HomeWu Li QingWu Li Qing - Chapter 43

Wu Li Qing – Chapter 43

Going to the supermarket together wasn’t exactly the first time.

It was just that the memory from last time was perhaps too distant.

As the older brother, Meng Fuyuan had many moments where he couldn’t help himself. Sometimes parents, wanting to have their own fun, would often entrust the two young children to him.

It should have been when Chen Qingwu and Meng Qiran were seven years old. The two were in Meng Qiran’s room imitating martial arts dramas from TV shows. During the final “showdown at the Forbidden City summit,” Meng Qiran didn’t control his strength well and Chen Qingwu’s nose bridge took an elbow strike, immediately bleeding profusely.

Meng Fuyuan hadn’t expected that in the short time he went downstairs to get a drink, something could go wrong. He immediately had Chen Qingwu tilt her head slightly back, instructed Meng Qiran to prepare cotton and an ice pack, and pinched her nostrils himself to stop the bleeding.

At that time, blood stained her clothing. She kept her head lowered obediently without moving, and in a muffled voice, still asked him not to tell the adults later that Qiran had bumped her, otherwise Qiran would get scolded again.

Later when the bleeding stopped, Meng Qiran carelessly watched cartoons, while Chen Qingwu remained somewhat listless. He guessed she might have been frightened, afraid that if the bleeding didn’t stop, she’d have to be sent to the hospital again, making her parents worry.

So he walked over, patted her head, and said he’d take her home to change clothes while the parents weren’t paying attention.

Her eyes immediately lit up.

Later they went to the Chen house to change clothes, then took her and Qiran to the supermarket, wanting to let her pick some snacks she liked.

The Chen parents were very strict about her eating snacks, mainly afraid that eating too many different things would upset her stomach. She herself was very conscious about it too. She lingered repeatedly in front of the chip shelves, but in the end didn’t reach out, only picked up a box of blueberries in the fresh produce section.

At this moment, Meng Fuyuan pushed the shopping cart while Chen Qingwu held his arm, reminiscing: “Did you used to think Qiran and I were quite annoying?”

“Yes.”

Chen Qingwu laughed: “Couldn’t you be a bit more tactful?”

Meng Fuyuan then corrected his wording: “You were okay. Qiran was more annoying.”

“I used to sincerely hope you were my real older brother.”

“Good thing your hope didn’t come true.” Meng Fuyuan glanced at her, “If I had become your real brother, you probably would have sincerely found me annoying too.”

“Mm.” Chen Qingwu nodded, as if deeply agreeing, “It’s indeed better that you’re not my real brother, but the reason isn’t what you said.”

Meng Fuyuan understood her subtext almost instantly.

Chen Qingwu noticed Meng Fuyuan’s steps pause slightly and immediately turned to look, “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh?” She smiled cunningly, “You couldn’t be thinking that no real siblings would be like us…”

Her words were covered by Meng Fuyuan’s raised hand.

Chen Qingwu’s laughter sprayed into his palm, almost immediately making him recall that “Yuan-gege” covered by his hand on the bed.

He hadn’t worn glasses when going out today, but that didn’t prevent him from arming his expression with impeccable seriousness and coldness that would absolutely not arouse outsiders’ suspicion.

Except for Chen Qingwu.

Watching him, she only laughed more happily.

She seemed to be doing it deliberately—wanting to see him lose control, see him stained by desire, see him fall from the pedestal, willingly prostrating at her knees.

Chen Qingwu pulled down Meng Fuyuan’s hand, held it, and changed to an interlocked fingers position.

Meng Fuyuan touched the tail ring on her ring finger. After pushing it to the base of her finger it wouldn’t fall off, but it was still a bit loose.

Perhaps giving her a new one would be more appropriate.

As soon as this thought emerged, he banished it, afraid of scaring her.

While talking, they had already reached the snack section.

Chen Qingwu’s gaze swept over the shelves displaying chips. Meng Fuyuan reached out, took two bags of original flavor, and tossed them into the shopping cart.

Chen Qingwu remembered that last time when watching movies at Meng Fuyuan’s place, the chips he brought out were also original flavor, and knew this was definitely not a coincidence.

“…How do you even know what flavor chips I like?”

“If you observe with care, you can know anything.”

“Then what else do you know?”

“Favorite flowers, coat brand, singers, authors, ceramic artists. Height, weight, shoe size…” Meng Fuyuan’s tone was calm, but there was an obvious pause at this point.

