Chapter 94: The End

After coming back from the graveyard, Xiao Moyan stayed in low spirits. She took a shower, wrapped herself in a blanket, and sat alone on the rooftop, staring out the window. She refused to talk to anyone.  

Leaning against the wall, Xia Lingying folded her arms and watched Xiao Moyan. Looking at her thin back made her chest ache.  

When Xia Lingying got the news from Mrs. Xu, she rushed to the Xia family house, and froze at the sight of her mother covered in blood. She hurried to hold her, trembling as she called Lan Chen, and rushed her to the hospital. Standing outside the emergency room, her face pale, she waited for news. When she heard what happened from A’Sen, she could only cry. There was nothing else she could say.  

Who could blame who?  

The tangled fate between the two families for more than twenty years ended this way. No one could have imagined it.  

The wound on Qiu Muying’s face was not deep. The doctor said it could be fixed later. But when Xia Lingying told her that, she only shook her head and looked at her calmly.  

“Keep it. Let it remind me to stay clear-headed. Xiaxia, you don’t have to worry about me anymore. Go find Xiao Moyan. That child has had it hard...”  

Holding back her tears, Xia Lingying shook her head hard and gripped her mother’s hand, refusing to let go. After what happened tonight, after seeing her husband slash her skin with a sharp knife, Qiu Muying no longer felt pain. Maybe her heart was already dead.  

She slowly pushed away Xia Lingying’s hand and whispered,  

“I’ve talked with Song Yan. When I get better, I’ll go back to the nursing home. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Great sorrow had already turned into numbness. Seeing her mother so determined, Xia Lingying had nothing more to say. She stood up and walked out with heavy steps. She only remembered her mother’s last words before she left,  

“Xiaxia, cherish the one in front of you. Xiao Moyan truly loves you.”  

Tears fell like rain. For this one sentence, she had worked hard for so long and felt heartbroken for so long. But on the day she finally received her mother’s blessing, everything had already changed.  

In the hospital hallway, she saw Xia Ran. His eyes avoided hers, and his timid look made the strong image she had held in her heart for twenty years crumble at once.  

She walked over gently and, ignoring his avoidance, hugged him.  

“Dad, no matter what you’ve done, your place in my heart will never change. Please, take care of yourself...”  

“Xiaxia, I—”  

Before he could finish, Xia Lingying pushed him away. She looked at him deeply, then turned and walked off without looking back.  

She had given too much to the Xia family. As a daughter, she had done all she could. But how could she repay the debt of love she owed Xiao Moyan?  

With her uneasy heart, she rushed to the cemetery. When she saw Xiao Moyan lying on the grass, eyes closed, quietly crying alone, pain twisted in her chest. Holding back her tears, she stepped forward, knelt by the grave, and lifted her up.  

There was no anger as she had imagined. Xiao Moyan spoke in a calm voice full of sorrow,  

“Xiaxia, I’m so tired, what should I do...”  

The tearful sadness slid slowly across her pale face. Xia Lingying held her tight, lowering her head, kissing her cheek, kissing her hair. At that moment when their tears mixed, she heard her own heart break.  

Xiao, why? Why does heaven treat us like this? We just love each other, we just love each other...  

She shook her head,  took a deep breath and stepped forward. She opened her arms and hugged Xiao Moyan tightly. Skin pressed together, that icy chill mixed with the scent of mint flowed into Xia Lingying’s body.  

Tightening her hold, she lowered her head and softly kissed Xiao Moyan’s temple.  

“Xiao, it’s all over, everything is over. Don’t be like this, please don’t be like this...”  

She wanted to comfort her, but her own tears fell first, one by one, sliding along the cheeks Xiao Moyan had kissed countless times, reaching her lips. The bitter taste spread from her mouth. Xiao Moyan finally reacted, raising her right hand slowly to touch Xia Lingying’s cheek, looking at her in a daze.  

“Xiaxia, don’t cry.”  

Hearing this, Xia Lingying’s sorrowful tears surged even more. She hugged Xiao Moyan tightly, whispering,  

“Xiao, sorry, sorry, sorry...”  

With a furrowed brow, Xiao Moyan reached out and wiped her painful tears again and again.  

“Don’t cry, Xiaxia, don’t cry...”

