The Night Apartment.
Meng Wanchu lay on Qing Mohan’s lap, watching a soap opera with him. Occasionally, the man’s bone-like fingers, like jade, held a fork, spearing a piece of cantaloupe and feeding it to her.
Tasting the crisp and sweet cantaloupe, Meng Wanchu felt quite content, a profound sweetness permeating the calm and beautiful moment.
"It's so sweet, you try it too."
Meng Wanchu reached out, speared a piece of fruit with the fork, and offered it to Qing Mohan’s mouth, "Ah~, open wide."
Speaking in a tone like coaxing a child, she made the man chuckle, "I'm not a child."
"Not eating? Then I'll eat it."
From the smile on Qing Mohan’s face, Meng Wanchu could sense his satisfaction. She playfully teased him, popping the fruit in her own mouth.
"Who said I wasn't eating?!" He looked down at her in his arms.
"Too late."
Meng Wanchu raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness on her delicate, fair face.
"Not necessarily."
"What is— Mmph..."
Meng Wanchu mumbled, her words indistinct as she chewed the fruit. Before she could finish speaking, Qing Mohan clasped the back of her head and leaned in, kissing her lips.
His warm lips covered her slightly cool ones, he gently sucked for a moment, then stopped, resting his forehead against hers intimately, "So sweet."
As he spoke, he once again pressed his lips against hers.
A kiss, tender and lingering.
*Buzz buzz buzz—*
Suddenly, the ringing of a phone on the table interrupted their passionate kiss. Qing Mohan frowned and released her.
"Damn it."
He muttered, annoyance evident in his brow.
From Meng Wanchu's vantage point on his lap, she caught a clear view of him as he straightened up, a sight that made her heart flutter.
Meng Wanchu’s fair, rosy face was tinged with a blush. She gazed at Qing Mohan with adoration. His handsome features, viewed from this angle, made his jawline appear even more defined, a handsomeness that defied all reason.
"What is it?"
Qing Mohan picked up his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and answered.
"Wuwu… Momo, where are you? Wuwu…"
On the other end was Yun Shasha.
In the quiet living room, Meng Wanchu could faintly hear a bit of the conversation, though not clearly.
The man’s recently relaxed brows furrowed again, and his hand resting on Meng Wanchu’s cheek paused.
"What's wrong? Did he bully you again?"
The 'he' in Qing Mohan's words referred to Sato Chōfū.
"Wuwu… he… wuwu… Ah…!"
Suddenly, a scream from Yun Shasha came from the other end. Meng Wanchu distinctly felt Qing Mohan’s body tense.
"Speak!"
"No, I'm fine, Momo, I… *click*…"
Yun Shasha tried to say more, but the call was abruptly ended.
Worried that Yun Shasha might be in trouble, Qing Mohan tried to call back. However, all three attempts went unanswered.
Sensing something was wrong, Meng Wanchu sat up and asked, "What's wrong?"
"There's a situation with Yun Shasha. I need to go and check."
Qing Mohan tightened his grip on Meng Wanchu’s hand, his resolute gaze fixed on her, as if silently building trust.
"I'll go with you."
Meng Wanchu knew about Yun Shasha's feelings for Qing Mohan, and even more so, she knew Qing Mohan held no romantic interest in Yun Shasha.
Sometimes, when necessary, she had to step in.
"Okay."
Qing Mohan readily agreed.
They both stood up, changed their shoes at the entrance, and went downstairs together.
In the elevator, Meng Wanchu couldn’t help but sigh, "It’s really one thing after another. What’s going on today?"