Meng Po Gave Her a Bowl of Soup (GL) - Chapter 2

 

In the end, still feeling uneasy, Xiao Mingyu made a call to Zhang Hui before boarding the plane.

 

Whether now or back in their student days, Xiao Mingyu was always seen by her friends as that aloof, untouchable, and stern goddess who could effortlessly crush obstacles with just a wave of her hand. She was cool, spoke little, and would never say two words if one would suffice. Even in passing, she rarely spared a glance for others.

 

Yet, despite being such a person, an unexpected and beautiful turn of events happened in her life.

 

—Song Wanyue.

 

She was Xiao Mingyu’s fated calamity.

 

Over the years, Mingyu had changed a lot—from being distant and aloof to becoming restless and sleepless over just one look from Wanyue; from her misanthropy and avoidance of people after her father’s unexpected passing to painstakingly building a life and pursuing a home with her.

 

Why?

 

Probably because of love.

 

When Zhang Hui received Xiao Mingyu’s call, she didn’t need to think to know why. She responded in a muffled voice, “Oh, Director Xiao, what brings you to call me? Does the Empress have any orders?”

 

Xiao Mingyu stood in the airport lounge, gazing at the bright blue sky outside, her voice gentle. “Yes, Xiao Hui, the Empress wishes to invite you for a drink.”

 

Zhang Hui burped, feeling speechless. “What is it, do you want me to go take care of the Empress’s daily needs? Let me tell you, I’m not easy to hire. I’m currently—”

 

Xiao Mingyu curved her lips into a smile and shut her down with one sentence: “There’s a red envelope.”

 

Zhang Hui glanced at the red envelope notification on her phone and was shocked. “Ah! Xiao Mingyu! Last week I asked you to treat me to Haidilao (TN: Haidilao Hotpot), and you said you were broke. But now, just to have me take care of Wanyue, how many digits are in this red envelope??? Do you even value friendship at all???”

 

The sky outside began to cloud over again, signaling the start of the rainy season. It was the perfect weather for Xiao Mingyu to recite a poem: “Friendship is precious, but love is priceless.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…Hang up.”

 

Half an hour later.

 

Song Wanyue, who had been lying on the bed repeatedly listening to the voice messages from Mingyu, was rudely awakened by Zhang Hui, who had barged in.

 

Having grown up together, Song Wanyue had no patience for her childhood friend. Wrapped in a bath towel, she sat on the bed, listening to Xiao Mingyu’s WeChat messages while holding one of Mingyu’s shirts to her nose, taking in its scent.

 

Zhang Hui walked in carrying several large bags, having even gone out of her way to buy Wanyue’s favorite spicy hotpot from a distant location. But as soon as she entered the room, she saw Wanyue sniffing the shirt like a little puppy.

 

••••

 

After a moment of silence, Zhang Hui couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing?”

 

It’s worth noting that Song Wanyue was famously known in their circle as a beauty. Outside, she was the kind of woman who would cover her mouth even when she smiled, always speaking gently with a graceful demeanor, and treating others with elegance. But at home, she acted like this… like a little woman.

 

Song Wanyue turned her head, her eyes filled with affection. “It smells so good.”

 

Zhang Hui stared at her, almost making her eyes pop out of their sockets. Song Wanyue smiled slightly, kindly and generously offering, “Do you want to smell it?”

 

The scent of Mingyu on the shirt was like an addictive substance to her—she couldn’t get enough.

 

Zhang Hui’s eyelids twitched as she forced a smile. “No, thank you. I—”

 

Before she could finish her sentence, Song Wanyue hugged the shirt to her chest and whispered, “I was just making a suggestion. This is mine.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

She was on the verge of exploding.

 

To avoid making Wanyue uncomfortable, Zhang Hui made sure to turn on all the lights in the living room, brightening the entire house.

 

Having grown up together, Zhang Hui knew all about Wanyue’s habits and temperament. Wanyue was terribly afraid of the dark and being alone. So whenever they went out to stay in a hotel or a guesthouse, the first thing Wanyue did was turn on all the lights, making the room as bright as day.

