The civil affairs office wasn't crowded, but since they arrived later, they had to wait. Lillian, who had barely slept the night before, felt exhausted and found a place to sit down.Oliver followed but remained standing, his face as dark as ever, not looking to join her.Once inside the civil affairs office, Lillian was relatively calm.She looked up at Oliver and asked, "Aren’t you going to sit?""No need," he replied, his voice devoid of warmth and without so much as a glance at her.Lillian got the message; he didn't want to deal with her. Why would he, when they were about to divorce and he was soon to be free with his beloved Serena?Thankfully, she had never harbored any illusions about remaining friends after the divorce.At first, their silence was comfortable, but as time passed, whispers from around them started to creep in."This atmosphere... they're here for a divorce, right?""Divorce? With their looks? It’s incomprehensible that they would split up.""Hard to imagine t
After taking the bag from Oliver, Lillian realized he had bought some fast-food items. With little appetite, she simply peeked inside and then put it aside.Oliver watched her every move, “Don’t like any of it?”Lillian snapped back to the moment and shook her head, “It’s not that. I just don’t feel like eating right now.”He said nothing more and after a few seconds, took a seat beside her. Lillian couldn’t tell if it was from his lack of layers or the chill from outside, but the temperature seemed to drop when he sat down. She noticed he was still only wearing that thin shirt. Her lips parted as if to say something, but she stopped herself, leaving the silence hanging between them.They sat there quietly, close enough to touch yet worlds apart. Lillian watched those who had gossiped with her earlier get called up with their partners, emerging with their little red books, holding each other, smiles of happiness lighting up their faces.Watching them reminded Lillian of her and Oliver
No matter how softly Oliver called her name, Lillian seemed unreachable, locked within herself.Oliver’s impatience grew as the traffic light cycled back to green. The cars behind began to honk their horns, urging him to move. With the honking as a backdrop, Oliver suddenly leaned in and kissed Lillian, her teeth clamped shut, making it nearly impossible for him to deepen the kiss.Frowning, Oliver’s hand sneaked around her waist and tickled her gently. Lillian was ticklish, and despite not reacting as she normally would, her stiff body involuntarily jerked.Seizing the moment, Oliver pried her clenched teeth apart. The taste of blood was strong; before he could chide her for her lack of self-care, pain made him wince and groan.“Shit!”The pain nearly triggered a reflex to push her away, but he restrained himself, pinching her waist harder this time.Retreating, Oliver held her chin firmly to prevent any further bites, his voice low and threatening, “Lillian, wake up now or I swear I
Hearing his words, Lillian instinctively raised her eyes to meet his. Looking into his deep, dark eyes, she felt a sense of guilt as if he could see right through her. She averted her gaze and responded with feigned indifference, "Yes.""Is that so?" Oliver's eyes narrowed slightly as he peered at her, "Then why the dark circles under your eyes?" After a brief pause, as if realizing something, he added, "No wonder you suddenly wore glasses today."Lillian pulled her hand back, maintaining her nonchalant demeanor, "It's clean now, but you should get some ointment for your lip later. Let's go, we should visit Grandma."With that, Lillian turned and moved forward, Oliver contemplated for a moment and followed her steps."You have red veins in your eyes.""It means your eyes are tired. Didn't you sleep last night?"His successive remarks made Lillian turn around, unable to bear it any longer, "Oliver, enough is enough."Having said that, she stomped her high heels with a resounding clack
Serena rarely lost her temper. In public, she was always gentle and amiable. With her beauty and pleasant personality, she was viewed as a goddess in everyone's eyes. So, when she suddenly became angry, everyone was stunned, looking at her with various expressions. The room fell silent.In the quiet, under everyone's gaze, Serena suddenly came to her senses, realizing what she had just done. Her lips moved, but all she could muster was: "I'm sorry, I was in a bad mood just now, I lost my composure, I apologize."To maintain her goddess image, Serena kept apologizing while tears welled up in her eyes, falling like large pearls. Initially shocked by her outburst, her friends began to feel sympathetic after seeing her cry and apologize."Serena, what's wrong? Please don't cry.""Tell us what's bothering you; we'll help you.""Didn't you just speak with Oliver on the phone?"Everyone comforted her and passed tissues, finally soothing Serena's distress. Serena’s beauty, accentuated by her
The care Oliver bestowed upon her was probably rooted in their childhood friendship, or perhaps because their families had been friends for generations, and he saw her as a sister. Thus, with or without marriage, he would treat her well. Yet, it was laughable that she had allowed herself to develop feelings amid such interactions.Lillian closed her eyes in self-derision, no longer glancing at Oliver.Grandma Qin woke up around eight in the evening. As soon as she stirred, Lillian was by her bedside, eyes locked on Grandma's, nose to nose, her face the picture of intense concern."Grandma, you're awake. How do you feel? Is there any discomfort? Are you hungry?"Grandma Qin looked at the pale, anxious face before her, her eyes round with worry, and couldn't help but smile, gently shaking her head.This girl was truly endearing.Seeing Grandma shake her head, Lillian licked her lips nervously and held up a hand gesture in front of her."Grandma, look at me. How many fingers am I holding
Once they left the hospital room, Oliver took her away, and Lillian struggled to free herself from his firm grip."What are you doing, Oliver?" Lillian demanded, her brows knotted in confusion."We're going back home for today," Oliver said, his gaze fixed on her."But didn't you see Grandma's condition? She wants to leave the nursing home. She doesn't want to stay here," Lillian reasoned. She suspected that Grandma Qin refrained from returning home for fear of troubling her family, feeling resigned to stay at the nursing home. Lillian was frustrated with herself for not seeing through her grandmother's emotions. Had she realized earlier, could the distress that led to Grandma Qin's fainting have been avoided?"I know," Oliver replied in a low voice, "but you saw her emotional rejection, her anger towards me."He paused, then added, "Not towards you, though."Lillian paused, taking in his words. True, Grandma Qin had spoken sharply towards Oliver but gently towards her. The realizatio
Oliver was swiftly placated by his mother's gentle and warm tone."Alright, Lillian and I are bringing her home tonight, so don't bother going to the nursing home. Head back to our place," he assured his mother."Bringing Grandma home?" The surprise in his mother's voice was palpable, followed quickly by, "Is Lillian there?"Oliver didn't verbally confirm Lillian's presence but glanced her way with a meaningful look. The call was on speakerphone after all—she heard everything.So Lillian chimed in with a respectful, "Mom."The soft laughter on the other end acknowledged her, "Ah, there's my girl. Thank you for taking such good care of Grandma.""It's no trouble, thanks for your concern," Lillian replied.Though Mrs. Qin didn't shower her with affection like Grandma Qin did, she never skimped on the due courtesies. She had never spoken harshly to Lillian, and upon learning of their planned marriage, had only shown mild surprise. "I didn't think you two would come together so quickly. I