During the feast that Zhao Yuan threw, the bustle and joy of the new semester became water under the bridge.
Lin Wenxi couldn"t believe his ears when he heard Zhao Yuan declare that he was dating Chen Wanxin. His former girlfriend had now become his current girlfriend. Chen Wanxin repeatedly toasted her friends as a way of accepting their congratulations. In an instant, she became the center of attention of the feast. She was as lovely as the spring flowers blossoming in the ravine.
"Aren"t you going to toast me, Wenxi?" Chen Wanxin smiled. "I remember clearly what you once told me."
"Why… aren"t you celebrating with Zheng Kai?" Lin Wenxi asked.
"Well, initially we weren"t able to arrange this feast but Zheng Kai took charge and got things settled. I"ve already expressed my thanks to him. Moreover, the skilled pianist I invited will arrive in a moment. The pianist will add to our enjoyment." Smiling, Chen Wanxin raised her wine cup to the corner of Lin Wenxi"s mouth. "In the few months that you were away, I"m the one showing him concern and taking care of him. In the past, that was my role. In the future, it will continue to be my role."
Subconsciously, Lin Wenxi felt his entire body go cold. They were once again together, but how could people believe in a love without reason and feelings without a trace? How could anyone notice the uneasiness hidden under the shadows of Zhao Yuan"s delighted eyes?
That was right. Didn"t Zhao Yuan call him his younger brother? How could he know the private affairs between him and her? Perhaps, Zhao Yuan felt a deep and profound friendship for him, and not… Then, how should he explain the gentleness exchanged between the tip of their tongues and the heavy, boorish affection that evening when they slept in the rain-enveloped village? That was right. Zhao Yuan only knew that he was bothered by all these and that he himself was unwilling. Did Zhao Yuan think that he was against it? Would their feelings rise and die in the same place? He once believed that he would be unable to see Zhao Yuan again in his life but unexpectedly, heavens took sympathy on him and allowed them to stay close to each other. Perhaps, he should already be content with this situation.
Once he understood this point, he came to understand everything.
Lin Wenxi raised his gla.s.s and downed it in one shot to wish her a long and happy life with Zhao Yuan!
The sound of the piano was intense, upright, and bold. A shiver ran down Lin Wenxi"s spine. Who was that? Yun Che? Zhu Ziping? Were they playing as an ensemble? What had happened in the time that he was away? Everything became inconceivable and impervious to reason!
Lin Wenxi raised his gla.s.s again, this time toward the two of them.
The sound of the piano abruptly ended.
"It"s been awhile, Younger Brother Wenxi." Zhu Ziping beamed.
"Why are you two...?" Lin Wenxi opened his mouth but shock held his tongue.
"Since this is Zhao Yuan and his girlfriend"s first public banquet, Wanxin invited us here to join the fun. Ziping prefers the quiet but when he heard that you"ll be here, we decided to come and visit the kid! Where have you been lately?" A pleased-looking Yun Che looked calmly at Lin Wenxi.
"I went home to settle some family problems. How… did you meet Wanxin?" Lin Wenxi asked, somewhat astounded.
"She comes to the music store often. Not only does she introduces students to us, but she also recommends customers to buy pianos from us. All of the customers have refined tastes, too. We were still confused when she said she"s a good friend of yours and Zhao Yuan"s girlfriend. We couldn"t be any happier to meet her!" Yun Che said, smiling.
Lin Wenxi made a sound of acknowledgment pensively. He then asked, "Is everything good on your end?"
"We"re fine. We"re getting married soon. When the time comes, please attend our wedding!" Yun Che said with a laugh.
"Of course." Lin Wenxi raised his gla.s.s and once again drained it.
When Zhao Yuan had successfully applied to live outside of the campus, tidied his bed, and was about to leave, Lin Wenxi sat there quietly and sadly.
What did he say earlier?
"Believe me. I"m still me."
"You"re still you, so you decided to leave me and move into Chen Wanxin"s gilded nest. And why exactly have you decided to keep this from me?"
