Feed You Sweets

“Peppermint Rose” wrapped up its shooting after over two months of filming, officially concluding on September 15th. As the final scene was shot, the actors and crew celebrated enthusiastically, looking forward to the wrap party tonight. Wei Ruxia was busy coordinating with the lead actors for photos when her phone rang.

Her phone ringtone was custom-set, a piece from the popular game “Ice Battle” by LO Company. Although “Ice Battle” is a multiplayer online competitive game, its various dungeons are well-designed, each with its own unique background music. Wei Ruxia chose a piece featuring a solo ancient flute, grand yet refreshing.

The ringtone was specially set for Luo Tang. When it rang, a few actors teased with an “Oh!” Wei Ruxia shook her head with a smile, then answered the phone with a smile in the corners of her eyes.

“Hello, Luo Tang.”

During the filming of “Peppermint Rose,” Luo Tang would come almost every weekend, and he would often call during weekdays as well. In the eyes of outsiders, happiness couldn’t be faked. The relationship between Wei Ruxia and Luo Tang was truly admirable.

“How did today’s shoot go?” Luo Tang asked in a deep voice. “Is it almost wrapped up?”

The wrap-up date for the filming wasn’t fixed, and Luo Tang had only heard a rough estimate from Wei Ruxia that it should be by the end of the week. He asked Wei Ruxia in advance so he could pick her up from the airport when the time came.

Upon hearing the question, Wei Ruxia raised an eyebrow and replied with a smile, “Tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow’s flight?” After the filming wraps up, there’s usually a wrap-up dinner, and people typically return the next day.

“Yeah,” Wei Ruxia replied, saying, “It’s the afternoon the day after tomorrow.”

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a discreet chuckle among the crew. Wei Ruxia made a “shush” gesture, and a few people quickly quieted down. Just then, Wei Ruxia heard Luo Tang’s response.

“After the film crew arranges the plane tickets, let me know the exact time, and I’ll come to pick you up.”

Agreeing to Luo Tang’s arrangement, Wei Ruxia hung up the phone. She packed her things, and Lin Nai, beside her, smiled and asked, “Director, are you leaving the day after tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” Wei Ruxia replied with a smile.

“Then why did you just…” Lin Nai asked in confusion.

Wei Ruxia smiled, patted Lin Nai’s shoulder, and said, “That’s just a little couple’s playfulness. You’ll understand when you get married in the future. Anyway, let’s go. Let’s head to the restaurant.”

Since they finished shooting late in the evening, the wrap-up party extended into the night. Wei Ruxia returned to the hotel, took a shower, and went to sleep. The next morning, after packing her bags, she headed straight to the airport.

Upon arrival in Ancheng, which was a three-hour flight from Licheng, Wei Ruxia didn’t head home but went straight to LO, pulling her luggage along.

The receptionists at the front desk recognized Wei Ruxia as the boss. As soon as she arrived, they greeted her respectfully and were about to call Luo Tang to inform him, but Wei Ruxia stopped them.

Wei Ruxia stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the floor where Luo Tang’s office was located.

It was two in the afternoon, and the board members were gathering for a meeting in the conference room. They were discussing something in hushed tones. Ahead, Luo Tang remained composed, listening to what Don was saying. As Don prepared to open the door, there was a sudden “ding” from the elevator. Luo Tang’s gaze shifted slightly towards the elevator. Once he saw who stepped out of it, his gaze, which had retreated momentarily, fixed on that spot.

Wei Ruxia stepped off the elevator, pulling her suitcase along, and her eyes met Luo Tang’s. She felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but then she noticed the person beside him, and her eyebrows raised slightly.

He was going to a meeting.

“You go ahead and attend the meeting…” Wei Ruxia began to advise, her voice neither loud nor soft. Before she could finish her sentence, Luo Tang had already reached her side.

