Chapter 22: Tears
"What are you doing here?!"
Xiao Moyan stopped in her tracks upon hearing Xia Lingying's words, turned around, crossed her arms, and looked at her with cold eyes, anger about to erupt from within her.
She had been busy all day today. She presided over a meeting early in the morning, had lunch with several foreign executives for an exchange of experiences at noon, accompanied them for bowling in the afternoon, and drove home exhausted after dealing with documents in the evening. Mrs. Xu nagged her about Xiaxia's frequent visits to the hospital, adding to her longing and speculation. She was unable to resist the urge, and hurried to the hospital, only to see what? Xia Lingying, who was usually arrogant and indifferent, actually bent over to feed soup to Lan Chen. The usual frost on her face was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a faint indulgent smile. Xiao Moyan couldn't hide the bitterness in her heart. When has Xia Lingying ever treated her like this?!
Xiao Moyan's slender beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she coldly said,
"What am I here for? What? Do you find me interfering with you and Lan Chen in the ward and still not forget to flirt with me?"
"What did you say?!" Xia Lingying was also very agitated, her cheeks flushed with a layer of crimson, retorting extremely quickly. Why did Xiao Moyan always look down on her like this? Always trampling on her self-esteem? Suddenly, a piercing pain struck her right hand, forcing Xia Lingying to grit her teeth and endure it tightly. But she still refused to admit defeat, raising her head forcefully, glaring at Xiao Moyan.
Xiao Moyan was also furious, her chest heaving rapidly. Great! Xia Lingying, who always disdained to argue with her, actually went to such lengths for Lan Chen. And she still dares to say there's no affair? Envy clouded Xiao Moyan's mind, no longer caring about anything, the anger she had been holding back for a long time burst out.
"Xia Lingying, what's so good about Lan Chen? You're so devoted to her, cooking and fetching water for her? Huh?!" Not satisfied with just words, Xiao Moyan raised her right hand, pointing at Xia Lingying's swollen left hand, burning red, glaring evidence right in front of her. What else do you have to say? Xiao Moyan looked at Xia Lingying with both anger and heartache, gritting her teeth.
"Xia Lingying, is it worth it to make yourself like this for Lan Chen? Do you really understand Lan Chen? Do you know her background? Do you understand why she approached you in the first place? Are you too naive or have you fallen in love with her? Take a good look at yourself now, are you worth anything?"
Xia Lingying was so furious at Xiao Moyan's words that her head spun, taking two steps to the side, her right hand supporting herself against the wall, holding up her weak and sore body, forcefully holding back the tears in her eyes. Xia Lingying couldn't understand why she was like this. With her indifferent temperament, she usually wouldn't care about any malicious words others said, but towards Xiao Moyan... she just couldn't do it. Even Xiao Moyan's casual remarks would deeply imprint in her heart, let alone such cruel words.
Xiao Moyan, do you really look down on me like this? A few days ago... you used such vulgar words to provoke me, and today you came to the hospital specifically to pick a fight. What exactly do you want?
Xia Lingying looked up at Xiao Moyan, her eyes full of hatred. "What qualifications do you have to say that? Lan Chen approached me with a purpose, so does that mean you, Xiao Moyan, have no ulterior motives toward me? If it wasn't for revenge against Xiao Nian, would you treat me like this?! From the very beginning, all your kindness towards me has been nothing but a scheme! You're just someone who wants to watch me fall step by step into obsession!!! Xiao Moyan, you're going too far! Whatever I do has nothing to do with you!!! I will never fall in love with you!!!"
Xia Lingying almost shouted out these words with all her strength. Xiao Moyan, startled, stood frozen in place, raising her head suddenly, looking at Xia Lingying incredulously, her eyes full of sadness and fatigue. Her right hand, still raised, slowly slid down along her leg as if struck by a wooden stick. Suddenly, her chest felt tight, and she felt as if she were nailed to the spot and couldn't move. After a while, Xiao Moyan shook her head self-deprecatingly and said softly, "Xia Lingying, so in your heart, I, Xiao Moyan, am so unworthy?"
Xiao Moyan's voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness, pierced Xia Lingying's heart. Xia Lingying felt a pang in her heart and looked up at Xiao Moyan, her angry eyes gradually clouded with confusion. She could only move her lips, not knowing what to say.
