Meng Po Gave Her A Bowl Of Soup - Chapter 2

In the end, Xiao Mingyu still could not feel at ease, so before boarding the plane, she gave Zhang Hui a call.

Whether now or back in their student days, in the eyes of her friends, Xiao Mingyu had always been the kind of unattainable, unsmiling, academic-goddess type who could wave the fan in her hand and reduce enemy ships to ashes in an instant. She was aloof and spoke little; if she could finish something in one sentence, she would absolutely never say two. Even when occasionally passing someone by, she would not easily spare them so much as a glance.

Yet this very person had encountered a beautiful accident in her life.

—Song Wanyue.

She was her calamity.

After all these years, Mingyu had changed so much. From being lofty, cold, and distant in the beginning, to becoming restless and unable to sleep through the night because of a single look from Wanyue; from being cynical and avoiding people after her father’s accidental death, to later painstakingly building and pursuing a home because of her.

For what?

Most likely, for love.

When Zhang Hui received Xiao Mingyu’s call, she could guess what it was about with her toes. In a muffled voice, she said, “Yo, President Xiao, what great honor has brought you to personally call me? Does Her Ladyship have some arrangement for me?”

Standing in the departure hall, Xiao Mingyu looked at the bright blue sky outside the window, her voice gentle. “Mm. Little Huizi, Her Ladyship would like to invite you to drink.”

Zhang Hui hiccupped, speechless. “What, you want me to go over and wait on Her Ladyship’s daily needs? Let me tell you, I’m not someone you can invite that easily. Right now, I’m—”

Xiao Mingyu curved her lips and stopped all of her words with a single line. “Red envelope.”

Zhang Hui glanced at the red envelope on her phone and was simply stunned. “Aaaaaah, Xiao Mingyu! Last week, when I wanted to eat Haidilao and asked you to treat me, you said you didn’t have money. And now, just to get me to wait on Wanyue, how many digits is this??? Is there even friendship in your heart???”

Mist was gathering again along the horizon. It looked as though the rainy season had arrived. Weather like this suited Xiao Mingyu very well for reciting poetry. “Friendship may be precious, but love is worth more.”

Zhang Hui: “…Just hang up.”

Half an hour later.

Song Wanyue, who was sprawled on the bed listening over and over to Mingyu’s voice messages, was woken up by this inner-palace attendant Zhang Hui.

Facing this childhood friend she had grown up with, Song Wanyue showed her no patience at all. Wrapped in a bath towel, she sat on the bed, listening to Xiao Mingyu’s WeChat messages while holding Mingyu’s shirt to the tip of her nose and sniffing it.

Zhang Hui had brought no small number of bags, large and small. She had even gone especially far just to buy the spicy hot pot Wanyue loved to eat. After setting the things down, she went into the bedroom enthusiastically, only to see Wanyue clutching a bundle of clothes and sniffing and sniffing like a puppy.

…

After a moment of silence, Zhang Hui could not help asking, “What are you doing?”

One had to know that Song Wanyue was also a famous beauty in their circle. Outside, she was the kind of intellectual beauty who seemed as though she wished she could cover her mouth with her hand even when she smiled. She always spoke gently, and when treating her students, she was even more refined and elegant, with outstanding bearing. But why was it that the moment she was at home, she became this… this little-woman sort of thing?

Song Wanyue turned her head, her eyes filled with tenderness. “It smells so good.”

Zhang Hui stared at her until her eyes were about to pop out. Song Wanyue smiled faintly and asked in a friendly, generous manner, “Do you want to smell it?”

The scent on Mingyu’s body really was like opium, making her utterly obsessed. No matter how much she smelled it, it was never enough.

Zhang Hui’s eyelid twitched. She smiled without warmth. “Thank you very much, but I’ll—”

Before she could finish speaking, Song Wanyue hugged the shirt into her arms and said softly, “I was only casually suggesting it. This is mine.”

Zhang Hui: …

She was really about to explode.

Afraid that Wanyue would feel upset, Zhang Hui deliberately turned on all the lights in the living room, illuminating the home until it was bright and glowing.

She and Wanyue had grown up together since they were young, so she understood Wanyue’s habits and temperament very well. Wanyue was most afraid of the dark and hated being lonely, so in the past, whenever everyone went out together to have fun, no matter what hotel or guesthouse they stayed in, the first thing she would do after going inside was turn on all the lights, making the room bright everywhere.

