Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

Lingye experienced an intense pain in his abdomen during his drive back.

His anxiety must have worsened his gastric distress, and he broke out in a cold sweat, drenching the back of his shirt.

Lingye clutched his churning stomach while keeping his hand on the wheel. The beads of sweat traveled from his forehead to his eyelid.

His stomach had not acted up since he was together with Tongrui.

During the first time of his stomach trouble in Tongrui’s presence, she retrieved a piece of aloe vera from the corner of his study and ran into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for him to drink.

At the time, Lingye initially thought the woman did not have a heart. The pain was killing him, and here she was, making him take aloe vera and water. Only God knew what was going through his mind back then.

She later mentioned that it was a home remedy for stomachache, and he was skeptical.

It was hard to have faith in a remedy that was not backed by science. Still, Lingye took the drink without hesitation since it came from her.

Only, he never told her that he did not get the least bit of relief after taking the water and aloe vera. In fact, it hurt worse. Her company was the thing that made him feel better.

Ten years ago, Lingye lived in a world where only he existed. If it were not for her, he probably would have left the world a long time ago.

Lingye was grateful that Tongrui saved Fu Ziye back then.

How could she abandon her husband and daughter just because of the old man’s words?

Had he never told her that he could not live without her?

It seemed… he never said such cheesy lines to her before.

Sure, Lingye could still survive without her. He might live bolder and wiser than before.

His only fear was her well-being during his absence from her life.

Tongrui had a taste for instant noodles. Lingye was worried that she might fall back into old habits, surviving on instant noodles when she was hungry.

Lingye was mad about her leaving without saying goodbye. Nevertheless, the anger turned into heartache and concern as he wondered where she was and how she was doing.

Tongrui was sensitive. She must be out there somewhere, wracked with guilt and anxiety after Zhengyuan heartlessly sent her away.

…

in the evening

near the airport, Tongrui

kettle on and waited until the water was boiling before pouring the hot water into the

mind wandered to her moments of

image brought tears to

of a single-use plastic fork to twin the strands of noodles into her mouth. The spiciness of the noodles got to

she could not open them, and she gorged the

noodles were the best invention in the world, combining convenience and tastiness all in one. However, this was the most awful cup of noodles

now how good she had it when she could sneak off somewhere

ever happened to her. Why

and now she sat alone in a godforsaken place, drowning

believed Lingye would never let her go

that there would always be a safe haven even if the world came to an end. He was no superhero who could save the world in Marvel films, but the only thing stuck in his mind was to take her to the safest place

Tongrui could not bear to put Lingye in the face of slander for the

Tongrui’s eyes. Besides, Lingye demonstrated utmost patience with her. There was no way she could

noodles was getting

were drenched

on the sofa, sitting in her thoughts for a

was too big for Lingye to

grow old by

if her path was not meant to cross Lingye and Siqi’s

for Tongrui. She was still waiting for Fu

Zhengyuan sent her to Florence to take cover. Only… she

wanted to be with him even if the world

Fu family and Fu Corporation down with her and

was destined for great things. His pride

was already missing him on her

what he

be an idiot standing next to Fu Qingli, who

onto the sofa and

for a while. Those people could not stand to see them