Chapter 85: Responsibility

The windows in the room were all closed, but the air still felt damp, and even breathing seemed sticky.

The man before her was still soaked, and Meng Ying’s gaze drifted downward to the apricot-colored washboard. Its horizontal ridges were deep and sharp, the raised edges looking particularly harsh.

She didn’t use this thing, but Chen Jiao did. Chen Jiao had a habit of washing clothes the old-fashioned way, filling a large red basin with laundry, setting up the washboard, sitting on a low stool, and vigorously scrubbing collars and cuffs until they were spotless.

This washboard was likely bought by Chen Jiao.

But how it ended up under the coffee table was a mystery.

The man’s knees must be hurting, especially since Xu Dian had now lowered his other knee as well. His brow furrowed briefly, likely from the pain.

Yet he remained kneeling.

Love has always been mutual, and marriage between husband and wife thrives on mutual giving, support, shared joy, shared pain, and companionship.

When one hurts, the other feels it too. Meng Ying’s smile faded as she reached out, touching the collar of Xu Dian’s shirt. Two buttons were undone, and it was drenched with rainwater.

His muscles were tense.

Not from the pain, but from the moment he stepped out of the car, he had been on edge.

Even during their kiss.

He was panicking, afraid.

It was obvious, though he tried hard to hide it. Meng Ying leaned in, kissing his cold lips. Xu Dian opened his mouth, their tongues entwining. His hands rested on her shoulders. When the kiss ended, their breathing was unsteady. Meng Ying touched his temple and said, “I hope one day, when your temples are gray, you’re still holding my hand.”

Those words.

They hinted at Meng Ying’s hopes for the future.

Xu Dian’s eyes narrowed sharply, and then he pulled her tightly into his arms, burying his head in a deep, fervent kiss.

When it ended, he said, “I’ll definitely hold on.”

“Then go take a shower.” Meng Ying tugged at his collar. Xu Dian stood abruptly, his brow twitching slightly. She pulled him toward the bathroom, yanked open the door, and pushed him inside. But Xu Dian wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in with him, closing the door behind them. The bathroom was warmer than outside. He turned on the shower, hot water pouring down, soaking Meng Ying completely. He leaned down, sealing her lips with his.

When they emerged from the bathroom, Meng Ying collapsed onto the bed, utterly still. Xu Dian’s fingers played with her shoulder for a while before he got up, poured a glass of water, and grabbed her phone, placing it on the nightstand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he patted her shoulder. Meng Ying turned her head, and he handed her a straw.

She took it, sipping deeply.

Her throat finally felt better. She pushed his hand away, and Xu Dian took the straw, drinking the rest of the water. His Adam’s apple bobbed as droplets slid down his collar.

Meng Ying stole a glance.

She noticed bite marks on his chest, lingered for a moment, then blushed and looked away, picking up her phone to check the time.

5 a.m.

Xu Dian set the glass down, pulled the blanket over her, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. “Sleep first. I have some things to handle.”

Meng Ying moved her phone aside, glancing at him. “Where are you going?”

“Can’t you sleep a bit?”

They’d been up all night.

Xu Dian paused, then a second later, his lips curved slightly. “Alright, I’ll sleep with you.”

He walked around the bed, lifted the blanket, and slid in. Meng Ying set her phone down, scooted closer, and nestled into his arms. Xu Dian pulled the blanket up, holding her close.

Their thin pajamas let their skin press together, instantly warming them. Meng Ying rarely stayed up late and was exhausted. Soon, she drifted into a drowsy sleep. As she slept, she turned, curling up, leaving an empty space in his arms. Xu Dian opened his eyes, then shifted closer, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.

Her phone, resting nearby, lit up.

**Jiang Yi:** Mr. Xu, about the matter…

**Xu Dian:** I’m staying with her until she wakes. I’ll handle it myself then.

A long pause.

The phone lit up again.

**Jiang Yi:** Alright.

*By the time you two wake up, the online backlash will have drowned Mr. Xu.*

Weibo was in chaos. Fans who had followed them to Xinyue Community had taken photos and posted them online. Huaying was trying to manage the situation, suppressing the backlash, but it was tough—one wave subsided, another rose. Fans and netizens who’d watched the movie stayed up, flooding the internet.

“Xu Dian still dares to face our Yingying? Shameless.”

