221: Mixed feelings

Lu Chen's heavy footsteps led him slowly towards Gu Xiaoxiao's room.

Gao Xuewei's accusations and tears still echoed in his mind, making his mood exceptionally heavy; he only wanted to find a place where he could temporarily escape the troubles.

Arriving at the door, he didn't hesitate at all and pushed it open directly.

Inside the room, the lingering steam had not completely dissipated, like a thin veil, pervading the air.

Gu Xiaoxiao had just finished showering and was standing in front of the dressing table, drying her wet long hair.

She was wearing a loose white bathrobe, its collar slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone; her skin, flushed pink from the hot water, was as translucent and pristine as a freshly peeled egg.

Hearing the door open, she instinctively turned her head, and when she saw it was Lu Chen, a flicker of surprise instantly appeared in her eyes, a surprise like fireworks suddenly blooming in the night sky, bright and dazzling.

She had been abandoned by Lu Chen once, so she cherished this hard-won opportunity to be with him; every moment spent with Lu Chen was like a precious treasure held in her palm.

"Lu Chen, why are you here?"

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of joy after the surprise, and a sweet smile bloomed on her slightly flushed cheeks.

But soon, she noticed Lu Chen's abnormality.

His brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes revealed an unconcealed weariness and dejection, and his entire being was enveloped in a suppressed emotion.

Gu Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, intending to ask him what had happened, but the words caught in her throat.

She knew Lu Chen's temperament well; pressing him when he didn't want to talk would only increase his annoyance.

So, she put down the towel in her hand, took light steps, walked behind Lu Chen, and extended her slender hands to gently massage him.

Her fingers gently pressed on Lu Chen's shoulders, her movements soft and soothing, attempting to dispel the weariness and gloom surrounding him in this way.

"Why aren't you speaking?"

Lu Chen broke the silence, his voice low and hoarse.

Gu Xiaoxiao paused slightly, her hand movements faltering for a moment before returning to normal, and she softly said, "Seeing you in a bad mood, I was afraid of disturbing you."

As she spoke, she leaned slightly, bringing her head close to Lu Chen's ear, her warm breath gently caressing his cheek.

Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "How is your relationship with Chen Mengyao?"

Gu Xiaoxiao's hand movements stopped; she thought for a moment, then softly said, "It's okay. We chat when we meet. She's a very strong person, raising her sister alone and taking care of her sick mother. It's truly not easy for her."

At this, she sighed slightly, a trace of sympathy appearing on her face.

Lu Chen's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He raised a hand and rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Today, Gao Xuewei had a big argument with me because of Chen Mengyao."

Gu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened slightly, filled with curiosity, but even more with caution; she dared not appear too eager, fearing to annoy Lu Chen. "Because of Chen Mengyao? What happened?"

Her voice was very soft, as if afraid to startle Lu Chen.

Lu Chen was silent for a while, then briefly recounted the matter of asking Chen Mengyao and Xuening to leave.

Gu Xiaoxiao's face showed a trace of surprise upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure.

She hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "I can understand Gao Xuewei's feelings; Chen Mengyao's situation is indeed very pitiable. However, since you made this decision, you must have your reasons, right?"

As she spoke, she gently stroked Lu Chen's back, trying to offer him some comfort.

Lu Chen did not answer, only sighed slightly.

He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk anymore, Gu Xiaoxiao didn't press him.

She continued to massage Lu Chen; the room fell into a brief silence, with only the subtle sounds of her gentle massage and their steady breathing.

Lu Chen leaned back in the chair, his eyes tightly closed, an persistent weariness clinging to him.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice low, "What do you think Chen Mengyao might be doing right now?"

Gu Xiaoxiao stopped her hand movements, tilted her head slightly, and began to think seriously.

She bit her lower lip, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, as if weighing something.

After a while, she softly said, "Chen Mengyao has always been strong. At this moment, she might be with her sick mother, comforting her young sister. She's definitely trying to calm herself down, thinking about how to face the life ahead."

As she spoke these words, Chen Mengyao's somewhat stubborn face appeared in Gu Xiaoxiao's mind, and she couldn't help but feel pity.

