Chapter 16: Birthday
Early the next day, Xia Lingying walked downstairs feeling anxious and uneasy. Unexpectedly, Xiao Moyan did not show the anger or disdain she had anticipated. Instead, she sat as usual, crossing her legs while reading the newspaper. Clad in a smoke-gray knitted sweater and tight-fitting jeans, paired with the loose design of bat sleeves, Xiao Moyan's body was perfectly outlined. Her coffee-colored long hair draped over her shoulders, with a hint of enticing pink on her lips. She exuded a fashionable and lazy feminine charm from head to toe.
The gray tones surrounding her only accentuated her overly pale complexion. Under Xiao Moyan's slender beautiful eyes were faint traces, with slight swelling on her right cheek, and the marks of fingers were evident on her fair skin. Xia Lingying's heart ached as she watched, her hand gripping the railing tighter. Mrs. Xu also stood by, staring blankly at Xiao Moyan, her eyes full of self-blame.
Although Xiao Moyan didn't say it aloud, Mrs. Xu knew that her action of informing Xiao Nian about yesterday's phone call must have hurt her. But she couldn't just stand by and watch Xiao Moyan make a mistake. Who is Lan Chen? Without a certain degree of sophistication and skill, how could she navigate both the light and dark sides? If Xiao Moyan really were to chop off her hands in a fit of anger, Lan Chen would likely become her lifelong nightmare. Mrs. Xu couldn't bear to watch her ruin her life because of an unrelated woman.
Mrs. Xu saw Xia Lingying coming down and forced a smile, handing her the bowl and chopsticks. Xia Lingying took them, but her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Moyan. Xiao Moyan picked up the coffee beside her and took a sip without looking at her. Xia Lingying's eyes dimmed slightly as she slowly took her seat.
Breakfast passed in silence, with no one uttering a word. Just as Mrs. Xu got up to clear the table, Xiao Moyan finally lifted her head. She glanced indifferently at Xia Lingying, then placed a set of keys on the table before turning and walking away.
Mrs. Xu looked at Xia Lingying, who was still in a daze, sighed, picked up the keys from the table, and handed them to her.
"Xiaxia, this is a car personally chosen by Miss for you. When Jiang Feng sent you home the other day, she was at odds with you, but it's understandable. Once, one of her female artists under her was... She's worried about you, that's why she acts this way. She's just not good at expressing her emotions..."
Listening to Mrs. Xu's words and looking at Xiao Moyan's figure, Xia Lingying's eyes became slightly moist. She took a deep breath and turned around.
"Mrs. Xu, where is she... going?"
From Xiao Moyan's attire today, Xia Lingying could tell she wouldn't be going to the company. Mrs. Xu's eyes dimmed as she shook her head.
"It's Miss's habit. Every year, on the day before her birthday, she spends the whole day staying at Madam's grave."
The short exchange made Xia Lingying's heart tremble gently. She bit her lip and walked out slowly.
Although she had lost everything, her parents were still alive. Her father's return from abroad was imminent, and her mother had long repented, believing that the day of the family reunion was not far off. But Xiao Moyan... Xia Lingying couldn't see any affection from Xiao Nian's eyes, only wariness and calculation. And her mother...
With a heavy heart, Xia Lingying pushed open the door. As Mrs. Xu had said, parked in the middle of the courtyard was a silver Cadillac. The body was coated in silver paint, with a cooler smoked black design for the lamp compartments, and larger 17-inch multi-barrel wheels. From the exterior design, it seemed to have been chosen according to Xia Lingying's personality. Low-key yet distinctive, it showed its uniqueness in small details. Xia Lingying watched quietly for a while, then sighed deeply, opened the car door, and drove off to the filming location.
After parking the car, Xia Lingying walked slowly into the filming location. She looked around habitually, but all she saw were busy staff members. The person she hoped to see was nowhere to be found, and she felt somewhat disappointed.
What was she still hoping for? Even if Xiao Moyan had once loved her, yesterday's deception, along with the slap, had already severed that bond.
Seeing Xia Lingying, Lan Chen hurriedly approached, grabbing her hand anxiously and scrutinizing her from head to toe.
"Xiaxia, Xiao Moyan, she—"
Xia Lingying shook her head and refused to answer. She looked at her right hand, which Lan Chen held, with a slight frown. Sensing her own abnormality, Lan Chen blushed and quickly withdrew her hand, nervously putting it in her pocket. However, her eyes remained fixed on Xia Lingying's face, carefully observing her expression. After a while, Lan Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the main topic.
"Godfather has received the documents and he's actively working on it, but returning to the country might take some time..."
