Chapter Fifteen: "If I Hadn't Left, Would She Be Well Now?"
Xi Zhen Villa.
“Tsk, Xiao Zhen, it’s been ages since I’ve seen you dressed formally,” Chu Yuxiu exclaimed, watching Xiao Zhen getting ready.
Leng Zhen gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her expression unruffled, yet she felt a strange sense of unreality.
“Let me do her makeup. You can head back to the shop,” Chu Yuxiu said, taking the eyeshadow from the makeup artist.
“All right.” The makeup artist nodded and packed up her things.
“Sigh, such a beautiful woman, but so pale. What a shame,” Chu Yuxiu shook her head, sighing.
“Just remove my makeup, dab some blush, and put on lipstick. No need for anything fancy,” Leng Zhen impatiently grabbed Chu Yuxiu’s wrist.
“Don’t, Xiao Zhen, let go.” Chu Yuxiu freed herself and continued with the makeup. “Come on, think about it—Cheng Yunting might show up at the party. Don’t you want to look your best?”
“He’s not mine, I couldn’t bear that blessing!” Leng Zhen bristled at the mention, glaring fiercely at Chu Yuxiu.
Chu Yuxiu chuckled, rubbing Leng Zhen’s cheek. “Tsk, you’re adorable. Here, a reward: a Cheng Yunting.”
“Chu Yuxiu, damn you! I don’t need that.” Leng Zhen continued to flare.
“Fine, fine, you don’t need it. But, really, who is it that mutters his name every night?” Chu Yuxiu sighed, shaking her head in resignation.
“Chu! Yu! Xiu! If the tiger doesn’t roar, do you take me for a sick cat?”
Outside the door.
“It’s been so long since I heard Xiao Zhen like this,” Qin Cheng watched the lively scene inside, recalling the villa’s former gloom, lifeless and cold.
Qin Xiaonan nodded, “Yes, big brother. Four months ago… it all ended. Best not mention it.”
“Do you think… Xiao Zhen will still acknowledge me as her brother?” Qin Cheng looked toward the room, hesitating. Perhaps this was the feeling of ‘the closer to home, the more timid.’
“She will, as long as you don’t cross her boundaries again.” Qin Xiaonan patted Qin Cheng’s shoulder. “Xiao Zhen’s temperament has changed a lot, but I’m confident.”
After a while.
“Let’s go in.”
“Alright.” Qin Cheng nodded, took a deep breath, and walked in heavily. (Somehow, the heaviness makes it feel like Xiao Zhen died, but it’s just a joke.)
“Xiao Zhen.” Qin Xiaonan nodded at Chu Yuxiu, then spoke to Leng Zhen.
Qin Cheng stood nervously at the door, uncertain whether to enter or retreat.
Xin’er saw Qin Cheng’s dilemma, but remained silent.
Chu Yuxiu also felt uncomfortable, unsure whether to speak.
Thus, the stalemate persisted: Qin Cheng standing, Qin Xiaonan watching the scene, Chu Yuxiu applying makeup, Leng Zhen sitting, observing Chu Yuxiu.
Finally, it was Chu Yuxiu who broke the awkward silence.
“Hm? Big brother, why aren’t you coming in? Have a seat.”
“No, no. I’ll just stand.” Qin Cheng hurriedly waved his hand, anxiously watching Leng Zhen, awaiting her ‘judgment.’
“What are you here for? To check on me?” Leng Zhen looked at Qin Cheng’s reflection in the mirror—disdainful… or rather, indifferent.
“N-nothing, just wanted to see you…” Qin Cheng’s voice grew softer, nearly inaudible.
“Oh.” Leng Zhen nodded, saying nothing more.
…
After a while.
“Xiao Zhen, you’re ready. Let’s go,” Chu Yuxiu finished the final touches, satisfied. “You’ll definitely be the most stunning woman tonight.”
“Mm, let’s go.” Leng Zhen nodded, taking Chu Yuxiu’s hand.
Qin Cheng quickly followed, gentlemanly helping with the train of her dress.
Tonight, Leng Zhen’s makeup and attire were exquisite—anyone who saw her would be dazzled.
