian's face gradually fade into relief, she suddenly understood. "I... I originally planned to wait until you woke up before going, but I couldn't hold it in. I thought it would only take two minutes."
She patted Wen Ruoxian's back, her eyes reddening with distress.
For the first time, Wen Ruoxian showed panic in front of her. The person who was always so serious and proper now clung to the hem of her clothes, helpless and disheveled.
This was the bitter fruit she brewed, and it was only right for her to bear it.
"It's not your fault; I'm just too sensitive," Wen Ruoxian said, feeling annoyed and guilty.
Song Qingluo pressed her down onto the pillow. "From now on, I'll stick to you every day, every moment. You're not allowed to think I'm annoying."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
“Ah, my hair..." Wen Ruoxian cried out in pain.
"Ah."
Song Qingluo quickly got up and fixed her hair.
Her fingertips passed through the ends of the hair, smoothing it out. One hand supported the back of Wen Ruoxian's neck, lifting it slightly, and she gathered all the hair up to the top of her head, pressing her palm gently on her scalp.
Wen Ruoxian closed her eyes in comfort, her body stretching lazily. She felt as if she had become a cat, gently pampered. Her heart was filled with endless satisfaction and peace.
During the journey to England, she had been filled with anxiety and fear, planning for the worst and expecting the worst outcomes. She even feared that Qingluo might have found someone new and would not forgive her. Now, with everything settled, she felt the joy of having regained something lost.
The most beautiful feelings are mutual.
They were both cherished and favored by fate.
Thinking of this, Wen Ruoxian smiled.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Because I feel so happy right now."
"Mm?"
"The person I like, likes me, and I also like the person who likes me. We steadfastly and bravely move toward each other, without missing out or having regrets. Isn't that happiness?" Wen Ruoxian turned her body, smiling at Song Qingluo.
Her eyes sparkled with brilliance.
"Starting to be romantic again, old-fashioned," Song Qingluo said, her cheeks reddening as she took Wen Ruoxian's hand and kissed it.
"I am also so happy."
From eighteen to twenty-six.
Eight years.
That distant star shone around her. That unreachable dream became an attainable reality.
No amount of doubt or repeated persuasion made her give up.
Fate never betrays those who are sincere.
"You asked me how I 'learned to be bad,' right? Actually... I taught myself," Wen Ruoxian teased. Before she could finish, she saw Song Qingluo staring at her with burning eyes.
"?"
The vague outline under the blanket stirred Song Qingluo’s desire. She pounced on Wen Ruoxian like a hungry wolf.
“Qingluo, don’t…”
Wen Ruoxian was stunned by the kiss, not knowing which part of her words had been off.
Song Qingluo lit the fire and then let her go. "Continue, speak up. You didn't make a sound last night, and I felt so unfulfilled."
"You..."
This person always spoke so bluntly.
Wen Ruoxian buried her face in the blanket and rolled over to the side. The bed was large, and even with her rolling, she didn't reach the edge, but it gave Song Qingluo the chance to grab her.
"You're not getting away, Ms. Wen." Song Qingluo caught her and pulled her back.
……
The sunlight moved from the east to the center of the room.
The bedroom was filled with a sweet, honey-like aroma.
The two of them lay sprawled on the bed. Wen Ruoxian calmed her breathing and tugged at Song Qingluo's ear. "You really have a lot of energy..."
Song Qingluo pouted and begged, "I couldn’t help it."
Whenever she saw Ruoxian, every cell in her body became restless, from her hair to her toes. It was true at eighteen and still true at twenty-six.
Wen Ruoxian chuckled.
Though she said this, she was very pleased inside.
Noticing the Q-version doll on the bedside, she suddenly remembered, "Is that stuffed toy modeled after me?"
"Yes," Song Qingluo kissed her on the face. "I had someone draw it based on your appearance and made it especially. Isn’t it very similar and cute?"
"Mm."
"Look, I'm so hopeless. I'm so eaten up by you that I can't get away. Ai..." She wiped the corners of her eyes, feeling pitiful and aggrieved.
Trying to trick her again.
The little fox is "scheming".
Wen Ruoxian just fell for it, nodding repeatedly. "Yes, Miss Song wishes she could hang onto me all the time. As for me, using a popular internet phrase, it would be... you have me firmly in your grasp."
Song Qingluo made a face at her.
"Alright, I'll throw it away then." Wen Ruoxian sat up, holding the stuffed toy, and was about to get off the bed.
Song Qingluo stopped her. "Hey, no way..."
"I'm here, and you still want it?"
"I do."
Wen Ruoxian looked at her for a moment, then put down the toy and said, "Then tonight, you hug it, and I'll go sleep in the guest room."