“Exactly, how dare he?”

“AHHHH, I want to curse him too, but he was so panicked he didn’t even turn off his car. The headlights were on, and the keys were still inside.”

“Upstairs, you were there? Show me a photo.”

“There are photos.”

Many fans posted pictures. The fans split into two groups: one cursing Xu Dian, the other thinking he must have been genuinely panicked.

Then, Zhou Yang posted a video.

The one of Xu Dian kneeling a year ago.

**Zhou Yang V:** How about this? No kneeling tonight—should we give him a bad review?

[Video]

“AHHHH, what’s he doing? Is that Xu Dian?”

“He knelt a year ago? He… admitted his mistake back then?”

“Damn, I can’t soften my heart.”

“He’s kneeling so firmly! AHH, look at Meng Ying—she’s ignoring him, *ignoring him*! AHHHH, I feel comforted.”

“Zhou Yang? Xu Dian’s friend! That guy’s a playboy.”

“Uh… suddenly I feel like forgiving him isn’t impossible. Am I being too soft?”

“Ugh, why didn’t he kneel this time? Right, bad review.”

As soon as that was said, fans shouted, “Meng Ying posted! Go look!”

The crowd rushed to Meng Ying’s Weibo. A second ago, she’d posted an image.

The image.

A beige washboard and a pair of kneeling legs.

Those legs, wrapped in soaked black dress pants, were taut, strong, kneeling firmly.

**Meng Ying V:** Thank you for your concern. From the moment I chose to be with him, the past became dust. I only look forward. If he ever betrays me again, I’ll make him regret it.

[Image]

“AHHHH, yes, get him!!!”

“That’s the spirit!”

“Whimper, he knelt. Alright, fine, that’s acceptable.”

“That looks painful. Meng Ying, make him kneel on more stuff in the future.”

“Fierce!! Meng Ying’s fierce!!!”

“Yes, make him pay.”

“Take his fortune, have seven or eight kids with him, show him the harshness of life… Why does this sound wrong?”

“Upstairs, you know why.”

“I remember in Leisure Time, Meng Ying said she once loved someone like that, and afterward, it was hard to love again. She understood back then.”

“Yes, this is their relationship. Outsiders can’t judge, but Meng Ying’s confidence shows she knows her ground.”

Indeed.

Meng Ying knew her ground.

She knew what the future held, understood how to strive, and how to prioritize.

At dawn, Meng Ying groggily noticed the person beside her stir. “You’re getting up?”

Her eyes were heavy with sleep. Xu Dian’s foot had just touched the floor, and he cursed inwardly—had he moved too much? He turned back, propped himself on the bed, tucked her in, and said softly, “Sleep more.”

Meng Ying was still tired. His hand gently patted her shoulder, rhythmic like a lullaby. Gradually, she fell back asleep.

Xu Dian waited until she was fully asleep before getting up.

He walked to the window, pulling the curtains tighter, then untied his robe. At the wardrobe, he opened the door.

The clothes were sent by Jiang Yi a few days ago, snuck into the wardrobe when Meng Ying wasn’t looking. He bent down, rummaging until he found a folded shirt and pants at the bottom, slightly creased. He took them to the spare room, ironed them, and put them on, buttoning up as he walked out. He grabbed his phone and left.

Jiang Yi was already waiting outside.

Holding a suit jacket and glasses, he watched Xu Dian carefully close the door, take the silver glasses, and put them on. His captivating eyes were hidden behind the lenses, a cold glint shining through. He slipped on the jacket, buttoned it, and headed to the elevator. Jiang Yi followed, thinking, *This man doesn’t seem like someone who’d kneel on a washboard.*

They entered the elevator.

**Jiang Yi:** “Breakfast is arranged. The hotel will deliver soon.”

**Xu Dian:** “Mm.”

“Also…” Before Jiang Yi could finish, the elevator doors opened. They stepped out, exiting the lobby. The rain had stopped.

But the sky was still overcast, no sunlight. Outside, a few fans lingered. When they saw a tall man with silver-rimmed glasses walk out, they froze, momentarily not recognizing Xu Dian. They just stared at his sharp profile and the captivating eyes behind the lenses.

His presence was commanding.

And exuded an air of nobility.

