Say goodbye to him
Zuo Xiao opened his eyes and a familiar face came into view, from hazy to clear.
She was not fully awake yet, her eyes were blurry. She lifted the quilt and closed her eyes again.
A soft laugh came from my ear: "Get up and have breakfast."
Wasn't this a dream? She opened her eyes and blurted out, "You're back?"
His kiss was imprinted on her brow, as soft as his voice: "I came back in the middle of the night. It was too late so I didn't disturb you." After saying that, he held her face and kissed her again.
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet..." Zuo Xiao stretched out a hand from under the quilt to block him, but he caught it with a smile: "It doesn't matter, baby, everything smells good."
He leaned forward, pretending to kiss her again. Zuo Xiao couldn't stand his clinginess anymore, so he finally lost his temper, stretched out his other hand, and pushed it hard on his face.
This hand was also caught.
"Okay, okay, no more kissing." He kissed the palm of her hand, then bent down and picked her up without saying hello.
Zuo Xiao was startled when his body suddenly flew into the air: "What are you doing?"
"Carry you to brush your teeth."
"Auntie! Auntie is still here!"
"She has today off."
"...That won't work! Hey, don't move! I haven't put on my shoes yet!"
As a result, Zhuang Yu'an held her firmly with just one hand, then bent down to pick up the slippers on the ground, and carried her and the slippers into the bathroom.
When she was brushing her teeth, he put his arms around her waist from behind and nuzzled his face into the back of her neck. Zuo Xiao looked at herself in the mirror, as if she was being pampered by a giant dog—no, even dogs were not as clingy as him!
"How's Xiaojing?" she asked with a blushing face after being put on the dining chair.
Today's breakfast was simpler than usual: a brunch plate for each person, consisting of eggs Benedict, roasted shiitake mushrooms, and roasted pumpkin, along with a small salad. Their drink was a glass of orange blended freshly squeezed juice. Zhuang Yu'an thrust a fork into her hand. "She still has work to do, so she'll be back tomorrow."
Then why did you come back early? Zuo Xiao thought to himself, but didn't ask aloud, fearing that he would use this opportunity to say something sticky - this guy just went to Hong Kong to make a fuss, but it seemed as if his brain was damaged.
After dinner, she was carried back to the bedroom as she was.
He pressed forward, and she pushed his shoulder: "Aren't you going to work today?"
"Well..." His voice was muffled against his collarbone, "I'm taking a day off too."
Not long after, she fell into a state of dizziness and fever again. When the last piece of clothing on her body was about to fall off, she said dazedly: "My period hasn't left yet..."
But that didn't stop him from giving her happiness.
Afterwards, he hugged her and said, "Do you want to go to the suburbs to enjoy the snow?"
"We have to rehearse tonight, so we can't go too far."
"Okay. How about going to the Summer Palace?"
In the afternoon, they walked hand in hand by the lake. It had snowed the night before, and the vast Kunming Lake was covered in a sparse, dense layer of hoarfrost, like a fogged mirror. In the distance, the branches of Longevity Mountain were covered in snow, and the eaves and corners of the Buddhist Incense Pavilion were also covered in white, looking from afar like a layer of icing sugar.
Zuo Xiao wore a long down jacket and snow boots today, along with the scarf, gloves, and fur hat Zhuang Yu'an had given her, and didn't feel the cold at all. Zhuang Yu'an wore a turtleneck sweater and parka, and aside from the fact that his head looked a bit chilly, he was both stylish and comfortable.
"Have you ever skated on a sled?" Zhuang Yu'an asked.
"Ice sled?" Zuo Xiao shook his head. "No. What is that?"
"It's just sitting on a chair, supported by two poles, and sliding on the ice."
Zuo Xiao imagined the scene he described in his mind and was silent for a moment. Zhuang Yu'an smiled and said, "Is my description boring? But it's actually quite interesting. Jinghao really likes to play and comes here every year."
As soon as he finished speaking, he stopped and turned to the uniformed staff member next to him: "Master, is the ice rink not open this year?"
"Come back in a week!" the middle-aged man in the Lei Feng hat said, "Look, the ice isn't solid yet!"
"Then let's just take a walk." Zuo Xiao said, "Want to go to that Buddhist Incense Pavilion you just mentioned?"
The two of them walked slowly. The afternoon sun was soft, the wind was light but the air was chilly, and few people were out and about. The scenery was tranquil and elegant, not like being in a scenic area. Zhuang Yu'an had brought a camera and took photos of Zuo Xiao along the way, even asking passersby to take photos with him.
The young girl carrying a SLR camera was obviously an expert. She spent a long time just finding the right angle and directing the two to change their poses. She couldn't stop pressing the shutter, and she exclaimed in admiration: "Brother and sister, you two are so elegant! Are you really not models?"
Zhuang Yu'an didn't usually take photos, and although Zuo Xiao had been photographed quite often, this was the first time they'd been so deliberately photographed together. She wasn't particularly relaxed, and her movements were intentionally restrained. Yet, looking back, she found that most of the photos were quite good. There was an indescribable connection between the two of them; even just standing quietly side by side by the lake, they possessed a timeless atmosphere.
