Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 92

Arriving home, Ling Xi was even more proactive than Qiao Bo’er, bustling about to prepare the things needed for the business trip.

Qiao Bo’er stood leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, watching her busy herself quietly. Her expression was one of helplessness: “Anyone would think you were the one going on a long trip. Why are you so enthusiastic?”

Ling Xi happened to be holding her perfume, bringing it to her nose for a deep sniff. In front of its owner, she tucked the perfume into her pocket: “The perfume has to stay. I love your scent. When I miss you, the house needs to have your familiar smell.”

“Ling Xi Xi is avoiding my question,” Qiao Bo’er complained, feigning displeasure.

Ling Xi gave her a brilliant smile, but her tone betrayed her reluctance: “But I can’t stop you. The matter in Florence must be very important, otherwise, you wouldn’t be leaving me.”

Qiao Bo’er walked closer and rested her chin on Ling Xi’s shoulder, murmuring mournfully: “Because of you, I dislike Florence so much. But if I don’t handle these urgent matters, we’ll be separated from time to time. So… you have to be good and wait for me to come back.”

“Bo’er…” With a soft, emotional whisper, Ling Xi turned and embraced Qiao Bo’er. Taking two steps at once, she pushed her lover down onto the bed.

Leaning over and burying her head, Ling Xi craved more intimacy, unable to resist kissing her sensitive ear.

Her breathing grew increasingly rapid. Qiao Bo’er, with the last shred of her sanity, raised a hand and touched Ling Xi’s lips: “Silly girl, let’s save the fun for tonight…”

“But I want you right now.”

“Why the rush?”

“Because you’re leaving, and it makes me anxious.” Ling Xi’s reluctance sounded increasingly strained, translating into immense distress in Qiao Bo’er’s eyes.

Qiao Bo’er’s hand slowly climbed up her arm, tracing along her elbow to her palm, and finally intertwined their fingers: “Be good. I’ll try to condense the work and come back as soon as possible.”

When facing separation, a tight embrace to feel each other’s heartbeat was more comforting than frantic lovemaking.

Ling Xi’s lips pressed against Qiao Bo’er’s forehead, desperately breathing in her scent, and twisting a strand of golden hair between her fingers: “I’ve prepared a surprise for you, so I’ll keep it a little secret.”

“What surprise?”

“It’s a secret…”

“You’re copying me!”

“Well, it’s not fair if only you get to have secrets. I must keep one too, to make it equal!”

“Xi Xi, if only we had a time machine, we could skip the separation.”

“Although waiting is painful, the ‘honeymoon after a short separation’ feeling is also something to look forward to. Alright, get up. Let’s continue packing the luggage.”

Helping Qiao Bo’er sit up, Ling Xi held her hand and sincerely instructed: “When you get there, remember to take your medicine on time. I’ll help you organize your medication in a moment.”

“You also have to take your medicine on time. I’ll help you organize yours later. You must report to me every day, or I won’t take mine.”

“Hey, you’re threatening me! Will our medicines get mixed up?”

“It seems our medicines aren’t that different.”

“But ever since we’ve been together, I feel like my illness has almost healed. I sleep well, eat well, and I’m full of energy every day…” Ling Xi was resistant to taking medicine, not wanting to carry the label of mental illness forever.

Qiao Bo’er sternly criticized: “You mustn’t stop taking your medicine haphazardly, lest it’s just a false recovery and causes more worry!”

“Okay… I will be very obedient.”

Taking the suitcase from the closet, Ling Xi was like a busy little bee, darting into the walk-in closet to organize Qiao Bo’er’s change of clothes.

A moment later, she popped her head out to ask about the weather. Her garrulous manner was quite endearing.

Qiao Bo’er walked to the door, watching Ling Xi efficiently pack. Although she felt melancholic, she was also filled with joy. She had waited half her life for this moment of warmth.

“What do you want for dinner?”

“Hmm… whatever my future wife wants to eat, I’ll eat.” Ling Xi answered without hesitation. The word “wife” softened Qiao Bo’er’s heart, and her beautiful starry eyes sparkled: “You’ve already called me ‘wife.’ You’re quite intuitive, aren’t you?”

“I absolutely have to be intuitive! Oh, go sit and rest, I can handle the packing.”

