The Second Fall - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Protecting Rong Yushu’s… Innocence

“I never left you.” Tan Xiangming managed to catch Hao Liuhua, the question marks over her head practically flying off.

“Then why didn’t you come to see me for so long?” Tears the size of beans squeezed out of Hao Liuhua’s eyes, soaking her green pupils until they looked like emerald lakes shimmering with starlight. “After the car accident, you stopped looking for me… during that time, I went to see you every day, but you wouldn’t talk to me.”

She clutched Tan Xiangming’s lapel, her grip tight, yet she didn’t pull the fabric even a centimeter away, as if terrified of hurting Tan Xiangming.

“You definitely forgot me.” Hao Liuhua then buried her head and sobbed softly, looking utterly broken.

Tan Xiangming held her half-embraced, afraid that if she let go, Hao Liuhua would collapse on the floor. It would be hard to explain when she sobered up the next day. Meanwhile, Tan Xiangming’s mind began to race.

When did I ever have a car accident?

Even in her acting career, none of her dramas had such a cliché plot, let alone in real life. Her anti-fans liked to stir up trouble—sending blades to the film set, splashing dirty water—and yes, some had tried to run her car off the road. But she had saved up plenty of pocket money and never skimped on security; how could anyone have succeeded? As for amnesia, she clearly remembered her sister stealing her snacks as a child. She didn’t seem amnesiac at all.

Tan Xiangming shook her head. She had almost been led astray by Hao Liuhua. Hao Liuhua was crying piteously and accusing a “sinner.” But this sinner who forgot her wasn’t necessarily her.

What if it’s Hao Liuhua’s ex-girlfriend?

Tan Xiangming’s eyes sparkled. Her excitement rose. She didn’t know anything about Hao Liuhua’s romantic history. If Hao Liuhua really had an ex who forgot her in an accident, and she was still pining for her, trying to rekindle an old flame—now that gossip would be fun.

Tan Xiangming decided to bait her new wife. This was a business marriage, after all; she didn’t care if Hao Liuhua had someone else in her heart. The most important thing was that Hao Liuhua’s money didn’t belong to someone else.

Hao Liuhua, sobbing in her arms, had no idea what she was planning. She just felt the atmosphere suddenly turn quiet and strange, and she was preparing her next move. Having downed so much alcohol today, she was truly a bit drunk.

In her clouded state, her mind was filled with the melodramatic web novel she had read last night: The female lead was a flirt who loved leaving a trail of broken hearts. One day, she returned home to find a stranger crying, only to realize it was her ex-girlfriend whom she had forgotten after a car accident.

Hao Liuhua couldn’t quite distinguish reality from the story, but she knew she was holding the person she loved. She projected herself into the role of the pitiful abandoned girlfriend from the novel, acting it out, believing the person in front of her was the “bad woman” who had forgotten and ghosted her.

She should be angry. Who could endure being ghosted and forgotten? But looking at Tan Xiangming’s face, her anger vanished, leaving only grievance. “Please, come back…”

Tan Xiangming chose that moment to speak. “You have the wrong person. I am your marriage partner; we only just registered our marriage.”

Hearing “registered,” Hao Liuhua’s eyes lit up. The layer of tears magnified the highlights in her eyes, making them look heartbreakingly piteous.

“But we are a business marriage with no emotional foundation. I didn’t know you before I registered with you.” Tan Xiangming looked into Hao Liuhua’s eyes and reached up to press her finger against Hao Liuhua’s lips.

Hao Liuhua’s mouth hung open, her voice silenced. The lounge fell into a few seconds of stillness. Only the light in Hao Liuhua’s blinking green eyes continued to swirl, slowly converging into the word “love.”

She felt wronged. This was clearly her lover—the one she had remembered for so long, loved so deeply, and hated for leaving. How could she not know her? But since they were already married, it was time to settle some scores.

“No. You must have amnesia. Otherwise, how could you not know me?” Hao Liuhua lightly licked Tan Xiangming’s finger, then cupped that trembling fingertip, correcting her.

Tan Xiangming couldn’t pull her hand away; she could only watch as her finger was pressed against Hao Liuhua’s cheek. Then came a light nuzzle. Hao Liuhua gripped Tan Xiangming’s finger like a precious treasure, trying to press as much of her skin against it as possible.