 

“Why are you turning on so many lights during the day?” Song Wanyue asked listlessly. “It’s not easy for Mingyu to earn money; we shouldn’t waste it like this.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

All the big and small matters at home were managed by Mingyu. In fact, just from a financial perspective, the two of them had long since moved past the struggling days when they first arrived in Beijing, far from home and destitute. They might not be extraordinarily wealthy, but they had certainly established themselves in the city and were no longer worried about food or clothing.

 

Even back when they were living in a rental less than 20 square meters, Mingyu had never shortchanged her and always did her best to treat her well.

 

So why is she suddenly being frugal now?

 

Song Wanyue put on the shirt and sighed, “If it weren’t for earning money to support me, Mingyu wouldn’t be so busy. Starting today, I’m going to save money.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

Fuck.

 

Be patient.

 

Zhang Hui forced herself to remain patient. “Since you’re saving money, maybe we shouldn’t eat the spicy hotpot. It costs over a hundred yuan per meal—enough to cover your electricity bill for several days.”

 

Song Wanyue immediately stood up, her slender, jade-like neck arching. “Then let’s start saving tomorrow!”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

I knew it. She’s just spoiled by Xiao Mingyu.

 

Zhang Hui felt that her childhood friend had not matured at all over the past 10 years; instead, she had become more and more like a child, completely unworthy of her elegant and refined appearance.

 

Song Wanyue washed her hands and sat in front of Zhang Hui, her eyes fixated on the spicy hotpot, even secretly swallowing her saliva. But just as she picked up her chopsticks, she suddenly remembered Mingyu’s instructions before she left.

 

— [Especially that spicy hotpot. You must not order it. The oil they use isn’t clean, and it will make you feel unwell.]

 

Zhang Hui glanced at Song Wanyue, initially planning to ask why she wasn’t eating. But her sharp eyes inadvertently noticed something she perhaps shouldn’t have.

 

Oh my god.

 

How long had they been going at it?

 

There’s no doubt that Song Wanyue is a beauty. But back in the day, what made her the goddess of many young hearts, leading the way for years, was her fair skin.

 

Her skin was like snow—no, even whiter than snow.

 

What’s that line from the poem?

 

Zhang Hui thought for a moment. Oh, right, it goes—’Like a person as radiant as the moon, with wrists as fair as frost and snow.’

 

When they were kids, everyone used to give each other nicknames—like “Goudan,” “Blackie,” or “Chubby.”

 

But Song Wanyue’s nickname was always so pleasant to the ears.

 

—Little White Rabbit.

 

And now, beneath that jade-like, crystal-clear skin, patches of red blossomed like plum blossoms in the snow, trailing down from her neck…

 

Sensing the intense gaze, Song Wanyue quickly grabbed her collar and gave Zhang Hui a coquettish look. “What are you looking at?”

 

If Mingyu knew, she’d get her butt kicked.

 

Their bare-bottomed friendship since childhood allowed Zhang Hui to shamelessly praise, “So white, Wanyue. How are you so white? Also, you two… you’re still this passionate after all these years? Don’t you get tired of it?”

 

Song Wanyue frowned slightly. She looked into Zhang Hui’s eyes, her lips, red as berries, parting slightly as she replied, “Mingyu says she can never get enough of looking at me.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

Sigh.

 

Everyone has their fate.

 

She really had it rough.

 

Not only did she have to serve her Empress early in the morning, but she also got force-fed a belly full of vinegar.

 

Song Wanyue glanced at the spicy hotpot, secretly swallowing her saliva again. Then she looked up at Zhang Hui, her cheeks suddenly blooming with a warm smile, her eyes full of tenderness.

 

Zhang Hui accepted the flattery with a cold expression and an equally cold tone. “Go ahead and eat. I won’t tell Mingyu.”

 

Wanyue was overjoyed. She got up and hugged Zhang Hui’s arm. “I knew Xiao Hui was the best.”

