Nanzhi sat on the sofa, sipping her coffee lightly, occasionally glancing toward the guest room. The two women had been in there for so long; why hadn’t they come out yet? What kind of vital, nation-shaking matter required such a lengthy discussion?
If you two are not coming out, at least let me leave! What is the meaning of leaving me hanging here?!
Nanzhi finished the last sip of her coffee, rose to her feet, and dramatically wiped her mouth. With a feeling of heroic sacrifice, she started walking toward the guest room. No matter how terrifying Chi Meng might be, she had to face the threat and become a true warrior!
Before she even got close, some strange noises emanaded from inside. Nanzhi stopped, and although she already had a suspicion, she still couldn’t quite believe it. She held her breath and listened carefully.
“Zhizhi is still outside, you… please stop…”
“Zhizhi, Zhizhi, Zhizhi! From the moment she walked in until now, her name has been constantly on your lips! It seems I have not been working hard enough if you still have the energy to think about others.”
“No… Mm…”
Even with her lack of experience, Nanzhi knew what was happening inside. She froze for a few seconds, then left, her face burning crimson.
That awful Chi Meng! She called me here just to show off in front of me. My older sister is truly pathetic, being bullied by such a mean-spirited woman.
Yet, she did not stop walking; she quickly slipped away. She did not want to remain for another moment in this suffocating place. As for her older sister, she would return to save her after regrouping. The most pressing matter was to secure her own little life.
A cold, chilling smile curved Chi Meng’s lips. She clasped Hua Xian’s neck and whispered to her ear, “Your dear sister ran away. It seems she wasn’t truly set on saving you.”
In truth, she wanted to say: Someone says a few pleasant words, and you immediately believe them, practically ready to hand over your heart. I have been so good to you, yet you treat my sincere feelings like a worn-out shoe.
From beginning to end, my deep affection has been a joke.
Chi Meng’s eyes grew colder. The hand on Hua Xian’s neck tightened. Hua Xian, knowing the woman was becoming unstable again, turned her head and kissed her lips.
Chi Meng’s body tensed for a moment. Her hand slowly loosened, and she pressed the back of Hua Xian’s head to deepen the kiss.
Lips and teeth tangled. Warm tears streamed down Hua Xian’s cheeks. At this very moment, she felt Chi Meng’s pain and despair.
She heard what I said to Nanzhi, and that is why she is so conflicted.
Chi Meng always believed that Hua Xian did not love her, which was why she used these means to keep Hua Xian by her side. She was prepared to remain entangled forever and to burn out her life in the process. But today, her heart wavered.
Hua Xian was unwilling to leave with Nanzhi; she wanted to stay by her side.
“Why… why didn’t you leave with her?”
Hua Xian looked at Chi Meng’s confused eyes and, her heart aching, kissed her eyes gently.
“If I leave, what will become of you?”
This single question from Hua Xian silenced Chi Meng. Yes, what would happen to me if Hua Xian left again?
I would probably find a beautiful, star-filled night to end my life, she thought. After all, the most important thing would be gone, and living would hold no further meaning.
A strong sense of unease surged in Hua Xian’s heart. She knew this feeling originated from Chi Meng. She quickly pulled the woman into a tight embrace, losing all sense of proportion with her strength, squeezing Chi Meng until her face turned pale.
“Mengmeng, what I said to Nanzhi was from the heart. I will not leave you, never. So, you must have faith in yourself, too. No matter how difficult things get, I will walk this path with you. Living is painful, but you still have me.”
Chi Meng had shown signs of world-weariness a long time ago. She held no expectations for anyone, including herself.
Xiao Ran had also mentioned that with her severe depression and anxiety, she often struggled to distinguish between reality and illusion. It was possible that one day, she would leave in search of the beautiful world she fantasized about.
Chi Meng said nothing. Although Hua Xian was hugging her so hard that she could barely breathe, she did not find it unpleasant.
Holding me this tightly makes me feel like you care about me, too.
