Overdo

Her heart wrenched violently. It was just a single lie, yet it drained all her strength. She had thought even her hatred had worn away after two years of separation, but his effortless falsehood left her utterly defenseless. She was so useless—in front of him, she was always this useless. She had long abandoned hope, long stopped yearning for a second chance. Two teardrops fell silently onto the quilt. He said, "Susu, don't cry." As long as she didn't cry, he would do anything—he just couldn't bear her tears. Her slender shoulders trembled as he drew her into his arms, kissing away her tears. Once holding her, he could no longer suppress the craving in his heart—he wanted her, he wanted her, he wanted only her. Even without her heart, just having her would be enough...

Dawn gradually broke. Against the beige curtains, pale golden patterns grew distinct, faintly revealing floral shapes. As the thin morning sun cast its light, those pale golden motifs bloomed into vivid orange-yellow, unfolding like flowers in one's vision.

Nineteen

The small parlor's curtains were of pristine ivory, embroidered with passionflower designs—dense blossoms and buds amid intricate foliage. Madam Murong sat there, personally sealing red envelopes for her grandchildren's New Year greetings. Susu entered and said softly, "Mother, Happy New Year." Lifting her head, Madam Murong beamed, "Ah, good child, Happy New Year. Why not sleep a little longer? Has Qingyi not risen yet?"

A faint blush touched Susu's cheeks as she replied, "Yes." Madam Murong said, "You still wake this early—the others aren't up yet. Your father has guests, so you needn't go over. Go upstairs and check on Qingyi. If he's awake, tell him to come down for breakfast."

Susu had no choice but to return to the room. Murong Qingyi turned over and, seeing her enter, seemed to relax. Unsure what to say, she quietly sat down. He lingered in bed a moment, growing increasingly uneasy. Glancing at her, he found her expression unreadably placid and finally asked, "Is Mother up?"

"She is," she replied. So he said, "Then I'll get up too, lest Father scolds me for laziness." Her head bowed, the finely embroidered edge of the handkerchief in her hands felt like a raised scar, pressing harshly against her fingertips. When he emerged from the bathroom and saw her still sitting motionless, he couldn't help calling, "Susu"—startling her as she lifted panicked eyes to him. He hesitated, then merely said, "I—I'll go down first to wish Father a Happy New Year."

On New Year's Day, many relatives and friends came to offer greetings. Susu assisted Madam Murong in receiving guests, moving among the female visitors. Amid the bustle, Weiyi suddenly chuckled. Madam Murong asked quietly, "Silly child, you're a mother now—still so frivolous? What are you laughing at for no reason?" Weiyi whispered, "It's not silly! I just find Third Brother amusing. He's already come in three times in a short while, each time just glancing at Third Sister-in-law before leaving. Is he afraid she'll fly away?"Madam Murong said with a smile, "Don't tease your third brother like that. Look at your third sister-in-law—she's getting uncomfortable again." Susu had already flushed crimson and, using the excuse of greeting guests, walked far away to the doorway. Coincidentally, Murong Qingyi strolled over at that moment. Lifting his head and seeing her, he paused briefly before turning to leave. Susu softly called out, "Hey," and he turned back to look at her. She whispered, "Weiyi is making fun of us." Upon hearing this, for some reason, he broke into a smile, his expression softening as if brushed by a spring breeze.

Weiyi watched the two of them from afar and quietly said to Madam Murong, "Mom, look—I haven't seen Third Brother smile like that all year." Madam Murong let out a soft sigh. "Those two troublemakers."

Later that evening, Susu came to Madam Murong and said, "Mother, I'll take my leave first." Madam Murong glanced at Murong Qingyi and replied, "Very well. It's been a noisy day, and I have a headache from all the commotion. You must be tired too. Your place is quieter, so go back early and rest." Susu responded with a "Yes," but then Madam Murong added, "Third Son, you go with her. Come back with Susu tomorrow morning." Murong Qingyi acknowledged the instruction and turned to order someone, "Bring my car around."