It was almost dusk when I got home.
Zuo Xiao walked into the kitchen and saw the tall man standing at the counter, his head bowed as he processed the ingredients. The setting sun slanted through the window, painting a golden-orange hue on his broad shoulders—a deadly tenderness.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She took a few steps forward, hugged him from behind, and pressed her face against his back.
The man suddenly stopped. After a moment, he asked softly, "Can we go out for dinner?"
"Okay." She couldn't help but hug him tighter.
There was the sound of running water. He washed his hands carefully and dried them with a tissue. Then he turned around and held her face in his hands.
At seven o'clock, Zuo Xiao walked into the rehearsal room, followed by Zhuang Yu'an.
"Brother Zhuang is here to learn piano again?" Peng Leiming teased. Zuo Xiao glanced at him and said, "He's taking Xiao Jing's class."
Zhuang Yu'an then proceeded to act like an assistant, sometimes helping Lao Sun operate the camera, sometimes fetching hot water for Zuo Xiao, and even taking the initiative to order milk tea for everyone. The more Zuo Xiao watched, the more he thought he was insane. Who could have imagined the boss of a listed company would be doing odd jobs for others?
After the milk tea delivery arrived, Lao Sun announced a halftime break.
Eating and drinking unsealed beverages were prohibited in the rehearsal room. After everyone left, Zuo Xiaoxian offered Jiang Miaomiao, who was busy at her computer, a cup of milk tea. Then, she sat on the sofa in the common area. Zhuang Yu'an sat down next to her.
Zuo Xiao ordered pearl milk tea, while Zhuang Yu'an, self-conscious about her weight, drank purified water from a disposable cup. She had just taken two sips when the man next to her suddenly said, "It seems delicious."
Zuo Xiao was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "Why, are you craving this?"
The man didn't say anything, just looked at her and smiled.
"I asked you to order, but you didn't..." She complained, then handed the milk tea over with a snicker, "Try it."
Zhuang Yu'an didn't take the cup. Instead, he grabbed her wrist and lowered his head to take a sip from the straw she had used. After a moment, he said meaningfully, "It's really delicious."
Zuo Xiao pursed her lips and took his hand away: "Even if it tastes good, you are not allowed to drink it."
"Well, you have the final say."
At this moment, a shadow appeared at his feet. Zuo Xiao turned his head reflexively and was stunned.
Luffy looked down at her, his eyes as deep as a cold pond. When he turned to Zhuang Yu'an, his eyes suddenly became ferocious.
In a flash, Luffy lunged down and punched Zhuang Yu'an in the face. He didn't have time to stand up, and the punch hit his cheekbone. By the time Zuo Xiao reacted, Luffy had already thrown his next punch.
The milk tea cup fell to the ground, leaving a dark mark on the light gray carpet. Zuo Xiao instinctively grabbed Luffy's arm, but he shook it off. Zhuang Yu'an took this moment to stand up, grasping the other's fist with his palm, and reversed the situation of being suppressed.
"Get out of the way!"
"Don't come over here!"
The two men warned her at the same time. Zuo Xiao stood there in a daze, watching them staring at each other in silence, like two bulls about to start a fight.
"What's going on?" Peng Lei's voice sounded. At that moment, Luffy leaned forward and punched Zhuang Yu'an in the waist. He dodged it, and a new attack followed.
Zhuang Yu'an only defended and did not attack. While dodging his attacks, he said, "Calm down. If you want to fight, find a deserted place—" He dodged a heavy punch and said, "Hit me hard…"
Luffy's eyes were already red: "Shut up!" Then he stepped forward again.
By this time, more than a dozen people had gathered in the open area. In addition to the band members, there were also several Blue Lemon music teachers and students. Zuo Xiao came to his senses and shouted at Peng Lei and Qin Yufei, "Quickly, pull them apart!"
The two people she asked for help were both stunned. Peng Lei sneered and said, "Do you think I can pull them apart with my body?" He lowered his head and took out his phone. "Let's call the police!"
"Don't call the police!" Zuo Xiao shouted, turning to find Lao Sun and Jiang Miaomiao. Without waiting for her to speak, Lao Sun had already rushed toward the center of the chaos. Jiang Miaomiao quickly called out a few names, and the men she mentioned hesitated for a moment before rushing after Lao Sun.
The scene was in chaos. Everyone finally managed to control the agitated Luffy, who was being held by Old Sun from behind, with his hands being grabbed by others on either side.
Gradually, he stopped struggling, breathing slightly, and looked at Zhuang Yu'an with a sinister look.
Zuo Xiao finally had time to examine the two men carefully. Zhuang Yu'an's left cheekbone was not only red and slightly swollen, but his neck was also scratched with bloody marks. It was unclear whether there were any injuries hidden by his clothing. Luffy was unharmed, but he exuded a gloomy and cruel aura, and his mental state was worrying.
