Shadowed Love: A Lover Who Refuses to Let Go - Chapter 29.2

In a small bowl no bigger than a palm, the shelled seeds piled up like a tiny hill. The little girl proudly lifted her chin. “For Dad to snack on with his drinks.”

The moment Chen Haidong returned, he locked himself in the bedroom, with Shan Songyue following closely behind. The sound of the door locking sent a wave of unease through Yin Yunzhu.

Yin Xuan remained perched on the high stool, swinging her legs and humming an off-key tune. When the seeds proved too troublesome, she switched to cracking peanuts, busier than any adult in the house.

Hidden under the table, Yin Yunzhu’s fingers typed out a mass New Year’s greeting message.

When she opened Jiang Menghe’s chat window, she hesitated for a moment before rewriting the copied long-winded text.

Little Bamboo: [Jiang Menghe, Happy New Year.]

Compared to mass-produced pleasantries, blessings that include full names seem more sincere. She rarely called Jiang Menghe by her full name not even in bed at most playfully calling her “sister” in flirtatious moments.

Feeling that seven short words couldn’t fully convey her feelings, she sent a red envelope.

The amount wasn’t much, what mattered was the gesture. But shortly after sending it, she began to regret it.

Would too little seem petty? After all, Jiang Menghe had never been stingy with her. Yet sending a direct transfer would reduce it to a tacky financial transaction.

No matter how restless she felt, she couldn’t take it back Jiang Menghe had already seen it.

Jiang Menghe: Where are you?

Her reaction was unexpectedly calm.

Before she could type out “At home, of course,” a furious roar shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Yin Xuan’s hands trembled in shock, scattering melon seed shells onto her lap.

“You turn a deaf ear when I ask for money have you been working for nothing outside? Xiaoxuan’s grades are poor, and she needs tutoring. I can’t keep asking Yunyun for money every day.”

“Speak up! Where’s the money?”

“Say something!”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Fragments of the argument seeped through the slightly ajar door. Shan Songyue’s aggressive tone only made the man’s silence seem more cowardly, pushing her further into hysteria.

Yin Yunzhu had never seen them fight before. Perhaps from the very beginning, her impression of Chen Haidong had been vague and distorted. Only the thin bond of blood kept this family from falling apart in name only.

Yin Xuan, frightened, slid off her chair and clung to her leg. “Jie-jie.”

“It’s okay.” Yin Yunzhu patted her head and walked to the master bedroom, knocking.

“The food’s getting cold. It’s New Year’s Eve at least eat a little.”

Her voice sounded muffled through the thick door. The argument paused.

More than mediating, she felt awkward. Shan Songyue never discussed family struggles in front of Yin Xuan or her, shielding them so well that she bore too much alone.

Saying even a word too much would earn a scolding. Yin Yunzhu understood the burden of being the head of the household, but she also feared leaving scars in Yin Xuan’s heart.

The door opened, revealing half of Shan Songyue’s exhausted face. Her eyes were dull, the ceiling light unable to brighten them, her lips dry and peeling.

“Take Xiaoxuan out for dinner tonight. I need to talk with your dad.”

Realizing the child had overheard, the usually sharp-tongued woman looked ashamed.

“But you alone,” Yin Yunzhu tried to push the door open but was stopped by resistance.

Shan Songyue cut her off, her gaze softening. “Don’t worry. I can handle this alone.”

“Call me if anything happens.” Knowing her temper, Yin Yunzhu didn’t insist.

Turning around, she saw Yin Xuan standing in the shadows, her small silhouette cast alone against the wall. Fear filled her eyes, glistening with unshed tears. “Jie-jie.”

“We’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve with Xiaoyu tonight,” Yin Yunzhu said, taking the child’s sweaty, sticky hand. “Don’t you like Xiaoyu the most?”

Despite her soothing tone, Yin Xuan remained wilted like frostbitten eggplants. As they left, the word “divorce” seemed to echo behind them.

