Mysyery

Chapter 6: The Siege (Part 2)

Chi Xiaoying's sleep has always been very light; she wakes up at the slightest noise.

Tonight, because of the rain, her sleep was even less sound. She took some medication in time, which brought down the fever. However, by the middle of the night, her tonsils felt swollen and her throat was so dry it felt like it was burning. She had no strength to get out of bed and hoped to hold on until dawn. She dozed off briefly but soon woke up again.

She had no choice but to get up. Without turning on the light, she groped her way to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of warm water. Just as she had it in her hand, she heard the sound of a key turning in the door.

Immediately, the room was filled with light.

“Xuan Xiao changed into slippers and walked in. He didn’t notice Chi Xiaoying, who was standing in the kitchen. Chi Xiaoying saw him, noticing the bright red lipstick mark on his cheek, as well as the lingering smell of alcohol, smoke, and a hint of fragrance in the air.”

“She slowly brought the teacup to her lips, closing her eyes and sipping it slowly. Each gulp made her throat ache terribly.”

“God, no more proof needed. Let the storm come with more fury; she can handle it.”

“‘Xiaoying?’ Xuan Xiao walked into the bedroom and suddenly realized there was no one on the bed, immediately growing anxious.”

“I’m here,” Chi Xiaoying replied hoarsely.

“‘Why didn’t you say anything?’ Xuan Xiao’s voice rose a few notches, but when he noticed the unusual redness on her face, he quickly reached out to touch her forehead. ‘Are you really cold?’”

Chi Xiaoying shook her hand and stepped back. “It’s just a bit of tonsillitis; a good night’s sleep will fix it. You should wash up and get some rest—oh, it’s already late.” She looked up at the cuckoo clock in the living room, the hour hand pointing to two.

Xuan Xiao, also unable to tolerate the smell on himself, nodded. “Then you go back to bed quickly. I’ll just rinse off and join you shortly.”

“Xuan Xiao, you should sleep in the study tonight. I’m worried I might infect you.”

“Tonsillitis isn’t contagious,” Xuan Xiao said, giving her an exasperated look.

Chi Xiaoying smiled, poured another cup of tea, and walked into the bedroom. She thoughtfully prepared the bed for Xuan Xiao, then wrapped herself up tightly, facing inward, with her eyes closed tightly.

Before long, the bed beside her sank. Instead of getting into his own covers, Xuan Xiao directly slipped into Chi Xiaoying’s, holding her tightly. His hand instinctively moved under her sleepwear, touching her chest.

“This is Xuan Xiao's hint in that regard.”

“He wouldn’t want it tonight, would he?”

Chi Xiaoying’s body suddenly tensed, every hair on her body standing on end. It wasn’t the desire that surged up with him, but rather an indescribable sense of disgust and resistance.

She was always very obedient, prioritizing accommodating Xuan Xiao in every aspect. After two years of dating and four years of marriage, she had hardly ever gone against him, except for matters related to her own work.

After Xuan Xiao started earning money, he asked her to quit her job and stay at home, doing things she liked. He knew that when Chi Xiaoying chose to apply to the engineering school, it was her father’s wish for better job prospects. In reality, Chi Xiaoying’s true passion was journalism; becoming a reporter was her dream.

Chi Xiaoying was very resolute about her career and didn’t listen to Xuan Xiao.

Xuan Xiao was excellent and outstanding, and he had done a lot for her family. She felt she had already climbed higher than she deserved. In this marriage, she appeared too weak, like a pitiful poor person staying in a wealthy person’s large house. If she couldn’t become self-sufficient, she would lose even the little dignity she had left.

Xuan Xiao also didn’t insist.

Over the past four years, their life had been very peaceful. In bed, they were very harmonious. When Xuan Xiao held her and enveloped her beneath him, she couldn’t help but become absorbed and enchanted, unable to do anything but allow him to take what he wanted.

Chi Xiaoying often thought that s*x and love could be separate.

But today was different. After hearing Bai Yuan's warning, listening to Ning Yi’s hint, and seeing the lipstick mark and perfume on Xuan Xiao, she could no longer allow desire to override her emotions.

People and animals are ultimately different.

Xuan Xiao had just returned from a secret meeting with Yan Nannan, feeling guilty towards Chi Xiaoying. What was he trying to hide? What was he trying to make up for?

