Chapter 74: Madame
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Foxes were not only full of tricks but also knew how to charm and seduce. Song Qingluo was just such a wild little fox. Wen Ruoxian was no match for her, with just a few words she was coaxed into a daze.
She dropped her reserve and sank into a tender trap.
“Ruoxian…”
“From now on, be like me.”
“What?”
“Don’t stay mute.”
Wen Ruoxian pretended not to understand and turned away.
“If you haven’t learned yet, I don’t mind demonstrating again.” Song Qingluo started to get up.
Wen Ruoxian knew it was just a provocation, but she willingly took the bait. She pinched Song Qingluo’s chin and pressed her back down, “Then let me hear it again.”
Song Qingluo breathed in her ear.
Until deep into the night, with the moon high above.
They helped each other take another bath, and when they got back into bed, Song Qingluo was already half-asleep. Wen Ruoxian brought over some pajamas to dress her, but she refused, so she simply joined her instead.
In front of her girlfriend, maintaining a little reserve was fun, but too much could disrupt the harmony.
She tried to test her own limits.
"Why aren’t you wearing pajamas either?" Song Qingluo asked, squinting her eyes.
Wen Ruoxian caught her hand, "To keep things fair with you. Otherwise, someone will start complaining about unfairness again."
Song Qingluo hummed twice, bit her lip, and smiled. As sleepiness hit her, she yawned unexpectedly, "Mm..."
"Sleep, today was tiring."
"Hug me while we sleep."
"Okay."
Wen Ruoxian pulled the blanket tight, wrapping the two of them together.
Soon, Song Qingluo fell into a deep sleep. The dim wall light cast shadows of them nestled together. Wen Ruoxian looked at her, listening to the rhythm of her own heartbeat, and her mind wandered back to her mother's attitude on the phone, which was hard to read.
But it was only a few seconds of hesitation.
There was no need to tell Qingluo about that phone call.
Nor her parents' attitude.
Love was her own.
With this in mind, she didn’t plan to bring it up in front of Song Qingluo. Yet, just a couple of days later, Song Qingluo asked on her own—
It was because Ms. Song had called.
While congratulating them, she also asked when they would be returning to the country.
“New Year is coming, and my mom wants us to go back, but she won’t say it directly. She just told me they might not go on vacation this year, and it would be too lonely with just the two of them at home...” After practicing violin in the morning, Song Qingluo stayed with Wen Ruoxian while she handled some online work.
Wen Ruoxian shifted her gaze away from the computer. “Hinting for you to bring me home?”
“Smart.”
Song Qingluo sat on Wen Ruoxian’s lap, pulling her hand to wrap around her. Just as she was about to ask for a kiss, Wen Ruoxian leaned in first.
She was becoming less and less old-fashioned.
It turned out her girlfriend needed a little guidance. Even an iron tree can bloom.
After enjoying the kiss, she contentedly melted into Wen Ruoxian's arms. “But I think it’s better if we each go to our own homes. My mom was just saying it casually, she never forces anyone to do things. We’re usually in Jiangcheng, but we can meet anytime. But I remember... you didn’t go home last year, did you?”
Thinking about last year, just a photo of a window with paper cutouts had made Qingluo fly back overnight.
Wen Ruoxian felt a twinge of sourness in her heart, but she only responded with a “Mm,” unwilling to say more. She hugged Song Qingluo tightly, rubbing her cheek against her hair.
“Do your parents know about us?” Song Qingluo asked with a serious expression.
“They know.”
Wen Ruoxian looked up, revealing a relieved smile. “They found out on Christmas Eve.”
She laid out the details of the phone call.
“Don’t worry about my parents’ attitude. They’ll learn to slowly accept it. Even if they don’t, it won’t change anything,” Wen Ruoxian spoke in a relaxed tone, though it was cold to the point of being almost heartless.
“I have my own life to live.”
Song Qingluo, who shared the same thoughts, felt relieved.
In her memory, Ruoxian had never mentioned anything about her family. She knew nothing about her family situation but naturally assumed that with Wen Ruoxian’s proper and conservative personality, she must have been influenced by her parents. Perhaps her family was strict, traditional, and old-fashioned.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
She had worried that Wen Ruoxian might feel torn.
Luckily, she didn’t.
“Then it’s decided, we’ll each go to our own homes,” Song Qingluo said, pinching both of Wen Ruoxian’s ears. “This time, you’re not allowed to trick me. If I find out you secretly stayed behind alone, don’t even think about getting into my bed again.”
Wen Ruoxian’s eyes begged for mercy. “Okay.”
“Actually, whether we go home or not isn’t that important. I was thinking about your work... It’s been too long. It feels like we’ve been on an extended honeymoon.” Song Qingluo let go of her ears and gently rubbed them, even though she hadn’t pinched them hard in the first place.
She glanced at the laptop.
They had been away for long enough. She wouldn’t really make her give up her work and focus solely on her.
These two months had been like savoring a soft, sweet candy, with both of them giving all their tenderness and sweetness to each other, washing away the bitterness of the past. She still remembered those cautious moments, that careful gentleness, which had now become part of their intimate playfulness.
