Chapter 14 Repaying the "Kiss"
14
I didn't sleep a wink all night.
Meng Yao lay on the bed, Fang Huaixu's words still echoing in her ears, the heat on her cheeks and ears lingering.
What does it mean when someone suddenly pats your head? Is it to comfort you? Or to apologize?
Come to think of it, this doesn't seem to be the first time Fang Huaixu has touched her head; he seems particularly fond of this kind of interaction.
She shook her head, forcing herself not to think about it anymore. Perhaps this was just a way to comfort herself about the impending end of their cooperation. Fang Huaixu had also mentioned that he would step in to mediate Lin Tianhai's objections to the divorce, and then everything would be settled and all would be well.
Meng Yao's excitement finally cooled down.
Fortunately, it ended fairly gracefully, and she no longer needed to worry unnecessarily. She relaxed and took a shower, trying to wash away the day's fatigue, but once her head hit the pillow, she couldn't fall asleep.
She woke up late the next day, with a carefree attitude: in the past, she would leave for the company early to avoid clashing with Fang Huaixu's travel schedule, but now that they were getting a divorce and she hadn't slept well, she simply let herself rest until noon.
Then it's time to get up, wash up, and have lunch.
Today was the day she was supposed to resume her live streaming career. She confirmed the time for her afternoon live stream and was planning to move her things home soon when her phone rang. It was Wang Qiang.
They were probably calling to urge her to go live. Meng Yao frowned slightly, but answered anyway, saying without a word, "I'm eating."
But the expected urging did not come. Wang Qiang's cautious voice carried an almost fawning enthusiasm: "Oh, I didn't disturb you, did I? Take your time eating, no rush."
This tone made Meng Yao extremely uncomfortable: "Brother Wang, just say what you have to say."
"Yes, yes, yes! Great news! Huge news!" Wang Qiang exclaimed dramatically, chuckling twice. "Xiao Meng, we had a meeting today and discussed it again. The risk of you going down the black-and-red path is still too high. We've decided to make some adjustments for you!"
"Adjustments?" Meng Yao chewed half of her food and immediately realized something was wrong: "Isn't the current format good enough? Didn't we agree to extend the time? Why are we adjusting it again? I really can't come up with any new talents."
"No, no, no!" Wang Qiang shook his head vigorously over the phone: "We're here to ease your burden. Your workload was really too high before. It was my fault. Now that there are malicious trolls, we have to make sure you're safe first."
Meng Yao rolled her eyes from the bottom of her heart. She really didn't understand what kind of trouble they had gotten themselves into this time. She just hoped that they wouldn't come up with another idea and make her already messed-up situation even worse.
She sighed helplessly, as if all her strength had been drained: "Brother Wang, I can make money for the company. Changing the business model at will is risky. What if the profits are not as good as before? What will happen to the company?"
"Making money is nothing compared to your safety. You're the pillar of our company!" Wang Qiang suddenly changed the subject, speaking earnestly as if he genuinely cared about her: "From now on, you only need to broadcast two or three times a week. You decide the duration. Everything is based on your personal life. Wasn't this agreed upon before you joined the company? Don't worry, all your benefits will only increase, never decrease. The company will do its utmost to assist you!"
Meng Yao was stunned for a long time, full of questions: Had Wang Qiang been sent a lawyer's letter?
While she remained silent, Wang Qiang seemed to realize he had changed his tune too quickly, and hurriedly elaborated and became more sincere: "Didn't you say before that you wanted to transition into a singing blogger? I know you have the means, and now that we've gained some popularity, we'll start slowly making the transition. Of course, transitioning takes time, and we'll discuss it further when you come to the company..."
"etc!"
Meng Yao felt dizzy. Faced with a change that seemed so good it was like a scam, she felt no surprise, only suspicion.
Who are Wang Qiang and Li Yan? They wouldn't do anything without a reason, so why are they suddenly concerned about her safety?
She couldn't understand it no matter how hard she tried, so she asked directly, "Brother Wang, why did the company suddenly make this decision? President Li... doesn't have any objections?"
"Of course! This was Mr. Li's suggestion. You are our company's most valuable asset, and we must protect you..."
"I'm going to the company now."
Seeing that Wang Qiang wasn't telling the truth, Meng Yao quickly interrupted him, hung up the phone, grabbed her bag, and rushed to the company.
