Chapter 58: Mu Song: “There's no point in living. Really.”
The area around them was filled with crowds running about in celebration, yet this small corner seemed frozen in silence.
Her wrist was gripped tightly. Qiao Nan's hand was dry and strong, but his breath had grown damp, and an aggressively possessive aura seemed to press down on her from all sides.
Mu Xiangxiang had no ability to resist.
This was completely different from all those lucky kisses before. The intimacy of such close contact left her not even knowing how to react. Qiao Nan's moist lips and tongue pressed against hers. For the first time, she realized that a person's lips could be so warm and full. Visually, they certainly hadn't looked this way when they moved to utter all those sharp, cutting remarks...
Her heartbeat thundered wildly, even drowning out the rhythm of the next band taking the stage. The hand pressed against his chest had been icy cold at first. After slowly caressing it, Qiao Nan gradually forced his fingers between hers, prying them apart and interlocking them. The thin calluses on his skin brushed against hers, ticklish enough to shoot straight from her nerve endings to her scalp. Mu Xiangxiang's eyes remained open. Held stiffly in his embrace, she could see Qiao Nan's long eyelashes trembling faintly. His high nose brushed against the side of hers as their lips moved together.
She seemed to be sweating. Her calves trembled as though overworked, while a sensation like a feather quill gliding down her spine left her scalp tingling. Some instinctive thought of escape still lingered in her mind. She tried to pull her hand back. Qiao Nan lifted his eyelids. Without changing his posture, his amber eyes shifted toward her and locked onto hers. "Don't move."
As though under a spell, Mu Xiangxiang closed her eyes. The arm braced against his chest relaxed, and the fingers trapped in his large hand obediently curled.
Her breathing fell into disarray.
The temperature kept rising. Not just on her softly held lips. His agile tongue slipped past her teeth, the fresh taste of mouthwash mingling with the scent of peach lip balm. Mu Xiangxiang tilted her head back helplessly, able only to clumsily respond to his advances. Qiao Nan's movements were unskilled too, yet he seemed to possess the instincts of a predator. His tall frame easily concealed her within his shadow. His hand brushed through her soft hair, over the top of her head, the back of her neck… His fingers traced slowly down her slender spine.
Every touch ignited a blazing heat beneath her skin, as though both their bodies were being consumed by fire.
His pent-up energy had nowhere to go. Instinct rampaged unchecked. His breathing grew heavier.
He was no longer satisfied with this. The strong arm around her waist tightened more and more. Mu Xiangxiang jumped when she suddenly felt warmth slipping beneath her jacket. Her muddled thoughts cleared slightly. Struggling, she reached behind his back and grabbed his sleeve. "Q-Qiao Nan!"
The mouth that had been sucking on her tongue finally released her, only to wander across her cheek and settle at her ear. Damp breath washed over her as he caught her earlobe between his lips. "Hm?" Qiao Nan answered in a low, restrained murmur.
Mu Xiangxiang shrank back slightly and opened her eyes. The calm clarity that usually filled them had been replaced by a faint watery sheen. "...People are around... don't..."
"Don't what?" His long fingers slipped beneath her sweater, the roughness of his calluses sending tingles across her skin. Qiao Nan chuckled softly, his voice hoarse. "...It's not okay when people are around? So if nobody's here, it would be okay?"
His voice paused. In the light, he caught sight of her reddened eyes. His expression changed instantly. Lowering his head, he bit her lips—already swollen and vividly colored from his bullying—once more. The bite was light, his tongue lingering over her moist lower lip with obvious reluctance. At the same time, he withdrew his hand from beneath her sweater and caught hold of the slender arm that had been trying to stop him. "Let's go back."
Mu Xiangxiang: "What?"
There was a disturbing heat in his voice. Mu Xiangxiang hesitated and didn't move immediately. Feeling her resistance, Qiao Nan simply turned back, wrapped an arm around her, lifted her up, and headed straight for the parking lot.
The sudden sensation of weightlessness startled her. All she could see was his broad back. "What are you doing?!"
Carrying her over his shoulder, Qiao Nan strode forward and declared matter-of-factly in a hoarse voice: "We only came here today to watch your brother. Now that he's finished performing—"
Before he could finish, the phone in Mu Xiangxiang's pocket suddenly rang at full volume.
Qiao Nan: "..."
He immediately reached for it. Mu Xiangxiang struggled fiercely, shoving against his back until she managed to jump down before he could get his hands on it. Glancing at the caller ID, she quickly answered. Mu Song's clear voice pierced through the night, fierce and sharp: "SIS!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!"
Qiao Nan: "..."