"Zhuang Yu'an, are you still human?" Luffy said hoarsely, "How did I treat you? Is this how you treat me?"
The person he was questioning tightened his lips, and after a moment he said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry for you. But this isn't the place to talk. Let's go and talk somewhere else."
"Bah!" Luffy snapped, "Do you still have any shame?"
Zuo Xiao made up his mind, walked to Jiang Miaomiao and said, "Can you lend me an empty room so I can have a good chat with Luffy?" Jiang Miaomiao nodded, and she said to Zhuang Yu'an, "You go first, let me talk to him alone."
Zhuang Yu'an shook his head glumly. Zuo Xiao glared at him, until he could do nothing but bite his cheek and nodded.
After Zhuang Yu'an disappeared around the corner, Zuo Xiao grabbed Luffy's arm and dragged him into the room.
This was a lounge of about 20 square meters, furnished with a double sofa, some snacks, and some drinks. Zuo Xiao pushed him down onto the sofa and then brought him two bottles of mineral water.
She sat down next to Luffy and pressed the water into his hands.
Luffy hadn't yet recovered from his previous anger, and he exuded a sense of resistance and dejection. He held the water bottle in his hand, saying nothing. His bangs were messy and fell over his eyebrows, with a few strands of hair covering his eyes, making him look like a homeless schnauzer.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" Zuo Xiao brushed his bangs and then held his hand with both hands.
Luffy froze for a moment, then lowered his eyes, his shoulders twitching slightly. After a moment, he shook his head.
"I know you're angry," Zuo Xiao said calmly. "You're angry that I didn't choose you, and even more angry that Zhuang Yu'an stole your girlfriend. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to break up with him and come back to you?"
"Is it okay?" Luffy raised his eyes, with obvious expectation and uneasiness in his eyes.
Zuo Xiao looked him straight in the eye and said, "No. I've said that you and I are a thing of the past. Even if I break up with him, I won't repeat the past."
Her grip tightened: "Luffy, there's no chance for us."
Luffy's eyes were distracted for a moment, and then he shook his head slightly: "You kissed me that night when the band performed."
"That was because I was drinking," Zuo Xiao explained, "and I was very vulnerable. I needed to escape from everything that was making me anxious and panicky... I treated you as a lifeboat, but that doesn't mean I still love you. I'm sorry, I made you misunderstand..."
The plastic water bottle made a series of crisp sounds when it was squeezed. Luffy lowered his head even lower, his expression hidden in the shadows.
"I don't believe it." He said in a trembling voice.
Zuo Xiao felt more and more sorry for him, so he raised his hands to hold his cheeks and lifted his face up.
She saw a pair of slightly trembling eyes, with surprise, confusion, and uneasiness flashing in them... She frowned, lowered her gaze to his pale lips, and kissed them gently.
Luffy froze for only a moment, then, as if a fuse had been lit, he kissed her back hard. He let go of the water bottle and hugged her tightly.
Zuo Xiao surrendered to his kiss. He kissed her eagerly, devoid of his usual technique and rhythm, as if he simply wanted to conquer something, to prove something.
Gradually, his attack slowed down. Finally, he removed his lips and looked at her blankly.
Zuo Xiao looked at him apologetically: "Do you feel it? I am only calm now, and I feel sorry for you. I hope I still love you, but I really don't love you anymore..."
Luffy's expression suddenly changed, and he suddenly pushed her down onto the sofa. He was furious, lashing out at her neck, practically biting it. However, she simply endured it calmly, without moving or making a sound.
He raised his head and met a pair of misty eyes filled with endless pity and apology. He could no longer bear it, and tears fell, wetting her eyes.
Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around his neck, pressing his head down so that he rested his face on her shoulder.
She stroked his back and hugged him for a long time. Only when the body on top of her gradually stopped shaking did she speak again.
"I fell in love with Zhuang Yu'an after breaking up with you," she said. "The choice of whether to get back together with you is mys. Don't hold a grudge against him, and don't hurt yourself. If you have to find someone to hate, then hate me. But I hope you can let me go as soon as possible, because life is long, don't keep looking back."
"What if I can't let go?" Luffy said sadly and stubbornly, "I've seen so many women, but none of them are like you... Maybe I'll never fall in love with anyone else in my life."
"No." Zuo Xiao told him, "Love is not about meeting a one-in-a-million person and then having to be with him. It's about choosing to love someone with all your heart. Once he is chosen, he becomes the only one. So, it doesn't mean that your love world will be barren without me. As long as you are willing to look forward and open your heart to love, the next worthy person will definitely appear in your life. She is not another me, not my replacement, but your only lover. So, don't let yourself stay where you are, keep moving forward, okay?"
Luffy didn't say anything, and the two of them exchanged body temperature silently.
After a long time, he said three words: "I'll try my best."
At the elevator entrance, two people, one inside and one outside, stood facing each other. They were two straight lines, having passed their only point of intersection. Zuo Xiao watched the elevator door close before him, covering his tired and confused eyes. Instantly, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart, and tears welled up in his eyes.
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