Shadowed Love: A Lover Who Refuses to Let Go - Chapter 13

“You didn’t reply to my messages, and I didn’t know your address. Forgive me for coming unannounced.” Jiang Menghe gazed at Yin Yunzhu, her gentle eyes shimmering like rippling water.

Her black hair was loosely tied, cascading over her shoulders, with a few stray strands tucked casually behind her ears. She exuded an air of intellectual elegance, her poise and maturity belying her early thirties.

A woman like this could easily make anyone fall for her.

Realizing she had been staring too long, Yin Yunzhu covered her flushed cheeks with her wrist.

How was she supposed to respond to that?

Beside her, little Yin Xuan peeked at her sister and chimed in knowingly, “Sis, don’t mind her silence, she’s already forgiven you, she’s just too proud to admit it.”

“Eat your food.” Yin Yunzhu, whose thoughts had been exposed, pushed her mashed potatoes toward her sister in an attempt to shut her up.

Yin Xuan pouted and let out a soft huff under her sister’s glare. She poked at the soft appetizer with her spoon and fell silent.

Seeing the little one’s disappointment, Jiang Menghe curved her lips. “With so many ‘sisters’ here, which one are you calling out to?”

“The pretty one, of course.” Yin Xuan shot a glance at Yin Yunzhu, deliberately saying things to provoke her.

“Then between me and your sister, who’s prettier?” Jiang Menghe lazily drew out her words, her gaze never leaving Yin Yunzhu.

The question was practically baiting a fight. Yin Yunzhu couldn’t take it anymore. “The answer’s obvious. Are you trying to embarrass me by making me say it?”

Watching the flustered “rabbit” across from her, Jiang Menghe tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Though a child’s honesty is refreshing, hearing your opinion would make me happier.”

Yin Yunzhu couldn’t shake the feeling that the other woman was gloating, but she couldn’t outright deny it either. So, she feigned magnanimity to save face. “Well, you’re an actress, your face is your brand, after all.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Menghe held her water glass, her tone indifferent. “What a shame you don’t know me well yet. Once we get  closer, you’ll realize beauty is the least remarkable thing about me.”

Now, the phrase “get closer” triggered Yin Yunzhu. Those words alone made her recall their passionate entanglement, and she hurriedly changed the subject.

“Xuanxuan, there’s free fruit over there. Go get some if you want.”

“Oooh!” Yin Xuan was instantly distracted, hopping over like an excited chick.

Once the child was gone, Yin Yunzhu exhaled in relief. Kids had a knack for sensing when something was off. Even if they didn’t understand now, if word got back to Ms. Shan especially with embellishments, it would spell endless trouble.

“Why bother?” Jiang Menghe sighed. “Yin Yunzhu, what’s the point of resisting me?”

Her tone wasn’t accusatory but rather indulgent, as if humoring a stubborn child. In bed, whenever Yin Yunzhu nipped too hard, Jiang Menghe would cup her chin, thumb tracing the sharpness of her teeth, murmuring,

“You look so innocent, how can you be so fierce?”

Her voice now carried the exact same cadence.

Yin Yunzhu shivered, goosebumps rising. “How do you know my name?”

“Xinyue told me,” Jiang Menghe replied.

Xinyue must have been the woman they met at the art center last time, someone who seemed close to Jiang Menghe.

Compared to the way Jiang Menghe addressed her so formally, full name and all, it was a constant reminder that they were practically strangers. Yet, because of that drunken mistake, they were now inextricably tied together.

Guessing her thoughts, Jiang Menghe spoke up, “She’s the short-haired woman from last time, my high school classmate. She’s already married with kids.”

“Oh,” Yin Yunzhu felt uneasy, “Why are you explaining this to me?”

It seemed like he was in a hurry to distance himself from that Zheng Xinyue.

“Didn’t want you to misunderstand.” Noticing her empty water glass, Jiang Menghe naturally took it and refilled it for her.

“You’ve had so many past love,”

“Sis!”

Before she could finish, Yin Xuan came trotting over with a small plate piled high with watermelon and kumquats.

Jiang Menghe glanced over at the sound, not catching Yin Yunzhu’s earlier words. “What?”

Seeing the child return, Yin Yunzhu decided it was best to drop the adult conversation and replied sullenly, “Nothing.”

It was peak dining hours. Their chosen seats faced the entrance, constantly revealing passersby, forcing any private topics to be shelved.

“Sis, you love honeydew here.” Yin Xuan picked up the lone piece of honeydew from the plate and placed it in Yin Yunzhu’s dish.

Just then, the server arrived with their hot pot. To accommodate the child’s taste, Yin Yunzhu had specifically requested less spice. The clear broth shimmered with golden oil stains, whole peppercorns adorning the fish, its aroma tantalizing.

“Dig in.” Jiang Menghe seemed uninterested in the food, turning the less peppery portion toward Yin Xuan.

Yin Xuan leaned against the table, eyes pleading at Yin Yunzhu. After receiving a nod, she finally picked up a large piece of fish and placed it on the plate across from her.

“Sis, eat.”

Children wear their hearts on their sleeves. The stars in her eyes as she stared at Jiang Menghe revealed genuine admiration.

Her actual sister, Yin Yunzhu, silently picked at her food, saying nothing, just hoping the meal would end soon.

Jiang Menghe’s small bowl gradually piled up. She ate elegantly, pressing lightly at her collar as she chewed slowly less about sustenance, more like savoring.

Noticing Yin Xuan focusing only on herself, Jiang Menghe smiled and pushed back the meat about to land on her plate. “Keep it for yourself. Kids need to grow.”

“I’m not little!” Yin Xuan puffed up proudly, shoving the meat into her mouth.

“Is that so? No wonder Xiaoxuan is so mature.”

Jiang Menghe didn’t argue, playing along. The girl beamed, chest puffed as if infused with new confidence.

Watching their natural, affectionate banter, Yin Yunzhu felt a pang of jealousy. She was the real sister, yet this kid was utterly smitten by a pretty face.

“You don’t act like this with me,” she teased, deliberately undermining Yin Xuan.

Unfazed, the image-conscious child retorted, “You don’t act like this with me either.”

“You love Jiangjiang’s movies normally, but pretend you don’t when you see her in person.”

Caught off guard, Yin Yunzhu lowered her head awkwardly. “That’s work-related for inspiration.”

“I see.” Jiang Menghe watched their sibling squabble quietly, her drawn-out tone carrying a playful lilt, like a coy tease.

“Yeah, you know how our industry is…” Yin Yunzhu mumbled.

The woman across from her rested her chin on her hand, long lashes casting faint shadows. Under the soft lighting, she seemed detached from the noisy surroundings, her gentle gaze warm yet ambiguous.

She might have believed Yin Yunzhu’s words or perhaps was merely humoring her.

Support Shadowed Love: A Lover Who Refuses to Let Go