Chapter 174: I Had Truly Loved You in the Past…
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhong Heng International
When Yuan Xuan returned to his office after the general shareholders’ meeting was over, his plump secretary served him a latte that was made just the way he liked it.
The aroma of coffee quickly spread throughout the s.p.a.cious office.
It was almost 5.00pm. The light from the setting sun cast a golden glow over the CEO’s office while captivating golden light reflected off the body of the man who sat snuggly in the leather chair.
The elegant aristocratic man rested his forehead on his arms as he fell deep into thought. His facial features were profound and angular. Moreover, their distinct edges made him extraordinarily handsome in comparison to the average person. However, there was a hint of melancholy infused in his arrogant aura…
The cufflinks attached at the sleeves of his white s.h.i.+rts were custom-made by the jewelry designer Paula Crevoshay who was contracted by the Swiss Bernina brand from Switzerland. The gentle glow of the setting sun caused them to twinkle faintly.
When Yan Jun came in to report to him, he noticed that Yuan Xuan’s expression was grave while his eyes were dim. It seemed as though he was battling with his own thoughts, while there was a sense of loneliness in the silence.
Yan Jun was momentarily unsure as to whether he should speak or not.
“Has Mistress returned to Hibiscus Garden?” Yuan Xuan was the first to open his mouth. His voice was slightly hoa.r.s.e as he had clearly smoked too much due to stress.
“Yes, Fifth Miss sent her back. Mistress was at Hibiscus Garden since then and did not go out.” Yan Jun’s face showed signs of hesitation before he asked in a puzzled manner, “Young Master, why aren’t we going to capture Mu Chenwu when we’ve been given such a good chance?
He slyly escaped the last few times but our personnel were in position today. He can’t flee even if he grows wings!”
Yuan Xuan’s eyes shot open. His gaze was piercing and vicious as he said, “Although it’s important to capture Mu Chenwu, this can’t be done in front of Mu Chenyan. Do you really want her to hate me for the rest of her life?” Yan Jun turned silent and lowered his head. He thought to himself about how Mistress was deeply embedded in Third Master’s heart.
Although Young Master had single-handedly undertaken such a great task several years ago, it still pained him when he had to be cruel toward his wife.
“Continue sending people to track Mu Chenwu’s. You must report to me right away if he makes any sudden movements, but you shouldn’t alert Mistress!”
Yuan Xuan lowered his voice and instructed.
Yan Jun nodded. Although this loyal a.s.sistant had not been by Yuan Xuan’s side for very long, he was still aware of Yuan Xuan’s temperment and nature. Since he had decided to personally take on this task, he would persevere until the end without retreating.
“Young Master, aren’t you afraid that Mu Chenwu might secretly try to trick Mistress?”
Yan Jun was still slightly nervous and asked. However, his worries were not unreasonable. After all, Mistress had sneakily visited Mu Chenwu before quietly returning to Hibiscus Garden. It was difficult to be sure of what she was thinking.
Yuan Xuan took a deep breath and rose before going over to the wide French window. He stood there and looked at the setting sun outside, allowing the radiance to mark his body while unintentionally displaying a rare moment of loneliness.
“If she chooses familial love over romantic love, I’ll be respectful of her wishes.”
.
..When Mu Chenyan was soundly asleep, a man who faintly smelled of alcohol suddenly clasped her waist from behind. After they touched, the tingles lay on the surface of her skin because of the chilly air immediately penetrated her right to the core.
Mu Chenyan opened her eyes as the man’s chin pressed itself against her head. He had drank alcohol, but was only tipsy right now. Warm air blew across her collarbone, causing her body to turn into a limp mess.
Mu Chenyan did not dare to move at all. She used her elbow to gently nudge the man who was plastered against her before she whispered, “Did you drink alcohol? Do you want to take a shower first?”
“Yeah, I just drank a little. You were already asleep when I came in just now and I’ve already taken a shower.” Yuan Xuan’s voice was slightly weary and hoa.r.s.e. Mu Chenyan initially wanted to decline him, but she did not have the energy to push him away. She had a yearning and a fondness for his hugs that had always been so warm… The man who was still sober then flipped her body over and firmly embraced her as the desires that he had suppressed for so long finally emerged. He quietly asked, “Little Chenyan, may I?” They had not done it in a long time.
