Meng Po Gave Her a Bowl of Soup (GL) - Chapter 25

— This wedding dress was originally meant for Mingyu, but I didn’t have the chance to wear it. It’s been sitting here for a long time. It’s going to be returned tomorrow, so I wanted to show it to you today. Is that okay?

Xu Ruying struggled to control her emotions, trying not to let her tears fall. She was so overwhelmed that she could barely speak and could only nod gently.

How could she refuse?

She couldn’t refuse.

Wanyue… Wanyue… Wanyue…

Her foolish girl.

In fact, Xiao Mingyu had sensed that Wanyue was acting strange, especially before her business trip. She had a few days off and wanted to stay home with Wanyue, but Wanyue kept saying she was going out to meet friends or go shopping, constantly running around every week.

Mingyu had complained a bit at the time, but because of her trust, she didn’t ask too many questions. She was just puzzled by how happy Wanyue seemed every time she came back, sometimes even with a silly, infatuated smile, like a little fool.

Wanyue thought Mingyu didn’t notice, but she saw everything.

Years of tacit understanding made her realize that Wanyue must have been preparing some little surprise, something related to her but meant to be kept secret. Mingyu might have thought it was a romantic date or a candlelit dinner, but she didn’t expect that they had both been thinking of the same thing.

This, she knew.

What she didn’t know was how happy her girl was trying on wedding dresses over and over in the wedding dress shop.

Just imagining marrying her made Wanyue excited like a child, dancing around and showing a silly grin.

That smile made the wedding dress shop owner wonder what kind of young talent could have made such a beautiful girl so happy.

How could she not be happy?

She really was like a child eagerly awaiting her first love, marrying the person she loved the most.

She even wondered if it was all just a beautiful dream.

••••

Wanyue, like her, was planning for their life together.

Xiao Mingyu had visited the mall before to look at the ring she wanted. The first time she went, the salesperson had asked with a smile, “Do you know the ring size of your lover?”

Although the question was asked seriously, Mingyu’s face turned red, feeling her throat dry. “Yes.”

She knew it, perhaps even better than Wanyue herself.

That finger had spent day and night with her; no one understood it better than Mingyu.

••••

Song Wanyue slowly approached Xu Ruying. With each step, the pure white wedding dress unfolded in the most beautiful arc, its trailing skirt adorned with dreamy romance. She smiled slightly, her eyes deeply gazing at Xu Ruying: “This ring was found on Mingyu’s hand.”

She slowly raised her right hand, the ring on her ring finger sparkling with Mingyu’s aura. “I think this is probably the ring she wanted to give me.”

But… she didn’t have time.

Xu Ruying clenched her hand into a fist, her nails digging deeply into her flesh.

How she wanted to tell Wanyue that she was ready and wanted to propose to her as soon as she came back, without waiting for a single moment.

She could no longer let down this girl who had loved her for over a decade since their teenage years.

But in the end, she was one step too late.

Her ring was never delivered by her own hands.

But her girl… understood her…

Life and death, Wanyue always understood her.

Song Wanyue looked at Xu Ruying’s face and said softly, “We always have such an understanding.”

The “we” she mentioned seemed to refer to both her and Mingyu, as well as to their present selves.

“Since I fell in love with her at 15, I secretly thought about marrying her. When I was young, it was a girlish dream. She always said I was naive and childish, that I didn’t understand anything, but actually, I understood everything.”

She knew what she had always wanted was her.

Her heart was bleeding.

Song Wanyue stared into Xu Ruying’s eyes, her voice very soft but firm, “My whole life belongs to her.”

Xu Ruying struggled to control her emotions and turned her head away, not wanting to look into her eyes. “Mingyu is gone. I have regrets, but if you have any wish, I can help fulfill it.”

A wish?

Song Wanyue looked at her eyes and said, “I want my Mingyu back. Is that possible?”

She seemed to be speaking to the Mingyu in front of her and also to the Mingyu behind her.

