Chapter 7: Poppy
Xiao Nian left, and the argument faded away.
Exhausted and barefoot Xiao Moyan, curled up on the sofa like a cat, silent. She still wore the black silk long dress she had on when returning from the company, her face slightly pale, shadows under her eyes.
The last words Xiao Nian left before leaving kept swirling in her mind.
Momo, don’t force Dad, don’t let me destroy you with my own hands.
Xiao Moyan gave a bitter smile, Xiao Nian, for that woman, you can sever ties with me.
Alright, I'll let you witness how the woman you deeply love is in unbearable pain.
Mrs. Xu secretly watched Xiao Moyan, feeling somewhat worried but hesitant to approach. After some contemplation, she climbed the stairs and knocked on Xia Lingying's room door.
"Xiaxia──"
After the door opened, Mrs. Xu looked at Xia Lingying with hesitation.
Xia Lingying looked into Mrs. Xu's eyes, understanding the reason without her needing to say it. She closed the door behind her and descended the stairs. In the living room, she saw that person slouched in the corner of the sofa. Xia Lingying sighed and walked slowly towards her. Stopping when she was a few steps away from the sofa.
In the dim light, Xiao Moyan caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance and slowly lifted her head, gazing at Xia Lingying with a touch of bitterness.
Xia Lingying sensed the deep-seated resentment in her eyes, hesitated for a moment, then turned around to leave.
She shouldn't have come—Xiao Moyan didn't want to see her at all.
Between them, there was no room for affection, no sincerity, and certainly no romance.
But as Xia Lingying took her first step, her right hand was firmly grasped. She turned slowly, only to find Xiao Moyan leaning forward slightly, looking at her with a pleading gaze like a child.
"Yingying, don't leave. Stay and accompany me, okay?"
Having shed the domineering and arrogant demeanor of the past, Xiao Moyan now resembled an injured small animal, covered in fatigue and pain. In the face of Xia Lingying, she lowered herself in a way never seen before. Even the most indifferent person would find it hard to resist her misty, pleading eyes. Xia Lingying sighed, withdrew her hand, and took a seat on the sofa next to her.
Not satisfied with the distant gap between them, Xiao Moyan slid toward Xia Lingying's direction like a cat, and her thigh lightly touched Xia Lingying's body. Xia Lingying's body, much like her temperament, was colder than usual, giving off a chilly sensation. Xiao Moyan noticed this, furrowed her brows, and abruptly sat up. Xia Lingying was startled, turned her head, and looked at her with confusion.
Xiao Moyan gazed deeply at Xia Lingying for ten seconds, twenty seconds, and thirty seconds. Her gaze was profound and complex. Just as Xia Lingying couldn't resist asking, she felt a weight on her chest. Xiao Moyan's head rested between her breasts. Xia Lingying awkwardly reached out to push her away, but Xiao Moyan didn't like that. She frowned, hands firmly securing Xia Lingying's waist, head continuously rubbing against her chest, murmuring something.
The fiery red hue painted Xia Lingying's alabaster skin. Blushing, she lifted her head and happened to notice Mrs. Xu not far away with a stern expression. Xia Lingying bit her lip, hastily changing the subject.
"Ms. Xiao, could you please get up first? I can't hear what you're saying."
Xiao Moyan ignored her, but Mrs. Xu beside her stretched her neck and spoke.
"The Miss said only the chest is warm.”
“....”
….
When Xiao Moyan woke up, it was already nine o'clock in the evening. Looking at Xia Lingying again, she was still sitting stiff and motionless. When she saw Xiao Moyan wake up, she took a long breath. Xiao Moyan crawled out of her arms and looked at her with a rare apologetic look.
"Are you tired?"
Xia Lingying was stunned for a moment and shook her head.
"Do you need me to massage it for you──"
Xiao Moyan smirked and stretched out her hand. Xia Lingying's pretty face flushed, and she hurriedly stood up from the sofa and took a few steps back.
"Oh, is Miss awake? Do you want to eat?"
Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Xu came out from a side room, subtly positioning herself between Xiao Moyan and Xia Lingying.