 

Zhang Hui: … “Straighten your tongue when you speak. I’m not Mingyu; I can’t handle this.”

 

Fortunately, after so many years, Zhang Hui was used to it.

 

She strolled around the house, took out the fruit Mingyu had prepared from the fridge to make juice, turned on the TV, and started watching.

 

Song Wanyue, still holding Xiao Mingyu’s shirt, absentmindedly glanced at the clock hanging in the living room. “She’ll be there in half an hour. I checked the weather report, and it’s been raining there too. I told her to bring more clothes, but she wouldn’t listen.”

 

Zhang Hui ignored her, chuckling at the silly scenes on the TV screen.

 

Song Wanyue gave her a look and said quietly, “Mingyu’s smile is much prettier than yours.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

Hold it in.

 

Song Wanyue picked up the juice on the table, took a sip, and murmured, “Mingyu’s juice tastes better than yours.”

 

Zhang Hui was furious. “It’s the same fruit, the same machine—what, does she have flowers on her face? How could hers taste better?”

 

Song Wanyue’s long, narrow eyes fixed on Zhang Hui as she earnestly replied, “My Mingyu, she’s more beautiful than flowers.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

Forget it.

 

She decided not to argue with this love-struck wife anymore.

 

Still, Zhang Hui felt a knot of frustration in her chest that she couldn’t let go of. “Wanyue, can’t you dial it down a bit? Society now advocates for independent women of the new era. Why don’t you join in? Look at you, constantly calling out for Mingyu. If your students found out, they’d laugh at how childish their teacher is.”

 

Song Wanyue: “Why would they laugh? They’d probably be envious, just like you, making sour comments.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

What “new era women”?

 

Song Wanyue lowered her head, thinking of Mingyu—her lips, her eyes—and smiled faintly.

 

Zhang Hui shuddered, rubbing the goosebumps on her arms as she shook her head.

 

Seriously.

 

Over the years, Zhang Hui had dated a few people, but the kind of love that Mingyu and Wanyue had was something she had only ever read about in novels—never experienced for herself.

 

These two are probably what people refer to as a match made in heaven.

 

They’ve given their hearts entirely to each other.

 

One is wholly dependent, while the other wholly enjoys being relied upon.

 

One is willing to give, the other is willing to receive.

 

••••

 

Xiao Mingyu had been extremely busy these past few days, squeezed between various meetings, coordinating with department heads, running all over the place. There was barely any time left for sleep or even meals.

 

With love in her heart, she was exceptionally motivated, and no matter how busy she was, Xiao Mingyu never felt tired.

 

She was thinking about her Wanyue.

 

No matter how busy she was, even if it was just a bathroom break or a sip of water, Xiao Mingyu would send a message to her, or a photo of herself.

 

She nearly bothered Zhang Hui every day, asking her to take care of Wanyue, especially to make sure she ate breakfast.

 

After being woken up for the fourth time by her incessant calls, Zhang Hui exploded. She sat up abruptly, her hair a mess, and shouted, “Xiao Mingyu, are you Wanyue’s mother??? Can she not survive without you???? Ah, ah, ah, are you done yet?”

 

Xiao Mingyu, while signing documents with her head down, held the phone far from her ear and smiled as she praised, “You’re so smart. My Wanyue just can’t live without me.”

 

Zhang Hui: “…”

 

Ugh.

 

Finally, Zhang Hui was persuaded to check on Wanyue. Xiao Mingyu put her phone away and looked at a photo of herself with Wanyue, a gentle smile in her eyes.

 

Her Wanyue was like her little girl.

 

In this life, nothing could separate them except death.

 

She would take care of her for a lifetime.

 

Actually, Wanyue was also secretly and desperately missing her. Knowing Mingyu’s personality, she didn’t dare to send too many messages.

 

But on the 6th night, she sent Mingyu a simple “Miss you.”

 

Mingyu, exhausted and lying on the bed, with her team still busy in the room, was in the final stage of their work. It was crucial not to let anything go wrong at this point.

