Chapter Forty-Nine
Xing Bei plans to go home first before returning to Chanjing to find Lu Runxu.
Before she even reached her doorstep, Xing Bei saw a familiar figure standing under the big tree, and her eyes welled up with tears again.
As soon as the car stopped, Xing Bei pushed open the door and rushed towards Lu Runxu.
She had already cried enough last night, but when she saw Lu Runxu, tears still streamed down her face.
Lu Runxu was surprised that she would rush over so directly. He was stunned for several seconds before he reacted, reached out and hugged her. The person in his arms wrapped her arms around his waist and abdomen, as if she wanted to embed him into her body.
He smiled helplessly, gently patting her back, his clear voice slightly hoarse: "Silly girl, why are you crying?"
Xing Bei pressed her head against Lu Runxu's chest, her tears flowing more and more uncontrollably: "Lu Runxu, you're the fool."
"You waited so many years and didn't even tell her. Didn't you know that only those who act cute get affection? If you had told me sooner, I would have loved you for a few more years!"
Sure enough, she chose to go abroad with Mr. Xing at that time, so there was no encounter at the coffee shop, and no subsequent story.
Then his waiting will be in vain.
Even through her clothes, Lu Runxu seemed to feel her burning tears, and his heart ached as if someone were tearing at it.
"Mingzhu." Lu Runxu cupped her face, a smile appearing in his dark eyes. "Don't be sad. Liking you is my own business. You don't need to take responsibility or feel any burden."
Xing Bei stared at him, tears streaming down her face like raindrops, sobbing, "Does it have to be me? What is it about me that makes you like me for so long?"
Lu Runxu smiled gently and wiped away the tears from the corners of her reddened eyes with his fingertips: "Mingzhu, in my life, nothing is a necessity. You are different. I feel that the world has no meaning if I can't see you."
He took Xing Bei's hand and stared intently into her eyes: "Do you believe in destiny determined by first sight?"
The initial attraction at first sight, a glance that lasts a lifetime.
"So, it has to be you."
The place in his heart was destined to be reserved for her from the very first moment he saw her.
Even after she got together with someone else, he still considered never marrying her.
In his world, Xing Bei is his only choice; no one else is ever within his sphere of influence.
Xing Bei hadn't wanted to cry anymore, but after hearing what he said, tears started falling uncontrollably again.
"Ah-Xu, let's go home."
When we arrived at Maple Lake Garden, it was already dark.
Lu Runxu held Xing Bei's hand tightly the entire way. It was as if she would suddenly disappear if he let go at any moment.
Xing Bei noticed this and felt even more sorry for him; the fear of loss is the most tormenting thing.
On the transparent glass table in the living room, Xing Bei immediately noticed the contract placed on it.
Xing Bei was stunned when she saw the title above.
She picked up the contract and waved it in front of Lu Runxu: "Mr. Lu, can't you have a little more confidence in yourself?"
Lu Runxu stared at the thing in her hand without saying anything. Xing Bei smiled, tore the contract to shreds without saying a word, and threw it into the trash can.
“Lu Runxu, listen carefully.” Xing Bei held his hand and looked at him very seriously: “You are already mine, so don’t even think about divorce.”
A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Runxu's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again: "But I don't want you to love me only after you've known that I've liked you for so long."
Xing Bei knew his concerns: "But Ah Xu, have you forgotten how we met?"
"I already liked you before I thought of you and before I knew the secret, so don't worry about anything else, I really like you."
Lu Runxu just kept looking at her like that, and the next second, he pulled her into his arms and rubbed his face against her neck.
Xing Bei patted his back, and a low, hoarse voice filled with pleading entered his ears.
He said, "Xing Bei, I'm greedy. I don't just want your affection; I want you to love me a lot more. I want you to have only me in your heart."
Xing Bei paused for a moment, then laughed and placed her hand on the back of his neck.
She leaned close to his ear and said, "Seventeen-year-old Xing Bei might fall for someone else, but twenty-seven-year-old Xing Bei will only love Lu Runxu."
"If you're unsure, you can always ask me for confirmation. And while I couldn't be a part of those missed moments, the rest of my life belongs to you alone."
Lu Runxu suddenly raised his head, his fox-like eyes were watery, and the corners of his eyes and between his eyebrows were tinged with a faint red. Xing Bei felt even more sorry for him.