Lu Chen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the wall in front of him, his expression still unfathomable.

He then asked, "Then how do you think she'll make a living after leaving here?"

Gu Xiaoxiao raised her hand and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

She frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then said, "Given her personality, she certainly won't easily give in to life. Perhaps she'll find a job, no matter how hard, she'll grit her teeth and persevere. She's very smart and willing to work hard, I think she'll always find a way to support that family."

As Gu Xiaoxiao spoke, images of Chen Mengyao rushing around looking for work formed in her mind, and her tone unconsciously carried a hint of heartache.

Lu Chen was silent for a few seconds, then spoke again, his voice carrying a subtle hesitation, "Do you think she'll be angry with me? Will she want to come back?"

Gu Xiaoxiao paused slightly, her fingers instinctively stopping on Lu Chen's shoulder.

She looked up at Lu Chen's profile, trying to catch any emotional changes on his face, but Lu Chen's expression remained as calm as water, making him difficult to read.

Gu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words: "I think she'll probably feel a little wronged, after all, she was suddenly asked to leave. But she's a sensible person, perhaps she can understand that your decision has your considerations. As for whether she wants to come back..."

Gu Xiaoxiao bit her lip slightly, "She definitely can't bear to leave everything here, after all, she has familiar people and life here. But if your attitude is very firm, she won't force it."

At this point, Gu Xiaoxiao paused, cautiously observing Lu Chen's reaction.

Seeing that Lu Chen didn't speak, she mustered her courage and added, "If you, President Lu, want her to come back, I can help. I'm quite familiar with her, perhaps I can persuade her."

Gu Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her eyelids; she knew in her heart that saying these words was somewhat against her true feelings.

She didn't want Chen Mengyao to return, yet she couldn't bear to see Chen Mengyao in difficulty, her heart filled with conflict.

The room fell into a brief silence, with only the occasional sound of wind from outside the window.

Lu Chen still leaned back in the chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest, making a rhythmic sound.

Gu Xiaoxiao stood quietly behind him, her hands unconsciously clutching the corner of her bathrobe; she could sense Lu Chen's internal struggle, and she understood that in this complicated relationship, she was merely an observer.

But even so, she still hoped to share some of Lu Chen's burden, even if it was just a trivial amount.

"Do you think I made a mistake?"

Lu Chen suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with weariness and confusion.

In that instant, Gu Xiaoxiao seemed to see the fragile heart beneath his strong exterior.

Gu Xiaoxiao leaned slightly, bringing her head close to Lu Chen's ear, her voice soft and firm: "President Lu, every decision you make must have your reasons. Perhaps it seems difficult now, but things will get better in the future."

As she spoke, she gently patted Lu Chen's shoulder, trying to give him some strength.

Lu Chen turned his head and looked at Gu Xiaoxiao.

His eyes were deep, as if hiding endless worries.

Gu Xiaoxiao felt a little uneasy under his gaze; she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks faintly flushed.

"Thank you, Xiaoxiao."

Lu Chen said softly, his voice tinged with gratitude.

Gu Xiaoxiao looked up, meeting Lu Chen's gaze; she saw that the weariness in Lu Chen's eyes seemed to have lessened, and a warmth welled up in her heart.

"President Lu, please don't say that. I'm very happy to be able to help you."

Gu Xiaoxiao's lips curved slightly, revealing a sweet smile.

At this moment, she secretly thought that no matter what the future held, she hoped to always be by Lu Chen's side, helping him resolve his worries.

Lu Chen looked up, gazing deeply at Gu Xiaoxiao, complex emotions swirling in his eyes, as if weighing something, and also as if being pulled by some emotion.

He slowly extended his hand, his broad, warm palm gently covering Gu Xiaoxiao's hand, his fingers caressing her delicate skin, his movements gentle and carrying a hint of lingering affection.

Gu Xiaoxiao trembled slightly, startled by the sudden touch, her cheeks instantly flushing, like clouds dyed by the sunset in the sky.

She instinctively wanted to pull her hand away, yet, under the warmth of Lu Chen's palm, she inexplicably left it there.