She had to find out for herself.
A strong intuition told her that this matter was inextricably linked to Fang Huaixu. Could this be his way of compensating for the divorce? But how were Wang Qiang and Li Yan persuaded?
She finally arrived at the company building, but from the moment she stepped through the door, an eerie atmosphere permeated the air. Several receptionists jumped up as soon as they saw her, their faces filled with unprecedented smiles of awe. One poured water and the other found a chair: "Sister Yao, come quickly, have a seat."
Meng Yao had a fairly good relationship with the receptionists. Standing there without moving, she pushed away the glass of water with a puzzled look on her face, thinking, "Wait... what are you all doing today since you didn't take your medicine?"
The group looked at each other, and one of them chuckled awkwardly, "It's been so long, I missed you."
Meng Yao was convinced that something must have happened, so she headed straight for the president's office. Along the way, her colleagues, whether familiar or not, all put down what they were doing to greet her or cast envious or scrutinizing glances at her.
This kind of star-like treatment made her feel like she was being pricked by thorns. She quickened her pace, went straight to Li Yan's office, held her breath, and pushed the door open.
Li Yan, who usually acted arrogantly in front of her, was now bowing respectfully as he poured tea for the person in the main seat.
And the well-dressed, indifferent-looking man in the main seat, who else could it be but Fang Huaixu?
Meng Yao's breathing suddenly stopped.
"Oh, Xiao Meng is here?" Li Yan's tone was more intimate than she had ever heard before. He suddenly seemed to remember something and slapped his mouth: "Look at my mouth, I'm used to calling you that. Don't worry, Mr. Fang, Mrs. Fang will definitely be given the best resources here. I guarantee that Mrs. Fang will be able to make good use of her talents and make a successful career transition."
Mrs. Fang?
Meng Yao narrowed her eyes and stood frozen, staring at the two of them.
Fang Huaixu nodded slightly, his attention not on him, but on Meng Yao: "Why do you look so anxious?"
Meng Yao seemed to be nailed to the spot, her mind filled with shock and disorientation, until Li Yan stepped forward to lead the way and gestured for her to sit down with him, while smiling and saying, "It is our small company's great honor to be favored by Tianmu Group. We will rely on your support in the future."
It turns out that Fang Huaixu did all of this.
He became the person in charge of the company, so all the changes in her work and treatment stemmed from the label of "Mrs. Fang".
An extremely complex emotion welled up inside her, accompanied by a strong, indescribable sense of suffocation. She couldn't understand why Fang Huaixu would do these things at the very moment the marriage was ending.
He did resolve the issue, freeing her from having to imitate Lin Yue against her will and from seeking attention, but all of this was based on the label of "Mrs. Fang" that was added out of nowhere.
Why would Fang Huaixu suddenly do something like this when the cooperation is on the verge of ending?
"You don't look too good."
Fang Huaixu's words interrupted her thoughts. She came back to her senses and was already sitting on the sofa. Suppressing her churning guilt, she forced a calm expression: "I originally came to see President Li."
"Just tell me what you need!" President Li made no attempt to hide his obsequious attitude.
Fang Huaixu glanced at Li Yan indifferently, and he immediately fell silent.
Meng Yao twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a complicated smile: "It's just... I heard the company arranged a new job for me, so I came to ask about it."
She still couldn't bring herself to ask, after all, questioning someone who had helped her would be too ungrateful.
But Fang Huaixu still noticed that she was in a bad mood and changed the subject: "Shall we have a meal together?"
“No need, I’ve already eaten,” Meng Yao refused decisively. Unable to think of a way to reconcile the situation, she sighed deeply, “I’m a little tired today. If I can skip the live stream, I’d like to go home and rest for a day.”
"Sure, sure!" Li Yan immediately approved.
Before Fang Huaixu could speak, Meng Yao politely said goodbye to them and left without looking back.
Fang Huaixu frowned slightly as he watched her stubborn back. Although he didn't know where things had gone wrong, he clearly realized that things were not developing in a good direction.
Meng Yao left the company and didn't go back to her apartment immediately. Instead, she wandered aimlessly along the street for a while.
The wind still carried a slight chill, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in my heart.
She didn't know what was bothering her. Fang Huaixu's actions were swift and decisive, instantly resolving the problem that had been troubling her for so long. Logically, she should be extremely grateful.
