"Giving in, it’s impossible to give in, Ariel."
"Yes, I’m a beast." Xu Ke stretched lazily like a well-fed beast.
When he held Ariel, there was a gentle tenderness and infinite tolerance in his eyes. One hand supported Ariel’s buttocks, the other gently patting her back, soothingly, as if calming a child.
"You bastard." Ariel moved her finger, pressing it against Xu Ke’s back, muttering from her mouth.
"Yes, yes, I’m a bastard." Xu Ke said compliantly, carrying her towards the bedroom.
"Next time you have to be lenient with me." Ariel took the opportunity to make her request.
"That depends on your own ability." Xu Ke raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"No, you have to be lenient with me, or I won’t be with you anymore." Ariel pouted discontently.
"Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you. Now, sleep." Xu Ke gently placed her on the bed, coaxing softly.
"Then you lie beside me and keep me company." Ariel patted the space beside her, speaking sweetly.
"Okay." Xu Ke obligingly lay down, stretching out a long arm to pull Ariel into his embrace. Ariel, without a hint of shyness, burrowed into Xu Ke’s chest, nuzzling her face against him and placing her ear where she could hear his heartbeat, quickly falling asleep.
In less than five seconds, she was asleep so swiftly that it astonished Xu Ke, but mostly it filled him with pity and affection.
The hand Xu Ke had placed on Ariel’s waist slowly kneaded her waist, and after unknown moments, his movements slowed, eventually stopping altogether as he too fell asleep.
The room, which had been bustling almost all night, finally quieted completely. The silver moonlight sneakily spilled onto their faces, giving them a layer of radiance.
On the other hand, Lin Mengyao, who returned home early, spent almost the entire night with her eyes open; whenever she closed her eyes, Ariel’s words and scenes of Ariel and Xu Ke being together jumped into her mind. She secretly went back to see them watching over a child, their atmosphere so relaxed and joyful. Adding that child into the mix made them look like a family, self-contained, forming a world where nobody else could intrude, leaving Lin Mengyao to exit despondently.
The images played repeatedly in Lin Mengyao’s mind all night, alternating back and forth, almost driving her crazy.
By dawn, Lin Mengyao almost felt a sense of relief, but she relaxed too soon.
As she went to breakfast with Yu Xia, Ariel and Xu Ke were already seated in the breakfast area. Lin Mengyao considered leaving, but Ariel noticed her, "Yaoyao, over here."
Ariel’s voice was loud, quickly drawing several gazes. With those eyes on her, Lin Mengyao couldn’t just turn and leave with Yu Xia; what would others think of her?
Lin Mengyao took a deep breath, looking in the direction of Ariel and Xu Ke.
Yu Xia had only just awoken a short while ago, her high fever had subsided, but she was not quite aware of her surroundings, her gaze confusedly flitting among the three people. Seeing Lin Mengyao as if facing a great enemy filled her eyes with concern and worry, increasing the strength with which she held Lin Mengyao’s hand, prompting Lin Mengyao to glance at her.
"I’m fine, don’t worry about me." Seeing Yu Xia’s worried expression, a wave of warmth filled Lin Mengyao’s heart as she reached out to pat Yu Xia’s head, saying, "I’m fine, don’t worry."
Lin Mengyao led Yu Xia to sit down opposite Ariel confidently.
"Why are your eyes so dark, didn’t sleep well last night?" Xu Ke looked at the faint shadows around Lin Mengyao’s eyes and asked.
"It’s none of your business." Lin Mengyao replied coldly.
Yu Xia sat beside them, curiously sizing up Ariel, not quite understanding the situation, deep confusion in her eyes.
"Xu Ke is just concerned about you, no need to be so angry, can’t you talk things over nicely?" Ariel tilted her head, speaking with a cheerful smile.
"And you’ve dominated Xu Ke for months, I only had him for one night. You aren’t mad about that, are you? Be generous." Ariel said.
Ariel’s words were like a splash of hot oil that ignited the small flame within Lin Mengyao instantly.
"Okay, Ariel, enough." Xu Ke said, a bit of a headache looking at the two women who seemed ready to fight at any moment, unsure what to say.
Seeing Xu Ke’s pained expression, Ariel obediently closed her mouth, her big eyes shifting from Lin Mengyao to Yu Xia, playfully winking, prompting Yu Xia to shyly smile at Ariel.
"So cute. Who is she? Your new lover?" Ariel gave Yu Xia a glance, elbowing Xu Ke playfully as she asked.
Upon hearing what Ariel said, Yu Xia first showed a look of disbelief, her face turning bright red, shaking her head vigorously with her little hands waving frantically, "No, no, he’s my brother-in-law." Yu Xia explained.
"Don’t look at others with your filthy mind, thinking that just because you do something others will too." Lin Mengyao couldn’t help but give a sharp retort as she listened to Ariel speculate about Yu Xia’s relationship.
"Don’t put on that face in front of me, I won’t buy it, Miss Lin. I’ve tolerated you because you’re Xu Ke’s wife, but that doesn’t mean you can lord over me. Watch your tone with me, or I won’t hesitate to personally teach you a lesson." Ariel’s signature smile appeared on her face, malicious intent in her eyes transporting Lin Mengyao back to Ariel’s room she’d once seen.
"Enough, Ariel, stop it." Xu Ke tugged on Ariel’s hand, and Ariel immediately quieted down, sticking to Xu Ke like a kitten, pulling in all her fangs, but this scene deeply pained Lin Mengyao’s eyes.
"You did it on purpose, didn’t you? I told you I didn’t want to see her, yet you brought her into my sight anyway. Do you want to anger me to give this woman my place?" Lin Mengyao said, her voice trembling with anger.
"I didn’t think of it like that, I didn’t expect you to come over." Xu Ke said.