Chapter 37: Secret
In a not-so-large room filled with the scent of ink mixed with pine resin, white canvases hung in layered arrangements in mid-air. Contrary to what Xia Lingying imagined—beautiful naked bodies—the figures on those canvases were all too familiar. In an oil painting in front of her, a woman had long black hair draped around her waist. Her cold eyes made people feel chilled. She was wearing a white gauze dress that made her look even more distant. It was Xia Lingying who met Xiao Moyan for the first time.
Beside it, she was still dressed in white, but her face no longer showed calmness; instead, faint anger lurked between her brows, and her lips were slightly pursed. In her jet-black beautiful eyes, there was nothing but hidden resentment. This was their second meeting in the office, where Xiao Moyan had pressured her.
In the third painting, she sat on the sofa, startled like a frightened white rabbit, her eyes filled with confusion and fear, even the small wrinkles in her clothes depicted so clearly.
The fourth painting depicts her first visit to the villa, where Xiao Moyan teased her to the point of anger, coldly mocking her childishness. A faint smile played at the corners of her mouth. The background color, symbolizing dawn, was dyed golden by Xiao Moyan.
Since that painting, more and more details have been portrayed by Xiao Moyan, even capturing her pale face and mournful eyes when she fell ill. Each painting before Xia Lingying showcased every moment they spent together. Overwhelmed with emotions, Xia Lingying was on the verge of tears. All words seemed inadequate to express her inner excitement, as each detail painstakingly painted by Xiao Moyan spoke volumes.
Xia Lingying continued to look at one painting after another, while Xiao Moyan stood beside her, silently accompanying her. Her eyes were fixed tightly on Xia Lingying, capturing every small detail on her face, quietly sharing in her happiness. In truth, Xiao Moyan had fallen in love with painting Xia Lingying long ago, perhaps... had loved Xia Lingying as a person for a long time.
In reality, she couldn't express her feelings, so she poured all her love into this sacred brush, using it to convey her deep affection for Xia Lingying. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth uncontrollably. She hadn't planned to tell Xia Lingying yet, thinking she could surprise her on her birthday, but perhaps it was too soon... Well, this was fine too. She wouldn't have to secretly paint her anymore.
Suddenly, she felt a tightness around her waist as Xia Lingying hugged her tightly. Xiao Moyan was slightly startled, then chuckled softly, gently stroking Xia Lingying's hair and softly asking,
"Do you like it?"
“Mm..."
Buried deep in Xiao Moyan's embrace, came the whisper as soft as a mosquito's buzz. It was more than just moved. Until this moment, she still couldn't believe her own eyes. She had thought the studio would be filled with nude portraits. Although she had been exposed to figure drawing in college, figure drawing depicted the soft and transparent skin of women through magical brushes, an unparalleled ode to the human soul and human nature, that was infinitely sanctified.
But understandable as it may be, women always have their selfishness. Xia Lingying couldn't bear to have her lover use ink and brush to sing praises of others. And now, all she saw was Xiao Moyan's infatuation with her. All grievances and reluctance vanished at this moment. Xia Lingying lifted her hands, hooked around Xiao Moyan's neck, and in her surprised gaze, she tiptoed and deeply kissed her.
The initial surprise was smoothed by the softness between their lips. Feeling the dominance and somewhat wild desire between Xia Lingying's lips, Xiao Moyan chuckled softly, allowing Xia Lingying to enjoy this dominance, slowly kissing her back.
For a long time, until her breath became uneven, Xia Lingying finally loosened her hands and leaned panting against Xiao Moyan's chest. Xiao Moyan pulled over a nearby leather chair, seated Xia Lingying on her lap, and held her in her arms, gently swaying back and forth.
After a while, Xia Lingying calmed her racing heart. She looked up and gazed deeply into Xiao Moyan's eyes. Xiao Moyan reached out with her left hand to stroke Xia Lingying's hair bun, responding with a charming smile. Xiao Moyan's alluring expression brought Xia Lingying back to her senses. Remembering her initial intention, Xia Lingying's bright eyes shimmered like stars, a beautiful smile gracing her cherry-like lips as she softly said,
"Xiao... You paint so well," Xia Lingying said softly.
Xiao Moyan chuckled softly, lowered her head, and grazed Xia Lingying's slightly cool neck with her nose, eliciting a gentle laugh from her.
"It's because you're beautiful."
"Oh?"
Xia Lingying smiled, her hands crossing over Xiao Moyan's waist, hugging her tightly.
Xia Lingying smiled, her hands crossing over Xiao Moyan's waist, hugging her tightly.
"As beautiful as you?"
"You're just a tad less beautiful than me."
"Really?"
“Mm, of course. I'm Xiao Moyan after all~"
“Heh then, let me make up for that tiny bit,"
Xiao Moyan was taken aback for a moment, then lifted her head, gently holding Xia Lingying's shoulders, and asked, "Are you joking?"
Xiao Moyan was startled for a moment, quickly lifted her head, and supported Xia Lingying's shoulders, asking,
"Are you joking?"
Xia Lingying shook her head, a hint of imperceptible cunning flashing in her eyes.
"As an art student myself, I should be better than a layman like you, right?"
Xiao Moyan frowned unhappily.
“Hey, back in the day, even a university in California wanted to hire me as a teacher!"
"Fine then... Xiao, didn't you say you'd give me whatever I want..."
Xia Lingying awkwardly snuggled in her embrace, mimicking Xiao Moyan's past sweet talk to Mrs. Xu. Xiao Moyan's body stiffened, goosebumps rising all over, she glanced at Xia Lingying, swallowed hard, and nodded.