Chen Qingwu naturally caught it and asked with a smile: “What did you omit?”

“Nothing.”

“Even if you don’t say it, I can guess.” Chen Qingwu tilted her head to look at him, made a show of thinking seriously, then mouthed a word.

Seeing Meng Fuyuan’s expression become uncomfortable, Chen Qingwu knew she had guessed correctly and asked with a laugh: “Did you just find out yesterday?”

Meng Fuyuan couldn’t withstand it, “Must you force me to admit it?”

“Yes. Once you admit it, I’ll let you go.”

Meng Fuyuan had no choice but to say: “Yes. I just found out yesterday.”

Chen Qingwu couldn’t help but smile.

He liked watching her smile, so even though these were words he would normally never say aloud, he was still willing to cooperate.

Tomorrow would be New Year’s Eve. The two decided to make their own reunion dinner at home, so they bought some chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as well as semi-prepared shrimp and crab.

Meng Fuyuan pushed the cart while Chen Qingwu threw anything she liked into it. The plan to “buy just a little” from when they set out had long been forgotten completely.

When they pushed it to the checkout area, Chen Qingwu looked at the fully loaded shopping cart and asked: “Why didn’t you stop me at all?”

“Stop you from what? You’ve finally grown to an age where you can eat whatever you want.” He paused and added a sentence for precision, “Except nuts, of course.”

Chen Qingwu blinked, “You’re so good, Yuan-gege.”

“…” Meng Fuyuan’s face tensed, “You need to change that way of addressing me immediately.”

As the two passed by the shelves near the checkout area, they paused slightly.

Meng Fuyuan swept a glance over, expressionlessly took a box and tossed it into the shopping cart. Looking up, meeting Chen Qingwu’s expression barely suppressing laughter, he couldn’t help reaching out, pulling up the hood of her down jacket and putting it on her head, taking the opportunity to ruffle it.

“Hey…”

By the time Chen Qingwu removed the hood, he had already pushed the shopping cart into the checkout lane.

After paying, Meng Fuyuan pushed the cart to the mall’s underground parking garage and loaded the items into the trunk.

Chen Qingwu suddenly remembered something, “I almost forgot…”

Meng Fuyuan looked at Chen Qingwu, “What’s wrong?”

“My car is still at home.”

“I’ll go back in a few days and drive it over for you.”

“Go back for what?” Chen Qingwu was curious.

“…To fulfill a vow?”

“Huh?”

Meng Fuyuan was very reluctant to admit that sometimes mysticism really had its mysteries, “…Last year during Spring Festival when we went to the temple to offer incense together, remember? I accidentally drew a fortune stick.”

“Oh, I remember. You didn’t show us what the fortune said. What did it say?”

“…The red phoenix star is stirring.” Meng Fuyuan’s tone was very reluctant.

Chen Qingwu laughed mercilessly, because she felt these four characters coming from Meng Fuyuan’s mouth were particularly incongruous, “You believe in this?”

“As long as it brings you and me together, I can believe in anything.”

“Then you should believe in yourself. I chose you because of you, not because of anything else.” Chen Qingwu said seriously.

They didn’t get up until two in the afternoon today. Lunch was hastily settled on the basement level of the mall.

At this moment, it wasn’t too far from dinner time, so they went to the bakery and flower shop to pick out some desserts and fresh cut flowers.

Sometimes one couldn’t help but sigh at how rapidly the times had developed. When they were children, most shops were already closed the night before New Year’s Eve. It wasn’t as convenient as now.

After eating dinner, the two returned to the apartment.

They put the purchased supplies into the refrigerator, and after processing the fresh cut flowers, inserted them into vases.

It seemed not much time had passed, yet looking at the clock it was already past nine.

“I’ll shower first.” Chen Qingwu took out her phone to photograph the pale purple lisianthus in the vase, then said.

She knew there was a kind of feigned calm in her voice.

Meng Fuyuan nodded and said okay. His voice was even more bland.

After Chen Qingwu finished showering and changed into pajamas, she walked out of the bathroom door to see the balcony door connected to the master bedroom was open. Meng Fuyuan was leaning against the balcony railing smoking.

Chen Qingwu walked over. Meng Fuyuan heard the sound and turned back, immediately stubbing out the cigarette. He took her hand and pulled her into his arms, “It’s cold outside, put on a coat before coming out.”

