After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Drunk

Fang Ziyue lay in bed for over a week. It wasn’t until the doctor performed a full-body examination and confirmed there were no issues that she was finally allowed to get out of bed.

Truth be told, being confined to bed for just one short week made her feel like her limbs were rusted; when she first started moving, her legs didn’t even feel like they belonged to her.

“Wife…”

Embracing the woman reading by the window from behind, Fang Ziyue tenderly kissed the back of her neck. “You’ve worked hard.”

Ling Qiu set down her book, reached back to hold the arms wrapped around her neck, and asked calmly, “In what regard do you mean?”

The sunlight outside was just right, spilling through the window onto the two of them, making Fang Ziyue squint. She buried her head in the crook of Ling Qiu’s neck, nuzzling like a spoiled child as she muttered, “In every regard.”

Setting aside the dark circles her wife had developed from staying up to care for her, the mere fact that this room was so bright made Fang Ziyue’s heart throb. Ling Qiu didn’t like light; her room was usually a place of perpetual twilight with the curtains drawn tight.

“They say sunbathing provides calcium. Back then, because the eldest daughter seized power over the Ling Corporation, Madam Ling bore a grudge. Once, she spoke sarcastically in front of the eldest daughter, saying sunbathing helps with calcium and told her to get more sun—maybe she’d get lucky and her crippled legs would heal.”

The doctor had heard these stories from Uncle Liu. A thorn that had been buried in Ling Qiu’s heart for so many years was now nothing compared to Fang Ziyue’s health.

“Acting spoiled won’t get you out of taking your medicine.” Ling Qiu pinched the soft flesh on Fang Ziyue’s cheek and gave it a wiggle. Her slightly lowered gaze was incredibly gentle.

Spellbound, Fang Ziyue turned her head to kiss the corner of Ling Qiu’s eye, lingering until that patch of smooth skin grew warm and turned red before reluctantly pulling away.

The Head of the House, her eyes reddened by the kiss and a flush creeping up her cheeks, remained motionless, allowing this “big fox” to behave wantonly with her. The cold woman, her eyes now shimmering with a misty veil, felt a trace of bashfulness. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back imperceptibly.

Fine, consider this a reward for Fang Ziyue getting well so quickly.

The silent invitation for a kiss from the person in her arms made Fang Ziyue’s gaze darken. Her aura instantly became predatory and oppressive; she hooked one hand behind Ling Qiu’s neck, pressing her down fiercely.

Like sharp fox teeth prying open the closed shell of a shellfish, the moment she touched the soft sweetness within, the teeth retracted, giving way to a long, passionate kiss.

“Mmm…”

Underestimating the degree of Fang Ziyue’s savage possessiveness, Ling Qiu was forced to tilt her head back, letting out an uncontrollable muffled groan.

Knowledge gained from books is shallow after all. Having flipped through many “reading materials” while Fang Ziyue was recovering, the Head of House now felt a sense of distress as she gripped the clothes on Fang Ziyue’s shoulders.

It was overwhelming… this was completely different from what she had read. Under the onslaught, physiological tears fell from the corners of Ling Qiu’s reddened eyes. Gasping for breath, her clenched knuckles turned white, and her fingertips trembled as if in a spasm.

Realizing the person in her arms was shaking, Fang Ziyue reluctantly ended the aggressive kiss.

The released Head of House slumped into her wheelchair with a flushed face, eyes narrowed and breath shallow, looking remarkably fragile. A teardrop hanging from her smooth, small chin fell as her chest heaved, splashing onto the back of Fang Ziyue’s hand. It felt cool, sparking a sudden urge in Fang Ziyue to kiss away the tear tracks.

Fang Ziyue did exactly that, cupping Ling Qiu’s face to kiss the tears away. Her low, raspy voice was full of doting and pity: “If you’re uncomfortable, just push me away. Silly girl…”

What if she hadn’t noticed Ling Qiu’s discomfort just now?

