Chapter 84: Reluctance

Under Xia Lingying's horrified stare, Xiao Moyan stuffed the whole big plate of dumplings, in her mouth.

Slamming the chopsticks on the table, Xiao Moyan clutched her stomach, leaning weakly on Xia Lingying. She glared at the coin in front of Mrs. Xu and said, "Spill it, old hag, what trick did you pull this time?"

Mrs. Xu gaped at Xiao Moyan, never expecting her to eat the whole plate. Not daring to tease anymore, she muttered and ran to her bedroom to grab digestive pills. "I say, Miss, it's just a coin. Was it worth it? And since when are you so easy to fool? I only cooked two!"

Xiao Moyan couldn't even speak, gasping heavily, insisting Xia Lingying help her back to the room to rest.

With her left hand holding a cup, right hand with the pills, Mrs. Xu watched Xiao Moyan's pathetic state leaning on Xia Lingying, her lips curling high. This New Year was worth it. Seeing the Miss so frustrated was pure joy!

As soon as the door closed, Xiao Moyan got naughty. Her hand left her stomach, pulling Xia Lingying into her arms, ignoring her surprised yelp. She kicked off her slippers and rolled onto the bed in a flash.

Burying her head in Xia Lingying's chest, kissing her collarbone softly, Xiao Moyan grinned with bad intentions. Xia Lingying's breathing got messy from the soft touch, her face turning bright red. She pushed Xiao Moyan hard with her small hands. "Xiao, what are you doing? Isn't your stomach stuffed?"

"That was to fool Mrs. Xu. That tiny plate had how many dumplings? Sure, I ate more than usual, but not enough to be stuffed. So, Xiaxia, am I an acting pro or what?"

Xiao Moyan raised her eyebrow smugly, her look making Xia Lingying want to bite her to death. "What are you up to?"

Xiao Moyan raised her eyebrows proudly, and that look made Xia Lingying want to bite her to death.

"What are you doing?"

Confusion pushed down the anger in her heart. Xia Lingying pressed one hand on Xiao Moyan's shoulder, looking straight at her.

Knowing today was no day to tease someone lightly, and this push-up-like pose was pretty tiring, Xiao Moyan rolled off Xia Lingying in frustration, sighing helplessly. "Xiaxia."

"Hm?"

"Do you know when Mrs. Xu is happiest?"

"..."

Xia Lingying didn't speak, but her heart already understood Xiao Moyan's meaning. She turned over, looking at her softly. Xiao Moyan turned too, gazing into Xia Lingying's eyes, and said gently, "As long as she's happy, I don't care what I do. The old lady just needs coaxing."

A tender spot deep in her heart was touched. Xia Lingying smiled at Xiao Moyan, and under her surprised stare, reached out and pulled her hard into her arms, teasing in a low voice, "Who knew my Xiao had such a gentle side? So rare~"

"What's that? I'm always like this, okay? You little heartless thing~"

"Heartless, and you still love me?"

"I love anything that's yours—"

Sappy love words spilled out. Xiao Moyan and Xia Lingying laughed together. Their eyes locked, tender kisses, soft moans, bodies rolling like hot waves tangled tightly together.

After messing around for a while, Xiao Moyan stopped. She sat up on the bed first, then pulled Xia Lingying up too. Under her gaze, Xiao Moyan took a delicate sky-blue box from the bedside drawer.

Xiao Moyan glanced at Xia Lingying, placed the small box on the pillow, and slowly opened it. Xia Lingying had a feeling about what it was, staring at Xiao Moyan without blinking. Under the orange light, Xiao Moyan's cheeks looked extra warm, a faint smile always on her lips. She carefully opened the box. When a shiny diamond ring, tied to a thin silver chain, rested in Xiao Moyan's palm, a happy smile bloomed on Xia Lingying's face.

"Xiaxia—"

Xiao Moyan looked at Xia Lingying, her eyes full of deep love that wouldn't fade. "Xiaxia, in this world, only you stay quietly by my side after all my stupid acts, never leaving. I think this ring found its owner, and my heart found its home."

Xia Lingying didn't say a word from start to finish, just stared at Xiao Moyan without blinking, all her love turning into that endless gentle gaze.

Xiao Moyan smiled at Xia Lingying. A moment later, she reached out, pulled Xia Lingying into her arms, leaned down, and carefully tied on her promise of love.

The cool touch at her neck made Xia Lingying shrink back a bit. She looked up to see Xiao Moyan's smiling eyes. "Xiaxia, wait for me. Wait till I handle everything. I'll put this ring on your finger myself."

Hearing Xiao Moyan's words, Xia Lingying instinctively raised her hand, touched the spot at her chest without a ring, and smiled faintly. "I'll wait for you, no matter how long."

****

The short New Year break ended fast. A big pile of work came one after another. It was no choice, but that's life, nothing to complain about. But for lovers in hot romance, being apart tasted like a different kind of bitter flavor.

