Chapter 152: I Want a Divorce

With that, she hurried out, eager to be on her way.

Song Chengyi stood in the private room, looking at his phone. Having received no reply to his messages, he was in the middle of making a call. At the very moment the call connected, a ringtone sounded nearby.

Song Chengyi turned toward the source of the sound and saw Luo Yixia, her face flushed red from the cold, pushing open the back door of the room and rushing in.

Song Chengyi hung up the phone. "Why did you go outside? It’s so cold out there; your face is frozen red." He reached out to cup her cheeks with his palms.

Luo Yixia sniffled, feeling a sudden wave of emotion. He had rushed all the way here, yet his first concern was for her. Despite the cold air clinging to him, his palms remained warm, and the chill seemed to vanish the moment he touched her.

"Are you done with your work? I thought you’d be much longer."

"I’m sorry, my advisor had something come up at the last minute. I kept you waiting," Song Chengyi said guiltily.

"It’s fine, I didn't mind waiting for you," she replied with a smile.

"Did you order?" Song Chengyi asked, letting go of her face.

"Everything is ordered. We were just waiting for you. I’ll go tell them they can start serving," she said, running back out.

Song Chengyi picked up the celadon teapot and poured a cup of water. He took a sip; it was still warm.

Luo Yixia returned shortly, carrying a plate of small pastries. "The waiter was bringing them, so I just grabbed them on the way," she said, sliding the plate toward him with a grin. "These are delicious, you should try one."

Song Chengyi picked one up and tasted it; it was indeed good. Seeing him nod, Luo Yixia happily had one herself. "I ran into a classmate in the back courtyard just now, chatted for a bit, and had one of these," she explained, clarifying why she had gone out earlier.

Soon, the waiters began bringing in the dishes one after another. Finally, they even brought a bottle of wine.

"I didn't order any wine. Did they bring it to the wrong table?" Luo Yixia asked.

"Oh? I’m so sorry, we might have made a mistake," the waiter, a petite young woman, said with an embarrassed smile.

"It’s fine, leave it. Just add it to the bill," Song Chengyi said calmly.

Luo Yixia looked at him, puzzled; he didn't even drink.

"Okay, okay!" The girl nodded and left.

"Why keep it? Neither of us drinks," she whispered.

"Let’s try it. It looks good," Song Chengyi said with a smile, picking up the glasses and pouring half a glass for each of them.

Luo Yixia carefully picked up the glass with both hands, sniffing it first. It smelled sweet. She took a tiny sip. "This is actually quite good."

"It’s fruit wine, low alcohol content," Song Chengyi said, downing a large gulp before pouring himself another full glass.

Luo Yixia ate like a little rabbit, nibbling away.

"Did you change your clothes this afternoon?" Song Chengyi asked, looking her up and down.

Caught, she felt a bit shy. "Yeah, I did."

"This outfit... it's not good," Song Chengyi said, his gaze darkening.

"Why? Is it ugly?" Luo Yixia looked down at her clothes in a panic. She didn't think so; she thought it looked great. Her friends had even said it looked youthful, vibrant, and girly.

"No, it’s just... I feel like I'm committing a crime," he said, letting out a soft chuckle.

Luo Yixia stared at him, confused by his meaning.

During the meal, Luo Yixia was very well-behaved. She didn't talk much, just quietly eating, but the fruit wine was so tasty that she ended up having two glasses. Song Chengyi opened his mouth to stop her but decided against it. Actually, a little wine wasn't bad; as long as she wasn't completely drunk, it would certainly be helpful for his plans later that night.

Song Chengyi’s expression remained unchanged, though he felt a strange prick of conscience. Had he really started using schemes against her?

Luo Yixia’s face was flushed rosy, but her eyes remained clear. "I never expected you to drink. I always thought you didn't like alcohol," she said, resting her chin on her hand after she was full.

"I needed to build up some courage tonight."

Luo Yixia blinked, completely oblivious.

After the meal, they left, and Song Chengyi paid the bill. Luo Yixia suddenly remembered she wanted to ask when they could rehearse. "Do you have time tomorrow to go rehearse?" Her voice, softened by the wine, sounded like she was pouting.

"Hmm, you don't have class tomorrow morning, right?" Song Chengyi asked, seemingly ignoring her question.

"Yeah, I'm free all day tomorrow. Do you have time?"

"I'm off tomorrow, too," Song Chengyi said with a smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

"Great! Then we can rehearse," she said happily.

"Only if you can manage to wake up," Song Chengyi said, his tone heavy with implication.

"Don't worry, I won't be lazy tomorrow. I'll definitely wake up early!"

Song Chengyi didn't reply, thinking to himself that whatever she said now probably wouldn't matter by tomorrow morning.

Luo Yixia habitually tucked her hand into his pocket as they walked away together. From a distance, He Zhen spun his car keys, watching the scene with a smile. He liked a challenge. Still, he frowned slightly—was that guy named Song Chengyi?