His previously serene gaze flickered like starlight for a moment. Luo Tang raised his hand and gently touched Wei Ruxia’s face, his touch warm. As he withdrew his hand, a slight curve appeared at the corner of his lips, and he asked, “Why are you back?”

The calls yesterday and this morning indicated that you would return tomorrow.

With the warmth of the man’s fingertips still on her face, Wei Ruxia looked up at him and smiled, saying, “I thought I’d surprise you. How is it?”

She smiled sweetly, her light brown eyes carrying a hint of sweetness as well. Luo Tang looked at his wife, and a gentle smile formed on his lips.

The two stood in front of the elevator, the people heading to the meeting still waiting at the conference room door. Most of the senior executives knew Wei Ruxia, but now that the couple was conversing, they simply shifted their gaze to the side and engaged in discussions about the meeting, making an effort to indicate that they weren’t paying attention to the couple.

Wei Ruxia glanced past Luo Tang’s shoulder at the executives chatting nearby and said to him, “You go ahead to the meeting. I’ll wait for you in the office.”

Luo Tang nodded lightly, observing Wei Ruxia’s expression, and asked, “Are you tired? Have you had lunch?”

“I’ve had lunch,” Wei Ruxia replied, somewhat amused and exasperated. She added, “You go ahead to the meeting.”

Upon hearing Wei Ruxia’s arrangement, Luo Tang was about to speak when she leaned against him suddenly. Luo Tang felt a slight shift in his heart as Wei Ruxia lifted her head.

Shielded by Luo Tang’s figure from the glances of the executives, Wei Ruxia’s actions were concealed, and they couldn’t see the interaction between the couple.

Wei Ruxia understood that they hadn’t seen each other for several days and she wished to stay close to him now. However, Luo Tang’s visits to the film set never interfered with her work, and she couldn’t interfere with his either.

Wei Ruxia lifted her head, smiled at Luo Tang, her face slightly flushed, and whispered softly, “Give me a kiss and then go.”

Luo Tang’s dark eyes sparkled with indulgent amusement. He leaned down and kissed her gently, their lips meeting briefly before he pulled away.

Feeling a bit flushed and fluttery, Wei Ruxia felt like they were sneaking around like secret lovers. She straightened up, patted Luo Tang’s arm, and said with a smile, “Off you go.”

Don didn’t go to the meeting right away; instead, he took Wei Ruxia to the office. Placing the luggage by the door of the office lounge, Don said, “You’re back. The meeting this afternoon won’t be long. Just wait here for a while.”

Wei Ruxia smiled and replied to Don, “Let him take his time. I’m a bit tired and could use some rest.”

Don nodded and said, “I’ll let Mr. Luo know.”

After Don left, Wei Ruxia went to the lounge. This lounge was a suite with two rooms and a living room, where Luo Tang used to rest.

Once in the lounge, Wei Ruxia took a shower. She felt weary from the rush of filming last night.

But she didn’t rest, after taking a shower and changing into loose clothes, she took the script and sat on the sofa. Before finishing this film, she had already signed the contract for the next one. She wouldn’t be able to accompany Luo Tang for long at home before she had to go out to shoot again.

Wei Ruxia took off her slippers, placed her legs on the sofa, and started reading the script for the new film. Just a few pages in, her eyelids started to feel heavy, and she fell asleep without knowing when.

When Luo Tang returned, Wei Ruxia was sitting on the sofa with her legs curled up. She had just finished showering, her hair was dry but not tied up, and her face was resting against the sofa, half of it covered.

Her work was much more tiring than Luo Tang’s, and to return early to catch up with the progress, she must have worked overtime yesterday. Luo Tang felt a tug at his heart and walked over after closing the door.

In front of the fabric sofa, there was a carpet. Luo Tang knelt on the carpet with one knee, brushed aside the strands of hair on Wei Ruxia’s cheek, and gently kissed her.

The tingling sensation quickly awakened Wei Ruxia. Her thick eyelashes fluttered twice. Without opening her eyes, she opened her arms and hugged Luo Tang’s neck.

