Two Faced Lover - Chapter 88

88: Catalyst

Their earlier argument acted like a catalyst, intensifying their embrace. Days of longing and unresolved teasing coalesced into the entanglement of their lips.

Bo Mingyan kissed the damp, salty corners of Meng Xuran’s eyes, cheeks, and mouth, grinding against soft lips before slipping her tongue inside-a playful back-and-forth.

The sheer excitement left Meng Xuran’s head buzzing, her chest swelling with emotion.

She was kissed senseless.

The cigarette box and unlit cigarette in her hand were crumpled beyond recognition-much like her own lips, numbed by Bo Mingyan’s relentless assault.

Perhaps provoked by her earlier teasing, Bo Mingyan kissed with a vengeance, leaving Meng Xuran overwhelmed.

If Bo Mingyan hadn’t tried pinning her against the car mid-kiss-leaving her awkwardly suspended—Meng Xuran might have forgotten about the flowers pressed between her back and the vehicle. In her flustered attempt to protect them, the cigarette box, cigarette, and lighter scattered across the ground. The commotion made her lose balance, bumping painfully against the wheel arch.

At this rate, Meng Xuran feared they might end up doing something in a car that wasn’t even theirs…

Twenty-six days, twenty-three hours, and twenty-some minutes of separation-twenty-seven if counting their fight. Without all this nonsense, they should have been curled up at home by now. It had been too long since she’d last seen the usually composed Bo Mingyan unravel for her…

Lost in the kiss, Meng Xuran couldn’t help wanting to make up for lost time. Tipping her head back like the roses in her hand, she bloomed bit by bit before Bo Mingyan.

The Wrangler’s wheel arch-customized by Fu Junxue with alloy-dug uncomfortably into her. Breaking the kiss with a soft hiss, Meng Xuran winced.

Bo Mingyan pulled back slightly, catching her breath. Through half-lowered lashes, her dazed eyes gleamed like scattered starlight. Her voice, low and clear, cut through the quiet night: “What’s wrong?”

“Bumped myself. Ow~ Fu Junxue’s stupid car…”

Around Bo Mingyan, Meng Xuran’s pain sensitivity automatically amplified. Weak-kneed from kissing, she clung to Bo Mingyan like a koala, legs wrapped around her waist, feet locked at the ankles.

Bo Mingyan had no choice but to hold her steady. “Where did you hit?”

Meng Xuran nuzzled her ear, whispering, “Just above my butt…”

Warm breath tickled Bo Mingyan’s ear, making her chuckle lowly. She carried Meng Xuran to the passenger seat.

“What’s so funny?” Meng Xuran pouted, locking the doors.

“Just thinking… it must be suffering under you.”

Confused, Meng Xuran blinked before realizing Bo Mingyan meant her rear. Flushing, she defensively retorted, “I never fell this much before meeting you! And whose fault is it that I got bumped just now, huh?”

“Who was it that shoved me back so hard?” Meng Xuran grew more indignant, tilting her chin up. Suddenly recalling something, she drawled, “If I hadn’t bumped myself, would we have unlocked a new ‘outdoor adventure’? Was that your plan all along?”

Bo Mingyan: “…”

When it came to shamelessness, Bo Mingyan would always lose. Instead of answering, she flicked the flower foam at the bouquet’s base.

“Not hurting anymore?”

The gesture carried weight.

Once, post-period but still teasing, Meng Xuran had pushed Bo Mingyan to the edge with whispered provocations before fleeing. Left frustrated, Bo Mingyan had retaliated with a light flick-restrained at first, then deliberately slow during subsequent encounters, refusing to give in until Meng Xuran was nearly sobbing.

The memory was seared into Meng Xuran’s mind-days of swollen eyes and sore abs from arching.

She shrank back. “Still hurts a little. Just joking—don’t get any ideas.”

Bo Mingyan scoffed but let it go, collecting the fallen items outside. After tossing the crumpled cigarette, she returned with a mild chide: “Smoking again.”

