ATLAS TRANSLATES

It was likely the last snow of the season.

The war had ended and the New Year had passed. Driving through the alley, looking out the window revealed few pedestrians on the street. The snow fell like grains of salt, laying a thin, silvery layer on the ground. A long-roofed carriage arrived at the Luo residence. After the servant went forward to announce their arrival, a young noble wearing a white fox fur cloak stepped out of the carriage.

With crane feathers adorning his attire, Lu Yun descended from the carriage and followed the servant into the residence. Though his clothing was thicker due to illness and his complexion was somewhat pale, his inadvertent glance revealed clear, elegant features that made the Luo family ladies’ hearts flutter as they passed by.

Unfortunately, Lu Yun’s expression remained cold. He showed no intention of stopping to exchange pleasantries with the ladies. Snow drifted onto the lake, white stones covered in frost, and pine trees shrouded in mist. Groups of two or three ladies could only call their friends over to look at Lu Yun, as there seemed to be no other way to attract his attention—

The young lord was simply too aloof.

The cold, perfunctory look in Lu Yun’s eyes and his unwillingness to engage in small talk only melted away when he entered Luo Lingyu’s courtyard. Standing at the courtyard entrance in the snowy dusk light, he saw a graceful lady standing in the corridor. She wore wide cyan sleeves on top and a pleated white skirt below, with her hair arranged in a cross-shaped bun. With thick, cloud-like hair and a flower ornament on her forehead, Luo Lingyu looked up at the lanterns hanging in the corridor while talking to her maid. The lantern light and snow outside gently illuminated her face, making it glow with a crystalline radiance.

Seeing her, Lu Yun couldn’t help but smile: Luo Lingyu was truly Luo Lingyu. Even without going out, staying in her own courtyard, she still dressed so vibrantly and beautifully, never being careless. Without any rush, she could go out or receive guests at any time.

As fine snow fell, he watched the lady seemingly discussing the lanterns with her maid. The maids were clumsy and taking forever to take them down, making Luo Lingyu anxious. Being as clever and dexterous as she was, Luo Lingyu couldn’t stand watching people be so clumsy. She directly steadied the ladder and climbed up herself to take down the lanterns. The maids gathered around her, faces full of worry, afraid she might fall. Luo Lingyu quickly took down two adjacent lanterns and came down from the ladder, with the maids hurrying over to help her with them.

The snow landed on her face and moistened her hands, making them quite cold.

Luo Lingyu rubbed her hands together and jumped a couple times to warm herself up. The maids wanted to take over her task, worried about their lady falling, and hurriedly steadied the ladder themselves to take down the lanterns. Luo Lingyu didn’t stop them. She just stood on the ground smiling, looking up to watch the maids work while directing them: “Don’t rush, be gentle, take it slow. The master craftsman who made these lanterns has passed away – if you break my lanterns, they can’t be replaced.”

The maids giggled: “Don’t worry, my lady, we’re being careful.”

The snow’s glow illuminated Luo Lingyu’s face as Lu Yun quietly watched her, slightly lost in thought. He hazily recalled his dream where, after he had passed from this world, he never again saw such a vivid smile from Luo Lingyu. In his dream, he seemed to wander aimlessly for a long time, following her. The heartache in the dream felt so real, as if he were truly there, making his heart race even now when he thought of it.

…Dreams may not be true or false, but seeing Luo Lingyu looking up at the lanterns in the snow made him feel warm and cherished.

There was a feeling of “being waited for” and “not disappointing.”

Luo Lingyu helped the maids take down all the lanterns hanging in the corridor. As the maids carried the lanterns away to store them, Luo Lingyu sat on the empty corridor railing, waiting for them to return. Suddenly, a gentleman’s quiet voice came from behind her, cool like a clear spring flowing into her heart: “…Why aren’t you hanging the ‘Five-Colored Glass Lantern’ I gave you? Don’t you like the twelve beauties painted on the lantern I gave you?”

Luo Lingyu was startled and quickly stood up to turn around. Lu Yun stood behind her, and she hadn’t taken another step before turning her shoulders caused her to fall into his embrace. He had stood so close that it seemed as if she had eagerly thrown herself into his arms. Lu Yun’s eyebrows lifted slightly as he reached out to hold her slender waist. He didn’t give her a chance to struggle or step back, directly pulling her into his embrace.

Luo Lingyu’s body stiffened: Lu Yun! Why had he come? Shouldn’t he be resting and recovering?