Susu remained silent for a moment before saying, "My place isn't fully prepared. I'm afraid if there's any official business for him, it might delay his time." Her meaning was clear—she thought that, given his usual temperament, he might lose his temper on the spot. To her surprise, Murong Qingyi said, "What official business could there be during the New Year? I'll go take a look and see what you're missing. We can have them add whatever is needed." Hearing this, Madam Murong felt relieved and added, "Exactly. Originally, this house was bought for the two of you to start a family. I support young couples being independent, but as I've grown older, I like having you around every day, so I didn't ask you to move out. That was my selfishness. Young people, of course, prefer to live freely on their own. Besides, it's very close to Shuangqiao, so coming and going is convenient."

Susu sensed another layer of meaning in her tone. She had always respected her mother-in-law and, hearing her earnest concern, felt she couldn't say more. Because she usually maintained a detached demeanor, the servants tended to take shortcuts in their duties. Riding back with Murong Qingyi, they threw the servants at her residence into a flurry of activity. Murong Qingyi saw that the house was spotlessly clean and elegantly furnished. After changing her clothes, Susu came downstairs and casually picked up a book to read. Seeing her indifferent expression, he had no choice but to say, "It's quite peaceful here." He walked around the room, inspecting it, and then remarked, "I'll have someone replace this carpet tomorrow. The color doesn't match the curtains." After a moment's thought, he added, "Maybe we should change the curtains instead. What do you think—should we change the curtains or the carpet?"She had not intended to respond, but her heart softened after all. Moreover, he was staring at her so intently—his expression didn’t seem to be about trivial daily matters but rather as if he were waiting for her to decide something. In the end, she considered his pride and said, "Changing the curtains might be easier."

Delighted that she was willing to answer, he said, "Then I’ll have someone come and change them tomorrow. You shouldn’t read anymore—it’s very hard on your eyes." Then he added, "If you really want to read, turn on the main light." Though he said this, his eyes couldn’t help but reveal a trace of hope.

She thought about how, earlier in the day, she had taken the initiative to speak to him, and he had been so pleased. Now he was being so cautious, all to avoid making her overthink—he was truly trying his best to be considerate. Her heart softened in the end, and she said softly, "I won’t read then."

After the Lantern Festival, official duties gradually became busy again. Lei Shaogong arrived early. Murong Qingyi had not yet come downstairs, so he waited. Just then, he saw Susu entering from the courtyard, followed by someone carrying cut flowers for arranging in vases. He quickly stood up to greet her. Susu had always been polite to him. After returning his greeting, she asked, "Is there something urgent? I can send someone to call him."

Lei Shaogong said, "I just called—Third Young Master will be down soon." Over the past half month, they had been shuttling back and forth between the two places, which was extremely inconvenient, but Murong Qingyi didn’t seem to mind.

When Murong Qingyi came downstairs and saw Lei Shaogong, he asked, "Have you been waiting long? Just a moment, I’ll be right with you." He went over and exchanged a few words with Susu before heading out.

Noticing his good mood, Lei Shaogong said, "Third Young Master, should we make arrangements for Miss Wang? She hasn’t been able to reach you lately and keeps pestering me."

Murong Qingyi laughed and said, "She’s pestering you? Why don’t you do me a favor and take her off my hands?"

Lei Shaogong chuckled and replied, "Thanks, but I can’t handle such a 'blessing.'"

Murong Qingyi went to a meeting, and Lei Shaogong went to the duty room to review official documents. He hadn’t been at it long when Miss Wang called again. The moment Lei Shaogong heard her voice, he felt a headache coming on. Without preamble, he said, "Third Young Master isn’t here."

Wang Qilin gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "He’s deliberately avoiding me, isn’t he?"

Lei Shaogong replied, "He’s busy with official matters."

Wang Qilin sneered, "Director Lei, there’s no need to brush me off like this. Later, I’ll invite Third Young Mistress for tea."

Though Lei Shaogong was usually even-tempered, for some reason, her threat provoked him. He coldly said, "I advise you not to entertain such thoughts. If you’re looking for a way to ruin yourself, go ahead and try."

Wang Qilin was silent for a long moment before murmuring faintly, "So it’s true then? People are saying the two of them have reconciled."

Lei Shaogong said, "You’re mistaken again. They were never estranged—how can you call it a reconciliation?"