Xia Lingying hung her head, listening to Fang Ruolin's words, saying nothing. Mrs. Xu, though, spoke up, not pleased. "You say Miss holds up work for love stuff? No way! I raised her since childhood and that never happened!"

Fang Ruolin wore a wide-collar work outfit, high heels, and a camera around her neck. Sweat faintly leaked on her forehead from just coming back from an interview. She frowned, annoyed, at Mrs. Xu's words, glancing at the door now and then. After a bit, her patience wore out. "Mrs. Xu, you can't say that. Can the old Xiao Moyan compare to now? Her feelings about love back then against now? I know you don't want her gone so long, but this time it's a deal with Nanyang's US main office. If it goes through, will she still be stuck under Hu Feifei's control everywhere?"

Mrs. Xu froze, looking at Fang Ruolin, puzzled. "What does it have to do with Feifei?"

Fang Ruolin sighed. "Mrs. Xu, you should know, Hu Feifei's in charge of Nanyang now. Her dad went over the ocean to the US for some new business stuff, leaving Hu Feifei to run wild in Nanyang like a boss. Hu Feifei keeps saying Xiao Moyan used her again and again, and she wants to get even."

"Miss used her? That's her own reason, don't blame it on my Miss!"

Mrs. Xu couldn't stand hearing bad things about Xiao Moyan. As soon as Fang Ruolin finished, she jumped in to correct her.

Fang Ruolin waved her hand, helpless, and not wanting to argue with Mrs. Xu. She shifted her gaze to Xia Lingying. "Even if Tianhuang's strength won't lose to Nanyang, Xiao Moyan always thinks of old feelings, not wanting to clash head-on with her. The result? You know without me saying..."

Before Mrs. Xu could speak, Fang Ruolin waved and quickly walked out. "I bet Xiao will be back soon. I need to go fast. Xiaxia, one month at most, and she's the only one who listens to you."

Right after Fang Ruolin left, Xiao Moyan's car pulled into the yard. Mrs. Xu glanced at Xia Lingying, sighed, and went out to meet her.

A'sen, in a black suit, opened the car door, respectfully watching Xiao Moyan step out. Xiao Moyan got out slowly, her face full of tiredness. She looked up, saw Mrs. Xu waiting at the door, and smiled faintly. "Where's Xiaxia?"

As she spoke, Xia Lingying came out. A big smile bloomed on Xiao Moyan's face the moment she saw her, washing away all fatigue and weariness. Xiao Moyan reached out, tightly hugged her woman, and buried her head in Xia Lingying's collarbone, greedily breathing in her faint scent.

Mrs. Xu had a "seen it all" look, pouting, unhappy watching the two get cozy. A'sen, nearby, his dark face turning red, hurriedly turned and fled outside.

After hugging for a bit, Xiao Moyan finally let go. She kissed Xia Lingying's forehead, took her hand, and walked inside. Xia Lingying smiled, but her smile seemed forced.

A table of fragrant food eased Xiao Moyan's tiredness. She picked up a shrimp ball, tasted it, and nodded at Mrs. Xu. "Mrs. Xu, your cooking keeps getting better."

Surprisingly, Mrs. Xu didn't climb the ladder to boast as usual. Instead, she awkwardly smiled at Xiao Moyan. "Um, Miss, I have some things to do. You guys eat first."

Xiao Moyan froze, frowning. "You have things? What things?"

Mrs. Xu ignored Xiao Moyan, pushed her chair back, served soup to both of them, and left straight away.

"What's so secret?"

Xiao Moyan muttered, turning to the person beside her for answers. But she saw Xia Lingying, with her head down, brows furrowed, hands twisting together, full of heavy thoughts.

Looking at Xia Lingying, then at the direction Mrs. Xu left, Xiao Moyan put down her chopsticks. "Xiaxia, what's wrong?"

Xia Lingying slowly raised her head, staring into Xiao Moyan's eyes without blinking. "Xiao, something is up with the company. Why didn't you tell me?"

Xiao Moyan gave an uneasy smile, shaking her head. "Isn't it always like that? What's the use of talking?"

Xia Lingying stared straight at Xiao Moyan, not saying a word. A faint flicker of resentment and heartache passed through her eyes.

Unable to stand that gaze, Xiao Moyan sighed, reached out, and pulled her into her arms. "Xiaxia, you know I can handle it."

Cool fingers lightly traced Xiao Moyan's chest. Xia Lingying leaned into her arms, shaking her head. 

"But I want to share your burden."

"Just having you by my side is enough."

"Xiao, I don't want to be your burden—"

"What burden?"

Xiao Moyan's voice suddenly rose, looking down at Xia Lingying.

Who said something to Xiaxia?!

