128 Chapter 128 : One step further, and the other steps back

The next day, Xiulan wore one of the new dresses from Mr. Sato's brand and paired it with a long coat as usual. Today's agenda is to have a nice and enjoyable trip to Universal Studios.

With Xiulan's fresh look, she looks like the protagonist from the famous Korean drama, Hotel Del Luna with her hair, makeup, and outfit. It seems that she's channeling her inner Jang Man-wol. Actually, they have an uncanny resemblance.

Since she has that uncanny resemblance to the female lead of that drama, strangers in Universal Studios can't help but stare at her in awe. She's really pretty and a head-turner.

With her fairy-like visuals, some thought that she's a famous celebrity. Due to their speculation, they shamelessly stare at her.

She also noticed that people were staring at her quite differently unlike when they were in Disneyland. Maybe because of her outfit and aesthetic for today.

Xiulan held Hongqi's hand and inquired to him, "Do I look weird today?" She is slightly upset from the never-ending look she's getting from strangers. She's not in her homeland right now to get such stares. These people don't know her yet those look they are giving her were very uncomfortable.

Hongqi quickly shook his head, "No. You are beautiful, my love." Hongqi raises her hand next to his lips and tenderly kissed it. He assured her that there's nothing wrong with how she looks today. She's actually extra stunning today.

Xiulan only pouted at his answer and didn't bother to pry on this issue anymore. It might be because of her make-up. It's the first time she tried a very red lipstick anyway. In her conclusion, red lipstick gets a lot of attention.

The whole day, the couple enjoyed playing and riding amusement park attractions. They also entered a horror house that Hongqi enjoys so much since his wife seems to be a scaredy-cat when it comes to paranormal stuff.

They ate a lot of snacks and cutely designed meals, more shopping, and wasting of money. The couple had a great time taking pictures together and also some solo shots.

Secretary Yang Bo can't help but stare at the two love-birds. He deduced that those two are too sweet to each other yet seem distant in a mysterious way. He can't point where but there's still a thin wall between them. Yes, thin wall. It may be thin but still, it's a wall that separates them.

Yang Bo looked at his ringing phone and silently cursed. The old master Xing is calling him again. This old master called him for the nth time during this Japan trip alone.

"Good day, Master Xing." he greeted Hongqi's father with the usual monotonous yet respectful tone.

"I've seen the photos you sent. Make sure to post an article on how in love those two are, locally and internationally. I don't want that wretched woman coming back to S city claiming that my son still loves her." the old master Xing ambiguously commanded. They were talking about Hongqi's ex-girlfriend, Zhao Lingyu.

"Yes, master." Secretary Yang Bo's a cold sweat came out of his forehead and nape.

When the call finished, Secretary Yang Bo sighed in relief. It's been so long since the old master instructed him to make a diversion like this. He thought that he'll just report everything but this is quite surprising since he'll do this as well. It's really been so long.

Recently, they acquired a rumor that Zhao Lingyu is trying to divorce her husband. There's no concrete evidence yet that the divorce might happen but since the old master is too protective of his son against that woman and her family, he's preventing them to meet again.

His mind is too advance. If only he could quickly build a wall or create a man-made sea to prevent those two in meeting again.

Yang Bo quickly dialed a special number and instructed the person on the other line, "I'll send some photos. Make sure to create a headline both locally and internationally that the Xing couple is deeply in love. I'm leaving the rest to you. Make sure to create a fairytale-like or heart-thumping story for everyone to swoon on."

This may sound distasteful but it's an order from the old master. Though the person in the other line doesn't know this.

"Copy, boss." the person in the other line said and quickly ended the call. When he received the photos, he can't help but misunderstood the situation. "Is the young master faking his love for his wife? Why need this article?" he secretly mutters.

The sunset is too beautiful to look at yet the ominous feeling is too overpowering. He might need to visit a shaman or a feng shui expert once they come back to S city.

