Chapter 43 The Young Lady in the Wheelchair: Are You Concerned About Me?

Xi Congshuang was caught off guard and sat there stunned for a few seconds.

Cheng Zhishu, who was standing in front of the door, walked inside. She quickly recognized the place. It was true that several years had passed, but nothing had changed. It was almost exactly the same as before.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cheng Zhishu noticed a warm yellow hue and looked over.

However, they are still different.

Fresh flowers sat on a vase in the corner, the petals of champagne roses still glistening with moisture, gentle and delicate, quite different from the vase that floated in the sky.

Xi Congshuang stood up, supporting herself on the back of the sofa. The setting sun streamed in, casting a soft glow on her like a veil.

“You…” Cheng Zhishu instinctively felt that her expression was not right, hesitated, and finally stood still.

She began to doubt whether she was just imagining things, because Xi Congshuang was backlit and she couldn't see her expression.

Xi Congshuang didn't give her a chance to back out. She quickly walked up to her and grabbed her wrist: "Why did you come?"

"..."

Cheng Zhishu didn't know how to answer in a way that would make her seem calm. Could she say that she was very concerned about Xi Congshuang's expression after she got in the car, and couldn't help but take a taxi here?

That's absolutely not possible; she still has some pride.

Xi Congshuang wasn't fixated on getting any answers from her. Her smile deepened, and she took advantage of the situation, moving closer until she could smell the citrus-scented perfume on the other woman.

It seems that Cheng Zhishu has always had a special fondness for citrus scents.

Cheng Zhishu felt that she was getting too close and subconsciously stepped back. She wondered why Xi Congshuang, who had recovered many years ago, still carried a faint bitter fragrance.

She then discerned the lingering scent of fir trees.

"Did you come here because you care about me?" Xi Congshuang asked again.

"..."

Cheng Zhishu felt that she had asked an embarrassing question and didn't really want to answer, so she backed down.

The two retreated one after the other until Cheng Zhishu's back was against the wall. It turned out that she had unknowingly retreated so many steps that she had nowhere left to retreat.

Then they were surrounded and trapped between their arms.

Xi Congshuang bent one leg and inserted it between Cheng Zhishu's legs, her knee pressed against the wall, making it difficult for Cheng Zhishu to leave.

Just as she was about to say something, Cheng Zhishu heard the sound of a door closing beside her ear. With a flick of her slender fingers, she locked the door from the inside.

The seemingly insignificant noise inexplicably made Cheng Zhishu's heart skip a beat. She turned her head to look over, but then forced herself to turn back because the person in front of her had drawn her attention.

My ears started to inexplicably burn and turn a striking red.

Why close the door when everything is fine?

She soon found out why the door was closed, because Xi Congshuang leaned down and kissed Cheng Chengzhishu's slightly parted lips.

They parted with just a light touch, as if only taking a quick sip.

In that instant, Cheng Zhishu's mind went blank, and all her worries and hesitations vanished.

Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. She touched her heart somewhat numbly. She thought she had long since let go of the past, but she hadn't. She never had.

She would still be moved by that feeling.

Xi Congshuang saw no resistance in her eyes, and lowered his head to kiss her lips again. Not content with just a brief taste, he went straight in, arousing the passion of the person beneath him, their lips and tongues dancing together.

The disadvantages of being trapped between the wall and Xi Congshuang became apparent at this moment. When Cheng Zhishu could no longer bear it, she could not retreat and could only endure it with a frown.

As the sunlight outside gradually dimmed, an ambiguous atmosphere rose inside, making the room exceptionally quiet and highlighting the hazy, sticky sounds of water.

"Hmm..."

Cheng Zhishu couldn't help but open her eyes, pressing on Xi Congshuang's shoulders, trying to push her away to catch her breath, but the other woman refused to back down, stubbornly staying close to her, making it hard for her to breathe.

Her eyelashes, wet with tears, opened. After a few seconds of blurred vision, she saw Xi Congshuang's face and was taken aback.

Xi Congshuang's eyes were closed, her long, thick eyelashes casting a shadow under her eyes, and Cheng Zhishu was not mistaken, her eyelashes were trembling slightly.

It turns out she wasn't the only one who was nervous.

When their eyes are open, they always seem affectionate; when they are closed, they reveal a deep and unseen devotion. Nothing is more moving than a person who is indifferent to emotions giving their whole heart and soul.

Perhaps... from back then until now, Xi Congshuang is not entirely without feelings for him.

Perhaps she also likes him, and it's not just his wishful thinking.