The “lectured” woman raised her eyes slightly, a trace of a smile touching her swollen lips, but she didn’t speak to refute her. That look of total joy and indulgence made Fang Ziyue’s heart feel both sour and sweet.

Ling Qiu was always like this; whether in reality or in these small worlds, once she decided on someone, she would give herself to them without reservation. There wasn’t a single shred of holding back.

“What am I going to do with you, Ling Qiu-qiu~” Fang Ziyue, her eyes stinging, buried herself in Ling Qiu’s lap, acting spoiled. “You’re going to ruin me with all this pampering.”

Having recovered her composure, Ling Qiu reached out to ruffe the “fox’s fur” and laughed softly, “That doesn’t matter.” She had enough capability to provide for Fang Ziyue; even if she spoiled her rotten, it was fine.

Sigh…

Clinging to her wife, Fang Ziyue sighed inwardly. She knew it; when it came to pampering her, her wife had no bottom line. If she were to sell her wife one day, her wife would probably stay and help her count the money.

The person who had gotten the better end of the deal was eventually pulled away by work. She had been lying down for so many days and didn’t know how Qu Haoyu and Ling Nianyao were doing. She hoped they had been productive and swallowed up more resources while she was sick. That way, when she suppressed Qu Haoyu and snatched them away, the blow would hurt him even more.

Whatever resources you ate, you have to spit out double it’s only fair.

“Hmm? Ling Nianyao is dead?” After hearing the assistant’s report, Fang Ziyue was somewhat surprised. One didn’t need to guess to know Ling Qiu had made a move, but she hadn’t expected Ling Nianyao to die so easily.

“What about Qu Haoyu?”

Fang Ziyue tapped her fingers on the desk. Even if Qu Haoyu had killed many people, with “Fate” helping him, Ling Qiu couldn’t simply have him imprisoned. But she was different. Just as her wife had secretly tested her, Fang Ziyue had also conducted several tests and concluded that as an outsider, she was the key to breaking the deadlock.

“He’s gone mad, but Head Ling found the best doctors to treat him,” the assistant’s fingers twitched. Truth be told, the Head of the Ling family was a ruthless one. She didn’t let him stay mad, but she didn’t allow the doctors to fully cure him either.

Under the intervention of the people Ling Qiu sent, Qu Haoyu would spend his madness swearing at Ling Nianyao, but when he was lucid, those people would pin him down and force him to watch his empire being devoured by the other heirs. Ling Qiu was telling him in a roundabout way that his piddling resources weren’t even worthy of her notice.

Watching the resources he had schemed for over ten years be snatched away by the heirs he despised most how could he not collapse?

“He’s spending more time insane now, but he’s still ‘savable’.”

In the words of the Head of House, letting him truly go mad was too easy on him. The innocent lives lost at his hands were still crying out for justice; what right did he have to just escape into madness?

After handling the company’s affairs, Fang Ziyue discussed with Ling Qiu when she returned: “Let me handle the rest.” As the “deadlock breaker,” Fang Ziyue had to personally step onto the field to ensure Qu Haoyu was crushed beyond recovery.

Ling Qiu nodded upon hearing this. That had been her intention all along.

“Alright, business talk over. Let’s talk about our private affairs.” Switching from her serious work tone, Fang Ziyue asked her wife with a grin, “My dear Head of House, shouldn’t you give me a formal status?~”

They had held hands and kissed; she deserved an extra title.

Ling Qiu paused. She was certain the fox tail behind Fang Ziyue was wagging so fast it was about to take flight. Suddenly feeling the urge to tease the fox, she pressed a slender white finger to her lips and feigned ignorance: “How is it I remember that I was the one being taken advantage of?”

“Eh? Eh?” The big fox was dumbfounded. No, her wife had taken the initiative to ask for that kiss; it was clearly a mutual interaction. How did it turn into her taking advantage in the blink of an eye?!

“Wait…” Fang Ziyue grew anxious; her wife was trying to shirk responsibility. She dropped the clingy, negotiating tone and became sharp and cold.