When night fell, Zhao Yuan arrived in the home he would be sharing with Chen Wanxin in an intoxicated state. His things were already put in order in every corner of the home with Chen Wanxin"s things. The s.p.a.cious living room had every furniture and appliance they needed. In the middle was a 24-inch LED color television. A glittering chandelier hung over the living room, where the sofas were decorated with a Totoro pillow from Hayao Miyazaki"s animation and a basketball-shaped pillow with two large embroidered eyes.
Zhao Yuan lay on the sofa, his entire being almost sinking into the cushion. Instantly, his backbone sank into the snug, languid feeling and he nearly turned into a pile of mud. Suddenly, he sat upright in alarm.
"Come and soak your feet in hot water." Chen Wanxin carried a basin of water over and gently set it under Zhao Yuan"s feet.
"Go… and get some rest," Zhao Yuan said.
Chen Wanxin didn"t answer him. She began helping him untie his shoelaces.
"You don"t have to do this." When Zhao Yuan hastily reached out to stop her, a softness akin to a waters snake sank into his embrace.
"I"m happy to do it for you," Chen Wanxin said. She leaned over to help him out of his shoes but he swiftly lifted his feet to avoid her hands. "I"m used to lazing around. I"ll just sleep here."
"Do you want me to do it or will you do it yourself?" Chen Wanxin spread her hands and stood up.
Zhao Yuan quietly took off his shoes and socks and then placed his feet in the water inside the wooden basin. The basin automatically detected his feet and began gently shaking. The sawtooth-shaped scrub underneath began sc.r.a.pping the soles of his feet. It was an incredibly satisfying and comfortable sensation.
A pair of lily-white hands reached for his feet and gently wiped his feet and ankle. When Chen Wanxin"s soft hands brushed the back of his feet, Zhao Yuan grabbed her hands in a firm grip. "Wanxin, you don"t have to demean yourself this way!"
"You"re my future husband. How can I not do something like this?" Chen Wanxin flashed him a pretty smile.
Zhao Yuan endured the washing of his feet. After dumping the water from the basin and entering his bedroom, what he saw perplexed him.
His basketball was placed somewhere within reach. The desk was filled with his books. The desk lamp was decorated with a leopard cat-print shade and emanated a gentle but bright light. There was an ab machine, resistance machine, dumbbells, and even a steel bar meant for chin-ups installed on the wall. The furnishing was undoubtedly thoughtful.
Zhao Yuan couldn"t help smiling wryly when he saw the large bed. It was the only bed in the house.
The air-conditioned room was cool and breezy. The lighting fixture set against the navy-painted ceiling was like a glittering gem against the sky. The orange-colored radiance was warm and the decor was charming. The intoxicating desk lamp, wall lamps, and cupboard lamp resembled the moonlight cast on a sea of flowers. Smoke rose from the sea of flowers and an unknown incense smell reached his nose. Even a strong and unyielding young man like Zhao Yuan was. .h.i.t by a drowsy spell. He felt his body become powerless and he wanted nothing more than to dive under the gold-embroidered goose-down silk quilt.
"Yuan…" Chen Wanxin called his name in a low and mellow voice like that of the cry of an oriole. With her graceful movement and bewitching eyes, Zhao Yuan couldn"t help thinking, "Evil spirit from the Silken Web Cave…"
The cotton cape automatically slid off her body, revealing p.r.o.nounced collar bones and an ample chest. Her bewitching and enchanting lips were the color of fire. Zhao Yuan felt the flames within him nearly burn him into a crisp.
A bright-faced Chen Wanxin gently removed her clothing with her fair hands, exposing her delicate and exquisite body. Underneath her seductive and large b.r.e.a.s.t.s, her heartbeat sounded like the tremor of earthquakes and tsunamis.
It was as if she was intoxicated.
She was waiting for her husband to take off the troublesome clothes covering his body, waiting for his muscled and st.u.r.dy arms, waiting for his lower half to give in to the temptation. For now, his body was at least hers.
However, his eyes suddenly flew open and his pupils brightened. He abruptly shoved her aside.
"Hmph! I never promised to sleep with you!"
He moved away from her and walked out of the room with large strides.