Xingyue's POV
Stirring the soup, I stared at the wall, immersed in my thoughts. A weird feeling was clutching me, telling me something was odd. Yet I failed to identify what that was.
All I could think about was how the sudden appearance of someone was drifting me apart from him. I wanted to trust him, but this strange feeling turned into doubt.
"Am I doing something wrong? What if I failed to bear the truth? What if we drift apart?"
The sudden wave of questions threw me back into the cave of fear.
But this feeling didn't last long when a pair of hands cupped me from the back.
"I missed you so much, Xingyue."
I came out of my dilemma when his soothing voice called my name.
Breathing heavily, I turned, and my eyes met his.
The shine and love he had in his eyes—how could I doubt it? I felt like slapping myself.
Putting my hands over his shoulder, I smiled. "I missed you too, Xi Song."
"How was your day? You're looking a bit tired." Caressing my hair, he asked
I nodded, throwing myself into his arms. "I am. But as you're here, I can feel myself getting charged already."
"Haha! Am I your energy charger?"
"You don't know, but you are. You healed me like no one else can."
"And you don't know how much happiness and healing you brought into my life. Perhaps if we had never met, my life would not have even half the happiness I get by spending a moment with you."
Listening to him, I gave a half-hearted smile. I felt the guilt of even letting someone's words work on me. How could I doubt him?
Noticing my moist eyes, he showed his concern. "Xingyue, anything wrong?"
"Xi Song..."
"Hmm? Do you want to say something? Don't hold back."
"Are we honest with each other, or is there anything you want to tell me?"
His puzzled face troubled me.
"So, something is bothering you."
"Not really. There's nothing to worry about. I want you to share the pain, burden, or anything else. You know I told you everything, but when it's you, I can't comfort you until you open up with me."
"Xingyue..."
"I know, Xi Song. You want to share it too, but you're just afraid. Please don't be. I'll never judge you. I'm waiting for you. I'm willing to wait till you feel ready."
The eye contact we shared hid our anxiety. Maybe he was anxious about my reaction, and I was too. At this moment, even I doubt myself.
Author's POV
The Sunday she waited for came. Her thoughts could find a path leading her to answers.
With an anxious look, she walked towards the lady sitting next to the window in the cafe. With her hands, she gestured for Xingyue to sit.
"Can you now tell me what the truth is about?"
Mockingly smiling at her, she signalled to the server. "It's Sunday, Mrs. Song. Why are you so in a hurry?" As the waiter arrived, she ordered two iced Americanos.
She took out an envelope and put it in front of her. "As we're meeting for the second time, I prepared a small gift for my new friend. I hope you will like it."
With narrowed eyes, she picked up the envelope and opened it. There were some pictures of a teenage couple.
"Were you aware, Mrs. Song, that your husband dated your sister? I'm sure they were the best couple in Hantong High School."
The pictures slipped off her grip upon hearing it.
"Are you kidding me? There's no way that this guy is Xi Song."
The coffee they ordered came, and she took a sip, asking her to continue seeing the pictures.
A picture of them in their high school uniforms cleared her doubts when she noticed his name on the guy's T-shirt.
Her hands started shaking out of shock. She seemed too stunned to utter a word.
"How can I...?" Her lips curled as a tear slid down her cheek.
"How does it feel to live your sister's dream, Li Xingyue? And how does it feel to be the wife of your sister's killer?" She scoffed, watching her tremble. Perhaps she never expected to unfold this truth in her life.
...............................................
While standing near an ice cream shop, they were enjoying their date.
Smiling ear to ear, eyes pondering love for each other, they stared at each other until a luxurious black car's window opened and a middle-aged lady called his name out. "Ling Xiao?"
Turning his head, he glanced at the lady's face as his smile lighted upon seeing her. "Mom?"
"It's really you, my lovely son."
.................................................
Placing a cup of coffee on the table, she sat down, throwing judgy glances at Xia Na. "So, you're the Xia Na my son talked about?"
His head lowered a little while he tried to hide his rosy cheeks. She nodded with a smile when Ling Xiao held her hand, leaving her stunned.
