Qi Xiao Yan parked and helped Yang Wei from the car.
As she leaned on his shoulder, he could hear her mumbling indistinctly, "Qi Xiao Yaaan.... you are not a person, you are an egg..."
He turned a deaf ear and continued helping her forward. Yang Wei swung her bag at him. "Why can't I drink, huh? I'm determined to drink! And if a toothbrush faces the left, so what? Will the sun fall?!"
This man was just too much! He was even dodging her bag! Angrily, she grabbed a handful of his curly hair. "You even dared run over to Song Jin's house. I'll cut it off. Cut it off!"
Qi Xiao Yan: "..."
He looked down at Yang Wei, and on his mouth hung a little smile. "What would you do if you cut it off?"
Yang Wei was dumbfounded a moment, then beat him with her bag. "I foolishly thought I was a little pretty and got carried away. Was this how you seduced Song Jin too?"
As his arm was being battered, he frowned. "That's enough. Be careful not to fall."
As if she hadn't heard a word, Yang Wei barged on, roaring drunk. "Must have been an awesome first love to plaster it all over the papers. Burn in hell you two! Burn in hell!"
Qi Xiao Yan breathed out a long, long sigh, but held her tighter.
Upon getting indoors, he threw Yang Wei on the sofa, selected two oranges from the fruit basket, and squeezed a glass of orange juice for her. "Here, drink this and sober up."
Yang Wei flopped over impatiently and lay limply on the sofa. "I won't drink! I'll rely on my amazing perseverance to survive!"
Qi Xiao Yan: "..."
He let out another sigh, then gulped down the orange juice himself. Setting down the cup, he got up to carry her to the bedroom. She thrashed around in his arms. "Let me down! I won't drink!"
Qi Xiao Yan threw her onto the bed and loosened his tie. "Yang Wei, if you dare run out and drink so much wine again, you're dead."
Yang Wei grabbed a pillow and smashed it into his face. "Qi Xiao Yan, you little thief! You stole my pillow! Tell me, what have you done to my pillow?!"
Ignoring her, he took off his jacket and went into the bathroom. Although he had taken a shower before going out, bringing her back home had made him sweaty all over again.
Yang Wei seemed tired as well, and finally quieted down. When he left the bathroom, she was sleeping quietly on top of the quilt. He walked over and sat on the bed beside her.
Her eyelashes were very long, and they cast little shadows under her eyes. Qi Xiao Yan stared at her for a while with the smallest of smiles, brushing her eyelashes with his hand. Her eyelids fluttered uncomfortably before she opened her eyes to look at the person who had interrupted her dreams.
He was still smiling, and the lingering scent of the shower hung around him, stirring up the alcohol still in her.
She frowned a little, looking at him. "You little thief, are you seducing me again? Let me tell you, the thing I hate the most is seduction." When she finished, she grabbed his arm and pulled him down to kiss him on the lips.
Qi Xiao Yan froze for a moment, but soon the guest became the host, and he pressed her down under his body. They were both intimately familiar with the other's body, and it took no effort at all to light the flames. Greedily, he kissed the side of her neck and flung her coat to the floor. “Wife...”
His voice had always been very sexy when filled with emotion, and the sound of it now dragged her down into the deep mire. She followed his lead and murmured, "Husband." His slender fingers traced through her hair, and he breathed in her ear, "If it's been a while, it might be uncomfortable. But you're almost ready.”
"Hnnn..." Yang Wei responded vaguely. It was like that enormous curly-haired dog again, enveloping her in his warmth. Her body temperature kept rising, and as she lost her head, she could only give everything she had to him.
"Curly-bae, it's too much... a bit lighter..."
Qi Xiao Yan kissed the wetness at her eyes and slowed down. "Is this better?"
"Mmm..." Yang Wei looked up at him, a glistening in her brilliant beautiful eyes. His own gaze sank just for a moment, but then her hand cupped the back of his head, and he lowered his head back down to her lips.
Outside the heavy curtains, the birds were chirping happily at each other. Yang Wei mumbled in her sleep before scratching her head and opening her eyes.
She found a man sleeping beside her. He was handsome, and bore a striking resemblance to Qi Xiao Yan. From what she could see of his body uncovered by the quilt, he was very likely naked.