This realization almost brought tears to Cheng Zhishu's eyes.

Cheng Zhishu was mesmerized, no longer closing his eyes, taking in every single change in her.

"Knock knock".

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Xiao Liu asked curiously, "Miss? Why is the door locked?"

She tried to open the door with a few clicks, but it was locked from the inside, and she couldn't open it.

The two were only a step away from the door, and the sound seemed to ring in their ears, like a thunderclap.

Cheng Zhishu was startled and, in her panic, bit Xi Congshuang's soft lip. Afraid of hurting her, she carefully licked it with her tongue.

Her hands were also busy, constantly pushing Xi Congshuang's shoulder to remind her that someone was coming and to let go quickly.

Seeing her busy and flustered appearance, Xi Congshuang's eyes still held a hint of lust. Her retreat and panic made Xi Congshuang feel dissatisfied, and she licked the wound on her lips.

The slight pain only stimulated her senses more.

He leaned down and kissed her slightly swollen lips again, licking her sensitive palate to forcefully draw her attention back, not letting anything else occupy Cheng Zhishu's attention.

Cheng Zhishu couldn't break free and was swept away by her emotions.

Outside the door, Xiao Liu, holding a fruit platter, was wondering why there was no movement inside.

She waited for a while, but no one opened the door, so she wisely left.

She carried the fruit platter back and told Wenhai and the servants not to bring tea to the small living room, as the young lady didn't need it now.

*

As the sun set, suppressed gasps echoed in the dimly lit room. Cheng Zhishu covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes blurry with tears.

She was carried to the solid wood cabinet, taking up the space where champagne roses should have been placed.

Her long, slender legs hung down, her toes pointed, so that she could touch the champagne roses not far away with the slightest movement, but she couldn't touch the ground.

This feeling of being suspended in mid-air made Cheng Zhishu uneasy. She felt like a mermaid who had come ashore, unable to walk, and could only cling tightly to the culprit that had made her this way, drawing warmth and a sense of security from it.

As her cool fingertips brushed against the fabric beneath her long skirt, her legs trembled, goosebumps rising on her skin. She seemed to feel a bit cold and tried to bring her legs together to warm them.

...

In the shadows, Cheng Zhishu closed her eyes, her eyes reddening, and rested her forehead on Xi Congshuang's shoulder, her supple waist bending deeply.

It seemed like resistance, yet also like a plea to stay.

Her clothes were disheveled; several buttons on her shirt were undone, revealing her beautifully shaped collarbone, and below that, her chest bore the marks of a kiss.

Xi Congshuang pulled her hand to herself and said in a reproachful tone, "Don't just cover your mouth, touch me too."

"I want to hear your voice." Cheng Zhishu's other hand was also pulled away.

Xi Congshuang gently pried open the teeth that were clenching her lower lip, and sure enough, she heard a soft "Mmm..."

"This is too much...too much." Cheng Zhishu was at the mercy of others, her hand falling limply to her side, only to be grabbed by Xi Congshuang and placed on her shoulder, her clothes at the back of her neck being ruffled.

When her breathing became erratic, Xi Congshuang leaned close to her ear and said, "I was afraid you couldn't take it, so I didn't dare to go in. I didn't expect you couldn't even handle a little rubbing."

The hand gripping Xi Congshuang's neck tightened suddenly, crumpling her clothes.

Xi Congshuang met her gaze in the dim light, seeing tears welling in her eyes, her brows furrowed, and her breath coming in gasps.

"Wait...don't..." The short voice stopped abruptly. The person with weak waist could not resist Xi Congshuang's actions and could only endure it with tears in their eyes.

A misbehaving foot kicked a vase, knocking over champagne roses and spilling water from the vase, wetting the carpet and leaving deep watermarks.

"..."

Xi Congshuang kissed the corner of her lips, seemingly regretfully saying, "I'm sorry, I was too hasty. Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

Cheng Zhishu's blank eyes twitched, but she was too weak to move her earlobe because it had been bitten. She had only one thought in her mind.

What exactly is in melodramatic soap operas?

Xi Congshuang, who seemed detached from worldly affairs, was suddenly dismissed.

This is not only being impatient, but also very scheming.

At this moment, Cheng Zhishu still attributed the problem to external factors. She leaned on Xi Congshuang and rested for a while before she recovered and waited for the blush on her face to fade.

Given her condition, she definitely can't go out.

She was being held by Xi Congshuang, her arms wrapped around her waist, her chin resting on her shoulder. She saw the champagne roses on the ground and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "The vase has fallen over."