…
At the banquet.
Leng Zhen arrived early, fearing that if she came late, reporters would swarm her with interviews—she wasn’t here for that tonight.
She chose a comfortable spot, sat down, sipped her drink, and watched the entrance, quietly waiting for the person she hoped would arrive.
Cheng Yunting stood on the second floor, gazing down at Leng Zhen as if expecting something. He smiled, puzzled—was she waiting for him, or for someone else?
If it was someone else… he couldn’t help but want to eliminate that person, then seize Xiao Zhen for himself, ravishing her every night… (You know what I mean—I won’t write it outright for fear of censorship.)
“Xiao Zhen, long time no see.” Cheng Yunting observed her, noticing she’d grown thinner and more haggard over the past four months…
Cheng Yunting descended, sitting not far from Leng Zhen, quietly watching her radiance…
…
Summoning his courage, Cheng Yunting approached, suppressing his desire, feigning surprise. “Hm? Xiao Zhen? What are you doing here?”
Leng Zhen too was caught off guard—she hadn’t expected him to arrive first. She smiled, “Long time no see. I hope you’ve been well, Master Cheng.”
“‘Long time no see’ is a lie, ‘I hope you’ve been well’ is the truth.” Cheng Yunting smiled gently.
“Mm.” Leng Zhen nodded, resuming her silent drinking.
Cheng Yunting sat beside her, wrapping her in his arms.
“Cheng Yunting, what are you doing?” Leng Zhen looked at him in confusion, struggling. He’d left before—why did he come and go as he pleased?
Cheng Yunting held her tightly, burying his head against her collarbone. “Xiao Zhen, you’ve forgotten—I said, before I left, I’d return to marry you.”
“Why do you get to leave when you want, and stay when you want?” Leng Zhen broke free, furious.
With that, she left the banquet.
Cheng Yunting watched her retreating figure, reflecting on her words and suddenly realizing he’d been too selfish…
Xiao Zhen was right… why did he decide everything?
…
“Hey, isn’t that Miss Leng? What’s this, Miss Leng—did Brother Yunting abandon you? Why aren’t you by his side?” Suddenly, someone stepped in front of Leng Zhen, her tone mocking.
Leng Zhen searched her memory for this person, but found nothing. Not wanting trouble, she replied politely, “Sorry, we don’t know each other. Please let me pass.”
“Don’t know me? You must be quite forgetful. Fine, someone come, tie up Miss Leng and give her proper treatment.” Li Ning, irritated by Leng Zhen’s attitude, ordered her guards to bind her.
Leng Zhen frowned at the guards. Her body was no longer as strong as before, and it had been a long time since she’d fought—she wasn’t sure how well she could defend herself now…
Just as the guards moved, Cheng Yunting arrived.
Worried about Leng Zhen, he’d sent people to protect her and learned of the kidnapping attempt.
“Hm? How do you plan to ‘treat’ my woman?” Cheng Yunting eyed the madam before him with disgust.
He discreetly took Leng Zhen’s hand, cautious in case she resisted.
“Brother Yunting, I—”
“Someone, take her away.” Cheng Yunting, not wanting her to pollute his beloved’s sight, promptly had her dragged off.
“Cheng Yunting, let go.” Leng Zhen wanted to savor the moment, but her unstable emotions betrayed her.
Cheng Yunting’s eyes reddened as he gazed at her, trembling, gently pressing her against the wall, cradling her small face, studying her closely.
In four months, she’d wasted away, her makeup masking her exhaustion, but Cheng Yunting saw through it…
What had his girl endured?
“Cheng Yunting, what do you want?” Leng Zhen struggled, unwilling to expose her vulnerability to him.
“Xiao Zhen…” Cheng Yunting trembled all over; he wanted to kiss her, but the girl in his arms began to cry…
Her tears were like knives plunging into his heart…
He released Leng Zhen, letting her go…
Leng Zhen returned home, changed out of her dress into pajamas.