Every word from Xiao Moyan pierced straight into Xia Lingying's heart. It hurt, truly, deeply hurt. She would rather Xiao Moyan curse and humiliate her like before than bottle up all her words and bear the pain alone. It was her fault. She shouldn't have forced Xiao Moyan to choose, shouldn't have left her in her most helpless moment, shouldn't have...

Seeing the tears flowing more and more, with comfort proving useless, Xiao Moyan let out a soft sigh. She extended her arms, hooked them around Xia Lingying's neck, and gave her a deep kiss.

The familiar sensation between their lips and teeth remained, yet it carried a bitter taste, like their love, which had weathered countless storms. The knots in their hearts were still there, but now they clung to each other, lips and teeth intertwined, supporting one another through thick and thin.

She held the soft lips in her mouth, sucking forcefully, without the previous caution. Xiao Moyan flipped her hand and pinned Xia Lingying against the rooftop railing, kissing her fiercely.

It's gone, Xiaxia. Besides you, I have nothing left. Don't leave me, never again...

Silently enduring Xiao Moyan's venting kisses and bites, Xia Lingying closed her eyes quietly. Gradually, after the storm-like kisses subsided, Xiao Moyan became gentle. The lingering, passionate kisses wound bit by bit from the tip of her tongue, carrying endless bitterness and tears, melting into Xia Lingying's faint moans.

Hold tighter, even tighter. Xiao Moyan allowed no gap between them. She wrapped her arms around Xia Lingying's waist and lifted her up in one motion. Xia Lingying straddled Xiao Moyan's lap, her lips slightly parted, gazing at her with hazy eyes.

"Xia Lingying, remember this, in this life and the next, you belong to me. No matter the reason, nothing can separate us, nothing."

Xia Lingying nodded, her body softened from the kisses, leaning limply on her shoulder.

Her hands slid down, locking around Xia Lingying's waist. Xiao Moyan refused to let her look away, forcing their eyes to meet.

"Xia Lingying, you are mine."

"I am yours..."

"Never, ever leave me again."

"I will never leave..."

Under Xiao Moyan's captivating gaze, Xia Lingying surrendered completely. Half-sprawled across the cool marble rooftop, she let Xiao Moyan pull free her belt, peel away her collar, and endure those unbearable kisses. Seductive moans drifted into Xiao Moyan's heart beneath the moonlight, igniting the parched flame of desire.

Kissing the fair skin of Xia Lingying's neck, Xiao Moyan's hands set fires all over her body. Xia Lingying had no strength to resist; she could only offer herself without reservation. Back and forth, their thin lips pressed tightly together. Love, hate, passion, resentment, all were cast aside at this moment. Possession, only the need to possess her completely.

The instant Xiao Moyan's fingers entered her, Xia Lingying let out a cry-like moan, her arms wrapping tightly around Xiao Moyan's smooth back. Xiao Moyan kissed that jade-carved body with obsession, her hands growing bolder, until the fragile frame could no longer withstand the storm-like intrusion. It trembled helplessly into a ball. At the moment their sweat mingled, Xiao Moyan collapsed beside her and whispered,

"In life and death, let's make a vow, hand in hand, we will grow old together."

****

The next morning, Xiao Moyan led Xia Lingying by the hand as they slowly descended the stairs. Downstairs, Mrs. Xu had already prepared breakfast and was waiting for them.

She ladled two bowls of congee. Mrs. Xu cautiously observed Xiao Moyan, noting that the cheeks which had been pale for so long finally carried a flush of color, a faint pink. The brows that had been tightly knit were now relaxed, and an air of ease filled her expression. Only then did Mrs. Xu let out a long breath and sit down with relief.

Picking up a slice of bread and spreading jam on it, Xiao Moyan glanced at Mrs. Xu and said,

"Mrs. Xu, you don't need to worry about me."

Mrs. Xu took a sip of porridge and sighed.

How could she not worry? From the day Xiao Moyan was born until now, has there ever been a single day she didn't worry? Yesterday's events had nearly frightened her to death. If A’Sen hadn't casually mentioned beforehand that the young miss had everything arranged, she probably would have ended up in the hospital with high blood pressure. How else could she be here so leisurely making breakfast?

Taking a bite of the bread, Xiao Moyan looked at Mrs. Xu, and shook her head.

"It seems like Ruolin was right."

"What did she say?"

Mrs. Xu looked up, eyeing Xiao Moyan warily.