Luo Lingyu’s heart was in chaos. Because of “Chen Xue,” she had been avoiding Lu Yun, not wanting to see him. However, Lu Yun didn’t know this. His impression of the lady was still from their last time joking and being intimate, when she had obediently sat beside his bed bandaging his frostbitten wounds, tears falling continuously, making his heart ache terribly. Lu Yun thought it would be the same now.

A smile played at his lips as his handsome face lowered, his straight nose touching hers.

Luo Lingyu resisted, her lower back held by him while her upper body still leaned away.

Lu Yun paid no attention, thinking she was just putting on an act. His warm breath brushed against her face like feathers, light and gentle. His voice was soft and sighing: “Sister Lingyu, why haven’t we seen each other for so long…”

Luo Lingyu: “I… mmph.”

As she opened her mouth, her lips were captured. When she pushed him away, he instead pressed her against the corridor pillar and kissed her more deeply.

It was passionate and intense, as if their love had melted into their blood.

His fingers gripped her hands and pinned them against the pillar behind her. His cloak was very warm, and when he came to kiss her, the scent from his body as he leaned close made Luo Lingyu lose herself for a moment. In that moment of distraction, she saw his eyes deepen with amusement as his tongue caught hers in her mouth, giving it a gentle suck.

The way he teased her… that suck made her tongue go numb instantly.

Luo Lingyu breathed rapidly: “Mmph mmph mmph!”

When the maids returned to get more lanterns, they saw another person had entered the courtyard. The servant at the gate gestured and signaled to them with his eyes. The maids looked over to see lanterns scattered messily on the ground, red light and white snow intermingling, the light flickering. That immortal-like elegant gentleman was embracing their lady, his back to them as they did who knows what.

The maids’ faces flushed red and they knowingly retreated.

Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu’s legs had gone weak from Lu Yun’s kisses as she collapsed onto the railing, her back against it. The cold hardness of the railing brought her back from the passionate kiss. She saw Lu Yun’s face pressed close to hers, his thick long lashes, his clear dark eyes. She was enchanted by his beauty. When he kissed her, that sudden intoxication amid her lovesick daze made Luo Lingyu’s heart ache sharply.

She really… really couldn’t stand him being this way – smiling and gentle – with other women!

Luo Lingyu raised her elbow and jabbed him in the waist. Lu Yun winced in pain and stepped back. He touched the corner of his mouth and found a few drops of blood on his finger. Lu Yun raised an eyebrow: “You dare bite me?”

Luo Lingyu ignored his teasing. She remained seated while he stood, raising her arm between them to ask: “Who is Chen Xue?”

Lu Yun: “…!”

His pupils contracted sharply, dark and cold.

Lu Yun’s reaction was incredibly quick. While his mind raced to understand why Luo Lingyu would suddenly ask this, his voice was already gentle and soft: “Has someone been spreading rumors? Don’t believe others over me. She was just a lady I met in Luoyang, nothing more.”

He would certainly never admit who Chen Xue really was.

Judging her expression, he slowly sat down. He took her hand and kissed it. Luo Lingyu turned her face away, trying to break free, but Lu Yun held her and wouldn’t let go, offering an explanation: “There really was nothing. When I infiltrated the governor’s mansion in Luoyang, I needed someone’s help. That Chen Xue just helped me with something, that’s all.”

Luo Lingyu’s shoulders were in his embrace. She wanted to leave, but though his hold seemed loose, his hands were actually quite firm – she couldn’t stand up at all. Since things were already out in the open, she bit her lip, still unsatisfied in her heart, and looked up to ask again: “If you and she were just casual acquaintances, why do you have her handkerchief?”

Lu Yun blinked in surprise.

He truly didn’t know what he had on him. Perhaps when he was escaping the governor’s mansion that day, when the governor burst in, he had hastily stuffed Chen Xue’s handkerchief away and unknowingly brought it with him. After returning he had fallen ill, and while Luo Lingyu was caring for him, she must have found Chen Xue’s old possession somewhere.

Having guessed most of it, Lu Yun relaxed somewhat and casually said: “Maybe she accidentally left it behind? Who knows. Sister Lingyu, let’s not keep talking about her.”

Although Lu Yun was perceptive, he was still a man after all. He didn’t realize how his eagerness to avoid the topic and dismissive attitude whenever Chen Xue was mentioned appeared quite suspicious to Luo Lingyu.

Luo Lingyu stared at him in a daze, her fingers in his grip gradually growing cold. His attitude was practically the best confirmation of her suspicions – if he didn’t have something to hide, why would he avoid the topic like this?

