She Became The Black Lotus’s Pure, Untouchable Love - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Hurried footsteps echoed outside the ward—the sound of leather soles grinding against the floor, moving with disciplined, synchronized precision.

Ning Xiangxiang tilted her head, listening to the commotion outside and wondering who was putting on such a grand display. A moment later, her door was pushed open.

Five men in suits and ties entered her room, pushing a dining cart.

Without so much as a greeting, they lowered the over-bed table and began incessantly loading it with food from the cart. They even went so far as to light scented dining candles by the table—a truly bizarre touch.

Ning Xiangxiang watched, her mind full of question marks. After a long while, she finally managed to speak: “Did you guys… get the wrong room?”

The man in the lead gave her a deep bow. “Please enjoy your meal, Miss Ning. We will be waiting outside.”

She stared at the array of dishes on the table and fell silent.

What kind of cliché, overbearing-CEO idol drama service is this??

If one of her legs weren’t currently suspended in the air, she would have started searching the room for hidden cameras to see if she was on a reality show.

With a sigh, she reached out and uncovered the first dish—a rich, fragrant, slow-simmered chicken soup.

Ning Xiangxiang froze.

It couldn’t be… Aunt Chen, could it?

Did Aunt Chen actually have this kind of clout? Was she actually a billionaire experiencing the common life, lurking undercover in the Ning family all this time?

Ning Xiangxiang narrowed her eyes. To confirm, she took a photo of the food and opened WeChat.

Ning Xiangxiang: Thank you! The soup is delicious!

A moment later, a reply popped up:

. As long as you like it.

Immediately followed by a sticker of a little white rabbit jumping up and down while holding a heart.

Ning Xiangxiang’s eyes widened at the reply.

It was Aunt Chen!

The image of Aunt Chen surfaced in her mind: a plump woman in her late forties whose eyes crinkled into crescents when she laughed. She was cheerful every day, and her favorite thing to do was watch K-dramas. No wonder there was a scene straight out of an idol drama happening right now.

Aunt Chen probably knew she had broken her leg and hired a few extras to try and cheer her up.

Ning Xiangxiang took a spoonful of soup and peeked outside. The leader of the group was actually quite a “K-drama style” handsome guy. She couldn’t resist typing into the chat again:

Ning Xiangxiang: I love it! Of course I love it, you’re seriously the best!!

Ning Xiangxiang: Especially the one in the lead—he’s so handsome! Total K-drama male lead material!!

The corners of Ning Xiangxiang’s mouth kept curling upward. She scrolled through her stickers and sent a “heart launch” emoji.

This time, there was no reply for a long while.

Ning Xiangxiang didn’t wait around; she sipped her soup while peeking at the “extras” standing stiffly outside. She thought to herself: The domestic service industry truly is a place of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

…

“Sister, who are you chatting with?”

Huo Xingyu glanced sideways. The girl in front of her was extremely sweet-looking, with round, slightly downturned eyes that gave her a pitiable, innocent look when she stared at someone.

“If anything is bothering you, you can tell me…” She was holding two cups of coffee, handing one to Huo Xingyu with a bright smile. “Even though this meeting was arranged by your mother, we’ve known each other for so long. I can help share your burdens.”

“It’s nothing. Thanks.” Huo Xingyu tucked her phone away with a darkened expression. She took the coffee from Wen Ran, took a sip, and began walking toward the gallery.

A massive portrait hung in the center of the hall. The plants along the side aisles blended with the modern, high-tech decor, surrounded by countless exhibition pieces.

“I heard the coffee here is great,” Wen Ran said, walking by her side. Wen Ran wasn’t particularly petite, but Huo Xingyu was quite tall. Her curvaceous figure was wrapped in a white mermaid skirt; her maturity perfectly offset Wen Ran, making the latter seem even more youthful and delicate.

“It’s okay.”

“I want to try a sip too, is that okay?” She looked up at Huo Xingyu with her round, drooping eyes.

No one would ever refuse me, Wen Ran thought. She didn’t typically like women, but Huo Xingyu was different. This was the person with the loudest support to be the Huo family heir; if she could actually land her, what did gender matter?

Huo Xingyu dazed for a moment, only to see Wen Ran lean in, bringing a scent of floral perfume with her. The girl lowered her head and bit down on the straw Huo Xingyu had just used.

“Hmm, it’s really not that great. I know a coffee shop on Zhongxi Road where the Blue Mountain is the best I’ve ever had in the country. Sister, let me take you there tomorrow?”

Huo Xingyu looked at the lipstick mark on the straw, her mind filled with confusion.

If she wanted to drink it, why didn’t she buy her own cup? Why drink mine?

“Can’t go. Too busy.” Huo Xingyu frowned and turned her gaze to a painting hanging nearby. “If you want some, go buy another cup yourself.”

After her meetings tomorrow, once she finished handling her business, she had to make time to see Ning Xiangxiang.

Wen Ran suppressed her irritation and maintained her sweet smile. She gave the hem of Huo Xingyu’s skirt a gentle tug and said coquettishly, “So did Sister specifically make time to see me today? Why did you want to meet at an art museum?”

“Saves time.”

“Saves… saves time?”

“By seeing what kind of paintings someone likes, I can tell if our values align…” Huo Xingyu pulled out the straw stained with lipstick and continued: “Let’s end it here. There’s no need to waste more time. Just tell them I didn’t meet your requirements when you go back.”

“Is that so? But I clearly feel that Sister fits my requirements perfectly. Wen Ran couldn’t possibly tell a lie like that…”

Maintaining her soft, sweet smile, Wen Ran stood beside her, looked at the painting Huo Xingyu was staring at, and added:

“Then, what kind of paintings does Xiangxiang like? Who knows, maybe she and I have a lot in common.”