Echoes of Lotus District | Chapter 46 | Belonging to You | Novela.app

“Say that again?” Qi Lian grit his teeth and strode over, grabbing a corner of the sheet and whipping it off the bed onto the floor. He hooked a leg over the mattress and reached out, forcing Yu Mo’s face toward him. He used a fair amount of strength, squeezing her cheeks until they puffed out like little buns. In the blink of an eye, Yu Mo’s eyes turned as red as a rabbit’s. Tears began to stream down her face like small rivers, spilling onto his hand. His hand recoiled as if burned. The words he was about to bark stayed trapped in his throat. “I… no… don’t be afraid!” he said, sounding a bit lost. Even if he had been ten tons of explosives with a lit fuse just a moment ago, her tears had doused the spark instantly, turning him into a dud. He couldn't stand to see her like this; he couldn't bear it. He leaned down and spoke to her in a soft, gentle voice. “Did I just scare you?” Yu Mo wiped her face with the back of her hand and shook her head. Qi Lian used his large palm to brush away her tears. “Then did you suffer some grievance back home?” Yu Mo buried her face directly into his palm, pulling his rough hand over to cover her features. This gesture caused Qi Lian’s heart to melt into a puddle. At this moment, he felt that as long as she was happy, he would go to the ends of the earth for her. He coaxed her, “Don’t be afraid. Your mother’s love for you is the same as mine. No matter what you did, as long as you speak to her properly, she’ll understand. You’re her only child; she won’t stay truly angry with you.” What he didn’t know was that Yu Mo had just endured a long, drawn-out goodbye, and today had finally brought the final curtain call. At the entrance of the Moxie Road subway station, Xue Shen had watched her from the back seat of his car as she prepared to enter. He had given her a gentle smile and said, “Momo, you take care of yourself.” They both knew that was their final farewell. On the swaying subway train, she had gripped the handrail so tightly her knuckles turned white. A pink-haired girl wearing headphones next to her couldn't help but steal a few glances before subtly moving her hand away. Across from her, a teenage couple sat huddled together. Their faces were covered in acne, and having just tasted the first sweetness of love, they whispered and giggled to themselves, oblivious to the world. Then, she had received a notification for a massive bank transfer. The rims of her eyes, which had been stinging all day, finally gave way to a total collapse. The pink-haired girl and the young couple merely glanced at her before sinking back into their own worlds. The night before, Xue Shen had said, “I’ll organize my funds as quickly as possible and give you all the liquid cash I can move.” “I don’t want it. We made it very clear in the divorce agreement. You’ve worked hard all these years; that’s what you deserve. I’m fine as long as I have a roof over my head.” Xue Shen had smiled then—not the smile of a youth, but the kind of elite, polished smile that Yu Mo couldn't quite decipher. “Back then, I had my own selfish motives. I thought if you didn't have much money on you, you wouldn't be able to stay away for long and would come home. If in the future… at least I can give you some security. I want you to live forever according to your own heart, free and easy. Momo, you should be able to understand me.” She had stood in that swaying subway car, her face covered in tears. *** Yu Mo pulled Qi Lian’s hand down slightly, revealing her eyes. Her skin was naturally pale, and after a bout of crying, her complexion looked as translucent as plum blossom petals in the snow, stained with a deep flush of rouge. Her eyes were still brimming with tears, and her lashes were clumped together by the moisture. She looked at Qi Lian with the aggrieved expression of a small child. Qi Lian’s thumb gently rubbed back and forth over the flush on her cheek. His voice grew unconsciously hoarse. “Tell me what grievance you suffered. Your man will make it up to you.” The teardrop that had been trembling in Yu Mo’s eye finally fell. She reached out her arms, hooked them around Qi Lian’s neck, and buried herself in his embrace. Qi Lian closed his arms around her, holding her tight. She whispered, “Qi Lian, you’re so good. You’re not angry with me anymore, are you?” Qi Lian’s tone shifted, losing the gentleness from a moment ago. “One thing is one thing; matters have their own priorities. No matter how angry I am, I won’t ignore you when you’re hurting. I’m not like you—turning your face away and ignoring people the moment you’re upset, or worse, talking about breaking up. I’m still angry. From yesterday until now, my chest has been aching. You’ve literally made me sick with anger.” Yu Mo leaned close to his ear and whispered a single sentence. Qi Lian’s breath hitched. A fire surged straight to his head. He pulled Yu Mo’s head out of his chest, his large hand gripping her slender neck. With a mix of love and resentment, he said: “You’d better mean what you say. Don’t go back on your word once you start acting spoiled. Don’t let there be a next time! You are mine!” he said through gritted teeth. “And what about you?” “I am yours for the rest of my life, whether you want me or not.” The latter half of his sentence was drowned out by a sharp *rip*. Yu Mo watched in stunned silence as her clothes were torn into two pieces. Her pupils contracted, and a fine layer of goosebumps erupted over her skin. That vest—the one she had been wearing a month ago when her arm was injured—was opened in an unexpected fashion, reaching the end of its life. Yu Mo was kneaded and turned over like dough. In a momentary pause for breath, she asked in a broken voice, “You did that on purpose, didn't you?” Sweat dripped from Qi Lian’s chin. He grit his teeth, his voice squeezing through the gaps. “So what if I did? Even a dog knows to mark its territory. Can’t I leave a few marks on my own woman? I’m going to leave my marks all over you, inside and out, and carve my name into you.” Yu Mo let out a cry of pain. Qi Lian’s anger and reason both evaporated along with his sweat, leaving no trace behind. When everything finally settled into a calm stillness, Qi Lian looked at the person in his arms. He called out “Xiao Duo’er” over and over, but said nothing else. Yu Mo was forced to look up at him. For some reason, when their gazes met, they both felt a flicker of embarrassment and quickly looked away as if scorched. Something had quietly changed, yet neither could put it into words. Qi Lian’s rough hand stroked down Yu Mo’s back repeatedly. Her distinct vertebrae felt like the strings of a lute under his touch. Qi Lian felt as though every sentimental word he had ever heard—and some he hadn't—was flooding into his mind all at once. “Xiao Duo’er,” he began, his voice carrying a hint of hoarse laziness. “Mm,” Yu Mo replied, her voice sounding quite obedient. “I only have one thought right now. I want to take you to see my parents. Over the years, there are always moments when I miss them like crazy, wishing they were still here. Like right now. I want the three of you to meet. I don’t know why, but I just feel like this is incredibly important.” Yu Mo gently stroked his hair, which felt like stubble, and listened quietly as he spoke.