Her hand flew to her own body, but what she felt under her fingers was not cloth, but her own skin. Her heart quivered. Enchanting images from last night flashed through her mind like a lantern. Yang Wei’s eyes widened. Her hands flew to her mouth as it fell open in a silent scream.
Good heavens! Had she really been so hungry as to sleep with her ex-husband?!
Having vented, she searched cautiously for her clothes on the floor. Wrapping herself in a quilt, she edged slowly to the side.
The arm around her waist tightened suddenly, and Yang Wei was hauled back into Qi Xiao Yan's embrace. "Where are you off to? Leaving after eating?"
Though his eyes were close, she could feel his gaze on her like a needles poking into her skin.
She stiffened. "Aren't you the one who took advantage? You're lucky I'm not holding you responsible."
He opened his eyes then, and stared unblinking at her with his warm dark eyes. "I am willing to take responsibility."
Yang Wei licked her lips and looked at him, not speaking. Qi Xiao Yan leaned close and said, intent, "Darling, let's remarry."
In his voice was the slightest hint of entreaty. She raised an eyebrow and pushed him away. "Qi Xiao Yan, a year ago, you married me after sleeping with me. Now you want us to remarry because we slept together again?"
Qi Xiao Yan was silent a moment, then asked, "Will you let me pursue you, then?"
"No, I won't!" Yang Wei wrapped herself up in the quilt and jumped out of bed. She walked barefoot to the closet, dug out a few pieces of clothing, and brought them into the bathroom. Outside, Qi Xiao Yan listened to the sound of running water, staring at the ceiling and running his hand through his hair.
In the bathroom, Yang Wei stood in front of the mirror, inspecting the hickeys on her skin. She huffed out a breath. How many times had they done it last night? Twice? Three times? Qi Xiao Yan was an animal!
The steaming water eased her sore body a little. Massaging herself, she had a flashback to the scene in which she had pulled him down and forced a kiss on him.
...so this was still what drinking changed her into?
No! How could this be her fault?! As a man, how could he not have some strength of will?!
As she was in the bathroom, Qi Xiao Yan was also taking a cold shower. By the time she emerged, two cups of freshly squeezed orange juice, a few slices of bread, and two poached eggs were already waiting on the table. On the golden eggs, a smiling face had been made with ham. Yang Wei looked down, forked up the egg, and bit it in half.
Qi Xiao Yan sat down across from her and took a sip of orange juice. "Are you sore?"
Flushing lightly, she ate the remaining half of her egg.
After breakfast, she left the table without clearing it, picked up her bag and left the house. Qi Xiao Yan followed her onto a bus and sat down next to her. Yang Wei frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you own this bus?"
She glared at him, then turned to stare out the window. Two stops later, an elderly couple climbed on. Seeing them, Qi Xiao Yan stood up from his seat. Yang Wei was still looking out the window and he called to her. "Yang Wei."
Yang Wei turned her head impatiently, but stood hastily upon seeing the elderly couple approaching. The couple sat down in their seats and thanked them with a smile. A little embarrassed, Yang Wei smiled back. "It's no problem."
Qi Xiao Yan stood beside her. Looking at the two of them, the old lady asked, "Are you two a couple? You look good together."
Embarrassed again, she replied. "No. I don't know him."
Qi Xiao Yan gave her a look, but said nothing. The old lady burst into hearty laughter. "What's wrong? Are you quarreling?"
The old man next to her complained, "Wife, don't be so meddlesome. What do you know about the household matters of young people?"
His wife shot him a look, unconvinced. "It's not like I've never been young. Look at how well-matched they are! What a pity to be divided."
The old man shook his head. He looked up at them with a smile and said, "Don't pay her any attention. She loves to blindly worry all day."
"Oh, I love worrying blindly, huh? When you can't find your fishing rod, don't come looking for me!"
Yang Wei smiled. "You have a very good relationship."
The old lady rebuffed her words. "Who's got a good relationship with him? He's as stubborn as an ox, acts rashly, never listens to advice, and hates cleaning. He hasn't changed his socks in days!"
The old man's ears reddened and he retorted, "Are you saying I should change socks three times a day, like you? Also, saying I don't listen to advice - you don't listen either! When your whole family opposed our marriage, didn't you still decide to run off with me?"
