Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 99

Ling Xi hadn’t enjoyed such a secure, deep sleep in years.

Undisturbed by faint noises, untroubled by frightening nightmares, the whole night was as solid as sinking into a fluffy cotton pile, a beautiful sensation she couldn’t pull herself out of.

Until something traced her forehead, swept across the bridge of her nose, and finally rested steadily on her lips, rebelliously rubbing and tickling, extremely comfortable.

Woken from her sleep, Ling Xi opened her eyes with a hint of morning grumpiness, but before she could throw a tantrum, the sight before her stirred her senses.

Qiao Bo’er was wearing a slip nightgown, and due to the posture of supporting her face with one hand, the loose strap on her shoulder had slipped down her arm, a sight more gorgeous than the spring light of March.

Her other hand wasn’t idle either; it was playing with a strand of hair, using it to playfully stroke Ling Xi’s mouth.

“Good morning…”

That “good morning” carried a hint of seduction, so captivating that Ling Xi couldn’t help but shrink her neck.

Ling Xi slowly sat up, leaning lazily into her embrace, and pettily pulled the strap back up: “Why didn’t you sleep in a little longer?”

Qiao Bo’er affectionately pinched Ling Xi’s nose and scolded her good-naturedly: “Lazybones! It’s almost 12 o’clock! I saw you were sleeping so soundly and didn’t have the heart to wake you for breakfast, but there’s a limit to how much you can lie in. We must eat lunch!”

“It’s that late?!” Ling Xi grabbed her phone to check the time, silently groaning.

Even the morning ritual of snuggling and lingering was hastily skipped. Ling Xi nimbly flipped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom in a hurried panic, her movements swift and fluid.

Qiao Bo’er leaned against the headboard, looking bewildered, wondering what sudden urge possessed this silly girl. But then she suddenly remembered she hadn’t gotten her good-morning kiss. Pouting angrily, she walked plaintively behind Ling Xi, resting her head against Ling Xi’s back, twisting the hem of her clothes into a knot, and remaining silent for a long time.

Ling Xi was busy brushing her teeth. Through the mirror, she saw Qiao Bo’er bumping her back intermittently, her mournful little expression so cute it made Ling Xi want to turn around and pounce on her immediately.

“My Bo’er, what’s wrong?”

“There’s no need to go to school, why are you suddenly rushing… When you’re hungry, all you remember is eating, and you don’t even care if I’m hungry or not… You didn’t hold me when you woke up… You finally woke up, but you didn’t even give me a good-morning kiss…” Qiao Bo’er mumbled like a mosquito, going in circles before finally getting to the point. The awkward one was throwing a fit again.

Ling Xi couldn’t help but laugh. She quickly gargled, her mouth full of the sweet taste of cherry blossom. Then, turning around, she showered Qiao Bo’er with tenderness, her kisses raining down on the corner of Qiao Bo’er’s eye, then on the tip of her nose, and finally settling firmly on her lips with loud smacks.

Having gotten her wish, Qiao Bo’er beamed, her resentment vanishing like smoke. She eagerly returned the kiss, burying herself completely in Ling Xi’s arms: “Why are you rushing to get ready? Do you have important plans for today?”

Ling Xi wasn’t good at lying, but she decided to keep the matter of fixing the glasses a complete secret. Otherwise, the surprise wouldn’t be as surprising. So she simply made an excuse: “Yes, I have to go to the studio today for an appraisal assessment. What about you? Are you going to wait for me patiently at home, or are you going to the company to wait for me to pick you up after work?”

“Since Vice Professor Ling is so career-focused, let’s go our separate ways then. I’ll go to the company and wait for you to get off work. Hurry up and get ready, the food will get cold.”

Ling Xi haphazardly wiped the water from her face and was about to bolt for the dining room when Qiao Bo’er grabbed her back: “You still need to do some basic skincare. I’ll help you.”

