She Became The Black Lotus’s Pure, Untouchable Love - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Huo Xingyu’s wandering thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She turned to glance back.

It was her butler, Liu Meng.

“Miss.” He gave a slow, measured bow, respectful and polite, though he didn’t dare meet her eyes.

Huo Xingyu was strikingly beautiful but rarely smiled, possessing an innate, overbearing aura. With thin lips, a delicate nose, and long, narrow eyes that tilted slightly upward, she didn’t need to speak; a single look from her was enough to make one feel a sense of pressure and suffocation.

“What is it?”

“It’s… the young lady from the Ning family, the one you have an engagement with. She fell down the stairs and is currently unconscious.”

Huo Xingyu nodded. In her memory, Ning Xiangxiang had only entered the Huo family’s pool of choices because her younger sister had been injured.

Everything was developing just as it had before.

Thinking this, she remarked with feigned indifference, “I heard she has an older sister.”

Liu Meng froze for a moment. Ning Xiangxiang hadn’t been in the industry long and mostly acted in idol dramas and youth films. His mistress usually never looked at that kind of fluff—how did she even know Ning Xiangxiang?

“She does have an elder sister, but I heard there was an accident on set.”

“Uh…” Huo Xingyu dazed for a split second. She suddenly stood up and headed for the door. “What happened? How is she?”

Did this happen in my last life?

Huo Xingyu couldn’t remember. She had been so indifferent to Ning Xiangxiang before that, looking back now, she realized she knew absolutely nothing about her.

“She’s fine, actually. Just a fractured leg.” Observing Huo Xingyu’s abrupt movements, Liu Meng hesitated for a second before asking, “Does Miss wish to go see her?”

“Huh?” Huo Xingyu froze. She turned back to the butler and said with forced certainty, “No.”

“No? Er, then why are you in such a hurry to…”

Huo Xingyu stood rooted to the spot.

A moment ago, she truly had wanted to rush out and see Ning Xiangxiang. But in the eyes of others, that would surely look strange. She and Ning Xiangxiang had never even met; there was no logical reason for her to drop everything and visit her the moment she heard about an accident.

But Ning Xiangxiang is a woman who loved me so much she died for me at my funeral.

Since Ning Xiangxiang liked her that much, Huo Xingyu felt it was only reasonable to go see her. Besides, upon seeing her, Ning Xiangxiang would probably be so happy she’d want to start a lion dance, hang banners, and go back to her hometown to set off fireworks for seven days straight.

Thinking of Ning Xiangxiang’s shocked yet longing gaze, she couldn’t help but find it slightly amusing.

“Fourth Miss…”

Huo Xingyu glanced at him.

She wanted to go because it would make Ning Xiangxiang happy—but how could she possibly say that out loud?

Liu Meng trembled under her increasingly cold and gloomy expression. He began searching for an excuse for her to visit, suggesting: “Perhaps… Miss is a fan of hers?”

Huo Xingyu arched an eyebrow.

He looked into her deep, dark eyes, and his voice gradually grew weaker. Ning Xiangxiang acted in cliché youth idol dramas that lacked depth; given Huo Xingyu’s picky tastes, the chances of her having watched such things were slim to none.

Liu Meng went silent for a while before trying again: “The company recently started an initiative to care for injured performers in the industry. It just so happens Miss Ning has a leg injury…”

Huo Xingyu nodded with satisfaction.

“Right… exactly. Someone in the industry is injured; it’s only normal to pay a visit of condolence.”

With that, Huo Xingyu took a few steps forward, then immediately doubled back. She stared at herself in the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror.

Her curly black hair cascaded behind her. A well-tailored, charcoal-grey cashmere blazer accentuated the mature curves of her shoulders, waist, and hips. Red lips, black hair, and those slightly upturned eyes—there was nothing vulgar about her beauty, only a sharp, imposing elegance.

“Is it appropriate for me to wear this?”

“Uh…” Liu Meng was stunned. Watching Huo Xingyu examine herself in the mirror with the same intensity she used for financial reports, he felt something was off, though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Usually, it was others who agonized over what to wear in front of her. When did the Fourth Miss start worrying about such things—especially to see a fifth-tier starlet with a broken leg?

“It might be a bit too formal… perhaps?” Liu Meng speculated, following her lead.

Huo Xingyu frowned and nodded. It was indeed too formal. She had never paid attention to such matters before, nor did she care to dress up for anyone.

But Ning Xiangxiang was different.

How was she different?

She loves me. She loves me so much she can’t live without me. And her leg is broken.

Furthermore, while Huo Xingyu disliked people focusing on looks, she couldn’t deny that first impressions were important. She couldn’t remember the circumstances of their first meeting in her previous life—it seemed they had only shared a brief glance, and everything was a blur.

But during their married life, Ning Xiangxiang’s image in front of her had always been impeccable. Her makeup was flawless, and she was meticulously styled from head to toe.

