I Wish To Never Leave Your Side - Chapter 15

Qiu Yan lay on the floor, the biting cold seeping through her back, intensifying the pain throughout her body. She gasped sharply, bending her arms to push herself up, but as soon as she tried to put a little weight on her left wrist, a sharp pain shot through it, and she collapsed back down.

After a moment, she reached out with her right hand, feeling for the edge of the TV stand, and used it to pull herself up. Staggering a few steps, she slowly made her way toward the bedroom.

Finally reaching the bed, Qiu Yan lay down and wrapped herself tightly in the blankets, trying to fend off the pervasive chill around her. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, soaking into the pillow. Her face burned with pain, and a profound sense of humiliation enveloped her, as if the very air around her was mocking her. She buried her face deeper into the covers…

The next day, Bai Hua picked Mo Lishen up to go to the company. She knew that Mo Lishen usually didn’t spend the night with her lovers. Unless instructed otherwise, she would simply wait downstairs at Mo Lishen’s residence.

After Mo Lishen got into the car, Bai Hua handed her the tablet as usual. Mo Lishen didn’t take it, instead leaning her head against the backrest and repeatedly massaging her temples. Bai Hua gently placed the tablet on the backseat and gestured to the driver to slow down.

“Bai Hua,” Mo Lishen’s calm voice suddenly came from behind. Even though Bai Hua had worked for her for many years, she was sometimes still intimidated by the low pressure surrounding her.

“Yes?”

“Find out who she’s been in contact with recently, whether from the Mo family or the company.”

Bai Hua paused for a moment, guessing that “she” likely referred to Miss Qiu. But to be absolutely certain, she needed to confirm.

“Do you mean… Miss Qiu?”

“Mm,” Mo Lishen responded indifferently, a flicker of impatience crossing her face.

“And…”

“Go on,” Bai Hua turned her head, ready to take notes.

Mo Lishen opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. “Never mind.”

Mo Lishen took the elevator to the 26th floor, only to find an unwelcome guest standing outside her office. Seeing her approach, Mo Licheng deliberately took two steps forward, a greasy, nauseating smile on his face.

Mo Lishen glanced at him but didn’t bother looking again, heading straight for her office.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in, President Mo?” Mo Licheng asked, one hand in his pocket, exuding confidence. “I just wanted to congratulate you on securing the new project.”

“No need,” Mo Lishen unlocked the door, stepped inside, and was about to close it.

“Your lover is quite beautiful, though,” Mo Licheng remarked, watching the door narrow. He timed his words perfectly.

Mo Lishen turned to look at him, a cold gleam in her eyes. “What? It seems you’re quite interested in the women I’ve slept with.”

Mo Licheng deliberately raised both hands, palms outward, as if explaining himself. “Whether I’m interested or not is one thing, but your father is definitely interested.”

As he spoke, he took a photo from his pocket and held it up to Mo Lishen. It showed Mo Yihuai and Qiu Yan in the café the day before. Ever since he’d learned that Mo Lishen’s new lover was an actress, he’d had someone tail her. But he hadn’t expected it to involve Mo Yihuai. The situation was becoming more and more intriguing.

Mo Lishen didn’t reach for the photo, so Mo Licheng placed it on the stack of files Bai Hua was holding. With a sly smile, he turned and left.

Mo Lishen went straight to her desk and sat down. Bai Hua, still holding the files, approached her, unsure what to do with the photo.

Fortunately, Mo Lishen reached out and took the photo, allowing Bai Hua to breathe an inward sigh of relief as she gently placed the file on the table.

“Find out why Mo Yihuai is looking for her.”

Mo Lishen stared at the photo, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her eyes. She held the picture above the shredder, hesitated for a moment, then casually tossed it into a drawer.

…

When Qiu Yan woke again, it was already noon. The film crew had called her several times, but she hadn’t answered any of them. When she finally returned the call, the assistant director on the other end unleashed a torrent of angry shouts. It seemed she had lost the role and would have to search for another production.

Yuanyuan had also sent her a message the previous night. Instead of returning the video call, Qiu Yan opted for a voice message.

“Mommy,” Yuanyuan’s sweet, childish voice came through the speaker.

Qiu Yan’s throat tightened, and she struggled to keep her voice steady. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“I miss you.”

Qiu Yan could almost picture Yuanyuan pouting, tugging at the corner of her clothes while acting cute.

Clearing her throat, Qiu Yan replied, “Mommy misses Yuanyuan too, but I’ve been a little busy lately and can’t visit often. I promise I’ll come pick you up on the day you’re discharged from the hospital.”

“It’s okay, Mommy. Just take care of yourself. The weather’s been getting colder, so make sure to wear more clothes and don’t catch a cold.”

“If you get sick, Yuanyuan will worry.” The lingering tone of Yuanyuan’s words tugged at Qiu Yan’s heart, leaving it aching and tender.

She could sense that Yuanyuan always wanted to ask when she would visit, and she could see the child’s restraint and heartbreaking maturity.

“Okay,” Qiu Yan’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Yuanyuan, you have to listen to the doctors, take good care of yourself, and remember to take your medicine on time.”

After hanging up, Qiu Yan forced herself to get out of bed. Having slept through the night, the sharp pains throughout her body had dulled into a persistent, aching soreness.