She lowered her head again. Lu Yun noticed her hurt expression and leaned down: “You don’t believe me?”

He paused for a moment. Being as proud as he was, he really didn’t want to mention “Chen Xue,” especially not reveal his weakness in front of Luo Lingyu. But seeing the lady’s eyes about to turn red… Lu Yun had no choice but to say more: “There really was nothing. Between her and me… nothing could happen. Can you just pretend this woman never existed? I promise she will never appear before you.”

Luo Lingyu’s eyes truly reddened: “How can you promise she’ll never appear before me? What do you mean by that – do you think I can’t compare to her? Is that why you won’t let her appear before me? How am I inferior to her?”

Lu Yun: “…”

Still trying to comfort Luo Lingyu, he immediately changed his words: “I misspoke. She’s not worth even your little finger. She really was just a stranger, sister, forget about her.”

Luo Lingyu’s tears nearly fell, making Lu Yun’s eyes contract sharply as his heart ached. She choked out: “Why can you promise she won’t appear before me? Could it be that you had something with her, but you also can’t bear to give me up, so you’re planning to silence her? Is that how you can guarantee she’ll never appear before me?”

Lu Yun: “…”

He was left speechless.

Suddenly Luo Lingyu raised her head, gathering her courage to grab his collar, her voice trembling: “Did you and her… did you…”

Lu Yun understood her meaning and found it absurd. Before she could finish asking, he blurted out: “No! How could that be possible!”

The shoulders of the lady in his embrace finally relaxed slightly. Luo Lingyu bit her lip until it hurt, but the answer she feared most – Lu Yun had firmly told her it wasn’t true. His reaction was so quick, his attitude so resolute, it must be true. But was it really true?

What if he just didn’t want to break up with her, and was lying?

Luo Lingyu was lost in thought as Lu Yun’s hand pressed against her neck, pulling her face into his chest. Her wet eyelashes with their tears pricked his neck. Surrounded by the gentleman’s clear and warm scent, Luo Lingyu could no longer hold back. After choking back a sob, she reached out to hug his neck.

She felt she was done for.

For a thousand autumns, she asked only for his word – that his love would be as unmovable as the mountains.

She truly liked him… to such a humble degree. She liked him so much that even though she suspected he was having an affair behind her back, she still couldn’t firmly break with him, still wanted to salvage things, wanted to hear his explanation… She didn’t want to give up Lu Yun, this person she had rescued from the snow. That day when she held him crying in the snow, her heart was already destined to be his.

Lu Yun spoke softly: “Lingyu, trust me. Don’t mention Chen Xue again.”

His hand cradled the back of her head as he said: “I swear to you, I could never be intimate with Chen Xue or hurt your heart. You should trust me… There are always various ladies around me. If you don’t trust me, what will we do in the future? You also have various gentlemen around you – I can’t get jealous and be angry with you all day because of that, right? We should trust each other.”

After a long while, the lady buried in his neck, who had wet his collar with tears, replied in a muffled voice: “You’re right… if we want to be together, I should trust you.”

Lu Yun let out a slight sigh of relief.

…

They parted peacefully, agreeing to meet again another day.

Lu Yun left in a good mood, seeing that although Luo Lingyu’s eyes were swollen from crying, her spirits seemed much better. But this was only what he knew. After he left, Luo Lingyu’s face darkened again. In front of Lu Yun, she had acted magnanimous and understanding as he wished, but back in her own quarters, falling onto her bed, the lady began crying and sobbing.

Lu Yun had lied to her!

She thought that with his intelligence, if he tried to deceive her, she wouldn’t be able to tell. But as she got to know him better, Luo Lingyu realized she could tell when Lu Yun was avoiding something—

Although he had gently comforted her, he had consistently avoided the topic of “Chen Xue.”

From when he arrived at dusk until he left after dark, Lu Yun’s description of “Chen Xue” had been completely empty. He wouldn’t say anything about her – his description of “Chen Xue” wasn’t even as vivid as what his subordinates had said.

He said Chen Xue had accidentally left her handkerchief with him… but Luo Lingyu knew how hard Lu Yun was to please. Lu Yun would never tolerate a strange woman leaving things with him, especially something as intimate as a handkerchief.