Qiao Bo’er patiently helped Ling Xi hydrate her skin, then dabbed face cream on her face and expertly massaged it in, nagging as she did so: “A woman must learn delicate care when she reaches thirty. You’ll have to follow my lead and take good care of your skin from now on, or you’ll risk turning into a dried-up old hag…”

“If I really become a dried-up old hag, will you still love me?” Ling Xi hugged Qiao Bo’er’s waist and acted spoiled. Qiao Bo’er held her head and squeezed her nose hard: “Be careful, I might not want you anymore.”

“Huh? You’d just discard me?!”

“If you have no looks, then it depends on whether your soul is interesting. Otherwise, I’ll be beautiful like a flower, and you’ll be beside me as the green foliage?”

“Ha! You’re starting to dislike me!”

“Alright, I’m just teasing you. If you become a dried-up old hag, I’ll join you in being a dried-up old hag, maybe a bit plump, and become a rich, old landlady, so I can take care of you…”

“Hehe, I’ve never been afraid of growing old, because the years spent with you will become every wrinkle etched on my face. You can pick any one of them and it would be an endless story of fun things. How wonderful…”

“Remember to come and pick me up as soon as you’re done. If you delay too long, I’ll check up on you!” Qiao Bo’er was very cautious, afraid Ling Xi might pull another stunt, and didn’t forget to repeatedly remind her before they separated.

“Don’t worry, I took my medicine properly before leaving. I’ll report to the company right after I’m done. I absolutely wouldn’t dare be late!” Ling Xi promised, preparing to walk towards her own car. Qiao Bo’er was again confused: “Why are you driving your own car? We’re in the same building anyway, why take two cars?”

Ling Xi froze slightly with her back to Qiao Bo’er, raised a hand and slapped her forehead. Oh no, how could she forget this? She almost gave it away!

Ling Xi chuckled dryly, turned around, and put on a silly face that actually looked genuine: “Look at my poor memory. I still haven’t gotten used to the studio moving to Jiatai Plaza yet, eh, ha ha ha…”

Embarrassedly scratching the back of her head, Qiao Bo’er saw Ling Xi’s earnest, clumsy look and didn’t take it to heart, so she beckoned: “Hurry up and get in the car.”

“Oh! Okay!”

Qiao Bo’er deliberately drove slowly.

Taking advantage of the nice weather, bathed in the warm autumn sun, and enjoying a rare afternoon drive with her beloved, what bliss…

A cheerful love song was playing on the car’s Bluetooth stereo.

Ling Xi swayed her head from side to side with the rhythm. Qiao Bo’er saw her listening with such gusto that she childishly swayed her head along. Thus, the two turned into a pair of rarely seen goofballs again.

Ling Xi turned her head to look at Qiao Bo’er, who was playing along, her eyes brimming with joyful contentment. She sang along to the song: “You can be casual about anything, I’m willing to go wherever you say…”

Qiao Bo’er tapped her long fingers on the steering wheel. No matter when, she was always Ling Xi’s first fan: “It can all be true, I’ll believe everything you say…”

The melody was sweet and warm. Ling Xi simply became the conductor, waving her hands haphazardly. The small space was filled with notes of joy.

Qiao Bo’er simply laughed and sang along with her: “I want to say that you’re actually wonderful, but you don’t know it yourself… Treating me with true kindness, not asking for anything in return… Loving someone and wishing them a better life… You are more important than myself, and I also hope to become better…”

When the song ended, Ling Xi’s face was flushed with lingering excitement, and Qiao Bo’er also looked refreshed. It was truly a perfect duet!

“Hahaha!”

Ling Xi suddenly burst into hysterical laughter. Qiao Bo’er was puzzled: “What are you laughing at?”

“I found out…”

“Found out what?”

“That we are both quite childish!”

“You’re the one who led me astray, and now you’re calling me out!”