The black Hummer had been towed by the insurance company, soaked from the rain. Jiang Yi had driven a Mercedes instead. Xu Dian got into the back seat.

Only then did the fans react.

“That’s… Xu Dian!”

“My gosh.”

“How’s he so different from last night?”

“His aura’s insane.”

“It’s him, no doubt. He’s wearing glasses now, but last night he wasn’t… and he looked so disheveled.”

After the Mercedes drove off, a hotel delivery van pulled up. A waiter in a cap got out, carrying seven or eight breakfast portions, and handed them to the fans, saying, “Ordered by Mr. Xu.”

The fans were stunned: “…”

“He ordered breakfast for us?” a girl with a camera asked.

“Yes, Mr. Xu said thank you for supporting Meng Ying.”

Without another word, the waiter handed the breakfast to the bewildered girls, then turned to his colleague, who got out of the van with a large box and headed into Xinyue Community to deliver Meng Ying’s breakfast.

The eight girls at the scene looked at the breakfast in their hands, their hearts a mix of complexity and warmth.

“Is this him loving the house and its crows?”

“Yeah.”

The Mercedes stopped at a traffic light. Xu Dian picked up a cigarette, about to smoke, but paused and put it back. Jiang Yi saw through the rearview mirror.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Mr. Xu, not smoking?”

Xu Dian’s slender fingers held the cigarette. “Not anymore. Quitting.”

**Jiang Yi:** “…”

*Impressive, Miss Meng.*

Hesitating, he said, “The online sentiment has shifted. Mr. Xu, want to take a look?”

After Meng Ying’s words about their future, Xu Dian no longer cared about public opinion or trending topics. He never did, except for Meng Ying’s sake.

If not for her, he wouldn’t even be on Weibo.

Because of her, he cared about these fans’ opinions.

Xu Dian leaned back. “No need.”

“No, I think you should.” Jiang Yi, taking advantage of the pause, opened Weibo on his tablet, pulled up Meng Ying’s page, and handed it to Xu Dian.

The tablet was right in front of him. Xu Dian saw Meng Ying’s avatar and took it, scrolling down.

He saw the post Meng Ying made before sleeping.

**Meng Ying V:** Thank you for your concern. From the moment I chose to be with him, the past became dust. I only look forward. If he ever betrays me again, I’ll make him regret it.

[Image]

She personally stepped in, turning the tide for him.

Xu Dian stared at the post for a long time, his eyes suddenly reddening.

He clicked her avatar, gazing at it for a while. Then he took out his phone and opened a chat.

**Xu Dian:** How can I treat her better? Suggestions.

Zhou Yang, who hadn’t slept much, was handling documents. Seeing the message, he was shocked, instantly awake. He cursed, then typed.

**Zhou Yang:** Did your account get hacked?

**Xu Dian:** “Suggestions.”

A voice message, unmistakably Xu Dian’s voice.

Not hacked. Zhou Yang leaned back, laughing, propping his feet on a safe. He held the phone, recording, “Finally asking me for help? Before, you’d rather listen to Jiang Yu than me…”

Before he finished, Xu Dian sent: Never mind, I’ll ask someone else.

His fingers scrolled through his contacts, one by one, only to realize none of his friends were true romantics who understood women.

He hesitated for a few seconds.

Then sent a message to Zhao Qiao.

**Xu Dian:** I want to treat her better. How?

**Zhao Qiao:** Marry her. Did you give her the green diamond?

**Xu Dian:** She wouldn’t take it.

**Xu Dian:** I deliberately left it at her place.

**Zhao Qiao:** …You’re that cunning and still asking me?

Xu Dian raised a brow: “…”

Fine.

He’d figure it out himself.

He set the phone aside, his fingers brushing his glasses, a faint smile tugging at his lips, barely contained.

Jiang Yi glanced in the rearview mirror.

Mr. Xu, just smile. No need to hold it in.

But Xu Dian’s glasses flicked toward him, and Jiang Yi coughed, pretending to look away expressionlessly.

Catching up on sleep, Meng Ying dozed a bit longer. When she woke, the sky was fully bright. After washing up, still in her pajamas, she went out and saw that the cleaning auntie had been by. A breakfast sat on the table. She walked over, picking up the attached note.

Eat up.