From her fingertip, Tan Xiangming felt the softness of the woman’s skin. The smooth, silky texture was somewhat enticing, causing her to involuntarily relax her resistance.

“Then tell me, what did we do before?” Tan Xiangming suddenly jerked her hand back just as Hao Liuhua tried to catch her fingers again, holding the fumbling woman down.

This drunken lady was unexpectedly strong. Tan Xiangming gave her a suspicious look, but seeing that Hao Liuhua was still dazed with drink, she breathed a sigh of relief. Normally, she would never let Hao Liuhua play with her fingers like this or witness her stiff loss of composure. It was embarrassing. But if Hao Liuhua was going to black out, she could consider not holding it against her.

“Before, you also liked to mess around outside.” Hao Liuhua still wanted to grab Tan Xiangming’s hand. She was restless, having lost interest in talking. She desperately wanted to be held, to be kissed.

Pressed down by the shoulders, Hao Liuhua stared at her blankly, her thoughts turning ambiguous. She knew she was a “scum,” yet she couldn’t stop herself from drawing near. Hao Liuhua felt a sourness in her heart. Looking at the confused Tan Xiangming, she began to accuse her, using lines from the melodramatic novel she’d read.

“I checked your phone before and found over a dozen contacts with birthdays and ‘feelings’ noted. I saw you buy gifts for others and eat with them…”

As she spoke, Hao Liuhua grew despondent.

“Are you sure this was during the time ‘we’ were dating?” Tan Xiangming, listening to the accusations, felt more question marks pop up. She was playing along with Hao Liuhua’s “act” just to get information, curious about her romantic history. But hearing such explosive words, Tan Xiangming’s jaw nearly dropped.

She was now genuinely curious if Hao Liuhua was talking about some mysterious ex-girlfriend. If so, who on earth could make the dignified Hao Liuhua so submissive—begging her to return even after seeing her cheat?

While Hao Liuhua was thinking, Tan Xiangming had already gone through everyone she knew in the upper-class social circles who fit the age range. She didn’t suspect for a second that Hao Liuhua was just acting out a book.

“Yes. But you hadn’t done anything [physical] yet, so I forgave you… Later, after you lost your memory, you became even more excessive.”

Just as Hao Liuhua raised her hand, she saw Tan Xiangming produce a piece of rope. She tilted her head as Tan Xiangming grabbed her wrists and, regardless of her protests, tied her hands together.

“…Baby, what are you doing?” Tears still clung to Hao Liuhua’s lashes. As she blinked, the light danced on them like butterflies lost in a forest. She tilted her head up, her golden-brown hair brushing out a scent of wine.

“You’re not allowed to touch me randomly. I don’t remember you, so how can I be ‘excessive’?” To get more info, Tan Xiangming had fully committed to the role, playing the “scumbag woman” to the best of her ability.

“But, but… I just miss you too much. We haven’t been alone together for so long, just the two of us.” Hao Liuhua twisted, the rope on her wrists still tied. She couldn’t even touch her lover now; she desperately wanted to stand up.

“Drunken sister, sit still. Or I’ll tie you to the chair.” Meanwhile, Tan Xiangming didn’t forget her main quest: sobering Hao Liuhua up. This was her first time taking care of a drunk, and she didn’t really know what to do besides feeding her hangover soup. However, she knew she shouldn’t give a drunk person too much freedom of movement, lest she fall and hurt herself. Tying her up seemed like a good method.

Seeing the dangerous glint in Tan Xiangming’s eyes, Hao Liuhua had to become obedient, sitting upright like a primary school student. “You called me ‘sister,'” she muttered stubbornly.

“Yes, Sister Hao. Since you like the title, tell me, what did I do?” Tan Xiangming held the rope, ready to tie the drunkard up further.

Hao Liuhua stared at the rope, her mind wandering. She didn’t want to answer. In her mind, Tan Xiangming should be well aware of what she’d done after her amnesia—why did she need her to say it? Wasn’t this humiliating her?

“Not talking? Didn’t you say I’m your lover, that we were apart for so long and I don’t remember you… Don’t you want me to remember?” Tan Xiangming curled her lip into a “wicked” smile that was actually quite alluring. She tilted Hao Liuhua’s chin, holding the rope in one hand while studying her eyes—partly for the “plot” and partly to confirm her state.

