After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Companionship

When they arrived at the date location, Ling Qiu was very happy. The meticulously decorated venue and the abundant, delicious meal were enough to show how much the other person valued this date.

“I give you… ninety-nine points.” Ling Qiu tightened her arms around Fang Ziyue’s neck and dropped a kiss on her lips. Ling Qiu carried a scent of cold fragrance, and the touch of her kiss was as soft and cool as jelly.

Unable to restrain herself, Fang Ziyue deepened the kiss. Ling Qiu braced herself, trying not to flee from this highly aggressive offensive. Fortunately, Fang Ziyue knew her limits; she kissed her wife’s red lips until they were slightly swollen before letting her go.

Fang Ziyue had placed another soft cushion on the apricot-colored chair. Unlike her, Ling Qiu could not move; if the chair was too hard, she would be uncomfortable sitting. Ling Qiu felt the cushion and was in a good mood; the other woman never made a mistake in such detailed matters. This was also one of the reasons why she was moved.

“Eat first, or it will get cold in a while.” Having woken up so early, there was no way her wife had eaten. Indeed, Ling Qiu felt the emptiness in her stomach and did not feel dissatisfied just because the first thing mentioned on their date was food. On the contrary, as long as the other person cared about her and wanted the best for her, she was happy. This bottom line could be said to have dropped very low.

Ling Qiu put a small piece of blueberry cake into her mouth; the sweet, soft texture was wonderful. Paired with the aloe juice on the side, it perfectly washed away the concentrated sweetness, ensuring she wouldn’t feel sick from eating too many pieces of cake. The smile on Ling Qiu’s lips grew stronger; the other woman was still so good at taking care of people.

During the meal, the two talked about various life issues from time to time. Finally, Fang Ziyue even pulled a large bouquet of roses from under the table to give to Ling Qiu. Ling Qiu carefully inspected every flower, confirming there was no ring inside. So… she began to get curious about exactly how the other person intended to put a ring on her finger.

“Wife, you are very beautiful today.” Fang Ziyue’s fingertips tentatively touched Ling Qiu’s hand on the table. She hadn’t expected her wife to wear this mermaid skirt; logically, it should have been her worst-remembered dress, as the “champagne tower incident” happened while she was wearing it.

But now, Fang Ziyue suddenly felt that Ling Qiu had completely entrusted her very self to her. Because Fang Ziyue was by her side, she could feel at ease wearing those burdensome, magnificent dresses. Because the other was there, she could wantonly cast aside the wheelchair, unafraid of being abandoned. Fang Ziyue felt a weight on her shoulders at this moment not an unbearable burden, but the pleasure of being needed. It was a beautiful sense of responsibility.

“You are also very pretty today, like a blue star from the universe, drawing everyone’s attention.” Ling Qiu curved her eyes and raised her glass, praising her without stint. Fang Ziyue’s face turned red from her wife’s praise; she couldn’t help but cover her mouth and cough twice. It was too much her wife was too good at praising people!

Seeing the tall, dashing woman opposite her about to go up in smoke, Ling Qiu couldn’t help but shake her head with a light laugh, kindly letting her off the hook. “So, what arrangements do we have next?”

They couldn’t spend the whole day eating, but given how remote this manor was, it was unlikely they would go back out today.

Given the opening Ling Qiu provided, Fang Ziyue breathed a sigh of relief. She stood up to hold Ling Qiu, her low, magnetic voice stroking Ling Qiu’s nerves like a feather. “Wife, could you close your eyes first?”

“Mhm.” Ling Qiu responded, obediently closing her eyes. Fang Ziyue was the one leading today, and she would cooperate fully.

The soft, flat grass felt gentle underfoot, and Ling Qiu felt no jolting in Fang Ziyue’s arms. But the journey was long. With her eyes closed, Ling Qiu felt the surrounding air gradually fill with the scent of flowers and the sound of flowing water perhaps a fountain?

Before Ling Qiu could guess further, the person carrying her suddenly stopped and placed her on a soft seat.

“Can I open my eyes?” There seemed to be green plants nearby; Ling Qiu accidentally touched a leaf.

“Wait a little longer, darling, it’ll be ready in a moment.”

In the darkness, the woman kissed Ling Qiu’s forehead, and then Ling Qiu felt her leave. Her curiosity grew even stronger; if she hadn’t promised, she really would have peeked.

A few steps behind Ling Qiu, Fang Ziyue changed into long-prepared clothes. She loosened the tie she had accidentally jerked too tight, feeling a bit nervous. Truly, she hoped her wife would like the surprise.

“Beautiful lady, you may open your eyes now.” A familiar voice, but an unfamiliar tone.

Ling Qiu tentatively opened her eyes to a dim environment, allowing her eyes which had been closed for a long time to adapt quickly. Very thoughtful; she even thought of such a detail. Ling Qiu marveled in her heart; it was no wonder she couldn’t resist such an offensive.

The woman, dressed in a butler’s uniform, wore gold-rimmed non-prescription glasses. A long gold chain hung down, and the pearl at the end swayed slightly with her movements, striking Ling Qiu’s heart with every beat.

“Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of guiding your way?” The upright butler bowed, waiting for a response. Ling Qiu’s heart rate accelerated at the other’s polished courtesy, and the corners of her eyes flushed red. She reached out her right hand, placing it on the palm of the white-gloved hand, letting Fang Ziyue lift her with strength.

They passed through the botanical garden and reached the interior of the manor as the light gradually brightened. This place was… an amusement park?

Ling Qiu’s beautiful eyes widened slightly, her arms tightening around Fang Ziyue, her fingertips curling uncontrollably. Who would have thought that a woman nearing thirty had a dream of going to an amusement park in her heart?