Qin Xiao hadn’t lied to her.

She wasn’t a soul catcher.

Her blood had such powerful and surreal abilities. With Wanyue’s intelligence, she could guess that if she could bring Mingyu back from the dead, she might have other miraculous abilities.

Xu Ruying fell silent. If Mingyu could come back, would Wanyue’s wish need to be fulfilled by someone else?

“If not, then be our witness,” Song Wanyue said softly to Xu Ruying. She was always so understanding, hiding all her pain inside and never resenting anyone.

Xu Ruying murmured, “Witness…”

Was it what she had imagined?

Song Wanyue’s next actions shocked and stunned Xu Ruying.

She took out two red wine glasses from her home, led Xu Ruying to the balcony where they could see the moon, and said softly, “In the past, we made a promise to never part. If I am the moon, she is the star beside me, and I told her she was my pride for life.”

— It was true then, and it is still true now.

As she spoke, Song Wanyue stood in the wind, earnestly gazing at the sun, moon, and stars. She bent her knees and slowly knelt down.

— As if paying homage to heaven and earth.

Xu Ruying felt as if her heart would explode from the suffocating feeling. “Are you crazy?”

She understood what Wanyue was doing.

She must be insane! What was she doing??? Marrying someone who was already dead???!!!

Song Wanyue turned her head, looking at the face that had taken away her happiness for the rest of her life, and smiled faintly.

She was stubborn.

She had been, and still was.

Mingyu knew that.

Wanyue knew that she would tolerate it.

Her Mingyu would never be angry with her.

Song Wanyue picked up a nearby wine glass, holding it with both hands. Facing the moonlight outside the window, she whispered, “Mingyu, I love you.”

Xu Ruying listened from the side, tears slowly falling. She stared blankly at Song Wanyue.

The moonlight was like gauze, the snow-white wedding dress, the smiling eyes. Song Wanyue tilted her head back and drank the entire glass of wine in one gulp, murmuring, “I am your wife. You can’t get rid of me.”

She didn’t want to hear about meeting someone better in the future.

Mingyu was the best person she had ever met in her life. There was no one else.

From now on, even if they met in the underworld, she would still appear as Mrs. Xiao.

Wanyue also wanted to pay respects in front of their parents and Huang Lan, with two bows to the elders, but she knew that no one would agree and would think she had gone mad. So, she kept it all in her heart.

She turned and looked at Xu Ruying, who was watching her unmoving, and slightly bowed, “Thank you for being here with me at this time.”

— As if this were a couple’s bow.

Xu Ruying raised her hand, covering her face to wipe away the tears. Song Wanyue turned to her, “You are our witness now, Miss Xu.”

This time.

She called her Miss Xu, not Ruying.

They had completed their ceremony.

Xu Ruying’s eyes were bloodshot. She stared at Song Wanyue, wanting to complain, to stop her, but those words were stuck in her heart.

Such a Wanyue made her heartache and suffer.

It was all her fault.

She had promised to spend her life with her.

According to customs, the wine for the deceased should be poured on the ground.

But Wanyue did not do that. She left the wine there, watching it quietly for a while, and said softly, “She owes me a cup of marriage wine. I just don’t know if, after all this time, she still wants to marry me.”

Since Mingyu’s departure.

Many people had comforted her, advised her not to grieve, to let go, and to move on with life.

She wanted that too; she had tried.

But they had loved each other so much and had promised a lifetime together, yet she had left early, leaving her to wander alone in the world.

She was unwilling, and she had even complained about Mingyu.

Now, it was fine this way. Although they couldn’t be together, this marriage was still a promise.

From now on, in the human world, in Song Wanyue’s heart, she would always be Mrs. Xiao, and wherever Mingyu went, she would always be Mrs. Song.

Let this be the last time she indulge her stubbornness.

••••

The moonlight was like smoke, piercing coldly into the heart.

