At that moment, you felt a tsunami inside your heart.
But you stood there quietly, without letting anyone know.
"What brings you here today? Did Young Master Xia finally let you out?" Li Yang's smile froze on her face. She released the flower that was pressed against her nose and stepped back slightly to sit on the chaise lounge where Xu An was lying.
"Su Yangxi is back."
"When did this happen? How come we haven't heard anything about it?" Xu An grabbed Li Yang's hand.
“This morning, Xia Xifei personally went to the airport to pick her up. She has already settled in at the Xia residence and is just waiting for me, the Xia Madam, to step down.”
"What are you saying? You are the bride of the Xia family, married with a grand procession of red dowry. What are you cowering for? Besides, when has Xia Xifei ever admitted to liking Su Yang?"
"He's never said he liked me, has he?"
"You, sigh, why don't you just go ask him? He'll definitely tell you. Only you, the idiot, don't know."
"But"
"Go ahead, I'm tired, I want to sleep for a while."
Less than a quarter of an hour later, Yue'er hurriedly called out to her mistress and ran in.
"Oh dear, Miss, why are you still asleep? Get up quickly, Yue'er will help you with your hair and makeup."
"What's wrong? I'm a little tired and want to take a nap. Is something important that's making you so anxious?"
"Miss, the master and the new president are watching a play at the Pear Garden. The master wants you to go and listen to it to relieve your boredom." As Yue'er spoke, she arranged the clothes and jewelry for Xu An to choose from.
Xu An knew exactly what her father meant. Her father had never met her and wouldn't do anything to her. Nowadays, all the women in Jiangcheng were eyeing the newly appointed president, and her father wanted to join in the fun and marry off his quiet, reserved daughter.
"The red one, I'll take."
"Miss, didn't you dislike clothes that were too brightly colored? You said you didn't like them after the master sent them over."
"I want to wear this today, give it to me."
"The beauty of nature has entered my world of longing, how can I bear this unrequited love?"
As soon as Xu An entered the opera house, he saw two people sitting in the middle of the hall listening to the opera. The woman on the stage was singing in a soft, melodious voice. Although he wondered why the two people did not go to the private room on the second floor, he walked towards them with a normal expression.
Xu An saw him suddenly tilt his head and talk to the person next to him, so he slowed down. When their eyes met, neither of them looked away, and they gazed at each other across the crowd.
"President, President." Someone was calling him.
"Xiao An, what are you standing there for? Your health isn't good to begin with. Yue'er, come and help Miss over." It was her father.
The seating arrangement was clearly deliberate, positioned between the two but leaning towards him. When Xu An sat down, she subtly moved her chair to the side. He noticed her small movement, his eyes darkening, but he remained silent, focused on the opera on stage.
"Why are you so late? Are you feeling unwell again? Have you seen Dr. Shang?" It was her restless father.
"No, that's not true. It's just that Madam Xia came to talk to me about some intimate things that are typical of young women, which took up a little time." Xu An waved her hand, not wanting to talk about these things related to her health.
"I heard that Miss Xu is not in good health. I thought it wasn't as serious as the rumors said. But today, seeing her, Miss Xu looks exhausted and her face is pale. Could it be that the rumors are true?" The one who spoke was the one who had just spoken to Wu Shixun. I don't know who he was.
"No." Xu An lowered his head.
"Then..." The man wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Commander Xu.
“My daughter Xiao’an is good in every way, except that she is not very healthy. Years ago, she caught a bad cold and was unconscious for five days. She almost didn’t wake up. It scared this old man so much that he almost went with her to find her mother.”
"Father, please stop talking."
"How did you catch a cold?" he asked Commander Xu, but he was looking at her.
"careless…"
"What do you mean 'accidentally'? It's all because of that poor kid..."
"Father, stop talking. I feel a bit stuffy. Yue'er, help me go outside for some fresh air." Xu An stood up, turned away, and didn't dare to look at him.
"Alright, alright, let's not mention him. This kind of person doesn't deserve to pollute my little An's ears. Yue'er, take good care of Miss."
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. President, please excuse me."
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"Cough cough"
"Miss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine."
Where would you like to go? Shall I give you a ride?
"Need not."
The man wanted to say something more, and his hand reached out restlessly towards Xu An.
The soldier guarding the door immediately raised his gun and pointed it at the man. He gave an awkward smile and ran away.
"Miss, are you alright?"
He is an adjutant.
"It's okay, I'll go in first."
"Okay, miss, please take care."
Xu An did not return to her seat, but went around to the back and went up to the second floor via the back stairs. She didn't want to sit there; she couldn't be as calm as him.
The curtains for watching the play were drawn, making the private room very dark. Xu An lay down on the nearest sofa.
"Cough, cough, cough cough cough." The cup he picked up from the table was snatched away from behind.
"This is wine."
He carefully held the glass of water to her lips and used his other hand to help her catch her breath.
The private room fell silent again.
"Thank you, I'm fine now."
Noticing Xu An's unease, he clenched and unclenched his hand on her back, then got up and sat on the sofa opposite her.
You look great in red.
Xu An lowered her head and placed the water glass in her hand on the table, but did not let go of it. With her other hand, she tightly gripped the hem of her skirt behind her back.
He sighed silently, took the cup from her hand, and set it aside.
"You should rest here for a while. I'll tell Commander Xu."
After he finished speaking, he pushed open the door and left.
Only after hearing the door close did Xu An slowly raise his head and look towards the doorway.
She stared at the door, as if she could see his receding figure through the heavy door panel.
Unwrapping the crumpled skirt, Xu An let out a long sigh of relief and got up to leave the room.
She gently pushed the door open a crack and looked out, meeting his gaze. He was leaning against the wall by the door, not leaving.
She tried to say something, but he pressed his hand against her lips.
He pushed open the door in front of him, re-entered the room, kicked it shut, put his arm around her waist, switched positions, placed his hand behind her head, pressed her against the door, and kissed her lips.