Chapter 14: Incident

Seated in the car and recalling last night's events, Xiao Moyan felt somewhat awkward. She gripped the steering wheel, unsure of what to say. Xia Lingying's face was pale, her head lowered, and remained silent. A prolonged silence filled the space between them.

After a while, Xiao Moyan let out a long sigh, loosened her grip on the steering wheel, pressed Xia Lingying's shoulders, and gently turned her body to face her.

"Are you still feeling unwell?"

Xia Lingying lifted her head with misty eyes, looking at her, then she shook her head. In the next moment, cool lips carrying a hint of minty fragrance, suddenly pressed onto her forehead. Xia Lingying was startled and widened her eyes, but in just an instant, the coolness dissipated. Xiao Moyan withdrew, gazed at Xia Lingying's surprised eyes and gently smiled.

"You're not hot anymore, indeed much better than yesterday."

Xiao Moyan started the car, played a soft melody, and spoke no more. Seeing the fatigue on Xia Lingying's face, she felt a bit sorry but didn't know how to express it, so she just kept quiet to let her rest.

Sure enough, accompanied by the gentle music, Xia Lingying's body, tense from the day, gradually relaxed. Drifting into a deep sleep, in the haze, someone lifted her, whispering something in her ear. A familiar fragrance filled her nose, and she habitually nuzzled into that person's embrace. A tingling sensation on her forehead made Xia Lingying murmur, and she fell back asleep.

Upon waking again, Xia Lingying was already in pajamas and was lying on Xiao Moyan's spacious bed. She slowly opened her eyes, allowing her still groggy mind time to wake up. After a moment, her cheeks blushed slightly. She clutched her pajamas, feeling unsure, and then she curled up in bed and looked at Xiao Moyan beside her.

Beside her, Xiao Moyan wore seductive silk pajamas, reflecting a faint glow. Two buttons at the top were undone, revealing a gracefully curved neck and clearly visible collarbones. Black-framed glasses perched on her straight nose, and strands of hair slightly tousled on her forehead. She was lazily leaning against the head board and flipping through the documents in her hand. Upon noticing Xia Lingying was awake, Xiao Moyan gently smiled, placed the files aside, turned around, embraced her waist, and buried her head in her chest, greedily inhaling the scent. 

She squinted her eyes and smiled charmingly, "You're awake?"

A warm breath brushed against sensitive areas, causing Xia Lingying's body to tremble slightly. She nervously swallowed and looked at the person in her arms with a hint of apprehension. Unexpectedly, the body in her arms softly slid down to her thighs, hugging her tightly. Xia Lingying's body tensed, and as she lowered her head, she saw Xiao Moyan with closed eyes and a faint smile on her lips, displaying a thoroughly content expression.

"So tired... Don't move, let me rest for a while..."

Xia Lingying looked at the pretending-to-sleep Xiao Moyan with a hint of helplessness. She gently moved the hands embracing her legs aside, placed a pillow under Xiao Moyan's head, and leaned down to cover her with a fluffy blanket. Xiao Moyan still kept her eyes closed, enjoying the company of the beauty on her bed. She mischievously continued to exhale warm and fragrant breath onto her neck. Xia Lingying blushed, and her heart beat faster. She quickly covered her with the blanket, and turned away, afraid to look at her.

After a while, the soothing sound of breath reached Xia Lingying's ears. She tentatively turned around slowly, only to see Xiao Moyan sleeping peacefully, cradling the thin blanket. Her disheveled hair cascaded, revealing a partially exposed chest. Faint traces of fatigue showed under her eyes due to days of exhaustion. Her delicate lips were slightly pursed, tempting as fresh lychee, making Xia Lingying involuntarily lick her lips.

Observing closely, she unconsciously extended her hand to trace Xiao Moyan's contours. However, the moment her fingers touched the smooth skin, she abruptly pulled her hand back as if scorched by fire.

Under the faint yellow light, Xia Lingying's chest heaved and breathed heavily.

