Chapter 12: The Ex-Wife

Tang Wan seemed genuinely seeking his opinion, not just throwing herself into his arms. Xia An knew that at this moment, even a single word would seem pretentious.

The instant his hand touched her shoulder, Xia An clearly felt Tang Wan tremble and stiffen. His hand slid downward, and Tang Wan lifted her delicate face. The moon above instantly cast its glow upon her clear eyes, stirring ripples of confusion and desire.

With a clatter, the empty wine bottle in Tang Wan’s hand fell to the floor, rolling a few times. She lowered her head, pressing her cheek against Xia An’s chest, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. She breathed deeply.

It had been so long since she’d been embraced by anyone.

She had once read in a magazine that hugs relieve stress. Kissing was even more effective, and beyond that… well, there was more.

In these past few days, Tang Wan couldn’t deny that she had become addicted to Xia An’s scent.

Was there affection?

She didn’t know and dared not to think about it.

She understood that she was six or seven years older than Xia An, so even if there was, it was meaningless.

Was there affection? Xia An was asking himself the same question.

To say no would be a lie.

After two lifetimes, Tang Wan’s beauty still stood out in his eyes.

A man’s fondness for a woman always begins with her appearance, and eventually turns to boredom.

Those who say the soul matters more are just talking nonsense.

His chin pressed against her forehead, the scent of alcohol instantly overpowered by the sweet fragrance of her perfume.

The night breeze stirred two mischievous strands of hair, gently tickling Xia An’s cheek.

His mind grew as restless and heated as the July night.

His hand slid down her shoulder, along her arm, palm tracing upward from her waist.

With every touch of his fingertips, Tang Wan felt a shiver ripple through her.

His large hand cradled her face, and Tang Wan looked into his eyes.

There was a flame burning within.

Xia An asked politely, “Do you want to kiss?”

“Just for tonight, okay?”

Tang Wan nodded, then closed her eyes.

Xia An said nothing.

Suddenly, Tang Wan opened her eyes wide, biting her lip, tears shimmering.

“Will it hurt?”

“Kissing won’t,” Xia An answered honestly.

Tang Wan asked, “What about that?”

Xia An replied, “That was your idea.”

Tang Wan said no more, closing her eyes again.

The living room was small. Following Xia An’s gentle force, Tang Wan stepped back a few paces and sat on the sofa.

Xia An moved forward; she retreated.

He moved forward again; she slowly leaned back.

There was curiosity, fondness, appreciation.

There was affection, sudden and rapid, but undeniable.

And desire.

If her life were to take another unforeseen turn, she didn’t want to leave this world having experienced nothing, alone and empty.

After all these years, this was the first time her heart fluttered for someone. She was not afraid to share this intimate moment with Xia An amid such tender surroundings.

Any relationship was worthwhile if it was meaningful.

Xia An closed the distance.

Tang Wan instinctively raised her arms across her chest, palms open, gently halting him.

Their bodies pressed close, separated by only two or three thin layers of fabric.

Xia An could clearly feel her heartbeat, her trembling.

She was scared, hesitant.

Though Tang Wan’s eyes remained closed, she could distinctly feel herself being completely enveloped—a sensation she had never experienced before, a profound sense of safety.

She stretched her arms behind, placing her hands on Xia An’s shoulders, pressing lightly.

She was signaling: it’s okay, you may proceed.

Xia An buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply.

Tang Wan suddenly felt his hand slip beneath her shirt, warmth pressing against her back as if two glowing embers were pressed to her skin, making it flush and tingle.

Xia An heard her shiver and whisper, “I don’t know how.”

Women liked to be guided, in any relationship.

Xia An understood. He worked methodically, undoing a button on her back, then another on her shorts.

Seeing Tang Wan bury her face in her hands, he warned himself:

Don’t let possessiveness grow too strong; you just happen to be walking this path together.

What comes next is merely beastly desire overpowering human reason.

It’s nothing unusual.

Isn’t this normal?

But in the next moment, Xia An stopped.