He leaned down and kissed her lips: "It doesn't matter anymore. You are my wife now, and I am content."
Xing Bei's eyes glistened with tears as she cupped Lu Runxu's face and kissed him. Soon, Lu Runxu regained control, placing his hands on her waist and deepening the kiss.
A faint sandalwood scent accompanied the kisses as they landed on her nose. Xing Bei felt her body temperature gradually rise until her breath was completely taken away.
The person in front of her released her, his reddened fox-like eyes staring straight at her. Xing Bei was slightly out of breath and dared not meet his gaze.
Lu Runxu lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "Sister."
At these times, Xing Bei couldn't stand it when he called her "sister." As soon as he did, she would surrender and want to give him everything.
The nickname 'cold and beautiful fox' wasn't given lightly.
Xing Bei always faced her own needs directly. She put her hand on the man's shoulder and was about to take the next step when her stomach made an untimely rumbling sound.
She paused, then looked at Lu Runxu somewhat awkwardly. Laughter broke out in front of her, making Xing Bei feel even more embarrassed.
Lu Runxu gently patted the top of her head: "You rest first, I'll go cook."
Xing Bei lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement.
After dinner, Lu Runxu went to the study to handle urgent work, while she took her clothes and went to the bathroom for a bath.
Perhaps because she didn't sleep well last night, Xing Bei leaned against the edge of the bathtub and fell asleep without realizing it.
When I opened my eyes again, there was someone else beside me.
Xing Bei looked at the person beside her, who was half-kneeling, as if resting with his eyes closed, with strong arms gently encircling her waist and abdomen.
The warm water in the bathtub was almost overflowing. Xing Bei raised her fair and slender arm, her fingertips still dripping water, and gently poked Lu Runxu's cheek.
Seeing that he didn't react, Xing Bei's face showed a mischievous smile. She scooped up water with her slightly red hands and was about to splash it to her side when Lu Runxu suddenly opened his eyes and met her gaze.
Xing Bei froze on the spot. Lu Runxu's gaze slowly fell on her palm, and he looked at her with a teasing expression: "Sister, are you trying to murder your husband?"
"No way." Xing Bei opened her arms, letting the water flow through her fingers. "I was just bored and playing with the bubbles."
A smile played at the corners of Lu Runxu's eyes as she tried to defend herself, completely unaware of the threat lurking in his eyes.
Looking down, even the thick foam couldn't obscure the glimpse of spring.
His slender fingers swept across the semi-circular end of the snow-covered peak, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.
Xing Bei not only didn't notice, but also looked at him with a straight face: "And who told you to come in while I was taking a shower?"
Lu Runxu raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with desire: "I just wanted to take a bath with my sister."
A bath for two?
She didn't believe Lu Runxu's motives were so pure.
Just as she expected, strong arms tightened around her slender waist, effortlessly lifting her out of the bathtub.
The sudden feeling of being lifted into the air made Xing Bei gasp in surprise, her hands bracing against her snow-white chest.
Meeting those dark, inky eyes, Xing Bei knew that tonight would be another sleepless night.
Xing Bei was somewhat resistant to being in that position.
Before she could refuse, the man's finger bones pressed against her, and with a slight force, she couldn't resist and curled forward.
In the warm water, her snow-white toes were tightly clenched together. Before long, her peach blossom eyes were filled with tears, and she looked at the nonchalant man in front of her with moist eyes.
She's already gone through all this, why is this jerk still acting all serious? It's so unfair.
Xing Bei glared at him defiantly, but the flirtatious look in her eyes made her seem less like a fierce person and more like she was flirting.
The next second, Emperor Lu was pressed against the edge of the petals, eager to enjoy the nectar.
Xing Bei felt a sudden weakness wash over her, her teeth clenching tightly around her lower lip.
Xing Bei gripped the arm of the person in front of her tightly and spoke with difficulty, "Lu Runxu."
This scoundrel really opened her eyes time and time again.
They used to say nice things to coax me, but now, no matter what profession they're in, they don't even bother to act anymore.
Lu Runxu's large hands ran through the strands of hair that fell down his back, gently soothing his prominent shoulder blades.
He was still teasing her: "It seems like you really like it, sister. How about we take a bath together a few more times in the future?"