“Why turn on so many lights during the day?” Song Wanyue did not have much energy. “It isn’t easy for Mingyu to earn money. We can’t waste it like this.”

Zhang Hui: …

All the big and small matters in the house were handled by Mingyu. Actually, if speaking purely from the perspective of earning money, the two of them were long past the miserable, sorrowful days when they had first left home and arrived in Beijing. Though they could not be called especially wealthy, they had at least established themselves in this city and no longer had to worry about food or clothing.

Not to mention now—even back when the two of them had lived in a rental room of less than twenty square meters, Mingyu had never treated her poorly and had done everything she could to be good to her.

Why had she become more frugal now instead?

Song Wanyue directly put the shirt on and sighed. “If it weren’t for earning money to support me, Mingyu wouldn’t have to be so busy. Starting today, I’m going to save money.”

Zhang Hui: …

Fuck.

Endure it.

Zhang Hui patiently said, “Since you’re saving money, then let’s not eat the spicy hot pot, right? One meal costs over a hundred. That’s enough electricity for you for several days.”

Song Wanyue sprang up at once, her long, jade-like neck stretching out. “Then I’ll start tomorrow!”

Zhang Hui: …

She knew this woman would be like this.

She had really been spoiled rotten by Xiao Mingyu.

Zhang Hui felt that after these ten years, this childhood friend of hers had not only failed to grow more mature, but had instead become more and more like a child, completely unworthy of her gentle, refined, exquisite appearance.

Song Wanyue washed her hands and sat in front of Zhang Hui, her eyes only staring at the spicy hot pot. She was even secretly swallowing. But just as she picked up her chopsticks, she suddenly remembered Mingyu’s instructions before leaving.

—Especially that spicy hot pot thing—you’re absolutely not allowed to order it. The oil outside isn’t clean. You’ll feel uncomfortable after eating it.

Zhang Hui glanced at Song Wanyue. She had originally wanted to ask why she was not eating, but her eyes were really too sharp. Following the line of Wanyue’s neck, everything she should and should not see was fully taken in.

Good heavens.

How long had those two gone at it?

Song Wanyue was a beauty. That was beyond question. But back then, the reason she had planted the seed of a goddess in the hearts of so many boys and girls and reigned supreme for years was because of how fair she was.

Skin like snow. No, even fairer than snow.

What was that line of poetry again?

Zhang Hui thought for a moment. Oh, right, it was that line—a person by the wine shop is like the moon; pale wrists are congealed frost and snow.

When they were little, those bratty kids had all given one another nicknames. Things like Dog Egg, Blackie, Chubby.

Only Song Wanyue’s nickname had been so pleasing to the ear since childhood.

—Little White Rabbit.

And now, beneath that crystal-clear, jade-like skin, patches of red were like red plum blossoms fallen onto snow, trailing all the way down from her neck…

As if sensing that scorching gaze, Song Wanyue’s hand instantly grabbed her collar, and she shot Zhang Hui a reproachful look. “What are you looking at?”

If Mingyu found out, she would kick her butt.

Their friendship of growing up bare-bottomed together made Zhang Hui shamelessly praise her. “You’re so fair, Wanyue. How are you that fair? Also, you two are way too… way too passionate, aren’t you? After all these years, you can still keep at it like this? Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

Song Wanyue’s delicate brows furrowed. She looked into Zhang Hui’s eyes, her red lips parting lightly. “Mingyu says she can never get enough of looking at me.”

Zhang Hui: …………

Sigh.

Everyone had their own fate.

She truly had it too hard.

Not only had she come here first thing in the morning to serve someone’s ladyship, she had also been force-fed a stomach full of vinegar while someone pinched her nose shut.

Song Wanyue looked at the spicy hot pot and secretly swallowed again. Then she looked up at Zhang Hui, her cheeks suddenly blooming with a warm smile, her eyes full of gentleness.

Zhang Hui accepted this ingratiating smile in full with an expressionless face and said coldly, “Eat. I won’t tell Mingyu.”

Wanyue was happy. She got up and hugged one of Zhang Hui’s arms. “I just knew Huihui was the best.”

Zhang Hui: “…Straighten your tongue properly when you speak to me. I’m not Mingyu. I’m not blessed enough to enjoy that.”