Xu Ruying lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Past and present intertwined in her mind, filled with laughter and tears, leaving her heart at a loss for its own feelings.

Long ago, when their love hadn’t yet been recognized, and they were cramped in a small rented apartment, Wanyue had once nestled in her arms like a kitten, sniffing her scent and said, “I really want to marry you.”

Xiao Mingyu, both amused and heartbroken, had poked Wanyue’s forehead, “Marry me? I’m poor and destitute right now. Aren’t you afraid of following me to scavenge?”

Song Wanyue looked at her seriously, “What’s wrong with scavenging? My eyes are still sharp. You can push the cart in front, and I’ll follow behind, picking things up.”

Xiao Mingyu had laughed, holding her close. How could she bear to let her go?

Wanyue leaned against her, and they hugged quietly for a while. Xiao Mingyu thought the topic had passed when she heard the person in her arms murmur, “They say that newlyweds look forward to the wedding night. Since we’ve been affectionate so many times, do you still look forward to it?”

Xiao Mingyu: “………”

Her silly girl.

How could she really be so earnestly conflicted?

Xiao Mingyu’s hands locked around her waist, flipping her over and gazing at her assertively, “Of course I look forward to it. Do you want to feel it right now?”

••••

After a long period of quiet reflection, Xu Ruying finally got up from the bed, tiptoeing to the living room.

Wanyue was probably too heartbroken and exhausted. The wine cups on the table hadn’t been cleaned up yet, still in the same state as when she left. The cup of wine that should have been drunk by Mingyu was still there.

Xu Ruying walked over, staring at the wine cup for a long time, as if making a decision. She sat down in the same posture as Wanyue, kneeling under the moonlight, with the stars witnessing her. She lifted the cup and softly said, “I do.”

The marriage wine, for them, should have been a joyful celebration after a long journey, blessed by family and friends.

But now, it carried a hint of sadness and solitude.

The wine fell to her lips. In a corner where no one was present, Xu Ruying could finally remove her mask and whispered, “Xiao Mingyu and Song Wanyue are finally married.”

As soon as she finished speaking, it felt as if her heart was suddenly gouged out, a sharp and unexpected pain striking her.

Xu Ruying groaned, clutching her chest, her body curling up in agony.

The pain…

She couldn’t see it with her eyes, only feeling the physical suffering.

At this moment, Xu Ruying of the underworld stood with her hands behind her back, watching her in the darkness.

Behind her was a field of blooming spider lilies, the red flowers enchanting, like the happy flowers that should be present at a wedding.

Standing beside her were two men, one in black and one in white. The man in black was very cold, saying faintly, “This is going against the heavens.” As he spoke, a black iron chain suddenly appeared in his right hand, making a rustling sound.

Xu Ruying turned her head, coldly staring at him.

The man in black frowned, “Are you still going to stop me? I can take her soul away right now.”

Xu Ruying’s expression didn’t change, but when she spoke, there was a dark aura, “You can try.”

No one dared to move souls under her eyes.

The man in black frowned, gripping the chain tightly, grinding his teeth in frustration, clearly agitated.

The man in white quickly intervened, holding a book that looked like a ledger and pushing it toward the man in black, pointing, “Look, Lao Hei, take a look.”

Look at what?

“I’m just following the rules.”

“Take a look before you speak.”

The man in black impatiently glanced over.

On the ledger of life and death, the name Xiao Mingyu, which should have been written in red for the deceased, was unexpectedly circled with a golden ring, highlighting her name.

Next to her record, a new line had appeared.

— Married to Ms. Song on the day of Xinchou Year, Renchen Month, Renchen Day, Zishi Time.

The man in white said, “She’s now half a member of the Song family. You can’t just take her soul away.”

The man in black was instantly furious, “Life and death are separate. How can they forcibly become married? And without even a witness, it’s invalid!”

Xu Ruying flicked her sleeve and calmly said, “I am the witness.”

