The night was deep, and the villa was quiet.
In the third-floor living room, the lights were off, and Mei Xiang and Meng Wanning sat opposite each other, both in pajamas, with a hint of fatigue and helplessness on their faces.
"Thank you for teaching me how to swim this afternoon," Meng Wanning broke the silence first. "If it weren’t for you, I might have just sat there all the time."
Mei Xiang smiled faintly, but there was a touch of bitterness in her eyes. "Actually, I just wanted to find someone to talk to. Seeing you sitting there alone, I felt like you were like me, out of place."
Meng Wanning nodded, deeply understanding, "Yes, I seem to never fit into their world. This time out, I’ve really learned a lot. Whether it’s Wen Shulin or Li Ya, theirs is a life of luxury, and they know and can do everything. And I..."
She paused, smiling self-mockingly, "I’m just a girl from an ordinary family, not rich or powerful, knowing nothing, unable to do anything."
Mei Xiang held Meng Wanning’s hand, comforting her, "Don’t say that, Xiao Ning. You’re already very good. You’re kind, gentle, and hardworking. Unlike me..."
Her eyelids fell, her tone disheartened, "I seem to have truly lost everything."
Meng Wanning grasped Mei Xiang’s hand back, "Mei Xiang, don’t think like that. Everyone has their strengths. You’re beautiful, lively, and clearly liked by everyone."
Mei Xiang looked up at her, "You know, Xiao Ning."
"Both of us lived in the courtyard house,"
She opened up, "Even though at that time we lived under the same roof with Brother Cheng and Sister Xiao Er, at least I could still fool myself into thinking that Sister Xiao Er and I were equals."
Mei Xiang looked toward the stairs leading to the fourth floor, "Now, they live upstairs, and these feelings... really hurt." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI(F)ire.net
Meng Wanning’s eyes also reddened; she shared the same feeling.
Back in the courtyard house, although she and Mei Xiang lived under the same roof, the yard was fortunately big enough.
But now, this sense of distance had been infinitely reduced, down to the distance of climbing a flight of stairs, making her clearly aware of the gap between herself and Xiao Meier, which not even Chen Cheng’s "unique" could level out.
"Mei Xiang..." Meng Wanning asked uncertainly, "What should we... do now?"
Mei Xiang shook her head as tears finally rolled down, "I don’t know... I don’t know what to do... I... I miss him..."
Meng Wanning couldn’t help but cry too, and Mei Xiang leaned directly on her shoulder, covering her mouth, sobbing ceaselessly.
Chen Cheng whispered, intending to say more, but seeing the two , he understood the situation.
Meng Wanning and Mei Xiang stopped crying, both looking up in surprise as they saw him.
Faces still wet with tears were filled with panic.
"What are you talking about?" Chen Cheng sat down between them.
In the lamp-free environment, only the moonlight shone into the living room.
Mei Xiang hurriedly wiped her tears, turned her face away, and said in a low voice, "Nothing... we were just... chatting..."
Meng Wanning also lowered her head, not daring to look at him, "I... we..."
She changed the topic, "Is Sister asleep?"
"After swimming in the afternoon and drinking in the evening, she fell asleep." Chen Cheng replied.
He glanced at the two girls at his side, "I know you’re feeling uneasy, so I came down to check on you."
"No... it’s nothing..."
"Xiao Ning and I were just..."
Before they could finish, Chen Cheng opened his arms and embraced both of them.
Meng Wanning and Mei Xiang stiffened simultaneously, feeling the warmth from Chen Cheng’s embrace, both of them a bit at a loss.
"I know what you’re thinking," Chen Cheng continued, "and I know the bitterness in your hearts."
"But there are some things beyond my control."
Mei Xiang and Meng Wanning remained silent, tears once again blurring their eyes.
They understood that Chen Cheng was speaking the truth. In this moment, they were no longer love rivals, but sisters comforting each other.
"Sorry..." Mei Xiang choked up, "I... shouldn’t have caused you trouble..."
Meng Wanning also spoke haltingly, "Sorry, I shouldn’t have thought so much."
Chen Cheng tightened his arms, holding them closer, "Why are you both apologizing to me?"
"I came into your lives, brought you close to me, and gave you this uncertain future."
"Mei Xiang, you left your hometown to come to this unfamiliar place just to get closer to me, I know." Chen Cheng looked deeply at Mei Xiang.
He then turned to meet Meng Wanning’s eyes, "And Wan Wan, you went against your teacher, bearing so much pressure for me. It’s me who owes you."
Mei Xiang raised her head, her eyes swollen from crying, "Brother Cheng, we’ve never blamed you. We just feel sad seeing Xiao Er with you..."
Wan Ning nodded along, "Yes, Grandpa, we know you care for us, but this complex feeling truly tortures us."
Chen Cheng took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "I understand your feelings, and I’ve been trying to keep a balance, not wanting any of you to get hurt."
"If you’re not happy, I can send you away from this villa, to Sanya, book a room for you." he said.
Meng Wanning and Mei Xiang both shook their heads. Mei Xiang said, "Last time, I left, but this time, I won’t."
Meng Wanning also nodded heavily, "If we just leave , you’ll have to lie to Sister again. I don’t like you doing that."