Fireworks were banned in Quancheng, leaving only streetlights reflecting on the wet asphalt. A tall and a small shadow walked side by side. Before getting into the car, Yin Xuan asked hesitantly:

“Jie-jie will Mom get divorced?”

Even an eight-year-old understood some things unspoken but deeply felt.

Yin Yunzhu didn’t know how to respond. Not wanting to offer a white lie, she fastened the seatbelt instead: “Does little Xuanxuan want mommy to get divorced?”

“I don’t want to be with daddy,” the child admitted frankly.

Chen Haidong’s standing in her heart wasn’t even as high as Beijiali’s. People are emotional creatures, who treats whom well needs no concealment, it’s all perfectly clear.

“Then you’ll be with me.” Yin Yunzhu turned on the headlights, illuminating the neatly trimmed shrubs ahead.

“I want us to be together,” Yin Xuan murmured, staring at her little leather shoes glistening with melted snow, reflecting faint highlights.

Unsure how to explain that divorce was complicated and beyond her current comprehension, Yin Yunzhu also feared her sister might face bullying at school because of it.

She ruffled the girl’s fluffy hair: “Don’t think about these things. Big sister will treat you to a feast.”

In reality, this so-called feast was just hand-pulled noodles.

Rolling shutters lined the street, with only one neon sign glowing at the corner. Holding Yin Xuan’s hand, she entered the small eatery where a boisterous family surrounded the TV watching the Spring Festival Gala.

After ordering two bowls of noodles, Yin Yunzhu handed disposable chopsticks across the table, suddenly remembering her unanswered messages. The drafted reply “At home” now seemed bitterly ironic. She deleted it and typed anew:

[BambooBuddy: Eating out]

As if waiting on standby, the reply came within seconds:

[Tangerine: Location]

Yin Yunzhu froze, suddenly unable to decipher Jiang Menghe’s intentions. Judging from the terse words, she probably intended to join them.

But…

Her gaze shifted to Yin Xuan across the table the child’s cheeks flushed red from cold, small hands resting on the greasy surface, visibly despondent.

[BambooBuddy: Little Xuan’s here. It’s New Year’s Eve, you should be with family]

[Tangerine: Just want to see you. Location]

Reluctantly, Yin Yunzhu shared their location and asked the owner to prepare another bowl.

Through the grease-stained yellowed curtain, a familiar silhouette gradually emerged. Jiang Menghe entered, bringing in the winter chill. Snowflakes clung to her long lashes, their melting droplets lending her a delicately vulnerable air when she blinked.

Having arrived midway through their meal, Jiang Menghe settled beside Yin Yunzhu, observing the steaming noodles, translucent broth dotted with golden oil swirls, uneven strands soaked in savory liquid amidst fresh cilantro and scallions.

“Got this for you. Eat while it’s hot,” Yin Yunzhu said, passing her the split chopsticks.

Yin Xuan peered curiously over her bowl at the pair, her usual vivacity subdued by lingering distress. Noticing the odd behavior, Jiang Menghe raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Explain at home,” Yin Yunzhu mouthed, swallowing her own questions in the cramped space.

The meal passed in silence, three minds occupied while chopsticks clinked against bowls and comedy sketches played on TV. Warmth from the food spread drowsily through their bodies.

After paying at the counter, Yin Yunzhu turned to find Yin Xuan asleep against Jiang Menghe’s shoulder, breath even, dried tear tracks on rosy cheeks. The woman cradled the child, smoothing her hair from crown to forearm, gently tucking away strands stuck to damp skin.

“Fell asleep?” Yin Yunzhu walked over and mouthed the question silently.

“Seems so,” Jiang Menghe maintained the same posture, standing as motionless as an evergreen pine. “She was already dozing off during dinner.”

Being the last to arrive meant finishing the meal last. By the time she finished her soup, Yin Xuan was already nodding off like a pecking chick.