Fortunately, after all these years, Zhang Hui was already used to it.

She wandered around the house, took out the fruit Mingyu had prepared in the fridge to make juice, turned on the television, and watched it in enjoyment.

Song Wanyue was still hugging Xiao Mingyu’s clothes, absentmindedly watching the clock hanging in the living room. “There’s still half an hour before she lands. I checked the weather forecast. It’s been raining over there too. I told her to bring a few more pieces of clothing, but she just wouldn’t listen.”

Zhang Hui directly ignored her and giggled stupidly at the funny scene on the screen.

Song Wanyue glanced at her and said faintly, “Mingyu’s smile is much prettier than yours.”

Zhang Hui: …

Endure it.

Song Wanyue picked up the juice on the table, took a sip, and said faintly, “The juice Mingyu makes tastes better than yours.”

Zhang Hui was furious. “It’s the same fruit and the same machine. Does her face have flowers on it or something? How is hers better than mine?”

Song Wanyue’s long, narrow eyes stared at Zhang Hui for a while, then she said rather seriously, “My Mingyu is prettier than flowers.”

Zhang Hui: ………………

Forget it.

She would not argue with a wife-obsessed maniac.

It was just that Zhang Hui felt that if she did not spit out the knot of frustration in her heart, she would not feel happy. “I’m telling you, Wanyue, enough is enough. Society nowadays is advocating for independent women of the new era. Why aren’t you answering the call? Look at you, Mingyu this, Mingyu that. If your students knew, wouldn’t they laugh at how childish their Teacher Song is?”

Song Wanyue said, “Why would they laugh? They should be unbearably envious, shouldn’t they? Just like you, saying sour things.”

Zhang Hui: …

What new-era woman?

Song Wanyue lowered her head, thinking of Mingyu’s appearance, thinking of her lips, her eyes, and smiled faintly.

Zhang Hui shivered, rubbing the goosebumps on her arms as she shook her head.

Honestly.

Over the years, she had dated a few people one after another too, but a love like Mingyu and Wanyue’s was something she had only seen in novels. She had never truly experienced it herself.

These two were probably what people called a match made in heaven.

Both hearts had been handed over to each other.

One relied on the other with her whole heart, while the other wholeheartedly enjoyed the feeling of being relied on.

One was willing to hit, and the other was willing to take it.

Xiao Mingyu had been busy these past few days. All kinds of meetings were crammed together, the heads of every department needed smoothing over, and she was running everywhere. Let alone sleep, even her mealtimes had been squeezed until almost nothing remained.

When there was love in one’s heart, one would have an extraordinary sense of drive. No matter how busy Xiao Mingyu was, she did not feel tired.

She thought of her Wanyue.

No matter how busy she was, even during the spare moments when she went to the restroom or drank water, Xiao Mingyu would send her a message and take a photo of herself to send to Wanyue.

She harassed Zhang Hui almost once every day, asking her to go take care of Wanyue, especially to keep an eye on her and make sure she ate breakfast.

After being woken up during her lazy morning sleep for the fourth time, Zhang Hui exploded. She shot up from the bed with a whoosh, her hair as messy as a chicken nest, and let out a chicken-like shriek. “Xiao Mingyu, are you Wanyue’s mother??? Will she die if she leaves you???? Aaaaaah, are you done or not?”

While lowering her head to sign the documents, Xiao Mingyu held the phone far away from her ear and praised her with a smile. “You’re so smart. My Wanyue really can’t leave me.”

Zhang Hui: …

Ugh.

After finally wearing Zhang Hui down and getting her to go see Wanyue, Xiao Mingyu took the phone away and slid her slender fingers to a photo of herself and Wanyue. Looking at it, a fine, gentle light appeared between her brows and eyes.

Her Wanyue was just like her little girl.

In this lifetime, other than death, nothing could separate them.

She would take care of her for the rest of their lives.

Actually, Wanyue was also secretly and wildly missing her. Because she knew Mingyu’s personality, she did not dare send too many messages.

Only on the night of the sixth day.

She sent Mingyu two words: “I miss you.”

At that time, Mingyu was so tired she was sprawled on the bed. Her team was still busy in the room. Today was already the final stage, and the closer it was to this moment, the less anything could go wrong.

The return flight for tomorrow afternoon had long since been booked. Very soon, she would be able to see her Wanyue. Xiao Mingyu held herself up with powerful willpower, picked up her phone, and sent Song Wanyue a video call.

