71 Bend
◎How could I not be proud? Genius bows to me.◎
"It's not that I don't want to, I'm just scared... I don't want to be tied up. A marriage certificate is like shackles. I'm afraid that once I have this certificate, I'll become timid, hesitant about everything I do, and I'll never be free again..."
Liang Youwei lowered her head, her heart and eyeballs moving in sync. She looked like a little fox, but there was a big devil living in her heart.
As the saying goes, leave a way for others to see you again in the future. And my "way" is my marital status.
Liang Youwei will not have any legal relationship with anyone. Just be ambiguous and enjoy the present moment. Why do they have to be bound to each other for the rest of their lives?
What's more important and serious is that if she really gets married and wants to get along with Jingyi and the others as usual, what's the difference between that and cheating?
As a human being, you must have a basic sense of morality and not leave any stains on your life.
Liang Youwei knew that her acting skills were poor and she couldn't pretend well, so she kept her head down and acted pitifully in a pitiful tone, saying that she was afraid of being bound by a piece of certificate and afraid that she would not be free.
Shao Yue had been frowning originally, but when he heard some words, a look of confusion flashed across his eyes.
It was quiet all around, with a faint fragrance floating in the air, and from time to time one could hear the slight sound of gauze being rubbed.
After a long moment, the man stretched out his arms, gathered the girl, who was a head shorter than him, into his arms, and patted her on the back very gently: "Okay. We don't need a marriage certificate, we just get married."
Shao Yue touched her hair with his cheek, closed his eyes, and solemnly promised: "Weiwei, you will be the happiest bride, but your wings will never be tied."
Liang Youwei's nose felt sore, and her nails dug into his coat. Her voice was muffled: "Thank you, Shao Yue."
The water soaked through his shirt, and Shao Yue felt even more sour.
The person in front of him just said "just get married without getting a marriage certificate", wasn't that just a slap in the face of his previous smug self? Fortunately, he still showed off and fought back to Qin Zhen, but in the end, the two of them were essentially the same - both had no official status.
He opened his eyes, straightened up slightly, carefully wiped away the tears from the corners of the other person's eyes, and smiled gently: "Then, can I ask for compensation?"
The girl choked up: "You say it."
As long as we don't get married, I can agree to anything.
"You can't tell anyone that we don't have a marriage certificate."
At the very least, he wanted to be the "main wife" in public, and he wanted to let the sword of Damocles of "Liang Youwei's legal partner" hang over the heads of that group of people forever.
Endure the moral torment, mistresses.
·
The next day, at the Imperial Capital Quanling Hotel, Cygne Cafe.
"Lingyu, why are you here so early again?"
Liang Youwei walked briskly towards the girl sitting with her back to her. She bent down and patted her shoulder from behind, her long curly hair brushing against the girl's stiff suit jacket.
There was a moment of barely perceptible breathing pause, and Zhao Lingyu calmly turned her shoulder away from the soft hair: "...I just finished a meeting and have nothing to do."
So, I didn’t come early.
Liang Youwei nodded and sat down opposite her without being asked: "Oh. Have you ordered yet? I haven't had breakfast yet."
"Why don't you eat properly? What time is it now?"
Zhao Lingyu immediately lost her composure. She had originally intended to be serious and reasonable, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but frown, and her concerned words blurted out without thinking. Only after she finished speaking did she realize that she had been deceived by Liang Youwei again.
Secretly cursing herself for not learning her lesson, Zhao Lingyu bit the flesh of her inner lip hard, using the pain to wake herself up.
She said coldly: "...Scan the code yourself."
"Why don't you help me order?" Liang Youwei wondered, asking as if it was natural. "Didn't you always help me in the past? Hurry up, I'm so hungry."
She rested her smooth white arms on the milky white coffee table, smiling as she waited for the other party to serve her, like a queen high above everyone else.
Looking at her like this, Zhao Lingyu suddenly felt a mixed and helpless hatred in her heart.
Thinking of Qin Zhen, Shao Yue, and her upcoming marriage, Zhao Lingyu felt hatred surging.
It's like this again.
Liang Youwei, you are always fearless and take everyone's kindness to you for granted. You tried to train me, using your figure and beauty, your sweet words, to make me more obedient than Pavlov's dog and worship you as a god.