••••

Xu Ruying sat on the cold floor, and after a long time, the spasm-like pain finally eased.

She was covered in cold sweat, her spine shivering, her lips turning white.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Ruying could no longer bear her longing. Supporting herself on the sofa, she slowly walked to the master bedroom.

On the large bed, Song Wanyue slept peacefully, her long eyelashes gently fluttering, her breathing steady, her skin glowing in the dim light.

Xu Ruying quietly watched her for a while, knowing that Wanyue had drunk and was in such sorrowful and distracted state, she must have fallen deeply asleep.

She let her longing take over, gently caressing Wanyue’s delicate skin.

Her brows…

Her eyes…

Her nose…

Her lips…

Everything about her.

The darkness allowed pain and longing to spread. Xu Ruying meticulously stroked, wanting to engrave every detail in her heart to never forget.

Her agreement with Meng Po was just over six months away.

Having experienced the underworld, she knew that after crossing the Bridge of Lethe, she would have to drink the Meng Po Soup.

She wanted so much to choose not to drink it.

She wanted to remember Wanyue’s appearance vividly, so that in the next life, she could find her by following their memories.

At that time, she would love and care for her properly, always staying by her side, no longer making her wait patiently, no longer letting her face tears…

Song Wanyue felt every touch of Mingyu.

She wasn’t asleep at all.

She couldn’t bear to waste a single second away from Mingyu, wanting to look at her as much as possible.

But she also knew that Mingyu was so cautious. If she didn’t pretend to be asleep, she wouldn’t drink the wedding wine she had deliberately left in the living room.

Xu Ruying looked at Song Wanyue and noticed her eyelashes fluttering irregularly. Just as she was about to leave, her hand was held down. Song Wanyue slowly opened her misty eyes, staring at her unblinkingly.

At that moment, the clock in the living room began to chime.

“Dong, dong, dong.”

The midnight chimes arrived as expected.

Song Wanyue gazed dreamily at her beloved. Xu Ruying tried to withdraw her hand, but Wanyue, usually so delicate, now had an astonishingly strong grip. Her tears rolled down on her face.

— Don’t go.

Please…

Xu Ruying’s heart ached at her tears. She knew Wanyue was missing her again. With her slender, slightly cold hand, she gently wiped away the tears from her eyes, “Don’t cry.”

She wanted to comfort her and make her strong, but without realizing it, her own eyes had reddened.

Song Wanyue looked at her with eyes red like a little rabbit and gently tugged at her clothes, “I feel a bit uncomfortable… Can we sleep together tonight?”

Her gaze was weak, with a hint of pleading.

Xu Ruying was silent for a moment, then nodded, pulling back the covers and sliding in beside her.

They kept their distance.

One on the left, one on the right, with the middle left empty.

But even so, Wanyue was satisfied. She looked at her back and eventually closed her eyes slowly.

At that moment, something sparkling seemed to fade from her brows, leaving only a cool breeze.

The breeze entered Xu Ruying’s eyes, and she, who had thought she would be sleepless tonight, was overcome with a strong drowsiness. Her eyelids drooped and she was almost instantly in a dream.

When Mingyu first left.

Wanyue was heartbroken and couldn’t move on. She had wished more than once for Mingyu to visit her dreams, but it had never happened.

And now.

She finally dreamed of her.

In a misty valley, the air smelled of fresh soil, but everything at the end was shrouded in gray fog, making it impossible to see clearly.

Half real, half illusion.

Yet, Song Wanyue saw Mingyu.

Mingyu stood in the middle of the valley in a white dress, looking bewildered, glancing around and gazing at the sky, seemingly not understanding why she was suddenly here.

This must be a dream…

Song Wanyue gazed at her figure, inching closer. She knew Mingyu was no longer here and that this wasn’t real, but she greedily wanted to see her a little longer.

The branches beneath her feet snapped, and Xiao Mingyu suddenly turned around, seeing Song Wanyue standing there.

