Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

Lingye experienced an intense pain in his abdomen during his drive back.

His anxiety must have worsened his gastric distress, and he broke out in a cold sweat, drenching the

back of his shirt.

Lingye clutched his churning stomach while keeping his hand on the wheel. The beads of sweat

traveled from his forehead to his eyelid.

His stomach had not acted up since he was together with Tongrui.

During the first time of his stomach trouble in Tongrui’s presence, she retrieved a piece of aloe vera

from the corner of his study and ran into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for him to drink.

At the time, Lingye initially thought the woman did not have a heart. The pain was killing him, and here

she was, making him take aloe vera and water. Only God knew what was going through his mind back

then.

She later mentioned that it was a home remedy for stomachache, and he was skeptical.

It was hard to have faith in a remedy that was not backed by science. Still, Lingye took the drink without

hesitation since it came from her.

Only, he never told her that he did not get the least bit of relief after taking the water and aloe vera. In

fact, it hurt worse. Her company was the thing that made him feel better.

Ten years ago, Lingye lived in a world where only he existed. If it were not for her, he probably would

have left the world a long time ago.

Lingye was grateful that Tongrui saved Fu Ziye back then.

How could she abandon her husband and daughter just because of the old man’s words?

Had he never told her that he could not live without her?

It seemed… he never said such cheesy lines to her before.

Sure, Lingye could still survive without her. He might live bolder and wiser than before.

His only fear was her well-being during his absence from her life.

Tongrui had a taste for instant noodles. Lingye was worried that she might fall back into old habits,

surviving on instant noodles when she was hungry.

Lingye was mad about her leaving without saying goodbye. Nevertheless, the anger turned into

heartache and concern as he wondered where she was and how she was doing.

Tongrui was sensitive. She must be out there somewhere, wracked with guilt and anxiety after

Zhengyuan heartlessly sent her away.

…

The clock struck six in the evening in Florence.

Sitting in a hotel near the airport, Tongrui enjoyed a cup of instant noodles.

She bought a brand of noodles local to her homeland. Tongrui put the kettle on and waited until the

water was boiling before pouring the hot water into the cup. Crossing her legs, she sat on the thick rug

and waited for her noodles to be ready.

During the few minutes of wait, her eyes turned vacant as her mind wandered to her moments of

sneaking the noodles behind Lingye’s back at Repulse Bay Villa.

The image brought tears to her eyes.

She lowered her head and rotated the shaft of a single-use plastic fork to twin the strands of noodles

into her mouth. The spiciness of the noodles got to her as tears dripped into the cup.

The steam stung her eyes so much she could not open them, and she gorged the noodles.

Instant noodles were the best invention in the world, combining convenience and tastiness all in one.

However, this was the most awful cup of noodles she had ever eaten.

It only dawned on her now how good she had it when she could sneak off somewhere to devour

noodles.

Lingye was the best thing that ever happened to her. Why did she not put up more of a fight with

Zhengyuan?

Tongrui was not that selfless, and now she sat alone in a godforsaken place, drowning in her regret.

She believed Lingye would never let her go if she told him about everything.

He mentioned before that there would always be a safe haven even if the world came to an end. He

was no superhero who could save the world in Marvel films, but the only thing stuck in his mind was to

take her to the safest place to take shelter.

However… Tongrui could not bear to put Lingye in the face of slander for the good man he was.

Although nobody was perfect, and Lingye had his moments, the man was flawless in Tongrui’s eyes.

Besides, Lingye demonstrated utmost patience with her. There was no way she could allow anyone to

speak ill of Fu Qingli, let alone discredit him.

The cup of instant noodles was getting saltier by the bites.

The noodles were drenched with her tears.

Tongrui lay on the sofa, sitting in her thoughts for a long time.

Out of all the places, Zhengyuan sent her to a freezing city. The world was too big for Lingye to find her.

Was she doomed to stay in wet Florence forever?

Forever? Siqi would grow old by then.

Tongrui was better off dead if her path was not meant to cross Lingye and Siqi’s again…

Death was not an option for Tongrui. She was still waiting for Fu Lingyi to track her down.

Since Zhao Xian was breathing down Zhengyuan’s neck, Tongrui could understand why Zhengyuan

sent her to Florence to take cover. Only… she hoped it was not a long-term solution.

Although Tongrui was Lingye’s cousin, she wanted to be with him even if the world stood against them.

However, she did not have the courage to bring the Fu family and Fu Corporation down with her and

feared that Lingye would lose everything because of her.

He was destined for great things. His pride should not be overshadowed with humiliation and shame.

She was already missing him on her first night in Florence.

Tongrui was torn between wanting him to show up and to stay away. She would feel sorry for what he

had gone through if he was here now. It was not like she could help him in any way.

She was beyond helpless. She must be an idiot standing next to Fu Qingli, who had the looks and

brains to match.

Tongrui fell onto the sofa and sighed.

Maybe Lingye would remarry since they would be apart for a while. Those people could not stand to

see them happy anyway.

What type of woman would suit Lingye?

A scheming woman like Han Ling would not treat Siqi right.

How about a go-getter like Xiao Ya? Lingye did mention that he was not into overpowering women.

In the end, Tongrui concluded that no one but her could take the place next to Lingye. The image of her

and Lingye together lit her face up.

…

It had been days since Lingye showed up at work.

Xu Kun gave Zhengyuan a call and said, “Mr. Fu, just tell Boss where you hid Mrs. Fu. He hasn’t

reported to work for days. The paperwork is piling up…”

Zhengyuan taunted, “Is he trying to push me into telling him her whereabouts? He can starve himself

like Siqi when throwing a tantrum for all I care! He’s such a child!”

Beep, beep, beep…

The call disconnected.

Thrown for a loop, Xu Kun rubbed his nose and told Lingye, “He hung up. I guess Mr. Fu is dead set

about breaking you and Mrs. Fu up.”

Lingye drew close to the bar and pulled out a bottle of Brandy. He poured himself half a glass and took

a few sips before asking, “What’s the progress of the investigation?”

Xu Kun shook his head. “I still can’t get any immigration record on her. God knows what Mr. Fu did to

erase the record.”

With Lingye downing more spirit, Xu Kun persuaded, “You might want to cut down on the alcohol with

your gastrointestinal issues, Boss.”

To his surprise, Lingye groaned, “Argh.”

Xu Kun was taken aback as the utterance never came from Lingye’s mouth.

Still, it made sense. Everything must be getting on his nerves now that his wife was missing.

Lingye did not tell Xu Kun that Tongrui’s absence was not the only reason for his foul mood. It was New

Year’s Eve tomorrow, and it was supposed to be a day when families got together, but Tongrui was

nowhere to be found.

Of course, he was on edge.

Even if Lingye knew that Tongrui was out of harm’s way, the new year meant nothing to him without her

in his arms.