Still drunk. Let’s keep digging.

Hao Liuhua turned her head away, her hair falling over her face in a slightly disheveled manner. Combined with the redness in her eyes, she looked unexpectedly beautiful, with a sort of “vulnerable” vibe that made one want to bully her.

“Before, at a bar, you kept a canary (a kept lover). Last time I went to find you, she was sitting on your lap pouring wine for you. The wine flowed down your mouth, and you even let her use her fingers to wipe it dry for you.” Hao Liuhua was very specific.

Tan Xiangming felt a slight jolt of nerves when she heard the word “bar.” She indeed loved going to bars before she got married. To be precise, they were in a bar right now. But she had never had physical intimacy with her “canaries”—every time, she just gave them money, watched them sing and dance, gave them some accessories or clothes she didn’t need, and left.

She’s definitely not talking about me.

Tan Xiangming felt relieved, and her eyes crinkled. She looked harmless, yet there was a deep-seated mischief hidden in her half-closed eyes.

“But a canary’s body is soft and fragrant. It’s comfortable to hold her. She even blushes and wraps around me like a snake, shy yet proactive.” Her words were a direct provocation to Hao Liuhua, cutting deep into her spirit.

Tan Xiangming had far more acting experience than Hao Liuhua. She had once played a “social butterfly” intelligence officer, and she nailed this role perfectly. Not a single movement was wasted; a single blink made it hard for Hao Liuhua to breathe.

“Surely she wasn’t the only one?” Tan Xiangming said, glancing at the rope in her other hand. “If you want to settle scores with me, then tell me, dear sister.”

“…Last time you went on a trip with that ‘so-and-so,’ you sat in her car, and she leaned over to feed you, getting so close.” Hao Liuhua looked at the coil of rope as if seeing a fork coming for her. She had become a delicious pastry, and Tan Xiangming was making her even more tempting. Yet she couldn’t escape; she could only play along.

“Mmh, that was her being proactive, feeding me on her own. She was so passionate and witty; I couldn’t bear to refuse her.” Tan Xiangming laughed softly, as if reminiscing.

Hao Liuhua’s expression became even more intense. She bit a small piece of her lip between her teeth, nearly drawing blood. Her cheeks were tense as she fought back tears. The rims of her eyes were strikingly red, as eye-catching as a poisonous flower. The tears within were like venomous stingers, and her gaze was sharp enough to burn.

But she wouldn’t release this poison. Like a form of self-harm, she trapped the venom that might hurt her lover, letting it erode her own eyes.

Quite cute.

Tan Xiangming felt only a tiny bit of guilt. It was all acting anyway, and she wasn’t actually this “scummy ex-girlfriend.” Besides, Hao Liuhua was so drunk that even if she remembered tomorrow, it wouldn’t be very clear. Tan Xiangming spoke her “scum” lines without any psychological burden.

Hao Liuhua nearly bit through her lip, a dark red staining the spot. Before she could draw blood, Tan Xiangming pressed her thumb against her lips to help her. Talking is fine, but leaving a wound is bad.

“Don’t you feel there’s a problem with you acting like this?” Instead, because of this second of tenderness, Hao Liuhua lowered her head, her lashes covering her eyes to hide the tears she could no longer control.

“If you want me to feel there’s a problem… tell me a bit more. Maybe with the next one, I’ll think it’s wrong?” Tan Xiangming stroked Hao Liuhua’s face, forcing her to look up. She didn’t want her biting herself in secret and having to explain it the next day.

“Last time your senior confessed to you, you didn’t refuse. After that, you went on dates with her every day and accepted her gifts. When I questioned you, you said you weren’t dating.” Hao Liuhua seemed to use her trump card, her green eyes turning fierce, staring fixedly at Tan Xiangming.

Tan Xiangming’s heart tightened. Hao Liuhua was so full of genuine emotion; this was the direct reason Tan Xiangming didn’t suspect she was acting.

But if it’s true… this amnesiac ex-girlfriend of Hao Liuhua’s is way too much of a scumbag!

“Do you really like her… cough. I mean, I’ve lost my memory and don’t remember my relationship with you, so is there really a problem with me dating my senior?” Tan Xiangming’s voice caught.

