Chapter 25: Break The Ice
Director Lin, with a flushed face from drinking, saw Xiao Moyan walking in with an imposing manner. Letting out a belch, his head, heavy with alcohol, felt a bit fuzzy. He stared blankly at Xiao Moyan, noticing the glaring cold smirk on her enchanting face and the faint anger in her eyes, which made his heart start to tremble.
The reason Director Lin dared to coerce Xia Lingying into accompanying drinks like this was because he had heard from Xiao Moyan's secretary himself that she had a big argument with Xia Lingying for some reason. It was said that Xiao Moyan was quite upset, even slamming the table, sweeping all the computer files and whatnot onto the floor, bursting into rage. It was the chief secretary who cleaned up the mess. Director Lin had originally thought of calling Xia Lingying to maybe help Xiao Moyan vent her anger and win the favor of the queen, but now…
After a moment of daze, Director Lin pushed his chair back, stood up, and smiled ingratiatingly at Xiao Moyan, saying, "Oh, Vice President Xiao is here. Please come in. It's perfect timing. Most of the investors for this play are here, and we've been eager to meet the famous Xiao Moyan."
Xiao Moyan couldn't fail to understand Director Lin's underlying implications. Her slender, beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced around, coldly smiling. Trying to pressure me with investors? Without a word, she walked over to Xia Lingying, pulled her skirt corner, and sat down. Xia Lingying, beside her, had an unusual pink hue on her cheeks, her bright eyes misty with a thin layer of moisture, obviously already drunk. Xia Lingying, who had been trying to support herself, couldn't hold on any longer when she heard Director Lin calling Xiao Moyan. She raised her head, her eyes full of grievances, tears shimmering in her eyes, devoid of her usual indifference. Squinting, she followed the familiar scent of mint, nestling into Xiao Moyan's arms, rubbing her cheek against her collar like a kitten, murmuring softly,
"You're here..."
Xia Lingying's series of unusual actions extinguished the fiery anger that had been building up in Xiao Moyan's chest. She lowered her head, affectionately gazing at the charming person in her arms. Xia Lingying's fair face, tinged with the intoxicating pink of alcohol, her slender figure wrapped in a thin veil unable to contain her allure, trembled lightly in Xiao Moyan's embrace. The current Xia Lingying was markedly different from her usual proud and indifferent self, her eyes shining brightly, seemingly smiling yet not, her seductive lips slightly parted, captivating and enchanting. She exuded a charm and softness that she had never shown before. Xiao Moyan's heart swayed as she reached out, lovingly tucking the stray strands of hair at Xia Lingying's mouth behind her ear, leaning down to peck them gently. The scent of strawberry lipstick spread from between their lips unexpectedly, and Xia Lingying no longer resisted or evaded, even showing a slight compliance. Xiao Moyan's heart trembled, tightening her embrace, only wanting to fiercely, fiercely kiss her.
However, the current situation did not allow Xiao Moyan to indulge in this bone-chilling tenderness. She suddenly stood up, took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked at Director Lin expressionlessly.
The intimate kiss between the two, as if no one else were present, made everyone in the room gasp in shock. Those who were originally expecting a joyful gathering with drinks now had their hearts hanging high. Without saying a word, they all understood Xiao Moyan and Xia Lingying's relationship. Remembering Xiao Moyan's notorious tendency to retaliate, they wished they could run as far away as possible.
Xiao Moyan stared silently at Director Lin, her enchanting face gradually adorned with her usual coquettish smile. Habitually, she reached out to toss her cascading, slightly curled hair, then turned her head to look at Director Lin. Director Lin felt his spine chill under Xiao Moyan's gaze, awkwardly smiling, he raised his glass and quickly took a sip, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Xiao Moyan lifted the half-empty glass of white wine left by Xia Lingying, her lips coated with original color lip gloss gently curling, as she spoke, "Director Lin, you're truly extraordinary. To save money for the company, you even brought my people here to accompany drinks. Come, allow me to toast to you, sir!"
A bead of sweat trickled from his nose, Director Lin wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, hastily explaining, "Vice President Xiao, actually—"
Before he could finish, Xiao Moyan raised Xia Lingying's glass, tilting her head back and draining the remaining half glass of white wine in one gulp, her cheeks adding a faint blush, her whole person incredibly charming, staring straight at Director Lin. Director Lin frowned, feeling both nervous and resentful. After cooperating with Xiao Moyan for so many years, he somewhat understood this woman's temperament.
At least in his eyes, Xiao Moyan had never been so serious about any woman before. Her willingness to publicly acknowledge their relationship was a clear message to him: Lin Younian had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. How dare he touch someone under her protection? But... if he were to back down now, wouldn't it be losing face in front of everyone? Xiao Moyan might not give Lin Younian much face after all! After all, he had been in the entertainment industry for so many years, and half of Tian Huang belonged to the older generation, who had fought side by side with Xiao Nian. Yet, this girl who hadn't even grown her wings properly, after ascending to power, arrogantly dismissed all the meritorious officials, and now, for the sake of a woman, dared to provoke like this. Wasn't she just too young... Director Lin's gaze no longer dodged, lifting his head to calmly meet Xiao Moyan's, a hint of gloominess rising in his eyes. And the people around Director Lin had long been subdued by Xiao Moyan's aura. The glasses in their hands were placed back, and no one said another word.