Luo Lingyu cried until she could barely breathe, feeling like she was about to die from the pain: “…You’re lying, you’re deceiving me… You say you haven’t been intimate with her, but when you haven’t been intimate, who knows what happened between you? Lu Yun, you play these word games with me… Do you think I’m stupid? You’ve never been intimate with me either, but what haven’t you done, what haven’t you touched? You’ve taken every advantage of me… but you truly haven’t touched me… If you treated Chen Xue the same way… naturally you could say nothing happened between you, and you’re not afraid of me investigating… But between men and women, is physical intimacy the only thing that matters?!”

However, as she cried, Luo Lingyu slowly began convincing herself: “No, he does love me… otherwise he wouldn’t lie to deceive me, saying Chen Xue will never appear… He would rather kill Chen Xue than let me get hurt, he does care for me in his heart… I should trust him, he won’t do it again…”

But how could the thorn in her heart be removed?

…

This is how it is for those in love. Few have the courage to be decisive. They always find ten thousand excuses, unwilling to give up. Thinking that after all, after all they’ve come this far.

When Zhou Yangling saw Luo Lingyu again, she found the lady had lost a lot of weight. Zhou Yangling was very surprised – in just two days, how had the incomparably beautiful lady become so haggard? The two sat on an empty patch of grass by the horse grounds. Luo Lingyu’s eyes were full of melancholy. Zhou Yangling frowned, her expression different from her usual gentleness: “Sister, why have you lost so much weight? Has someone bullied you?”

Luo Lingyu shook her head.

Afraid Zhou Yangling would ask more, she changed the subject: “Now that things in Nanyang are settled, will you return to Jianye with us? Will you come with us?”

But Zhou Yangling’s expression paused.

She thought of Prince Chen Liu Chu in Jianye, and felt the sachet in her bosom burning hot.

Zhou Yangling was lost in thought for a moment before saying: “No, I won’t return to Jianye… I should return to Yicheng. It’s been a year since I’ve been home, my father has asked about me many times, I need to go home and let him know I’m safe.”

Luo Lingyu was surprised, but Zhou Yangling smiled and said: “But it’s no matter. When you and Lu Yun have your grand wedding in Jianye, I’ll still come to celebrate.”

Grand wedding day…

Luo Lingyu’s expression darkened.

She hesitated, then said uncertainly: “…What if I don’t want the grand wedding?”

Zhou Yangling was startled.

Luo Lingyu: “I first broke off my engagement with Fan Xiangrong, if I break off my engagement with Lu Xuechen again… won’t people think I’m extremely difficult? Will I never be able to marry? And Brother Xuechen… is very good to me…”

Zhou Yangling said softly: “If he were truly good to you, sister wouldn’t be thinking about breaking off the engagement at this point. I understand you… sister shouldn’t worry about worldly opinions. If sister has made her decision, no matter what others think, I will support you.”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

She looked up, her eyes showing surprise yet gratitude. Such a gentle and refined gentleman was so good to her… She rested her head on Zhou’s shoulder, closed her eyes, and said softly: “Young Lord Zhou, you are so good. If I could be with you, you certainly wouldn’t make me so sad…”

Zhou Yangling’s expression became uncomfortable, growing stiff at her words.

But before Zhou Yangling could do anything, a cold voice came from behind: “Luo Lingyu, come here!”

Luo Lingyu jumped in fright and quickly stood up, seeing that Lu Yun had come to the horse grounds. He had arrived on horseback, and now looked down at her and Zhou Yangling’s intimate scene with an icy expression. Under his gaze, Luo Lingyu felt somewhat embarrassed, realizing he had misunderstood her relationship with Zhou. Lu Yun saw she wasn’t moving and suppressed the fire in his heart. He jumped down from his horse and walked over, grabbing her wrist to drag her away.

But Zhou Yangling blocked him: “Lord Lu.”

Lu Yun stopped.

Zhou Yangling’s eyes held no smile: “Don’t bully Sister Luo.”

Lu Yun held back for a long time before saying with a cold smile: “I know. No need for your concern – you should take care of your own matters first… For instance, how are things with Prince Chen? How much longer can you keep up the deception?”

Zhou Yangling: “…!”

When Lord Lu didn’t want to give face, he truly showed no mercy. Zhou Yangling frowned, watching him drag Luo Lingyu away, embracing her as they mounted the horse and left. Zhou Yangling let out a light sigh, now certain that something was indeed wrong between Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun.

She gave a bitter smile: She and Luo Lingyu were truly kindred spirits in their suffering.

Her own “disguising as a man” situation was being pressed by both her father and investigated by Prince Chen… The fire was burning at her feet, and there weren’t many days left before exposure.

What should she do when that time comes?

