Chapter 11: Deception
Xia Lingying gripped the phone with all her strength, hesitant to speak, afraid that the earlier voice was just a fleeting illusion. All she could do was wait anxiously. After a prolonged silence, that slightly weathered baritone slowly resounded once again.
"Xiaxia, Dad is sorry for you."
"Dad—"
Five years had passed since she last heard that voice—the voice of the person she had missed countless times in her dreams, the person she held close to her heart. Beneath the weary tone, an apology emerged. Misty tears blurred Xia Lingying's eyes, and a tearing pain gripped her chest. She bit her lower lip tightly, suppressing her emotions, and walked briskly through the corridor toward the outside.
Outside the restaurant, in a secluded corner, tears streamed down Xia Lingying's smooth cheeks. Drop by drop, they fell onto the white fabric of her chest.
"Dad, where are you? I miss you... I really miss you..."
After five years of not seeing each other, Xia Ran heard his daughter, the one whom he once held in the palm of his hand, expressing her longing in such a mournful voice, the blood bond of family extended from the depths of Xia Ran's heart. Waves of pain gripped Xia Ran's heart, and beneath his rapid breaths were tears forcibly suppressed.
"Xiaxia, Dad still can't tell you where I am... But, rest assured, I'm safe."
A prolonged silence lingered between them, and Xia Lingying closed her eyes, feeling the heart-wrenching pain of longing that couldn't be fulfilled.
"Xiaxia—"
Xia Ran broke the silence; the current situation did not allow him to indulge in the vortex of family ties. In hiding abroad for these years, he endured immense hardships and contemplated suicide at times, but he couldn't. He couldn't abandon his daughter. Xia Lingying was the sole reason for him to stay alive. Later, using his exceptional social skills, he ventured into arms dealing and gradually built his own sphere of influence. Former comrades, once eradicated by Xiao Nian, heard the news and pledged their unwavering loyalty, making him stronger than ever.
Now, he must find a way to return to his home country, reclaim what rightfully belongs to him, and make Xiao Nian pay the deserved price for his wrongdoing! With this determination in mind, Xia Ran no longer hesitated and asked the question that lingered in his heart.
"Xiaxia, I need to know, are you and Xiao Moyan together?”
Xia Lingying's body stiffened, freezing in place.
With no sight of his daughter's response, Xia Ran's heart cooled, his face turned ashen, and the hand gripping the phone trembled uncontrollably. He roared and yelled,
"Xiao Nian, that bastard! He doesn't even let you go!"
"Dad, actually—"
Xia Lingying interrupted Xia Ran's words, her brows lightly furrowed. She wanted to tell him that Xiao Moyan's feelings towards her weren't as he thought. Just as Xia Lingying hesitated on how to express this, there was a sudden loud noise on the other end of the phone, followed by a series of hurried footsteps. Xia Lingying's heart tightened abruptly, and her hand holding the phone tightened even more.
After a while, Xia Ran's voice came intermittently
"Xiaxia, remember Dad's last words. You must steal the official seal from Xiao Moyan, only this way can I return to the country, and reunite with you. Xiaxia, Dad is sorry—"
The call ended, beeping with a busy tone.
Xia Lingying's hand still tightly gripped the phone, with tears in her eyes and her face pale.
Five years had passed, and this was the first time she heard her father's voice. The once hearty tone was now replaced by a weathered and helpless plea; he must be enduring a difficult time. The deep bond of family ties made Xia Lingying's heart ache unbearably. She bit her lower lip until it turned a bloody red. After a long while, Xia Lingying moved with heavy steps and returned to the room.
Xiao Moyan, we've finally come to this day.
….
"What's wrong?"
As soon as she entered the room, Xiao Moyan's anxious voice blurted out, her eyes tightly fixed on Xia Lingying. Although her tone remained indifferent, Xia Lingying could see the genuine concern in her eyes. Xia Lingying's heart ached, and she shook her head gently.
"It's nothing, I was just feeling a bit unwell."
When Mrs. Xu heard this, she quickly put down her chopsticks and stepped forward. She raised her arm, touched Xia Lingying's forehead, then measured her own forehead, and said,
“You feel a little cold. Is it because of the cold wind at the beach?"
Xiao Moyan looked at Xia Lingying's pale and bloodless face, feeling a little distressed and a little resentful. This woman was also aware that she was unwell, but didn't bother to dress warmly when going out! With a stern face, Xiao Moyan waved her hand and commanded,
“Stop eating, let's go home!”
Mrs. Xu nodded, pulling Xia Lingying's soft and smooth hand to lead her out. Xiao Moyan shot Mrs. Xu a glance, abruptly pulled Xia Lingying towards herself, and drew her into her arms. Her right hand embraced Xia Lingying's slender waist, her face close to Xia Lingying's, gently caressing, murmuring softly,
"Cold, aren't you? Go freeze to death, serves you right for not wearing more!"
"..."
Upon hearing Xiao Moyan's complaining words, Xia Lingying didn't utter a single retort. Instead, her eyes turned red. She voluntarily nestled her head in Xiao Moyan's arms, greedily absorbing the warmth and fragrance. A heaviness in her heart that she had never felt before.
Xiao Moyan lowered her head, looking at the small head seeking warmth in her arms, and shook her head with a gentle smile. It seemed like an ice cube having a fever wasn't bad; at least, it wouldn't defy her anymore. How nice it was for her to obediently listen!
