The White Moonlight I Chased, the Divorce I Never Expected - Chapter 48

If Chi Yi remembered correctly, the sketches now tucked away at home — and the one currently in Wen Ranqing’s hands — shared an eerily similar style.

And the scenes in those drawings…

They were the exact locations Chi Yi had visited over the years on various business trips.

Chi Yi’s steps were steady, but her heart was not. She set the food containers down on the table in the living room, then walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window by the bedroom.

“What are you drawing?”

“A picture for you.”

Wen Ranqing had heard her from the moment she entered the living room. Her hand didn’t pause until Chi Yi approached; then she turned, wrapped her arms around Chi Yi’s waist, and looked up at her with eyes brimming with affection.

Wen Ranqing’s life outside of work was barren and quiet. She considered herself uninteresting — no hobbies, no wild dreams like Chi Yi. All she could do was use her hands to capture the beauty she had once seen.

Whenever she interacted with different people for work and had to see those beautiful sights, Wen Ranqing’s mind was always thinking of Chi Yi.

If she and Xiao Yi still had a future… they could go see them together.

She wanted to care about Chi Yi openly, but didn’t dare. The only way to quietly release that longing was by slipping a sketch under the old, nearly forgotten sketchbook in the art room of the house they used to share — the room Chi Yi hardly ever entered.

Unfortunately, both the sketchbook and those drawings had disappeared when Chi Yi moved out.

Inside that book were all the little drawings she had made for eight-year-old Chi Yi — little bunnies, tigers, deer…

Wen Ranqing still remembered the very first thing she ever drew for her: a little teary-faced kitten.

Not for any special reason — she just wanted to tease that little girl a bit. The idea had come after seeing the once fearsome little “devil” bawling so hard her face was a mess of tears and snot.

She’d drawn it quickly. It wasn’t even a proper piece — even her casual sketches had more finesse. But little Chi Yi had just calmed down from her sobbing, paused in stunned silence, and then gave her a clumsy, gap-toothed smile — her voice still heavy with a nasal whimper:

“Jiejie draws so pretty!”

Chi Yi’s smile always showed two little pointed canine teeth, and her bright, gem-like eyes had shone straight into Wen Ranqing’s heart without warning.

That tiny, soft hand had lovingly patted the face of the teary kitten. A moment later, she looked up again:

“Can I trade with you?”

“Um… I’ll give you all my candy!”

Chi Zhong had been strict — no more than two pieces of candy a day, to avoid cavities. Not rare treats, but everyone knew how much little Chi Yi treasured hers.

Each day, she’d give one candy to Wen Ranqing — especially after taking her medicine. The other piece she’d stash away. On good weeks, when she managed to resist temptation, she could save up at least five.

That summer, the number of candies that actually ended up in Chi Yi’s own mouth could be counted on two hands.

Only later did Wen Ranqing realize — this was the first time in her mechanically repetitive life that something — or someone — had stirred emotion in her heart.

The first time she wanted to tease someone.
The first time she felt warmth.
The first time she showed concern.

All of Wen Ranqing’s firsts were given by — and to — Chi Yi.

Thinking back, it was probably then… that the domineering little Chi Yi had taken root in her quiet, colorless world. From that point on, she grew uncontrollably — like a towering tree sprouting from barren soil, reaching all the way to the sky.

When they divorced, Chi Yi had left so decisively… Wen Ranqing assumed that sketchbook had been tossed out without a second thought. That’s what she told herself.

Wen Ranqing’s face tilted slightly downward. The memories passed quickly through her mind, but when she looked up again, her eyes were slightly red.

She bit her lip and gazed steadily into Chi Yi’s eyes, offering a genuine, gentle smile:

“I want to make many beautiful memories with you, Xiao Yi.”

It had only been a short time, but Chi Yi had already heard two such heartfelt confessions — and her emotions were far from calm.

“Did you… do this in the past too?”