Their eyes met—tears, heartache, and ecstasy.

They instinctively rushed forward and embraced each other. Song Wanyue used all her strength, holding Xiao Mingyu tightly as if trying to embed her into her own body, “Mingyu, Mingyu, Mingyu…”

In front of her beloved, she no longer had to hide anything.

She had never been a strong person.

She wanted Mingyu.

Xiao Mingyu was also in tears, holding Song Wanyue tightly and kissing her hair repeatedly, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

The tree shadows were sparse.

Xiao Mingyu and Wanyue sat on a large stone in the middle of the valley, embracing each other tightly without saying much.

Song Wanyue was a bit impatient, her hands gently touching Xiao Mingyu’s face as if trying to confirm something. Mingyu looked at her, unable to contain her emotions, and lowered her head to kiss her lips.

At this moment, words were unnecessary.

Only the familiar feeling of their lips could dispel the unease in their hearts.

Xiao Mingyu’s tears fell down her cheeks, nourishing the earth, and instantly, the vibrant red flowers around them bloomed in an explosion of color.

Song Wanyue clung to her neck, enduring her demands. Finally, she touched her earlobe, looked into her eyes, and choked up, “I’ve married you, do you know?”

Xiao Mingyu couldn’t speak, only nodding vigorously, tears falling freely. Song Wanyue smiled through her tears, wiping Mingyu’s tears away, leaning her forehead forward, gently touching her face, “In life and death, you can’t ever leave me again.”

••••

******

A night of beautiful dreams.

At the end of the dream, there was no scene of separation. Instead, Song Wanyue suddenly woke up, realizing the sky was already getting light.

The person beside her had already left, and the sounds of pots and pans could be heard from the kitchen.

Song Wanyue felt a faint pain in her forehead. She raised her hand and gently touched it, then, in a daze, she walked out.

Xu Ruying was looking for noodles.

Wanyue liked to eat noodles for breakfast.

Last night, she had a wonderful dream where she finally held her beloved as Mingyu.

But the dream was too brief. After waking, her heart was overwhelmed with emotions. Afraid she wouldn’t be able to hold back, she didn’t dare look at Wanyue and went straight to make breakfast.

“Are you awake?”

Xu Ruying turned to look at her with a slight smile. Song Wanyue looked at her face, bit her lip, and lowered her head, “Mm.”

She couldn’t see Mingyu anymore.

Shouldn’t she be upset? Everything from yesterday was enough for her to savor for a lifetime.

After eating, since Wanyue didn’t have class in the afternoon, she tidied up the house a bit and called Huang Lan.

As soon as the call connected, the sound of enthusiastic, infectious laughter from the aunties filled her ears.

—— Hahahahaha.

Gaga.

Song Wanyue: “………”

Huang Lan’s voice was loud: “Why are you calling so early? We’re having a meal together. I’m fine, just take care of yourself. Don’t worry about me. Goodbye!”

The phone was hung up with a “click.” Song Wanyue was silent for a moment before she couldn’t help but laugh.

That’s great.

The aunt was getting happier, which was exactly what she wanted to see.

After a moment, Song Wanyue called Qin Xiao, expressing her gratitude and briefly mentioning the dream she had the previous night.

Qin Xiao listened with interest but was a bit surprised when she heard about the dream: “You said that flowers bloomed when you kissed?”

Song Wanyue nodded, “Yes, do you think the dream was because of your blood?”

She felt that there was some connection between the two. After all, she hadn’t dreamed of Mingyu for so long, but she had that dream on that specific day.

Qin Xiao was silent for a while, then, stroking her chin, she suddenly smiled: “It probably has nothing to do with me. Maybe your genuine feelings moved the heavens, and even the gods wanted to help you.”

Song Wanyue naturally heard the teasing in her words but chose to ignore it: “Thank you this time. I’ll treat you to a nice meal.”

Qin Xiao was pleased, exchanged a few pleasantries, and was then called away by other teachers.

