Meng Po Gave Her a Bowl of Soup (GL) - Chapter 1

The gloomy, rain-laden weather, like thick black ink, weighed heavily on the heart.

The bright yellow light in the living room cast a warm glow on Xiao Mingyu’s face, making her features appear even more tender. She gazed affectionately at the person wrapped up in a blanket, curled into a ball in front of her, and smiled softly, “It’s just one week. Don’t be mad, okay?”

The middle of the sofa was sunken in, where Song Wanyue was curled up in a ball under the blanket, sulking by herself, ignoring Xiao Mingyu.

As she grew older, she had become less prone to getting angry with Xiao Mingyu, but today, she really couldn’t control her emotions.

Over the years, as Mingyu’s career progressed, the frequency and duration of her business trips increased. What started as once every six months became once every quarter, then once a month, and now it had reached the point where she was away several times every two weeks.

In the past, Song Wanyue had always fully supported her, but this time… this time… was their 10-year anniversary.

She had originally planned to cook a romantic candlelight dinner for Mingyu herself. She had even secretly bought a ring, intending to place it on Mingyu’s finger and ask if she understood what it meant, followed by a surprise proposal.

But now…

Xiao Mingyu looked at her conflicted expression and smiled softly. She walked over and hugged her from behind, gently kissing her delicate, fair neck. The tenderness in her voice washed over Wanyue’s skin like waves: “Don’t be mad, Wanyue. I promise I’ll come back to spend the last day with you.”

“Really?”

Song Wanyue immediately turned around to look at her, finally showing her face. Xiao Mingyu gazed at her rabbit-like red eyes and nodded gently, “Really.”

After a moment of silence, Song Wanyue’s wet eyelashes fluttered slightly. She reached out and gently wrapped her arms around Xiao Mingyu’s slender waist, burying her head in it, inhaling the faint fragrance of her body, and murmured, “Mingyu, am I being childish and unreasonable again?”

Over the years, Mingyu had been working tirelessly, all for her, for their home, earning the support of their parents.

“I… I know I should support you, but… but why does it have to be at this time…” Song Wanyue’s lips gently brushed against Xiao Mingyu’s collarbone, and her voice carried a hint of awkwardness, “I prepared a great meal.”

Xiao Mingyu smiled and ruffled her hair, the warmth in her voice tinged with amusement, “Our Wanyue has grown up, and can cook now.”

She couldn’t help but think that Wanyue might be planning to murder her on their 10th anniversary with that meal.

“Xiao Mingyu!”

Song Wanyue immediately saw through Xiao Mingyu’s thoughts. She lifted her head, exasperated, “I’m already 25! Stop treating me like a child.”

Her red, frustrated eyes made her look like an angry little rabbit. Xiao Mingyu’s lips curved into a smile, and her hand slowly moved down as she looked into Wanyue’s eyes and nodded seriously, “Yes, you have grown up.”

Compared to her teenage self, she had indeed grown a lot.

Song Wanyue’s face flushed red, and she quickly covered herself with the blanket. “You… you…”

Xiao Mingyu hugged her from behind, inhaling the scent of her hair, her nose gently brushing against her neck. Feeling the person in her arms gradually soften, she breathed warmly into her ear, “Be good, wait for me to come back.”

Song Wanyue uneasily curled up a bit. She turned around and kissed Xiao Mingyu on the lips.

—I’ll wait for you.

The night was filled with romance, and as the rain drizzled on, it soaked Song Wanyue through, dispelling her confusion. In the midst of the lingering haze, her complaints were muffled into soft whispers, transforming into deep love that Mingyu found irresistible.

This time, Mingyu’s business trip was neither too long nor too short.

Originally, it was supposed to be her direct superior, General Manager Xu, who would go, but due to the sudden death of a family member, she had to return home.

General Manager Xu had done a great favor for Xiao Mingyu. Back when she and Wanyue were misunderstood by their families and left their hometown to make their way in Beijing, it was during those thorny and painful times that General Manager Xu helped her.

Xiao Mingyu was someone who repaid kindness. At such a crucial moment, seeing the tears in General Manager Xu’s eyes, she couldn’t refuse.

The rain outside gradually stopped, and the air was fresh and damp after the rain, with a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers and grass.

Song Wanyue clung to Xiao Mingyu, watching as she folded her clothes one by one, meticulously arranging them in the suitcase by color, from light to dark, as if she had OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

“I see other people getting ready for trips, and their wives are the ones packing, running around helping.” Song Wanyue rested her chin on Xiao Mingyu’s back. She loved the scent on Mingyu’s body, especially after they had been intimate. Having just showered, the fragrance of her hair and body was even more intense.