"Oh, haha, listen to those beautiful words. If you hadn't knelt in my house for three days and three nights, do you think that I'd have married you so easily?"
Yang Wei grinned. Qi Xiao Yan asked, "You two should be around the golden anniversary of marriage?”
The old lady sent a wink his way. “What sharp eyes young men have. This year is indeed our 50th anniversary. How time flies! I've actually been married to him for fifty years.”
Her husband grumped, "Say whatever you want, but what's with the winking?"
"He's a handsome young lad. I'd have chased him if I were a few decades younger."
The old man let out a snort. "Do you think everyone's as blind as I am when looking at you?"
His wife pinched him silently. Then she looked up. "Young man, don't be mad at me for this unsolicited advice. There aren't any couples in this world who don't disagree, but the key is a lasting marriage is to learn to be kind and tolerant to one other. Look at this lovely girl. If you can't be considerate to her, others will line up to do it for you."
Qi Xiao Yan nodded. "I know. "
At that moment, the bus slammed on the brakes. Yang Wei was holding onto the ceiling rings, and as the vehicle came to screeching halt, she tumbled into his arms. Qi Xiao Yan held onto the back of a seat with one hand, his other arm wrapped about her waist. "Are you okay?"
"It's nothing." Yang Wei quickly broke his hold and stood. She got off at the next stop and walked along the street for a long time, Qi Xiao Yan always right behind her. When she finally felt fatigued from walking, she turned into a dessert shop on the street and ordered a cup of double skin milk.1
Qi Xiao Yan followed her into the store and sat down in the empty seat across from her. He waited in silence as Yang Wei ate her dessert, and when the last spoonful of double skin milk had disappeared, Yang Wei picked up the rose-printed napkin and wiped her mouth. She looked up at him. "I suppose I'll allow you a second chance to court me."
A smile broke over Qi Xiao Yan's face, like a gloomy winter sky ushering in the first warm ray of sunshine in early spring.
Yang Wei licked her lips and added, "But you should know that one of the possible outcomes of pursuit is failure."
As if he was making a vow, Qi Xiao Yan replied, "I will keep chasing success."
Qi Xiao Yan parked and helped Yang Wei from the car.
As she leaned on his shoulder, he could hear her mumbling indistinctly, "Qi Xiao Yaaan.... you are not a person, you are an egg..."
He turned a deaf ear and continued helping her forward. Yang Wei swung her bag at him. "Why can't I drink, huh? I'm determined to drink! And if a toothbrush faces the left, so what? Will the sun fall?!"
This man was just too much! He was even dodging her bag! Angrily, she grabbed a handful of his curly hair. "You even dared run over to Song Jin's house. I'll cut it off. Cut it off!"
Qi Xiao Yan: "..."
He looked down at Yang Wei, and on his mouth hung a little smile. "What would you do if you cut it off?"
Yang Wei was dumbfounded a moment, then beat him with her bag. "I foolishly thought I was a little pretty and got carried away. Was this how you seduced Song Jin too?"
As his arm was being battered, he frowned. "That's enough. Be careful not to fall."
As if she hadn't heard a word, Yang Wei barged on, roaring drunk. "Must have been an awesome first love to plaster it all over the papers. Burn in hell you two! Burn in hell!"
Qi Xiao Yan breathed out a long, long sigh, but held her tighter.
Upon getting indoors, he threw Yang Wei on the sofa, selected two oranges from the fruit basket, and squeezed a glass of orange juice for her. "Here, drink this and sober up."
Yang Wei flopped over impatiently and lay limply on the sofa. "I won't drink! I'll rely on my amazing perseverance to survive!"
Qi Xiao Yan: "..."
He let out another sigh, then gulped down the orange juice himself. Setting down the cup, he got up to carry her to the bedroom. She thrashed around in his arms. "Let me down! I won't drink!"
Qi Xiao Yan threw her onto the bed and loosened his tie. "Yang Wei, if you dare run out and drink so much wine again, you're dead."
Yang Wei grabbed a pillow and smashed it into his face. "Qi Xiao Yan, you little thief! You stole my pillow! Tell me, what have you done to my pillow?!"
Ignoring her, he took off his jacket and went into the bathroom. Although he had taken a shower before going out, bringing her back home had made him sweaty all over again.