She walked to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her eyes were red and swollen, the whites streaked with blood vessels. A distinct slap mark was visible on her left cheek, still faintly warm. Her neck bore the marks of four fingers where she had been gripped. Qiu Yan didn’t want to dwell on the events of the previous night. She splashed cold water on her face, but as she moved more vigorously, a sharp pain shot through her left wrist. She had to make do with her right hand, wiping her face clumsily.

After drying her face, she thought she should eat something to fill her stomach.

But it was more a sense of obligation than actual appetite. In the end, the physical pain overwhelmed everything else. Her mind grew hazy, and she limped back to bed, collapsing onto it.

When she woke again, the room was pitch black. Memories of the previous night flooded her mind, and Qiu Yan quickly fumbled for the bedside lamp switch.

Glancing at her phone, she saw it was already 7 p.m.

Just as she was about to get up, she faintly heard the sound of the front door unlocking.

Qiu Yan quickly pulled her legs back and burrowed under the covers.

She thought about turning off the light and pretending to be asleep, but the thought of darkness combined with Mo Lishen’s presence terrified her even more.

The security door opened and closed, and the sound of high heels grew steadily closer.

Qiu Yan swallowed hard, her body trembling uncontrollably, a chill spreading through her. Just like her first night in this house, the fear made her want to flee.

The footsteps stopped at the bedroom door, followed by two knocks. Qiu Yan didn’t dare respond.

But the door was pushed open directly, and Mo Lishen’s striking face appeared in Qiu Yan’s line of sight. Yet, it no longer held the captivating allure that once mesmerized her, instead, it evoked sheer terror.

Seeing Qiu Yan curled up under the blankets, Mo Lishen walked straight over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Qiu Yan’s breathing began to tremble, her hands clutching the quilt having lost all color.

Mo Lishen looked at her, just as Qiu Yan’s exposed eyes met her gaze. She could feel the quilt shudder abruptly.

Mo Lishen pulled down the corner of the quilt, revealing Qiu Yan’s entire face.

Shame resurfaced, and Qiu Yan turned her head away. But then, as if remembering something, she quickly turned back, though her eyes remained lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with Mo Lishen.

Mo Lishen looked down at her, her expression unreadable, as casual as if she were examining a document in her hand.

She reached out to touch the collar of Qiu Yan’s pajamas.

Her resisting hand lifted and then fell, gripping the bedsheet tightly.

Was her patron finally going to do what she was supposed to do?

Mo Lishen’s slender, pale fingers deftly undid the buttons, her thin lips parting.

“Did you go to the coffee shop on South Street yesterday?”

Perhaps having just returned from outside, she still carried a chill, and her cold fingers occasionally brushed against Qiu Yan’s skin, sending shivers through her.

“Yes,” Qiu Yan bit her lower lip and managed a response.

“What were you doing there?”

Qiu Yan was wearing a one-piece pajama, and the front had already been completely opened, revealing the two cherry blossoms adorning the snowy peaks. Yet the one unveiling her continued, as if determined to see the entirety of the painting.

“A… gentleman stopped me on my way to the film set. He brought many people with him and said he wanted to talk to me.”

Qiu Yan stumbled over her words, pausing briefly. The unveiler’s hand had already begun to caress the painting, gentle and elusive.

She squirmed slightly, unable to bear it. “He claimed to be your father and gave me a check, asking me to leave you. He said if I agreed, he would make me a true actress.”

Mo Lishen observed Qiu Yan’s expression but said nothing, her movements uninterrupted.

“Before leaving, he told me that I somewhat resemble his…” Qiu Yan didn’t dare continue.

In truth, she had made a mistake yesterday. Perhaps she had unintentionally struck a nerve, provoking Mo Lishen’s anger. She didn’t want to reopen his wounds, nor did she dare.

Mo Lishen watched her for a moment. Qiu Yan, unnerved by the sudden silence, looked up.

Mo Lishen’s eyes remained cold, but they were distinctly different from the gloom of the previous day.

Suddenly, Qiu Yan’s vision went dark as Mo Lishen reached out and turned off the light.

Her nerves were on edge. Before her eyes could fully adjust to the darkness, her other senses became acutely sensitive.

She heard a rustling sound, and then she was embraced by the person in front of her.

Mo Lishen took her left wrist and guided it upward, over her shoulder, neck, chin, and cheek. Her nose brushed against her earlobe, and occasionally her lips gently grazed her temple.

Qiu Yan’s ears were filled with the sound of her own uncontrollable breathing, her fingertips turning white from the force of her grip.

When the path upward ended, she retraced her steps. Another rustling sound followed as she journeyed southward.

Her calves were gently squeezed as well.

Qiu Yan tightly shut her eyes, only feeling the lingering warmth of her touch on every place she had caressed.

Soon, the person in front of her got up and pulled the quilt back over Qiu Yan.

In the darkness, Qiu Yan opened her eyes. By the moonlight, she could now see Mo Lishen.

She stood with her back to the window, and she couldn’t make out her expression, but she knew she was likely looking at her.

After a short while, Mo Lishen got up, placed something on Qiu Yan’s bedside table, and turned to leave.

Qiu Yan let out a heavy sigh, her tense nerves finally relaxing. Yet the places Mo Lishen had touched still felt cool, inexplicably soothing.

Soon after, a faint medicinal scent drifted to her nose.

Qiu Yan reached out and switched on the light, spotting a white medicine bottle on the bedside table.