Xiao Mingyu’s lips involuntarily curved into a smile as she heard this. “You’ve already been running around just now. Aren’t you tired?”

Song Wanyue’s body stiffened for a few seconds, and her face, as fair as jade, instantly flushed red. Feeling a bit indignant, she couldn’t help but grab Mingyu’s hand and give it a light bite. “You only know how to bully me!”

Xiao Mingyu laughed, feeling that the bite was more like a kiss in disguise. She turned around and gently stroked Song Wanyue’s hair. “While I’m away, you need to behave and not keep ordering takeout, okay?”

Song Wanyue pouted, and the emotions she had just suppressed began to resurface slightly.

Xiao Mingyu gazed at her tenderly. “And don’t eat too much pickled food, especially that spicy hotpot dish you love so much. The oil they use outside isn’t clean, and you’ll feel uncomfortable after eating it. Don’t indulge in cold foods, either. If you really want something cold, there’s a week’s worth of fruit in the fridge. The juicer is in the second cabinet; just take it out and make juice.”

After thinking for a moment, she still felt uneasy. “Remember to wash the fruit before juicing. And those pickles Auntie brought over a while ago—eat them sparingly. As for the other small dishes, I—”

“I know.” Song Wanyue suddenly hugged Xiao Mingyu tightly, burying her face in her embrace. “It’s only 7 days; it’s not like you’re not coming back. Why are you nagging like an old granny? If your subordinates saw the cool and aloof Director Xiao like this, they’d be so shocked their jaws would drop.”

Xiao Mingyu knew she was feeling sad again. She sighed softly and pinched Wanyue’s plump earlobe. “After I come back from this trip, I’ll talk to General Manager Xu about reducing the number of business trips so I can spend more time with you.”

Song Wanyue sniffled. “No, this is the golden period for your career. Didn’t we agree to work hard together for our home?”

She looked up, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she gazed into Xiao Mingyu’s reluctant eyes and softly said, “I’ll be good and wait for you at home.”

Xiao Mingyu stared at her for a while, then gently stroked her hair. “When I come back, I’ll take you out to relax.”

Song Wanyue had long been accustomed to Mingyu’s fast-paced life. She leaned against her softly. “That stingy General Manager Xu won’t give you time off. Last year, you only took two days of vacation.”

Xiao Mingyu’s lips curled into a smile as she pinched Wanyue’s ear. “She will.”

Vacation days are one thing.

A little deduction is understandable.

But what she was planning to take was wedding leave—who could deduct that?

Xiao Mingyu tightened her arms around her, looking at Wanyue, who was clueless about the upcoming anniversary and just wanted to celebrate it with her. The excitement in her heart was like a wild horse about to break free, unstoppable.

This time when she returned, it would be their 10 year anniversary.

And in another 10 years, it would be their 20th anniversary and their 10th wedding anniversary.

Mingyu couldn’t help but imagine what her sweetheart’s reaction would be when she proposed. Would she be overjoyed or just too stunned to react?

10 years had passed in the blink of an eye.

They were no longer kids.

Yet Xiao Mingyu still loved and pampered Song Wanyue as she had in the early days.

Friends who knew about their relationship found it unbelievable. Their close friend, Zhang Hui, had even seriously asked, “Don’t you ever get tired of each other?”

At that time, Song Wanyue had been eating the crayfish Xiao Mingyu had peeled for her, leaning her head against Mingyu’s shoulder, humming a little tune.

Xiao Mingyu had looked down at her delicate profile and smiled slightly, her voice filled with such tenderness that it could drown someone. “She’s my baby.”

Song Wanyue had momentarily paused her humming, lowering her head in slight embarrassment, and pursed her lips. She lightly patted Xiao Mingyu’s leg. “Other people are around.”

Xiao Mingyu had laughed and wiped the corner of her lips with a tissue. “So what?”

Zhang Hui gritted her teeth. So what? Suddenly, she had straightened up and pointed to the door. “Hey, Teacher Song, isn’t that one of your students?”

In an instant, Song Wanyue had sat up straight like a well-trained soldier, her face transforming from a baby-like expression to that of a dignified and respected teacher. She raised her eyes and glanced outside coolly. “Where?”

••••

No one would have expected it.

And few could see it.

The Song Wanyue who was a strict and respected teacher outside was like a spoiled child at home.

She was happy and content, basking in Mingyu’s love for her.

All she wanted was to grow old together like this.

The morning they were to part.