She couldn't believe it when she said it; the sound actually came from her throat.

That sounds really weird.

She had just made up her mind not to say another word until she recovered when Xi Congshuang let go of her, bent down to pick up the vase on the ground, gathered the thornless bouquet, and put it back in the vase.

As she moved, she unbuttoned her collar, which swayed, revealing everything underneath. Cheng Zhishu could see everything just by looking down.

As if stung by the lipstick mark or hickey on it, she quickly looked away and whispered, "Hurry up and button up your collar, how are you going to go out like this?"

Xi Congshuang placed the vase to one side and said helplessly, "I can't close it."

"Why? Did a rose thorn prick your hand?" Cheng Zhishu glanced away, secretly cursing herself for being so spineless. She had already done something far worse, so what was wrong with glancing at it a few times?

With that thought, she became bolder and turned around to look at it carefully again. Xi Congshuang, not understanding why, let her look freely.

Cheng Zhishu almost felt a burning sensation on the tip of her nose, and an unknown liquid flowed out.

Luckily, she managed to hold back, covering her nose and turning her head away. As the ancients said, "Do not look at what is improper."

The repetitive movements amused Xi Congshuang, who asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Cheng Zhishu was too embarrassed to admit that she had been bewitched by good looks. She pinched her nose and shook her head, saying in a muffled voice, "If you don't button up your clothes, you'll catch a cold."

What does it mean to keep it open all the time?

Do you want her to button it herself?

She really couldn't take it again; it was too stimulating.

Xi Congshuang lowered her eyes and said helplessly, "I also want to button it up, but unfortunately I can't."

Cheng Zhishu wanted to ask why, but upon closer inspection, her face turned bright red.

She really couldn't button up her shirt because the buttons on her long-sleeved shirt had been torn off, and she didn't know where they had fallen off. The shirt was also crumpled up.

Cheng Zhishu did it all herself; the dress is now completely ruined.

Xi Congshuang tried to pull up the collar, but without the buttons to hold it in place, it was all in vain. The shirt, which was supposed to be proper and abstinent, was somehow transformed into something resembling erotic clothing.

"No, how could this be..." Cheng Zhishu couldn't continue speaking, burying her face in her hands, revealing her two bright red ears.

Xi Congshuang hummed in agreement, and it wasn't hard to hear the amusement in her tone: "It's not your fault, it's just that the tailor didn't sew it strong enough, it broke as soon as it was pulled."

Cheng Zhishu couldn't take it anymore, her voice weak: "Please stop talking... just let me explode..."

*

As the sun disappeared completely below the horizon and the lights of Wenhai began to come on, Cheng Zhishu, clutching her shirt, appeared calm and composed, but in reality, she slipped down the third floor like a thief and hurried towards the small living room.

No one noticed her along the way.

Why did Xi Congshuang go to the small living room to watch the cat sleep without a coat? You can't expect someone to go out with their clothes covering them, but Cheng Zhishu would never agree to have someone bring her clothes back, even if you beat her to death.

It will definitely lead to speculation. Why would someone change clothes for no reason? And why are the buttons on their clothes popped off? Any of these questions will make people think all sorts of things.

She wasn't wearing a coat herself, and after thinking it over, the best solution was to go to Xi Congshuang's room and get a shirt. The responsibility of going upstairs naturally fell on Cheng Zhishu's shoulders.

First, Xi Congshuang can't get out. Second, Naonao, who is still fast asleep, is a deaf cat; it can't understand human speech and can't fetch the clothes.

Returning to the small living room along the familiar path, Cheng Zhishu raised her hand and knocked on the door. Xi Congshuang, who was waiting behind the door, opened it and pulled her inside.

Cheng Zhishu was still shaken and patted her chest: "What's it like to try being a thief in your own home for the first time?"

She was still nervous and didn't realize what she had said. She even peeked out the window at the white vortex, who was fast asleep and had changed positions countless times.

Xi Congshuang paused in adjusting her clothes and looked over. Cheng Zhishu belatedly realized something was wrong and also fell silent.

The cat changed its sleeping position again. It stood up, arched its back like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, circled around in its bed, and then curled itself up again.

Xi Congshuang casually tossed the clothes in her hand aside, her slightly cool hand grasping her drooping hand, their fingers intertwined.

She had just washed her hands, and they were a little cooler than before. Cheng Zhishu was caught off guard by the feeling of her fingertips touching her, and her soul couldn't help but tremble.