I want to hate you.
I should hate you.
I really want to hate you.
Emotions so thick they were almost suffocating surged, yet Zhao Lingyu couldn't control her hands. She picked up her phone, deftly scanned the code, and added Liang Youwei's favorite dessert and drink to the bill. Her movements were so familiar that it took less than a minute.
That's right.
The innocent yet evil demon regained a sense of security. Her eyebrows curved and she tilted her head: "Lingyu, you came to see me today for more than just a wedding gift, right? Is there something you want to tell me in private?"
He was still wearing his work suit, yet he hurried to see me.
Liang Youwei seemed to be in a good mood. The pair of sequined high heels on her feet swayed back and forth, and the cold tips of her shoes would occasionally scratch Zhao Lingyu's suit pants, and sometimes the swing was so big that it could even touch her calves.
Then, a shudder arose.
Zhao Lingyu stared at the feather skirt of the person opposite her, suppressing her pounding heart and keeping her lower body motionless.
It's not like she was the one who took the initiative to be frivolous, so why should she hide?
Or let’s get down to business.
Those sharp willow-shaped eyes blinked quickly. Zhao Lingyu straightened her back and handed over the red sandalwood and mother-of-pearl rectangular box on the table: "Take a look first to see if you like it."
What an antique box.
Liang Youwei took it with great interest, opened the small lock cautiously and curiously, and lifted the lid of the box.
It is a pair of jade bracelets that are clear, green and watery.
Liang Youwei picked one up curiously and turned it back and forth. This was the first time she had ever seen jadeite of this quality.
Imperial green is both deep and translucent, with the faint light of water flowing through it and a soft light glowing on the inside. When the morning light shines on it, the whole thing emits an infinite green glow.
"Zhao Lingyu, are you serious? This kind of jade is heirloom quality, and you just gave it to me without blinking an eye? And it's a pair."
Liang Youwei was a bit of a jewelry expert. She carefully put the bracelet back and looked at the person involved in shock.
It’s ok for small fights on ordinary days, she can also return the gift, but can she just give away something worth hundreds of millions of dollars?
"Well, it's for you."
Zhao Lingyu's expression was calm, and she didn't feel the slightest bit of pain in giving such a large gift. She could even sacrifice her life for Liang Youwei, so what did a mere jade bracelet mean to her?
Liang Youwei frowned: "But this is too expensive..."
"It's okay, you can keep it." Zhao Lingyu lowered her eyelashes and steadied her voice. She suppressed her nasal pain and said softly: "If nothing unexpected happens, this is the last thing I can give you."
Finally... the same?
Realizing that something was left unsaid, Liang Youwei panicked instantly: "Why do you say it's the last time? Are you leaving? Where are you going? Or are you sick? Zhao Lingyu, don't scare me."
"I'm fine, there's nothing wrong with my body, and I have no plans to leave Xintai or the imperial capital. I just," Zhao Lingyu paused for a moment, swallowing back her sadness, "I simply want to be apart from you."
As Liang Youwei stared blankly in shock, Zhao Lingyu bit her lip and added with a firm gaze, "Forever and ever, I will be separated from you."
Zhao Lingyu has her own pride.
She is willing to endure humiliation and flatter others at work. She is not afraid of these grievances because she firmly believes that she will be the final owner of Xintai and she should fight for herself and work hard.
However, love and work are two completely different things. At work, Zhao Lingyu can compete with anyone, male or female, and anyone who stands in her way will be ruthlessly driven out and kicked out. But in love, Zhao Lingyu abhors competition and struggle.
Love is something that comes from the heart and is extremely subjective. Zhao Lingyu has never been sure of her love for Liang Youwei. Liang Youwei has so many people around her, she has countless choices, and she has no chance of winning.
In the past, she could have used the excuse of "it's not bad to be close friends" to make herself feel like a rogue who stayed with Liang Youwei. But now Liang Youwei was about to get married, what would it mean for her to continue to be entangled with her?
How could she be so self-degrading?
"Separate from Liang Youwei and maintain your self-dignity."
This sentence has been lingering in Zhao Lingyu's mind for three days since they parted at the birthday party. Today, she finally mustered up the courage and decisiveness.
But Liang Youwei didn't understand.