…

Lu Yun’s heart was heavy. He knew Zhou Yangling was a woman, knew Zhou Yangling took good care of Luo Lingyu, and Luo Lingyu was like a reed – whoever was good to her made her so happy she couldn’t contain herself. She even harbored thoughts of marriage.

Of course, Luo Lingyu was supposed to marry him now.

But she went to confide in Zhou Yangling, resting her head on Zhou Yangling’s shoulder. Her wavering heart – how could Lu Yun not see it? She actually wavered in her feelings for him? Just because of a “Chen Xue”?

Why couldn’t she forget that person?

Taking Luo Lingyu directly back to his residence, sending the servants away, dragging the lady straight into his chambers, Lu Yun closed the door. He glanced at Luo Lingyu’s pale face, forcing himself to be gentle. He sat down, suppressing the irritation in his heart, his elbow resting on the wooden table as he rubbed his forehead. Lu Yun held back his anger: “What exactly are you unsatisfied with?”

Luo Lingyu stood helplessly on the ground, looking at his pained expression. She said: “I-I’m not unsatisfied…”

Lu Yun didn’t raise his brow: “Is telling the truth so difficult?”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Seeing his irritated look, as if she had done something to wrong him and he was trying hard to endure it. But who had done wrong first? Luo Lingyu blurted out: “I’m unsatisfied with you and Chen Xue!”

Lu Yun: “I already said there was nothing! Nothing means nothing! Why won’t you believe it? Didn’t you say you would trust me?”

Luo Lingyu laughed coldly: “Trust you? How can I trust you? When I first met you, I had to find connections and please Sister Jinyu just to send you a few cups of tea. Was Chen Xue’s handkerchief as difficult to give as my tea was back then? You must have directly kept her handkerchief in your bosom to bring it all the way to Nanyang, right? You don’t want to talk whenever she’s mentioned, is that normal? If you truly had nothing to hide, you should explain everything clearly, or have others explain it to me indirectly. But you haven’t. You can’t wait to avoid this person. Do you think you can avoid it?”

Lu Yun slowly raised his eyes.

His elegant face was like snow, his hand resting on his temple, his eyes deep: “Why can’t we avoid it? Why must we bring it up?”

Luo Lingyu: “How can we avoid it?! Every word I say to you, I wonder if Chen Xue has done the same. However good you are to me, I wonder if you treated Chen Xue the same way. Even when I smile at you, I wonder if Chen Xue smiled at you too… I’m going crazy, don’t you understand?”

Lu Yun: “Forget her!”

Luo Lingyu: “I can’t forget!”

He suddenly stood up and walked toward her. Luo Lingyu backed away in fear but couldn’t escape. He gripped her waist and leaned down to kiss her. But the next moment, his lips were bitten by the cruel little woman in his arms. He wouldn’t let her go, and in her panic she wouldn’t let him kiss her – she even raised her knee to kick toward his groin.

Lu Yun bent to dodge, releasing her at once.

By now he was completely disheveled, his body trembling, eyes red: “Have you completely lost your mind?”

Luo Lingyu ran backward, and seeing him still pursuing, she grabbed a candlestick and threw it at him. Lu Yun raised his arm to dodge, and the candlestick hit his arm. He was furious: “Luo Lingyu!”

Luo Lingyu grabbed a jade pillow and threw it at him, forcing Lu Yun to retreat. The lady gasped: “Stay three steps away from me! From now on you’re not allowed to come near me or touch me!”

Lu Yun’s face darkened: “I am your man, and you’re telling me I can’t come near or touch you from now on?”

Luo Lingyu said: “You make me sick.”

Lu Yun: “…What did you say? Say that again!”

His eyes changed instantly, that fierce and furious look making his aura surge dramatically. The elegant and graceful Lord Lu had never been like this before – it was the first time he had heard such words as “sick” from a woman’s lips. And it was Luo Lingyu who said it. His heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. He was extremely angry and moved to walk toward her again, to grab her arm.

Luo Lingyu kept throwing various objects at him, not letting him come close.

Lu Yun: “You crazy woman!”

Luo Lingyu: “Not as crazy as you. Putting on an act for me, pretending to not care for women. Then turning around to mess around with other women. You think if you don’t mention it, it doesn’t exist? Let me tell you, from now on you’re not allowed to touch me. Even if you kiss me, I can imagine you kissing Chen Xue! You’re so disgusting, stay away from me!”

Outside the room, people only heard the crashing sounds of things being thrown, the commotion extremely loud, making their hearts race. The servants tried asking once, but the man and woman in the room answered simultaneously: “Don’t come in!”

