The Amnesiac Drama Queen Is Crashing the Live Stream - Chapter 26.2

Once he was gone, Pei Luoqing glanced at Xia Xingtang, put on a new pair of gloves, peeled half a sweet potato, and handed it over. “Why have you been so quiet?”

Xia Xingtang had felt a little awkward at first, but after Pei Luoqing openly stated her identity, she felt even more uncomfortable.

She took a bite of the sweet potato, savoring the warm sweetness spreading on her tongue. “I just thought it wasn’t appropriate.”

As a partner, she shouldn’t be the only one feeling awkward.

With that thought, Xia Xingtang murmured quietly, “And I didn’t want to interrupt your reunion with an old flame.”

Her words dripped with sarcasm.

“Just because someone confessed to me makes them an old flame?” Pei Luoqing was both annoyed and amused.

Xia Xingtang nodded. “Didn’t he confess to you?”

“But I never accepted. Don’t be so petty,” Pei Luoqing felt somewhat wronged.

Xia Xingtang: “Oh, so now I’m petty?”

Well, then she couldn’t be blamed for bringing up the past.

“But my sister told me that in university, tons of guys and girls wrote you love letters and confessed to you,” Xia Xingtang chuckled dryly. “Some even organized light shows, set up candlelit confessions, confessed at galas, or declared their feelings after winning competitions…”

“You can just say no, but instead you never take the initiative, never refuse, and never take responsibility. You’re such a jerk!”

That accusation was as big and round as a frying pan, dropping right out of the sky.

It left Pei Luoqing momentarily at a loss.

“Never take the initiative, never refuse, and never take responsibility?” Pei Luoqing seemed to laugh in disbelief. “Is that how Xia Qingyue has been badmouthing me to you?”

Xia Xingtang sneered, “Just tell me if it’s true or not.”

However, the response she got was a silence that stretched over ten seconds.

As if tacitly admitting to the accusations, Xia Xingtang suddenly felt her heart tighten, making it hard to breathe.

She regretted asking in the first place. She should have just let it go.

After all, they were married now. Why obsess over the past?

So what if Pei Luoqing really was a jerk? Maybe she herself had been a player before losing her memory.

Some things, as long as she didn’t know about them, could be treated as if they never happened.

Why did she have to go and stir things up?

Just as she was about to say something to change the subject, she heard Pei Luoqing laugh.

At first, the laughter was restrained, but then it grew louder, coming in bursts.

It was as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, her usually cold eyes crinkling with amusement.

“Stop laughing. What’s so funny?”

As if she couldn’t hear the mockery in that laughter.

“Nothing,” Pei Luoqing stifled her laughter with effort, propping her chin lazily as she looked over. “I just didn’t realize our Tangtang cared so much about me that she went out of her way to ask Xia Qingyue about me.”

Her innermost thoughts exposed, Xia Xingtang choked on her words.

“Don’t overthink it,” she snapped, flustered and angry. “My sister was just bored and told me about it. I only listened casually.”

“Casually, yet you remembered every detail so clearly,” Pei Luoqing said with feigned innocence. “And I’m not overthinking it. What did you think I was thinking?”

Xia Xingtang: “…”

No, she didn’t want to think or guess. She just wanted to drop the subject as quickly as possible.

Whether Pei Luoqing was a jerk or a player, she no longer wanted to know.

Pretending she was still hungry, Xia Xingtang said, “Pass me the oden.”

Pei Luoqing complied without a word.

Xia Xingtang bit into the chewy oden as if she were gnawing on bones, as though only that could vent her frustration.

She thought the topic was over, but half a minute later, Pei Luoqing spoke again, slowly, “No wonder you took the chance to kiss me underwater. You’ve had your eyes on me for a long time, huh?”

Hearing this, Xia Xingtang gained a new appreciation for Pei Luoqing’s unparalleled audacity and started coughing violently.

Pei Luoqing patted her back and said helplessly, “Did I hit a nerve? Feeling guilty now?”

That only made Xia Xingtang cough even harder, startling the shop owner, who kindly brought over a cup of warm water.

After testing the temperature, Xia Xingtang gulped it down hastily, finally catching her breath.

Pei Luoqing seemed to realize she had gone too far and continued patting Xia Xingtang’s back dutifully, then took a tissue to wipe the water from her lips. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”

Xia Xingtang, now calmer, muttered under her breath, “You just love bullying me.”