Chi Meng kissed Hua Xian’s neck, repeatedly pecking the spots that bore red marks, as if doing so could make the hurt vanish.
She had acted impulsively again.
Perhaps Nanzhi was right; Hua Xian is too vulnerable staying by her side.
But she did not want to let go—at least not now. Please stay with me a little longer. When you no longer wish to act out this drama with me, I will let you go.
In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to truly hurt Hua Xian.
How pathetic, Chi Meng thought.
Hua Xian’s hands gradually lost strength. She clutched Chi Meng’s clothes, enduring the strange sensations all over her body.
After being together for so long, Chi Meng knew Hua Xian’s weaknesses perfectly, knowing exactly how to make her obediently submit. But this time, she did not intend to allow the woman to “bully” her.
“Mengmeng…”
Hua Xian called Chi Meng’s name in a soft, drawn-out whisper. Chi Meng immediately stopped her movements and looked up at her.
Hua Xian reached out to stroke her beautiful eyes and leaned in to murmur near her ear, “Let me take the lead.”
Chi Meng did not plan to surrender the initiative to Hua Xian, but she had no time to refuse. Likewise, Hua Xian knew where Chi Meng’s vulnerabilities lay.
Hua Xian gave her a kiss on the lips but did not linger. As Chi Meng looked on, bewildered, Hua Xian shifted the “battleground” to her neck. Chi Meng’s neck was slender and pale, and even in such a context, she remained as elegant as a swan.
But what Hua Xian did best was to pull the cool, aloof goddess down from her pedestal. The noble swan was no exception.
At first, it was only pecking kisses on her neck, but later, it moved to her ear, her chest…
Hua Xian left her own marks all over Chi Meng’s body. Although this had been an ordinary occurrence for her in the past, she felt an unusual satisfaction at this moment.
Chi Meng continually bit her lower lip, refusing to make any strange noises. But at the final moment, she abruptly bit down on Hua Xian’s shoulder. Her sharp canine teeth pierced the skin, causing Hua Xian’s entire body to tremble.
“Don’t be afraid. Your older sister will not hurt you.”
Hua Xian’s voice was exceedingly gentle, greatly soothing Chi Meng. She reached out and embraced Hua Xian’s slender waist, still biting her shoulder, but no longer applying force.
Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, and the tree shadows swayed. An occasional ray of light penetrated the room, illuminating the two women. Hua Xian knew Chi Meng was sensitive to heat, so she held her tightly in her arms, shielding her from most of the light and heat.
As if tireless, they continued from noon until the sun began to sink in the west. The scorching light mellowed. Only when the setting sun had burned away its last trace of lingering radiance did Hua Xian carry the exhausted Chi Meng into the bathroom.
Chi Meng expressed her refusal when Hua Xian attempted to bathe her. Hua Xian pressed down on the woman’s hand, her voice slightly hoarse: “Be a good girl, Mengmeng. You cannot possibly stand on your own right now. Let your older sister help you, all right?”
Chi Meng knew she should refuse, but she could not manage to utter the word. Hua Xian’s voice was like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, tempting mankind to eat the forbidden fruit—it held infinite seduction.
In the end, Hua Xian was the one to bathe her. Her expression was focused and serious, and her movements were meticulous, leaving Chi Meng unable to find a suitable excuse to lose her temper.
Chi Meng was unaccustomed to sleeping in the guest room’s bed, so Hua Xian carried her to the master bedroom on the second floor. She had intended to rest with Chi Meng, but after seeing the woman’s expression, she put her half-removed pajamas back on.
“Then you rest well. Call me if you need anything.”
Chi Meng’s throat was sore, and she did not reply. She merely turned over impatiently, presenting her back to Hua Xian.
Do not think I will forgive you just because we slept together!
Hua Xian quietly retreated. Just as she was about to close the door, the doorbell rang downstairs. Chi Meng suddenly sat up, her expression dark, her brows tightly furrowed.
“My esteemed father… he arrived rather quickly!”