Folding his arms, he narrowed his eyes and stared at the young woman ahead. Feeling his gaze, Mu Xiangxiang turned away with a headache, avoiding his sharp stare. Embarrassed, she raised a hand to straighten the jacket and sweater he had left in complete disarray. Her cheeks burned red. Into the phone, where her brother was shouting, "Why can't I find you anywhere? Who are you with?", she gave a guilty cough. "There are too many people outside. Don't come out. Wait for me backstage—I'll be there right away."
After hanging up, she turned back and met Qiao Nan's expression. The instant their eyes met, both of them belatedly became awkward. Qiao Nan uncrossed his arms and looked away toward the dark parking lot. Irritated, he swept his tongue around the inside of his mouth. The faint sweetness of peach still seemed to linger there. "...I should've smashed that damn phone a long time ago."
Mu Xiangxiang: "..."
She pressed her swollen lips together and coughed lightly, telling herself to calm down and not dwell on the source of his dissatisfaction. The awkward man immediately leaned over and wrapped his arms around her again, muttering: "Do you really have to go see your brother?"
If she didn't go see Mu Song, then what exactly did he intend for them to do? The realization hit her like a thunderclap. "Of course I do!"
Qiao Nan stared at her for a while. After a long silence, his gaze flickered. "Damn it. One of these days you're going to make me infertile."
Mu Xiangxiang: "............"
She shoved him away. "I'm leaving!"
"Wait!" Qiao Nan called after her and grabbed her arm again. "Why are you running?"
A short while later, squeezed among the crowds at the music festival, Mu Xiangxiang stood outside a small kiosk and watched helplessly as Qiao Nan lifted a huge pizza box from the counter. The rich aroma of cheese and pizza sauce filled the air. "I thought you didn't want pizza?"
Opening the box, Qiao Nan wrapped a slice in a napkin. Hearing that, he shot her a sidelong glance and held the slice directly to her lips. "That's right."
Mu Xiangxiang took a bite. The crust was soft yet crisp. Having eaten nothing since lunch, her stomach finally belatedly remembered it was hungry. While she chewed, Qiao Nan unscrewed a drink and handed it over. "Which is why..."
She looked up.
The handsome young man lowered his eyes, his voice deep. "The thing I actually want to eat... how about you help me with that too?"
Three seconds of silence. A blaze shot from her feet straight to the top of her head. Mu Xiangxiang snatched the pizza from his hand and stormed off. As she walked, she took a sip of the drink. The moment the sweetness touched her tongue, she froze. Looking down at the bottle, she saw the large printed words: Fresh Peach Juice.
Behind her, Qiao Nan let out an amused snort.
Mu Xiangxiang: "..."
Shameless pervert!
*******
Backstage remained just as crowded as before. Before Mu Xiangxiang could even spot her brother, a figure suddenly lunged forward and hugged her tightly. Startled, she caught the faint scent of sweat. Looking down, she saw a lean, toned body starkly contrasted against a loose black tank top. Strong youthful arms were wrapped fiercely around her. Relieved, she patted the damp shirt. "Mu Song."
"Sis!" Mu Song's voice overflowed with barely restrained excitement. "Did you see it? Did you see me?"
"I did. I saw everything." Remembering his dazzling performance earlier, her expression softened. "Honestly, I'm impressed. You're even better than I imagined."
Mu Song buried his head harder into the crook of her neck, his eyes stinging. Hearing those words from family was even more encouraging than the audience's reaction had been. The insecurity hidden beneath years of rebellion finally dissolved completely. After a moment of silence, his rationality returned and he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Sis, just now you—"
Before he could finish the question, something caught the corner of his eye. He abruptly spotted a figure leaning lazily against a nearby wall, holding a pizza box. The man's mood seemed far from pleasant. With a dark expression, he was staring fixedly at the hand resting on Mu Xiangxiang's shoulder. Even the dim backstage lighting couldn't conceal the dangerous aura radiating from his tall frame.
He recognized that face almost instantly. Although the distance earlier had been too great to make out the features clearly, this guy was definitely the jackass who had dared take advantage of his sister right in front of everyone.
As a man himself—and a seasoned veteran who had spent plenty of time among women—Mu Song didn't need to think twice to sense the other man's ulterior motives. Now, meeting that unabashed stare head-on, he immediately flew into a rage.
Where the hell did this random bastard come from?
Damn it! The guy's way too arrogant!
Whether his rebelliousness was genuine or just a façade was beside the point. When it came to arrogance, Mu Song had never feared anyone. From elementary school through middle school, he'd fought his way through life. Wherever he went, he was the undisputed king of the hill. In his entire life, aside from his sister, there wasn't a single person he'd ever been intimidated by. So faced with a stranger, he immediately shot back an equally fierce glare, raised his chin provocatively, and barked, "Hey. Who the hell are you?"
