Chapter 103: Can I Stay Here Tonight? Xingxing.
Lu Zhenyue’s two-thirty afternoon play was not “Mist,” but a classic representative work of hers.
The high temperature could not stop the enthusiasm of the audience. The theater’s more than two thousand seats, on both floors, were full. The air conditioning was on full blast, sending coolness into the stuffy space.
After separating from Huai Xing, Chu Wantang urgently bought a premium ticket for the second floor on an app and sat in a seat by the side.
She couldn’t play on her phone during the performance. She held a small Ragdoll cat doll in her arms, sat properly in her chair, wore glasses, and by the slightly dim light of the audience, she looked at Huai Xing, who was sitting in the golden position in the middle of the first floor, the smile on her lips never fading.
It had been two hours since Huai Xing had blurted out the three words “Chu Ruan Tang.” She still found it very cute when she thought of Huai Xing’s expression of “how did I just say that” after she had finished speaking, so cute that she didn’t want to be separated from Huai Xing.
The longing of not seeing her for a day was too strong, and she was powerless to resist.
But Huai Xing was now with Wen Ruyu and the others. It was not convenient for her as an outsider to disturb them, so she had to come to the second floor to watch silently.
Such a thing had also happened before. She remembered that on a certain day five years ago, she had still been attending a private event when she had received a message from Tu Zhaoyu saying that Huai Xing was suspected of liking a married male leader at their company. She had driven to the mall where Huai Xing and the others were gathering at that time, lurking from a distance, watching Huai Xing chat with her friends with clear boundaries, not being noticed by the girls.
Memories came flooding back, and Chu Wantang raised an eyebrow.
This posture continued until the end of the first half of the performance. There was a fifteen-minute break, and the scene was filled with thunderous applause. She clapped along. Just as she had put down her hand and taken out her phone, she was asked for her contact information by the person sitting behind her.
She looked over. The other party was a very young-looking girl with very round eyes. She asked embarrassedly, “Hello… can I add you on v?”
Chu Wantang smiled. “I’m sorry.” She paused. “I have a girlfriend.”
Even though she had not confirmed her relationship with Huai Xing at this stage, Huai Xing’s attitude made her feel that there was no need to be so anxious. They could first enjoy a period of ambiguity.
The girl was stunned for a moment, and her first reaction was, “It seems my gaydar is not wrong. There are really a lot of lesbians who come to see Teacher Lu’s performance.”
Realizing that what she had said seemed inappropriate, she quickly added, “Okay, okay. Then I wish you happiness!”
“Thanks,” Chu Wantang nodded. “You too.”
She thought for a moment and asked, “Are you here to see the performance for Teacher Lu?”
“Yes. I’m on summer vacation and came to Haicheng to play. I saw that there was this performance and bought a ticket.”
After a brief chat, it ended at the right time.
It was noisy around. Some people were on the phone, and some were watching videos. Chu Wantang gently patted the doll, unlocked her phone with one hand, and opened the pinned WeChat chat. Huai Xing had sent her a message two minutes ago.
Xingxing: [Who are you chatting with?]
Chu Wantang sat up straight and looked at the first floor. She could still only see the back of Huai Xing’s head, but this message meant that Huai Xing had just turned her head and had seen everything.
Her throat moved nervously, and she typed back: [A girl who likes Lu Zhenyue.]
She pressed her lips together and then said, [Many people like her.]
After clicking send, she lowered her gaze and saw that Huai Xing had finished chatting with Wen Ruyu and was replying to a message on her phone.
Soon, she received a reply: [Many people really like Sister Suisui.]
Chu Wantang: [I can see that.]
Chu Wantang said with a hint of sourness, [You also like her very much.]
Xingxing: [Mm.]
The simple word made Chu Wantang’s breath stop.
The “like” she had just referred to was in a friendly way, because she knew Huai Xing very well. It was impossible for Huai Xing to be ambiguous with her and also with Lu Zhenyue at the same time. Where would she get so much energy? But she didn’t know when Lu Zhenyue had been out of the picture. Clearly, on the day she had come to Chengshan Mansion, the atmosphere between the two of them had been tense.