He bent down again, holding Tang Wan tightly, inhaling deeply into her hair.

Tang Wan could feel him pressing firmly below, but he did not move.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered, barely audible.

Xia An shook his head, just as—

Tang Wan stretched out an arm, eyes closed, and pulled her phone from beneath her.

“I thought I was shaking, but it’s your phone…”

Xia An laughed at her teasing.

The time was 8:45 p.m.

Incoming call: Le Ning.

Xia An was startled. Tang Wan’s flushed warmth beneath him gradually faded.

Logic returned, and she blushed with embarrassment, wanting to escape.

She tried to get up but couldn’t.

After pinching Xia An a few times, she waited for him to sit up, then found a moment to slip away like a cat into the small room beside the tent.

…

Xia An did not answer the call.

He sat quietly, lost in thought, taking a long sip of beer.

Only after the third ring did he finally pick up.

“Where are you?”

“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”

“Did you go to the internet cafe again?”

The triple barrage of questions felt overwhelming.

Le Ning’s youthful tone was far less carefree than when she was younger.

Xia An was helpless but almost laughed.

“At home.”

“Really?”

“Mm.”

“Oh. Since uncle and aunt aren’t home, don’t wander outside so much. Save money and eat well. If you really run out, tell me—I have some.”

Le Ning’s voice was calm, without emotion, yet pleasant.

Xia An stared at the ceiling, sighing deeply.

Countless memories flooded his mind like tidal waves.

He hadn’t realized she had been reminding him to eat well since this age.

For a long while, Xia An was at a loss for words.

Le Ning asked softly, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Why didn’t you go to Chi Ao’s place to watch football a few days ago? I thought you were there. I called but your phone was off, so I left. I only topped up your phone the next day. Where did you go that night?”

“To a bar.”

“Why go to such a smoky, chaotic place… never mind, don’t go again. There’s no good people there.”

Xia An said nothing.

They both fell silent for a few seconds.

Le Ning said, “I’m at grandma’s in the countryside these days. Do you want strawberries? I’ll bring some back for you.”

Xia An still did not reply.

Le Ning asked, “Are you going to Chi Ao’s graduation banquet the day after tomorrow?”

After thinking, Xia An said, “I think I promised him. Then I’ll go.”

“Okay, see you then.”

“Mm.”

“Eat well.”

“Mm.”

Just after hanging up, Le Ning’s text came through:

“Eat well.”

Xia An did not respond.

Le Ning sent another:

“My second uncle’s neighbor’s friend became a vegetable because she didn’t eat well and got hit by a car.”

Xia An replied: “Okay.”

He set down his phone and fell into a daze once again.

If there is no genuine affection, do not cling to fleeting attractions.

Debt, like money lost, is best avoided by never starting in the first place.

Just now, the thought of Le Ning had helped him overcome his second self and spare Tang Wan.

He glanced toward the small room; the door was tightly closed, no sound stirring.

Xia An forcefully downed two bottles of beer.

Tang Wan appeared.

Xia An turned his head.

Those long legs were tightly wrapped in his bedsheet.

Damn, really?

If his beastly instinct flared up, would a mere bedsheet stop him?

Tang Wan seemed not to wear slippers, her bare feet tapping on the floor as she hesitated.

“I got your bed dirty.”

“?”

“Can you go downstairs and buy… that for me?”

This Tang Wan was still less mature than Le Ning.

Xia An nodded, scratching his backside as he headed to the door.

“What brand?”

“ABC.”

Just as Xia An was about to agree, he suddenly thought better of it and advised, “How about a different brand?”

“Why?”

“Poor quality.”

Tang Wan tilted her head in confusion; Xia An waved his hand, offering no explanation.

As the door opened, Tang Wan called from behind, “Was that your girlfriend just now?”

Xia An smiled, looking at her deeply.

Tang Wan’s face flushed red. Damn, how did she end up asking that?

Xia An shook his head, but she inexplicably relaxed.

“Not a girlfriend. An ex-wife.”

“?”