Chapter 69: Turning Point
The atmosphere grew tense in an instant, so much so that even Gu Yuan, usually calm and composed, was stunned by Xiao Moyan’s furious demeanor. Dressed in a long black silk gown, her hair elegantly pinned up, Xiao Moyan’s eyes were filled with sharp intensity. The hastily treated wound on her neck, covered with glaring white bandages, made her pale complexion even more striking. Her arms, habitually crossed over her chest, and her tightly pressed lips exuded a cold, unyielding aura as she stared at Xia Lingying.
Her presence was commanding, effortlessly regal. No matter how much time had passed or what she had endured, Xiao Moyan remained the dazzling queen she had always been.
Gu Yuan lowered his head slightly. From childhood to adulthood, his privileged upbringing and exceptional looks had always placed him on a pedestal, accustomed to being admired and revered. Though he was naturally reserved and rarely spoke of it, a quiet arrogance ran deep in his bones. He had never truly regarded anyone as his equal, yet he found himself bowing to Xiao Moyan. Her innate, magnetic strength left him unwilling, yet unable, to avoid being overshadowed.
Leaning slightly against the bar, Xia Lingying silently endured Xiao Moyan’s angry, questioning gaze. Her right hand remained tightly clasped around Gu Yuan’s, her lips pressed firmly together. Upon closer inspection, one could see her body trembling uncontrollably. Whether it was fear or anger, it was impossible to tell.
In their memories, throughout their relationship, Xiao Moyan had always been the one in control—lofty, dominating, dictating Xia Lingying’s every emotion, from joy to sorrow. From the beginning until now, it was always Xia Lingying who cared, who worried. But this time, Xia Lingying wanted to take charge and decide her own happiness.
After a long time with no response from Xia Lingying and seeing the cold light gleaming in her eyes, Xiao Moyan took a deep breath, working hard to calm her emotions. She glanced at their clasped hands, a flicker of pain passing through her eyes. Looking up at Xia Lingying, she finally spoke a few short words:
“Xiaxia, I was wrong before. From now on, I’ll make it up to you.”
This unprecedented moment of vulnerability, tinged with a faint note of pleading, was something Xiao Moyan—arrogant and domineering as she’d always been—had never displayed before. Gu Yuan looked at Xiao Moyan in astonishment, while beside him, Xia Lingying bit her lower lip hard, her hand still refusing to let go.
Xiao Moyan’s gaze stayed fixed on Xia Lingying, watching her cold indifference and utter lack of concern. Gradually, Xiao Moyan’s eyes began to redden slightly, and a strong wave of bitterness rose in her chest, spreading through her entire being.
“Xiaxia, I want to talk to you alone.”
Xiao Moyan looked at Xia Lingying and spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly.
It’s all my fault. I was wrong. I can beg for your forgiveness, but not in front of this man.
Xia Lingying raised her head, her teary eyes fixed on Xiao Moyan.
“Talk? Xiao Moyan, do you even know how long I’ve waited for this ‘talk’? I went to Shenghuang to find you, but you wouldn’t even see me. I wrote you an email every day, and you never replied. I called you again and again, but you never answered. I stayed at the seaside villa day and night, waiting for you, and whenever I saw you, you treated me with the cold indifference of a stranger. And what were you doing? Kissing Hu Feifei passionately in a bar? Xiao Moyan, people have feelings, and you—”
The grievances of so many days burst forth, a heart-wrenching lament that left Xia Lingying choking on her words, unable to continue. Her heart ached at her own humility and was chilled by Xiao Moyan’s attitude.
“I thought you would trust me,” Xiao Moyan said softly, looking into Xia Lingying’s eyes. Her voice carried a trace of regret and disappointment.
Forcing herself to breathe, forcing herself to steel her heart, Xia Lingying lifted her head, her gaze piercing as she spoke each word deliberately.
“Xiao Moyan, if I hadn’t personally returned Tianhuang to you, if it weren’t for what my mother and Xiao Nian said to you, would you have ever come to find me? Would you have completely forgotten me? In your heart, it has always been about hatred. Love is nothing more than a side piece to you! What does trust even mean in your eyes? I trusted you, but how did you treat me?”
Xiao Moyan crossed her arms, listening to Xia Lingying’s words. Though the pain was unbearable, she did not retaliate in the slightest, letting Xia Lingying express everything on her mind in one go.
Xia Lingying picked up the drink that Xiao Moyan had snatched from her earlier, tilted her head back, and downed it in one gulp. The spicy, slightly bitter liquid slid down her throat, igniting a fire within her. She disregarded everything; today, all she wanted was to voice her pent-up feelings, even if the cost was losing Xiao Moyan forever.
