Chapter 85: Seduction

When Fang Ruoxi showed up, nobody spoke, but everyone knew in their hearts. They kept glancing at Xiao Moyan’s cold profile. No one dared to say a word.  

With a light snort, Xiao Moyan cast a faint glance at Fang Ruolin, then turned and walked to the boarding gate without a word.  

On the plane, after checking the seat number, Su Lianxue, guarding Xiao Moyan’s side, frowned again and glared at Fang Ruolin. Fang Ruolin brushed the hair on her forehead and turned her head away.  

Pursing her lips, Xiao Moyan walked to her seat with no expression and sat down. When Fang Ruoxi sat next to her right after, she felt uneasy inside, but she didn't show it.  

Leaning quietly against the chair, Xiao Moyan closed her eyes to nap. The sleepless night all hit her at this moment. Her sore and weak body touched the cushion and she fell asleep at once, not caring who sat beside her.  

Fang Ruoxi didn't speak either. She secretly looked at Xiao Moyan’s profile, the straight nose, the rosy lips, the faint mint scent, and the soft hair on her forehead. It was the same perfect as in her memory.  

The golden time of a woman’s life, the most romantic days, all were spent with Xiao Moyan. Love was given by her, hurt was also given by her. Youthful ignorance and small misunderstandings cut off their vows by the sea. Turning away, Fang Ruoxi never thought Xiao Moyan would cut so clean.  

After four years apart, seeing her again, that smile overlapping with her memory was all given to another person. Even the gentleness and charm she always longed for were given to Xia Linying. She was just unwilling, just unwilling.  

As if feeling someone’s gaze, Xiao Moyan frowned lightly, her lashes moved, and she slowly opened her eyes. What she saw were Fang Ruoxi’s eyes full of deep feelings.  

“Ruoxi?”

Her voice carried the sticky sound of just waking up, and Xiao Moyan, still a little dazed, looked blankly at Fang Ruoxi. But because of that intimate call, Fang Ruoxi was moved almost to tears.  

Xiao, I knew you still remembered.  

“Xiao…”  

When she spoke again, her voice was already choking. Fang Ruoxi stared hard at Xiao Moyan, stared at her still confused eyes.  

With a faint mist in her amber eyes, Xiao Moyan stared blankly at Fang Ruoxi, stared at her tear-filled eyes. Slowly the mist cleared. She tilted her head and looked out the window. After a long time, she sighed softly.  

“Ruoxi, why do you make yourself suffer like this?”  

Fang Ruoxi pressed her lips and looked at her, trying hard not to let her tears fall.  

“Xiao, are you… are you doing well?”  

This question had been stuck in her heart for years. Fang Ruoxi really wanted to hold Xiao Moyan’s hand and rub it on her face like before. She wanted to ask her, do you really not love me anymore? Have you really let go of everything?  

Turning her head slowly, Xiao Moyan fixed her eyes on Fang Ruoxi and nodded.  

“Ruoxi, I’m doing well. Because of Xia Linying, I’m happier than ever.”  

She spoke out the name of the woman she loved without hiding. Warmth spread over Xiao Moyan’s face. Just thinking of her filled her whole body with the taste of happiness. Fang Ruoxi stared blankly at the smile in Xiao Moyan’s eyes. The tears she held back finally slid down slowly.  

“You… you’re very happy…”

Fang Ruoxi lowered her head and repeated with tears. Xiao Moyan looked at her and sighed.  

“Ruoxi, back then it was me who failed you. I shouldn’t have given up on you because of Xiao Nian’s words. But… the past is the past. Your love, I can’t return it.”  

Silence lasted long. Nobody said another word. Fang Ruoxi lowered her head, biting her lip to hide her tears from Xiao Moyan. The hot tears slid down her face into her palm. She stared quietly at them. After a long while, she took a deep breath and shook her head.  

No, Xiao, you’re mine. From start to finish, you’re mine. I won’t let go, never let go…  

Hours flew fast. As soon as the plane landed, the contact from Nanyang hurried over. He looked at Xiao Moyan and greeted respectfully, “President Xiao.”  

Xiao Moyan nodded and said no more. She turned on her phone at once and made a call. A'sen stepped forward and shook hands awkwardly with the contact, said a few words. Soon, a black stretched Lincoln came over. With her long legs stepping out, Xiao Moyan sat straight inside, holding the phone tightly in her right hand. On the road, the cold face finally had a smile.  

“Xiaxia, did you miss me?”  

After a short silence, Xia Linying’s slightly awkward voice came into Xiao Moyan’s ear as she wished.  

“Mm… you arrived?”  

“Just got here. The flight was a bit late. I guess today’s talk won’t happen.”  

Xia Linying let out a sigh. So that was it. Because of this, she had held the phone, worried for a long time.  

“Then rest early. Yesterday…”  

“What about yesterday?”  

Xiao Moyan's mouth curved wickedly. She didn't even miss a chance to tease Xia Linying over the phone.  

“Xiao…”  

The person on the other end sounded off. She wanted to say something but stopped, and Xiao Moyan frowned without meaning to.  

“What, did the old lady bully you while I was away?”  

“No…”  

Xia Linying sighed softly. This person, does she only see Mrs. Xu?  

“Xiao, Fang Ruoxi she—”  

After hesitating, Xiao Moyan finally knew what she was worrying about. She sighed and smiled helplessly.  

“You’re jealous across the ocean, Miss Xia Linying, your territory's getting bigger.”  

“…”  

After a moment's silence, Xiao Moyan guessed the person on the phone was already flushed. She let her off kindly, and a few calm words put Xia Linying at ease.  

“Xiaxia, you have to trust me.”  

