Jiang Mengxin was in an exceptionally good mood tonight.
She ordered a bottle of red wine. Against the backdrop of the starry sky, the liquid in the glasses shimmered with an alluring red light.
“Cheers?” Jiang Mengxin smiled.
“I’m not very good at drinking…” Su Mumu had enough self-awareness to know her limits.
“If you get drunk, I’ll carry you upstairs to bed~~” Jiang Mengxin laughed mischievously.
“I won’t lose to that!” Su Mumu’s competitiveness was ignited. “Cheers, cheers!”
*Clink* — the crisp sound of glass meeting glass rang out.
It had to be said, the food was truly delicious.
Su Mumu devoured three large bowls, eating until her little belly was round.
She leaned back in a comfortable Ge You Slouch, her eyes half-squinted, staring blankly at the starry sky ceiling. ‘Xin Xin, you’ve drunk too much…’
“I’m happy today,” Jiang Mengxin whispered. “Mumu, actually, there’s something I’ve been hiding from you.”
“What is it?” Su Mumu responded weakly.
“Before… I always thought Mumu was that fox demon.” Jiang Mengxin looked a bit dejected. “That’s why I lost control of my emotions sometimes…”
“???” Su Mumu was instantly wide awake.
Her eyes went wide.
Her mouth hung open, large enough to fit an egg.
“Mm… it’s true.” Jiang Mengxin explained with a hint of embarrassment.
“It’s my fault for being under so much mental stress lately. I shouldn’t have doubted our feelings, especially when Mumu trusts me so much…”
Su Mumu’s mind began to race out of control.
A flurry of strange, fragmented memories from the recent past came rushing back like a tide.
This included all of Jiang Mengxin’s puzzling and suspicious behaviors…
Every detail, every minute, and every second became crystal clear.
The broken strings were finally connected.
“I wanted to tell Mumu last night.” A trace of loneliness flickered in the depths of Jiang Mengxin’s eyes.
“But… I felt I had to say it in person! This is a very important matter. I actually didn’t sleep well last night either. I thought about it all night. I belittled our relationship. I was wrong.”
The girl’s voice grew smaller and smaller, almost hiding within the vast sea of the starry sky.
Inside the private room, a music box on a nearby cabinet played slowly, its light and soothing melody flowing through the room.
A blurred, mellow fragrance diffused through the air.
Su Mumu bit her lip, remaining silent.
It was strange.
‘Why don’t I feel even a single spark of emotion?’
‘My heart is as still as water.’
‘Shouldn’t I be nervous?’
‘Afraid of the lie being punctured, afraid of being exposed…’
‘None of that is here.’
‘There is only an indescribable peace.’
‘It’s as if this isn’t even happening to me.’
It felt as though her spirit had suddenly been drained away, leaving her entire being withered and haggard, looking worse than a dried-up vegetable leaf on a cutting board.
“Is Mumu angry?” Jiang Mengxin’s voice was very gentle.
Su Mumu realized her throat had gone hoarse. “No.”
“Then why do you look so upset?” A look of unease appeared on Jiang Mengxin’s face.
‘Xin Xin is worried…’
‘She thinks she made a mistake, doubting someone she shouldn’t have.’
‘Is she afraid?’
‘Afraid she won’t be forgiven.’
‘After all, she said she hates betrayal the most. From her perspective, she’s the one who betrayed me.’
‘But, in reality, I’m the one who betrayed you.’
Su Mumu opened her mouth, then lowered her head.
“Mumu really is angry.” Jiang Mengxin’s voice trembled slightly. “I didn’t do it on purpose. I won’t do it again… I’m sor—”
“Enough!!!” Su Mumu slammed her hand on the table, a watery glint shimmering in her eyes.
She had to stand up and stop this farce.
Because this isn’t your fault, Xin Xin.
“I…” The light in Jiang Mengxin’s eyes dimmed further.
“It’s not like that.” Su Mumu stood up quickly and said with absolute seriousness, “Xin Xin, listen to me… I don’t care about that. You must not blame yourself. This isn’t your fault. It has nothing to do with you!”