 

The return flight for the next afternoon was already booked, and she would soon be reunited with Wanyue. Xiao Mingyu summoned her remaining strength, picked up her phone, and sent a video to Song Wanyue.

 

Clearly, Wanyue was surprised by the video call. She was excited and flustered, still wearing Xiao Mingyu’s shirt. Just a glance at the screen made her eyes redden. “You’ve lost weight.”

 

Mingyu had always had a body that didn’t gain weight, tall and thin since childhood. After just six days, her chin had already become sharper, her face as small as a palm. She smiled at the screen, slowly raising her hand to gently touch it. “Have you been behaving? Eating well and sleeping well?”

 

Song Wanyue nodded. “Yes, I’m being good. I’m waiting for you at home.”

 

The person on the screen was clearly forcing a smile, tears nearly falling. The longing in her heart clung to Xiao Mingyu’s heart like vines. She bit her lip, controlling her emotions. “I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon; the ticket is already booked.”

 

Song Wanyue nodded. “I’ll pick you up.”

 

The two didn’t say anything more, simply gazing at each other’s faces on the screen in silence.

 

In the end, it was Xiao Mingyu’s team that caused a commotion.

 

“Who’s that? Is it Sister Wanyue?”

 

“Haha, who else could make our boss act so lovesick?”

 

••••

 

Xiao Mingyu’s team was young. Although they were intimidated by their stern boss at work, they had a good relationship privately.

 

Xiao Mingyu and Song Wanyue were an open secret within the team. As young people, they were accepting, respectful, and supportive of their relationship.

 

Song Wanyue smiled as she watched the team’s playful behavior and Xiao Mingyu, who was sternly scolding them. Her lips couldn’t help but curve up.

 

Xiao He, with her keen eyes, looked at Song Wanyue on the phone and exaggeratedly covered her mouth. “Wow, sister-in-law, is that our boss’s shirt you’re wearing?”

 

Several others quickly joined in. “Oh my god, how romantic. Wearing her clothes on this dark, rainy night, smelling her scent, missing her in a home without her—her hair—”

 

“Are you guys bored?”

 

Xiao Mingyu’s cheeks turned slightly red. She glared at the crowd with a menacing look, and they all laughed and dispersed, sweetly saying a few “goodbyes” to Wanyue.

 

Xiao Mingyu shot a fierce glance at them, knowing she couldn’t trust them—too young, too restless. When they heard she was getting married, they changed their tune faster than a spinning top. Didn’t they worry about Wanyue hearing?

 

She still had a secret proposal to plan.

 

Secret, understand?

 

After calming herself, Xiao Mingyu looked at the camera and smiled at Wanyue. “Ignore them. They’ve been cooped up and are going crazy.”

 

“I won’t pay attention to them.” Song Wanyue smiled faintly. Under the moonlight, her fair cheeks seemed to glow. Her voice was soft, eyes fixed on Xiao Mingyu. “Mingyu.”

 

“Mm?” Xiao Mingyu felt a flutter in her heart, her body growing soft. Song Wanyue gazed into her eyes, lips curling up as she gently asked, “Why did they suddenly call me ‘sister-in-law’?”

 

Xiao Mingyu: “…………”

 

The air seemed to be sucked out in an instant, making it hard to breathe. Xiao Mingyu’s cheeks flushed a deep red. In the end, seeing her flushed face, Wanyue couldn’t bear to tease her further and also couldn’t stand seeing her being teased by her subordinates. Wanyue secretly smiled. “Ready to rest?”

 

Xiao Mingyu’s palms were sweaty, her heart racing. She knew Wanyue was giving her a chance to back out but didn’t want to end the call just yet.

 

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Mingyu fixed her gaze on Song Wanyue and softly said, “Wanyue.”

 

Song Wanyue looked at her with deep affection in her dark eyes. Seeing the anxiety in Mingyu’s heart dissipate, Mingyu smiled, her brows relaxing into the expression Wanyue loved the most. “When I return tomorrow, I’ll tell you.”

 

—”I’ll tell you why they call you sister-in-law.”

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