"Like... my ass."
Xing Bei lay on top of him, curling up even more tightly. A tear, a sign of her period, rolled down her upturned eyelid as she struggled to suppress the sob that was about to escape her lips.
Lu Runxu stared at her, deliberately slowing down. Xing Bei knew his peculiar fetishes perfectly well, and he was deliberately waiting for her to speak.
That's really perverted.
Under the bright lights, the man's handsome features were tinged with a captivating charm, his eyes alluring, making him look every bit the male vixen.
...
It was late at night when Xing Bei came out of the bathroom, and all she could think about was the soft bed.
As soon as she touched the bed, she rolled to her usual sleeping spot, pulled the covers up, and ignored Lu Runxu.
She vowed that next time she took a bath, she would lock the door; if she let that scoundrel get his way, she would be a dog.
When Lu Runxu came out, the person on the bed was curled up asleep.
He stood by the bed, watching the person sleeping peacefully, seemingly still muttering curses under his breath, then lowered his eyes and chuckled softly.
He had barely been lying down for two seconds when the person beside him moved over and rubbed against his waist, half-asleep.
Lu Runxu pulled the blanket up, held the sleeping person in his arms, and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
Everything that has happened from yesterday until now has given him a very unreal feeling.
He had intended to keep this secret to himself from the beginning, but he never expected that she would find out so unexpectedly.
He had once feared that this beautiful dream might shatter at any moment, but now it had come true, and she was finally his.
“Ah Xu”.
A soft voice suddenly called out in his ear. Lu Runxu looked down at the person in his arms and gave a soft "hmm".
I will love you for the rest of my life.
"I see."
*
The next day.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer fabric, casting countless golden threads across the floor.
Xing Bei turned over, her long eyelashes trembling, and the person beside her, sensing the movement, pulled her back.
She opened her eyes groggily. The light by the window was too bright. She glanced at it, snuggled closer to Lu Runxu, and soon fell asleep again.
When I woke up again, it was already afternoon.
Xing Bei propped herself up on the bed, the thin silk quilt bunched around her waist, revealing her snow-white shoulders, which bore the marks of an indescribable misery.
Xing Bei looked up when she heard footsteps outside the door. Lu Runxu was carrying food and walking towards her.
"You're awake. Is anything bothering you?"
Xing Bei's skin was already fair, and now one of her arms was covered in red marks. How dare he ask?
Looking at the way she looked at him, Lu Runxu knew without a doubt that this girl was cursing him in her heart again.
But it's also his fault; he couldn't control his emotions.
Xing Bei glanced at it and saw that Lu Runxu was carrying her favorite mushroom and tofu soup. Her eyes lit up and she made two gurgling sounds in perfect unison.
Lu Runxu placed the tray on the bedside table, picked up a bowl from the side, and ladled out half a bowl of soup: "Have a sip of soup to soothe your throat first."
Xing Bei sat there with her mouth open, waiting for him to feed her. Her hands were too weak to do anything. Seeing her waiting obediently like a little baby, Lu Runxu lowered his eyes and chuckled.
After dinner, Lu Runxu went to his study to continue working, while Xing Bei lay on the bed scrolling through Weibo.
She had posted photos on her alternate account when she got engaged, and hadn't logged into this account since. She had just switched accounts when a bunch of messages popped up.
She glanced at them and saw that most of them were blessings from her fans; she couldn't possibly reply to every single one.
Xing Bei replied to familiar accounts in the private messages, and her eyes lit up when she saw Xingxingmao's message.
Star Cat: Congratulations on your engagement, Teacher Perle! Wishing you and Mr. Lu a long and happy life together.
Star Cat: Teacher Perle, I have revised and improved your story with Mr. Lu over the past few days. Please take a look.
Xing Bei was also stunned when she saw the message. She really enjoyed reading Xingxingmao's novels, which were now over twenty chapters long, and she always read them on time.
The sudden mention of this sparked some new ideas in Xing Bei's mind.
Her story with Lu Runxu is enough to fill a book about unrequited love, and she doesn't know how to make up for the time they missed.
Writing a story that belongs solely to them, to commemorate the youth she missed, seems like a very good idea.
Xing Bei immediately set to work on her idea, discussing it with Xing Xing Mao. Upon hearing that it was their true story, Xing Xing Mao agreed without hesitation.