Fang Ziyue pressed both hands onto the armrests of the wheelchair, imprisoning the woman in the narrow space. She gritted her teeth fiercely: “Ling Qiu-qiu, you’re playing games now, aren’t you?”

Daring to play dumb? The intimidating woman looked down at her Head of House, her wolf-like gaze suggesting she might swallow her whole.

The Head of House, being stared down by the person over her, didn’t panic at all. She propped her cheek on one hand, tilted her head, and looked up lazily. “I’m hungry.”

“F—”

F*ck!

Fang Ziyue swallowed the curse. Helplessly, she transformed from a wild wolf into a pouting Husky. “I’ll go cook…”

Listen to that resentful tone, and look at those mournful little eyes glancing back every three steps. Ling Qiu couldn’t help but laugh, waving her hand as she replied, “Depends on your performance.”

Fang Ziyue’s spirit was instantly revived. If her wife said that, she was going to go all out! The overjoyed woman took over the kitchen, refusing help from anyone else.

In the previous world, because Ling Qiu liked watching TV dramas and movies, Fang Ziyue remembered the concept of a candlelit dinner very clearly. She picked out the most vivid rose and hid a ring inside the petals. As for why she didn’t hide it in the wine or the food like on TV? Honestly, she felt that would ruin her wife’s appetite and was a safety hazard. What if she swallowed it? The mental image was too much.

Ling Qiu, having a vague inkling, sat by the window absentmindedly flipping through her book. She was… quite looking forward to it. Looking forward to the surprise the other was giving her. Her pinkish fingertips lightly rubbed her earlobe. On it was a red gemstone butterfly earring exquisite, vivid, and lifelike which made Ling Qiu look quite spirited.

This was a gift from Fang Ziyue. A sweet smile touched Ling Qiu’s lips. Even though Fang Ziyue hadn’t told her the meaning behind the design, Ling Qiu knew the other woman wanted her to live a lighter life. Not bound by trivialities, not trapped by a false world. Then she would do as requested.

The clock ticked on. From outside the quiet door came Fang Ziyue’s voice, full of anticipation and mirth: “Head of House, your surprise has arrived!”

Ling Qiu, infected by her mood, couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile. This fox really knew how to put on a show.

When the door opened, a slender hand quickly reached in to turn off the lights. In the pitch blackness, Ling Qiu could only see the flickering candlelight and Fang Ziyue’s faint smile. It was quite charming; Ling Qiu felt a sweetness in her heart.

Fang Ziyue set out the dinner and gallantly invited Ling Qiu to be seated. The atmosphere was warm and ambiguous. When Ling Qiu discovered the ring, her fingertips trembled, and her eyes held a joy she couldn’t hide.

Ling Qiu, whose heart had finally been stirred after twenty-odd years, opened her palm and presented the ring to Fang Ziyue. She covered her lips with one hand, her watery eyes full of shyness. She was immensely grateful the candlelight was dim, so Fang Ziyue couldn’t see her face, which was flushed red and practically burning. Even as the Head of the Ling family, when facing a confession and proposal from her beloved, she was like a girl experiencing her first love full of joy and expectation.

Who would have thought that after holding her hand out for a long time, the woman who was burying her head in her drink to gain “liquid courage” would have no reaction at all.

Ling Qiu’s smile stiffened. She stretched her hand further forward. The meaning was obvious enough she was practically telling the other to put it on her.

To her surprise, while Ling Qiu waited with a pounding heart, she suddenly heard the other woman say: “Right? It looks good, doesn’t it? Am I not way better than that idiot Qu Haoyu?”

The woman, completely wasted, laughed triumphantly with zero survival instinct, her fox tail wagging like a propeller. “He doesn’t even know how to woo people! Ling Qiu-qiu. Look at me, okay?”

She was much better than Qu Haoyu; her wife should hurry up and dissolve the engagement with that moron!

“Okay.”

Ling Qiu’s fist, which she was clenching until it cracked, was itching for action. With a dark face, she gritted her teeth: “Okay my foot!”

“Fang Ziyue, you idiot! Get out and stay a bachelor for the rest of your life!”

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