“I’m sorry.” Pei Luoqing offered an insincere apology but still explained, “Xia Qingyue handled most of the love letters and confessions for me. I didn’t even know about them, which is why people say I never reject anyone.”

Xia Xingtang imagined that given how Pei Luoqing had remained single for so many years, seemingly uninterested in anyone, she probably wouldn’t even bat an eye if someone set up candles to confess their love to her.

Pei Luoqing’s mind was wired for making money, how could she possibly spare any attention for repetitive, clichéd confessions?

Looking at it that way, Xia Xingtang felt like she had come out on top.

Her gaze drifted to the table, and a strange lightness filled her heart.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, she had been somewhat bothered by this matter.

“Oh.” Xia Xingtang pretended not to care. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Of course it does. If I didn’t explain, someone might secretly resent me and end up crying alone at night.”

“Who’s crying? Pei Luoqing, don’t push your luck.”

“Mm, I’m the one pushing my luck.”

Pei Luoqing was surprisingly agreeable, then her tone shifted. “After all, I’m not as experienced in love as Her Highness. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll just abandon me.”

Her words were soft, almost as if she were talking to herself, yet just loud enough for Xia Xingtang to hear.

Xia Xingtang retorted, “When have I ever had anyone else?”

“Well, every time Your Highness goes out to have fun, there are always beautiful celebrities at your beck and call.” Pei Luoqing sighed. “But I only have Miss Xia Xingtang.”

Xia Xingtang pinched her chopsticks, suppressing the urge to smile.

What was she supposed to do? Compliment her and give her a “good person” card?

Just then, Pei Luoqing’s phone buzzed with a message, likely something work-related that required a reply.

Seizing the opportunity, Xia Xingtang piled more food into Pei Luoqing’s bowl, all dishes she had tried and found delicious, while sneaking glances at her.

To be fair, if Pei Luoqing didn’t have such a sharp tongue, she would be incredibly attractive.

Her skin was pale but not sickly, smooth and flawless, a classic cool-toned complexion.

She wore a white trench coat, and from the collar, one could glimpse the qipao underneath, accentuating her restrained, almost ascetic elegance.

As Xia Xingtang watched, she couldn’t help but recall how Pei Luoqing had looked after finishing her makeup earlier—her curves perfectly outlined, exuding a mature charm that was alluring yet not overtly seductive.

It was a stark contrast to the composed, elegant woman she usually saw in the study, wearing gold-rimmed glasses with a delicate chain dangling by her cheeks.

The more Xia Xingtang looked, the more a thought crept into her mind.

Almost involuntarily, she glanced at Pei Luoqing, who was still typing a reply, then picked up her phone and pretended to scroll through a webpage, making a few fake gestures.

Then, finding the right angle, she pressed the shutter button.

With a “click,” the dazzling flash obediently highlighted Pei Luoqing’s confusion.

A phrase flashed through Xia Xingtang’s mind: Some people die, yet they live on; some people are alive, but they’re already dead.

Right now, she belonged to the latter category.

Her entire body stiffened, and she wished she could dig a hole three feet deep and bury herself on the spot.

“Are you taking a picture?”

Knowing there was no escape, Xia Xingtang puffed up with false bravado. “Yeah, so what? Got a problem?”

She had the air of someone who had clearly taken the photo and didn’t care what anyone thought.

Pei Luoqing nodded thoughtfully. “Spending the day with me isn’t enough? You have to take a picture to look at secretly under the covers at night?”

Xia Xingtang retorted, “Who’s taking pictures of you?”

She had taken it openly and honestly.

Well, at least after she realized the shutter sound and flash were on.

Pei Luoqing’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “So, you’re planning to look at it tonight?”

“Who wants to go back and look at it tonight!” Xia Xingtang snapped angrily. “I was trying to take a photo of the menu behind you so I could order delivery.”

“Fine.” Pei Luoqing didn’t argue further, though her tone clearly indicated she didn’t believe it.

Xia Xingtang nudged the food in front of her: “You’ve barely eaten anything. Hurry up and finish, I’m sleepy and want to go back.”

“Okay.”

While Pei Luoqing was eating, Xia Xingtang switched screens on her phone and pulled up the sneaky photo she’d taken earlier.

Despite the interruption, at least the photo wasn’t blurry.

She switched to her social media feed and uploaded the picture: [Someone actually demanded I compensate her with a relationship, but considering she’s been single for twenty-eight years, I’ll reluctantly agree!] [Attached photo.jpg]

Then she set the visibility range to: Private (Visible only to herself)