Just as Song Wanyue hung up, she was considering whether to knock on the door of the next room to chat, but Xu Ruying arrived first, bringing a pleasant surprise.

Xu Ruying hurriedly entered the room, holding something in her arms. Song Wanyue looked at her curiously, “What are you carrying?”

Why is it wrapped in clothes?

Xu Ruying looked up and pulled out a tiny puppy she had somehow gotten, “Look quickly.”

Song Wanyue: “……”

It was a tiny puppy, still with its eyes closed.

Xu Ruying: “I found it downstairs. Didn’t you always want to have a dog?”

Song Wanyue had wanted a dog for a long time and had begged Mingyu several times, only to be refused.

The reason was simple: Mingyu told Wanyue that she had once had a dog when she was young. After it died from old age, she felt like losing a family member and cried inconsolably. Since then, she swore never to keep pets again.

Song Wanyue had originally pouted, displeased, “I just wanted a puppy.”

Xiao Mingyu, who knew her best, embraced her and said softly, “All my love is given to you. You are my little baby. If I were to get you another puppy, it would be like taking away some of your love, wouldn’t it?”

••••

Song Wanyue really wanted to ask Xu Ruying—how did you know I wanted to keep a dog?

But some things are best left unsaid. After all, Mingyu was always so careful, and it wouldn’t be good to scare her.

Xu Ruying’s focus was on the little puppy. This morning, she was supposed to go to a meeting. Although she wanted to spend more time with Wanyue, she still had to handle some formal matters.

Just as she went downstairs, she saw the impulsive Xiao He with her butt sticking out, peering at something in the hallway.

“What are you doing?”

Xu Ruying asked curiously. Xiao He, startled by the boss’s voice, jumped up, her face flushed. She pointed to the bushes and stammered, “A dog, woof woof woof!”

Xu Ruying: “……”

This child, how come she never noticed that Xiao He was a bit silly?

Xiao He was nervous. Who in the company isn’t afraid of Xu Ruying? Although Xu Ruying seemed less intimidating recently and spoke more softly, her authority was still undeniable.

Everyone knew Xu Ruying’s personality. Apart from work, she rarely interacted with colleagues, always treating everyone with a world-weary frown. Even if a stray baby were in front of her, her eyebrows probably wouldn’t twitch.

The scene of contrast came.

Xiao He watched in astonishment as her cold, iron-fisted boss removed her expensive coat, carefully wrapped the puppy in it, and carried it out of the bushes. She gently touched its forehead and then turned to Xiao He, “Take it to the pet hospital.”

Xiao He was stunned for a long time.

Even after they drove to the pet hospital, and the doctor confirmed the puppy was fine, gave it a lot of medicine, and vaccinated it, Xiao He was still in a daze. Was this really the boss?

In the car, Xu Ruying held the puppy, gently petting it. Xiao He didn’t dare to look openly and only dared to steal glances through the rearview mirror.

Xu Ruying’s expression was soft, her gaze at the puppy gentle. It seemed like she was reminiscing, with the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.

Xiao He was somewhat mesmerized, but Xu Ruying suddenly looked up and met her gaze.

Xiao He: !!!……

She turned away as if shocked by electricity, her heart racing.

“Xiao He, you’ve been with the company for quite a while.”

Xu Ruying gently said as she petted the puppy. Xiao He nodded, feeling a bit anxious, “Yes.”

She had been introduced by Xiao Mingyu and had originally worked with Director Xiao. But recently, Xu Ruying had personally appointed her to work under her, making her feel both excited and nervous.

“You’ve been an assistant for quite some time. Report to the secretary department tomorrow.”

Xu Ruying gave a brief instruction and then focused on the puppy again. The puppy, having had some milk at the pet hospital, had gained some strength and was stumbling to its feet, using its wet nose to nudge her hand. It was soft and fluffy, very cute.