At this moment, Huai Xing’s frank admission made the sourness in her heart go wild.
She should have known not to be so emotional.
Without a word, she withdrew it.
And re-edited it to: [You also admire her very much.]
And sent it.
The person on the other end did not reply. She looked over again, and Huai Xing was chatting with Wen Ruyu and the others again.
She did not reply to any more messages until the second half began.
A light sigh slowly escaped from Chu Wantang’s throat. What else could she do? She had finally had a sign of getting her back. She could no longer be as willful, selfish, and unreasonable as before.
She could not bear the pain of losing Huai Xing again.
Besides, she would be seeing Huai Xing at night.
Thinking of this, she finally composed herself and suppressed the gushing jealousy.
…
After dinner, the five of them split into two groups.
Wen Ruyu, Wen Shiwei, and Lu Xianyue were all staying at Wen Shiwei’s place. Lu Zhenyue was going back to Lu Xianyue’s apartment and got into Huai Xing’s car.
The dryness of the night did not diminish, and soothing music flowed in the quiet car.
After another song had finished playing, Lu Zhenyue propped her head on her hand and looked at Huai Xing, her lips twitching. “Xiao Xing, I heard from Xianyue that the clothes have all been finalized, and the rehearsal will start in a while.” She looked at the light and shadow constantly changing on Huai Xing’s face. “The big show is getting closer and closer. There’s less than a month left.”
Hearing this, Huai Xing called out very calmly, “Sister Suisui.”
“Mm.”
“I have someone I like,” Huai Xing said, holding the steering wheel, and it was a little difficult to say this. “I don’t want to admit this to Xianyue, but in front of you, I have to be honest, because I don’t want to give you false hope.”
Lu Zhenyue did not seem surprised by this. Her long lashes trembled, and she took a breath, looking ahead.
The atmosphere in the car fell silent again.
A few minutes later, Lu Zhenyue spat out a name. “Is it still Chu Wantang?”
“It is,” she answered with certainty.
Lu Zhenyue said slowly, “I really like it when you come to see my performance, Huai Xing.” She said bitterly, “Only then will your gaze fall on me.”
“In the past period of time, I’ve been thinking, where am I inferior to Chu Wantang? My family background, my education, my looks, am I worse than her? Since I was a child, in the eyes of others, I’ve also been ‘someone else’s child.’ Even my own little sister has felt a lot of pressure and has had a lot of troubles because of this.”
“Later, I figured it out. It’s not where I’m lacking, but that the nature of love is unreasonable. I didn’t meet you when you were sixteen. Even if I had, you might not have liked me. I understand all of this…” She struggled a little more. “But, don’t you have a single bit of affection for me?”
Huai Xing spoke very lightly. “I’m sorry.”
Lu Zhenyue let out a breath, her tone deliberately light. “I’m a little regretful that I got in your car tonight.” She then looked at Huai Xing’s profile, the corners of her lips curling up again. “But I also have to thank you for your honesty. It makes me feel very relieved. So this is what it feels like to be rejected. I’ve finally experienced it.”
Hearing her light tone, Huai Xing replied cooperatively, “Then should I say ‘you’re welcome’ now?”
“You can.”
Lu Zhenyue laughed. “Coincidentally, my aunt is not feeling well recently and is a little lonely. Before the ‘Silk Season’ big show, I’ll move over to accompany her. I really don’t want to see Chu Wantang in the elevator.” She paused for a few seconds before saying, “And I don’t want to make things difficult for you, Xiao Xing.”
Huai Xing: “Okay, then we’ll see each other at the big show.”
More than half an hour later, the two of them returned to the eighth floor of the apartment.
Lu Zhenyue did not speak and opened her arms for a hug. Huai Xing hugged her back for a while before letting go, and they returned to their respective rooms with their backs to each other.
On the eleventh floor, Chu Wantang had already taken a shower and had a face mask on, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring or a WeChat notification.
Wan Yi was not out tonight and was playing PS5 on the single sofa with a controller.
