Xia Wutang curved her lips, a smile filling her eyes, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Ling Yuchen looked down at her, seeing her eyes crinkled with a pure smile.
Suddenly, something seemed to tug at his heart, and his heartbeat quickened.
Xia Wutang, oblivious, pointed at their shadows on the ground and sighed, "Look, the smaller shadow is nestled against the larger one. It feels so secure."
"Xia Wutang." Ling Yuchen stopped, his eyes brimming with an almost uncontrollable tremor of emotion.
Xia Wutang stopped too and looked up at him.
Her clear, bright eyes, like pouring moonlight, were pure and radiant. At this moment, the starlight above seemed to dim in comparison.
The courtyard was filled with the fragrance of flowers – roses, orchids, gardenias, all vying to bloom.
Ling Yuchen's gaze softened, his expression melting into an utterly gentle one, like a pool of spring water rippling only for the one he adored.
In that instant, silence enveloped them.
Looking at his earnest face, Xia Wutang felt her heart flutter like a startled deer.
She was moved by him.
By his meticulous care.
By his gentle consideration.
By his genuine sincerity.
She tiptoed, tilting her head up.
Her red lips met his thin ones.
Ling Yuchen's entire body froze. His narrow eyes widened, filled only with stunned joy and excitement.
His heart stirred even more profoundly, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her slender waist, deepening the kiss.
On the ground.
Two shadows, one tall and one short, embraced tightly, inseparable.
...
After an immeasurable time, Ling Yuchen reluctantly pulled away from her lips, his voice husky and low.
He said, with suppressed emotion, "Can I call you Tangtang?"
He remembered Wen Xuanyuan calling her that last time.
"Mmm."
Xia Wutang responded softly, too shy to look up.
Her cheeks were flushed, her beautiful eyes held a dewy sheen, and her lips were as red and plump as ripe cherries, incredibly alluring.
Ling Yuchen almost lost his composure again. He leaned in, closer to her ear, and softly called out, "Tangtang."
Her warm breath fanned her ear, sending a jolt through her like an electric shock.
His deep voice was like a feather, gently tickling the sensitive spot in her heart.
Xia Wutang instinctively raised her hands to his chest, but her limbs felt weak.
She haltingly protested, "Mr. Ling..."
"Call me Yuchen."
Ling Yuchen rested his chin on her shoulder, his nose filled with the scent of her hair... intoxicatingly fresh.
Xia Wutang bit her lower lip, unable to utter the name.
Seeing her silence, Ling Yuchen leaned closer to her ear again and gently nipped at her earlobe, which was as smooth and delicate as jade.
Xia Wutang cried out in pain, her face flushing. The heat in her ears spread throughout her body.
A mischievous smile played on Ling Yuchen's lips. He parted his thin lips and whispered something into her ear...
Like a startled rabbit, Xia Wutang clutched tightly at the clothes on Ling Yuchen's chest.
Without a moment's delay, she whispered, "Yu... Yuchen."
Ling Yuchen smiled, satisfied, but dared not tease her further.
He straightened up and took a step back, creating distance between them.
The oppressive aura surrounding them dissipated, and Xia Wutang breathed a sigh of relief.
She felt as if she were floating in a dream.
Dizzy.
"It's getting late. Let's go back and rest." Ling Yuchen naturally took her hand.
They walked back together.
Ling Yuchen turned to look at her, asking with concern, "Does your stomach still hurt?"
Xia Wutang placed a hand on her stomach and shook her head with a faint smile, "It doesn't hurt anymore."
"That's good. We'll have some congee later," Ling Yuchen walked slowly, afraid Xia Wutang might be tired if he hurried.
He had never really taken leisurely strolls before; he usually exercised in the gym.
But now, it seemed that walking wasn't so boring after all, nor was it a waste of time.
Xia Wutang had forgotten all her worries, her mind completely at ease. She felt light and content.
This feeling of comfort must be what romance felt like!
Back at the villa.
Ouma and Han Xiao were sitting on the sofa, chatting.
Qiao Xinyue wasn't around; she had probably gone back to her room to sleep.
Xia Wutang could tell that Qiao Xinyue genuinely disliked Han Xiao.
But Han Xiao seemed to be quite fond of her, his eyes practically glued to her whenever she appeared.
Ling Yuchen probably noticed it too, otherwise, he wouldn't have stopped her when she wanted to ask last time.
Upon seeing them return, Ouma quickly got up to greet them, her face beaming with joy.
"Young Master and Wutang are back! I'll go cut some fruit for you to eat!"
"No need, Ouma. Please don't trouble yourself. I'm going upstairs to sleep now." Xia Wutang really didn't want to eat anything.
Saying this, she tried to head upstairs directly, fearing Ouma would keep feeding her. But Ling Yuchen held her hand tightly, and she couldn't move.
Ling Yuchen instructed Ouma, "Tangtang has a stomach condition. She needs to eat small, frequent meals, avoid cold, spicy, or hard-to-digest foods. Please pay close attention to her diet."
Ouma's face immediately became anxious and worried, "How could she have a stomach condition? Stomach ailments need careful nurturing. I didn't know. If I had known, I would have certainly paid attention to her diet."
The dishes she had prepared today were all spicy, except for a few dishes that Ling Yuchen liked, which were made without chili.
Xia Wutang was even more flustered than Ouma. She gave Ling Yuchen a reproachful glance and apologized to Ouma.
"Ouma, it's my fault. I didn't tell you beforehand, and I ate too many snacks this afternoon, which triggered my stomach problems. It has nothing to do with you."
Ouma had been bringing her fruits and snacks all afternoon, and she couldn't resist eating them nonstop.
Ouma, however, was still very worried, "Stomach problems shouldn't have shrimp and lean pork congee. Wutang, are you hungry? I'll go make you a bowl of noodles."
"No, no, I really can't eat," Xia Wutang was truly frightened.
She finally understood why Xia Wanshu and Xia Yichen were so resistant to returning to their grandmother's house.
It was because elders' love often manifested as the belief that you were never full enough.
Ouma was about to say more, but Xia Wutang had already broken free from Ling Yuchen's hand and fled upstairs like a startled bird.
She called back without looking, "I'm going upstairs to sleep. Goodnight, Ouma."
Ling Yuchen's eyes twinkled with amusement, feeling both helpless and amused.
But Ouma was indeed...
He had been raised by Ouma since he was young and understood that she was showing her care and affection in her own way.
Everyone's perspective, understanding, worldview, and experiences are different.
But for those they truly care for, they will offer what they believe is best.
You can't say she's wrong, because this is all she has, and she's giving you the best she can.
Ouma was still uneasy and wanted to say more.
Ling Yuchen then persuaded her, "Ouma, she's not a child. If she's hungry, she knows it. The doctor said she shouldn't eat too much."
Only then did Ouma relent, but she remained somewhat worried.
Thinking of Qiao Xinyue's appetite, and then of Xia Wutang, if she really ate nothing tonight, she would surely be starving in the middle of the night.