Clearly, Wanyue had not expected Mingyu to video call her. Surprised and flustered, she was still wearing Xiao Mingyu’s shirt. After only one glance at the screen, her eyes reddened. “You’ve gotten thinner.”

Mingyu was originally the kind of person who could not gain weight no matter how much she ate. Since childhood, she had been tall and thin. Now, after only six days apart, her chin had sharpened again, and her face was only as big as a palm. She smiled at the screen, slowly raised her hand, and stroked the screen bit by bit with her fingertips. “Have you been obedient? Eating properly? Sleeping properly?”

Song Wanyue nodded. “Yes. I’ve been very good, waiting for you at home.”

The person in front of the camera was clearly forcing a smile, her tears almost falling. The longing in Xiao Mingyu’s heart gripped her like vines. She bit her lip and restrained her emotions. “I’m coming back tomorrow afternoon. The plane ticket is already booked.”

Song Wanyue nodded. “I’ll pick you up.”

Neither of them spoke again. At that moment, silence spoke louder than words as they gazed foolishly at the person on the screen.

In the end, it was the people on Xiao Mingyu’s team who came over and began making a fuss.

“Who is it? Is it Sister Wanyue?”

“Haha, other than her, who else could make our boss look so lovestruck?”

…

The team Xiao Mingyu led was very young. Although at work, they were very afraid of this cold-faced boss, privately, their relationship was still very good.

Xiao Mingyu and Song Wanyue were an open secret within their team. Everyone was young, and they could all accept, respect, and bless this kind of relationship.

Song Wanyue smiled as she looked at the few people causing a commotion on the other side of the camera, then watched Xiao Mingyu scold them with a cold face. The corners of her lips could not help rising.

Xiao He had sharp eyes. Looking at Song Wanyue on the phone, she exaggeratedly covered her mouth with her hand. “Wow, sister-in-law, those clothes are our boss’s, right?”

The few people beside her instantly followed along and started hooting. “Oh my god, how romantic! On this pitch-black rainy night, wearing her clothes, smelling her scent, missing her in a home without her, her hair, her—”

“Are you all that free?”

Xiao Mingyu’s cheeks turned slightly red. Her face cooled as she used her gaze to threaten the few of them. Everyone giggled and made a mess of things together, sweetly saying a few lines of “Bye-bye, sister-in-law,” before scattering.

Xiao Mingyu glared fiercely at them. She knew these people could not be trusted. They were too young, each one more flighty than the last. The moment they heard she was going to get married, they changed the way they addressed Wanyue faster than spinning tops. Were they not afraid Wanyue would notice?

She still had to propose in secret.

Secret. Did they understand?

After steadying her emotions, Xiao Mingyu looked at the camera and smiled at Wanyue. “Don’t mind them. It’s been too busy lately. They’ve all gone crazy from holding it in.”

“I won’t.” Song Wanyue smiled slightly. Beneath the moonlight, her fair cheeks seemed to glow. Her voice was soft, and her eyes stared unblinkingly at Xiao Mingyu. “Mingyu.”

“Mm?” That look of hers made Xiao Mingyu’s heart sway, and her body went a little soft. Song Wanyue stared into her eyes, the corners of her lips lifting as she asked gently, “Why did they suddenly start calling me sister-in-law?”

Xiao Mingyu: …………

The air seemed to be stripped away in that instant, making it impossible to breathe. The red on Xiao Mingyu’s cheeks deepened little by little. In the end, seeing her flushed face, Song Wanyue could not bear to keep teasing her, nor could she bear to watch her be mocked by her subordinates. Song Wanyue secretly smiled. “Are you going to rest?”

Xiao Mingyu’s palms were covered in sweat, and her heart was beating fiercely. She knew Wanyue was giving her a way out, but she did not want to end the call just like this.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Mingyu gazed at Song Wanyue with deep eyes. Her red lips parted, and she said softly, “Wanyue.”

Song Wanyue looked at her, her dark eyes filled with deep affection. Xiao Mingyu gazed into those eyes, and the anxiety in her heart suddenly faded away. She smiled, her brows and eyes relaxing fully. That was the look Wanyue loved most. “When I come back tomorrow, I’ll tell you.”

—I’ll tell you why they call you sister-in-law.