A few jokes later, Melody stopped paying attention to Lu Qingxu, turned onto her side, and only showed him her back.
Lu Qingxu was also accustomed to her speaking when she wanted to and remaining silent when she didn't, simply keeping her company.
Ever since Lu Qingxu came into her life, he had shamelessly squeezed into her room every day, never leaving her side for 24 hours.
Without even this brief separation, Melody wouldn't have realized how accustomed she had become to his presence.
In the past, when sleeping at night, if she didn't rest her head on his arm, he would forcefully wedge his arm under her head.
Not having it today left her feeling hollow.
Niannian slept soundly and sweetly, holding up her small arms and legs.
Melody tossed and turned on the narrow bed, becoming more and more restless, her mind gradually growing agitated.
Lu Qingxu, observing her thoroughly, sent her a message on his phone.
Melody felt her phone vibrate, fumbled for it under her pillow, and saw the WeChat message from Lu Qingxu.
Two words: Come here.
Crazy.
They were separated by only a child, so close, and he was messaging her?
Besides, even if she wanted to go, could she? Was the situation permitting?
It was only then that she realized her restlessness stemmed from not lying in his arms…
While mentally grumbling, she didn't put her phone down.
Melody, feigning ignorance, replied, "What for?"
"What do you think?"
Lu Qingxu, with his back to her, rustled something and sent another message.
It was a picture, very familiar to Melody: "Gazing at the summit of Mount Tai."
In a public place, with both an elder and a child present, she was amused to the point of anger.
She thought to herself that this man was truly shameless, but it suited her taste. She flipped over and sat up.
"Guess what your brother is doing right now?"
Lu Qingxu calmly covered himself with the blanket and put down his phone.
"He's definitely doing what he should be doing tonight."
His tone and demeanor were too suggestive; even if Melody were foolish, she would understand.
She couldn't help but glance at Niannian.
"She's so pitiful. To have elders like you two."
"How can you say that?"
Lu Qingxu also sat up.
"It's clearly four of us."
"Pfft…"
They looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh. m..oΓg
Melody felt her remaining days were numbered, that one should seize joy when it comes. Thus, she generally did whatever she thought of.
Lu Qingxu, on the other hand, cooperated with her unconditionally.
Since she felt uncomfortable sleeping there and had other ideas, they would just leave.
"Watch her. I'll be right back after I go out for a moment."
Hurriedly putting on her clothes, Lu Qingxu rushed to the nurse's station, asking her to watch their grandmother. They would be back by morning.
After all, they were VIP clients, having paid for the service, and it was the nurse's duty. The nurse dared not neglect them.
Although she felt this couple was a bit much, she dared not complain.
Lu Qingxu dashed back to the room, pushed the suitcase, and gestured for Melody to pick up Niannian.
"Let's go."
"What if she wakes up tonight?"
"Worst case, we won't sleep tonight. I'll accompany her after accompanying you."
The two of them took a taxi to a nearby hotel.
After settling Niannian, Lu Qingxu directly pinned her against the wall.
"You've been thinking about me for a long time, haven't you?"
"Who's thinking about you?"
"No? We haven't been together for almost forty hours."
"You've been thinking about me for a long time, haven't you?" Melody reached out to touch him, raising an eyebrow playfully. "How long has it been that you're so energetic?"
Lu Qingxu's breathing immediately deepened. He leaned in, lifted her chin, and stared down at her for several seconds.
"You really don't miss me?"
She was two years older than him, after all. Letting him defeat her so easily, was that acceptable?
Melody bravely met his gaze, "No."
"You say one thing and mean another. Do you want me to punish you?"
"I didn't force you. If you don't want to either, you could have just not come."
As she spoke, she pinched him.
Without any restraint, not caring about his pain at all, Lu Qingxu gasped.
"Take it easy, sis. You don't feel it when things are fine, but you'll be anxious when you're hurt."
Melody lost her patience, glaring at him with a mixture of urgency and annoyance.
"Why so much nonsense? If you want it, want it. If not, forget it. You're annoying like this."
He knew she was saying one thing and meaning another.
Lu Qingxu let out a muffled laugh, lowered his head, and leaned in.
At another hotel ten kilometers away, Xiang Wan was just starting to feel a little better, but the effects of the medication hadn't completely worn off, and she was still a bit groggy.
Lu Mingzhe had to carry her to the bathroom.
The bathroom light was beautiful, a warm yellow, casting a glow on her milky skin, making her appear indescribably beautiful and pure.
Lu Mingzhe, like a starving ghost, couldn't resist wanting to feast again.
After another hazy interlude, time reached the early morning hours.
Lu Mingzhe, satisfied and physically exhausted, fell into a deep sleep embracing Xiang Wan. However, Xiang Wan, feeling parched, woke up shortly after he fell asleep.
His phone was ringing, and it kept ringing, buzzing incessantly, making Xiang Wan feel flustered.
She walked to the living room outside and searched everywhere, finally finding the phone next to the carpet.
The screen displayed the name "Yaya."
Xiang Wan dared not answer. She placed the phone on the sofa, staring at the two cute characters, recalling everything that had just happened with Lu Mingzhe and everything that had transpired in the past few days, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Undeniably, her and Lu Mingzhe's return to their relationship tonight was a subconscious craving on her part, which led her to indulge it to this extent.
Could it all be blamed on Lu Mingzhe, that he was a scoundrel?
No, they were equally at fault.
Their relationship had been ambiguous from the start, and they had maintained it as non-romantic partners throughout the intervening years.
Later, when Lu Mingzhe got married for the first time, they were still in contact.
Now, it was merely a relapse.
But why was it that the first time she hadn't felt such a strong sense of guilt, while this time she was constantly condemning herself?
Was it because of Niannian? Did she not want Niannian to see her mother as this kind of person?
After some thought, Xiang Wan could only offer herself this excuse.
Although she and Lu Mingzhe had made a mistake again today, it didn't signify anything.
She couldn't let an innocent woman's happiness be ruined because of her own selfish desires.
Therefore, she would pretend that nothing had happened, get dressed, and everyone would return to their previous paths.
Lu Mingzhe was dreaming. In his dream, he saw winter, with heavy snow, and Niannian running in the snow.
She stumbled and fell. He reached out to pull her up, but his hand grasped empty air.
Startled, he woke up.
He looked beside him; the space was empty, but the blanket was still warm. He hurried to the living room.
Xiang Wan was sitting on the living room carpet, staring at the sofa, lost in thought.
Thinking she was still feeling unwell, Lu Mingzhe walked over and gently hugged her from behind.
"Still not feeling better? Uncomfortable? Why didn't you tell me if you were uncomfortable? I'll stay with you."
Xiang Wan closed her eyes, warning herself.
His embrace was indeed very comfortable, and his voice was pleasant, but he no longer belonged to her.
Leaving was her choice back then, so she had to bear it without regret.
Therefore, she turned around and gently pushed him away.
"Let's talk."