Her arms climbed around Xiao Moyan's neck, pressing a soft kiss. Xia Lingying stared into Xiao Moyan's eyes, whispering, 

"Why don't you go to the US? Isn't it because of me?"

After circling around, Xiao Moyan finally got what this little woman was worrying about. She sighed quietly, her arms tightening around her. "Feifei is just throwing a kid's tantrum. When time passes, she'll let go. After all, pushing so hard hurts not just Tianhuang but Nanyang too."

"But how do you explain to those harsh directors? They'll use your personal issues to talk—"

"Still—"

"No still, Xiao. If you really love me and don't want me to feel guilty inside, promise me you'll go to the US."

Staring steadily into Xia Lingying's eyes, after a long gaze, Xiao Moyan sighed slowly, shaking her head helplessly.

"Alright, I'll go."

Even saying that, at night, holding Xia Lingying's smooth, soft body, tasting that soul-melting closeness, Xiao Moyan started to regret. So what if she's popular, with a ton of suitors, American girls lining up and staring at her? She spilled all the words she usually didn't dare say, just to make Xia Lingying promise not to make her leave. But Xia Lingying hugged her neck, leaned on her chest, and said, "I trust you."

That crushed all her reasons. Day and night closeness, trying to wash away the pain of parting. Sweat slid down her forehead. Xiao Moyan lay on Xia Lingying's chest, staring into her eyes for a long time, murmuring, "Xiaxia, what do I do? I haven't left, and I already miss you."

Xia Lingying held back her heartache. By moonlight, she hooked Xiao Moyan's neck, kissing her wildly.

The sky was still dim. Xiao Moyan was already dressed, sitting by the bed, gently stroking Xia Lingying's hair. She gazed for a long time, leaned down, kissed her red lips, sighed, and got up to leave.

The moment the door closed, Xia Lingying's tightly shut eyes slowly let out a single clear tear.

Xiao, come back soon. I miss you...

****

Avoiding the morning rush hour, the road was clear all the way. In less than half an hour, Xiao Moyan arrived at the airport. She got out of the car, picked up her sunglasses, and was about to put them on when, for no reason, her mind replayed the scene of buying groceries with Xia Lingying last time. The corner of her lips lifted into a faint smile, leaving Su Lianxue and A’Sen beside her confused.  

As soon as the automatic door opened, Fang Ruolin rushed up in excitement, camera still slung over her shoulder, staring at Xiao Moyan with a face full of smiles.  

Xiao Moyan was dressed in a mature strapless dress, her graceful figure wrapped up sexy and alluring. Layered necklaces highlighted her beautiful collarbone, showing off sharp elegance. The light makeup made her even more striking, but the anger hidden deep in her eyes made Fang Ruolin instinctively take two steps back.  

“Xiao, what are you doing? I came all the way here for you. You know how bad I get airsick.”  

Xiao Moyan let out a cold snort, saying nothing.  

“Only you? Didn’t you say there’s another one?”  

A’Sen broke the awkward silence. Fang Ruolin nodded with a smile, glanced at Su Lianxue, pressed her lips together, then stood on tiptoe to look around. After a moment, her eyes lit up, and she waved, shouting—  

“Sister, here, over here!!!”  

As soon as the words fell, Xiao Moyan’s body stiffened. She raised her head, staring at Fang Ruolin in disbelief. Fang Ruolin deliberately avoided her gaze, while Su Lianxue clenched her fists, frowned tightly, stepped forward, and glared at Fang Ruolin.  

“Why did you call her here?”

You knew better than anyone what Xiao Moyan and Fang Ruoxi had in the past. And yet, at this time, Fang Ruolin, what were you thinking, calling her here?  

Fang Ruolin clearly didn’t expect the always calm Su Lianxue to react like this. She frowned slightly, pressed her lips together, and looked at her.  

Beside them, Xiao Moyan came back to her senses. She crossed her arms in her usual habit and looked at the two of them with an indifferent face. Moments later, Fang Ruoxi hurried over.  

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”  

Fang Ruoxi smiled lightly as she apologized to everyone, but her eyes locked on Xiao Moyan, her gaze burning. A’Sen, watching the scene, felt uneasy. He looked up at the long-admired Fang Ruoxi, and for a moment, his vision blurred.  

Clear bright pupils, arched willow brows, long lashes trembling lightly, fair flawless skin with a faint blush, thin lips like rose petals, tender and moist. A light-blue checkered shirt with the sleeves casually rolled at the wrists, simple with a touch of elegance, carrying an unspeakable allure. If Xia Lingying was the proud plum blossom in the cold of winter, Fang Ruoxi was the rose blooming proudly under the blazing sun.

Author's Note:

I tweaked the outline a bit, thinking until my head hurt. It’s a bit tangled, but not cruel.

Sigh... Yezi knows you’re tired of all this mushy stuff after so long. I didn't expect to write this much. Almost done, hang in there.

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