But for some reason, ever since she found out he had taken over, she always felt a tightness in her chest.
The feeling is like struggling in the mud. Although every step is hard, you are relieved that you have to make your own way through each step. Suddenly, someone comes along in a luxury SUV and pulls you out without saying a word, taking you to the destination.
The car was comfortable and it did get us out of trouble.
The problem is, she can't afford the ticket price for this bus.
And even though he didn't need such a ticket price, the resentment in her heart lingered for a long time.
Even though the other person had helped her, she was a jealous and insecure person. She hated Lin Tianhai's favoritism, hated her own background, hated Lin Yue for not appreciating her good fortune, and hated everyone who was born with things she never had.
Now, she inexplicably resented Fang Huaixu's meddling. Originally, she could have gotten out of this quagmire one day through her own efforts.
It made her feel that all her previous efforts were a joke: she might as well have sold herself to Fang Huaixu earlier.
She didn't know how long she had calmed down before returning to her apartment in the evening.
The living room lights were on. Fang Huaixu had already returned and was sitting on the sofa looking at a tablet computer. He looked up when he heard the door open.
Meng Yao stood in the entryway, not changing her shoes as usual before entering the house. Looking at the still composed man under the light, she decided not to be ungrateful and forced a smile: "Thank you very much for speaking up for me at the company."
But Fang Huaixu clearly knew this wasn't her true feeling, and she looked away guiltily for a moment: "You don't seem to like my way of solving things."
She continued changing her shoes as if nothing had happened: "Who said that? I didn't want to be Lin Yue's backup for a long time, thank you."
Fang Huaixu stood up, unsure how to refute, and simply stated his reasoning: "After the investment, you will have more say and the opportunity to do what you want."
Meng Yao slightly opened her eyes: "Yes, that's why I'm thanking you."
Fang Huaixu hesitated for a second, then said firmly, "Don't say things against your conscience anymore. You didn't like it, so you left suddenly today."
Meng Yao fell silent. Sometimes she wished Fang Huaixu wasn't so perceptive and straightforward. She sighed and said, "I'm just... flattered. I don't know why you did this."
Fang Huaixu was silent for a moment: "Because we are married, you are my wife, so your public image is related to me. Protecting your image is also protecting my and the company's public image."
This reason was so flawless that Meng Yao opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment before finding a loophole: "But aren't we getting a divorce soon? Didn't you say last night that you would talk to Lin Tianhai?"
Fang Huaixu hesitated for a moment, then his brows relaxed and his expression became much more relaxed: "If you are unhappy because you misunderstood this, it is because I did not express myself properly. I went to see Lin Tianhai to ask him to reduce his contact with you. So far, I have not thought about ending our marriage."
Now it was Meng Yao's turn to be stunned: Fang Huaixu hadn't thought about divorce?
But last night she had already revealed her true colors and shown her wretchedness, expressing her dissatisfaction with all of them in such a sharp and pathetic way, yet Fang Huaixu didn't even think about ending this farce?
More than the denial of her efforts, she felt a genuine fear of continuing to be with someone who had laid bare all her secrets. She shook her head repeatedly: "Why? You should have seen it. I am not what you want. I despise everyone in your circle. I can't even play the role of a docile and proper vase. So I can't be the kind of wife you want. There is absolutely no need for me to continue with you."
"I don't need you to play any role."
Fang Huaixu looked at her, his eyes deep and calm: "I know what kind of person you are, but you don't need to play the role of my wife. Just be yourself. Our marriage is a partnership, and it's only natural that I provide you with the conditions you need. Besides, compared to your previous pretense, your true self last night put me at ease."
"Can you please stop talking to yourself!"
Meng Yao was even more frantic than before. Ever since she started trying on wedding dresses, she had gradually lost track of Fang Huaixu's thought process: "Since it's a collaboration, then don't keep doing things that cross the line. I've already received the compensation that should be paid for the collaboration from Lin Tianhai. We can just maintain our widowed relationship. There's no need for you to interfere in my life or provide me with any help. Your unnecessary behavior will make me unable to understand it and will give rise to thoughts that I shouldn't have."
Fang Huaixu's original words were overshadowed by her last sentence, and his attention was diverted. He asked in confusion, "What do you mean by 'inappropriate thoughts'?"