After the call, Xiao Moyan seemed full of the taste of happiness. Su Lianxue looked at her, then looked at Fang Ruolin and said low,  

“Her heart only has Xia Linying, what you do is just useless.”  

Fang Ruolin stayed silent. She stared at Fang Ruoxi as if thinking. After a while, she sighed and looked at Su Lianxue.  

“I know, of course I know. You're wrong, Lianxue. I only want Xiao Moyan to cut off my sister's thoughts by her own hand. I'm just sad, she's waited too bitterly these years.”

The pent-up emotions spread through her in a flash. Su Lianxue looked at Fang Ruolin with heartache. Rarely, she reached out her right hand and held hers.  

How many hearts do you have? For a friend, you’d risk your life. For your sister, you’d give up everything. Then, can’t you love yourself a little for me?  

All the way, the handsome American driver chatted in English with Xiao Moyan. He told her a whole basket of fun places and good food nearby. Seeing A'Sen’s blank face beside her, he thought, Miss isn’t here for business, right? Why does it look like a trip?  

Xiao Moyan smiled lightly at him and shook her head.  

“I plan to bring Xiaxia out to relax some time.”  

Fang Ruoxi sat quietly at the side, looking up at Xiao Moyan. Gone was the childishness of the past. That dashing deep love, that proud bearing, Xiao Moyan was already like a noble queen. Every move was graceful yet gave no pressure, so different from the reckless her of those years.  

As Xiao Moyan expected, because of the flight delay and the need for everyone to rest, the driver took them straight to the Nanyang headquarters. After much waiting, President Hu, whom Xiao Moyan traveled mountains and rivers to see, finally came out with a beer belly and a glowing face.  

“President Xiao, such a rare guest.”  

Xiao Moyan shook her head with a smile.  

“How can I be a rare guest? This year, the times I’ve met President Hu are probably more than all the years before combined.”  

The smile on President Hu’s face didn’t fade, though inside he felt somewhat embarrassed. He never thought his precious daughter had such an ability to push this always calm woman into this state.

“Today let’s not talk about business. President Xiao, you rarely come so far to see me, tonight we’ll drink well.”  

President Hu’s businessman habits came out, but Xiao Moyan was used to it. She kept a smile on her face, head held high, chest straight, walking with him while talking and heading into the hotel.  

Like he was afraid Xiao Moyan wouldn’t be used to it, President Hu specially arranged for her to stay in a Chinese-style hotel. The luxurious decoration and atmosphere made even the well-traveled Fang Ruolin click her tongue in surprise.  

At the table, no business was talked about. Xiao Moyan chatted happily with President Hu and a group of Nanyang directors. With wine in her, her cheeks turned faint red, her eyes sparkled, and her hair was a little messy. That look drew who knows how many lustful eyes. Even President Hu, in his middle years, nodded without meaning to. This woman, beautiful and smart like a fox, no wonder Feifei was so infatuated.  

Fang Ruoxi looked at the half-drunk Xiao Moyan, then at those old men around her who clearly don’t plan to let her go after the party. She thought quietly, then turned to Fang Ruolin and whispered,  

“Ruolin, do you have all the room cards?”  

Fang Ruolin was also a bit drunk. She downed another glass and nodded.  

“Yeah, why, sister?”  

“Mm, give me one. I'll put the luggage away.”  

“Why bother? We can just find someone to move it later.”  

Fang Ruolin didn’t care at all. She picked up food and chewed.  

Fang Ruoxi paused, glanced at Su Lianxue who was still drinking, then whispered,  

“I need to get something out too. Hurry up.”  

“Also, give me all of them. I’ll put everything inside for you.”  

Busy drinking, Fang Ruolin didn’t think much. She pulled the room cards out of her pocket and handed them to Fang Ruoxi.  

“Sister, don’t go to the wrong one. You and I are 407, Xiao’s 408. Look—”

After speaking, Fang Ruoxi grabbed all the room cards and stood up to leave. Out the hotel door, her heart still thumped fast. She asked hotel staff for help and quickly had the luggage moved inside. Looking down at the cards in her hand, she fiddled with them back and forth, took a deep breath, pulled out 408’s card, opened the door, and went in.  

The room was very clean. The snow-white big bed had no speck of dust. Laptop, TV, stereo, everything was complete. The soft blue lights felt warm, while the red plush carpet only stirred her restless heart. Fang Ruoxi gave a few quick glances, closed the door, pressed the handle to make sure no one could come in, then turned and pulled shut the heavy curtains.  

Quietly calming her hurried breath, Fang Ruoxi thought for a while. She took slippers, walked to the bathroom, opened the door, and went inside.  

Thin clothes fell piece by piece to the floor. Her tall and graceful figure under the lights was extra tempting. Fang Ruoxi looked at herself in the mirror, long legs, closed heels, tight waist without any extra, upright peaks. All this used to be what Xiao Moyan loved most…  

Hot water rushed over her restless body. Fang Ruoxi washed her fair skin in unease. The slow water slid down from her chest and into the hidden valley. She took a deep breath and bit her lip.  

No matter what, she had to try.  

She drank. She drank…  

After comforting herself again and again, Fang Ruoxi steadied her mind. She picked up the white towel, wrapped it around herself, opened the bathroom door, and walked out slowly. Warm steam mixed with fragrance filled the air at once. Fang Ruoxi checked the time, thinking Xiao Moyan would come back soon. She dried her hair with a towel, then pulled out Xiao Moyan’s favorite perfume from her bag. She sprayed it onto her trembling palm, rubbed gently, and put it behind her ear.

Author’s Note: 

There are actually mosquitoes today, OMG. It must be because Yezi’s blood is too delicious, /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~

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