A woman dresses for the one she loves.

Huo Xingyu narrowed her eyes. She realized she had overlooked so many details in the past; only now did she truly realize just how much Ning Xiangxiang loved her. Now that she had a broken leg, she was already pitiable—and she loved her so much on top of that.

Huo Xingyu turned and walked into the walk-in closet.

…

Liu Meng yawned and checked his watch.

Fifty minutes had passed.

He watched Huo Xingyu pace back and forth in the closet. Picking out a coat was like reviewing next season’s budget; choosing a watch was like arranging a real estate tender. She kept taking clothes into the dressing room only to come back out and re-select.

Liu Meng couldn’t help but ask, “Fourth Miss, where exactly are we going?”

Huo Xingyu’s gaze swept over him.

“Right,” Liu Meng nodded respectfully. “The hospital. The hospital.”

Looking at this display, one would think she was attending a state banquet rather than visiting a hospital.

In those fifty minutes, Huo Xingyu had cycled from long skirts to shirts, from formal three-piece suits to casual wear. It was as if in her vast closet, she couldn’t find a single thing worthy of meeting Ning Xiangxiang.

The butler fell silent as he watched Huo Xingyu practice smiling in front of the mirror.

Had the Fourth Miss suffered some kind of shock? Had the Huo family’s stock crashed?

He pulled out his phone to check just as Huo Xingyu turned around. Her cold, glamorous face was wearing a strange smile. It wasn’t ugly, but because she rarely smiled, the sudden expression left him at a loss.

“Does this look kind?”

“Uh…” Liu Meng looked at that odd smile. He didn’t need to check his phone anymore; the stock must have definitely plummeted to drive her to this state. After a pause, he nodded. “Very kind.”

…

When Huo Xingyu pushed open the ward door, Ning Xiangxiang was already leaning against the bed, fast asleep.

She had never looked at Ning Xiangxiang this closely before. The sunlight from the window reflected off her cheek, making her skin look as white as translucent jade. Her straight, pert nose and rounded lips carried a hint of youthful innocence.

Ning Xiangxiang was exceptionally beautiful; if she weren’t, she wouldn’t have been constantly booked for roles despite her lackluster acting.

She was holding a book in her slender hand, looking as if she’d fallen asleep while reading. Huo Xingyu didn’t know what kind of books Ning Xiangxiang liked, but she assumed a socialite seeking status would read things like Critique of Pure Reason or The Birth of Tragedy.

The scene before her brought a strange sense of peace and relaxation. Standing at the door, she felt a bit dazed. Though this was their “first” meeting, they had actually spent ten years together.

Huo Xingyu took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Only as she got closer did she notice the book in Ning Xiangxiang’s hand. The front cover depicted two men hugging tightly, and the back cover showed a slightly more muscular man stripping a suit off a thinner one.

Four words were written on the cover:

— The Cousin’s Proxy Marriage —

Confused, Huo Xingyu leaned in to read the synopsis on the jacket:

The little vixen who marries in her sister’s place; a romance of soul and flesh. The overbearing CEO can’t stop herself; a timeless deep love; a “crematorium” chase to win her wife back.

When she hesitates, hold her tight.

Huo Xingyu fell silent. She looked at the sleeping Ning Xiangxiang with a complicated expression.

Beneath her proper and rigid exterior, she actually likes… this stuff??

While she was lost in thought, footsteps sounded behind her—leather shoes tapping hurriedly against the marble floor. Huo Xingyu turned to see a man in his late forties or early fifties. He looked exhausted and regarded her with astonishment.

Huo Xingyu recognized him; she had met him a few times in her previous life. He was Ning Xiangxiang’s father.

“Huo… Fourth Miss? Why… why are you here? Ruomeng is in the ward next do—”

“I’m here to see Ning Xiangxiang. Caring for injured performers…” Huo Xingyu replied. “There’s no need for formalities, Uncle. You can just call me Huo Xingyu.”

Ning Huaiai felt uneasy. Huo Xingyu’s reason was bizarre—Ning Xiangxiang wasn’t even an artist under the Huo family’s company. Since when did “care initiatives” cross company lines?

Unable to fathom her goal, he hesitated before saying, “I assume you know. About Ruomeng… we are truly sorry for what happened. I hope you can be understanding.”

“It’s fine.”

Hearing this, Ning Huaiai was even more stunned. Huo Xingyu’s expression was normal—her cold face even carried a hint of unusual kindness. She seemed so relaxed and relieved, as if she had just dropped a heavy burden.

Did this look like someone whose wedding had been forced into a delay?

Perhaps this was an opportunity for Ning Xiangxiang to get close to her? Thinking this, Ning Huaiai stepped forward and gently nudged the dreaming Ning Xiangxiang.