Meng Yao choked. What she had just said was entirely improvised, and she had blurted out everything she wanted to say in one breath. She didn't know how she could have blurted out such a thing without any warning, but she wouldn't let herself be defeated, so she quickly adjusted her thoughts: "I would feel indebted."
Fang Huaixu waited quietly, taking a deep breath: "Our relationship should have been a simple transaction with no outstanding debts. But now you've suddenly gotten involved in my work and helped me solve my problem. This has gone beyond the scope of a transaction, hasn't it? Even if my work affects you, shouldn't I, as your partner, be the one to compensate you? Aren't you going to ask me for anything?"
Having sorted out her thoughts, she raised her head, her eyes filled with struggle and determination: "Yes, it's about owing. I hate owing people, especially you. I don't want to owe any of you any more favors. I've said it before, after all this is over, I want to cut all ties with you all cleanly, leave you all and start my own life anew, living the peaceful life an ordinary person should have. That's why I study and work so hard, trying to stand on my own two feet, because I don't want to be held hostage by anyone or anything!"
She became more and more agitated as she spoke: "But the way you are now makes me feel like I'm trapped again. Maybe you think that a few million or tens of millions is nothing, but when I think about how this might be money I could never earn in my entire life, I feel exhausted! I don't want to owe you anything, and you don't want one of you to be unable to let go when the marriage ends, right?"
“I don’t mind if you can’t repay me, and you don’t owe me anything…”
"But I mind!"
Meng Yao almost shouted, "Why don't you understand? I can't get over this hurdle in my heart. I don't understand why everyone has to drag me into this complicated relationship. I just want to end everything and live a simple life. Why is it so difficult?"
Her voice carried an indescribable weariness as she leaned weakly against the wall, her chest heaving.
A long silence fell over the living room, with only the faint noise of the city outside the window reminding us of the passage of time.
After a long pause, Fang Huaixu finally spoke in a low voice: "I am... ashamed. I really don't have a solution this time."
“You don’t need to apologize, you did nothing wrong,” Meng Yao said, covering her face with her hands. She didn’t know why she had been acting impulsively every day for the past few days, perhaps because she hated her own powerlessness. “Speaking of repaying you, I don’t even have anything to give you.”
Fang Huaixu had almost everything she had, and none of her possessions seemed to be as precious to him as his help to her.
She remained silent for a long time, then a faint self-deprecating smile appeared on her lips. It seemed that the only things she truly cherished were her grandmother and herself.
A subtle silence remained between them, but Meng Yao suddenly recalled his reaction in the study that time. An absurd thought grew wildly like vines in the darkness. She looked up at him and asked, "Remember last time in the study? You should have had a reaction to my body, right?"
Fang Huaixu was completely stunned, not understanding the meaning behind her words: "What do you mean?"
Since she knew that she could gain more by becoming his wife than by working hard herself, Meng Yao gave up on thinking and walked towards him in despair: "You keep saying that we are husband and wife. Since you can act as a husband to provide this kind of help that goes beyond what we agreed on, can't I also use my rights as a wife to repay this favor to you?"
Meng Yao had already walked up to him. The soft light in the living room cast interplay of light and shadow on her face, adding a touch of allure and danger to her beautiful features.
Fang Huaixu was still pondering the meaning of her words when, in the next second, Meng Yao, with a resolute air, pushed him onto the sofa and kissed him fiercely!
Fang Huaixu's eyes widened suddenly, his body froze completely, and his mind went blank.
It wasn't a gentle kiss; her lips were icy, her movements clumsy yet urgent, with a reckless determination, an almost vengeful plunder and invasion of his breath, chaotically disrupting everything.
Fang Huaixu finally reacted, pushing her away, his body making a decision before his mind: "Meng Yao! You..."
"Shut up……"
Meng Yao's last shred of courage was almost completely dissipated, but the die was cast. With a self-destructive resolve and anger, she deepened the kiss, exchanging muffled taunts between increasingly heated breaths: "Accept my thanks, and you can also open your mouth..."
Fang Huaixu finally understood what her response meant. An indescribable emotion instantly swept over him. Having also experienced the confusion and stubbornness of this age, he understood her predicament and wanted to protect her self-esteem, but he did not expect to use the wrong method and instead anger her.
But he still tried to stop her, reaching out to push her away: "Meng Yao, calm down, I have other ideas..."