Xiao He felt as if her heart were on a roller coaster. She had a lot to say but couldn’t get past the last sentence. Xu Ruying seemed to sense it, raising her eyes, “Save it.”

She knew what Xiao He wanted to say and saw her nervousness. She didn’t want to keep her hanging.

Some things, even if Xu Ruying was reluctant to admit or think about, she had to gradually address.

As the departure date drew nearer day by day, she needed to arrange someone she trusted to be by Wanyue’s side.

Although Xiao He was occasionally a bit daft, she had a pure heart and had been with her since entering the workplace. She was a reliable and trustworthy person.

And then there was the puppy.

Xu Ruying couldn’t help but smile when she thought about how Wanyue used to plead with her for a puppy.

The puppy would be a companion for Wanyue, staying with her longer than she could.

Was it a good thing?

Looking at the puppy in front of her, Song Wanyue felt happy, but there was also a lingering unease. The puppy was clean and smelled of shampoo. It seemed to really like Wanyue, nudging her hand and sniffing her palm.

Xu Ruying observed with a pleasant mood, “It really likes you.”

Song Wanyue nodded and stroked the puppy’s head, looking at Xu Ruying, “Why did you suddenly bring a dog?”

Xu Ruying smiled, “Xiao He saw it downstairs. It seemed to have been abandoned, so I brought it back.”

Did Wanyue seem to have something on her mind?

Wanyue did have concerns. She felt uneasy, sensing that Xu Ruying brought the dog with the intention of making her less sad when she left someday.

They had been together for so long.

Wanyue knew her too well.

Mingyu indeed had such thoughts, but it was still bittersweet.

Even though the puppy was small, its life was limited. With careful care, it might live for a decade or so, but what then? What would happen to Wanyue?

She was always afraid of leaving her alone, afraid she would be lonely.

Xu Ruying then took Wanyue to the supermarket to buy a bunch of treats, chew toys, dog food, and other items for the puppy. On the way, Xu Ruying looked at the now lively little creature and asked, “What do you want to name it?”

It was a little female puppy.

Wanyue was detail-oriented and a bit of a perfectionist. When Mingyu and she went shopping before, she would always compare products meticulously.

Naming was no different; she would certainly be quite particular about it.

Xu Ruying had just asked casually, but unexpectedly, Wanyue blurted out, “Xiao Yue.” She patted the puppy’s neck, “Let’s call her Xiao Yueyue.”

Xu Ruying was silent for a moment, “Why does this sound like a person’s name?”

Song Wanyue nodded, “It’s a name I once considered for my future daughter.”

It was a name she had thought about for Mingyu’s child.

When chatting with Mingyu, she had mentioned that their family names each generation with either three characters or two. Wanyue was somewhat troubled at the time, “So our child would only have a two-character name.”

Mingyu took it as a joke, flicked her forehead, and said, “You think too much.”

••••

With a tightening grip on the steering wheel, Xu Ruying’s heart felt as if it had been pricked. She turned her head to look out the window, gently biting her lip.

Song Wanyue, while stroking the puppy’s fur, asked with a smile, “Does it sound good?”

Xu Ruying looked at the road ahead and softly replied, “Yes.”

It did sound good…

But to her surprise, when they arrived home, they saw a tall man in a black suit standing at the door. Song Wanyue looked at him, puzzled, and asked, “May I ask who you’re looking for?”

For some reason, after eating and drinking, the puppy, which had been quietly sleeping in Xu Ruying’s arms, suddenly woke up, squirming and whimpering.

Hearing the noise, the man turned around. He had piercing black eyes with an eagle-like sharpness, and his strong muscles seemed to strain against his suit. His dark gaze shot past Song Wanyue to Xu Ruying beside her.

Xu Ruying, who had just calmed the suddenly restless puppy, looked up and met the man’s gaze.

Last night, the intense, heart-wrenching pain had returned, and this time it was a thousand times more severe than the previous night.

She groaned and leaned back against the cold wall.