One hundred twelve

“Vivi, please don’t cry anymore, okay? … If you want, let me kiss you to comfort you, alright?” As he spoke, Lu Yichen gently lifted her chin and kissed her eyes, then the tear stains on her cheeks.

Her tears were so bitter—bitter from deep within her heart. Only before this most lovable yet most exasperating person could she so recklessly pour out the pain inside her.

He tenderly kissed her face, murmuring softly, “…Don’t cry… don’t cry…”

“Who asked you to kiss me…” Xia Yuwei sobbed, shielding her face with her hand and pushing him away. She was very serious, so why did he only know how to comfort her this way…

“I want to kiss you.”

Lu Yichen’s hands cradled her small face with gentle strength, then pressed his lips against hers.

In that moment, he suddenly felt he had grown up so much. He was a man, and this woman was his woman—someone who needed his care, his devotion. When she pitifully leaned against his chest crying, he knew she belonged to him, to no one else…

His warm lips lightly brushed her trembling petals of a mouth. She gradually stopped crying. The comfort was effective, filling Lu Yichen with a great sense of accomplishment. Slowly, he ventured further until his tongue slipped inside her rosebud. Their lips and tongues moved with a supple yet commanding desire, a pure masculine breath surging irresistibly toward Xia Yuwei, intoxicating and entwining her. His right hand cradled the nape of her neck, deepening the kiss, while her arms wound around his neck…

As their lips and tongues intertwined, his chest grew hot, as if a warm current flowed from him into her.

Encouraged by her arms around his neck, Lu Yichen’s hand slid toward her slender legs, stroking upward step by step. Her skin was so smooth, with a faint coolness that instantly ignited a fire within him, stirring his desire.

“Vivi… give yourself to me!” he whispered, nibbling her face, tightly holding her slender waist. His rigid body pressed against her thighs.

That gentle phrase shattered Xia Yuwei’s confused heart.

“No!” Her right hand clutched his as it reached for her thigh.

The metal ring on her finger poked painfully into his hand—and pierced his heart—blocking his determined intent. This mark belonged to another man; he would not accept it!

He grabbed her hand back, domineeringly saying, “Throw that ring away!” Then he forcefully tried to snatch it from her finger.

“Lu Yichen!” she argued with him. “Don’t do this!”

“Don’t do this? Then what am I supposed to do? You carry his things, his marks! Do you want me or him? Tell me now—do you want me or him?” He looked up, wounded, staring at her.

---

Xia Yuwei met his gaze; he was staring steadily, waiting for her answer.

He was so hurt, so resolute. Her heart trembled; she hurriedly lowered her eyes, avoiding him.

“You say it—do you want me or him?” he asked again. Her evasiveness disappointed him.

“…I don’t know…” she whispered almost inaudibly.

In truth, her heart’s voice was: I want you.

After endless turmoil, she finally knew: leaving him—whether by her own force or by others’—would plunge her into agony, tear her apart, leave her helpless like drifting duckweed.

Now, she yielded to her heart, indulging herself in seeing him, scolding him, embracing him, kissing him, being held and kissed by him. Her heart felt full, grounded as if she had landed solidly on the earth from midair.

But if she chose him, how could she face the chaos that life would become?

That grand engagement ceremony was no joke. Ye Lifeng’s kindness was no joke. Leaving this city in three days was no joke. Everything was rushed into preparation. How could she confront him? How could she find the courage to say she wanted to leave? Could she treat engagement like a game? How could a prestigious family like the Ye’s tolerate such nonsense? They would never let her go…

How could she explain this mess to her father and mother…

“No ‘don’t know’!” Lu Yichen shook her shoulders, frowning deeply. “How can you not know?!”

“Xia Yuwei, don’t you understand yet? You must choose one! How can you be so greedy, wanting love from two people?” “I don’t allow it! I want the whole you, not this weak you!”

“For me, can you be brave just once?”

Under his stormy assault, Xia Yuwei finally lifted her head, though still hesitant to meet his eyes. “I… I will try.”

Could she not say with certainty that she wanted him? This timid, wavering woman—did she realize how many people she was hurting?

“You’re not trying; you must leave him. Return the ring. Don’t let him touch you. Otherwise, I won’t let you go.”

Xia Yuwei looked at his firm gaze, feeling ashamed.

---

Yes, why couldn’t she be more resolute?

Always afraid of this and that, she would never be happy like this, right? Living for others’ happiness and plans, living a life others considered happy—she would never be truly happy, would she? Why couldn’t she be brave?

“All right. I will leave him. I want you.” She whispered into his eyes.

Was she telling the truth?

Was it really true?

Lu Yichen’s eyes shone brightly at her words, “I want you,” and he hugged her tightly.

“Vivi, I want you too.”

Xia Yuwei embraced him, burying her head against his chest.

At that moment, tears brimmed in their eyes. All desire vanished, replaced by a deep, mutual solace that bound them.

Even if the whole world opposed them, she wanted to be with him.

***************************************

Xia Yuwei returned to her place early in the morning and stepped out of the elevator.

Ye Lifeng was waiting at her door. His face was pale, and he stared blankly at her.