They stepped into the elevator. Song Chengyi looked at her reddened earlobes and felt a surge of heat. The narrow space of the elevator seemed to amplify the atmosphere; the air grew thin, and both of them felt a bit lightheaded.

Standing behind her, he watched as she fumbled to unlock her door. As the key turned with a click, Song Chengyi reached over to twist the handle and, with his other hand, pulled her inside. The movement was forceful. Luo Yixia was pressed against the door, and the entryway plunged into darkness.

"Song—" She barely managed to speak before he gripped her chin and kissed her. It was a deep, tangled kiss as he teased her tongue, sucking rhythmically. Luo Yixia was forced to tilt her head back to meet him. In the dark, she felt nervous; unable to see him, she gripped the fabric of his shirt tightly.

They didn't know how much time had passed when he finally pulled away, burying his face in her neck as he breathed heavily. Luo Yixia was panting just as hard. He began to kiss her neck, one by one, while reaching out to pull off her coat. Their jackets fell to the floor in the entryway.

Song Chengyi picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, flicking on the light. The sudden brightness was blinding; it took Luo Yixia a moment to open her eyes, only to find them collapsed on the bed.

Song Chengyi didn't give her time to react. Just looking at her misty, watery eyes was enough to drive him wild, and he leaned down to kiss her again, his hands no longer behaving.

Luo Yixia suddenly sobered up and pushed him away. "Wait... wait..."

Song Chengyi looked at her with dark eyes, his voice strained. "What's wrong?"

"I... I didn't buy any protection..." she whispered.

Song Chengyi paused for a second and then sighed softly. "Next time."

Luo Yixia originally thought he meant they would continue next time, but she soon realized he meant they would use protection next time.

*What?*

Song Chengyi was a man of action; he didn't give her any time to think. Luo Yixia didn't know what to say, only feeling an overwhelming, uncomfortable sensation—perhaps the wine was finally hitting her. She shifted uncomfortably, biting her lip to keep from making those embarrassing, heart-racing sounds.

"Don't do that. Let it out... I want to hear you..." he whispered, nibbling on her earlobe.

"Mm... mm..." Luo Yixia trembled all over.

After a long time of intimacy, Song Chengyi could hold back no longer. Luo Yixia’s eyes snapped open, and tears streamed down her face. "It hurts... Song Chengyi... it hurts..."

"Just a little longer... it will stop hurting," he murmured, kissing her repeatedly to distract her.

Luo Yixia felt her mind had never been clearer. It was as if everything suddenly made sense. "Waaaa... Song Chengyi... you lied to me... I... I want a divorce... divorce... ah... it hurts..."

A satisfied smile curled on Song Chengyi’s lips, devoid of any embarrassment at being caught in a lie. "Want a divorce? Too late!"

After those words echoed in her ears, her sobs became even more heart-wrenching.

Hours later, Luo Yixia was so exhausted she didn't want to move a finger. She didn't want to think; she just wanted to close her eyes and sleep. Song Chengyi smiled, kissed the corner of her mouth, and carried her to the bathroom. Luo Yixia let him handle it; she just wanted to sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already noon. The first thing she saw was the person lying beside her. For the first time, she had the urge to kick him off the bed, but her legs felt like lead—any slight movement sent a jolt of pain through her.

It was all Song Chengyi’s fault. How could she have been so stupid? She hadn't even been able to tell if they had actually done it or not. Compared to this, what happened last time was nothing—clearly, that had just been the discomfort of being drunk. At the time, seeing Song Chengyi’s pitiful, aggrieved expression, she had felt like she’d committed some heinous crime and had felt guilty for so long. Now, it was obvious that she was the victim—Song Chengyi had cheated her into marriage! Nothing had actually happened last time!

Song Chengyi opened his eyes and was met with a pair of furious, tear-rimmed eyes.

"Awake?" Song Chengyi didn't care at all, reaching out to brush a stray hair from her face.

"You lied to me." Her voice was hoarse. She had forgotten that she’d cried all night and that Song Chengyi had kept at it until dawn.

"Didn't we seal the deal last night?" He leaned in to kiss her eyes. "Be good, sleep a little more. It's still early."

Whether it was the bewitching tone of his voice or simple exhaustion, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep again before long.

By evening, Luo Yixia woke up once more. She was wearing an oversized shirt—evidently one of Song Chengyi’s. The space beside her was already empty, cold to the touch; he must have been up for a while. She pulled back the covers and stepped out of bed, stumbling as her legs gave way.

She cursed under her breath and shuffled, step by agonizing step, toward the bathroom. Looking at the person in the large mirror, Luo Yixia wondered if that was really her. Although she had slept for a day, her eyes were still puffy and dark circles shadowed them. She looked down at her neck, then further down, and didn't dare to look any longer.

*He wasn't gentle at all,* she pouted.