The words "I'll be separated from you forever" rang in her ears like thunder, and a huge panic hit her. In her panic, she lost her composure: "Why? Zhao Lingyu, did I do something wrong? For no reason, for no reason, why do you want me to leave? Zhao Lingyu, please don't be like this, okay?"
At the end, Liang Youwei started to cry as she pushed the rosewood box back: "Did I ask you for too many gifts and you think I'm too much trouble? Or am I always ordering you around and making you uncomfortable? I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I don't want the jade, I don't want the diamonds, I don't want anything. I just want you by my side. I can change those shortcomings..."
Zhao Lingyu didn't dare to look at her, didn't dare to face her invincible weapon. She was afraid that she would be soft-hearted and continue to be a slut.
Her pupils widened slightly, slowly moving as she suppressed her tears. She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Liang Youwei, it was never me who left, it was you."
"...Me? Did I abandon you?"
Liang Youwei was terrified. She rarely began to reflect on herself and thought back on what had happened in the past few days, but she could not find any fault with Zhao Lingyu.
Hiding her marriage partner from her best friend was a bit excessive, but it didn't mean she would break up with him, right? Besides, Shao Yue wasn't her "real" husband; she didn't have a true significant other.
Liang Youwei looked at her tentatively: "Is it because of the engagement on your birthday? But, but I didn't know about it beforehand, how could I tell you in advance?"
“Neither.”
Listening to the other party's incorrect guesses and probing again and again, Zhao Lingyu could no longer bear it. She suddenly raised her eyes, looked directly into the misty eyes, and with all her heart she said, "Because I love you."
you love me?
Liang Youwei's pupils shrank.
Zhao Lingyu endured the torment of a burning fire in her heart, and decided to throw in the towel and reveal all the things she had hidden for many years.
"I love you, hopelessly in love with you. Liang Youwei, for nearly ten years, I don't believe you can't see it at all. If it weren't love, how could I think of you when I see everything? If it weren't love, how could I reject everyone except you? If it weren't love, how could I... see you feeling both depressed and happy at the same time?"
Liang Youwei couldn't believe it, and Zhao Lingyu was in unbearable pain.
"Countless times, I told myself I couldn't love you. The world wouldn't understand me, my family wouldn't support me, and even I hated myself for falling in love with the sister I grew up with and harboring such dirty thoughts about her."
Her eyes were red, and tears, purer than pearls and diamonds, fell drop by drop.
"I blame myself for being shameless, so I give myself countless external reasons why I can't love you. But no matter what the reason is, I can overcome it. Same-sex marriage is not allowed in China, but it is allowed abroad; the public may not look favorably on me, but if I stand high enough, they will listen to the powerful; Mom and Dad may be disappointed, but if I can help Xintai move to a higher level, they will praise you as a little lucky star... No matter how difficult it is, I will always find a way to be with you."
Despite the unbreakable cloud of sorrow between her brows, the girl's sincerity still shone brightly: "So, I have no reason not to love you. How could I not love you?"
"But love is a matter between two people. I can find countless reasons for myself, but I can't say a word about your choice. Liang Youwei, you are getting married, and I will definitely not bless you. In order not to ruin your future happy life, I can only stay away from you, and I must stay away from you."
By the end of her speech, Zhao Lingyu had to tense the backs of her hands, her knuckles turning white, just to maintain her basic composure.
She did not take back the mother-of-pearl box, which was her last trump card left for the other party.
That pair of imperial green shoes is indeed a family heirloom of the Zhao family, kept by successive family heads.
One of the main reasons why Zhao Lingchuan hated Zhao Lingyu to death was because of this pair of jade bracelets. On the night of Zhao Lingyu's coming-of-age ceremony, after the guests had dispersed, Zhao Fengtan personally handed the imperial green jade, representing the Zhao family, to the young girl in front of her family.
Zhao Fengtan didn't care about all the grievances Zhao Lingyu suffered, but he also expressed extremely high expectations for her.
This is why Zhao Lingyu dared to fight and was in pain.
And now, she wanted to share half of this pain and honor with Liang Youwei, even though she didn't know what this meant - in the future, if Liang Youwei encountered a problem that was difficult to solve, as long as she came to Xintai with the pair of bracelets, someone would help her solve it, no matter the cost.
