Peach-Orange! – Chapter 129 – Her Love, From Beginning to End

Whether from exhaustion or the sachet’s effect, Su Tao slept relatively well in the latter half of the night.

Not only that, she had another dream.

In it, Chi Xiaocheng was just as obedient as during those past two weeks, agreeing to everything she said with eager nods.

Strangely, this very obedience now frightened Su Tao.

She half-expected a hidden knife behind Chi Xiaocheng’s docile facade.

Fortunately, no such thing occurred.

In the dream, she basked in Xiaocheng’s sweetness. When King crawled under the blankets, his warmth combined with the sachet’s fragrance made her feel as though she were holding that adorable girl.

By morning, both her body and spirit had recovered somewhat.

Though faint dark circles and weariness remained.

As Qian Qing observed when Su Tao emerged, “Seems you slept better later. At least you don’t look suicidal anymore.”

“Thank you.” Su Tao noticed Qian Qing’s apron and the porridge aroma from the kitchen. “You made breakfast?”

Qian Qing nodded indifferently. “I was tasked with your care. Takeout lacks nutrition. Though Dongfang Yang’s coming… what a waste.”

Su Tao committed this kindness to memory, quickly washing up.

She’d visit the hospital today. If Chi Xiaocheng woke up, she shouldn’t see Su Tao looking haggard.

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Attempting to help in the kitchen, Su Tao was shooed out.

On an empty stomach, she reread the suicide note on the sofa.

Each line pierced her heart.

Xiaocheng.

She’d long recognized her own instability yet smiled to avoid worrying Su Tao.

Knowing Su Tao preferred obedience, she’d suppressed her yandere tendencies for half a month, playing the good girl to please her.

Believing Su Tao busy, she’d stayed home rather than disturb her, greeting each return with hugs and smiles to soothe weekly exhaustion.

Rejected in her confession, realizing her love caused pain, she chose silent departure over letting her obsession harm Su Tao.

As the note said:

She’d given Su Tao her chains, an excuse to see only her.

When those “yandere love” chains grew too heavy, she wished to return to the beginning, bearing the pain alone rather than burden Su Tao.

‘You called yourself an uninvited wind disrupting my peace.’

‘Yet you never knew how often that breeze carried away my loneliness.’

‘A graspable wind I dared not reach for.’

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Especially the final lines:

—Your Xiao —Xiaocheng.

‘Did that deletion mean you no longer belonged to me?’

Clutching the note to her chest, she seemed to absorb its essence through touch.

“Was that ‘goodnight’ farewell to the world… or to me?” she whispered painfully.

Qian Qing, bringing porridge, remarked casually, “In love letters, ‘wan an’ has another meaning.

“W-A-N A-N.

“The initials read ‘Wo Ai Ni, Ai Ni’ [I love you, love you].

“Perhaps not goodbye, but another confession?”

Setting down side dishes, Qian Qing removed her apron. “Eat. I’d rather not share with Dongfang Yang.”

Su Tao froze before laughing through tears. “Does he eat messily?”

“He burps.” Qian Qing rolled her eyes.

“You seem close.”

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Handing Su Tao a tissue, Qian Qing changed topics. “Eat. You wouldn’t want Chi Xiaocheng seeing you looking like death warmed over.”

“Mm!”

Su Tao ate ravenously despite the scalding porridge, her body depleted from last night’s emotional rollercoaster.

Yet her mind lingered on the note and Xiaocheng’s smiles.

As they finished, Dongfang Yang arrived dramatically.

“You didn’t wait?” he complained, grabbing a bun. “That’s childhood stuff! I’ve reformed!” Noting Su Tao’s strained smile, he added, “But joking means you’re recovering.”

“Thanks to you both.” Su Tao bowed sincerely.

Exchanging glances, Dongfang Yang and Qian Qing simply smiled.

After tidying, Su Tao left with Dongfang Yang in better spirits.

“About last night’s ambush,” he said, “Si Chen and I are investigating. Police promise resolution.”

“Lin Fangya? She’s my only recent conflict.”

“Confirmed,” Dongfang Yang sighed. “But a disowned second-rate heiress couldn’t mobilize that many. Someone’s backing her. Si Chen’s laying traps for that someone.”

The elevator opened to reveal a mother and daughter with a cake.

Dongfang Yang smiled. “Birthday, princess?”

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The five-year-old grinned. “Want cake, handsome brother?”

“Happy birthday!” He ruffled her hair before nudging Su Tao. “Why the stare? Moving on.”

Su Tao forced a smile. “Happy birthday.”

“Pretty lady from 502! Come tonight. We’re in 504!”

Her mother smiled apologetically. “We just moved in. Do visit.”

“Bye-bye~”

In the elevator, Su Tao’s mood dipped again.

“Now what?” Dongfang Yang frowned. “Cake invite not cheering you up?”

“Yesterday… was Xiaocheng’s birthday too,” she whispered.

Dongfang Yang hesitated before saying gently, “Save your apologies for when she wakes.”

Su Tao nodded.

More than apologies,

Perhaps an answer to that confession too.