Chapter 35: I Like You So, So Much

He lowered his head and lit a cigarette, smoking quietly. Lily of the Valley gently closed her eyes, utterly exhausted. The fierce struggle just now had drained every ounce of her strength; her whole body ached as if her bones had been removed. How could he possess such brutal force? Why did he treat her this way? Was it because he would not allow her a word, nor permit her resistance?

She gazed silently at the crimson glow of his cigarette, blinking in the darkness as he exhaled with practiced ease.

Wisps of smoke curled upward, as if severing thousands of mountains and rivers, ten thousand layers of dust, yet still unable to break the endless entanglement between them. Ash fell bit by bit; time slipped away, and the air, heavy with silence, was tinged only with the faint scent of tobacco, lingering in the unknowable depths of night.

The car, a mere drop of water, merged into the torrent of people and traffic, receding amid the dazzling neon lights.

When the ember died, Mozhicheng put out the cigarette. Turning back, he saw that the woman had already fallen quietly asleep. Even in her dreams she hugged her knees, her head resting atop them, dark hair falling in disarray to shield her face.

The Bentley came to a halt. The driver, understanding, switched on the dim light and glanced at Mozhicheng in the rearview mirror. Mozhicheng looked up. “You may go now.”

“Yes, Mr. Mo.”

The car was parked outside his villa, surrounded by the sea on all sides. Night had deepened, and the only sound was the crash of waves in the distance. He pressed a button, and the sunroof opened slowly.

The night breeze carried the scent of the ocean, a hint of salt and brine. Mozhicheng leaned against the seat, gazing into the night sky, a particular scene replaying endlessly before his eyes, refusing to fade.

—Mmm!

Back then he had kissed her, swallowing her broken cries. He pinned her so she could not move; his kiss was fierce, murderous—an absolute invasion, offering her no chance to resist.

He tore her cheongsam; in her struggle she struck his face, and he returned the blow.

A sharp sound rang out like flint striking steel, flashing through his mind. Mozhicheng started, frowning, and looked at her. He leaned in to cover her with his coat, but she shuddered in her sleep, as if resisting yet holding on.

Mozhicheng reached out, brushing the stray hair from her cheek. Her hair carried a faint fragrance, mingled with the taste of her tears. Dried marks lingered at the corners of her eyes; he wiped them gently, but could not erase them.

His fingers were warm, and as they touched her, her brow knit in her sleep. The heat of his palm cradled her aching left cheek. She seemed to hear that gentle voice echoing by her ear: Does it hurt?

Does it hurt?

Ye Shao, it hurts, it hurts so much!

She wept again, silent tears streaming down her sleeping face, bitter and endless.

"Lily, don’t cry anymore, I’ll give you some rainbow candy."

"Why rainbow candy?" The girl wiped her tears and looked up at the boy, but he only smiled, his handsome face frozen in memory.

In her dream, she saw the sun sinking beyond sheer cliffs, a ribbon of sky between the banks, a rainbow dancing in the clouds. Only then did she understand that the rainbow comes after the storm, the most beautiful sight seen only after enduring countless hardships.

Tears touched her lips; she grew increasingly attached to that warmth, instinctively drawing closer, hugging his arm tightly, and murmured, “Don’t go, don’t go,”

She had so many things she wanted to tell him, secrets stranded by time, never to be spoken. Ye Shao, I like you: “I like you—” she cried, clinging to his hand as if begging, “I like you very, very much.”

Her overflowing tears soaked his black sleeve. She whispered through her sobs, “So, so much that even if all the world’s most beautiful things were placed before you, they could not compare to how much I like you!”

Mozhicheng was stunned, brow furrowed, watching her kiss his palm so gently, as if afraid it would shatter, her plea pitiful and desperate.

At last, she buried her face in his hand, whimpering softly. Mozhicheng slowly opened his arms, drawing her gently into his embrace. She pressed her head to his chest, cold tears and warm breath mingling at his neck. Mozhicheng’s eyes darkened, and without a word, he comforted her with gentle pats on the back.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, breathing in his faint musk, unwilling to ever let go. At last, she found peace in that broad chest, listening to the powerful heartbeat of the man, and fell into a steady sleep.

Mozhicheng did not know how long he held her, only that she gripped the fabric at his waist tightly. Night deepened, and the roar of the waves grew louder and louder.

Whoosh—whoosh—

***

At dawn, birds sang sweetly among the branches. When Ye Linglan opened her eyes, she saw the man’s sleeping face bathed in golden sunlight, so serene. She sat up abruptly, as if stung by something. Last night… why was she in his arms? He slept soundly against the seat, both of them covered with his suit jacket.