Though Ling Xi tried to coax her, Qiao Bo’er refused to cooperate, choosing instead to sit cross-legged on the carpet and tease her.

She tossed out all the clothes that Ling Xi had painstakingly folded. Ling Xi’s eyes widened in surprise, and she cried out: “Hey! What are you doing!”

“Teasing you. I just want to see you flustered and running around. It’s so much fun…”

“Qiao Bo’er, you’re playing with fire again!”

Ling Xi pounced, pushing Qiao Bo’er down, and tickling her relentlessly. The two wrestled in a playful tangle, and laughter echoed through the room.

Tsk, this damned stench of love!

“Qiao Bo’er is just on a business trip, why are you acting like you’ve lost your soul, slumping around playing dead again? When will this end!”

Ling Xi had nowhere to go after work, so she went straight to Su Yunjin’s coffee shop. The store was empty, and she simply threw herself onto the sofa and didn’t move.

Su Yunjin placed a cup of coffee on the table. Without giving her a good look, she started to criticize.

Ling Xi groaned and rolled over, presenting the back of her head to Su Yunjin: “Why isn’t she back yet!”

“She only left two days ago, and you’re already like this. How are you going to endure a month? As the saying goes, ‘The wise man does not fall in love,’ and you are the typical counter-example.”

Su Yunjin’s words were sharp. Ling Xi covered her head and kicked her feet: “But it’s truly agonizing! I can’t sleep soundly at night, I’m listless during the day, and I can’t eat well. Should I… go to Florence to find her?”

“When will your academic research yield results? Will Director Chen approve your leave? Does the studio still need to make money? Is there any progress on repairing that broken pair of glasses?” Su Yunjin’s questions were like a volley of arrows, making Ling Xi even more dispirited.

“Oh, why is this friend playing dead again?” Xiao Mo pushed the door open. Seeing Ling Xi stuffed straight into the sofa, he joked as he walked over.

Ling Xi propped up her head weakly, feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

“I can’t talk any sense into her. You try,” Su Yunjin decided she was beyond saving, stepping away and letting Xiao Mo take her seat.

“As the saying goes, ‘The wise man does not fall in love’…” What kind of damned PUA routine was this, even the opening line was identical.

Ling Xi rolled her eyes and raised a hand to stop him: “Enough, enough. Both of your scripts are the same. I really can’t listen to such perfunctory advice.”

“I don’t answer the phone, because I’m sick…” The bizarre phone ringtone interrupted their conversation.

Ling Xi saw the caller ID, created a gust of wind, and sprinted out the door—

“You dog, what are you doing…”

“Reporting, Lord Bo’er, the dog is missing you!”

“Not bad. How much do you miss me?”

“Last night, I dreamed I was eating at the cafeteria with Lord Bo’er. We were having fish-fragrant shredded pork, Ma Po tofu, and scrambled eggs with tomato. When I woke up, I sprayed your perfume before leaving. I miss you while driving, I miss you in class, I miss you while drinking water, I miss you while twiddling my fingers. 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds—I miss you all the time! Report concluded!”

“Hahaha… Oh, you. Your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter.”

“Then… what are you doing?”

“I’m on the phone with my future wife. She says she misses me very much. But she doesn’t know that when she wasn’t looking, I secretly snagged one of her jackets. It smells of milk, and every night when I sleep, I hold the jacket close, just like I’m holding my soft, squishy her…”

Hearing Qiao Bo’er’s words, Ling Xi covered her flushed cheeks, squatted down happily, and giggled for a long time. “But it’s so hard, every day you’re gone is so hard, and you only left 48 hours ago.”

“You have to be good and wait for me to come home. Eat breakfast on time, take your medicine on time, miss me on time, and don’t interact with your little student fan girls.”

“Yes, my Lord Bo’er! I obey!”

Are they talking in a new kind of long-distance relationship?

Xiao Mo and Su Yunjin secretly leaned against the door, watching Ling Xi sway her hips and talk romantically. They both shivered, feeling goosebumps.

Hanging up the phone, Ling Xi turned to look at the two of them, and her smile immediately collapsed: “What are you two doing?”

“Eavesdropping,” Xiao Mo said, laughing, and imitating Ling Xi’s tone: “Yes… Lord Bo’er…”

“Hiss… Are you itching for a beating!” Ling Xi stomped her foot in annoyance, drawing laughter from the two of them.

