My Ex Told Me She’s Still In Love With Me - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Drinking with Auntie

Her heart beat with heavy, rapid thuds. Each breath felt like a searing heat pulling at the pain in her chest. Not even the fresh scent of greenery along the path could soothe her restless body.

Her pace was faster descending the steps than it had been going up. As she brushed past children, she could still smell the faint scent of fresh flowers in the air.

She didn’t see Cheng Yi anywhere along the way.

Meng Qingwu’s breathing grew more frantic until she reached the spot where she had last been with Cheng Yi. No one was there. She stopped. The air in the windless forest felt stagnant and heavy, making it hard to breathe.

She pulled out her phone and found a message from Cheng Yi sent some time ago.

Cheng Yi: Something came up at the lab. I have to go back and get to work. Sorry.

Meng Qingwu’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the phone. She closed her eyes, feeling a wave of dizziness from the intense exertion. With a cold sneer and an expressionless face, she turned around and began walking back toward the summit.

After another grueling climb, Meng Qingwu finally stood at the peak once more. She looked at the road on the other side—the one cars could drive up directly—and felt like a total idiot. Sweat poured off her, and her clothes were damp, looking utterly unrefined.

“Qingwu,” Jin Le called out softly.

They had been waiting there. Seeing Meng Qingwu reappear from the forest trail, alone like a solitary traveler, made them feel a pang of sadness. The “baby” of their group, whom they protected so carefully, always seemed to taste the most bitterness when it came to that person.

Jin Le used a tissue to wipe the sweat from Meng Qingwu’s forehead. Seeing her drenched yet with unnaturally pale lips, she couldn’t help but worry.

Meng Qingwu looked up at them with a faint smile, her bright eyes slowly regaining their luster. “Jin-jie, I want to take a shower.”

“Okay. A room is already booked. You can go now,” Jin Le said, relieved.

…

After everyone had showered and gathered, they realized they were starving.

“I could eat two whole pigs right now!” Yuan Junjun exaggerated, slumped over the table.

“I’ll order two for you then; let’s see if you can finish them,” Jin Le rolled her eyes, though she sped up her ordering. The group sat there like a pack of hungry cubs waiting to be fed.

Once the food arrived, they tacitly avoided the subject of Cheng Yi. Seeing Meng Qingwu acting as if nothing was wrong, they relaxed. Four years had passed; without maintenance, even the most intense feelings were destined to be eroded by time.

The evening bonfire was lively. Everyone drank and laughed, watching people showcase their talents. The exhaustion of the hike felt somewhat compensated for.

The next morning, however, everyone’s legs were like jelly.

“Damn it! I said we should have just driven up!” Jia Yu massaged her calves with a grimace, Hissing at the soreness. The others weren’t much better; as office workers who rarely exercised, moving felt like it might kill them.

Meng Qingwu was actually in worse shape—she had done the trip twice—but she was too proud to show it in front of strangers.

“Bear with it, there are cute guys over there,” Meng Qingwu whispered to Jia Yu.

At the mention of “cute guys,” Jia Yu immediately straightened her back, adopting the persona of a cold, elegant older sister, her eyes scanning for the target. The others began to mock her “pretentious” act.

Cui Lanyu yawned lazily, her eyelids drooping. “What? Didn’t sleep last night?” Meng Qingwu whispered. Cui Lanyu nodded, glancing at Jin Le who was busy taking care of Jia Yu. “Failed to crawl into her bed.”

Meng Qingwu: “…” This woman is so blunt. “But why choose last night to try? Everyone was exhausted. Who would let you succeed?”

“Or,” Meng Qingwu teased, “was your ‘crawling into bed’ just meant for a pure chat under the blankets?”

Cui Lanyu looked at her, speechless. “What adult is that innocent? Of course I wanted something R-rated to happen!”

Meng Qingwu cleared her throat, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.

…

Flashback: Years ago…

“Cheng Yi, I can’t go home tonight. Can you take me in?” Meng Qingwu sat on a bus station bench, swinging her feet. Her voice was coquettish, a bit calculating, like a kitten’s paw scratching at one’s heart.

On the other end, Cheng Yi sounded panicked. “Why can’t you go home? Where are you? I’ll pick you up.” “At the bus stop outside your complex,” Meng Qingwu said slowly. “Don’t move. I’m coming right now.”