"Mom, she's my girlfriend. And... I'm serious about dating her."
Upon hearing him, she could only laugh. "Ever since you were a child, you liked things, and when you got bored, you threw them away. Ling Xiao, I hope you know I want a daughter-in-law with the same family status."
"MOM!"
"Ms. Xia, does your family own any businesses?" Or do they own a luxury mansion like us?"
"MOM? Can you stop now?"
Her eyes fluttered at her words. "My dad lives abroad while my mom works as a party planner."
"What? A party planner? I'm sure Ms. Xia knows I want a family who can afford my son as their son-in-law."
She left with nothing to say. Her lowered head said everything. She wanted to escape from there.
This conversation made him stand up. "It's too late, Mom. I need to go to the hospital tomorrow."
"You're right! Sleep on time and stay healthy. And keep visiting your mom. I miss my son a lot."
"I will. Goodnight, Mom." They walked towards the entrance door.
"Ling Xiao, can we talk for a moment in private?" Her mom approached him before they walked further.
"Sure, Mom." He glanced at Xia Na and gave a 'wait for me outside' look.
Xia Na's POV
"I know she said bitter things, but she's Ling Xiao's mom, Xia Na. Just ignore it like you always do." I tried to convince myself to stop feeling strained. I didn't want him to suffer.
Lifting my hand, I checked the time on my watch. "It's been a while already. Maybe I should go and check."
I decided to walk towards the entrance gate, which was almost half-opened, when I overheard him mentioning my name.
"Mom, I genuinely have feelings for Xia Na. I'm not even kidding."
"Ling Xiao, you already know I'll never accept her as my daughter-in-law. Break up with her and visit Yu Mi on Tuesday."
"Mom, please."
"I already talked to her parents, and she came back from abroad. You should meet so we can fix the wedding date."
"I will not go to meet her, nor will we break up. I love her, and I will stand with her till I die."
She seemed pissed at his words. But I had no right to talk between them. I stood there silently, trying to hold back my tears.
"So you left me with no choice, Ling Xiao. Then, go ahead and choose one between us."
His eyes popped open in shock. I was sure his heart was breaking hearing it.
"W- What?"
"Choose your mom or her, son."
"Mom..." He failed to say anything further. Her words threw a burden on him that he could not handle. My heart ached as if someone had thrown a bunch of stones over it.
It was my first time witnessing him be helpless and heartbroken.
I know it would be hard for us, but I could not see his family shattering because of me. The Ling Xiao I love always smiles brighter than the sun. How could I ruin it when it was the thing that comforted me the most?
Stepping back, I went back to the place I stood before and waited for him.
After a while, he came with a fake smile plastered on his face. He was trying so hard to remain strong.
"Ling Xiao, I think it's time for us to break up."
I know my words would bring more pain to him. He, too, would feel miserable, but it was for his own good.
While I looked down, unable to meet his eyes, he stood tall and gently grabbed my hand.
His one hand held my chin, lifting my head. "You don't want it, or you were not avoiding my eyes, Xia Na."
The more I wanted to hold back, the more I felt like bursting out.
"Then what do you want me to do? Stand against your mom?"
"You heard our conversation."
I remained silent, dumbfounded about what to say next.
Maybe my silence answered him.
"Then, you know, I'm not giving up on us." He caressed my cheeks, planting a kiss on my forehead.
"I acted like a dumb person and never cared about things in my entire life, but when I found you, I wouldn't let go of something precious to me. Whether life throws tiny stones or a big rock, I hope you know we'll stand for each other. I just hope you realise my love for you is beyond any storm. So smile and stay happy, my girl. No one can tear us apart, not even Mom." He wiped off my tears without realising it. He pulled me into the most needed hug, which automatically stopped them.
I closed my eyes, sighing in relief.
He gently stroked my head, calming me down. "Don't worry, Xia. I'll do my best to persuade Mom."
Humming, I smiled and held him back.
The night felt like a heavy storm had come to an end. But little did I know the morning would be heavier than this.