Speaking of which, although she was very pampered before the age of twelve, she had never stepped foot outside the Ling house. What she learned was the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, how to serve a husband, and how to be gentle and submissive. Although she hated those things back then, to avoid saddening the parents who were so good to her, she was forced to get full marks in every “course.” Only then would she receive her parents’ praise.

Thinking back now, it was a good thing Qu Haoyu and Ling Nianyao did those things that displeased her, causing her to stubbornly reject the engagement. Although the result was losing her legs, at the very least, she became a free person with her own thoughts. She wouldn’t become Qu Haoyu’s pet, kneeling to lick his boots like a dog every day.

Ling Qiu pointed to an ice cream stand nearest to them and said in a crisp voice, “Wifey, I want to eat that!”

It was as if by arriving at the amusement park, her whole person had turned into a child. Childishly willful, casting aside her burdens, she was not the Head of the Ling family right now, but just a young girl brought to the park by her lover.

Young…

“Ahem…” Fang Ziyue, whose face almost turned red and whose hands almost shook enough to drop the person after being called “Wifey,” let out a low cough and said solemnly, “Madam, I am merely the manager of this amusement park, responsible for guiding your visit. I am not your lover.”

Hearing her say this, Ling Qiu felt like teasing her. Who doesn’t like to toy with a stiff, upright butler?

Ling Qiu’s slender finger hooked the other’s necktie, tracing past the bow to slide onto her fair cheek, stroking the soft yet distinct contours of her face. The woman, with eyes like silk, pressed her fingertip against the other’s nose. Her red lips curled as she breathed out like orchids: “Then, my dear little butler, where is my lover hiding?”

Since the other wanted to play roleplay, she didn’t mind playing along to her heart’s content.

Fang Ziyue, teased until her lower abdomen felt weak and her nose was sweating, found it difficult to look away. Swallowing the dryness in her throat, she said with a stiff face, “Your lover is waiting for you at the end of the amusement park. But you can only unlock the final secret base after successfully passing all the game levels.”

Oh? Very mysterious indeed.

Ling Qiu narrowed her eyes and raised her chin, her exquisite features filled with excitement and joy. “Then what is the first level?”

“Tasting ice cream.” Fang Ziyue carried her to the ice cream stand and set her down. “Which one do you want to eat?”

Strawberry, blueberry, yogurt, chocolate… but her wife’s favorite was still yogurt.

“Yogurt and blueberry.” Ling Qiu rested her chin on her hand and teased, “You forgot the honorifics, little butler. You fail in this regard.”

Caught off guard, Fang Ziyue was annoyed. Tsk, she was so focused on which flavor her wife wanted that she forgot she was supposed to be a butler.

The “big fox” who had been exposed petty-mindedly reduced the amount of ice cream. When she handed it to Ling Qiu, she claimed: “Madam, your lover told me that you cannot eat too much cold food.” So, there was only this much, hump hump hump.

Ling Qiu looked down at the two ice cream scoops the size of a fingernail… er, ice cream pills? She couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth; this big fox was incredibly petty.

But as the saying goes, “soldiers come, water covers.” She held up the small porcelain dish and said regretfully, “Then there’s no way. I was originally planning to reward you with the other blueberry-flavored scoop…” The long, drawn-out tone and the slightly knitted brow tugged at Fang Ziyue’s heart.

Damn! I’m completely no match for my wife!

The woman, nearly biting a handkerchief and sobbing, watched as Ling Qiu ate the two ice cream pills herself, not leaving a single one for her not. a. single. one! The petty woman who had dug a pit for herself reflected deeply; she would definitely never do such a stupid thing again!

Setting off again, the two went to the carousel. When Ling Qiu sat on it, her face turned beet red. Al-although she had always wanted to play in an amusement park… when she actually sat on the carousel, the serious and calm Head of the Ling family couldn’t help but turn her head to lean against the railing, hiding her face behind her smooth long hair. Too embarrassing!

“Darling, look at me.” A female voice suddenly came from the side, making Ling Qiu reflexively look up. The woman in the butler suit held a camera, a smile on her lips as she said, “You are very beautiful, truly.”

Stagnant sorrow had clung to Ling Qiu for a long time. Even though she was mentally strong, the sense of gloom still emerged from time to time, unable to dissipate completely. But now, a sense of agility and vitality leaped onto Ling Qiu. The long-parched little mermaid had finally returned to the sea, welcoming an atmosphere of ease that belonged to her.

Fang Ziyue’s smile was filled with relief and joy; it was worth building this amusement park behind Ling Qiu’s back for so long. As long as she saw Ling Qiu happy, everything she did was worth it.

The woman looking at the lens was slightly stunned. Looking at the person who was backlit yet tender and reliable, ripples rose in her heart, a sweet-and-sour warm current swirling in her chest. Her throat tightened, her eyes burned, and moisture welled up.

So… she had known all along.

Ling Qiu pursed her lips, her bitter-sweet smile making Fang Ziyue’s heart ache. She knew Ling Qiu had been working hard seeing doctors, seeking treatment, even spending half her time every day soaking in the sun—just so she could grow old with her, and stay together a little longer, just a little longer. She wanted to wash away the decayed aura on her body and no longer be grim and gloomy.

But a single person’s effort wasn’t enough. She took large amounts of medicine behind Fang Ziyue’s back to improve her body, which had been heavily damaged by chronic toxins. She ate medicinal meals that made her feel nauseous just to regulate her mood. She wanted to give her big fox a surprise, to give her a sunnier, more cheerful Ling Qiu.

But now, it seemed it wasn’t necessary.

Her big fox used actions to tell her, “It’s okay, no rush. I will stay by your side and change slowly with you.”

Five years, ten years, a lifetime… they still had plenty of time.

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