Xia Lingying smiled satisfactorily and spoke softly,
"But I'm not as talented as you, the esteemed teacher. I only know how to paint human bodies."
“...”
In the center of the studio, lying gracefully on a pure white cloud-shaped cushion, Xiao Moyan posed with slender limbs and full breasts. Her coffee-colored curls draped over her chest, lacking the shyness Xia Lingying had imagined. Instead, a seductive smile adorned her face. Soft lamplight bathed her figure, casting a delicate sheen like that of sheep fat. Xiao Moyan lifted her head and gazed at Xia Lingying with a paintbrush in her hand and was completely mesmerized, and coquettishly whispered,
"Why aren't you painting?"
Xia Lingying set down her paintbrush and walked straight toward Xiao Moyan, kissing her enticing red lips.
As their clothes scattered, Xia Lingying, caught off guard by Xiao Moyan's hand, stumbled and sat on her lap. The air heated up instantly as their similarly undulating pure white bodies tightly entwined. In the small studio filled with her own portraits, Xia Lingying's ears once again heard the fragmented moans and sighs.
****
On Monday, accompanied by Mrs. Xu and Xia Lingying, Xiao Moyan returned to the hospital for a check-up. Dr. Zhou frowned and asked her if she engaged in vigorous exercise often. With Xia Lingying blushing beside her, Xiao Moyan nodded vigorously with a smiling face. The nurse who had been by her side all along, the one who made Xiao Moyan feel uneasy, smiled and reminded her that the stitches would have to be removed a week later.
The most heartbreaking part for Xiao Moyan was not this, but the fact that the final scenes of "Inseparable" were scheduled to be filmed in Mohe, already deep into winter. Just as they had started falling deeply in love, the separation came unexpectedly, lasting for a whole week. Aware of Xia Lingying's meticulous nature, Xiao Moyan refrained from causing a scene, grumbling reluctantly as she drove her to the airport.
Fang Ruolin, personally tasked by Xiao Moyan to accompany Xia Lingying, had been waiting in the waiting lounge with dark sunglasses. When she saw the couple walking hand in hand, she greeted them with a smile, removing her sunglasses and confidently extending her hand to Xia Lingying.
"Hello, I'm Fang Ruolin."
Xia Lingying nodded with a smile and unconsciously sized up Fang Ruolin. She was a traditional beauty with long hair, big eyes, and a cherry-like mouth, but her overall demeanor seemed somewhat incongruous with her quiet appearance. Xiao Moyan, standing beside her and noticing their eye contact, frowned displeasedly. She forcefully grabbed Xia Lingying's shoulder, turning her towards herself, and glared at Xia Lingying.
"Don't look at others like that."
Seeing Xiao Moyan's childish eyes, Xia Lingying could only smile helplessly. Fang Ruolin, standing beside them, nodded at Xia Lingying and glanced ambiguously at both of them, tactfully excusing herself to help with ticketing at the director's office. Xia Lingying blushed when she remembered the silent glance she received from Fang Ruolin before leaving. This made Xiao Moyan even more unhappy. She grabbed Xia Lingying's waist with her left hand, lowered her head, and dissatisfiedly bit her lip.
"Mm—"
Xia Lingying winced in pain, trying to push Xiao Moyan away, but she only held her tighter. Knowing Xiao Moyan's temperament, Xia Lingying sighed and stopped struggling, letting Xiao Moyan vent her dissatisfaction on her lips. Originally jealous, Xiao Moyan felt the trembling under her body inadvertently, intensifying her reluctance. She didn't let go until Lanchen's loud call sounded nearby, then she knew she had to let go.
"Are you going or not? You'll miss the flight!"
Upon entering the airport, Lan Chen, who had been eagerly anticipating seeing Xia Lingying, witnessed this scene and couldn't contain her anger, rushing forward and shouting in confusion. Xiao Moyan glanced at her coldly, then whispered to Xia Lingying, who was still catching her breath from the kiss.
"Xia Lingying, remember, you belong only to me, Xiao Moyan!"
Reluctant as they were, Xia Lingying eventually boarded the plane and left Xiao Moyan's embrace. Xia Lingying couldn't forget the reluctance and fondness in Xiao Moyan's eyes, feeling a pang of heartache as she shrank silently into her seat. Fang Ruolin beside her blinked her big eyes and stared at Xia Lingying with curiosity. Sensing her frequent gaze, Xia Lingying lifted her head in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Fang Ruolin looked at her with eyes sparkling with curiosity, like a demoness eyeing Tang Sanzang for a meal, astonishingly praising her.
"Xiaxia, you're amazing! You actually managed to tame that troublemaking goblin who brought harm to the country and the people!"
"What did you say?" Xia Lingying was even more puzzled.
Fang Ruolin shook her head. "You don't know. Xiao Moyan has always been indifferent to friends before. She wouldn't even nod to meet them in the past. But recently, just to please you, she's practically worn out my ears."
Xia Lingying awkwardly smiled, feeling warm inside nonetheless. She couldn't help but think of Xiao Moyan's mischievous grin. Lan Chen, chewing gum in the front row, glanced back at them discontentedly, then turned to Fang Ruolin and winked.
"Ruolin, let's switch seats. I have something to say to Xiaxia."
Fang Ruolin smiled gently at Lan Chen. "Hehe, Issac wants to sit with Xiaxia?"
Lan Chen nodded eagerly.
"Yes."
Fang Ruolin looked at her and smiled even brighter.
"Are you tired from filming lately, lacking sleep, and still dreaming?"
“...”
Author's Note:
Today's update is a bit late. I wonder if anyone is still here...