As the streetlights came on, Charm Capital Bar was noisy with patrons.

Ling Xi was not the only one suffering from the separation of a passionate romance.

Qin Yun sat at the bar, asking the bartender for a cocktail, and listlessly sucked on the ice cube.

Without Chu Xi by her side, the dazzling nightlife couldn’t save her from loneliness.

Just as the bartender delivered the cocktail, Ling Xi arrived as promised.

“You’re here… What do you want to drink? It’s on me.” Qin Yun propped her chin on one hand and gave Ling Xi a bright smile.

“Anything, I guess, as long as it doesn’t have alcohol. I don’t really drink,” Ling Xi sat down honestly on the high stool, curiously observing the bar’s decor.

“Get her a cup of hot milk.” Qin Yun’s order drew dissatisfaction from Ling Xi: “It’s not that serious that I have to drink milk.”

“Bo’er isn’t here, and I wouldn’t dare mess around. If you get drunk and cause trouble, I won’t be able to explain myself.”

“Tsk, you’re being overly cautious. I’m an adult!” Ling Xi continued to protest. Qin Yun felt playful: “Oh really? Since you’re an adult, let’s play an adult’s exciting game.”

With that, Qin Yun handed the drink menu to Ling Xi and spoke about the rooftop game: “There’s a hidden Easter egg in this drink menu. If you drink specific cocktails, you’ll be eligible to go to the rooftop upstairs. Are you brave enough to play?”

“It’s just drinking, I’ll drink,” Ling Xi patted her chest, eager to try. Qin Yun smiled mischievously: “You little lightweight with no tolerance. Be careful not to go too far.”

Turning to the bar, Qin Yun ordered all the hidden drinks at once. Fearing Ling Xi might back out, she specifically added: “Hardly anyone has been to that rooftop yet. Bo’er is one of them.”

As soon as she heard Qiao Bo’er had been there, Ling Xi was even more determined to try: “Then I absolutely must go!”

“Hic!” Sure enough, the lightweight hadn’t even finished the third drink before she was draped over the bar, constantly hiccupping: “What kind of drinks are these, they’re so intoxicating!”

Hearing Ling Xi’s drunken mumbling, Qin Yun handed her a glass of warm water: “I told you you couldn’t do it…”

“Adults! Can’t say they can’t!”

Helping the unsteady Ling Xi to stand, Qin Yun struggled slightly: “Let’s go, I’ll take you up.”

“What kind of rooftop is it, so mysterious? Hic… your marketing strategy is quite interesting…”

Ling Xi had started rambling. Qin Yun dialed Qiao Bo’er’s number—

“I brought the person here, but… she’s drunk.”

“Didn’t I say not to let her drink?”

Qiao Bo’er’s dissatisfied query came through. Qin Yun pouted: “I just wanted to tease her a bit. Who knew her alcohol tolerance was smaller than an ant’s.”

“It’s cold. Remember to put a jacket on her.”

“Don’t worry.”

Qin Yun summoned a waiter and finally managed to carry Ling Xi to the entrance of the rooftop.

The moment the heavy wooden door was pushed open, the cool late-autumn wind blew, sobering Ling Xi up slightly.

Ling Xi leaned on the door frame and stumbled into the center of the brightly lit rooftop.

The camping-style venue was covered in playful plastic balls, with only one camping chair left out, and a projection screen hanging directly in front.

Ling Xi looked at Qin Yun foolishly: “This is…”

“You’ll know in a minute.”

A trailing waiter brought over a thick jacket and busied himself preparing fruits and snacks.

With everything ready, Qin Yun helped Ling Xi sit in the chair and signaled to the waiter to turn on the projector.

Qiao Bo’er’s figure suddenly appeared.

Ling Xi rubbed her eyes, thinking she was too drunk to see clearly.

Bo’er was sitting on the green lawn of the Qiao residence’s manor, with plastic balls and various balloons spread out beneath her feet. The arrangement was identical to the one on the rooftop.

In different spaces, Qiao Bo’er wanted to share the same background with Ling Xi, creating the illusion of being right beside her. Qiao Bo’er had meticulously arranged this video call.

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