The air in the room seemed to thicken, a sensual atmosphere pervading and fermenting between the two.

Lu Chen's gaze grew more intense; he slowly stood up, his tall figure enveloping Gu Xiaoxiao.

Gu Xiaoxiao looked up, meeting his deep eyes, and for a moment, she was lost in thought.

Lu Chen's hand slowly moved up Gu Xiaoxiao's arm, finally gently cupping her cheeks.

Gu Xiaoxiao's heart gave a sudden tremor, and she became so nervous that even her breathing quickened; she slightly parted her lips, but no sound came out.

The next second, Lu Chen leaned in slightly, his breath caressing Gu Xiaoxiao's ear, carrying a burning warmth.

Gu Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, as if in anticipation, and also as if in nervousness.

Lu Chen's lips gently met Gu Xiaoxiao's; at first, it was just a light touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water, then he deepened the kiss, filled with endless lingering and desire.

Gu Xiaoxiao's hands instinctively gripped the corner of Lu Chen's clothes, her fingertips slightly white from tension.

In this fervent kiss, she felt as if she were floating on clouds, all her thoughts cast to the winds.

After an unknown amount of time, their lips slowly parted.

Gu Xiaoxiao's face was flushed, her eyes hazy, still immersed in the recent kiss.

At this moment, her loose bath towel had unknowingly slipped off, revealing her jade-like skin completely to the air.

Gu Xiaoxiao then came back to her senses, frantically trying to pick up the bath towel to cover herself, but Lu Chen pulled her into an embrace.

Burning desire blazed in Lu Chen's eyes; he kissed Gu Xiaoxiao again, this time, the kiss held more urgency and possessiveness... The temperature in the room gradually rose, the sensual atmosphere growing thicker, leaving only their intertwined breaths and heartbeats, speaking of the most primal desires of the moment.

The sensual atmosphere in Lu Chen and Gu Xiaoxiao's room grew more intense, their intertwined breaths and heartbeats speaking of an inexpressible longing.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Chen Mengyao sat in her small, dim room, staring blankly at the cold moonlight streaming in through the window.

The dim, yellow light inside the house cast her lonely and forlorn silhouette on the wall.

Her hair was loosely scattered, a few strands falling beside her cheeks, making her face appear even more haggard.

Her eyes, once clear and bright, were now filled with sorrow and confusion, staring unfocused at the high-hanging bright moon outside the window, as if her thoughts had long drifted to a distant place.

With a creak, the door was gently pushed open, and Chen Mengyao's mother walked in with faltering steps.

Her figure was frail, and years had etched deep and shallow wrinkles on her face; each line held the vicissitudes and hardships of life.

Her eyes were filled with heartache and worry; she walked to Chen Mengyao's side and slowly sat down.

"Mengyao, still thinking about him?"

Her mother's voice was hoarse yet gentle, breaking the oppressive silence in the room.

These simple words, like a sharp dagger, directly pierced the softest part of Chen Mengyao's heart.

Chen Mengyao's body stiffened abruptly, as if her thoughts had been seen through, and she panicked.

She instinctively raised a hand and quickly wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, where un-dried tear stains still lingered, trying to hide her vulnerability. "No."

She said softly, her voice as faint as a buzzing mosquito, carrying a subtle tremor.

Her mother shook her head slightly, letting out a heavy sigh, a sigh filled with helplessness and sorrow.

She extended her rough, cracked hand and gently stroked Chen Mengyao's hair, again and again, her movements as gentle as if comforting a wounded small animal. "Child, Mama knows your heart is bitter, don't hold it in, just cry if you want to."

Her mother's eyes also reddened slightly; seeing her daughter in such pain, her heart felt as if it were being pricked by a thousand needles.

Chen Mengyao bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard not to cry out loud, but her throat felt choked by something, a sharp bitterness.

She lowered her head, not letting her mother see her current disheveled state, her heart a mixture of emotions.

Thinking of every little moment spent with Lu Chen, those past joys and warmth, now all became the most hurtful memories, each scene constantly replaying in her mind, piercing her heart...