“You’ve never truly cared about me, just like you said, Xiao Moyan—”
Xia Lingying lifted her gaze to Xiao Moyan, her misty eyes enveloped in a veil of tears, her cheeks faintly flushed. Beside her, Gu Yuan stared blankly, while Xiao Moyan furrowed her brows.
Even though Xiao Moyan didn’t talk about it, she had people secretly checking on Xia Lingying. Xia Lingying had worked too hard, eaten badly, and had bad health. She had mild anemia and stomach problems.
But wasn't her own life not much better either?
"My parents and friends all urged me to leave you as soon as possible, to accept those who have always cared about me. When you didn’t want me, during my most painful days of waiting, Gu Yuan was always by my side, comforting me and encouraging me. I wasn’t untouched—I know he’s a good man, but he could never truly be mine… Because I couldn’t bear to leave you, to see you sad. After so much thought, after all this time, you’re still hurting me. My unwavering heart that longed to protect you is shattering. I once told you, I’m not a god, I’m human, my heart is made of flesh. Xiao Moyan, you get tired, you feel pain, so do I."
Xia Lingying used all her strength to say these words, yet her heart felt no relief; instead, the sadness grew deeper. Seeing the gathering mist in Xiao Moyan’s eyes, her own heart ached. The hand holding Gu Yuan’s slowly, inevitably, slid away.
Xiao Moyan, you will never know how much I love you…
Xiao Moyan tilted her head back, trying hard to push back the tears threatening to overflow. She clenched her teeth tightly, holding back. After a long pause, she turned away, looking steadily at Xia Lingying, and spoke softly.
“You’re tired, you don’t want to love anymore? Or have you chosen to love Gu Yuan—the man who will never hurt you?”
As soon as the words were spoken, facing the cruel result that was about to come, the bitter tears she had held back for so long finally slid down Xiao Moyan’s thin cheek, leaving a faint tear stain behind.
Gu Yuan stood between the two, looking at them silently crying, and his heart was filled with anguish. No one understood better than him what Xia Lingying truly felt for him. But now—thinking this, Gu Yuan shook his head, turned around, and took one last deep look at Xia Lingying, the woman he had loved and thought about for over ten years. Clenching his fists, he pushed through the crowded bar, almost running out in a frenzy.
I love you, so I don’t want to see you in pain. A forced love will never bring happiness…
Gu Yuan’s departure did nothing to ease the tension between them. Xiao Moyan continued to fix her gaze firmly on Xia Lingying, as if demanding an answer from her. Even if the answer would leave her heartbroken, even if it meant losing the one she loved most, she was willing to bear it.
Time ticked by, second by second, as if the air itself had solidified. No one knew how much time had passed when Xiao Moyan saw Xia Lingying’s lips move slightly and utter a single word:
“Yes.”
A deafening explosion seemed to go off in her mind. Xiao Moyan staggered back a few steps, her eyes widening as she stared at Xia Lingying. Her body tensed in an instant, the pain spreading through her entire being, leaving her unable to breathe.
She said yes.
Xiaxia, could it be that you truly don’t want to love me anymore? Have you really chosen to love that man? No, it can’t be true, it can’t be!
Never before had she been so disheveled. Xiao Moyan clutched her chest, looking at Xia Lingying, unsure of what words to say or what expression to wear.
Xia Lingying stared at Xiao Moyan with an indifferent expression, seemingly uncaring, yet her eyes were fixed on Xiao Moyan’s face, as if trying to capture some emotion.
The heart-wrenching pain completely broke Xiao Moyan. She steadied herself against the corner of the bar, barely managing to stand upright. Looking at Xia Lingying, she forced a faint smile, wanting to leave her with one last trace of warmth.
“I… I understand now, Xiaxia. Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for you, and I won’t cling to you. I…”
Her voice, hoarse to the extreme, could say no more. Tears streamed down uncontrollably. Turning away, she wiped them with the back of her hand and whispered softly, “Be happy.”
She walked unsteadily toward the exit, her mind blank. Xiao Moyan stared ahead in confusion, not even knowing what she was doing or where she was. Her legs gave way, and she nearly fell. Just as she staggered to her feet, trying to escape the bar, a soft, fragrant body gently leaned against her. Then came an almost suffocatingly fierce embrace and a tender, piercing call.
“Xiao…”
Author's Note:
Haha, what’s next… Well, it’s what everyone’s been eagerly waiting for. Lately, I’ve lost track of day and night—completely flipped between black and white. My health isn’t great either… but still better than Xiaxia’s…