Upon hearing this, Xia Lingying's previously indifferent and cold expression finally changed. She abruptly lifted her head, staring intensely at Lan Chen with urgency in her eyes. Lan Chen looked into Xia Lingying's eyes and sighed in relief. Thankfully, the relationship between Xia Lingying and Xiao Moyan wasn't as deep as she had imagined. At least Xia Lingying didn't have strong feelings for Xiao Moyan.
Lan Chen looked anxiously at Xia Lingying and cautiously said, "Xia Xia, for the sake of Godfather, you should stay at the Xiao's for a while longer, or else you'll have to deal with Xiao Moyan..."
Upon hearing Lan Chen's words, Xia Lingying slowly closed her eyes, feeling sad inside.
Throughout the day, Xia Lingying was absent-minded, and so was Lan Chen. Director Lin, annoyed by the two, complained loudly with a bullhorn for half the day. Xia Lingying responded with cold, indifferent eyes, while Lan Chen smirked provocatively, infuriating people. Director Lin, helpless, could only wave his hand, telling the two to get lost and start filming the scenes with the male lead first.
Xia Lingying didn't have the same determination as before to stay and complete the scenes that needed reshooting. Instead, she hastily left with her phone in hand. Lan Chen watched her leave, biting her lip and kicking the stones on the ground as she slowly walked out of the filming location.
Xia Lingying, you cannot and should not be tempted.
****
Following her usual routine, Mrs. Xu busied herself in the kitchen early in the morning, with Xia Lingying helping beside her. Looking at the abundant dishes and the enormous birthday cake on the table, and then at Xia Lingying sitting nearby, a smile finally appeared on Mrs. Xu's face. Despite any misunderstandings or disagreements between them, Xiao Moyan's 25th birthday would no longer be spent alone. Even if there were some misunderstandings between her and Xia Lingying, Xiao Moyan's heart belonged to her in the end. Mrs. Xu believed that Xiao Moyan would be somewhat happier celebrating her birthday with the person she loved.
Xia Lingying sat nervously on the side, holding a silver-white delicate chain in her right hand. She knew she was foolishly dreaming, but there was always a slight hope in her heart. After the last MV shoot, which received a good response and paid well, Xia Lingying used her first earnings to buy this expensive necklace. But now, she didn't know if Xiao Moyan would still accept it.
Mrs. Xu blinked as she stared at Xia Lingying, taking in her expression. She secretly calculated in her heart. She could tell that both of them were deeply involved emotionally. She wondered if there was any way to help them put aside the grievances of the previous generation and open their hearts. Just as she was thinking, the doorbell rang urgently. Mrs. Xu looked at Xia Lingying, who had a smile full of folds, and quickly got up to go outside.
"It must be Miss coming back."
The door swung open, and a blast of cold wind rushed in, causing Mrs. Xu to shiver. She looked at the woman in front of her, who was smiling brightly. The woman, upon seeing Mrs. Xu, immediately opened her arms and embraced her without hesitation.
"Mrs. Xu! I missed you so much!"
“Ahem, Feifei, let go of me—"
Mrs. Xu struggled to catch her breath as she was being hugged tightly, flailing her arms.
Hearing the commotion, Xia Lingying walked out of the living room and stood silently on the side. The woman had shiny black straight hair, captivating almond-shaped eyes that radiated charm with every glance, lightly tinted red lips, wheat-like sexy skin, and a hot figure, exuding a wild beauty. Seeing Xia Lingying, Hu Feifei released Mrs. Xu and looked her up and down, her eyes flashing. Then, a disdainful smile curled up on her lips.
"So you're Momo's new favorite?"
"How did you come here?"
Before Xia Lingying could speak, the door swung open, and Xiao Moyan walked in from outside, looking a bit weary. Hu Feifei's eyes lit up when she saw her. She hooked her arms around Xiao Moyan's neck and wrapped her serpentine body around hers. In front of Mrs. Xu and Xia Lingying, Hu Feifei lowered her head, bit Xiao Moyan's earlobe, and coquettishly giggled, exhaling warm breath into her ear.
"I missed you, why couldn't I come?"
Xiao Moyan glanced at Xia Lingying beside her, pushed Hu Feifei off her with her right hand, put on the slippers Mrs. Xu handed her, and walked into the house. Xia Lingying bit her lip, looking at Hu Feifei, then turned her hand holding the chain backward and resumed her initial indifference.
Author's Note:
School is about to start, and I have to work hard to write and save articles these days. Please give Yezi some motivation, \(^o^)/~