Back home, Mrs. Xu went to the kitchen and brewed a bowl of ginger soup for Xia Lingying. Xia Lingying curled up on the sofa, looking somewhat listless, her gaze vacant as she stared ahead, lost in thought. Xiao Moyan sat beside her, assuming she was unwell due to a fever, so she didn't pay much attention.
After all, Mrs. Xu was getting older, and her health wasn't what it used to be. Xiao Moyan, fearing she might strain herself further, persuaded her to go back to her room and rest. Xiao Moyan took over at the stove, watching the ginger soup continuously bubbling with steam, suddenly feeling a twinge of guilt.
A good girl was now reduced to such an extent due to her coercion. Compelling her to live together against her will, no matter how much disdain she might harbor... Xiao Moyan had heard the comments about Xia Lingying from others, but she always considered it justified, believing that what she offered was far more precious than any grievances Xia Lingying endured.
But today, when Xiao Moyan saw an unprecedented vulnerability on Xia Lingying's face, her heart ached. The frail and delicate figure, so fragile that it pricked at Xiao Moyan's heart.
Could it be that she fell in love with Xia Lingying first before she realized her own feelings?
No, absolutely not! Xiao Moyan shook her head vigorously, turned off the stove, and carried the ginger soup, restraining herself from dwelling on such thoughts.
Xia Lingying huddled on the sofa, looking at Xiao Moyan with her red and swollen eyes as she bent over and awkwardly served out the ginger soup, with a hint of bitterness.
Xiao Moyan walked over with large strides, abruptly placing the ginger soup on the coffee table. Immediately, she raised her hands, pinched both ears and dramatically exclaimed,
"It burned me to death! It burned the skin off my tender little hands!"
Xia Lingying stared blankly, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes. She raised her arm, discreetly wiping away the tears. When she lowered her hand, she saw Xiao Moyan already sitting in front of her, gazing at her with an unmistakable expression of compassion and tenderness.
Xiao Moyan gazed deeply at Xia Lingying. After a moment, she reached out, gently caressing her slightly cool cheek, and softly said,
"Does it hurt a lot?"
Xia Lingying bit her lower lip, shaking her head. No longer avoiding, she raised her head, gazing softly into her eyes for a moment. Xia Lingying lifted her arm, hooking it around Xiao Moyan's neck, slightly lifting herself, and nestled her head in her embrace.
Xia Lingying's sudden initiative left Xiao Moyan's mind blank for a few minutes. She lowered her head, gazing in bewilderment at Xia Lingying's delicate neck, watching the fair face hidden in her embrace turn a rosy hue. Xiao Moyan's lips slowly curled upwards, unable to contain the excitement in her heart. She reached out and hugged her back. Feeling Xia Lingying's body tense in her embrace, Xiao Moyan's grip tightened. She wanted Xia Lingying to feel her warmth, and as the body in her arms gradually relaxed and her heart softened. Xiao Moyan squinted her eyes, no longer dwelling on the meaning and consequences of this embrace, just savoring this rare tenderness.
It wasn't until the ginger soup on the table had lost its warmth that the two finally released their tight embrace. Xia Lingying's pale face now had a blush, her misty eyes gazing quietly at Xiao Moyan, who had been blowing the soup for her. Strands of hair fell loosely from Xiao Moyan's forehead, adding a different charm. The spoon was carefully brought to her lips, and this time, she didn't reject it as she used to. Instead, she obediently opened her mouth, taking each spoonful.
Xiao Moyan smiled as she looked at her, a sense of contentment welling up. Such affectionate gestures were once something she scorned, but now, it seemed it was just a matter of not meeting the right person.
It turns out, the happiness she had been avoiding was so simple.
She turned around and placed the medicine bowl on the coffee table, then Xiao Moyan turned back and embraced Xia Lingying again, gently patting her back.
"Go to sleep. A good rest will make you feel better. That's what Mrs. Xu used to tell me when I had a fever."
Xia Lingying reached out and gently pushed her, whispering,
"It's too late, Xiao—um, you should go back to your room and sleep. Isn't there a meeting at the company tomorrow morning?"
Xiao Moyan shook her head, not only did she not let go, but she tightened her grip.
"It's okay, I'm used to working late on business matters. A cup of coffee in the morning will do. You go to sleep; I like holding you like this."
A faint blush spread across Xia Lingying's face as Xiao Moyan whispered warm words into her ear, causing her heart to flutter. Xia Lingying lifted her head, biting her lip as she looked at Xiao Moyan with a shy expression on her face.
Xiao Moyan looked at her with surprise, then quickly understood the situation. Her voice, fueled by excitement, raised a pitch.
"Do you, um—want to sleep in my room together?"
Xia Lingying continued to bite her lip, avoiding a direct answer. Xiao Moyan patiently waited, and after a long while, a soft acknowledgment came from her lips.
Xiao Moyan was ecstatic. Fearing that she might change her mind, she stood up decisively and Xia Lingying around the waist. As her hand touched Xia Lingying’s slender body, an involuntary frown appeared on Xiao Moyan's face. It was too thin. Holding her was uncomfortable; she needed to gain some weight.
Nestled in Xiao Moyan's embrace, although there was a faint blush on Xia Lingying's face, her heart seemed to dim a little.
Author's Note:
Yezi is so tired today. Busy all day, will check everyone's comments shortly and then go to sleep.
It's raining and it's so cool.
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