After their long and exciting trip to Universal Studios, Xiulan slept like the dead once she finishes washing her body and changed to a comfortable pajama.

Hongqi wasn't able to seduce her this time since he's also tired from the walking and shopping. Universal Studios was too big and they rode a lot of attractions unlike when they were in Disneyland and Disneysea.

He eventually sleeps earlier than the usual time. That ancient jasmine tea they drank awhile ago added the sleepiness in him.

That night, Hongqi dreamt of Xiulan. It was supposed to be a good and nice dream but a woman from the past suddenly appears in his dream, trying to pull his wife away from him.

In his dream, Zhao Lingyu pulls his wife with her to the dark and deepest part of the sea. This sea reminds him of that time when he almost lost his life when he tried to suicide in his luxurious yacht when Zhao Lingyu decided to leave him.

It was a tragic memory. He was so lost during that dark time in his life. His father can't even help him since he's pressured in picking between his family and his current lover that they labeled as a high-class gold digger.

He loved Zhao Lingyu during his early twenties. But when reality slaps him out of Zhao Lingyu's scheming and manipulation, he knew that the deities gave him a second chance in life to redeem himself by following his father's strict commands. He didn't die, but that enlightenment really woke him from her manipulation.

Back to his dream, his strength seems to be weak and he can't even save his wife from the evil witch Zhao Lingyu. He cried for his wife's name and loudly begs Zhao Lingyu to spare his dear wife.

"Lingyu… please… don't..." Hongqi mutters in his sleep. Tears running down from his shut eyes.

Xiulan is still groggy and stares at her husband's stupor. Those running tears coming out of his eyes were rather very dramatic.

Apparently, she wasn't able to hear him shouting for her name since she was still sleeping by then. But when she heard a different woman's name, she suddenly woke up and had to check if she's really hearing that from him.

To her surprise and disappointment, her husband really mentioned that name a few more times and add some tragic tears with it too.

Her heart… she suddenly feels like she's a fool for enjoying all those sweet time with him.

How can he make her feel so special yet muttering a different woman's name? He heard him scream for Lingyu's name long ago and every time he mentions that woman's name, there are always tears involved.

"Do you really regret not being with her?" Xiulan whispers while Hongqi's face is wet from his own tears. "What should I do? Tell me. Do you want to be with her again?" She caresses his smooth cheeks and dries his face with the duvet.

Xiulan took a moment before waking him up since he might be having a nightmare. It's dangerous to leave a person sleeping like this when they are having a nightmare.

"Hongqi… Hongqi… Hongqi!" Xiulan pushed his husband's muscular arms to wake him up.

Hongqi eventually wakes up with a heavy feeling. When the first thing he saw is his wife's face, he feels immediately relieved and quickly embraces her. "Oh love, I had a nightmare. I thought I lost you."

Xiulan gently caresses his back to calm him down and purses her lips. She's not sure what to say when she just caught him muttering a different woman's name. For her, he might be saying a white lie.

After a long pause and silence, she whispers to him, "It's just a dream… I'm here," her hands are trembling. She's anxious.

"Yes." Hongqi warmly embraces his wife, not knowing that her thoughts were already muddled and apprehensive. He tightly held her and made sure that he will protect her, won't let go of her and firmly, he will confess his feelings soon.

They embraced each other for so long. Xiulan wasn't able to go back to sleep, the same as Hongqi.

They held each other in silence and listens to each other's hearts. When Hongqi finally fell asleep again, Xiulan withdrew from his embrace and snuggled herself while she's at the farthest part of the bed.

Their hearts might be close and beating at the same pace but their hearts are actually distant. One is beating in love, the other beats in fear.

"I wonder how long I can lie to myself that this is okay and when will I be honest to my true feelings?" Xiulan asks herself, still in denial.

She tries to sleep, she keeps changing her sleeping position. Finally, when everything seems comfortable, she can feel her nostrils started to feel stuffy and tears start running down her cheek.

"This is madness..." she silently whispers. Surely, her situation is making her neurotic.