Chapter 290: The Self-Deceiving Clown
Yue Xiaoyang touched her clothes that were dampened, then touched the bed, "Why didn’t you close the window?"
Gong Xiaoyu started crying, hugging his waist, "I was scared to death, I thought there was a thief."
Yue Xiaoyang turned on the bedside lamp and wiped her tears, "I knew you’d be scared, so I came over when I saw it raining. Don’t cry, I’m here with you."
Tears were hanging on Gong Xiaoyu’s face. He had braved the rain to come over, which exceeded her expectations.
He truly cared about her.
Yue Xiaoyang wiped away her tears and found her a new set of pajamas, "Dummy, why didn’t you close the window?"
Gong Xiaoyu said pitifully, "I didn’t dare get out of bed."
Yue Xiaoyang helped her comb her long hair and reached out to remove her pajamas, "If I hadn’t come over tonight, would you have stayed in bed all night? Don’t you know you’ll catch a cold?"
Gong Xiaoyu held his hand, "I’ll change myself."
"I’ll help you, there’s nothing on your body I haven’t seen."
Gong Xiaoyu angrily pinched him, "I’ll change myself!"
Despite their close relationship, she still feels shy around him.
Seeing her reddened face, Yue Xiaoyang couldn’t help but bite her earlobe and whispered, "You don’t need to change, you look better without clothes."
His little action made a chill run down Gong Xiaoyu’s spine, and she scooted back a little, "You’re just bullying me."
Yue Xiaoyang felt inexplicably happy and went to close the window, "I’m not teasing you anymore, quickly change your clothes, don’t catch a cold."
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gong Xiaoyu quickly changed into another set of pajamas. Yue Xiaoyang came back and picked her up, "The bed can’t be slept in tonight, I’ll ask the housekeeper to wash and dry it tomorrow."
He carried her to the guest room next door and changed into pajamas himself; the rain outside continued along with thunder and lightning. As soon as he got into bed, Gong Xiaoyu nestled into his arms, "I’m really scared."
Yue Xiaoyang enjoyed her throwing herself into his arms. He hugged her slender waist, and his hand started to get restless, "Darling, let’s do something to distract you."
On one hand, Gong Xiaoyu felt terrified and on the other, she resisted his teasing. The pajamas she had just put on were quickly removed by him, and the chill in the air made Gong Xiaoyu feel a little cold. She hid in his embrace, and Yue Xiaoyang wickedly smiled, "Xiao Yu Yu, with you like this, I don’t feel like going to work tomorrow."
Gong Xiaoyu left scratch marks on his back, "I have to work tomorrow, so you... can’t be so, mmm..."
Gong Xiaoyu was no match for him, and was quickly conquered by Yue Xiaoyang.
Heavy breathing filled the room. After feeling satisfied, Yue Xiaoyang embraced her contentedly. He looked down at her tired and flushed face; she looked stunningly beautiful.
"Xiao Yu, you’re so beautiful."
Gong Xiaoyu pulled the blanket up to her neck, her body covered with his marks. She looked up and asked, "If I’m not beautiful, you wouldn’t love me, right?"
Yue Xiaoyang lightly nibbled her delicate nose as a form of punishment, "I don’t just like your looks. Do you remember the first time we met? You went to the hospital to see Jun Xi and confronted me, asking if it was Yi Ke who hurt her, and even wanted to find Yi Ke to settle scores... At that moment, I found you especially adorable, not afraid to offend President Gu for your friend."
He once thought about letting her go. Yi Ke told him that if he couldn’t provide her with a future, he shouldn’t get involved.
During his agonizing dilemma, she said they could try starting.
Once they started, there was no turning back. He fell deeper and deeper, unwilling to let her go.
Every night when he held her, he felt grateful that she had the courage to take the first step. Otherwise, he would have missed out on this little woman, which would be the biggest regret of his life.
To make up for his emotional cowardice, he treated her doubly well. He couldn’t bear to see her burn her hands while cooking for him, so he started learning to cook and take care of her.
He enjoyed this process, though he didn’t know how long this happiness would last.
After getting married, Yi Ke seemed to become a different person. He returned home on time every day and pushed off any socializing he could. He privately asked Yi Ke why, after experiencing the failed marriage with Yin Yue, he still readily stepped into marriage with An Junxi.
Yi Ke said, "What I had with Yin Yue wasn’t a marriage, but with Jun Xi it is. A failed marriage is not an excuse for avoidance. Think about whether you can bear losing her; if not, use marriage to keep her by your side and don’t hesitate, otherwise she won’t be yours."
On this point, Yue Xiaoyang finally saw the difference between them. Whether in business or emotions, Yi Ke was more decisive and proactive, giving An Junxi a sense of security, which made their marriage happy.
Yue Xiaoyang struggled for a long time, never making up his mind to propose to Gong Xiaoyu, always hoping she would give him more time.
During the two years An Junxi left Yan City, Yue Xiaoyang helped the Gu Family through tough times, while Gong Xiaoyu was busy with her company affairs, distracting herself with searching for traces of An Junxi. Both of them could hardly attend to anything else.
Yue Xiaoyang finally found an excuse to keep their relationship stagnant; he thought, being together like this was good enough.
Gong Xiaoyu understood Yue Xiaoyang’s thoughts. She didn’t actively bring up marriage, as long as he treated her well, she could temporarily indulge in the illusion of happiness and enjoy his affection.
Until they met his mother at the mall.
They were shopping together, the trolley filled with many food items and some of her personal belongings.
Unexpectedly, they came face-to-face with Mrs. Yue at a corner. Both sides were bewildered. After a moment of mutual glance, compared to Mrs. Yue’s puzzlement, Gong Xiaoyu and Yue Xiaoyang felt a hint of awkwardness.
Gong Xiaoyu, with good upbringing, was about to greet Mrs. Yue when Yue Xiaoyang quickly distanced himself from her and rushed to explain, "Mom, this is my friend, Miss Gong."
Instantly, Gong Xiaoyu felt like a pathetic clown deceiving herself.
He had never mentioned introducing her to his parents. She knew he didn’t want to get married yet and didn’t take it seriously, never thinking of forcing him.
But now, it seemed he was afraid of his mother knowing their relationship.
What did she have to hide? Her family wasn’t extremely wealthy but wasn’t poor by Yan City standards. She had her own small business, which might not be impressive compared to the Yue Family, but it was her career. She was with him because he was Yue Xiaoyang, not because he was the son of the Yue Family.
Unfortunately, her pure affection was a burden in his eyes.
Gong Xiaoyu felt colder inside. She tried to maintain her composure and greeted Mrs. Yue, "Hello, Aunt Yue, Mr. Yue and I just met by chance."
Mrs. Yue was an experienced woman. She glanced at the items in the trolley, her smile meaningful, "Miss Gong, come visit our home sometime."
Gong Xiaoyu looked at Yue Xiaoyang, who said, "She’s very busy with work, maybe later."
Gong Xiaoyu’s expression froze. Had he ever considered her feelings?
Mrs. Yue felt a bit disappointed but said kindly, "No rush, come when you’re free, Aunt is always welcoming."