"Starting tomorrow, every night at eight o'clock, you have to stay home. Don't try to sneak out “

Mrs. Xu pitifully lifted her old face, looking at Xiao Moyan with pleading eyes, but the latter completely ignored her. She wiped her hands with a wet napkin, tilted her head, and started reading the newspaper.

Helpless, Mrs. Xu turned her pleading gaze to Xia Lingying. Xia Lingying sighed.

"Mrs. Xu, Xiao means well. She doesn't want you to be lonely. Try it for two days. If it doesn't suit you, we won't force you."

"I knew it! You two breathe through the same nose. Neither of you is any good!"

Mrs. Xu threw the slice of bread in her hand onto the table and stormed into the bedroom like a wronged wife. Xia Lingying watched her with concern.

Xiao Moyan put down the newspaper, took Xia Lingying's hand, and whispered,

"Don't worry. It's just an act."

"..."

Amazed at Mrs. Xu's acting skills, Xia Lingying lowered her head and let out a soft laugh. Xiao Moyan wrapped an arm around her slender waist, kissed her forehead with affection, and murmured,

"Come with me later."

"Okay."

Xia Lingying didn't need to be told; she knew where Xiao Moyan was taking her. She picked up the milk, drank a few sips, then coaxed Xiao Moyan into finishing most of the glass. Only then did the two hold hands and walk out the door.

"Mrs. Xu, come out. We're heading to the cemetery. No need to pretend!"

Hearing Xiao Moyan's teasing, Mrs. Xu gritted her teeth and bellowed,

"Beast!"

"..."

****

Two bouquets of dewy fresh flowers filled the air with their intoxicating fragrance. Xiao Moyan held Xia Lingying's hand and knelt before the grave, gazing at her mother's photo as she whispered,

"Mom, this is Xiaxia, my love. I should have brought her to see you long ago."

Her voice caught in her throat. Xiao Moyan took a deep breath. Her hand was squeezed tightly by Xia Lingying, and sensing that gentle understanding, Xiao Moyan gave a soft smile.

"Mom, you were always worried about me when you were alive, afraid I wouldn't find happiness. Today I've brought my happiness to show you. Are you satisfied now?"

The playful, coaxing tone drifted into Xia Lingying's ears, stirring an inexplicable ache in her heart.

She didn't know whether, over these past ten years, whenever Xiao Moyan felt sad or lonely, she had knelt alone before her mother's grave, whispering to herself.

Her hands clenched. Staring at Xiao Moyan's profile, Xia Lingying silently vowed: she would never let her be so alone again. She would make her happy.

A wide smile bloomed across her face, radiant under the morning sun. Xiao Moyan gazed deeply at Xia Lingying, who returned the smile. After a long moment of eye contact, Xiao Moyan rose slightly, her hands sliding up to cradle Xia Lingying's neck.

As if sensing what was coming, Xia Lingying held her breath. Xiao Moyan smiled faintly at her nervous expression, her fingers moving without pause, tracing gently until they found the thin necklace, located the clasp, and unhooked it with care. She removed it.

The silver-white ring glinted with a soft light. Beneath Xia Lingying's quiet anticipation and Xiao Moyan's smile, it slowly slipped onto Xia Lingying's slender ring finger.

With their fingers interlaced, Xiao Moyan pulled Xia Lingying to her feet. She raised their joined hands high, a faint smile on her face under the sunlight.

Fin.

Author's Note: 

It's over, really over. I never thought Yezi would feel so reluctant to let go.

From its initial publication until now, I have poured countless efforts into writing "Unspoken Rules," and today I have finally finished it.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, thank you...

I won't say much more, I just want to hug every reader who has always supported me, whether I'm going through a rut or when I was so busy during my senior year of college that I didn't update for a week,  you still waited quietly for Yezi.

Okay, enough with the sentimentality. Here’s what Yezi really wants to say:

/(ㄒoㄒ)/~~ I won't be writing serious dramas anymore; it's too tiring. However, I might write something more dramatic if I go through early menopause and feel angsty. No new stories for now; I'm focusing on filling in the gaps in my storyline. My two current projects, "Rogue Rabbit" and "Childhood Sweethearts," are both lighthearted. I won't post the link here, but I'll share my author page. If you can also bookmark my author page, I'll give you a lipstick mark. Click the chicken leg and bookmark!

P.S.: This is a column; following it will get you notifications for new articles by Yezi. It's not a KFC coupon, really…

______

Click ‘NEXT’ there's still an EXTRA

NEXT>>