The hem of her thin nightgown brushed faintly against her trembling fingers. Chi Yi didn’t return the embrace — her voice wavered almost imperceptibly.

Even though she’d stayed awake until the second half of the night, eyes open and mind restless, wondering what kind of person Wen Ranqing might have once loved — Chi Yi had never intended to dig into her past.

Chi Yi was not someone who lived in the past.

As long as Wen Ranqing’s old feelings were truly over, and the person she loved now was her, Chi Yi could embrace her, kiss her, without reservation.

But… those love-filled drawings — hidden beneath her own sketchbook — meant it wasn’t unrelated to her.

“Did Xiao Yi see them?”

Wen Ranqing’s heart skipped a heavy beat. Her breathing quickened slightly, and her hands instinctively tightened around the fabric at Chi Yi’s waist.

The moment felt like a creature, long used to darkness, being suddenly forced into the light. Not fatal — but deeply disorienting.

She opened her mouth, but couldn’t find the right words. Her heart was a complete mess.

Her silence was a tacit answer. And to Chi Yi, it felt like a weight settling in her chest.

Her hands, resting at her sides, trembled faintly. Her voice was dry:

“Were those drawings… also for me?”

Just like when she was little — how she would eagerly wait for art class, hoping Wen Ranqing would bring her a drawing. That expectation never changed.

Eight-year-old Chi Yi didn’t understand love. She only knew that Wen Ranqing treated her with a kind of affection no one else received.

And now… that feeling — of being exclusively cherished by her “Sister Wen” — felt both foreign and familiar.

Wen Ranqing couldn’t lie.

Even though she didn’t understand why Chi Yi hadn’t embraced her yet — even as her insecurity made her want to pull away — she instinctively leaned in closer.

Her voice was soft, honest:

“I’ve only ever drawn for Xiao Yi.”

…

Only for her.

That simple sentence caused a ripple in Chi Yi’s heart, like a stone dropped into still water.

She slowly pulled her gaze away from the painting. Her eyes lowered slightly.

Wen Ranqing’s lips were soft and red, her body still carrying the scent of the body lotion Chi Yi had applied for her last night. Her gaze was filled with nervousness and uncertainty — but even more so, deep affection.

Every movement, every breath, seemed tied to her — Wen Ranqing would glow with joy just from being by her side, and panic the moment Chi Yi grew even slightly distant.

Yet, no matter how she felt, she always digested it silently and responded with unwavering gentleness.

Chi Yi’s eyes softened all at once. Regret for her hesitation bloomed in her chest. She patted Wen Ranqing’s back reassuringly, adjusted her shawl, and her face betrayed an overflow of emotion.

After a long pause, she finally asked:

“How long… have you liked me?”

She couldn’t remember when the earliest of those drawings dated back to. But if Wen Ranqing had painted each one with her in mind…

Then maybe this woman had loved her longer than she ever imagined.

Suddenly, all the ups and downs between them over the past few months stirred a complicated storm in Chi Yi’s heart.

She knew how quiet and inexpressive Wen Ranqing was. So her first instinct wasn’t frustration at the silence — but rather guilt and defeat.

How could she have not sensed how much the person she liked… liked her back?

Wen Ranqing’s heart trembled at the question.

Sensing Chi Yi’s shifting emotion, she leaned against her again, voice like cotton:

“Not as long as you have.”

If even she herself couldn’t admit these feelings, how could Xiao Yi have known?

Wen Ranqing could only blame herself — for being too timid, too slow, too naive in front of Chi Yi.

Even how to love someone — she had only begun to learn after they were together.

“I’ve liked Jiejie ever since the first time I saw her~” — That was little Chi Yi’s bold declaration at her tenth birthday party.

Even at their wedding, someone brought it up again.

Chi Yi stilled. What kind of answer was that…

Before she could say anything, Wen Ranqing’s hand slipped from her waist, guiding Chi Yi’s wrist to rest along the curve of her lower back. Her soft waist shifted slightly as she tilted her face up for a kiss.