Wen Ruoxian reached out and closed the laptop. “I know, you want me to focus on my work, to dig deep into my career. Don’t worry, I will.”
“So, Little Fox Song, did you enjoy the honeymoon?”
“Of course.”
“No matter where we are, as long as I’m with you, it can always be a honeymoon,” Song Qingluo cupped her face and kissed her deeply.
….
After finalizing the date for their return to the country, Song Qingluo began arranging the contact details for her upcoming performances. In the end, she didn’t sign with the record company. Instead, she handled her management affairs through a “friendly cooperation” with a few of Arthur’s acquaintances.
Whenever she received performance invitations, she would pick them herself, deciding based on her mood and schedule whether to accept them.
Performing about twice a month was ideal.
On the first day of the Gregorian New Year, the two of them returned to Jiangcheng.
The Song family’s driver came to pick them up, and Song Qingluo instinctively gave Wen Ruoxian’s home address. However, deep down, she wanted to go back to Green Shang Mansion— a place without Cheng Suran’s traces, where they could start their life anew together.
She hesitated and glanced at Wen Ruoxian.
Wen Ruoxian was focused on her phone, typing quickly as if chatting with someone.
Song Qingluo resisted the urge to peek at her screen and swallowed her words.
The house had been empty for quite some time, and a thin layer of dust had settled on the tiled floor. The tables and sofas were all covered with cloths, but when they were uncovered, everything was still clean. Only the coldness lingered in the air.
She instinctively glanced at the two south-facing rooms.
The doors were open, and natural light streamed in, making the hallway’s tiles shine brightly.
Wen Ruoxian walked over to Song Qingluo’s side and took her hand. “Qingluo, I contacted the landlord and the agency to terminate the lease early. I’ll be packing up in the next couple of days. You should go home first, and once I’ve settled everything…”
“Why are you canceling the lease?”
“I want to start over.”
“Start a life that belongs to the two of us.”
It was exactly what she had in mind.
Song Qingluo’s emotions were a bit mixed as she looked around. This was their first little home. Although there were traces of another person’s presence, it was also where their love had blossomed.
Hearing they were going to leave suddenly stirred up some reluctance.
"Qingluo?"
“Alright, I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
“Then I…”
Wen Ruoxian was about to suggest booking a suite at a hotel, but Song Qingluo cut her off directly: “Stay with me.”
Afraid she might refuse, she hugged her and started acting coy: “Please? Living in that big house all alone would be so lonely. I’ll miss you so much if I can’t see you, I’ll cry myself to sleep. Besides, we already have a home, why go through the trouble of settling elsewhere?”
Green Shang Mansion.
Ranran also lives there.
It would really be a full table of mahjong.
Wen Ruoxian had some concerns. She didn’t want to always be taken care of by her girlfriend, but she also understood that accepting these gestures would make Song Qingluo happy. This left her feeling conflicted.
But soon, she came to terms with it. Qingluo lacked nothing; what she wanted was emotional value.
She would give her everything she could.
“My wife is unwilling to live with me; I’m so sad. But I know I can’t blame you; it’s my fault for not coming up with a better solution. I’ll try harder…” Song Qingluo used her ultimate weapon, and as she spoke, she started to dislike herself.
This trick has been used before.
How come she didn't notice how much "tea"* she was?
*green tea-ing
“I'm willing." Wen Ruoxian kissed her forehead.
"I want to hold you every night as you fall asleep, watch you wake up every morning, and make you lots and lots of delicious food, turning you into a plump, white glutinous rice ball."
She couldn’t help but laugh at her own words.
Song Qingluo felt a tingling sensation all over, her eyes closing and opening with happiness, forming two crescent moons: "Then I must be chocolate-filled.”
"Really? I think you’re more like matcha-filled."
"I can't hear what you're saying."
"Pretending."
After a bit of playful bickering, Ms.“Matcha-filled Glutinous Rice Balls Song” was as busy as ever, immediately starting to help pack the luggage.
With just one phone call, the moving company was skipped. Seven or eight bodyguards and a large box truck waited at the building’s entrance, equipped with all the necessary supplies: cardboard boxes, cloth bags, bubble wrap, and everything needed for packing and moving, offering full-service support.
The plane landed at nine. After eating, drinking, and sleeping well, there was no need to adjust to the time difference. They worked quickly from morning until afternoon, finishing the job in no time.
While still in England, Wen Ruoxian had been thinking about two things—
The house had to be returned. The car needed to be changed.
Now only the car remained.
Her “Jiang D SR220” was glaringly out of place.
While Qingluo hadn’t noticed yet...
"Ruoxian, sell that car of yours. I’ll buy you a new one. No need to get a special license plate; just pick any new one," Song Qingluo said on the way to Green Shang Mansion, recalling this matter.
She tried to appear calm, but a hint of bitterness lurked in her eyes.
Wen Ruoxian agreed without hesitation, “Mm, I was planning to sell it anyway.”
While saying this, she tightened her grip on Song Qingluo’s hand, turning her gaze to look at her intently, as if to say: In the world of the big golden retriever, there is only the little fox.
