Chapter 479
“What you say makes sense, but I can’t back down now. I’ll wait for Xu Ke to admit his mistake first, then I’ll forgive him,” Lin Mengyao said.
“I don’t believe she, an outsider, can really beat me? Xu Ke is surely only momentarily infatuated with her. Once the timing is right, Xu Ke will realize who is truly good for him, and then he’ll stay by my side obediently, right?” Lin Mengyao looked at Yu Xia with eyes full of hope.
Yu Xia nodded in agreement with Lin Mengyao’s words, even though she didn’t believe Xu Ke’s decision would change. She wasn’t willing to pour cold water on Lin Mengyao’s barely calmed emotions.
Yu Xia was filled with worry and looked at Xu Ke with concern.
Lin Mengyao seemed to have changed, stimulated by Xu Ke and Ariel; she was no longer the Lin Mengyao Yu Xia had known. The Lin Mengyao she remembered shouldn’t be like this.
However, Lin Mengyao, who was on Yu Xia’s mind, couldn’t extricate herself from her emotions. She was caught in endless self-doubt and horror, like a withered leaf falling endlessly in the dark, without a trace of vitality.
She didn’t know when her mindset changed. She couldn’t stay alone, lacked a sense of security, and couldn’t accept losing Xu Ke. She stubbornly regarded Xu Ke as her possession, unwilling to let anyone else touch him. Just the thought that Xu Ke couldn’t completely belong to her was as if a heavy stone was pressing on her heart, making even breathing painfully unbearable.
Lin Mengyao knew her mentality had issues, but she simply couldn’t control herself. She couldn’t control her words and actions, feeling like a person trapped inside a shell, watching another self do incomprehensible things with a clear mind. Sometimes, Lin Mengyao felt she was going crazy.
Lin Mengyao wrapped herself in the quilt like a cocoon, silently shedding tears. Her face was pale, the corners of her eyes red. If someone were to see this haggard woman on the bed now, they would find it hard to believe she was once the beautiful and confident woman they had known.
At this moment, she was like a worn-out doll, exuding a sense of despair and decay.
After a disappointing parting with Lin Mengyao, Xu Ke returned to Ariel’s side, just in time to see Ariel waking up from her sleep.
The moment Ariel opened her eyes and saw the man she liked beside her, her happiness was palpable. Her heart overflowed with sweetness, making her seem like a candy wrapped in sticky, gooey cream.
“Why don’t you sleep a little longer?” Xu Ke said, touching Ariel’s face as he approached her.
“I’ve already had my fill of sleep,” Ariel generously exuded her sweetness to Xu Ke, her smile as bright as sunshine breaking through clouds after rain, lifting Xu Ke’s spirits beyond his control.
“I thought I wouldn’t see you when I opened my eyes, but I’m really happy to see you here. Will you keep me company today?” Ariel looked at Xu Ke with her big eyes full of anticipation. Seeing Xu Ke nod, she couldn’t help but smile again, like an adorable little cat that had just stolen the cream.
Ariel placed her small head on Xu Ke’s lap, uncontrollably nuzzling against his belly, showing her affection, making Xu Ke burst into laughter.
“You’re like a child. Stop it, it tickles,” Xu Ke pinched Ariel’s ear, smiling.
“Alright then.” Ariel lifted her head off Xu Ke’s lap, her golden hair fluffed up due to static, like a small lion cub, with an innocent look in her eyes that could melt hearts.
“What are you laughing at? Did I drool in my sleep?” Ariel was puzzled by Xu Ke’s laughter, reaching for her mouth corner in confusion but finding it dry, her confusion deepening.
“No, no drooling. What’s wrong with me? Stop laughing and tell me,” Ariel, clueless about what was so funny, pouted and cuddled up to Xu Ke, shaking his arm almost to the point of falling over.
“It’s nothing major, just your hair is a bit messy. Stay still, I’ll fix it for you.” Xu Ke said, placing his large hand on Ariel’s head, patiently smoothing down her tousled hair.
“Sure, but it’s a bit early now. Let’s go a little later, it’s quite deserted and dull at this time.” Xu Ke said, looking at the bright midday sun.
“Hee hee hee, I knew you were the best. Let’s grab something to eat first, walk around a bit, and then experience an izakaya. I really want to see what it’s like inside.” Ariel’s eyes twinkled like countless little stars.
“Sure, we’ll do whatever you want.” Seeing Ariel’s high spirits, Xu Ke didn’t have the heart to dampen her mood and agreed.
Hearing Xu Ke agree, Ariel immediately jumped off the bed like a firecracker, rushing to the bathroom to wash up and dress, not forgetting to instruct Xu Ke, “Don’t be lonely by yourself, order some food or watch TV, I’ll be quick. I’ve wanted to come to Japan for so long, I love their style, I came prepared with so many things.” Ariel added a touch of pride to her tone.
“Don’t come in without my permission, wait until I’m all ready to give you a surprise, okay?” Ariel, a bit worried, peeked out with her face full of white foam from the bathroom, sternly telling Xu Ke, “No peeking!”
“Don’t worry, I won’t do that. You just focus on getting ready.” Xu Ke said, a bit laughingly, pushing Ariel back into the bathroom and closing the door.
Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, the smile on Xu Ke’s face faded, even pressing his temples in slight distress.
Not knowing what to do now, Xu Ke was confused. They had agreed upon everything before, and he thought Lin Mengyao should have been prepared, but when it really happened, Lin Mengyao was so resistant, like a hedgehog covered in spikes, trying to stab whoever got close. This Lin Mengyao felt unfamiliar and frustrating to Xu Ke, but mostly he blamed himself, loathing himself for not being able to solve the issues between the three of them.