Luo Tang smiled, his arms wrapped around her waist, and he lifted Wei Ruxia off the ground. As he carried her, Wei Ruxia opened her eyes with a smile, and the two of them kissed passionately as they made their way to the bed.

Wei Ruxia’s heart was beating fast, and she looked at Luo Tang with half-closed eyes, asking, “Are you done with your work?”

“Yeah.” Luo Tang lightly nibbled on Wei Ruxia’s earlobe as he replied.

“Are you going to be free in a while?” Wei Ruxia confirmed again. Once the two of them got started, it wouldn’t be easy to stop.

“No,” Luo Tang said, his kisses resuming.

Wei Ruxia dodged, looking at the man on top of her. “What’s the matter? You go ahead and take care of your business first…”

Luo Tang’s hands supported him on Wei Ruxia’s side, and he leaned down to silence the rest of her words with a kiss. Their lips intertwined, and amid the ringing in Wei Ruxia’s ears, she heard the man’s voice, husky and low.

“With you.”

Wei Ruxia smiled, embracing her husband’s neck. His suit was still on, and his refined and elegant demeanor made him even more captivating.

Wei Ruxia lay on the bed, feeling drained of energy after their intimate moment. Afterward, she liked to lie with her back to Luo Tang, embraced from behind by him, as this position allowed their heartbeats to sync together.

Her quick rhythm, his slow one…

“Tomorrow morning, accompany my dad for rehabilitation, and in the evening, let’s go to the Luo residence for dinner. An’an has called me several times, saying she misses me,” Wei Ruxia said lazily, her voice soft.

“She wants you to help her,” said Luo Tang, his chin resting on the strands of Wei Ruxia’s hair. After a light rub, he smiled and continued, “Hmm?” Wei Ruxia furrowed her brows, turning to face her husband, and asked, “Why?” Wei Ruxia wasn’t in Ancheng and wasn’t aware, but Luo Tang had been there all along. He bit Wei Ruxia’s nose gently and chuckled, “Because she doesn’t want to go to school.”

Luo An is already at the age to start school. Before she turned five, she had private tutors. Later, Yang Shuru was worried that she wouldn’t have other children to play with and might become isolated, so she sent her to an international kindergarten.

Upon hearing Luo Tang’s explanation about Luo An wanting her, Wei Ruxia hummed twice and said, “Well, then I’ll help Mom take her to school tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll go with you,” Luo Tang said with a smile.

“Do you think her classmates will think we’re her parents?” Wei Ruxia asked with a laugh.

“They won’t,” Luo Tang replied in a deep voice. “You look too young.”

After hearing Luo Tang’s response, Wei Ruxia raised her eyes, chuckled lightly, and rubbed her cheek against his, saying, “You have such a sweet mouth, no wonder I used to call you ‘Sugar’.”

This nickname was a memory from their high school days, one that Wei Ruxia rarely used now.

“Why don’t you call me that anymore?” Luo Tang asked.

“It doesn’t suit you anymore,” Wei Ruxia said seriously. “It doesn’t match your current demeanor.”

“What should my current demeanor be called then?” Luo Tang asked.

Biting her lip, Wei Ruxia actually thought about it. Feeling a bit warm, she looked at Luo Tang, hesitated for a moment, and said uncertainly, “Hard candy…?”

As soon as Wei Ruxia said it, her face flushed with heat. She intended to tease Luo Tang a bit, but she couldn’t control herself. She laughed and said, “No, no…”

With a raised eyebrow, Luo Tang smiled and said, “That fits. I quite like it.”

Blushing, Wei Ruxia laughed and was about to roll away, but Luo Tang grabbed her back in one fell swoop. Because of this new nickname, Wei Ruxia was quickly captured and subdued once again.

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Author’s Note:
Hard Candy: The first day with the new name.

 

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