ATLAS TRANSLATES

“Did Auntie Qi make you bone broth to drink?” The pain in her ankle had eased a bit, and Fu Xueli’s tense mood relaxed somewhat.

“No,” Xu Xingchun bent his fingers and pressed on the swollen area. “Tell me if it hurts.”

“You shouldn’t smoke or drink alcohol lately.” Fu Xueli’s gaze wandered aimlessly around the coffee table, then she asked casually, “Who sent those lilies?”

He replied neutrally, “A coworker.”

“Ma Xuanrui?” Fu Xueli asked directly, “Did she come by today?”

“There was a group of people.”

Was that an admission?

She raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help saying, “You know… usually people only give lilies when visiting a boyfriend, right?”

Xu Xingchun kept his head down, seemingly not listening. She couldn’t quite see his expression.

“Of course, I’m not trying to control you. If you have someone suitable now…”

She tried hard to find a reason to smooth over the possessiveness that had slipped into her words earlier—

After all, their current state and relationship was still rather awkward and complicated, with nothing clearly addressed. Not to mention she couldn’t figure out Xu Xingchun’s attitude, it was even hard for her to determine her own.

In other words, she had feelings for Xu Xingchun, desire, and a lot of guilt.

So much guilt that it was almost beyond what she could bear.

But what could she do? Fu Xueli just lacked a sense of responsibility like that.

She knew it herself, but she always got carried away. It wasn’t something she could change overnight.

Sometimes she thought about just walking away. Pretending she had never done anything to wrong Xu Xingchun, that they owed each other nothing.

But there was always a voice in her heart saying:

—Be a little nicer to Xu Xingchun.

He’s so pitiful.

He’s liked you for so long.

Be a little nicer to him.

“If I have someone suitable, then what?” Xu Xingchun’s tone seemed mocking.

Fu Xueli knew she had said the wrong thing, but still clung to hope. She pushed on, trying to gloss over it like before. “Didn’t we agree before…”

We agreed to just be friends, let go of the past, start over…

Sigh, why did the atmosphere that was light just now suddenly become like this…

Xu Xingchun stared at her for a moment, “Are you still going to keep saying these things to me and play dumb?”

“No, that’s not it.” Fu Xueli denied reflexively. She was at a loss for words for a moment. After a brief silence, she suddenly understood the meaning behind Xu Xingchun’s words. Her heart sank as heavy feelings of shame welled up again.

It turns out, he understood everything more clearly than anyone, he just didn’t want to spell it out.

He watched coldly as she wavered back and forth, saw through her series of actions towards him—seemingly repaying a debt, but actually unable to resist temptation, finding noble-sounding excuses to get close to him.

He saw through her selfishness and narrowmindedness, saw through the dark side of her nature, yet still didn’t expose it.

On the surface, it seemed like Fu Xueli was being good to him.

But in reality?

In reality, she was just doing shameless things to Xu Xingchun under the banner of repayment.

She still liked to act coquettish with him, showing vague possessiveness. Occasionally giving him a taste of sweetness, but not taking any real action.

She knew she was being very selfish. Saying a few superficial words of concern, then pretending she was repaying her debt.

But she never really thought about what he actually wanted.

As long as he didn’t say anything, she thought they could just keep pretending, keep up appearances, and it would be fine.

About a few minutes later, Fu Xueli said very softly, “I’m sorry…”

After saying it, she cursed herself inwardly.

Saying sorry again… how many times would she have to say sorry before it was enough?

Was saying sorry even useful?

But if she didn’t say sorry, what else could she say?

Yet “sorry” felt so powerless.

Xu Xingchun’s breathing noticeably became heavier. He stood up and said, “Fine.”

Fu Xueli felt a bit panicked and reached out to grab his wrist. “I didn’t mean it like that just now.”

“Hmm, what did you mean then?”

“I think you deserve a better girl.” Fu Xueli was being insincere again.

Xu Xingchun became very fierce.

It was such a big contrast from his usual self.

It made her a bit afraid to provoke him.

Such low air pressure, such a cold expression, rarely seen with others, but not uncommon towards her lately.

Fu Xueli kept quiet. As if suddenly deflating, her mouth turned down. “Back then when I treated you like that, were you very hurt? Is that why you still won’t forgive me?”

“Forgive you for what?”

Fu Xueli opened her mouth, then said, “If you’re willing to listen, I’ll tell you later, okay? Xu Xingchun, please don’t hate me. It hurts me.”

“Do you know the consequences of living with me?” Xu Xingchun asked.

His answer was completely unrelated to her question.

It was indeed a bit confusing.

Without warning, Xu Xingchun bent down. Fu Xueli only felt her neck gripped by a force, and suddenly her lips were sealed by his.

He blocked out the light behind her, leaving only darkness, without the slightest gap, with an almost suffocating force. He was really biting, her soft, wet lower lip was enveloped again, sucked gently, their saliva sticky.

She had no time to react, could only passively endure.

Her chin was gripped firmly by fingers, the slippery silk dress on her body had already been torn open almost roughly. Her knees were bent up, her eyes misty, she tried to push him away, but couldn’t move him. The oxygen in her mouth and nose was slowly depleting, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

She said, don’t hate her. Those few short words were enough to make Xu Xingchun’s self-control rapidly crumble.

Sweat seeped out densely from where their bodies touched.

In the tussle, his t-shirt had also rolled up from his waist. Her hands had nowhere to go, accidentally touching the bare skin on his back, her fingertips feeling electric. She quickly pulled away.

Xu Xingchun’s lower abdomen tightened, aching to the point of cramping. Mixed with desire, it was a bit maddening pain, yet far less intense than her few words.

“No, Xu Xingchun…” Fu Xueli was a bit afraid of his uncontrolled state, feeling some resistant unease in her heart, but vaguely there was also an inexplicable excitement. Xu Xingchun like this had an indescribable sexiness.

There was a buzzing in her ears. This sudden, intense kiss left Fu Xueli not knowing what to do. Slowly, she stopped pushing against him, no longer resisting, but instead reluctantly embraced Xu Xingchun’s back.

The position was very awkward, but feeling her response, this wasn’t an illusion.

Xu Xingchun’s breath was scalding hot, his head buried in the crook of her neck. The veins on the back of his hand stood out, exceptionally pale, the blood vessels clearly visible. He braced himself against the wall above her head, maintaining this position motionless for a long time.

There were no further actions.

“…Xu Xingchun… what are you thinking? Can you tell me?” Fu Xueli barely managed to find her voice. She had completely wilted.

He spoke hoarsely, “Fu Xueli…”

“Huh?…”

“I could probably handle three years in prison. Do you want to try?”

Fu Xueli looked confused, not understanding. She didn’t dare to ask for details.

The sofa shook slightly. Xu Xingchun seemed to let out a deep sigh, biting her earlobe, “From now on, I won’t force you… but if you haven’t made up your mind, don’t come looking for me, understand?”