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.

…

six in the evening

the airport, Tongrui enjoyed a cup of instant

a brand of noodles local to her homeland. Tongrui put the kettle on and waited until the water was boiling before pouring the hot water into the cup. Crossing her legs, she sat on the thick rug and waited for

vacant as her mind wandered to her moments

tears to her

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

she could not open them, and she gorged the

in one. However, this was the most awful cup of noodles she had

now how good she had it when she could sneak

Why did she not put up more of a

sat alone in a godforsaken place, drowning in her

would never let her go if she told

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 to take

not bear to put Lingye in the face of slander for

Besides, Lingye demonstrated utmost patience with her. There was no way she could allow anyone to speak ill of Fu Qingli, let

noodles was getting saltier by

drenched with

lay on the sofa, sitting in her

was too

grow old by

off dead if her path was not meant to cross Lingye and

was not an option for Tongrui. She was still waiting for Fu Lingyi to

sent her to Florence to

to be with him even if the world stood against

she did not have the courage to bring the Fu family and Fu Corporation down with her

was destined for great things. His pride should not

missing him on her first night in

torn between wanting him to show up and to stay away. She would feel sorry for what he had gone through if he

must be an idiot standing next to Fu Qingli, who had the looks

onto the

be apart for a while. Those people could not stand