"Don't speak..." Meng Yao suddenly rushed straight at him, pressing tightly against him, silencing all his words. She was also afraid that she would regret it.
At this moment, Fang Huaixu felt as if a lump of uncomfortable air was stuck in his chest; he was flustered and confused.
His reason and desires were at odds, every cell in his body was teaching him the importance of self-discipline and propriety, but his stiff limbs were frozen in place by this novel and incredible warmth.
How could her lips be so soft?
A voice kept telling him that, as someone older than her, he shouldn't condone her downfall, but should push her away, explain the whole story clearly, and tell her that self-abandonment wasn't the only option.
But Meng Yao's cool hand touched his cheek before reason could reach him. Her slightly trembling, weak breaths were slowly eroding his will: "Cooperate with me..."
Fang Huaixu felt his cheeks burning red, and even as the heat spread to every inch of his skin and to each other, he couldn't react any further. The pleasure that his lips and teeth were teasing him was a strange feeling he had never experienced before—a feeling that was chaotic, urgent, and unforgettable.
He was caught in a dilemma, his rapidly working brain unable to make an effective decision, which inexplicably annoyed him, both by Meng Yao's fearless and sudden attack and by his own absurd inability to make a decision immediately.
The shock and bewilderment in his eyes, along with the unprovoked anger, quickly faded, replaced by a deep, almost terrifying darkness.
For the first time, he lost his gentlemanly demeanor. Instead of pushing her away, he suddenly reached out and grabbed the back of her neck, taking the initiative and kissing her fiercely in return!
Unlike Meng Yao's haphazard kisses, his kisses were filled with a strong sense of aggression, punishment, and long-suppressed desire.
It was domineering, forceful, and brooked no refusal, instantly robbing Meng Yao of all her breathing and thinking abilities.
Meng Yao gradually panicked. She never thought she would get into trouble so quickly. The man's strong hormonal scent and continuous plundering made her weak all over. Every step she tried to struggle was easily restrained by his large hands.
In a moment of passion and confusion, he easily lifted her up with one hand! In a dizzying rush, he carried her upstairs while kissing her, heading towards the master bedroom.
With a bang, the master bedroom door was closed, and she was placed rather gently on the large bed. His tall figure loomed over her, completely enveloping her in shadow.
She couldn't see Fang Huaixu's expression, but she could feel his burning gaze still fixed on her. His voice then rang out: "I don't know how you dared to make such a bold decision. I warned you before that I'm not exactly a gentleman."
His voice remained steady, but tinged with desire, each word accompanied by an ambiguous breath.
The real fear was like ice water poured over her. As this retribution was about to become a reality, she realized she wasn't as prepared as she had imagined. Her vision, body, and breath trembled uncontrollably, and the color drained from her face. But her tone still held a stubborn refusal to admit defeat: "It was my own choice... I... I won't regret it..."
In the darkness, she heard Fang Huaixu scoff softly: "Fine, this is the third time I've reminded you."
As soon as she finished speaking, the shadow suddenly fell straight down on her.
She closed her eyes tightly, but the expected weight and further movement did not come. She only felt a heavy and warm, damp sensation on her neck, followed by a slight stinging pain.
He lowered his head and bit her neck lightly.
"ah!"
She couldn't help but scream, but not from pain, but from a deep-seated fear of the unknown.
In fact, the feeling wasn't painful; it was more like a kind of rubbing that carried a strong warning.
Her waist was still tightly held by Fang Huaixu, when a hoarse and hot chuckle broke through her ears: "Shaking so much, so it was just a bluff, Miss Meng..."
Meng Yao's cheeks flushed instantly from his breath, and after those four words, the weight pressing down on her suddenly disappeared.
Meng Yao suddenly opened her eyes, and Fang Huaixu had already straightened up and turned on the light.
He was loosening his collar with some difficulty, taking deep breaths, his breathing still a little unsteady, but when he looked at her, his handsome eyebrows lifted slightly with a smile, and his voice had returned to its usual indifference: "Finished. Are you satisfied? Miss Meng."
Author's Note: Oh dear, to be honest, Fang is actually a very lustful person, but he's been raised to be a bit old-fashioned and won't indulge himself [droopy-eared bunny head]. He's a true gentleman, and he does have desires, not to mention our adorable Yao Yao is really cute.
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