She was a poor person and could not accept such charity. In reality, it was unnecessary; from the day they got together, she had been prepared for a breakup.

In the six years they were together, Xuan Xiao had never said the word "love" to her, nor had he written it. Their first kiss, embrace, and lovemaking all happened at the same time. Two years later, Xuan Xiao said, "Xiaoying, it's time for us to get married."

Xuan Xiao was always the commander, and she was the obedient subordinate. Thus, they got married.

At that time, she had just graduated and started working as a draftsman at a design institute. They got married just before she began her job.

In the sweltering heat of August, no matter what she wore, she would sweat profusely. Relatives who came to the wedding kept staring at her belly, assuming that she was getting married because of an unexpected pregnancy.

Many people envied her good fortune: a father-in-law who was a high court president, a mother-in-law who was a university professor, and a husband who made a lot of money. They thought it was a blessing earned over several lifetimes.

Only she remained clear-headed. Xuan Xiao was blinded by kindness, extending his compassion to its limits. One day, he would come to his senses.

What she could do for him was to unconditionally let go, sincerely bless him, and thereby free herself completely.

So, no matter how excellent, outstanding, or handsome Xuan Xiao was, she could not bring herself to like him.

So, no matter how affluent the material life, it should never lead to attachment.

So, she had carefully taken contraceptive measures over the past four years, unwilling to complicate her life.

“Xuan Xiao, I’m not feeling well.” There’s no need to feel guilty towards me; just say it directly, and I won’t stop you. Chi Xiaoying quietly thought to herself.

“I particularly want to…” Xuan Xiao, under the influence of alcohol, spoke with a magnetic, lazy voice as smooth as velvet. His hand caressed her delicate, smooth skin, and inside, he felt like a volcano suddenly erupting, with molten lava about to overwhelm him.

He carefully moved her into his embrace, turned over to cover her with his body, and pressed a series of kisses on her cheek.

Chi Xiaoying didn’t know how to react for a moment. Her head felt hot and dizzy, and she suddenly remembered that he had just been with Yan Nannan. The instant noodles she had eaten earlier surged back up her esophagus, and she pushed Xuan Xiao away, jumped out of bed, and ran to the bathroom. She bent over the toilet, vomiting up the bitter bile.

Xuan Xiao followed her down, his hands clasped together, standing outside the door and looking at her with a deep, contemplative expression.

The bathroom was filled with the unpleasant smell of fermented Master Kong instant noodles.

After she finished vomiting and cleaned her mouth, she gave a self-deprecating smile and said, “Heh, I guess I ate too many noodles. You go ahead and sleep; I’ll boil some water to drink.”

Xuan Xiao turned around silently.

She looked at the pale-faced reflection in the mirror and let out a gentle sigh.

" ding-dong," the sudden sound of a text message coming in from the corner startled her. She looked down and saw it was Xuan Xiao’s phone, which had been left in the laundry basket while he was showering and changing clothes.

" Ding-dong," the sound rang out again.

She had never looked through Xuan Xiao’s phone, absolutely respecting all his privacy.

Driven by curiosity, she reached out and took the phone from the laundry basket. Wondering who would be texting so late—could it be spam? She opened the message, pressing the keys.

The message read, “Are you asleep? It’s nothing serious; I just wanted to let you know that at this moment, I’m thinking of you.”

The message continued, “The happiest moments are those I spend with you. The most painful moments are now, when I’m thinking of you, and wondering who you’re thinking of.”

Chi Xiaoying, startled as if she had been burned, shook her hand violently, causing the phone to slip back into the laundry basket. She anxiously glanced toward the bedroom; it was very quiet. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief.

The phone number that sent the message ended in 1314, a number romantically referred to online as "forever" or "a lifetime," not the 520—"I love you"—associated with Yan Nannan.

Who could this be? From the tone, it seems to be someone who is infatuated with Xuan Xiao, approaching the point of obsession.

When combined, Yan Nannan’s phone number with this one forms the phrase "I love you forever"—truly the epitome of romance.

Chi Xiaoying closed her eyes. Xuan Xiao’s marketability was indeed impressive. These matters were no longer for her to concern herself with; she would leave them to Yan Nannan to handle in the future.

She shook her head, turned off the lights, and walked into the bedroom.

Xuan Xiao was wrapped in the blanket, facing outward, while she climbed into her own blanket, facing inward. They each drifted off to sleep.