Young Prime Minister, a Hermit

Chapter 88

Sometimes Xu Lie wondered if it was really because he hadn't treated her well enough? He always neglected her, blamed her, disliked her, and even took advantage of her infatuation by being hot and cold, which was why she suddenly felt tired and weary...

Even just thinking about those last two words, let alone uttering them, made Xu Lie feel as if his heart was being pierced by needles. Infidelity… infidelity… What husband could tolerate his wife cheating? What husband could remain indifferent to seeing his wife lying in bed with another man like that? No! At least he wasn't a saint; he absolutely couldn't!

"President Xu! The meeting at headquarters has already started, and we're just waiting for you."

Xu Lie nodded, took off his coat, handed it to his secretary, and went into his office. The computer was already connected. He rubbed his temples and sat down. The person on the screen immediately stood up and bowed to him. The daily routine report had begun again.

"Mr. Xu... Mr. Xu...?"

Xu Lie was taken aback. He looked up and saw the woman on the screen staring at him with large, clear eyes filled with questions. Xu Lie nodded expressionlessly and said, "These are indeed shares I gave her. How she spends them is her right."

The woman looked troubled and puzzled: "Then, Mr. Xu, what about the items being sold off on the market..."

"Buy it." Xu Lie interrupted her, his brows furrowing slightly. "Buy it all."

Galan, you actually took the shares I gave you so easily! If you're going to leave, why didn't you keep them? You sold them so easily and without any consideration! Was this your original intention, or did you just want to quickly discard everything related to me? Don't you have even a trace of regret? Xu Lie gripped the pen tightly in his hand, unconsciously almost breaking it in two.

The meeting was about to end, and as everyone was about to leave, Xu Lie suddenly put down his pen and exclaimed, "Liss!"

"Yes!" the woman called Liss replied almost reflexively. "What are your instructions, Mr. Xu?"

Xu Lie took a deep breath, his brows furrowing even more, but he couldn't control his behavior. His voice, though still steady, didn't sound like his own: "Book a flight for the 13th. I'm going back to China next week."

Insert bookmark

Chapter Two: Memories

Chapter Two: Memories

After picking Xue'er up from the music classroom, the car drove quietly along the tree-lined road towards his temporary villa in the American suburbs. Xue'er kept talking in the passenger seat, neither making the conversation awkward nor chattering; her voice was soft and gentle, like a beautiful piano piece.

Xu Lie responded to her words half-heartedly, seemingly listening attentively, but his thoughts drifted uncontrollably to a distant past. Jialan was a strange person; sometimes she would chatter incessantly in his ear, her little face flushed, her eyes sparkling with a bright, lively light, like the vibrant spring earth brimming with life. Other times she would quietly drift into a daze, her eyes fixed on one spot, seemingly not thinking about anything, and oblivious to his words. Only when he lost his temper would she snap out of her reverie, then cling to him with a fawning expression.

Xu Lie refused to admit that he was angry because he felt neglected by her, and that his sulking and ignoring her was actually to see her pitiful and adorable appearance fluttering around in front of him.

"Xue'er," Xu Lie called out softly. Xue'er's gentle voice immediately stopped, and she looked at him with a puzzled expression. Xu Lie glanced at her; her face, which was originally so fair it was almost translucent, had gradually gained a rosy hue over the past four months, and her figure had also become fuller, no longer as frail and slender as before, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

For some reason, Xu Lie felt a pang of guilt, but he still said, "I plan to return to China next week."

Xue'er's expression changed abruptly, her cheeks drained of color, and the veins were faintly visible beneath her translucent skin. But she quickly masked it with a smile, pretending not to care, and asked, "Why are you going back so soon? Did something happen in Shanghuai?"

"Hmm," Xu Lie mumbled in response, and then fell silent.

Xue'er also quieted down, and an unusually heavy atmosphere filled the car, making Xu Lie feel increasingly irritated. He adjusted the gear, and the car immediately accelerated, speeding towards its destination.

After dinner, Xu Lie went to his study to handle official business. The clock ticked tirelessly, endlessly. Xu Lie tried his best to focus all his energy on his work and not think about anything else, but after a while, he stopped what he was doing. He gently rubbed his temples, his warm fingers pressing against his slightly hot forehead, over and over again.

Xu Lie remembered that Jia Lan's hands were small and always dry and cold. Sometimes when he worked late, she would peek out the door again and again, hiding and dodging, as if she really thought no one would notice her. Until he finally got impatient and grabbed her by the collar and dragged her inside. Only then did she smile guiltily and innocently and say, "It's definitely not that I wanted to disturb your work. Mom kept asking me why you weren't resting yet, so I came to check on you."