“No need to buy a new car. I really like your ‘Ice Berry Pink.’ I’ll just take that one.” She imitated Song Qingluo’s playful manner and winked generously.
Song Qingluo looked surprised, “I thought you’d say no again.”
“Since you gave it to me, I like it all. I’ll take it all.”
In just a ten-minute drive, she was so coaxed that she was delighted.
Once they arrived home and the things were brought upstairs before Wen Ruoxian could start unpacking, Song Qingluo dragged her off to tour the bedroom, study, and walk-in closet—
There were her favorite robes and underwear in her size.
Just like back in England.
She could move in with just a suitcase.
On the bookshelf were original versions of books she loved, in English and German. Even the small ornaments on her desk were replicated exactly and placed there.
Wen Ruoxian casually picked up a copy of “The Magic Mountain” and touched its cover. "When did you buy all these?"
"Last spring."
Song Qingluo hugged her from behind, her voice muffled. "I thought if Cheng Suran could live here, why couldn’t you? I wanted to give the best to someone I like. And then..."
They both knew what happened afterward.
She continued, "Before going to England, I was planning to throw all these away, but I couldn't bring myself to. I dragged it out and ended up forgetting. It only came to mind today when moving, hmph."
"Do you still want to throw them away now?" Wen Ruoxian put down the book, smiling as she turned around.
Looking smug.
Song Qingluo raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"
"Throwing them away is not allowed ."
"Finally showing some signs of being the Madame."
Wen Ruoxian kissed the corner of her lips. "Qingluo, having you by my side is the best for me. Let's not be enslaved by others' opinions."
Song Qingluo nodded obediently.
She was about to say something when her phone suddenly rang.
It was Shi Chuning calling.
Suddenly remembering, Shi Chuning was hosting a "homecoming party" tonight. She had invited many friends and started preparing a week in advance for a big celebration.
She came to inform her about the party tonight.
"I'll take Ruoxian with me."
“Mm, definitely for dinner, but let's forget the bar."
"My Ruoxian doesn't like the bar atmosphere. If we want to go, I'll invite everyone separately next time. We just got back today, don't rush."
"Showing off even though nobody told you to.”
Listening to her banter with friends, Wen Ruoxian understood the situation and held back her laughter. After she hung up the phone, she added fuel to the fire: "You must have been laughed at for 'choosing love over friends,' right?"
"Let them laugh," Song Qingluo said nonchalantly, pulling her outside. "After dinner, we'll come back, rest well, and focus on work."
"But what about Auntie?"
"She's busy, and is still out of town. She won't have time for a few more days."
Wen Ruoxian took a deep breath inwardly.
Without the formalities of a heterosexual marriage, but with a substantive relationship in place, they still didn’t know how to adjust their identities and adapt to their status.
As night fell, the lights were dazzling.
The banquet hall was filled with many people. The long dining table was covered with various dishes and pastries, including a red wine fountain and a chocolate cake tower. On the wall hung a banner that drove Song Qingluo crazy:
[Welcome, Ms. Song Qingluo and your partner, to our venue for technical guidance on distributing dog food.]
Song Qingluo led Wen Ruoxian in and immediately spotted the banner. She could tell without guessing who had come up with the idea, feeling both amused and exasperated.
"Shi Chuchu?"
“Come on, girls, let’s welcome our distinguished guests,” said the blonde woman next to the cake tower, clapping her hands. A crowd gathered around them.
Some were familiar, while others were not. Perhaps friends of friends, or just anyone who could be brought along to make the event lively.
Even familiar faces from the club were called in.
Song Qingluo pointed at the banner with a smirk: “Only you could come up with such an embarrassing thing, huh?”
“Who asked someone to show off to me for two months?”
As Shi Chuning cast a scrutinizing glance at Wen Ruoxian, the rest of the guests took notice of her, with some recognizing her from the bar and others not.
“This is my girlfriend, Wen Ruoxian,” Song Qingluo said, naturally wrapping her arm around Wen Ruoxian’s waist.
Wen Ruoxian responded with a gentle smile, meeting Shi Chuning’s gaze with friendliness. Shi Chuning had once harbored significant hostility towards her.
“See, see, my big banner didn’t lie. Come on, everyone, let’s thank Ms. Song for her guidance,” Shi Chuning said, shifting her gaze and leading the applause.
Everyone laughed.
“Hey, why do I feel like I’ve seen you before?” a voice suddenly came from the corner.
A woman with golden, wolf-tail-dyed hair walked over.
She looked Wen Ruoxian up and down, as if recalling something, and exclaimed, “That night at the hotel…”
Wen Ruoxian stared at her, fragments of memory flashing through her mind: a dim and noisy environment, liquor like juice, the hotel double room… Her expression shifted slightly, and she became tense.
The woman’s face was unfamiliar.
Song Qingluo looked confused, glancing between Shi Chuning and Wen Ruoxian: “Do you two know each other?”
Wen Ruoxian answered before the woman could, “No, we don’t know each other. She must've taken me for the wrong person.”