"Zhao Lingyu!"
Here, Liang Youwei's brain had not yet digested this long string of words, and her mouth called out to her without thinking.
Zhao Lingyu could only pretend not to hear. She ignored him and kept walking.
Liang Youwei became anxious and quickly stood up to chase her. Before Zhao Lingyu turned the door handle, she hugged her from behind.
"I like you, too!" Liang Youwei had no other choice but to harden her heart, close her eyes and confess loudly, but as soon as she finished speaking, her voice became softer again, "So, so, Zhao Lingyu, please don't leave, okay? I like yours, too..."
Zhao Lingyu's heart stopped beating for a long time, then suddenly started beating again, like riding a roller coaster, boom, boom, boom, making her dizzy.
She clenched her palms, forcing herself to clear her mind. "...So, can you tell the difference? Is it the love between friends, or the love between lovers?"
Then, he said word by word: "Liang Youwei, I don't want your charity."
Zhao Lingyu heard the sobbing sound of the person behind her: "Then you have to turn around first, then I can tell you."
Not wanting to see her tears, Zhao Lingyu cruelly refused: "No."
"Hateful..." Liang Youwei pinched her wrist angrily. The next second, her chest rose and fell, and she loosened her arms around her waist.
Look, Liang Youwei, you can't tell the difference between friendship and love. It's harder than climbing to the sky to ask you to say a few more sweet words with clear meanings.
Before she could utter any sarcastic or resentful words in her heart, her cheeks were cupped by soft hands, and her lips were gently held by another pair of lips.
The fragrance belonging to Liang Youwei enveloped her soul.
"Don't you believe me now, Lingyu?"
The kiss was light and the whispers were warm and lingering in her ears, making her intoxicated.
Liang Youwei still held her face in her hands, looking at her eagerly, her aggrieved eyes rippling the entire world.
There is no escape.
How could she refuse Liang Youwei like this? Zhao Lingyu closed her eyes in despair.
She used all her strength to dig into her palms, resisting the urge in her heart, frantically searching for a reason to break up: "You like me so much that you make me your mistress? Liang Youwei, don't forget, you're getting married soon. My joining you would be a moral corruption."
Can't be a third party, can't be a third party, can't be--
"Shao Yue and I are in a fake marriage. We don't have a marriage certificate. He's not even my boyfriend."
...Then it's not a third party.
Zhao Lingyu immediately got over the mental barrier. She opened her eyes and asked, "Why did you choose Shao Yue for a fake marriage?"
Liang Youwei was about to say "because I haven't slept with her before", but she quickly realized her mistake and changed her words timidly: "Do you really want to hear it?"
“…Just say it.”
"Okay... I'm pregnant." Liang Youwei stopped holding her face and slowly withdrew her hands. She started picking at her nails and answered in a low voice with her head down.
a bolt from the blue.
Zhao Lingyu closed her eyes again.
a long time.
"Shao Yue's?" If it was true, Zhao Lingyu would definitely kill him at work for daring to let Liang Youwei get pregnant before marriage.
Liang Youwei said softly, "...I'm not sure which man it is, I just know it's mine."
Because of this sentence, Zhao Lingyu was not so angry anymore.
It seems that Shao Yue got to the position by being willing to be the one who takes over. Fortunately, he has a penis, otherwise he would not have been able to get the position.
Liang Youwei was still trying to gain favor with her, her face sincere. "Are you angry, Lingyu? But I've been honest with you. Shao Yue didn't even let me tell anyone about the fact we didn't have a marriage certificate. Of all the people I told, you were the only one."
Did you only tell me?
Zhao Lingyu was silent for a while, compared for a while, and then said: "I'm not angry."
Liang Youwei continued cautiously: "However, the current situation is a little complicated. Besides Shao Yue, I also have my brother, sister, and Qin Zhen by my side... Lingyu, do you hate me? Do you think... I'm bad?"
“…Not bad.”
never mind.
It's not impossible to be one of them. At least I can be by her side.
Liang Youwei swallowed her saliva and said softly, "Then Lingyu, do you still want to separate from me?"
“…Not separate.”
How can I bear to leave you.