"Hahaha, you're even drinking your own vinegar." Song Qingluo laughed so hard that she leaned forward and back, pulling Wen Ruoxian into her arms. "If anyone's sleeping in the guest room, it should be that toy. I already said I want to stick to you and annoy you to death. You are not planning to use some trick to escape, are you, Ms. Wen?"
Wen Ruoxian avoided answering directly and said seriously, "It's already noon. Aren't you hungry?"
"Hungry."
"Then get up and cook."
"No need, the chef already made something, we can eat it right away." Song Qingluo stopped teasing her, crawled to the foot of the bed, picked up the scattered pajamas, and helped her put them on.
Wen Ruoxian originally wanted to refuse, but she knew that if she said anything, it would only lead to more teasing. In these matters, she could never win against Qingluo, so she decided to act more casually and naturally.
After all, everything that could be seen had already been seen.
Mm.
After freshening up and getting ready, the two of them went downstairs to the dining room, hand in hand.
Living here was quite free; the housekeeper usually did not disturb Song Qingluo unless necessary. The chef would leave after cooking, so whether Song Qingluo ate or when she ate was entirely up to her. If she needed anything, she only had to say the word, and the appropriate service would be provided.
Last night, Wen Ruoxian had moved in hastily, and Song Qingluo had not had time to instruct the chef to prepare the dishes Wen Ruoxian liked. However, Wen Ruoxian was never picky about food; she could eat a bit of anything, so she did not mind.
After they finished eating, Song Qingluo called for a driver to take them to the hotel to fetch their luggage.
Seeing Wen Ruoxian’s thirty-two-inch oversized suitcase, she was stunned. "Why did you bring such a big suitcase?"
"I brought quite a lot of things. After all, it is a long trip, and I am not sure how long I will stay. A big suitcase gives me a sense of security," Wen Ruoxian said casually, smiling at her. She continued to pack her things unhurriedly.
Song Qingluo fell silent.
Although Wen Ruoxian had brought many things, the room was not messy. Everything was placed neatly and orderly. Her packing was skillful, and within three to five minutes, she had everything sorted. The driver helped her push the suitcase while she went to the front desk to check out.
Song Qingluo followed behind her, feeling a bit sullen.
Just at that moment, she suddenly realized there was an urgent issue that needed to be addressed between them—
Would she follow Ruoxian back to China, or would Ruoxian stay here with her?
She had her career, and Ruoxian had hers. Currently, her focus is on developing in Europe, while Ruoxian's was back in their home country. Even if they were together now, they would still have to face separation eventually. At that point, they would become a "long-distance couple."
Distance and time, are the killers of love.
"Ruoxian..."
Once they were in the car, Song Qingluo held Wen Ruoxian's hand and looked at her hesitantly. "Are you planning to go back soon?"
Wen Ruoxian momentarily froze, then she smiled and shook her head. "No, I want to stay by your side a bit longer, at least until after Christmas. There's no rush."
After saying that, she patted the back of Song Qingluo's hand to comfort her.
Being able to return as soon as possible would be best.
The end of the year is always busy. In the past, she and Ranran would always hit the back of the head with their heels. This year, Ranran is alone, with double the workload and double the pressure. You can imagine how difficult it is.
Qingluo forgave her, and logically, she should go back.
But she couldn't accept treating Qingluo's forgiveness as if it were a task to be completed, adding a sense of purpose to their relationship.
This wasn't a multiple-choice question.
"Really?" Song Qingluo's eyes lit up.
Wen Ruoxian patted the back of her hand. "Of course, unless you chase me away. But... I'm very stubborn, and not so easy to chase away. I'm afraid I might cling to you shamelessly, like a dogskin plaster* that you can't get rid of."
*traditional Chinese medicine
"What are you saying? Don't call yourself a dogskin plaster, I would never chase you away." Song Qingluo muttered, letting out a breath.
But looking into Wen Ruoxian's eyes, she didn't feel at ease. She knew that Ruoxian was someone with a strong sense of responsibility, someone who followed principles and rules. Most of the time, work came before personal matters. Now, to find her, Ruoxian had set aside her work and traveled thousands of miles, staying for two months straight...
She admitted she felt a bit happy, but this happiness was accompanied by a pang of pain, growing more intense each time.
In the past, she couldn't help but compare herself to Cheng Suran. Whenever she thought of how Ruoxian had unhesitatingly given up everything overseas for Cheng Suran, she felt a surge of bitterness, an uncontrollable sorrow. She even thought, out of spite, that Ruoxian had to give up something important for her too, before she could forgive her and consider going back.
But when that day really came, she found herself even sadder—though Ruoxian hadn't actually given up her work, only temporarily put it on hold.
Is this the sense of balance she wanted?
What's the point...
She loved her, so she understood her, felt sorry for her, and couldn't feel at ease watching her give up anything.
It turned out her mother was right.
She couldn't bear such a sacrifice.