Xia Lingying, what are you doing?! Could it be that you've also developed genuine feelings? Have you forgotten your purpose of getting close to her? There shouldn't be any love between you two...

With these thoughts, a dimness flickered in Xia Lingying's eyes. She bit her lip, pushed away the blanket, got up, glanced at Xiao Moyan, and quietly stepped down from the bed. Based on her observations over these days, Xia Lingying found that Xiao Moyan usually kept important documents in that red cedar drawer.

She approached cautiously and pulled open the drawer. Sure enough, the red seal was prominently placed in the center. Under the reflection of white paper, its destructive color became even more pronounced. With it, she could soon see her father whom she hadn't met in five years due to external pressures. However, at this moment, Xia Lingying hesitated. 

She was well aware of what this meant—stealing the official seal was a blatant betrayal. Deceptively betraying someone who trusts her, especially to such a proud person, would be absolutely intolerable. Even if Xiao Moyan felt deep affection for her, there would be no mercy for her after tomorrow. But... if she didn't do this, her long-awaited father couldn't return home. How could she bear to see him continue to suffer?

Amid Xia Lingying's internal struggle, as she pondered what to do, a faint light emitted from her phone. Startled, she quickly turned to look at Xiao Moyan, who was still peacefully asleep. Only then did she dare to check her phone. It was a text message from Lan Chen.

Something's not right. I'm outside your house. Hurry.

With her hand frozen in mid-air, Xia Lingying eventually reached out and took hold of that blood-like red seal. Her heart was in turmoil, but time didn't allow her to grieve. She looked back and gazed at Xiao Moyan sadly, then turned around, taking quick strides as she walked out.

She silently passed through the living room, empty and void of people, it seemed that Mrs. Xu had already retired for the night. Xia Lingying breathed a sigh of relief, quickly unlocking the tightly sealed main door. Outside, Lan Chen was leaning against the wall, waiting. Seeing Xia Lingying emerge, she pulled out the prepared documents from her pocket and looked up at her.

"The official seal?"

Xia Lingying looked at her, bit her lip, and gripped the official seal tightly in her hand, refusing to hand it over.

Lan Chen frowned, looking somewhat anxious.

"What are you still hesitating about? It's just fifty million. For Xiao Moyan, it's a drop in the ocean. But for godfather, it's a chance for a turnaround, Xiaxia. Don't you trust me?"

Xia Lingying shook her head. Ever since she saw the Han white jade on Lan Chen's neck, she hadn't doubted Lan Chen's identity. The jade was a generational heirloom of the Xia family, and her father wouldn't entrust such a crucial item to an outsider. But... Xiao Moyan... she couldn't...

Lan Chen glanced around, though it was pitch black, a sense of unease lingered in her heart. Without saying more, she took a few steps forward, and grabbed Xia Lingying's arm, disregarding her resistance. She forcefully snatched the official seal from her hand, quickly imprinting it on the prepared documents. When the bright red seal was stamped, Xia Lingying felt a sharp pain in her heart and tightly closed her eyes.

Lan Chen glanced at the documents, heaved a long sigh, brushed aside the fringe on her forehead, and turned to leave. However, at that moment, pitch-black shadows emerged from all around. After a moment, seven or eight tall men in black suits walked out of the shadows, their faces stern, closing in on the two. Lan Chen's body tensed, and she widened her eyes in sudden realization.

At the same time, the gate of the Xiao family opened once again. Xiao Moyan, with her long hair cascading down, still in the silk pajamas, walked out slowly, resembling a queen. However, her charming face from the past showed no expression, and her eyes were extremely cold, fixedly staring at Xia Lingying. Mrs. Xu beside her also looked nervous, gazing at Xiao Moyan's chilling eyes and then turning to look at Xia Lingying, who was tightly biting her lip. Her heart contracted suddenly.

How... how could this happen?

The air momentarily froze, and under the moonlight, Lan Chen's face gradually turned pale, and the hand holding the documents trembled. Beside her, Xia Lingying just lowered her head silently, too afraid to look at Xiao Moyan.