The lights in the darkness showed a kind of clean brightness, seeming a bit prettier than the East City in her memory.

The air was sharp, but having just showered, her body was still warm, so she didn’t feel cold.

Meng Fuyuan was still afraid she’d catch cold. He turned to go inside, found a long thick bathrobe from the closet, and wrapped her entirely in it.

“Look for a bit then come inside. The wind is strong outside, easy to catch cold. I’ll go shower first.”

Chen Qingwu nodded.

After Meng Fuyuan showered and changed into black silk pajamas, he glanced toward the balcony and saw Chen Qingwu still leaning there.

He walked to her side, reached out and pressed down on top of her head, “Why aren’t you obedient?”

“It’s okay, I’m not cold.” Chen Qingwu said with a smile, “The night view is so beautiful. It would be great to have some beer.”

Hearing this, Meng Fuyuan was about to walk out.

Chen Qingwu quickly grabbed his arm, “I was just saying. After drinking I’d have to brush my teeth again, too troublesome.”

Her hand was indeed warm. Meng Fuyuan relaxed a bit. Seeing she didn’t seem to want to go in anytime soon, he kept her company.

The night was so quiet. A faint horn sound seemed empty and distant, like a wanderer’s thread of homesickness.

Holidays always endow people with more emotions.

It was quiet for a long time.

“Meng Fuyuan.” Chen Qingwu suddenly spoke.

“Mm?” Meng Fuyuan lowered his head to the side.

“Do you remember, before you asked me what prompted me to decide to give up on Qiran? At that time I said my affection was wasted water. That was just the fundamental reason. The last straw was…”

Chen Qingwu suddenly raised her head, looking up at him, “…he wasn’t willing to kiss me.”

“Is that so.” Meng Fuyuan heard his own voice extremely calm. He reached out, gripped her wrist, and pulled her into his arms, “I can’t understand. Because every moment I want to…”

Before he could finish speaking, he raised his hand to cup the side of her face and lowered his head. His tongue directly invaded, entangling in a kiss. Their beginning seemed to have no such thing as gentle winds and soft rain.

Chen Qingwu swallowed, stood on tiptoe, pressing herself toward Meng Fuyuan.

Her heart was like beating drums. She had the illusion of falling, so she could only extend her arms, tightly embracing the back of his neck.

“Qingwu…” Meng Fuyuan spoke in the gap between breaths, his voice low and brief, “…I’m afraid you’ll think it’s too fast.”

Chen Qingwu shook her head.

It seemed there was no other way besides this to express the emotions at this moment that were too complex to analyze clearly. They were so turbulent they would burst through her heart the next instant.

Meng Fuyuan then without hesitation bent slightly, his arm going around the back of her knees, directly lifting her up horizontally.

Walking indoors, he closed the balcony door, then freed one hand to pull the blackout curtain.

Chen Qingwu fell into a patch of deep gray, opening her eyes to see Meng Fuyuan’s profound eyes.

With just one look at each other, he lowered his head and kissed her again.

Warm breath moved from her lips to behind her ear, then meandered down along the skin of her neck. At the same time, the slightly cool touch like frost on his fingers sank deeply into a kind of softness and heat. Not knowing who was melting whom.

Chen Qingwu opened her somewhat hazy eyes.

She liked the bedroom lamp—it was a kind of pounded pale yellow, moonlight in dreams. It illuminated Meng Fuyuan with a heart-stopping elegance. Even though a dark fire was already burning faintly in his eyes, his expression still appeared extremely stern. This contrast was simply mesmerizing.

In the deep kiss, Chen Qingwu raised her hand, her finger hooking the tie of that black robe. She looked straight into Meng Fuyuan’s eyes, pulled it loose, and while brushing off the robe with her hand, she sat up straight herself and hugged him tightly.

That sensation had no barrier whatsoever.

Meng Fuyuan trembled.

Chen Qingwu raised her head to kiss his Adam’s apple, feeling it roll up and down in that instant.

However, the next moment, Meng Fuyuan pressed her shoulders and leaned down to cover her. His head sought downward, settling at her chest.

His fingertips wandered, like wind brushing across a still lake surface, creating ripples that spread in layers.

He repeated the morning’s actions, only more slowly, more patiently.

When she was small, playing in the mountains, walking not far along the mountain path, there was a square stone pool covered with moss, its original appearance long obscured.

After rain in the mountains, she crouched there to wash her hands. The full pool immediately overflowed, soaking through the moss. When wind brushed through the forest, the air carried a green, wet scent.