"I know I owe you an explanation for what happened before..."

Cheng Zhishu did not pull her hand away. With a strong pull, she leaned closer to Cheng Zhishu and shook her head, saying, "I am not a child anymore. I don't need to explain everything in detail."

"Back then, I was willful. After storming off, I always regretted not being more obedient or more thoughtful. That way, even if we were far apart, we would still have a chance to meet again..."

Xi Congshuang hugged her: "I've been there, to the United States."

The drawers in her room were piled high with plane tickets from various places, their thickness astonishing—a jigsaw puzzle of her scattered thoughts and memories.

Fortunately, my wish came true.

Cheng Zhishu was taken aback. She had never considered this possibility before, and asked in surprise, "You came to see me?"

Why didn't she see anyone even once? Doesn't that mean she missed many times?

If I hadn't impulsively returned to China, wouldn't I have never had the chance to meet them again?

Thinking about this possibility, Cheng Zhishu felt a strange sense of fear, but at the same time, she was glad that she had acted impulsively.

Xi Congshuang kissed her forehead: "Perhaps the world is too big, or perhaps we are not destined to be together. Every time I have failed, but fortunately, you took the initiative to come back, and I am already very happy."

Each time she returned alone, Red Apple felt sorry for Xi Congshuang's bad luck, as she had never been able to meet the female lead even once in all these visits.

It also began to worry that she might not appear until ten years later, when Xi Congshuang was killed off by a plot device, and that would be truly the end of it.

But that's how things are. No matter how anxious Red Apple is, it's no use. Every time, she just shouts "I don't care about you anymore" and goes offline.

Even with one person and one system at a time, there was nothing that could be done. The system wanted to make things difficult for Xi Congshuang, but she had spent two of the past four years busy restoring her freedom of movement, and the remaining two years she frequently traveled abroad. Apart from that last-minute rebellion, Xi Congshuang had been quite cooperative.

It was almost past dinner time when Xi Congshuang finally appeared at the table, accompanied by a familiar person.

Xiao Liu didn't ask why the door to the small living room couldn't be opened in the afternoon. Instead, she busied herself having someone bring up hot food for the two of them, who had been hungry for a long time.

Both parties maintained the custom of not speaking while eating, and ate in silence. Xiao Liu did not speak either, and left the dining room after having the food placed down.

Everyone was a little puzzled as to why the young lady's clothes had changed. When she first arrived home, she was wearing a light blue top, but now it was a soft apricot color, and the style was also very different. There was even a mosquito bite on the collar.

Why only half? Because the other half is under the collar.

"Mosquitoes?" Xiao Liu frowned slightly upon hearing the servants' conversation. She decided to have the gardener plant more mugwort tomorrow and also to control the mosquito problem in the garden.

We will not tolerate mosquito bites! Especially when they bite a prostitute!

"Yes, yes, summer is almost here, and there will only be more and more mosquitoes."

"Miss is not in good health and still likes to take walks in the garden, so we need to be more careful."

No one connected the missing clothes with the red dot on her chest, which shows that Xi Congshuang's usual behavior is quite deceptive.

After the meal, Xi Congshuang asked Cheng Zhishu to stay the night, and Cheng Zhishu agreed without much hesitation. In fact, she didn't want to leave immediately during their time together.

Once she returned to her room at the Changting Hotel, where she was all alone, she would wonder if it was all a dream.

She still lives in her old room, next to Xi Congshuang.

As she went upstairs with Xiao Liu, Cheng Zhishu recalled the room she had just entered, comparing it with the previous one.

Unexpectedly, after all these years, Xi Congshuang still hasn't moved out of her old room and continues to live in that much smaller bedroom.

However, the auxiliary tools and bumper strips that were everywhere back then have been removed, and the furniture and facilities have all been restored to their normal size, so it seems that it has been renovated.

However, she continued with her previous style, and at first glance, it seemed that there was almost no change.

"I just cleaned it this morning, and the sheets are new. You can move in right away, Xiao Shu. I'll bring you a new set of clothes later." Xiao Liu turned on the light, and the room became bright.

Cheng Zhishu was momentarily dazed by the familiar title.

Xiao Liu covered her mouth, embarrassed, and said, "I misspoke. I can't call you Xiao Shu now. I should call you Miss Cheng."

Cheng Zhishu didn't mind: "Sister Liu is older than me, so it's okay for her to call me Xiaoshu."

"Okay, to be honest, I wasn't used to it when you were gone, and I think Miss wasn't used to it either." Xiao Liu walked into the room.