Star Cat: Teacher, don't worry, I will definitely write it well. Unrequited love stories are my specialty, and I will definitely not disappoint you.
Star Cat: What name should we choose?
Star Cat: How about we call it, "The Rich Young Master Has Been in Love with Me for Ten Years"?
When Xing Bei saw the name, she burst out laughing in front of her phone screen. What a new way to name someone! The name was so direct and corny.
perle: Let's put the title aside for now and think about it.
Star Cat: Okay then, I'll sort out my thoughts tonight.
perle: Okay, no need to rush.
Star Cat: Seeing what the teacher provided, I can't imagine how Mr. Lu persevered. Fortunately, God has blessed you.
Star Cat: I've had a crush before, and it was a really painful feeling. Anyway, I never want to have a crush again in this lifetime.
Yes, fortunately, she was blessed by heaven to know Lu Runxu's secret and to have a chance to make amends to him.
Having a crush on someone is so painful.
Xing Bei turned off her phone, opened a drawer on one side, and found two mint green envelopes in the empty drawer. Xing Bei couldn't help but feel sorry for Lu Runxu.
The dark clouds outside the window dispersed, revealing the tail of the moon, accompanied by a sky full of stars.
When Lu Runxu returned from the study after finishing his meeting, he opened the door and saw a young girl in a slip dress lying on the bedside table, doing something.
"What are you writing?"
The voice suddenly came from behind, startling Xing Bei. She turned around and glared fiercely at Lu Runxu.
Lu Runxu smiled faintly and helped her sit up on the bed: "Sister, what kind of wicked thing are you doing behind my back this time?"
Xing Bei took his hand and placed the folded paper in her palm: "It's my little secret inside, you can only look at it secretly."
"Oh?" Lu Runxu looked at the paper in his palm, quite curious. "Can't you open it now?"
Xing Bei put her hands on her hips and shook her head firmly: "No, I'll be shy."
Lu Runxu's deep eyes softened with a smile as he gently ruffled her hair: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say, sister."
Taking advantage of his inattention, Xing Bei hooked her arm around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and planted a kiss on his lips. Lu Runxu was stunned for a moment, and after letting Xing Bei kiss him for more than ten seconds, he regained the initiative.
Before anyone knew it, a few tears welled up in Xing Bei's eyes, and her flesh-colored halter dress spread out at her feet like a blooming rose.
The air was filled with a faint sandalwood scent, which mixed with the fruity fragrance on her body to create an indescribable aroma.
...
A hazy crescent moon peeked out from behind the gossamer-like clouds outside the window, its silvery-gray moonlight spilling onto the foot of the bed.
Lu Runxu emerged from the bathroom, carrying a chill with him. He looked at the person sleeping soundly on the bed, his handsome features softening with a gentle warmth.
Under the warm glow of the lamplight, a faint smile graced her beautiful face as Lu Runxu gently brushed the stray hairs from her cheek and tucked them behind her ear.
He glanced at the folded white paper on the bedside table, picked it up and gently unfolded it, as if it would crumble at the slightest pressure.
After reading the beginning, Lu Runxu seemed to understand what kind of letter it was.
Dear Lu:
Hello, I am Xing Bei.
It's a pleasure to meet you. This is the first time in my life I've ever replied to a letter. I have so much to say, but when I pick up the pen, I don't know how to begin. As I write this letter, memories of how we met come to mind. I regret missing out on your youth, and I regret that it's taken so many years to finally read your letter.
If I could, I would love to go back to graduation day. More than the love at first sight that followed, I would rather have met you then. Although I might still have liked him then, I would still say the same thing: seventeen-year-old Xing Bei liked Zhou Xuzhe, but twenty-seven-year-old Xing Bei will only love you, Lu Runxu.
I'm saying this very seriously: Lu Runxu, I love you very much.
For the rest of our lives, we will be together forever, never to be separated. If I could, I hope to meet you sooner in my next life.
Xing Bei's handwritten note
Lu Runxu closed the letter, looked at the person sleeping soundly beside him, who seemed to be muttering something softly.
He placed the envelope under his pillow and pulled the person into his arms.
Decades later, he never expected to receive a reply.
Love that comes late will eventually be discovered, and waiting will be rewarded.
—End of text—
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