Zhao Lingyu made endless compromises and achieved her goal perfectly, but Liang Youwei did not seem as happy as expected.
A few minutes ago, when she heard the other party's confession, she was completely stunned. She didn't think that Zhao Lingyu was nice to her because of "love". She was not a RMB.
But the fact is, she is really a heartthrob?
And it’s popular with both men and women?
But after a brief moment of elation and joy, worry and anxiety gradually crept in. Could I really live up to each of them? How could I balance this ambiguous and nameless relationship?
Through the kiss that hadn't rejected her at all, Liang Youwei had confirmed her feelings for Zhao Lingyu. But it was precisely because of this certainty that she felt even more uneasy.
Oh, forget it. When you reach the mountain, there will always be a way out. As a man, you must have confidence.
Now, let’s enjoy it for a while, Zhao Lingyu is so fragrant.
The big stone in her heart was temporarily put down, and Liang Youwei hugged the little childhood sweetheart in front of her again, and rested her slightly rounded half-pointed chin on her shoulder.
She was wearing high heels today, and was barely the same height as Zhao Lingyu, who was wearing flat shoes, so they hugged each other effortlessly.
"Liang Youwei, you must be very proud."
Placing his stiff palm on her back, Zhao Lingyu heard his own hoarse and slightly uneven voice.
"Of course I am. Why not?"
Liang Youwei's voice was very low, and a little pride was like a spring breeze, sweeping away all her resentment, "The genius bows to me."
Zhao Lingyu is aloof, aloof, stubborn, and resolute. She is unique and unparalleled in the world.
She bent down for her, and only for her.
…
"Lingyu, aren't you going to work? Today is Tuesday, and you're wearing a suit."
The two of them had enough of each other and returned to their seats. Liang Youwei lowered her head to eat dessert, and Zhao Lingyu watched her eat quietly.
The girl in the suit looked calm, her eyes fixed on the person opposite her. Her voice was as gentle as water: "No rush. Do you have any other plans today? If you don't have anything to do with the wedding, come to my office."
The fingers holding the fork paused, and Liang Youwei's eyes shifted away from Eton Max, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Lingyu, your last words sounded like you were referring to the math dean."
Zhao Lingyu pursed her lips, her ears turning red. She whispered, "My math is indeed good."
Liang Youwei couldn't help but chuckle: "What's wrong with yours? It's perfect in every aspect. Don't worry, I've been quite free these days. Shao Yue has taken care of all the wedding matters. He's been busy with the wedding all month and hasn't even been to the company much. So I'm super relaxed and can have fun."
As she spoke, she picked up a piece of strawberry tip and fed it to him with a smile: "Come on, open your mouth."
"...I'm not your little cat or dog."
Zhao Lingyu pursed her lips, then obediently opened her mouth and swallowed the tip of the strawberry.
Liang Youwei pushed the issue further and inserted another blueberry: "Yes, you are my little swan. Eat another one, ah——"
Zhao Lingyu was so annoyed. She tutted her words and continued eating.
After feeding her five or six pieces of fruit, Liang Youwei finally felt like eating scones. She had a habit of watching videos while eating, and she didn't know what she had seen this time, but she suddenly sat up straight, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"What's wrong?"
After sending a message to her assistant saying, "I met a client on the way, I have to chat with her for a while, I'll be back later," Zhao Lingyu put away her phone and noticed the eagerness of the people around her.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with longing: "Lingyu, let's go worship the Buddha on Saturday!"
"Buddha?"
Zhao Lingyu was stunned.
Isn’t Liang Youwei an atheist?
【Author’s words】
In fact, I was very conflicted when conceiving this chapter, because I personally love the style of Hateful Sea and Love Heaven. The first thing I wrote was "Zhao Lingyu warned herself countless times not to like Liang Youwei. She is spoiled, ignorant, and always naive..." But before I finished sending the complete line, I deleted it all involuntarily.
It was during this chapter that I finally grasped the underlying character of Lingyu. Jingyi's love might be demeaning, but Lingyu's isn't. Her love is always pure and noble, always prioritizing Wei. So, most of the time, she's just internally consumed, and even when she hates someone, she won't belittle them. Truly a charmingly innocent younger woman...
This chapter still has 20 small gifts! Welcome everyone to leave comments [pat head]
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