If You Could Hear My Heart-Chapter 1608: His Embrace, Warm as This (1)
"I really ran out, and my dad didn’t chase after me." Xiao Mo continued, "The rain was heavy. It wasn’t like now when you could have money with you; back then, I had nothing, just a rebellious streak."
"Did you sleep under the bridge?"
"Initially, that was the plan, but it was too cold outside, so I went to a friend’s house."
"Why did you get mad at your dad?" Xia Chuqing asked.
"The old man was so annoying. He always thought he was right and I was wrong, like I was unable to discern right from wrong. Always praised other kids in front of me, saying I should learn from them, or else I’d amount to nothing in life!" Xiao Mo said, "That day, I had the guts to say, ’You’re not exactly successful at your age,’ and he looked like he wanted to eat me alive."
As Xiao Mo spoke, he started to laugh, and Xia Chuqing laughed too.
The pain in their hearts lightened significantly.
"When I was in middle school, my dad’s business just failed. That was his low point, and by provoking him like that, he really wanted to beat me to death." Xiao Mo said.
"And then..."
Xia Chuqing listened to the sound of the rain and his deep, mellow voice. At that moment, the car felt more like her own safe haven.
"Afterward, I didn’t go back for a few days, didn’t go to school either. My dad got worried and came out to find me." Xiao Mo laughed.
"Family is always like that, saying one thing but meaning another. Deep down, they care about you the most." Xia Chuqing said, "So, why not apologize to them? For my sake, it’s not worth it."
"If I apologize to them, wouldn’t I be destined to grow old alone in this life?"
"It’s not like that. There are so many good girls out there; you don’t need to..."
"Need to."
"..." Xia Chuqing didn’t know how to advise such a determined and stubborn man.
She stopped speaking, and Xiao Mo didn’t say anything either, just focused on driving.
Recalling his rebellious days, he felt like it was all just a dream.
Most rebellious youths have a distorted first love, but he just didn’t have one.
Because back then, he didn’t like any girl, constantly calling them ugly behind their backs, and often scaring them. Frequently stuffing dead rats into their schoolbags or pretending to be a ghost on their way home.
He did plenty to anger his dad back then and was often punished by the teachers.
But at that time, he probably never imagined there’d come a day when he’d fall for a girl.
At that thought, he glanced at Xia Chuqing in the dark.
Xia Chuqing lowered her head, her hands fidgeting with the seatbelt, looking troubled.
He took her to a hotel, and after parking the car, he unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her, placing his hands on either side of her.
Xia Chuqing was startled; she hadn’t expected him to get so close to her.
In the darkness, their breaths intertwined, and the narrow space suddenly grew warmer.
Xia Chuqing widened her eyes, looking at him in confusion.
"About what my mom said tonight, don’t take it to heart; I apologize on her behalf." Xiao Mo said sincerely.
Xia Chuqing’s face turned burning red, and she quickly shook her head: "I didn’t take it to heart. I know she means well."
"Some things, don’t carry them in your heart. You are you, and your family is your family. Don’t deny yourself." Xiao Mo looked into her eyes.
Though it was dark in the car, Xia Chuqing could see his bright eyes.
She saw his expectations and encouragement for her...
"I know." Xia Chuqing nodded again.
"Hmm, you’ll have to endure staying in the hotel these few days."
"I’ll find some time to rent a place tomorrow."
"No need, wait till I send my parents away, then you can move back in."
"No, I’m not staying at your place anymore. Your mom is right; me staying at your place looks bad." Xia Chuqing lowered her eyes.
"Looks like my girlfriend, isn’t that good?"
"Xiao Mo, I, I am not in contact with Sister Chaomu anymore." Xia Chuqing blurted out suddenly.
"Hmm?" Xiao Mo frowned, not understanding her intention.
"Nothing, let’s get out of the car." Xia Chuqing gave him a push.
She fled from the passenger seat, her heart still pounding.
Some things, she thought, are better explained clearly.
Xiao Mo caught up with her, walking beside her: "Why run so fast, I’m not going to eat you."
They walked towards the hotel front desk, carrying no luggage.
"Sir, a standard room?" the receptionist asked.
"Two rooms!" Xia Chuqing quickly said.
Xiao Mo took out his wallet and waved it in front of Xia Chuqing, lightly saying, "Only enough for one room, what now?"
"Then let’s find a cheaper hotel." Xia Chuqing said.
"I’m not used to cheap places."
Xia Chuqing bit her lip; this man, really used to luxury.
Before she could say anything more, Xiao Mo had already handed the money to the receptionist, taking two room cards, handing one to Xia Chuqing.
Looking at the same room number, Xia Chuqing felt like she had fallen into a trap.
"Don’t worry, it’s not a single bed." Xiao Mo said and walked toward the elevator.
Xia Chuqing was speechless. Does it even matter?!
The room was on the 36th floor, a spacious standard room with two beds.
After entering, Xiao Mo took off his coat and casually hung it on the rack.
It was Xia Chuqing who dawdled, hesitating at the door.
"If you’re worried I’ll eat you, you can sleep in the bathroom. The bathtub looks big enough, should be able to sleep if you cover with a blanket." Xiao Mo said bluntly.
He took off his sweater too, leaving only a white shirt on him.
Sleeves slightly rolled up, Xiao Mo ignored her and turned on the TV.
Xia Chuqing really didn’t know how he could be so at ease, maybe because he was a man, so he wasn’t afraid?
Xia Chuqing had no choice but to walk in from the doorway, having no money she had to settle on sitting on the other bed.
Previously, at Xiao Mo’s house, although they were under the same roof, it hadn’t progressed to sharing a room!
Her bed was right next to the window; she glanced outside—the darkness, the consistent rain, falling steadily.
"Close the curtains." Xiao Mo casually instructed.
"Oh." Xia Chuqing pressed the button.
After the curtains closed, the room felt much cozier, the orange-yellow light bathing the white beds, serene and warm.
"Go take a shower." Xiao Mo said again.
"I...you should explain to your parents, we...are not..."
"Go take a shower." Xiao Mo repeated.
"Oh."
Tonight, Xia Chuqing really was quite disheveled, like a little lost lamb cast aside, only to be picked up by Xiao Mo.
She went into the bathroom, closed the door.
As she showered, she pondered, was she really going to share a room with Xiao Mo for the night?
What might happen when sharing a room with a normal man, she didn’t need to think to know.
Heart full of uncertainty, she hesitated about coming out later.
Without realizing, she had spent a long time thinking. Xiao Mo impatiently knocked on the door: "Did you fall in there?"