It was a kiss Wen Ranqing initiated — not overly heated, but undeniably intimate. The atmosphere instantly turned tender and charged.

Even as they were in the middle of a serious conversation, her lips brushed Chi Yi’s with a soft clumsiness, tongue lightly tracing her lower lip.

It was ticklish and dizzying — Chi Yi nearly melted on the spot.

Her eyes hadn’t even closed yet when she saw Wen Ranqing’s fluttering lashes and felt the fullness of her form pressing in close. She was immersed, devoted.

Chi Yi’s heart raced, but reason still held firm.

Wen Ranqing’s answer had been vague, like she was hiding something — and now she was trying to avoid the topic through intimacy.

Still, Chi Yi responded gently, matching the kiss without resistance.

When the kiss was nearing its end, Chi Yi tried to pull back slightly — but Wen Ranqing followed, wrapping her arms around her again.

Unable to hold back, Chi Yi finally used a bit of force. She was still slightly breathless, brushing aside Wen Ranqing’s hair. Her gaze was full of helplessness and affection:

“I won’t ask anymore.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t force you to say anything you’re not ready to. When you’re willing, tell me then.”

“As long as your heart belongs to me, that’s all that matters.”

Whenever they kissed, Wen Ranqing was always flushed and shy — especially now, having been the one to initiate it.

Her waist and legs were still sore from last night. Her breath was hot, and she rested her forehead lightly against Chi Yi’s collarbone, gently shaking her head:

“I love Xiao Yi…”

“My heart only has room for you.”

“No matter how you treat me, I still love you — especially when you’re gentle like this…”

Her soft hips quivered slightly as she guided Chi Yi’s hand over them, her voice breathy:

“Or… like before…”

So fierce…

Chi Yi had guessed about half correctly.

Wen Ranqing wasn’t hiding anything — she was simply afraid her emotions were too overwhelming, and that her actions might have already caused Chi Yi too much pain or misunderstanding.

Words alone felt too pale, too inadequate.

She had hoped to gently weave all her feelings into the fabric of their future life — bit by bit — letting Xiao Yi sense and accept them gradually. That way, it wouldn’t feel abrupt, or worse, like a burden that would bind them down.

What Wen Ranqing didn’t know was this:

Every subconscious move she made, every quiet reaction, seemed to strike a chord at the very center of Chi Yi’s heart.

She had unknowingly etched herself into Chi Yi’s nerves from the moment they saw each other again. From that very instant, Chi Yi knew — she probably wouldn’t be able to escape this woman anymore.

She didn’t even seem to realize just how effortlessly alluring she was — how the familiarity in her demeanor, the way she spoke, all perfectly echoed Chi Yi’s deepest affections.

Chi Yi took a deep breath and let go of her hesitation.

What she felt now wasn’t confusion — it was a deeper kind of contentment.

She gave Wen Ranqing a light pat, eyes glancing toward the painting:

“Are you going to keep working on it?”

“Mmm…” Wen Ranqing curled up into her arms, her legs unconsciously a little weak. She tugged on Chi Yi’s sleeve.

“Let’s eat first…”

“Okay.”

“I can walk myself…”

Wen Ranqing gave Chi Yi a gentle push on the shoulder, her voice getting smaller and smaller.

“You go ahead first, I’ll be right there.”

She did want to be close — but being carried around all the time was just too much!

Wen Ranqing steadied herself after stepping to the ground, carefully covered the easel, and then made her way to the living room.

Chi Yi was unwrapping the packaging when her phone, which was sitting next to the food containers on the table, began to vibrate.

Wen Ranqing’s eyes were first drawn to the image of a mottled kitten on the screen — then her gaze dropped to the caller ID.

Chi Yi’s expression darkened slightly.

It was Chi Zhong — the video call he had placed earlier that morning, which they hadn’t had much time to finish.

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