She had never seen Xiao Moyan like this before. In her eyes, Xiao Moyan was always the most domineering and assertive woman in the crowd. But now, the usually proud person gently lowered her head, her long hair covering her ears, hiding her vulnerability from others, only her lightly trembling body, clad in a thin dress, betrayed her emotions...
Tears finally fell uncontrollably. Xia Lingying took a few steps forward, looking at Xiao Moyan.
"Xiao, I'm not—"
Even though she tried her best to suppress it, the trembling voice still reached Xiao Moyan's ears. Xiao Moyan slowly raised her head, her face flawlessly pale, looking somewhat dazed as she gazed into Xia Lingying's eyes. She gently said, "Xia Lingying, do you know, ever since I met you, I really hate who I am now. I can't control my longing for you, always secretly observing everything about you, wanting to know if you're well, not wanting you to suffer even a bit, no one can, in my heart, you, Xia Lingying, are always someone to be cherished and adored, but... I don't know... I don't know why I can't control myself, why I keep hurting you with my words, even though I know your heart is hurt, but I just... I just can't stop—"
"Xiao..."
Xia Lingying looked at Xiao Moyan, tears streaming down her face, her heart bleeding. She had known it long ago... Whenever Xiao Moyan looked at her, her eyes were always filled with deep love and longing, her gaze always fixed on her. Xia Lingying wasn't stupid, nor was she ignorant of love, she just didn't dare to accept it. There were too many things between them, making their already fragile relationship blurred, and opaque, maybe such love had no future...
Xiao Moyan shook her head, chuckled self-deprecatingly, and looked deeply at Xia Lingying. Her eyes were like a pond of water, rippled by the wind, leaving an imprint on her heart. "It's okay like this, Xia Lingying. From today onwards, I, Xiao Moyan, won't meddle in your business anymore, I'll set you free, everything is up to you..."
Xiao Moyan lowered her head again, shedding tears in front of Xia Lingying for the first time, the tears sliding gently down her cheeks, diluting the makeup on her face, and shaking her once firm heart.
She was truly exhausted. As she had thought, the one who falls in love first would always be hurt the most. This time, Xiao Moyan had lost completely. Even when she first accepted the company facing the hostile gazes of thousands, she had never felt so helpless. At least, back then, she had her dignity, always standing tall and aloof in front of others. She wouldn't care about anyone, wouldn't worry about anyone, living freely and openly. But now, facing Xia Lingying... she was completely helpless. She had tried to care sincerely, but Xia Lingying always rejected her, always avoided her, and it had now developed into disgust and hatred... She couldn't go on like this anymore. This version of Xiao Moyan had lost herself, fragile like glass, unable to withstand the slightest hurt, and Xia Lingying had become the queen who ruled over her emotions, this passive feeling made her afraid...
Xia Lingying covered her mouth, desperately shaking her head, her body trembling with tears. She took a few steps forward, wanting to embrace Xiao Moyan, but she quickly dodged away. Xiao Moyan remained silent, wiping away the tears on her face, deeply looking at Xia Lingying before leaving without a word.
She had gambled her pride to love this woman, but Xia Lingying's heart had never belonged to her. Xiao Moyan didn't need anyone's pity. She would rather not have this kind of love that felt like charity.
After Xiao Moyan left, only the crisp sound of water droplets echoing against the pool wall remained in the vast pool, breaking Xia Lingying's heart with each reverberation. Tears streaming down her face, she stood in place, silently watching Xiao Moyan's departure, biting her lip tightly.
Why? Xiao Moyan, why don't you ever take the time to listen to what I have to say? Why do you always rush to leave?
The crying gradually subsided, and A'Sen, who had been hiding in the shadows, sighed and slowly stepped forward, reaching out to hand over a tissue. Seeing someone else, Xia Lingying immediately wiped away the tears from her face, her expression returning to its initial coldness, though her voice was still hoarse.
"Why are you here?"
A'Sen glanced at her and replied softly, "These days, I've been secretly protecting you according to the Miss’ orders."
A'Sen was still dressed in black, hands behind his back, hesitating as he looked at Xia Lingying. After a while, he spoke slowly, "Miss Xia, there are some things... I'm not sure if I should say..."
Author's Note:
Ah, I still have to write another piece, so tired....
Friends, take a minute to sprinkle a little flower for Yezi, okay? /(ćoć)/~~