This tranquility, while brewing a greater storm, also dissolved Chen Qingwu’s patience.

She reached out to hold Meng Fuyuan’s head, “Meng Fuyuan…”

“Mm…?”

“It’s okay now…”

“Are you sure?” Meng Fuyuan’s voice was darkly hoarse, as if he’d swallowed a handful of rough sand.

“Mm…”

Meng Fuyuan hesitated no more.

Chen Qingwu’s arms wrapped around his shoulders. In that instant she almost instinctively pinched the skin of his shoulder and neck.

Meng Fuyuan immediately paused, lowering his head to kiss her with unprecedented tenderness.

Chen Qingwu took a shallow breath. Even though she had made full mental preparation, adapting was still far more difficult than she thought. After quite a while, she softly told him to continue. And Meng Fuyuan kept his head lowered watching her expression, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his forehead. Any time she frowned even slightly, he would immediately stop.

Chen Qingwu found this prolonged process somewhat unbearable, so she closed her eyes and simply took the initiative to meet him, accepting everything in one go.

Meng Fuyuan’s brow jumped sharply, “Qingwu…”

Chen Qingwu said nothing, her chin resting on his shoulder, trembling lightly.

Meng Fuyuan couldn’t describe his feelings at this moment. His first reaction was to lower his head to kiss her forehead, then find her eyes.

Glistening wet, like a misty morning.

For a long time, he had coldly observed his surroundings, and observed himself as well.

He knew clearly he wasn’t that noble. It was just that Chen Qingwu’s happiness was always in the first position of his considerations. If the person who could give her happiness was Meng Qiran, he would bless her and Meng Qiran; if it was someone else, he could also bless her with that other person.

With this mentality, he had never even fantasized that person could be himself.

And at this moment, she had accepted him certainly, unquestionably, and without reservation. That significance was not merely that all his unrequited love had found a destination, but that in this turbid world of red dust, she had granted him a place to belong.

“Qingwu…”

Chen Qingwu only felt this single utterance contained myriad emotions. Just as she was about to turn her head, he immediately lowered his head and buried it in her shoulder and neck, avoiding her gaze, breathing heavily as he said, “…Don’t look at me, Qingwu.”

Chen Qingwu then said nothing more.

She could resonate with his emotions, and thus at this moment, she too had the impulse to cry.

After a long while like this, Meng Fuyuan slowly turned his head, a kiss falling on the corner of her mouth. Pausing for an instant, he then heavily kissed her, that momentum inevitably carrying a bit of fierceness.

From then on, it was like fierce winds and sudden rain.

She seemed to be falling toward the deepest part of an abyss, constantly losing while constantly gaining.

“Qingwu…”

Chen Qingwu opened her mist-filled eyes and looked at Meng Fuyuan.

He was seriously gazing at her, just as all these years when she met his eyes.

He said something, but Chen Qingwu didn’t hear clearly, so she asked again.

Meng Fuyuan lowered his head, his low voice falling by her ear.

“I love you.”

The passionate musical movement’s rhythm gradually intensified, playing to the last line, the rest falling, the air still holding faintly trembling notes.

Chen Qingwu was held tightly in Meng Fuyuan’s arms.

Her thoughts were blank for a long period before she felt consciousness, heartbeat, and breathing slowly return.

Like surfacing from the bottom of a lake, instinctively breathing oxygen in large gulps.

“Meng…” Chen Qingwu opened her mouth but found her voice hoarse, nearly unable to make a sound.

Meng Fuyuan leaned close, his palm brushing over her forehead, smoothing the hair dampened by sweat, asking her, “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head.

Meng Fuyuan understood she might just simply want to call his name.

He extended his arm to take the thin blanket nearby, wrapped her in it, then held her close.

She opened her slightly reddened eyes, glanced at him, then looked away.

Meng Fuyuan laughed softly.

Their heartbeats gradually calmed, yet the air still held a somewhat turbid scent.

Chen Qingwu suddenly spoke: “I still want beer.”

Meng Fuyuan immediately reached for his pajamas to put on.

Just as he was about to stand up, he heard rustling behind him. The next moment, Chen Qingwu leaned onto his shoulder from behind.

Meng Fuyuan immediately stopped moving.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her forehead resting on his shoulder, her fallen breath warm like a small wisp of hazy mist circling in a valley.

“I love you too.”

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