“Didn’t smoke! Didn’t even light it.” Meng Xuran shoved the keys into Bo Mingyan’s hand, smoothing the cigarette box. “These were in the car—Fu Junxue’s. Just mint capsules. I was curious.”

Adjusting the driver’s seat awkwardly, Bo Mingyan asked, “Where’s your car?”

“Left at home. With a beautiful chauffeur around, no need to trouble Uncle Cai. Borrowed Fu Junxue’s until mine gets fixed.” Meng Xuran mused, “Want one too? It suits you. My pink Mini looks odd when you drive it.”

“I like the Mini.” Bo Mingyan said once settled.

“Not worried about waste?”

“No.”

Meng Xuran couldn’t picture Bo Mingyan preferring pink. With a teasing glint, she joked, “They say people start liking pink as they age. Manman~ Hitting that milestone?”

Bo Mingyan stared blankly.

Innocent blinking.

With a sigh, Bo Mingyan explained, “It reminds me of you.”

Meng Xuran’s ears burned. Hiding behind the bouquet, she mumbled, “Because it smells like me?”

Bo Mingyan laughed. “No. Because it shifts colors in sunlight-interesting, like you.”

She once believed human duality was about online vs. real-life personas.

Meng Xuran taught her otherwise-people could be like holographic paper, revealing different hues from every angle.

Flustered by the misinterpretation but more so by the praise, Meng Xuran buried her face deeper in the flowers.

“Obviously.”

Even blushing scarlet, Princess Meng could still preen verbally.

Bo Mingyan chuckled.

Peeking out, Meng Xuran double-checked: “Really don’t want a car that matches your vibe more?”

“Aren’t you into ‘the allure of contrast in a dual-natured lover’?” Bo Mingyan quoted the magazine interview.

The brazenness of those published words reignited Meng Xuran’s blush. “Mmm,” she hummed, stashing the cigarette items in the glovebox.

Changing topics, Bo Mingyan asked, “When did you start smoking?”

Silence.

Meng Xuran slowly closed the compartment, fiddling with the roses before buckling up.

Not pressing further, Bo Mingyan drove slowly-unfamiliar with the vehicle. Outside, streetlights slid past, their glow alternating across the petals. The roadside trees transitioned from plane trees to early cherry blossoms, a few already in bloom.

Nanquan’s winters had grown brief and mild lately-nothing like that London year.

Moonlight on snow, bitter northern winds.

The icy flakes on her face could’ve been melted snow or frozen tears.

“One Christmas Eve,” Meng Xuran said absently, “it was so cold I thought smoking might warm me. Turns out it just numbs you briefly.”

It sounded almost laughable.

Bo Mingyan smiled. “What goes on in that head of yours?”

“You,” Meng Xuran answered instantly.

Bo Mingyan huffed-another love confession disguised as banter.

Meng Xuran glanced at her sidelong, lips quaking briefly before sobering.

At the gate, the unfamiliar license plate prompted a stop. The guard emerged with a logbook.

Recognizing Bo Mingyan, he smiled. “Back already?”

“Mm. Could you let us through?”

Noticing the different car, he asked, “Changed vehicles?”

“Temporarily. Register it under the pink Mini’s plate.” Bo Mingyan tapped the wheel impatiently.

The neighborhood housed its share of wealthy residents-swapping cars was commonplace.

After jotting it down, the guard peered at Meng Xuran and beamed. “Ah! Made up, eh? Good, good. Friendship’s precious these days—better to talk things out than cry alone.”

Bo Mingyan: “…”

The barrier remained closed, forcing Bo Mingyan to endure the cheerful betrayal.

Meng Xuran whipped her head around. “You cried?”

Bo Mingyan stared rigidly ahead, grip tightening on the wheel.

“Cried, she did! Young lady, running out at night isn’t safe. Couldn’t you talk properly? Made your older sister shed tears at her age!” The guard finally raised the barrier.

Meng Xuran gasped dramatically. “You really cried?!”

Bo Mingyan floored the accelerator, deadpan: “…”

I want to disappear.