“I suddenly remembered that I have a few new sets of loungewear in the bottom drawer. They are small size, but could you take a look and see if they fit? If not, I’ll go get the new ones.”

She only said half of what she meant, successfully piquing Cheng Zhishu's curiosity, who wanted to ask Xi Congshuang why she wasn't used to her absence.

But she always felt embarrassed to ask this question herself, as if it made her feel narcissistic.

Cheng Zhishu followed her over and saw Xiao Liu open the wardrobe, inside which hung several unfamiliar clothes, clearly in Xi Congshuang's style.

"What are these...?"

Xi Congshuang's bedroom walk-in closet has a considerable capacity, so it doesn't need to occupy other rooms to store clothes. And even if it did, it shouldn't only contain a few items.

"Oh, these are Miss's clothes. She sometimes sleeps here, so some of her clothes are left here." Xiao Liu bent down to look for clothes in the drawer.

Her hands were busy, and her mouth didn't stop either: "So both rooms have to be cleaned every day, so that Miss can't stay there. Nao Nao often calls the wrong door, and it often can't tell which room Miss is in."

"..." Cheng Zhishu's thoughts were in turmoil. "Why does it still love to knock on the door so much?"

Xiao Liu found several sets of clothes that were well packaged: "Especially during holidays, the young lady will definitely come over, so the clothes have to be prepared in advance."

*

Tonight, Xi Congshuang didn't go to the next room, and she spent more time reading than before, as if she was waiting for something.

Late at night, the red apple, which had been unable to log on for a long time, finally appeared. It had been forced to disrupt its schedule today and had plenty of time to hibernate, so it hurriedly logged on to check the situation.

"What's wrong with you today? I haven't been able to log on since this afternoon."

Before Xi Congshuang could answer, Red Apple flapped its wings with satisfaction: "Whatever you're doing, you're probably doing something good. The Honkai value keeps dropping, you've made great progress!"

If the red apple had hands, it would be in a posture of holding its arms outstretched, showing great excitement.

Xi Congshuang has been deliberately ignoring the annoying announcements lately. She closed the book in her hand and asked, "How much is left?"

"Didn't you hear me? Never mind, telling you won't change anything. There are still 25 left! There's definitely hope of getting it to zero in the limited time available!"

"You absolutely mustn't mess this up. Don't be reckless, young man. Nothing is more important than life." Red Apple had unknowingly been assimilated by Xi Congshuang, and what she said was almost the same as what Xi Congshuang's doctors said.

Honestly, dealing with someone who avoids seeking medical help is exhausting, especially when that person is the kind of person who's neither alive nor dead, a humanoid creature with a human form but no humanity.

But the system generously forgave her. She had been sick for so many years before transmigrating, so it was perfectly normal for her to be a little unhealthy, both physically and mentally. She would grow and experience the beauty of life.

Xi Congshuang made a startling statement: "Is there any way to extend my stay? I want to stay here until I die of old age."

Red Apple warned: "If there's no other way, what are you going to do now?"

It turns out that although Xi Congshuang is doing the work of saving the world, she is actually doing all the things that a villain should do.

It could no longer tell who was actually working.

More importantly, there's another thing.

The red apple asked, "Why do you want to extend the time that exists in this world?"

Shouldn't we finish our tasks earlier, leave sooner, and strive for our own health?

This is a host with a very high evaluation score. Putting everything aside, she had everything in her original world, so why would she be willing to stay here as the behind-the-scenes head of the family?

Xi Congshuang had no intention of lying: "Because I like Cheng Zhishu, I want to be with her until we grow old together."

"...?"

The red apple thought it was malfunctioning and was experiencing auditory hallucinations.

"!!!"

A few seconds later, the entire Red Apple system was about to crack open.

What did it hear? By the Lord God, what did it hear!

In fact, it was also questioning the still calm human in front of it: "What did you say! What are you saying!"

Xi Congshuang didn't mind repeating it again: "I said I..."

"Enough! Stop talking, I heard you, I heard everything." The electronic voice of the red apple also weakened.

It's so stupid, really.

Xi Congshuang said she wouldn't like anyone, but Cheng Zhishu didn't believe her. Only Xi Congshuang believed it year after year.

Knowing the truth brought tears to my eyes.

Xi Congshuang added insult to injury: "Let's make a deal."

"..."

Don't speak, just kill me.

This is the first time Red Apple has had the idea that restoring factory settings would be a good idea.

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