“How are you getting home later?” Yin Yunzhu reached out and pulled the child into her arms.

Yin Xuan obediently opened her arms, letting out a discontented whimper. An eight-year-old wasn’t exactly light to carry, and her jacket rode up to expose a sliver of waist. Jiang Menghe noticed and discreetly tugged it back down.

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Adjusting her stride to match Yin Yunzhu’s, she supported the child’s back as they walked toward the parking spot.

The wind cut like knives against their faces, howling as it rattled the red lanterns hanging from the eaves. Carefully opening the rear car door, Yin Yunzhu settled Yin Xuan inside before finally speaking.

“Aren’t you going home?”

She assumed Jiang Menghe had come on a whim out of so-called “longing.” After all, few people spent New Year’s Eve away from home.

Having just witnessed family conflict, she wasn’t in the mood to entertain, especially with Yin Xuan feeling down. As the older sister, she had responsibilities.

Moreover, her personal affairs especially those bordering on scandal weren’t something she wanted to share with Jiang Menghe. They existed behind a hazy pane of glass, layering fantasies upon each other, lost in dreamlike intimacy.

Not tearing off that beautiful facade to reveal the ugliest chapters of her past, just to elicit Jiang Menghe’s pity.

There was no need.

“I’m not going back.” Jiang Menghe naturally circled to the front and opened the passenger door.

The studio was completely empty even the diligent Ye Xiyang had gone home to his family. She’d hitched a ride with him to this little noodle shop.

“I don’t have space for you to stay,” Yin Yunzhu said as she got in.

A thumb pressed against her forehead. Caught off guard by the sudden closeness, she froze.

“Bad mood?” Jiang Menghe’s fingers traced slowly along her jawline.

The boldness of the gesture made Yin Yunzhu turn away, wary of Yin Xuan waking up in the backseat. “I’m not in the mood right now.”

“I can take the guest room.”

Jiang Menghe smiled, her features faintly illuminated by the car’s dim lights.

“What a coincidence neither am I today.”

Strangely enough, outside of their physical intimacy, their emotions never seemed to align. Like entwined vines drawing nourishment from each other’s affection.

A perfect balance, like two puzzle pieces fitting seamlessly.

Jiang Menghe rarely spoke so bluntly. Most of the time, her demeanor was as placid as lukewarm water standing silently, effortlessly setting herself apart from the crowd.

It was hard to imagine her ever losing composure.

Shaking off the thought, Yin Yunzhu defaulted to caretaker mode: “Why aren’t you in the mood?”

The words carried a tinge of resentment, no different from questioning why a lover had grown distant. Realizing her slip, she bit her tongue.

“Then why aren’t you in the mood?” Jiang Menghe tilted her head, her gaze dark with unspoken thoughts.

“Just not feeling it.”

“Why not?”

In the past, Jiang Menghe would have known when to stop, never as oblivious as she was today. That eagerness to step into the other’s life and share the burden someone more perceptive and sensitive would have noticed it immediately.

Yet Yin Yunzhu remained focused on driving, only occasionally glancing at Yin Xuan in the rearview mirror before returning her thoughts to the road.

Unbeknownst to her, turbulent emotions had long been churning in Jiang Menghe’s heart. Her body was far more honest than her words, and the moment she spoke, regret surged through her.

She shouldn’t be impatient or frivolous those who take the initiative always end up at a disadvantage. This only made her growing secret affection more apparent.

Jiang Menghe didn’t feel any joy, especially since Yin Yunzhu’s silence pushed her further away. What had once been the detached perspective of an observer had now become the confusion of someone too deeply involved.

Fear grew stronger, fear of losing control, and an unwillingness to admit she was being led along. The woman rolled down the car window, letting the night air clear her mind.

“Forget I said anything.”

With both of them lost in their own thoughts, she let out a sigh and spoke calmly.

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