Xiao Moyan noticed Mrs. Xu's subtle move, sighed, grabbed a woolen coat, and shook her head.
"No, I want to take Little Darling out."
"Now?"Mrs. Xu asked somewhat surprised.
What time is it now? Are you planning to go to a hotel or something?
Slightly annoyed, Xiao Moyan gave her a disdainful look, shook her head, and pulled the reluctant Xia Lingying behind her.
Even at the doorstep, Mrs. Xu's voice could be faintly heard, "Xiaxia, be safe when you're out!"
“...”
Sitting in the car, Xia Lingying recalled Mrs. Xu's words earlier, and a rare smile appeared on her face.
Xiao Moyan glanced at the rearview mirror, raised an eyebrow, and asked jealously,
"Do you really like Mrs. Xu?"
"Yes."
Xia Lingying didn't hide it; she nodded gently. Mrs. Xu made her feel at ease, at least, compared to Xiao Moyan. Xiao Moyan knew what she was thinking and habitually sneered,
"Let me tell you, don't underestimate her. She's the most cunning old woman I've ever seen. Besides, she won't love anyone but me!"
“...”
Xia Lingying completely ignored the unfounded jealousy from Xiao Moyan. She didn't even bother to comment or disdain her. She continued to sit in the passenger seat, letting her mind wander. After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Moyan turned to embrace her, a faint scent of mint drifting into her nose. She snapped back to reality, gazing blankly out the window.
"Where are we?"
"At the seaside."
"Why did we come here?"
“To relax.”
The seaside at night is very quiet. The sea is gentle like silk, ripples softly, and a cool breeze blows. Finding a good spot, Xiao Moyan sat with Xia Lingying on the beach. Comfortably squinting her eyes, she opened her arms and spoke to herself,
"Whenever I'm upset, I come here. The tranquility of the sea can soothe the restlessness in my heart."
"The first time I came here was with my mom. In her arms, I saw the sea for the first time. With her guidance, I picked up seashells for the first time.”
“After Mom was gone, I started coming here with Mrs. Xu. She's stubborn and only likes to compete with me in fishing. Whenever she's about to lose, she takes the opportunity while I'm in the restroom to borrow money from people around and bets against me. I was fooled by her for a long time."
"Later on, as Mrs. Xu grew older, I started coming alone, quietly listening to the sound of the sea. It became a kind of enjoyment for me."
Xia Lingying hugged her knees, silently listening, expressing shared joy, and savoring the solitude of Xiao Moyan from the depths of her heart.
Xiao Moyan's voice ceased, turning gently towards Xia Lingying. Tenderly lifting her chin, Xiao Moyan stared at her, revealing a hint of affection in her eyes.
"Yingying, I hope that in the future, when I come here, you'll be by my side.”
Under the moonlight, Xia Lingying's fair face blushed faintly, and as she looked into Xiao Moyan's eyes, there was a hint of mesmerizing ripples. Xiao Moyan smiled gently, taking her hand and pulling her towards herself. Xia Lingying lost her footing and fell into her embrace.
Pushing aside the long black and smooth hair on the back of her neck, Xiao Moyan leaned forward and kissed her deeply.
After the brief kiss, Xiao Moyan had already turned away and looked at the sea with a smile on her face as if nothing had happened.
The hasty kiss had stirred unrest in Xia Lingying's heart. The lingering warmth on her neck seemed to persist, and the faint scent of mint still lingered around her, but the person had already left. She felt a little disappointed unconsciously. But Xiao Moyan didn't give her time to feel sad. She assertively draped the coat with her scent over Xia Lingying, leaving no room for refusal.
Xia Lingying tucked her legs in and pinched her coat. Her face turned red, and she hugged herself, not daring to look at Xiao Moyan.
She inexplicably felt afraid. Xiao Moyan was like a poppy full of temptations, causing her to gradually sink without realizing it.
Xiao Moyan stared fixedly at Xia Lingying. After a moment, she turned away, looking at the tide that was gradually rising, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Xia Lingying, I must get your true heart.
Author's Note:
This chapter was very laborious to write, ~~~~(>_<)~~~~, probably because the weather has turned hot again, I hate the sun! /(ćoć)/~~