Lily opened the car door; their car was parked by the sea, not far from a cluster of villas on the hillside. She glanced back at the man, then hurriedly stepped out, quietly closing the door. Only then did the man slowly open his eyes, turning to watch her slender figure hug her chest, head lowered, quickening her pace as she hurried away, growing smaller until she vanished from sight.

Mozhicheng shifted, his arm numb and tingling. He rubbed it, then put on his jacket. He noticed a pomegranate earring left on the seat, picked it up thoughtfully.

***

Ye Linglan walked up to the main road and boarded the earliest bus to the city.

It was so early that she was the only passenger. As usual, she sat in the last row, curling up and gazing out the window at the fleeting scenery.

The sea was a pure, crystalline blue, boundless and majestic. In the distance, sky and water met at the horizon, and the breaking dawn cast fragments of light on the waves, glimmering like scattered gold—an unrivaled, breathtaking sight.

She was lost in thought. Compared to the vast embrace of nature, she was so very small. The sea breeze brushed her face; she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, her fine, dark hair fluttering in the wind, shimmering with hidden fragrance.

As a Bentley sped by, the man inside turned his gaze and saw this scene. Mozhicheng watched: her tousled black hair was windblown, hiding her pale face. She brushed her hair aside and opened her eyes, only to meet his gaze.

The Bentley and the bus were like two parallel lines, never to intersect, both traveling farther and farther along the winding road.

***

Mozhicheng went to the teahouse from the previous night. The owner recognized him at once and dared not neglect him, much less offend Mozhicheng. The trouble in the private room last night made him all the more anxious that the part-time musician had displeased him. “Mr. Mo, you’re here.”

The owner came to apologize in person, bowing respectfully. “I’m truly sorry about last night. That girl is a part-time musician here. She plays well, so I arranged for her to perform for you, but I didn’t expect her to act so rudely and disturb your enjoyment.”

He followed after Mozhicheng, explaining nonstop. Mozhicheng said nothing, heading straight upstairs. “Where was the private room from last night?” he suddenly asked, stopping. The owner, distracted, nearly bumped into him. “Mr. Mo, it was the Red Rain room.”

Mozhicheng looked up and pushed open the door. The furnishings were as they had been the night before, now spotless.

“Mr. Mo…” the owner asked uncertainly, “May I ask what you’re looking for?”

He scanned the room, as if searching for something.

“Mr. Mo, if you’re looking for something, let me have someone help you.”

Mozhicheng waved them off, signaling them to leave.

He searched carefully, finally spotting the lost pomegranate earring in a corner. He bent down to pick it up, then took another from his pocket. The pair of earrings lay quietly in his palm, and a faint smile touched his lips.

***

The sound of running water flowed. Ye Linglan bowed her head, washing her face over and over, as if to cleanse away that forced kiss.

Her pale face stared back at her from the mirror. She brushed her lips, glanced at the clock—nine o’clock. After packing her things, she hurried to Night City. This was probably her first time being late in half a year.

“Why are you late?” The supervisor’s tone held a hint of complaint. Lily bowed apologetically and hurried to the locker room to change into her uniform. “Lily, wait a moment,” the supervisor called.

“Yes, Supervisor?” she turned back.

“Why do you look so pale?”

Ye Linglan touched her left cheek, still faintly sore from that slap—his hand had been powerful. She covered it, murmuring, “It’s nothing, I probably didn’t rest well last night.”

“I wanted to tell you some good news first thing this morning, but you arrived late.”

“What good news?” she asked, puzzled.

“The results for the management trainee assessment are out.”

A spark lit in Ye Linglan’s eyes. She asked quickly, “How did I do?”

“It’s good news, so you should be able to guess.”

“I passed?” she ventured anxiously; it meant everything to her.

The supervisor nodded. “Come here,” she said earnestly. “In fact, your cumulative score across all three subjects was the highest. Congratulations, Ye Linglan!”

Ye Linglan sighed in relief, the weight finally lifting from her heart.

It was supposed to be good news. She hurriedly took out her phone to tell Ye Shenghan, but recalling last night, her heart trembled with fear. Lily brushed her lips; joining the company officially meant drawing closer to that man. She knew well that getting close to him was the fastest way, but—

“One more thing,” the supervisor said, snapping her back to attention. “Next weekend, the company will hold a celebration banquet for you all.”

“Really?” Lily was taken aback.

“Dress nicely!” the supervisor teased.

“You’re teasing me again.”

“How old are you this year?”

“Twenty-five.”

“You’re not a child anymore—do you have a boyfriend?”

She shook her head. The supervisor patted her shoulder meaningfully. “That celebration isn’t just to welcome you; to be honest, it’s also a mixer. The company has many outstanding young men; keep your eyes open. They’ll be at the banquet too, looking for suitable women. Don’t miss your chance.”

Lily’s cheeks flushed. “Supervisor, what are you saying?” She burst out laughing.