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
Lillian felt a sudden catch in her heart, unsure of how to respond to Grandma Qin's query. Her eyes instinctively sought Oliver's. If they in the back could spot Serena, it was impossible for Oliver not to have noticed, especially when it concerned the woman he was fond of.Predictably, Oliver slowed the car down and stopped at the villa's entrance. No sooner had the car halted than Serena, clutching her purse, approached the driver's side and tapped on the window.The window rolled down to reveal Serena's warm, gentle smile. "Oliver, you're back. How is Grandma? I'm sorry, I know you told me not to worry, but I just had to come and ask in person."After speaking, Serena's gaze casually swept to the back seat. Not spotting Lillian in the front, she assumed she would be in the back. Pleased with herself for a moment, thinking the passenger seat was reserved for her, Serena's triumph soon dissolved upon seeing two figures in the back—one was Lillian, and the other...When she recognized
After the performance concluded, everyone moved inside. The butler had the kitchen prepare a meal for Grandma Qin, though it was strictly according to dietary regulations. Given the late hour, she ate conservatively, setting down her spoon after just a few bites."Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your efforts," she said graciously.Grandma Qin then prepared to freshen up, and as Lillian offered to assist, she was gently stopped with a pat on her hand."What help do you think I need for a simple wash? I'm not completely helpless," Grandma Qin chided gently.Before Lillian could utter another word, Grandma Qin turned to Serena and softly suggested, "It's getting late, Serena. Why don't you stay the night? Have Lillian ask the servants to prepare a guest room for you."Caught off guard while nibbling absentmindedly, Serena promptly declined, "No need, Grandma Qin. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay.""What's inappropriate about it?" Grandma Qin countered. "We have plenty of guest