Chapter 19: Explode
Xia Lingying and Xiao Moyan had been in a cold war for a whole week since the last incident. During this time, they avoided any verbal exchange, and after returning home, they busied themselves with their own matters. Even the slightest accidental eye contact would quickly be avoided.
Although Xia Lingying still felt somewhat uncomfortable in her heart, she accepted the situation calmly. After all, this outcome was within her expectations; after all, it's better to end the pain sooner rather than later.
While filming, Xia Lingying diligently planned all the details of her father's return to the country. Although progress was slow, it was still smooth. She had waited for five years, so she didn't mind waiting a few more months; all she wanted was stability. Apart from this, she focused on her filming work, thinking about laying a foundation for her father's return. As her popularity grew, her income gradually increased. Xia Lingying remained focused on "Inseparable," not being greedy for anything else, just occasionally accepting a few advertisements. Her relationship with Lan Chen also gradually became closer, and both of them were full of confidence in Xia Ran's return. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but there was always that one person forgotten in the corner.
Xiao Moyan stood in an inconspicuous corner of the set, looking up at Xia Lingying and Lan Chen chatting happily. Her eyes dimmed slightly as she sighed and silently walked out of the set, shaking her head self-deprecatingly.
You're really pathetic, Xiao Moyan. Life would be much better without your harassment.
Just as Xiao Moyan turned to leave, the laughter and chatter between the two suddenly ceased. Lan Chen watched Xiao Moyan's retreating figure, then turned to Xia Lingying with a half-smile and said,
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Xiaxia, it seems like that little devil has really fallen for you!"
Xia Lingying stared blankly in the direction Xiao Moyan had left, her desolate figure pricking her heart. A layer of mist welled up in her eyes, and her right hand unconsciously clenched. Lan Chen quietly observed her from the side, and Xia Lingying noticed. Immediately, her face returned to its initial indifference as she turned to Lan Chen and asked,
"How is everything on your end?"
Lan Chen didn't retract her gaze, still boldly looking at her. She nodded and said, "Believe it or not, your visit to Huang Lanxi last time actually had some effect. She promised, and she's taking full responsibility for Xiao Nian's affairs."
Xia Lingying nodded without saying much. Lan Chen watched her indifferent profile, leaned forward slightly, and approached with a playful smile.
"Xiaxia, I've been busy helping you for a week now, and I still have to shoot this crappy drama. How do you plan to encourage me? How about a passionate kiss?"
As soon as the words fell, a cold glare was cast, causing Lan Chen to stiffen. She cleared her throat, putting away her smile and straightening up, shrugging helplessly.
"Ah, kind deeds really go unpaid. For the sake of godfather, I nearly lost my hands, and you're still so indifferent. It's just outrageous—"
"Lan Chen, what are you mumbling about? It's your turn to act!!!" Director Lin scowled and once again sprayed saliva on Lan Chen's face. He just couldn't understand it. Where did Xiao Moyan find such an unprofessional actor?
Lan Chen furrowed her brow, hands in pockets, walking over, muttering to herself from time to time, "I've endured acting in this crappy drama, endured playing the mistress, and damn it, what a useless mistress who only knows how to cry, make a scene, or threaten suicide. Where am I supposed to put my face as Lan Chen?"
Xia Lingying watched Lan Chen's helpless shaking of her head, stood up, slowly walked to where Xiao Moyan had just been, arms crossed, quietly standing there, breathing in the air Xiao Moyan had just breathed, feeling her pain until Director Lin impatiently raised the megaphone again, urging her back. Lan Chen stood still, squinting at Xia Lingying, gritting her teeth and forcefully kicking away a small pebble underfoot.
Damn it, is Xiao Moyan really that much of a vixen? Why is it that everyone she sets her sights on seems to lose their souls? Can't they learn to be a bit more reserved like me?!
After finishing work, Xia Lingying habitually turned to look towards the exit, still holding onto a glimmer of hope in her heart, wishing that person would appear in her sight again, even if only for a second. But as soon as she turned around, she was met with the enlarged smiling face of Lan Chen.
"Xiaxia, I know a place with delicious boiled fish. Let's go together," Lan Chen said.
Xia Lingying shook her head, folded her parasol, grabbed her bag, and calmly walked towards the exit. Lan Chen bit her lip, swung her arm, and persistently followed Xia Lingying.
"Xiaxia, we're tired every day. Today we finished work early. Let's go together…”
Xia Lingying still ignored her, not even glancing sideways, and walked into the parking lot on her own. Lan Chen became increasingly frustrated and more persistent, trailing behind Xia Lingying like a mosquito, shouting loudly as they walked.
"Xia Lingying, are you still not giving up? What's the point of going home so early? Do you naively think that Xiao Moyan will be waiting for you at home?"
Hearing this, Xia Lingying froze in place, lowering her head slightly. Lan Chen also stopped in her tracks, coughed lightly, tightened the hand in her pocket, and nervously looked at Xia Lingying. She was afraid. This was going to escalate into a big issue. The iceberg was about to explode.
