Chapter 58

+— Author’s note —-+

Last edit: 15.03.2022.

+—————–+

When Xuan Mu felt her irregular breathing, he stopped his actions. “You,” he licked her wet lips, “Have to learn how to shut off your mind during times like this.”

“But...” Bing Shi took a deep breath, “Y-You... almost stole my soul.” She pulled out her hand from his pants and showed it before him. The other hand lowered the temperature of the air-conditioner, “Your kisses...uff...you see... are so...mmm...they make me....uff.”

Xuan Mu’s heart turned soft at the results of their short exercise, “Bing Shi, I get it.” With a loving smile, he took out wet tissues to wipe away the sweat around her forehead, “...”

Seeing the blotches of brown make-up, he knew that he messed up big time and began to clean her hand innocently, “I’ll drive you to the restaurant. I still have some unfinished job. You can spend the day with your family,” he spoke as he took care of her other hand, “But no more hugging with anyone except me.”

.....

“I know,” Bing Shi thought he was missing her murderer look and began to wipe off her make-up on her own as she opened the box with the black rose, “Now, I understand why women like flowers. It’s because of the hidden meanings behind them.” Her eyes became a little damp, “You... did we... exchange each other through two roses? That’s quite romantic.”

“Do you want me to buy you flowers every day?” Xuan Mu asked with a relieved sigh. That was a close call, he was lucky that the graduation had already ended.

“No way, I still dislike them,” Bing Shi refused.

“I’m able to make it less awkward.” Xuan Mu grinned, “All those scenes would turn into a good drama. Pure ones, adult ones, you choose.”

Bing Shi pondered, “Why don’t you become a director or an actor? You would make it big.”

“Not challenging at all,” Xuan Mu started the engine.

“...” Bing Shi raised her beautifully cleaned hands in defeat.

· · ———- · ???· ———- · ·

After lunch, Bing Shi showed her family around the city. She was in too much of a good mood which could be seen by how her mouth and throat started to hurt from too much talking and smiling. For dinner, she reserved a place famous for its fine dining with a gorgeous view and great staff service.

Xuan Mu finished his job fast. On his way to the restaurant, some policemen got a chance to get a glimpse of his car one more time.

“You must be tired. Are you sure you want to go with us?” Bing Shi asked her parents while Xuan Mu prayed for everyone and everything to let her family stay back in Sydney.

Her parents didn’t want to leave their business for a long time, “No, we need to go back for an important meeting. Ask your brothers if they want to stay back. We can ask for school leave.”

Her brothers agreed without any hesitation, “Greaaat no school! A trip around Australia! Wo-hoo!” They high-fived each other.

“Fine,” Bing Shi smiled and scratched the unresponsive Xuan Mu under the table.

‘His pout is so cute!’

Xuan Mu lightly slapped her hand away in protest, “I have a surprise for you two. Your friends are going to arrive tomorrow.” He handed a card to Bing Shi’s brothers, “With this card, you can travel for free, and live in the hotels of your choice.”

“That’s all,” Bing Shi grinned at them, “A three-week trip. Have fun, and don’t let yourself get kidnapped.”

“No way! Are you serious? Really!? You two are the best!” Her brothers brought out their phones and started to organize their trip enthusiastically.

· · ———- · ???· ———- · ·

After dinner, the family of four drove to the airport. The inside of the luxurious jet was like a small bar lounge. In the center, there were two beige coloured couches with raisable coffee tables.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Bing Shi sat next to the gloomy-looking Xuan Mu, who started working as soon as he arrived.

Her parents looked at Xuan Mu as if he was a computing machine. Sitting on the couch casually, his eyes focused on the screen. Using the earbud in his ear, he made a phone call after a phone call, in all kinds of different languages!

“Why isn’t he working in his office? This jet even has its bedroom. Aren’t we a distraction?” they asked their daughter, sitting on the couch opposite the young couple.

Xuan Mu, ‘You wouldn’t understand. I need her affection. I need her attention. I need her love...every single day.’

Bing Shi looked at Xuan Mu. Despite his poker face, she could imagine his inner tears. “It’s fine, just ignore him,” she chatted with her parents merrily, speaking and asking about their daily lives.

‘Can I tell them that it became a routine to accompany each other at night? And they destroyed the habit, by being the third wheel? Nah, It’s not like we spoke to each other when we worked.’

Her father watched the bar with all the beverages like a possessed man, asking his daughter nervously, “Bing Shi, we should celebrate your graduation with a drink!”

‘Didn’t he already have a few glasses of wine at the dinner?’

“Bing Shi, it’s a special day. He is too happy, let him have his fun,” her mother smiled at her, “He stopped drinking for a few months already.”

Bing Shi bought none of her mother’s words, “Liar.”

“...” Her mother didn’t know what to say and ran towards her husband, “You know how she hates it, and you dare to ask her?!”

“It’s only for today! How bad can it be?! She’ll understand.”

“What understand? How many times did you promise her? How many times did she break all of your bottles before your eyes, to show you how she hates it? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Her father switched his attention back to her mother, “Don’t put all the fault on me! You want everyone to be perfect! Now you have what you wanted! An ideal family! But only on the outside!”

“If you didn’t start to drink, everything would be perfect! Right, Bing Shi?” her mother asked Bing Shi for help.

“Bing Shi, If you agree to her, I’m going to divorce her!” Bing Shi’s father threatened her and took a nearby bottle, opening it, he took a big gulp.

“Bing Shi, your father wants to divorce me!” Bing Shi’s mother started to cry, “He is going to beat me again.”

“Shut up! You are too loud! Why is everything my fault?!” Bing Shi’s father shouted at her mother, “Didn’t she say that you are at fault too? I stopped beating you. Stop lying and stop acting like a perfect victim!”

On Break