Xiao Mingyu got up and mopped the floor once more, checked the fruits, vegetables, and other food in the fridge, and kissed Wanyue’s hair as she repeatedly reminded her to “make sure to check the gas before leaving,” “take the keys before locking the door,” and “if you catch a cold, be sure to take medicine”… on and on.

Song Wanyue cuddled up to her, holding a strand of Mingyu’s hair to her nose and sniffing it lightly, responding perfunctorily, “Got it, got it, Granny Xiao.”

Even after all that, Xiao Mingyu was still worried. “How about I call Auntie to come and keep you company?”

“I don’t want that.”

Song Wanyue shook her head like a spinning top. “One granny at home is nagging enough, and now you want to call my mom over too? Please, let me have a couple of peaceful days.”

Well…

Despite her worries, Mingyu thought of Auntie’s nagging nature and felt a bit conflicted. She patted Song Wanyue’s hair. “The company’s car will be here soon. You be good and wait at home.”

Song Wanyue looked at her. “I want to go see you off.”

“No.”

Xiao Mingyu pinched her lips. “If you see me off, I won’t be able to rest easy knowing you’re coming back alone.”

Song Wanyue frowned slightly. She shifted her position, half-kneeling on the bed, and tugged at Mingyu’s collar with both hands, gently swaying as she looked up into her eyes and murmured in a voice as soft as water, “Let me see you off, please~”

“Please…”

This was like pressing a needle into Xiao Mingyu’s weak spot.

She could never resist Wanyue’s pleading. After 10 years, Song Wanyue had perfected this tactic, using it time and again to break through Mingyu’s stubbornness.

The more she acted cute, the more Xiao Mingyu felt a heavy, aching pain in her heart. It was strange—last night, she had a dream.

In the dream, she and Wanyue suddenly parted ways.

She couldn’t clearly see the reason, only the scene of a bustling airport where Wanyue was crouched on the ground, crying in anguish, her entire body trembling as she called out repeatedly, “Mingyu, Mingyu…”

It seemed as though Xiao Mingyu was just standing there watching.

But for some reason, even though she couldn’t bear to see Wanyue cry, she didn’t go forward to hold her, to kiss away her tears. She just stood there, helpless and in pain, watching.

Her chest felt tight, and even after waking up, the sorrow lingered for a long time. Xiao Mingyu didn’t understand why she had such a dream. Instinctively, she didn’t want Wanyue to go to the airport—the place in the dream where she had cried.

The car horn downstairs honked repeatedly.

Xiao Mingyu had no choice. She leaned down and kissed Song Wanyue’s lips. Song Wanyue was startled, her face flushing as she softly and incredulously asked, “What are you doing?”

Xiao Mingyu looked down at her, not answering, but her eyes said everything.

—What do you think?

In the end.

Xiao Mingyu hurriedly ran downstairs.

Downstairs, her assistant Xiao He couldn’t help but giggle. “Boss, you finally came down. Where’s Sister Wanyue? Didn’t she come to see you off? Couldn’t get up?”

Xiao Mingyu’s cheeks warmed. She didn’t respond, just quietly looked at Xiao He.

The intensity in her gaze made Xiao He instinctively turn her head away, though she couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “Boss, I’m really envious of you and Sister Wanyue. After 10 years, you two are still like newlyweds, never getting tired of each other.”

“Well, we’re about to be newlyweds.”

Xiao Mingyu straightened her collar, thinking of how Wanyue looked when she closed the door and turned back—a little frustrated and angry, sprawled on the bed. She couldn’t help but smile.

“What?”

Xiao He thought she had misheard. She glanced at Xiao Mingyu, who looked back at her with eyes as dark as ink, calmly saying, “When I come back from this trip, get ready to give us a wedding gift.”

Xiao He: “…”

AAAAHHHH!!!!!

How can you drop such a bomb first thing in the morning?!

TN:

– “Meng Po Gave Her a Bowl of Soup” refers to a concept from Chinese mythology, specifically related to the afterlife. Meng Po (孟婆) is a deity known as the “Lady of Forgetfulness.” According to legend, Meng Po resides at the entrance to the underworld and offers a bowl of soup to the souls of the dead before they are reincarnated.

The soup, often called “Meng Po’s soup” or “the soup of forgetfulness,” causes the soul to forget all memories of their past life. This act ensures that the soul enters its next life without any attachments or recollections from its previous existence, allowing for a fresh start.

The phrase might be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone is about to move on or start anew, leaving behind their past, much like the souls that drink Meng Po’s soup before reincarnation.

For Donations:

– Gcash: 09202881825

– Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/aner8