Just as the two stood frozen, there was a loud bang, causing Lan Chen to shiver in fright. She turned around to see the black painted iron gate of the parking lot crashing to the ground, enveloping the enclosed space in darkness. Lan Chen was startled and quickly grabbed Xia Lingying, stuffing her into the gap between two cars. She whispered softly,
"Crouch here and don't say a word."
The surroundings were pitch black, making it impossible to see Lan Chen's expression. Xia Lingying reached out to pull her to hide together, but Lan Chen swiftly dodged away. It was evident that someone was targeting them, intentionally causing trouble. If both of them hid, they would surely be caught together.
Just as they thought, hurried footsteps approached. Lan Chen's heart began to race. No matter how wide she opened her eyes, everything remained pitch black. Just as she was about to speak up to inquire, a sharp wind sounded in her ears. Almost instinctively, Lan Chen shifted her body to the right, but it was too late. A sharp pain shot through her right shoulder, causing Lan Chen to grunt in pain as she slumped sideways.
Hearing Lan Chen's voice, Xia Lingying's face filled with anxiety as she tried to move forward. In the darkness, the voices of two middle-aged men faintly echoed.
"Is this enough?"
“Mm, the Miss instructed us to teach her a lesson."
"This should be enough for her to remember for a month. Let's go."
"Alright."
Hearing the voices, Xia Lingying recoiled, only emerging from hiding when the parking lot gate was opened again, flooding the area with glaring light. As the footsteps faded into the distance, she hurriedly stepped out.
In the vast parking lot, what caught her eye was Lan Chen lying on the ground, her right shoulder continuously dripping with blood. Xia Lingying covered her mouth, screaming as she rushed forward.
"Lan Chen—!"
Lan Chen forcefully opened her eyes, the tearing pain in her right shoulder causing her to break out in a cold sweat. She turned her head to look at the blood on the ground, weakly smiled with a pale face, grimaced, and uttered a few words.
“Fuck, Xiao Moyan..."
***
Closing the car door, Xiao Moyan, dressed in a sleek black evening gown with exquisite makeup, slowly stepped out. Her steps were unsteady, and the hem of her dress casually dragged on the ground as her eyes shimmered with a flicker of light, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Having just attended an awards ceremony, Xiao Moyan had also indulged in revelry at a bar on the way back, drinking a bit too much. Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Xu hurriedly greeted her, reaching out to support Xiao Moyan's waist and steadying her, whispering with a hint of reproach, "Miss, why did you drink so much again?"
Since her argument with Xia Lingying, Xiao Moyan had been drowning her sorrows in alcohol almost every day, and Mrs. Xu's admonishments were of no use. She felt both distressed and helpless about it, so she carefully helped Xiao Moyan into the house, gently laying her on the sofa before heading to the bathroom.
Lying on the sofa, Xiao Moyan's body felt hot from the alcohol. She irritably pushed aside the thin blanket covering her body, lifting one leg and exposing the crystal-clear half of her calf. Her skin, under the black dress, radiated a glossy sheen like polished jade. Her long hair scattered casually on the sofa, her chest rising and falling gracefully, the elegant curves extending from her neck down to the prominent collarbones and faintly hinting at the snowy peaks below...
Mrs. Xu, carrying a basin of water, emerged from the bathroom and saw this alluring scene. She shook her head helplessly. She couldn't understand why Xia Lingying remained unmoved despite having such a seductive enchantress in front of her.
"Hot—"
Xiao Moyan frowned and muttered, suddenly sitting up on the leather sofa, licking her lips, and staring straight at Mrs. Xu.
Startled, Mrs. Xu quickly put down the basin of water and approached, placing the back of her hand on Xiao Moyan's forehead.
"Miss, what's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
Feeling suddenly embraced, Mrs. Xu stiffened, and Xiao Moyan buried her cheek in Mrs. Xu's embrace, lightly rubbing against her chest, murmuring softly,
"Mrs. Xu, why... why does Xia Lingying hate me so much..."
Mrs. Xu sighed deeply, her body gradually relaxing as she muttered to herself. Oh, my Young Miss, look at you now, so alluring, even when asking a question, you can't resist flirting with me. How can any girl feel at ease with you? Even if there weren't any family grudges between you two, can Xia Lingying really trust herself with you?
Just as Mrs. Xu was hesitating about what comforting words to offer Xiao Moyan, the door, half ajar, was forcefully pushed open. Mrs. Xu and Xiao Moyan both looked up to see Xia Lingying panting heavily, her face flushed, strands of hair disheveled, biting her lower lip, and glaring fiercely at Xiao Moyan, her beautiful eyes brimming with hatred.
Mrs. Xu glanced at Xiao Moyan, then turned to Xia Lingying, softly asking, "Xiaxia, what's the matter?"
Ignoring Mrs. Xu, Xia Lingying strode forward, grabbed Xiao Moyan's collar, and lifted her from Mrs. Xu's embrace, glaring at her without blinking, gritting her teeth as she demanded,
"Xiao Moyan, what do you want? What do you want?!!"
Author's Note:
Cough, cough, is it just Yezi's illusion, or did it feel a bit ambiguous when writing about Xiao Moyan holding Mrs. Xu Let's just ignore that, everyone, please ignore it~