In the room, Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun were both breathing heavily, glaring at each other angrily. Between them lay scattered porcelain pieces, blue and white. Who knows how many precious items, but when these two got angry, who cared about such things? Luo Lingyu had thrown all the objects she could carry in the room, Lu Yun’s hand was bleeding from her throws, but he wouldn’t even go bandage it, just staring at her intently. Lord Lu’s chest ached from anger, and just as he was about to step forward, he saw Luo Lingyu quickly grab the wooden pole supporting the window, holding it warily as she watched him.

Lu Yun laughed angrily: “You’re going to hit me with that wooden pole too?”

Luo Lingyu didn’t respond, but her stance made it clear she wouldn’t let him come near.

As they stared at each other, slowly, Lu Yun calmed down. He said wearily: “What’s the point of this? Being so distrustful of me, fighting like this… what’s the point?”

Luo Lingyu froze at his words.

She put down the wooden pole in her arms, as if moved by what he said. She said dazedly: “Yes, what’s the point of fighting all day, being despised…”

Lu Yun: “I never despised you, don’t throw dirt on me when you’re angry.”

But Luo Lingyu could no longer hear what he was saying, only murmuring: “Being like this every day… we should… just separate.”

Lu Yun shuddered, his muscles tensing in disbelief: “What did you say?”

But Luo Lingyu didn’t speak anymore. She no longer fought with him or hit him like before. She looked at the blood dripping from his hand and felt like she had gone crazy. The noble Lord Lu, beaten by her like this – who would believe it? It was meaningless. Luo Lingyu’s eyes filled with tears as she sat down. She no longer spoke to Lu Yun, but instead began crying silently.

Lu Yun’s pupils contracted.

He looked away awkwardly, saying in a deep voice: “Don’t cry. I won’t fall for this.”

Luo Lingyu ignored him completely. She just kept crying, tears falling like strings of pearls down her peach-colored cheeks. The lady cried until her eyes were moist and her cheeks flushed, beautiful and moving. She was particularly skilled at crying, and the more Lu Yun watched, the more tears she shed. She cried heavily – at first just silently dropping tears, but later she couldn’t hold back anymore. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed with tear-filled eyes.

Whimpering and sobbing.

Crying and weeping.

Lu Yun’s face grew increasingly rigid.

He lowered his head and cursed, the first time Lord Lu had ever sworn, but unfortunately Luo Lingyu didn’t hear clearly. She saw him suddenly kick out, sending the perfectly good table flying, breaking it in half. Luo Lingyu had given up hope and cried even harder. Lu Yun turned and left. Seeing him really leave like this, Luo Lingyu cried while looking for things, wanting to take away her belongings that she had originally left in his room.

Let’s just end it like this.

She realized her jealousy was truly at its extreme, and it was only directed at Lu Yun. She really couldn’t take it anymore, couldn’t take it… Luo Lingyu cried and sobbed, crying so hard she couldn’t catch her breath, she couldn’t even leave. She couldn’t let the servants see her crying non-stop like this as she left Lu Yun’s place. Even if she left, she couldn’t lose face like that.

Gradually her tears were almost dried up, but Lu Yun still hadn’t returned, truly abandoning her like this. Luo Lingyu’s heart grew completely cold, her self-esteem wounded, wondering if he also felt tired and wanted to end it this way? Thinking this, tears welled up again.

The door knocked twice.

Luo Lingyu didn’t hear.

The door knocked twice again.

Luo Lingyu said irritably: “Lu Yun isn’t here!”

A soft, sweet voice came from outside the door, speaking languidly: “I’m not looking for Lu Yun, I’m looking for you.”

Luo Lingyu was stunned, rubbing her cry-reddened eyes in surprise: “Who-who are you?”

The voice outside laughed sweetly, as if right next to her ear: “Haven’t you been wanting to meet me… I’m Chen Xue.”

Luo Lingyu suddenly jumped up, her face turning pale—immediately cursing: “Lu Xuechen, I’ll kill you!”

Still saying he hadn’t deceived her! He was actually keeping a mistress!

Luo Lingyu’s eyes were red as blood as she looked for a mirror to fix her appearance. Her rival had come to laugh at her, and she had cried until her eyes were swollen – how could she lose? Luo Lingyu gritted her teeth: It’s just Chen Xue! She wanted to see – being as beautiful as she was, why would Lu Yun keep Chen Xue as a mistress but not her!