In her memory, Jiang Mengxin was always brilliant, rational, and generous. She never made mistakes in interpersonal relationships, and Su Mumu had never heard her apologize so earnestly.
She didn’t want to hear it.
It felt as though if those three words were spoken, they would be like a red-hot iron rod, searing her heart with pain.
“It is my fault,” Jiang Mengxin said with a smile.
“It’s not!” Anxious, Su Mumu hurried forward. However, she had only taken a single step when her drunkenness caused her to stumble.
One of her shoes flew off, and she nearly fell flat on her face. Despite this, she still managed to reach Jiang Mengxin’s side.
“Mumu…” Startled, Jiang Mengxin looked down briefly before looking back up into Su Mumu’s eyes. Then, she added softly, “There’s a hole in your sock.”
“…Ugh.” Su Mumu’s cheeks flushed red. “Don’t focus on those details!”
“Should I buy you a pair of new silk stockings?” Jiang Mengxin pulled out her phone. “White silk again, right?”
“Fine,” Su Mumu nodded.
“OK, order placed,” Jiang Mengxin said.
“No, no, no!” Blushing, Su Mumu argued, “That’s not what I wanted to say… Xin Xin, stop changing the subject!”
“Pffft.” Jiang Mengxin covered her mouth, but her laughter still leaked out. “I know. I understand what Mumu wants to say.”
“You… you don’t!” Su Mumu glared at her.
Jiang Mengxin looked somewhat surprised. “What part don’t I know?”
“That…” Su Mumu didn’t know how to answer for a moment. After hesitating for a long time, she could only say resentfully, “Like the hole in my sock… or something.”
“Hahahaha!” Jiang Mengxin doubled over with laughter.
“Damn it…” Su Mumu grumbled under her breath.
“Mumu is drunk,” Jiang Mengxin teased.
“Maybe…” Su Mumu sat down helplessly on the spot. The crystal floor felt chilly. She hugged her knees painfully and buried her head in them. “Don’t mind me. I want to be quiet.”
“Who is Quiet?” Jiang Mengxin asked.
“I want Xin Xin!” Su Mumu muttered crossly.
“There, there~~~” Jiang Mengxin reached out and gently rubbed Su Mumu’s head. “Xin Xin is right here.”
“I hate this,” Su Mumu grumbled so quietly she could barely hear herself.
“What? Is Mumu acting spoiled?” Jiang Mengxin asked.
“As if!” Su Mumu snapped.
“So cute~~~” Jiang Mengxin rubbed her head even harder.
“Don’t pet me like a cat, hey — !” Su Mumu swatted the hand away from her head. “Careful, or I’ll beat you.”
Jiang Mengxin stood up, left her chair, and came to Su Mumu’s side. She then crouched down, looking at her at eye level.
When gazes meet, someone always has to give in first.
Su Mumu gave in very quickly.
Her eyes darted away, avoiding the look.
“Does Mumu want to be my kitty?” Jiang Mengxin giggled.
Su Mumu looked even more panicked. “…No way.”
“I won’t doubt you again,” Jiang Mengxin said patiently. “It was my fault before. I hope Mumu can forgive those mistakes…”
“I forgive you!” Su Mumu wished she could have answered even faster.
“Thank you, Mumu. I love you the most~~” Jiang Mengxin smiled happily. Dimples appeared on her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled. It was clear the joy came from the bottom of her heart.
Su Mumu’s heart felt as if it had been pricked by a needle.
“Mumu, pinky swear?” Jiang Mengxin held out her pinky. Those eyes, full of joy, were truly impossible to refuse.
“Mm, okay,” Su Mumu responded.
“Pinky swear, pinky swear. From now on, I will absolutely never betray Mumu again. We are the best besties in the world!” Jiang Mengxin’s voice was very soft, slow yet forceful.
It was like a sharp blade, carving every stroke into Su Mumu’s heart.
“I won’t betray Xin Xin either. We are… the best besties,” Su Mumu said softly.
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