“Song Song.” The gentle tone seemed to transport them back to the days when they were in love.
Bai Song stiffened, turning to see Tong Yao smiling at her.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bloodshot, and she swayed unsteadily on her feet clearly having drunk far too much.
But even drunk, one shouldn’t just barge into someone’s bathroom while they’re showering.
Bai Song wiped the water from her face, her expression a mix of indignation and distress, instinctively taking a step back.
Her back, still warm from the hot water, suddenly pressed against the cold tiles, sending a shiver through her body as goosebumps rose all over.
Though Tong Yao’s expression seemed calm, Bai Song knew better, if she were truly fine, she’d be asleep in her own room right now.
Not deliberately using a key to unlock the bathroom door while knowing Bai Song was showering.
After all, Bai Song had locked the door!
She wanted to cover her chest, then her lower half, but in her panic, she froze, wishing she could just hide her face instead.
Sure enough, Tong Yao’s smile vanished in an instant. She lunged forward, gripping Bai Song’s throat, her eyes red with fury as she hissed through clenched teeth, “Why? Why did you leave me? I could forgive your cheating, your betrayal but why were you so ruthless? Did you really never care for me at all?”
Her gaze was desperate and frenzied, startling Bai Song.
With a thud, Bai Song’s back slammed against the wall, the pain in her shoulder blades sharp enough to feel like they might shatter.
She forced a weak smile, struggling to speak. “Yao Yao, let go first.” How could she even talk like this?
What she intended as a placating smile only seemed to mock Tong Yao further.
Already past reason, Tong Yao’s temples pulsed with rage, her grip tightening.
“No. If I let go, you’ll run.”
Bai Song nearly rolled her eyes, she wanted to run, but she was stark naked. Was she supposed to sprint out like this?
“Yao Yao, I won’t go. I really won’t cough. If you don’t let go. I’ll really be gone forever.”
Perhaps the last words struck a chord. Tong Yao stared at Bai Song’s face, now tinged with blue from suffocation, and slowly loosened her hold.
The shower still ran, water cascading over them.
Bai Song doubled over, gasping for air, nearly choking on the spray.
Tong Yao seized her chin with two fingers, forcing her to meet her gaze.
Bai Song’s eyes were red, misty with unshed tears, wide with fear like a startled fawn, only exciting the hungry wolf more.
Her voice was icy. “Song Song, why can’t you just love me? I love you so much would it kill you to love me back?”
“!” Coming home drunk just to take it out on her Bai Song was utterly exasperated.
Clutching Tong Yao’s wrist, pain and sorrow flickered in her eyes. “Yao Yao, do you really love me? No. You love yourself.”
Tong Yao’s stare turned lethal, the last thread of her restraint snapping.
She was doubting her love again.
“Shut up!”
“No, I will speak!” Bai Song stiffened her neck and roared hoarsely. A mocking smile curled her lips as she glared at Tong Yao. “You keep saying you love me, yet everything you do hurts me. I’ve told you, I don’t like you. It was my fault for deceiving you, but if you truly loved me, shouldn’t you forgive me? Shouldn’t you wish for my happiness? Have you done any of that? Then do you really love me?”
“You don’t love me. You just feel like I’ve challenged your authority. You’re furious, you’re unwilling to let go, and you’re taking revenge on me. You hate me, Tong Yao. You hate me!”
Bai Song’s voice grew louder and louder, cracking by the end, but it only amplified her intensity. For a moment, it truly stunned Tong Yao.
But Tong Yao froze for only a second before her eyes abruptly reddened. Her fist shot up, veins bulging on the back of her hand, poised to strike Bai Song’s face in the next instant.
Bai Song quickly shut her eyes, gritting her teeth as she braced for the punch that could easily break her nose.
Yet, after what felt like an eternity, no pain came. Bai Song cautiously opened her eyes.
Tong Yao slowly lowered her fist and let out a cold laugh. “Song Song, have you changed tactics? Before, you coaxed and deceived me into falling for you. Now you’re provoking me to make me let you go?”
Her gaze darkened as she stared at Bai Song, her voice dripping with menace. “I almost fell for it again, Song Song. Don’t doubt it, I love you. Without you, I’d die.” She leaned in, biting Bai Song’s earlobe, her words muffled. “Without you, I’d have no life left. What wouldn’t a dying person do?”
Bai Song’s face was pressed hard against the cold wall, her features twisted under the force, her eyes tightly shut, lashes trembling violently.
She didn’t dare open them, afraid Tong Yao would see the despair in her eyes if her scheme was exposed.
It’s over!
She could never outmaneuver Tong Yao.
Bai Song’s body went limp, but at the same moment, a sharp pain shot through her earlobe, forcing a gasp from her lips.
“!” Bai Song jolted in shock, instinctively reaching to touch her earlobe. She gritted her teeth. “Tong Yao!”
Tong Yao pressed closer. “Hate me?”
She chuckled lightly. “That’s fine too. Whether it’s hate or love, as long as I’m in your heart, I’m satisfied.”
Her voice was sweet and lilting, but to Bai Song, it sounded like a horn blaring from the depths of hell, sending chills wracking through her body.