Cheng Yi didn’t hang up. Meng Qingwu listened to her hurried breathing, swinging her feet faster with a permanent smile. Soon, Cheng Yi appeared. She was in her pajamas with just a coat thrown over them, looking unlike her usual composed self.

“Why didn’t you wear more?” Cheng Yi panted, draping an extra coat over Meng Qingwu’s shoulders and rubbing her cold hands. Meng Qingwu hugged her, acting spoiled. “I was in a hurry~”

Back at the apartment, Cheng Yi poured her hot water. “Why did you run out in the middle of the night?” she asked, stroking Meng Qingwu’s hair. “I had a fight with my family,” Meng Qingwu lied, leaning into her. “Can I stay tonight?” “Of course,” Cheng Yi kissed her forehead. “I’ll register your fingerprint later. You can come whenever you want.”

Meng Qingwu’s eyes lit up. “So… are you inviting me to move in?” Cheng Yi’s face flushed. “Qingwu, you’re still young.” “I’m not young!” Meng Qingwu placed Cheng Yi’s hand on her chest. “Still small?”

Cheng Yi’s face turned bright red. She pulled her hand back, looking like the one being bullied. “I… I’ll go get the bath ready!”

Later, Meng Qingwu teased her again about not having a change of clothes. After the bath, Cheng Yi nervously left a bag of pajamas on the door handle and fled.

When Meng Qingwu finally emerged, Cheng Yi looked up and froze. Meng Qingwu had purposefully left her bra off. “Qingwu, why aren’t you wearing… wearing underwear?” “It’s uncomfortable to sleep in,” Meng Qingwu said righteously. “Do you wear one to sleep?” Cheng Yi was speechless. “It’s late. Goodnight.” She scrambled toward her own room.

But Meng Qingwu wasn’t done. She waited until late at night, then knocked on Cheng Yi’s door, clutching a pillow. “I can’t sleep. Can I sleep with you?”

Cheng Yi eventually let her in. Meng Qingwu immediately dove under the covers. “I’m cold,” Meng Qingwu whispered. Cheng Yi held her tight. “Then I’ll hold you while you sleep.”

Meng Qingwu was satisfied—the “wood block” was finally being sensible. She began kissing Cheng Yi’s collarbone, nibbling like a little fox. Bed-crawling: Success!

“Qingwu, don’t—” Cheng Yi’s voice was hoarse, catching Meng Qingwu’s hand. “Is it not allowed?” Meng Qingwu asked, looking pitiful.

Seeing her expression, Cheng Yi couldn’t say no. Meng Qingwu guided Cheng Yi’s hand to her own body and whispered, “Cheng Yi, I want you to want me.”

They had been dating for a while, but it always stopped at kissing. Cheng Yi never showed desire, which made Meng Qingwu feel insecure. She felt Cheng Yi was holding back.

“I… Qingwu…” Cheng Yi was lost for words. Meng Qingwu turned away, her back radiating loneliness. Cheng Yi immediately pulled her into a messy, frantic kiss. “Qingwu, I’m just afraid you’re being too impulsive…”

“What is impulsive?” Meng Qingwu faced her. “If this is impulsive, then my loving you is the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done.” Cheng Yi looked at her and began to cry. Meng Qingwu was so much braver than she was. They embraced, and Meng Qingwu showed her in another way that she wasn’t just “not wearing a bra on top.”

…

Back to the present:

Since the conversation with Cui Lanyu, Meng Qingwu couldn’t stop thinking about that first night. She had put so much effort into getting into that bed, almost forcing Cheng Yi to be with her.

She smiled self-deprecatingly. Had it all been her own forced demand from the start? She began to doubt if Cheng Yi had ever truly loved her. If she had, how could she have been so cruel later?

“One must look forward,” Meng Qingwu muttered. But there was one thing she wanted to clear up.

She went to Shuiyang International and entered Madam Meng’s office, only to find an unexpected guest.

“Auntie?” Meng Qingwu asked, confused. Lan Xining sat lazily on the sofa and beckoned. “Come, come drink with Auntie.”

Meng Qingwu: “…” Drinking at noon? She looked at Madam Meng, who seemed completely unfazed and was even getting the wine.

Is the sun rising from the west today?