Yang Wei seemed tired as well, and finally quieted down. When he left the bathroom, she was sleeping quietly on top of the quilt. He walked over and sat on the bed beside her.
Her eyelashes were very long, and they cast little shadows under her eyes. Qi Xiao Yan stared at her for a while with the smallest of smiles, brushing her eyelashes with his hand. Her eyelids fluttered uncomfortably before she opened her eyes to look at the person who had interrupted her dreams.
He was still smiling, and the lingering scent of the shower hung around him, stirring up the alcohol still in her.
She frowned a little, looking at him. "You little thief, are you seducing me again? Let me tell you, the thing I hate the most is seduction." When she finished, she grabbed his arm and pulled him down to kiss him on the lips.
Qi Xiao Yan froze for a moment, but soon the guest became the host, and he pressed her down under his body. They were both intimately familiar with the other's body, and it took no effort at all to light the flames. Greedily, he kissed the side of her neck and flung her coat to the floor. “Wife...”
His voice had always been very sexy when filled with emotion, and the sound of it now dragged her down into the deep mire. She followed his lead and murmured, "Husband." His slender fingers traced through her hair, and he breathed in her ear, "If it's been a while, it might be uncomfortable. But you're almost ready.”
"Hnnn..." Yang Wei responded vaguely. It was like that enormous curly-haired dog again, enveloping her in his warmth. Her body temperature kept rising, and as she lost her head, she could only give everything she had to him.
"Curly-bae, it's too much... a bit lighter..."
Qi Xiao Yan kissed the wetness at her eyes and slowed down. "Is this better?"
"Mmm..." Yang Wei looked up at him, a glistening in her brilliant beautiful eyes. His own gaze sank just for a moment, but then her hand cupped the back of his head, and he lowered his head back down to her lips.
Outside the heavy curtains, the birds were chirping happily at each other. Yang Wei mumbled in her sleep before scratching her head and opening her eyes.
She found a man sleeping beside her. He was handsome, and bore a striking resemblance to Qi Xiao Yan. From what she could see of his body uncovered by the quilt, he was very likely naked.
Her hand flew to her own body, but what she felt under her fingers was not cloth, but her own skin. Her heart quivered. Enchanting images from last night flashed through her mind like a lantern. Yang Wei’s eyes widened. Her hands flew to her mouth as it fell open in a silent scream.
Good heavens! Had she really been so hungry as to sleep with her ex-husband?!
Having vented, she searched cautiously for her clothes on the floor. Wrapping herself in a quilt, she edged slowly to the side.
The arm around her waist tightened suddenly, and Yang Wei was hauled back into Qi Xiao Yan's embrace. "Where are you off to? Leaving after eating?"
Though his eyes were close, she could feel his gaze on her like a needles poking into her skin.
She stiffened. "Aren't you the one who took advantage? You're lucky I'm not holding you responsible."
He opened his eyes then, and stared unblinking at her with his warm dark eyes. "I am willing to take responsibility."
Yang Wei licked her lips and looked at him, not speaking. Qi Xiao Yan leaned close and said, intent, "Darling, let's remarry."
In his voice was the slightest hint of entreaty. She raised an eyebrow and pushed him away. "Qi Xiao Yan, a year ago, you married me after sleeping with me. Now you want us to remarry because we slept together again?"
Qi Xiao Yan was silent a moment, then asked, "Will you let me pursue you, then?"
"No, I won't!" Yang Wei wrapped herself up in the quilt and jumped out of bed. She walked barefoot to the closet, dug out a few pieces of clothing, and brought them into the bathroom. Outside, Qi Xiao Yan listened to the sound of running water, staring at the ceiling and running his hand through his hair.
In the bathroom, Yang Wei stood in front of the mirror, inspecting the hickeys on her skin. She huffed out a breath. How many times had they done it last night? Twice? Three times? Qi Xiao Yan was an animal!
The steaming water eased her sore body a little. Massaging herself, she had a flashback to the scene in which she had pulled him down and forced a kiss on him.
...so this was still what drinking changed her into?
No! How could this be her fault?! As a man, how could he not have some strength of will?!
