Chapter 7: I Will Drink If You Feed Me

Xianyu’s chest ached dull and deep; recalling the words Du Ruanruan had said to her, her nose prickled with emotion. Because her eyes were reddened and her makeup flawless, Liang Youjia noticed nothing at all.

“Mm, it’s as magnificent as the end of the world,” she murmured.

“That’s an interesting way to put it,” he replied, not sensing the deeper meaning behind her words.

Leaning close to her ear, his breath warm and voice husky with desire, Liang Youjia whispered, “Then in a few days, you’ll make it up to me.”

Tears glistening in her eyes, Xianyu answered softly, “Alright.”

But in her heart, a sorrowful thought lingered—Du Ruanruan was pregnant.

Perhaps his desires, left unspent, could only find release with her.

Still, she felt grateful to Liang Youjia for understanding her at such a time.

Even without consummating anything, he held her in his arms as they admired the sunset.

Liang Youjia embraced her tightly from behind, their faces pressed close. His grip was so firm it made her chest ache.

She bore it obediently until his low murmur brushed her ear, “Have you lost a lot of weight recently?”

Xianyu paused.

Indeed, she was thinner. After the procedure, she hadn’t stepped on a scale, but she was certain she’d lost five or six pounds.

She pressed her lips together. “Maybe it’s from the fever.”

“I’ll have the kitchen here prepare a nourishing tonic soup just for you,” he promised.

Xianyu wrinkled her nose, her pure and innocent almond-shaped eyes like a gentle little white rabbit, entirely without offense.

“Will it taste bad?”

“With some seasoning, it’s very fragrant. You can drink a whole big bowl.”

Liang Youjia never imagined he would stoop to coaxing a delicate girl to drink soup in such a humble tone.

Xianyu, wary of bitter things, eyed him skeptically and bargained, “Then you have to drink it with me.”

“No problem,” Liang Youjia agreed without hesitation.

She was a picky eater, often suffering from stomach troubles when traveling. He always sought out fellow countrymen wherever they went, just to make sure she wouldn’t go hungry.

Perhaps remembering this, Xianyu burrowed her head into the blanket, mumbling softly.

He went on describing many interesting local sights, and as she listened, her eyes closed and her breathing steadied.

Liang Youjia waited for her response but was met only by her peaceful slumber.

He sighed in frustration and gently bit her lover’s red lips. “I’m still full of energy, yet you sleep so soundly.”

Glancing down at himself, he exhaled deeply and went to take a cold shower.

Hearing his departure, Xianyu suddenly opened her eyes, tears slipping down to her temples.

When Liang Youjia came out again, she was still fast asleep.

That evening at eight, he brought a bowl of his mother’s pork trotter soup—milky and fragrant, its rich aroma whetting the appetite.

Calling her several times, Xianyu clung to his arm, nuzzling against him with dependence. “I don’t want to drink it.”

“If you don’t eat at night, you’ll get stomach problems.”

Xianyu looked up at him, her catlike eyes rolling playfully. “I’ve never heard that.”

“I’ve only heard skipping breakfast causes stomach issues; dinner isn’t quite that serious.”

Liang Youjia gritted his teeth and pinched her tender, dewy cheek.

“Shut up. Are you going to drink it or not?”

Obediently, Xianyu stuck out her tongue. “I’ll drink it if you feed me.”

“Come here.” Liang Youjia truly pampered her like a daughter.

Xianyu sipped the pork trotter soup, her eyes stinging with emotion.

“Does it taste gamey?” he asked, watching her expression closely.

“No, it’s delicious,” she smiled sweetly, revealing two sharp little tiger teeth.

They split the last bowl of soup evenly.

Xianyu gazed earnestly at his face.

Only in this moment did Liang Youjia truly belong to her.

He was gentle and adorable, handsome and gentlemanly.

With sharply defined features, deep eyes, perfectly shaped lips, and a high, proud nose,

he was no model’s face, but every part was etched into her heart.

He was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

With every encounter, her love for him grew stronger.

As time passed, her passion for him burned ever brighter.

But Liang Youjia must have been nearing the edge of his patience with her by now.

Perhaps because there were only a few days left, he still coaxed her patiently—trying to lower her guard before delivering a final, fatal blow.

In the middle of the night, Xianyu awoke to find his side of the bed empty.

The suite was vast; barefoot, she searched every room but could find no trace of him.