Ling Xi was messing around, and Qiao Bo’er was laughing. It felt like they were back in that summer filled with bickering.

Red light ahead. A moment’s rest, then a right turn to safely arrive at the destination. What a perfect little drive…

The boss of the jewelry company, who had been waiting at the studio for quite a while, was getting restless, but didn’t want to rush them, so he could only accept one cup of hot tea after another from Xiao Mo.

Ling Xi finally jogged into the reception room, slightly out of breath: “I’m sorry, Mr. Lu, for keeping you waiting.”

Xiao Mo poured a cup of tea for Ling Xi too, teasing: “Were you intercepted halfway by your significant other?”

“I almost gave away the secret, otherwise we wouldn’t have had to arrange a meeting with Mr. Lu at the studio at the last minute.”

“It’s alright, Ms. Ling. Please take a seat and rest for a bit.” Seeing Ling Xi sweating, he understood the circumstances and greeted her politely.

“How is the progress on polishing the lenses?” Ling Xi asked about the timeline as soon as she sat down.

Mr. Lu took the proposal from his briefcase and explained: “The lens polishing is almost finished. This time, we mainly wanted to discuss the design plan for the remaining material. Here are two designs from our designer. Please take a look and see which one you prefer.”

Mr. Lu handed the designs to Ling Xi. Ling Xi examined them carefully. The designs perfectly hit the mark for her. But after a moment of hesitation, she rejected both options: “Mr. Lu, there’s no need to make them into rings.”

Ling Xi’s refusal surprised the other party: “Do these two design proposals not meet your requirements?”

“No, I quite like them, but compared to rings, I have a better, more desired design in mind.”

“Please tell me about it.” Mr. Lu was also an accommodating person. If the client required a better design, it would also bring him greater revenue.

Ling Xi found a piece of white paper and a pen, and excitedly sketched the brooch design she had conceived: “A base of an eight-pointed star formed by a long and a short cross, with the largest emerald gemstone inlaid in the center. Along the long cross, three evenly spaced emeralds are embedded, while the short cross has three diamonds for contrast. The joints where the long and short crosses meet are filled with pearls strung by gold wire, which also makes the entire brooch look rich and full in color and texture.”

Ling Xi’s eyes were full of excitement. Even Mr. Lu, who knew nothing about the secret, could smell the sweet scent of being in love. Looking at the scribbled drawing on the white paper, the general pattern was already forming in his mind: “I understand what you mean, Ms. Ling. You want to use all the remaining material for the setting craftsmanship of the brooch. This isn’t difficult, but due to the change in materials used, I’m afraid there will be an additional charge.”

“Cost is not an issue. The inlaid diamonds are quite small. It shouldn’t cost much. I’m more concerned about the luster of the pearls, as the symbolism of pearls is too important to me.”

“Oh? Ms. Ling, perhaps you could tell me the story behind the brooch. That way, when I explain it to the designer, they’ll have more inspiration.”

Ling Xi was a little shy. It seemed she had never seriously talked to anyone about her and Qiao Bo’er’s story. After organizing her thoughts for a long time, she finally gave a dry explanation: “Because her name is Bo’er, phonetically translated to Pearl. It means pearl.”

“Is that all?” What should have been romantic was now just a pale, narrow meaning. Mr. Lu couldn’t help but laugh.

Ling Xi’s gaze was distant, but her tone was unusually serious: “Perhaps many people, when preparing a surprise, always try to please their lover with a priceless diamond ring.

But a ring always carries a sense of confinement. Whether it’s marriage or a relationship, being trapped inadvertently becomes the goal and the end.

The best thing I want to give her is freedom. No matter how high or how far she flies, I will never be the string that holds her back.

A brooch is so much better. Worn on her chest, it’s appropriate and dignified, beautiful and graceful. I am so close to her heart, and I won’t just hear the sound of the wind and rain, but maintain the best resonance with her heart’s beating vibration. This is my proof of love for her.”

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