Xiao Moyan set down the glass in her hand and glanced at Xia Lingying, who was clearly uncomfortable with a furrowed brow, feeling somewhat distressed. Xiao Moyan wasn't stupid; of course, she understood Director Lin's power and the strength of those old foxes around him. A lone hero can't withstand a crowd of fists. For the sake of Xia Lingying, she had already offended too many people, and pushing too hard like this would surely end up hurting herself in the end. But seeing her beloved woman being bullied like this, Xiao Moyan couldn't swallow this resentment. Without a word, she half embraced Xia Lingying, stood up, and walked out without giving Director Lin any face. The whole room fell silent, everyone's gaze stuck on Xiao Moyan.
At the door, Xiao Moyan stopped, speaking coldly in a low voice with her back to everyone, "This drama, ‘'Inseparable,' is all about Xia Lingying's rise to fame. Everything is for her."
Pausing, Xiao Moyan's voice turned chilly as she continued, "I don't want to see such a thing happen again."
With that, Xiao Moyan hurriedly walked out with Xia Lingying in tow. A'Sen was already outside, standing guard, leading the way for her and the others. Only a table of old men remained, looking at each other in astonishment. Director Lin's face was stretched to its limit, and as the door closed, he raised his glass and downed it in one gulp, then slammed his right hand hard on the table, the transparent glass in his hand shattered, his eyes filled with flames.
Xiao Moyan, if you're unkind, don't blame me for being unjust. The prosperity of the Xiao family was won by me helping Xiao Nian seize it from the Xia family. I can just as easily return it to its original owner. When that time comes, I'll see if you still have your current composure!
***
"Oh, Miss, what's wrong with Xiaxia?" Mrs. Xu looked surprised at Xiao Moyan and Xia Lingying nestled in her arms. After all the commotion, Xiao Moyan was already out of breath. Looking at Xia Lingying sleeping peacefully in her arms, she gave a cold snort and placed her on the sofa before turning to go inside to take a shower. A'Sen stood awkwardly behind the sofa, looking bewildered at Mrs. Xu, who was full of question marks.
"A'Sen, what's going on?" Mrs. Xu asked, puzzled.
A'Sen shook his head, explaining, "When we got off the car, I offered to help Miss support Xiaxia, but she not only refused but also gave me a fierce look, so..."
Mrs. Xu sighed helplessly, pointing to Xia Lingying on the sofa. "I didn't ask you that. I'm asking what happened with Xiaxia?"
Scratching his head, A'Sen glanced towards the bedroom to make sure Xiao Moyan wouldn't come out anytime soon before whispering, "She was called to accompany drinks by Director Lin. Miss got angry as soon as she found out and had a falling out with Director Lin."
Mrs. Xu's face changed when she heard this, her gaze suddenly sharp as she looked at A'Sen. "You know Director Lin's position in Tian Huang. Why did you just stand by and watch Miss—"
A'Sen looked at Mrs. Xu and quickly lowered his head, feeling guilty. "I wanted to advise her, but as soon as Miss encounters anything related to Xiaxia, she completely loses her usual rationality. She just won't listen to anything..."
Mrs. Xu sighed deeply after hearing A'Sen's words, remaining silent for a while. She then looked up at Xia Lingying, who was lightly dozing on the sofa, and whispered, "I really don't know if it was good or bad to match her with Miss in the first place, A'Sen—"
A'Sen heard Mrs. Xu's call and immediately looked up at her. Like him, Mrs. Xu was the only old servant left since the master left after the madam passed away. In this household, besides Mrs. Xu, he didn't know who else to trust. Moreover, based on his understanding of Mrs. Xu, she had the ability to turn the situation around completely.
Mrs. Xu stared at Xia Lingying for a while, then spoke slowly, "You go and have someone check who Xia Lingying has been associating with lately, and also thoroughly investigate Lan Chen's background. She—"
As they were talking, Xiao Moyan slowly walked out wearing a silk nightgown, her wet hair draped over her shoulders, cheeks slightly flushed, revealing her fair and delicate calves. The whole living room was filled with a faint fragrance because of her presence. A'Sen's face turned red as he looked at her, quickly lowering his head. Xiao Moyan glanced at Mrs. Xu and A'Sen, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she didn't dwell on it. She bypassed the coffee table and walked directly to the sofa, casting a glance at the still sleeping Xia Lingying. Her hand brushed against Xia Lingying's slender waist as she lifted her up.
Mrs. Xu was surprised by this sight, quickly raising her head to look at Xiao Moyan. Could it be that Miss had gone crazy from abstaining for too long? How could she lack manners like this? Trying to take advantage of someone when they were drunk...
"Miss, what are you—"
Xiao Moyan lifted her head and gave Mrs. Xu a cold look, wondering what this old lady was always thinking about. Who did she, Xiao Moyan, think she was? Was she even worthy of her, let alone trying to seduce Xia Lingying? Ignoring her, Xiao Moyan reached out and firmly held Xia Lingying in her arms. As she was about to step out of the living room door, she turned back, looking at A'Sen and Mrs. Xu, who were looking at Xia Lingying with extremely sympathetic eyes. She sighed heavily, unusually explaining herself.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything to her."
"Rest assured, I won't do anything to her," Xiao Moyan said, her voice extremely innocent.
Mrs. Xu and A'Sen both withdrew their gazes, exhaling deeply. It's good that she won't do anything... it's good that she won't do anything...
After a brief pause, Xiao Moyan's innocent voice floated out slowly, "I just want to help her undress and take a bath—"
Author's Note:
Yezi has been really tired these days. Every day when she returns to the dormitory, she wants to write, but her eyelids keep drooping, and her head feels like a bobblehead doll... It's rare to have time today, so everyone, take a look. Yezi will go write another piece now. Flowers are an energizer...