Mu Chenyan was momentarily startled. The conflicting emotions in her heart made her unable to respond. She could not immediately pretend as if nothing was wrong and be affectionate with him after what she had heard from Mu Chenwu during the day.
Her eyes were glistening as she looked at his quivering Adam’s apple for awhile where his faint groans echoed out. The aromatic smell of alcohol that was faintly released from his mouth gradually threw her into confusion.
Yuan Xuan had always been a very restrained person. Aside from the previous unhappy incident, he had never seriously troubled her because of this matter.
Mu Chenyan turned her head away and pressed her face against his chest while she used her silence to reject him.
“It’s okay! If you don’t want to, I won’t force you…” When he saw that she did not respond for a long time, Yuan Xuan gently kissed her forehead before he continued, “Little Chenyan, I’ll be ready whenever you feel like it.”
“Yuan Xuan…” Mu Chenyan’s eyes were blurry because of the tears. She choked back sobs before she quietly said, “What if I really betray you one day…”
“I’d forgive you!” Yuan Xuan interrupted her and affectionately said. “After all, I should be the one begging for forgiveness because I’ve made you suffer worse things.” She was
stunned. Was this man, who was usually cold and quiet, now exposing more of his sensitive side because of the alcohol?
He spoke in an affectionate tone that sounded like a promise, his dark pupils seemed infinitely deep, while his slender almond-shaped eyes were slightly narrowed as he stared at her beautiful little face while restraining his emotions.
Her long eyelashes trembled as though they were brus.h.i.+ng against his innermost feelings.
When she heard Yuan Xuan say these things, Mu Chenyan felt as though she was choking. With much difficulty, she swallowed her saliva and shut her eyes to hold back the tears that were threatening to trickle down.
“Yuan Xuan, you… Have you ever loved me?” Her voice was heavy and full of worry.
It seemed as though Mu Chenyan had used all of her strength to ask this question that she kept contained in her heart for many years. Now, she felt as if her body had been hollowed out. If she had not been lying down, she might have fainted.
Although there would come a day when she would have a fatal encounter with Yuan Xuan in which one of them would die, she wanted to make a deal with him while she still had her youth.
Yuan Xuan’s bright almond-shaped eyes stared at her thick black eyelashes before the corners of his mouth curled up in a faint smile. “Silly girl, why would you suddenly ask that? What do you think?”
He did not directly answer her question.
Mu Chenyan felt that she was not brave enough to continue chasing for an answer and thus dropped the issue.
She continued to shut her eyes and took a deep breath before she pressed her head against his chest again. She used a lot of strength as she plastered herself there, as though she really wanted to melt into his body.
Her beating heart almost burst out of her chest. The pain that was seeping into her very bones made her feel like dying every time she breathed.
After some time, she felt as if his heart that was madly beating within his burning chest was calling out to her. Although Yuan Xuan was completely silent, his body was quietly asking her if she still loved him.
She clearly knew that her actions were wrong but it was difficult for her to deceive herself.
She had previously loved him. Hence, why did the warmth that she had always longed for suddenly disappear after she had discovered the truth today?
If she could, Mu Chenyan would have rather not fallen in love. She would not have to feel so much pain if that was the case. Moreover, she would not have to suffer the stab to the heart in the event that she finally confront him one day.
Mu Chenyan murmured, “I truly loved you in the past…”
Yuan Xuan’s body trembled when he heard her use the phrase “in the past”…
For unknown reasons, his heart was suddenly ravaged with fear of losing her. The self-centered man who had always controlled the fate of others was seized by a ridiculous sense of anxiety.
“You’ll love me again in the future!” He declared in a bossy tone.
When he spoke, the man waved his large hands and hugged Mu Chenyan tighter. He exerted so much force that the woman in his arms felt as though she was going to suffocate.
Mu Chenyan quietly huffed and weakly attempted to resist him. However, eventually she had no choice but to reluctantly accept his hugs that were too tight. Hence, she could only obediently allow him to do as he pleased.
Fourteen years ago, she had determined the course of life after she met him. This had never changed, because she had always longed for his warm embrace all this while.
She could not understand why fate was so cruel to test her on the same day that she receive this long-desired embrace.
The two people hugged each other tightly in that manner as Mu Chenyan continued to plaster herself against his chest. Despite the burning heat, she slept more soundly than usual.