She saw her distraught appearance out of the corner of her eye and “tsked.” “I should have recorded what you said back then, things like ‘it’s not love’ and ‘I don’t have a Xing addiction’…”
What greeted her was a cushion that was thrown at her without mercy. She caught it steadily and continued to babble, “Chengcheng said she’s a bit busy these days, but Xingxing has also sent her an invitation to see the show. So, the meal we didn’t have five years ago will have to wait until after the big show is over.”
“I don’t care anymore. I’m going to fleece you and make your wallet bleed. Hey… where are you going? Did Xingxing send you a message? Are you coming back to sleep tonight?”
Chu Wantang’s footsteps towards the door paused. She turned around to look at her friend, thought for a moment, and answered seriously, “I might come back, but don’t be surprised if I don’t.”
“I won’t be surprised whether you come back or not,” Wan Yi said, waving her hand. “Go on, go and see your 1.”
Chu Wantang came back and threw another cushion at her before she curled her lips and left.
After she came out of the apartment, she cleared her throat, composed herself, and then pressed the down button.
In less than half a minute, she arrived at the eighth floor.
The first thing she saw was Lu Zhenyue standing at the entrance of the Lu family’s house on the left.
Lu Zhenyue stared at her quietly, and she looked back at her nonchalantly.
The two of them had no communication. In just a few seconds, Lu Zhenyue closed the door and went back.
Chu Wantang felt that it was inexplicable. She touched the tip of her nose, stopped thinking about these things, and just came to Huai Xing’s door and rang the doorbell.
The door opened, but the person was not immediately let in.
Huai Xing blinked, followed her out, stood at the door, and tapped the password lock. A series of beeps sounded, and she reset the password: “921228.”
This was Chu Wantang’s birthday, but in the years she had been with Chu Wantang, she had actually never celebrated Chu Wantang’s birthday.
Because Chu Wantang had said that she didn’t like to celebrate her birthday, and she also didn’t let her celebrate it for her. She hadn’t said the specific reason, and she still didn’t know now, but that didn’t stop her from remembering it very clearly, nor did it stop her from setting this string of numbers for Chu Wantang’s password lock now.
Hearing the numbers she was muttering, Chu Wantang was stunned for a moment, and her heart was filled with soft clouds.
She couldn’t help but say softly, and deliberately asked, “What does this mean, Xingxing?”
“It doesn’t mean anything,” Huai Xing said, her almond eyes holding a smile. “Don’t overthink it.”
But as soon as the door closed, Huai Xing was hugged from behind by the woman who was filled with fragrance.
She lowered her eyes and looked at the curly hair that was draped over her shoulder and was entangled with her straight hair. They were both wearing very thin clothes, and her back could accurately feel Chu Wantang’s alluring curves and temperature, and her heartbeat, which was gradually speeding up.
A somewhat scorching breath landed behind her ear, and Chu Wantang’s low voice followed, confirming, “Can I come down whenever I want in the future?”
The itchiness spread from this place, and Huai Xing’s palm covered the back of Chu Wantang’s hand.
She peeled off the hand that Chu Wantang had placed on her waist and held it, and then turned around to look at Chu Wantang’s eyes, not avoiding this scorching gaze. She cleared her throat and answered, “If nothing unexpected happens, I think that’s what I mean.”
Chu Wantang: “I understand.”
Huai Xing: “Change your shoes.” She floated in first. “We’re going to finish watching ‘Robot Dreams’ together tonight. We’ve always watched it separately before.”
Chu Wantang’s action of changing her shoes froze for a moment. “Do we have to watch it again?”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t dare to watch it a second time.”
“I’ll watch it with you,” Huai Xing said, flicking her hair and asking with confusion, “Don’t you want to watch a movie with me, Jiejie?”
Hearing her say this, Chu Wantang was helpless and indulgent, and could only reply with a gentle look in her eyes, “I do.”
It took a few minutes to prepare. The curtains were drawn, the air conditioner was set to a suitable temperature, and the main lights were turned off, leaving only a floor lamp.
There was a glass of water on the coffee table, and the warm light was reflected on the surface of the water.
Chu Wantang was sitting on the single sofa at the side. Her back was lightly pressed against the sofa, and her hands were clasped on her knees. Her gaze was always on the TV, and she looked very focused.