“Xiangxiang, wake up. Fourth Miss Huo is here to see you.”

Huo Xingyu’s chest tightened. She watched Ning Xiangxiang murmur in her sleep as she began to wake. She felt a sudden, inexplicable nervousness; she could almost hear her own heartbeat accelerating. The last time she felt like this was when she announced her appointment at the shareholders’ meeting.

Huo Xingyu instinctively reached to touch the ring on her fourth finger, only to find it empty. She and Ning Xiangxiang weren’t married yet; naturally, there was no ring.

Ning Xiangxiang’s lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. Huo Xingyu saw the surprise and the glistening shimmer in her gaze clearly.

Huo Xingyu curled her lips into the “kind smile” she had practiced repeatedly in the mirror.

In front of her, Ning Xiangxiang stared blankly, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

What’s wrong? Why does she look like she’s about to cry? Is she that moved to see me? Did she not expect me to come?

Huo Xingyu speculated, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. Her smile widened involuntarily. Ning Xiangxiang really did like her this much, just as she thought!

What’s next? Maybe a hug?

Huo Xingyu had never been interested in romance and knew nothing about the “progression” of feelings. However, she had invested in idol dramas and movies. When supervising pilots, she had seen the female lead get injured in a car accident; when the male lead appeared in the ward, she would immediately throw herself into his arms and wail with grievance and fear. She had also seen leaders give hugs as a sign of concern during condolences.

According to the “script,” this was how it should go. A hug couldn’t possibly be the wrong move.

Huo Xingyu used to scoff at such fake displays of affection, but… Ning Xiangxiang was injured, and she loved her so much. Letting her have a hug was only right.

With that thought, Huo Xingyu opened her arms and leaned down, striking the pose, waiting for Ning Xiangxiang to embrace her.

…

When Ning Xiangxiang groggily opened her eyes, she saw Huo Xingyu’s sharp, overly beautiful face.

To say it wasn’t terrifying would be a lie; she was so startled her face turned a bit pale. Regaining her senses, she knew everything had restarted, but she was still afraid. After all, a few days ago, the last Huo Xingyu she saw was lying in a coffin, motionless and breathless.

And Ning Xiangxiang never expected Huo Xingyu to visit her.

In her last life, forget a broken leg—even if she had suffered multiple compound fractures, Huo Xingyu wouldn’t have cared unless it hit the front-page headlines and affected the stock price. Right now, they didn’t even know each other. Why was she suddenly showing up at her door?

Moreover, Huo Xingyu had a bizarre smile on her face.

Huo Xingyu was blessed with a stunning appearance. Her phoenix eyes were naturally alluring, and her straight nose had a small mole on the right side of the tip, which added a touch of innocence to her otherwise cold and expressionless face. Her smile wasn’t ugly.

It was just that Ning Xiangxiang had almost never seen her smile. In ten years of living together, the times Huo Xingyu smiled could be counted on one hand.

The first time was when Huo Xingyu was reading the morning paper and saw that their rival company was on the brink of bankruptcy.

The second time was when her arch-nemesis fell off a horse, breaking three ribs and suffering a compound fracture in the leg; Huo Xingyu had smiled while watching the news ticker on TV.

…And now, Ning Xiangxiang looked at her own leg, which was hoisted high in a cast.

It’s finally my turn.

But weren’t she and Huo Xingyu still strangers? Why was she being targeted already?? Ning Xiangxiang couldn’t figure it out. Remembering Huo Xingyu’s ruthless methods and cold heart, she felt a surge of fear. She looked at Huo Xingyu warily; that strange smile was so frightening she almost burst into tears.

Then, she saw Huo Xingyu open her arms with that smile and stop right in front of her.

Ning Xiangxiang stared at those open arms, wondering what this meant.

Huo Xingyu had done this in her previous life, too. Every time she came home for dinner, she would walk up to Ning Xiangxiang and open her arms so Ning Xiangxiang could help her take off her coat. It seemed to be a tradition in the Huo family; she’d seen it between Huo Xingyu’s parents and her brother and sister-in-law during gatherings.

Later, as Huo Xingyu gained more power and became busier, she rarely came home.

But they weren’t married yet, and she was currently a patient with her leg in the air. Making her help with a coat now seemed a bit much, didn’t it?

She hesitated. Looking at Huo Xingyu’s “smile,” she eventually succumbed. She reached out, unbuttoned Huo Xingyu’s blazer, and, in an awkward position, pulled the jacket off her shoulders.

“Uh…” Huo Xingyu watched her in silence.

“Ah??” Ning Xiangxiang looked back at her, confused.

Suddenly, a strange flush crept onto Huo Xingyu’s cold face. She reached out, pulled Ning Xiangxiang into a firm embrace, and locked her in her arms. Through the thin white shirt, Ning Xiangxiang could feel the soft, burning heat of Huo Xingyu’s chest.