Xu Lie was both annoyed and amused. His mother knew his schedule best; why would she ask such a stupid question? She should just come if she wanted to, instead of making up so many lame excuses. But seeing her pitiful look, Xu Lie immediately softened. Fine, let her come in; it won't cause any major problems anyway. However, only five minutes later, Xu Lie realized he was completely wrong.

Xu Lie has mild myopia, no more than 100 degrees, and rarely wears glasses. However, when working, he habitually squints slightly and frowns. Then, a pair of small hands came around from behind him, their smooth palms constantly rubbing his eyebrows.

Xu Lie slammed down the file he was typing on the computer and glared at the owner of the small hand. Wearing a thick pink nightgown, almost half her face was tucked into the collar. When she saw him looking at her, she timidly withdrew her small hand, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Are you very tired? How about I give you a massage?" Her small mouth was slightly open, she yawned, and looked at him with teary eyes.

Xu Lie felt like he was about to be defeated by her, and sighed, "If you're tired, go to sleep first. I'll be back in half an hour."

Upon hearing this, she immediately shook her head, saying she wasn't tired. But seeing her own angry expression, she pitifully murmured, "At least, can I give you a massage before I go to sleep?"

Looking at her, her cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, and a few strands of damp hair clung to her nose, occasionally brushing against her dark, bright eyes. Xu Lie shook his head helplessly, lowered his head, and continued working. A cool sensation came from his temples, and his delicate skin pressed against his forehead. He gently massaged it with just the right amount of pressure, and it felt exceptionally comfortable.

Galan massaged him from behind the chair back, and Xu Lie could feel her trying to keep her distance so as not to get too close and interfere with his work. However, the fragrance of the shower gel wafted through the wide sleeves of her robe, lingering around his nose and slowly warming his skin.

Xu Lie frowned. The next row of data he typed was mostly wrong. Frustrated, he pressed the backspace key, telling himself over and over: This document is needed for tomorrow's meeting, I have to get it done tonight, just half an hour more... But then, the cool, delicate fingertips, the familiar scent, and the wisps of hair brushing against the back of his neck...

"Snap—" Xu Lie slammed his laptop shut and turned to glare at someone.

"Was my grip too strong? Did I hurt you... ah—"

Without thinking twice, Xu Lie reached out and pulled her into his arms, kissing her fiercely. To hell with work, to hell with meetings, he'd just skip the office tomorrow…

Insert bookmark

Chapter Three: Struggle

Chapter Three: Struggle

Xu Lie closed his eyes, leaned back in his leather chair, and laughed silently. As he laughed, his expression slowly turned bitter, then sorrowful, and a heart-wrenching pain coursed through his body. He always forced himself not to think about these memories, forced himself to forget them. But… could he forget them? How could he possibly forget them?

A knock came at the door, and Xu Lie snapped out of his reverie. He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said, "Come in."

As soon as the door opened, Xue'er walked in, wearing a light blue spaghetti strap nightgown. She carried a cup of hot tea and placed it on the desk with a smile, saying, "Working so late every day, don't wear yourself out."

Xu Lie smiled, took the cup and took a sip: "I'm going back to China soon, there are a lot of things to take care of here."

Xue'er paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Really?" She then smiled and said, "Actually, if we don't have time, we can go back later! Of course, I mean if things in Shanghuai aren't urgent."

Xu Lie simply smiled, lowered his head, squinted slightly, and focused intently on his work.

Suddenly, a pair of slender hands wrapped tightly around him from his left rear, and a soft, mature body pressed against his arm, the delicate fragrance of magnolia blossoms filling his nose and mouth. Xu Lie's entire body stiffened instantly.

Xue'er rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Xu Lie...do you still love me?"

Xu Lie could clearly sense that she wasn't wearing any underwear under her thin nightgown. He sat stiffly, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse even to himself: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Xue'er let out a soft moan and threw herself into his arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck. Her gentle voice was choked with sadness as she sobbed, "It's been four months. Four months and you haven't touched me once, not even hugged me. Xu Lie, I'm so close to you, but why do I always feel like you're getting further and further away?"

Xu Lie was shocked and speechless for a moment. Just as he was stunned, soft lips suddenly pressed against his, a nimble tongue licking his lips and teeth, hoping to slip in and dance with him. Warm, soft hands slipped inside his shirt collar, caressing the skin of his chest.