Xia Qiaoxi lowered her head and watched Tang Yushen walk in carrying something exquisitely packaged.
He looked quite happy.
Xia Qiaoxi had a terrible headache as she slowly descended the stairs.
Tang Yushen walked to the foot of the stairs to greet her.
His tall, aloof, and noble figure stood before her. “Xiao Xi’er, have you missed me?”
Xia Qiaoxi stood one step higher, slightly raising her head to meet his gaze. “I…”
“It seems not, but I’ve missed you.” Tang Yushen didn’t want to hide that missing her had become an overwhelming flood.
The intense affection was nearly overflowing from his chest.
Tang Yushen wanted to pull her into his arms and cherish her fiercely.
But with his hands full, he couldn’t hold her.
Xia Qiaoxi’s expression remained cold and indifferent. He was probably looking at her face and thinking of his white moonlight.
That girl looked so beautiful and gentle.
She really resembled her.
If not for her uninterrupted memories, she might have thought her current life was fake, that she’d once shared a relationship with Tang Yushen!
Only due to various circumstances were they forced apart.
“I bought you red velvet cheesecake and strawberry mille-feuille.” Tang Yushen took her hand. “Let’s go try them.”
In her previous life as a wealthy young lady, Xia Qiaoxi had loved having afternoon tea with her girlfriends.
“Let’s eat first.” Xia Qiaoxi had no appetite.
“Whatever you say.” Tang Yushen pulled her to sit down, unconsciously leaning closer. “Xiao Xi’er…”
“What is it?”
“I want…” Tang Yushen stared at her gentle profile. “I want to hold you.”
As he spoke, his hands were already itching to move.
His body felt so uncomfortable, his heart so empty.
He needed Xiao Xi’er’s hug to feel better.
Give him that hug!
If she refused, he’d take it by force!
Tang Yushen blinked expectantly, his voice growing slightly hoarse. “Just for a moment.”
He needed to hold Xiao Xi’er to recharge, or he’d be listless all day.
Seeing him on the verge of acting spoiled, Xia Qiaoxi proactively moved closer and gave him a light, brief embrace.
Just one second.
Before Tang Yushen could respond, the momentary hug had ended.
His body stiffened. “I heard Xia Zhao went home yesterday and argued with his parents.”
Forget it, let’s talk about something else.
“Let him argue. After it’s over, he’ll still return to school for classes. High school students only get half a day off anyway.” Xia Qiaoxi spoke indifferently, her eyes calm and unrippled.
Xia Zhao wasn’t mature yet; he was just a child.
Deng LiChen’s controlling nature wasn’t directed solely at her—it extended to Xia Zhao as well.
Though Xia Zhao had many of his material and emotional needs met.
The areas of control were just different.
Xia Qiaoxi began eating quietly, wondering why Tang Yushen and that girl had separated. Given his power, status, and wealth, unless there were insurmountable obstacles, he could have kept her by his side even by force.
She couldn’t figure out the reason, and her mood grew complicated and despondent.
Her heart felt restless and agitated.
She could accept being a substitute, but the resemblance was too strong.
So strong it felt frightening.
Could that be her mother?
Xia Qiaoxi shuddered, lightly tapping her own forehead. What was she thinking! How could that be possible?
Given Tang Yushen’s age, how could he…
Tang Yushen tilted his head, his gaze profound as he watched her small movements. “Xiao Xi’er, what are you thinking about?”
Not only was she frowning during the meal, but she was also treating herself like that.
He couldn’t bear to see her hurt even a little.
“It’s nothing.” Xia Qiaoxi gave an awkward smile, “Just pretend you didn’t see it.”
“Mom came to the company today. There have been many party invitations for you in Jing City recently. Would you like to go out and have some fun?” Seeing her reluctance to speak, Tang Yushen didn’t press further.
“I’m not feeling well and don’t want to go.” Xia Qiaoxi shook her head slightly.
Even if she went, she wouldn’t know anyone.
Back at home, Deng LiChen had said that after she married He Luyi—who was in poor health and rarely attended social events—she wouldn’t be taken out much. Etiquette had been taught, but she didn’t know any of the socialites or young ladies in Jing City.
Besides, what identity would she go with?
Standing beside Tang Yushen—as his Canary, a stand-in for his white moonlight, or a secret lover kept in the shadows?
Better not to go.
She would be leaving this place soon anyway.
“If you don’t want to go, then we won’t.” Tang Yushen’s eyes were filled with affection.
“Did you like the meal I cooked for you that night?” Xia Qiaoxi changed the subject with a faint smile.
“Yes, the dishes you made were especially delicious.”
A hundred times better than in the previous life.
In the previous life, he had eaten food that was hard to swallow. Later, during the war, on the battlefield, there were times when all he had was a single potato or a rock-hard pancake.
The food Xia Qiaoxi made was simply a delicacy.
“If you like it, I’ll bring you food every day from now on, okay?” Xia Qiaoxi was looking for an excuse to leave the villa.
Going out daily would avoid suspicion when she eventually left.
Tang Yushen thought he must have misheard—Xia Qiaoxi bringing him food every day!!!
He was overjoyed.
He felt as if pink heart bubbles were floating around them, the beginning of love sprouting.
“Okay.” Tang Yushen replied with feigned seriousness, “That’s fine.”
From now on, he would schedule meetings with business partners in the evenings. He wanted to have lunch with Xia Qiaoxi every noon!
“Just don’t hurt your hands.” Tang Yushen took her hand, “It’s not fully healed yet.”
Xia Qiaoxi paid little attention to the scars on her hand. Being constantly cared for like this felt… so indulgent.
She almost lost herself in it.
But this affection and concern from Tang Yushen didn’t belong to her.
“It’s already healed…” Xia Qiaoxi said softly, “Skin regenerates quickly. By tomorrow, you probably won’t even see any traces of the injury.”
Tang Yushen held her hand, reluctant to let go.
Xia Qiaoxi’s hand was so soft, pale, and tender, like a water-filled balloon, pliable and gentle.
Holding her hand felt like holding a part of her, subtly pulling her closer until he was staring at her slightly parted red lips, leaning in slowly.
Just as he was about to kiss her, Xia Qiaoxi pulled back, “I’m full.”
Tang Yushen didn’t get his kiss!
Xia Qiaoxi was avoiding him.
“I’ll brush my teeth and come back.”
Xia Qiaoxi: “…”
What nonsense?
Brushing his teeth didn’t mean he could kiss her.
Seeing him leave, Xia Qiaoxi also hurried away.
She ran upstairs, closed the door, and sent Tang Yushen a message on her phone saying she was going to take a nap.
Tang Yushen brushed his teeth and looked at the message on his phone.
No way!
If he didn’t get a kiss today, he wouldn’t be able to focus on work all afternoon.
He wanted to take a nap too.
A nap with Xia Qiaoxi.
Tang Yushen stood outside the door but ultimately didn’t go in.
Sure enough, he couldn’t concentrate all afternoon. His mind was filled with images of Xia Qiaoxi’s alluring red lips, holding her slender waist, kissing her passionately, then lifting her up, pressing her down, and tearing off her clothes…