—Xu Dian

His handwriting was bold and flowing. Meng Ying yawned, opened the breakfast, sat down, and ate. After finishing, she returned to the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and grabbed clothes.

As she was about to leave, she noticed the clothes at the bottom seemed disturbed. Hesitating, she crouched down, lifting a top and two camisole dresses.

Beneath them were two men’s shirts, men’s dress pants, and… a box of men’s underwear.

Meng Ying: “…”

If she remembered correctly, his clothes were always delivered by Jiang Yi in the morning, and dirty ones were taken away.

Yet here were Xu Dian’s clothes.

Hidden so discreetly.

This guy.

If he wanted to keep clothes here, just say so!

She tsked, pulled out the shirt and pants, shook them out, took them to the spare room to iron, and returned. Meng Ying cleared a space and hung them up.

After finishing, Liu Qin called. “I’m here to pick you up.”

**Meng Ying:** “Alright.”

Twins had a stellar premiere box office, still climbing. The stand-in controversy had cooled, replaced by discussions about Meng Ying’s acting and the story. She remained busy. Twins had been submitted for the Golden Drama Awards, set for mid-next month. Meanwhile, Meng Ying had plenty to do. Interstellar was also releasing, with a new round of promotional tours starting soon.

She wasn’t the lead, so the tour wasn’t as grueling or extensive.

Carrying a small bag, Meng Ying headed out, descending to the lobby. She glanced at a news alert.

Yang Group’s debt reaches 3.1 billion, subsidiaries put up for sale.

Just pushed.

She only read the headline, then pocketed her phone, heading to the business van. Her gaze swept the spot where fans had stood earlier—now empty.

Meng Ying slid into the van, and Liu Qin closed the door.

Handing her a tablet, Meng Ying opened it.

**Yingying’s Little Tail V:** AHHH this morning… Mr. Xu ordered breakfast for us. He said thank you for supporting Meng Ying. AHHHH, this is loving the house and its crows!

[Image]

Meng Ying glanced at the photo—it was the same breakfast she’d eaten.

She smiled.

Her heart felt sweet.

Her phone pinged.

She checked it.

**Xu Dian:** Awake?

**Xu Dian:** I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight. What do you want?

**Meng Ying:** Anything’s fine.

**Meng Ying:** Kinda want to shop.

**Xu Dian:** Where do you want to go?

**Meng Ying:** Anywhere.

**Xu Dian:** I’ll arrange it.

Shopping was a great way to de-stress, especially with the film festival approaching. That morning, she’d shot an endorsement. In the afternoon, she reviewed scripts, choosing a crime thriller where she’d play a woman disguised as a man, with no romance but other emotional entanglements. Meanwhile, reviews and results for Twins poured in—all good news. Interstellar promotions ramped up, focused on Gu Yan and Meng Ying, with Yang Tong seemingly forgotten.

After picking the script, Meng Ying chatted with Xu Qing.

**Xu Qing:** Ugh, I’m craving braised pork.

**Meng Ying:** I’ll make you some.

**Xu Qing:** Yes! Oh, I started a QQ group. Join us? Number’s 121573309.

**Meng Ying:** Sure.

At 6 p.m., Meng Ying left. Xu Dian’s car pulled up. He was sucking on a mint, the candy against his tongue. As she got in, he hooked her neck, passing the mint into her mouth. It was icy. Meng Ying resisted briefly, and Xu Dian chuckled low, “Too cold?”

“No kidding.”

He kissed her again, his gaze dropping to a stain on her dress.

Meng Ying pushed his hand away. “Let’s go home first. I need to change.”

“Alright.” The stain was coffee, glaring on her white dress.

At Xinyue Community, Xu Dian held her hand as they went upstairs. In the elevator, he kissed her, his brow full of smiles. Meng Ying looked up, catching the deep affection in his eyes.

Those captivating eyes, brimming with love.

Enough to drown in. At the door, they entered together. Meng Ying turned, asking Xu Dian to unzip her dress. He raised a brow, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips as he lazily pulled it down.

After unzipping, he leaned in and sniffed.

Meng Ying, blushing, pushed him away. “Get me that dress.”

Xu Dian hummed, stepping back to the wardrobe and opening it.

His eyes landed on his two shirts and pants, hanging there, swaying slightly.

His hand shook.

The wardrobe door slammed shut with a bang.

“Damn.”

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