As she was in the bathroom, Qi Xiao Yan was also taking a cold shower. By the time she emerged, two cups of freshly squeezed orange juice, a few slices of bread, and two poached eggs were already waiting on the table. On the golden eggs, a smiling face had been made with ham. Yang Wei looked down, forked up the egg, and bit it in half.
Qi Xiao Yan sat down across from her and took a sip of orange juice. "Are you sore?"
Flushing lightly, she ate the remaining half of her egg.
After breakfast, she left the table without clearing it, picked up her bag and left the house. Qi Xiao Yan followed her onto a bus and sat down next to her. Yang Wei frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you own this bus?"
She glared at him, then turned to stare out the window. Two stops later, an elderly couple climbed on. Seeing them, Qi Xiao Yan stood up from his seat. Yang Wei was still looking out the window and he called to her. "Yang Wei."
Yang Wei turned her head impatiently, but stood hastily upon seeing the elderly couple approaching. The couple sat down in their seats and thanked them with a smile. A little embarrassed, Yang Wei smiled back. "It's no problem."
Qi Xiao Yan stood beside her. Looking at the two of them, the old lady asked, "Are you two a couple? You look good together."
Embarrassed again, she replied. "No. I don't know him."
Qi Xiao Yan gave her a look, but said nothing. The old lady burst into hearty laughter. "What's wrong? Are you quarreling?"
The old man next to her complained, "Wife, don't be so meddlesome. What do you know about the household matters of young people?"
His wife shot him a look, unconvinced. "It's not like I've never been young. Look at how well-matched they are! What a pity to be divided."
The old man shook his head. He looked up at them with a smile and said, "Don't pay her any attention. She loves to blindly worry all day."
"Oh, I love worrying blindly, huh? When you can't find your fishing rod, don't come looking for me!"
Yang Wei smiled. "You have a very good relationship."
The old lady rebuffed her words. "Who's got a good relationship with him? He's as stubborn as an ox, acts rashly, never listens to advice, and hates cleaning. He hasn't changed his socks in days!"
The old man's ears reddened and he retorted, "Are you saying I should change socks three times a day, like you? Also, saying I don't listen to advice - you don't listen either! When your whole family opposed our marriage, didn't you still decide to run off with me?"
"Oh, haha, listen to those beautiful words. If you hadn't knelt in my house for three days and three nights, do you think that I'd have married you so easily?"
Yang Wei grinned. Qi Xiao Yan asked, "You two should be around the golden anniversary of marriage?”
The old lady sent a wink his way. “What sharp eyes young men have. This year is indeed our 50th anniversary. How time flies! I've actually been married to him for fifty years.”
Her husband grumped, "Say whatever you want, but what's with the winking?"
"He's a handsome young lad. I'd have chased him if I were a few decades younger."
The old man let out a snort. "Do you think everyone's as blind as I am when looking at you?"
His wife pinched him silently. Then she looked up. "Young man, don't be mad at me for this unsolicited advice. There aren't any couples in this world who don't disagree, but the key is a lasting marriage is to learn to be kind and tolerant to one other. Look at this lovely girl. If you can't be considerate to her, others will line up to do it for you."
Qi Xiao Yan nodded. "I know. "
At that moment, the bus slammed on the brakes. Yang Wei was holding onto the ceiling rings, and as the vehicle came to screeching halt, she tumbled into his arms. Qi Xiao Yan held onto the back of a seat with one hand, his other arm wrapped about her waist. "Are you okay?"
"It's nothing." Yang Wei quickly broke his hold and stood. She got off at the next stop and walked along the street for a long time, Qi Xiao Yan always right behind her. When she finally felt fatigued from walking, she turned into a dessert shop on the street and ordered a cup of double skin milk.1
Qi Xiao Yan followed her into the store and sat down in the empty seat across from her. He waited in silence as Yang Wei ate her dessert, and when the last spoonful of double skin milk had disappeared, Yang Wei picked up the rose-printed napkin and wiped her mouth. She looked up at him. "I suppose I'll allow you a second chance to court me."
A smile broke over Qi Xiao Yan's face, like a gloomy winter sky ushering in the first warm ray of sunshine in early spring.
Yang Wei licked her lips and added, "But you should know that one of the possible outcomes of pursuit is failure."
As if he was making a vow, Qi Xiao Yan replied, "I will keep chasing success."