In fact, her peripheral vision was frequently on Huai Xing in the middle, watching Huai Xing hug the Ragdoll cat doll she had bought, watching Huai Xing’s long lashes cast a fine shadow under her eyes, watching Huai Xing’s relaxed posture and exposed collarbone, watching Huai Xing’s slender front neck as she drank water.
The light and shadow were flowing, and time was passing.
When the movie was halfway through, Huai Xing finally broke the quiet atmosphere and said, “You’ve been peeking at me twenty-eight times.”
Chu Wantang turned her head directly and stopped peeking. “Why would you count this? Did you really get into it? I doubt it.”
Huai Xing met her gaze and shook her head very directly. “No.”
Chu Wantang wrinkled her nose and said frankly, “Me neither.”
They were silent for a few seconds. Huai Xing looked at the water glass that Chu Wantang had barely touched and asked again, “Do you want some water?”
“…I do.”
Huai Xing let go of the doll, stood up, and took the water glass to stand in front of Chu Wantang’s single sofa.
She lifted her leg, pressed her knee against the sofa surface, and in the posture of lifting her wrist, she brought the rim of the glass to Chu Wantang’s lips. “I’ll feed you.”
Chu Wantang’s eyes were filled with a smile. She had fallen into Huai Xing’s trap. She had thought that it was the same way of feeding her water as last time.
But such an opportunity was also very rare. She tilted her head back slightly and held the rim of the glass with her lips.
The cool water slowly flowed into her mouth, and the speed was very well controlled, not a single drop flowing out.
Huai Xing watched her drink half a glass of water, put the glass back on the coffee table, and was about to go back to her seat to continue watching the movie.
Chu Wantang held her wrist and, seeing her turn her head to look at her, sought her opinion. “Can we watch it together?”
“Aren’t we watching it together?”
Chu Wantang: “…I want to hold you.” She didn’t like the feeling of her arms being empty.
Huai Xing chuckled lightly, nodded, and seeing her also smile, she sat in her lap.
The single sofa was a bit cramped. They were squeezed together. It was already hot, and the thin fabric was like a decoration. The shorts they were wearing were also very short, and their legs were pressed against each other. Their body temperatures were also in a shared mode.
But they both maintained a serious look on the surface and watched the movie together.
Chu Wantang wrapped her arms around Huai Xing’s waist and smelled the fragrance of Huai Xing’s hair.
Thinking of the “mm” that Huai Xing had replied in the theater in the afternoon, her long lashes fluttered twice. She lowered her head and bit the side of Huai Xing’s neck, not using any force at all. She then rewarded herself by licking it lightly and asked, pretending, “Does it hurt?”
Huai Xing’s eyelids twitched. She turned her head to the side and saw the watery sheen on Chu Wantang’s lips.
She did not answer, but leaned closer and licked Chu Wantang’s lips.
“I’m a little thirsty,” Huai Xing said in a hoarse voice.
Chu Wantang did not immediately kiss her, but stroked her lips, looking very patient. She looked at the waves in her eyes and said, “Wan Yi asked me if I was coming back tonight.”
She asked in a low voice, “Can I stay here tonight, Xingxing?”
“You can.”
“Can we go to work together tomorrow?”
“We can.”
Chu Wantang’s left arm was still around her waist. Hearing her so certain answer, she still felt a little unreal.
That petty feeling had not yet passed, and she asked again, “You admire Lu Zhenyue very much, don’t you?”
She had to get an answer about admiration.
Just think of her as narrow-minded.
“You’re really so petty,” Huai Xing complained in a low voice.
“So is it or not?” Chu Wantang didn’t care about that.
“It is.”
Chu Wantang got a satisfactory answer and was about to lean closer to kiss Huai Xing, but Huai Xing had already lost her patience. She broke free from her embrace and ran upstairs with the doll.
Seeing her stunned in place, she left her a sentence, “You didn’t kiss me just now. It’s too late now, Chu Ruan Tang.”
Huai Xing snorted coldly. “You’re also staying over if you sleep in the guest room downstairs.”
“…”