“But, but they all left you.” Hao Liuhua nearly struggled out of the rope. Even tied up, she managed to snag Tan Xiangming’s sleeve. Tan Xiangming reluctantly let her hook it, not pushing her away for the moment. “I’m the only one still waiting for you. Can’t you come back and look at me?”

Meeting Hao Liuhua’s tearful eyes, Tan Xiangming’s gaze flickered. She thought Hao Liuhua was here today to accuse a scummy ex and demand an apology. She hadn’t expected Hao Liuhua was playing a “tragic love” script, wanting the scum to come back.

Tan Xiangming momentarily broke character, feeling she should update her view of her marriage partner. Or perhaps she should give her some guidance when she woke up—and it would be even better if she could get the money Hao Liuhua spent on her ex.

“Can’t you? Didn’t we register our marriage?” Seeing Tan Xiangming stay silent for so long, Hao Liuhua gently tugged at the corner of her clothes.

Tan Xiangming finally got back into character. Good thing this wasn’t real filming, or they’d have to reshoot this take.

“…That’s because my memory is jumbled. We didn’t register.” Tan Xiangming explained quickly. Right now, her role was the scummy ex, not the marriage partner Hao Liuhua actually married. Tan Xiangming didn’t want Hao Liuhua to misunderstand; she had never been a “scum” and didn’t want to be one.

“You have another marriage partner? You registered?” Hao Liuhua refused to let it go. She only begged like this because she remembered they were married. Otherwise, she definitely wouldn’t be able to make the person in front of her change her mind.

“I’m unmarried. I remembered wrong earlier.” Tan Xiangming let out a good-natured sigh. “You’ve said so much, but I don’t remember you at all. So why should I choose you?”

Tan Xiangming quickly changed the subject. Her eyes were colder than before, but her emotions were no longer being projected. She removed the rope from Hao Liuhua’s hands as a concession.

“I am also soft. I can also be very proactive. Hold me; I will do better than that canary.”

Hao Liuhua suddenly stood up, her legs weak from the alcohol, and she stumbled forward.

“Hey!” This person wanted to stand up again. She shouldn’t have untied her!

Tan Xiangming quickly caught Hao Liuhua and “obediently” sat down, letting Hao Liuhua sit on her lap, just as she had requested. Hao Liuhua had been clutching her lapel, but seeing her concede and seemingly willing to accept her, she steeled her resolve and hooked her arms around Tan Xiangming’s neck.

She leaned in close, relaxing herself as much as possible, hoping to become soft. Then, with one hand around Tan Xiangming’s waist and the other on her chest, she mimicked a wiping motion, her fingertips floating over Tan Xiangming’s chest.

“Let me wipe it for you… serve you. This time, I will be very obedient, very good.”

Tan Xiangming pinched Hao Liuhua’s fingers. Hao Liuhua forced a smile and switched sides, reaching for Tan Xiangming’s collar. Inadvertently touching Tan Xiangming’s collarbone, Tan Xiangming nearly jumped out of her skin, wanting Hao Liuhua to stop immediately.

“Don’t… I don’t need you to serve me.” Tan Xiangming didn’t want to act anymore.

She had gathered enough info. She knew that although her marriage partner looked like a moonlit breeze—dignified, elegant, and serious—privately, she was a love-struck fool to an incomprehensible degree, begging for a cheating, “fish-farming” scumbag ex to come back.

If I can make her like me, could I change the profit split to 80/20 or even 90/10?

Tan Xiangming briefly considered this possibility, then stopped the fantasy. She also went to bars and liked chatting with all sorts of pretty sisters; she was actually quite similar to this “scummy ex.” If Hao Liuhua really liked her, wouldn’t she be a body double while knowing Hao Liuhua had someone else in her heart?

She didn’t love money that much. She’d let her sister make up the remaining 20%. She and Hao Liuhua would keep their business marriage. She’d be happy to be a confidante, listening to Hao Liuhua’s troubles and taking pocket money.

Hao Liuhua was still trying to sit on Tan Xiangming’s lap. Hearing the refusal to be “served,” she froze slightly. She used her muddled brain to try and process the phrase “no need to serve.”

Then, she pulled open her collar and casually ripped off a button.

“Then… do you like me like this?” Hao Liuhua grabbed Tan Xiangming’s hand and moved it toward her own chest.

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