Xiao Moyan scoffed lightly. In the gaze of everyone, she took a few steps forward, pressing Xia Lingying against the corner, forcefully placing her right leg between Xia Lingying's, extending her right hand, forcefully gripping her chin, compelling her to lift her head and meet her gaze.

This time, there was no trace of the past pity and gentleness in Xiao Moyan's eyes. Only sheer anger remained, and the intensity of her grip made it unbearable for Xia Lingying. The piercing pain in her jaw spread, causing Xia Lingying to furrow her brows tightly. Yet, she stubbornly clenched her teeth, refusing to plead for mercy or even look at Xiao Moyan.

A deathly pale shade gradually covered her once snow-white skin. Xia Lingying's breath became rapid, her body weakening. Her gaze grew somewhat hazy. Mrs. Xu was alarmed, tried to reach out to Xiao Moyan, but the bodyguard on the side stopped her.

"Let her go, this was all my idea!"

Lan Chen, watching Xiao Moyan with gritted teeth, knew that if she didn't act soon, Xia Lingying might be strangled to death by Xiao Moyan. However, fear made her voice tremble. Lan Chen had never seen Xiao Moyan like this – cold, ruthless, and without a hint of warmth in her icy eyes.

Xiao Moyan's hand finally loosened slowly, but she didn't spare a glance for Lan Chen. She stepped back and gritted her teeth, glaring at Xia Lingying.

"Xia Lingying, you dared to deceive me."

Xia Lingying, dejected, kept her head low, her right hand covering her neck, coughing incessantly, offering no explanation.

Xiao Moyan scoffed, crossed her arms, turned around, and looked at Mrs. Xu.

"Mrs. Xu, go inside."

"Miss—"

“Go inside!"

Mrs. Xu sighed, not daring to defy Xiao Moyan. She glanced at Xia Lingying and silently walked back into the villa.

Watching Mrs. Xu leave, Xiao Moyan turned around, stared at Lan Chen with a cold smile.

"Issac, you truly are a loyal lackey of Xia Ran."

Lan Chen stared back at Xiao Moyan, anger flaring in her eyes. Yes, the Xiao family treated her well, but hearts are flesh-grown. When she was most helpless and desperate, it was Xia Ran who accepted and personally promoted her. Moreover, she knew better than anyone the means Xiao Nian used to gain favor with Tian Huang. Knowing all that, still sacrificing for the Xiao family would truly make her worse than a beast.

Upon hearing Xiao Moyan's words, Xia Lingying suddenly raised her head, staring at her intensely. Xiao Moyan's gaze shifted to Xia Lingying, gazing for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.

"Xia Lingying, you are the first woman I, Xiao Moyan, fell in love with. No matter who it is for, or why, as long as you ask, forget about fifty million, even if it's five hundred million, I will give it to you. But—"

"You chose to deceive me."

Xiao Moyan's voice, carrying a hint of melancholy, floated into everyone's ears. All heads turned in shock, eyes filled with disbelief. However, Xia Lingying's heart sank gradually. Xiao Moyan saying she loved her, openly confessing in front of so many people – was it to make her feel more regret and self-blame? A tinge of bitterness appeared in Xia Lingying's eyes. She slightly turned her head in the opposite direction, and avoided Xiao Moyan's gaze.

Xiao Moyan gazed at her in silence for a while. After a moment, she nodded to a tall bodyguard standing nearby. The tall bodyguard slowly approached, closing in on Lan Chen. Lan Chen's face turned instantly pale, her legs feeling weak as she took a few steps back.

Xiao Moyan crossed her arms, and looked at Lan Chen with emotionless eyes.

"Issac, it's you who stamped the official seal. I don't want anything else; I just want those hands of yours."

Author's Note:

 /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~I was suddenly called back by the school to write a plan. I originally didn't plan to update today, but yesterday I was stuck in the wrong place, and it kept bothering me. I spent two hours typing out just these 1,000 characters on my phone. My fingers are too uncomfortable, so let’s just make do with it.

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