She leaned against the headboard, looking up, then down, spotting a small lamp—Cheng Yunting’s gift…
Her heart… was once again thrown into chaos by him…
“Why? Why is he back now? I thought I could forget him…” She buried her head and sobbed…
Suddenly, she rummaged through her drawer, searching for something, but found nothing. She sat on the floor, enduring the pain…
…
“Cheng Yunting… if only you’d come back sooner…” Leng Zhen hugged her knees, muttering softly, “If only you’d come back sooner…”
She felt drained, slowly crawling onto the bed and calling Chu Yuxiu.
But the call wasn’t answered, and she fainted…
Chu Yuxiu picked up the call from Leng Zhen, hearing nothing—she rushed to Xi Zhen Villa.
She stayed by Leng Zhen’s side all night, telling no one… (This matter… can’t be shared, confidential.)
…
“Master Cheng.”
“What is it?” Cheng Yunting sat on the sofa, drinking, gazing out the window.
“Master Cheng, this phone has received several calls. The staff didn’t know who it was, so they didn’t answer.” Cheng Wu handed him the phone.
Cheng Yunting took it, opened it, and was immediately struck by a message—his heart felt stabbed…
“Leave me.”
“Yes.” Cheng Wu nodded and left.
…
After a while, Cheng Yunting opened the phone, his hands trembling. He looked at Leng Zhen’s messages…
May 16
Happy birthday, Yunbao. I don’t know if you’ll see this. Please come back soon, I miss you.
May 20
Happy Valentine’s Day, Yunbao. Maybe you won’t see this, but I still want to send it. I miss you. When will you come back? My memory has returned, but you’re not by my side…
June 30
Darling, when will you come back… I feel I can’t hold on…
July 10
Darling, since you left on May 1st you haven’t returned. When will you come back? I’m so tired, I can’t hold on…
July 20
Yunbao, I’ve been admitted to the hospital. It hurts so much. When will you come back? I miss you, I can’t hold on…
August 10
Darling, please come back soon…
August 31
Darling, Yu Yu said you’re coming back. I don’t know if I’ll see you. I miss you so much, I feel terrible… Whenever I eat, I want to vomit. Sleepless nights, I don’t think I can last… Please come back…
She…
At some point, Cheng Yunting’s palm was bleeding from how tightly he clenched it, but he didn’t seem to feel the pain—his heart hurt more…
Xiao Zhen… why were you so foolish? What happened to you in these four months…
With reddened eyes, he suddenly didn’t know how to face these messages, or how to meet Leng Zhen again…
He’d thought that while he was gone, Xiao Zhen was fine, but he hadn’t realized how hard her days were…
Xiao Zhen ought to be happy—why did she have to endure so much suffering and loneliness, holding on alone…
Why didn’t he come back sooner? If he’d returned, would she still be like this? Would she be better?
If he hadn’t left, would Xiao Zhen be different now?
Unfortunately, there are no ‘ifs’—only now and the past…
He’d rather bear it all for her, unwilling for his little one to suffer the pains of this world. Why should she?
That Qin family and Su family matriarch whom no one dared provoke in the business world—why did she have to suffer the torments of love and heartbreak alone?
Xiao Zhen, in the next life, don’t love me. I’ll just watch over you quietly from behind…
…
PS: Ah! Writing this chapter, I feel like a cruel stepmother. It’s made me cry—truly. My goodness, how terrifying.
Brave star, fear not hardship!
Tomorrow, Cheng Yunting will move next to Xi Zhen Villa, becoming Xiao Zhen’s neighbor. Can you guess what sparks will fly between them?
I’m only telling you roughly what’ll happen next, but how I write it, you’ll have to guess—it’s all about fate.
Well, this is exactly a 4000-word chapter. I’ll update irregularly, whenever fate allows.
Weekends: one chapter in the morning, one at night. Weekdays: night updates, not sure how many. I work in the mornings, this isn’t my main job.
Qin Cheng—I originally wanted to make him a villain, but then thought, I couldn’t have him standing against Xiao Zhen, right? After all, he likes her too.
Rest assured, I’m stuck again—wah wah wah… It’s so hard! Ah!
Alright, see you tomorrow~