Qiao Nan, still suppressing his annoyance at having his good time interrupted: "..."
He raised an eyebrow. The hell? I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already throwing a tantrum?
He suddenly remembered the time he'd occupied Mu Xiangxiang's body and managed to straighten this little gray whirlwind out completely. Back then, Mu Song had been so obedient. If he was told to do laundry, he did laundry. If he was told to wash socks, he washed socks. He willingly took the blame for things and even cleaned rooms on the side. How had the brat gotten so unruly again after being out of sight for only a few days?
At the thought, he let out a cold laugh. Pushing himself off the wall, he strolled over leisurely and handed the pizza box in his hand to Mu Xiangxiang. "You." He pointed with his chin. "Wait outside."
Mu Xiangxiang immediately sensed trouble. "...Hey, wait a second..."
"Sis." Before she could stop him from bullying her brother, Mu Song spoke coldly as well. "You step aside for a bit. I've got a few things I want to say to him too."
Mu Xiangxiang: "..."
After a moment of silence, she sighed in resignation. As she watched her walk away, Mu Song let out a sneer. The hostility he'd been trying so hard to hide in front of his sister immediately spilled out without restraint. The gray-haired lead singer—and undisputed middle-school tyrant—once again displayed the imposing presence he'd shown back when he was stealing other people's girlfriends. Turning around, he fixed Qiao Nan with a vicious stare. Sweat still dampened his gray hair. His eyes were sharp as unsheathed blades, and his entire body radiated the killing intent of a predator preparing to hunt. "Hey, punk." His voice dripped with menace. "You've got some guts. Out of all the girls you could chase, you had to go after my sister?"
As he spoke, he raised an arm packed with explosive strength and cracked his knuckles one by one.
If trouble was what this guy wanted, Mu Song had never been afraid of trouble. There couldn't be two tigers on one mountain. He was going to make this arrogant bastard understand the consequences of taking liberties with someone else's sister.
Yet when his words fell, he didn't see any signs of irritation, fear, or readiness for a fight on the taller young man's face.
Instead, after handing over the pizza box, the other man simply returned to the same lazy posture he'd had while leaning against the wall. Then he narrowed his eyes at Mu Song. A moment later, he let out an inexplicable snort of laughter.
That attitude. The hands-in-pockets stance. The utter disdain for everything around him.
A strange sense of familiarity suddenly surfaced from the depths of Mu Song's memory. Even in the middle of his anger, he found himself momentarily bewildered. He paused and instinctively searched his memories. But after careful thought, he was certain he'd never seen this face before. Naturally, that only made him angrier. His dignity felt thoroughly challenged. Rolling up his sleeves, he snapped, "Hey! What the hell are you laughing at? Damn it, got the guts to step outside and have a talk right now?"
Their gazes met. The flames of fury in Mu Song's eyes were on the verge of erupting. If not for the crowded backstage area of the music festival, he probably would've already started throwing punches.
Then, at last, the audacious giant opposite him moved. Slowly, he pulled one hand from his pocket. He stretched it casually. Then raised it slightly—
SMACK!
Mu Song: "................"
Clutching his forehead, he stared in disbelief. After a long silence, he finally processed what had just happened. Enraged, he opened his mouth. "You—"
Before he could finish— SMACK! Another slap landed squarely on his forehead. At the same time, the tall man's response to his challenge floated over: "You little brat! Your balls haven't even dropped, and you're already pretending to be a gangster!"
The familiar words. The familiar slap. The familiar parental tone.
Mu Song froze.
Then came an endless barrage:
"Starting trouble! Starting trouble! Starting trouble!"
"'My girl,' huh? 'My girl'? 'My girl'? I told you not to call your sister that!"
"Think you're some kind of mob boss now? Running around acting tough!"
"Talk? Sure! Let's talk! What do you want to talk about? Huh? Talk!"
"Look at what you're wearing! Huh? Your nipples are practically hanging out! Then you go stand on stage! Aren't you embarrassed? Aren't you embarrassed?!"
"Have you no respect for that guitar you're holding?!"
"You're this old and still can't be independent! Clinging to your sister every day, hugging her, sticking to her, acting all affectionate—and then putting on this tough-guy act for me!"
"I'm gonna beat you to death today—!"
*****
Five minutes later. In the crowded backstage area, Mu Xiangxiang finally saw two figures emerging from the crowd one after the other.
Qiao Nan walked in front with a lazy stride. His mood, which had been terrible before, had improved considerably. When he saw Mu Xiangxiang, he even raised an eyebrow. Taking the large pizza box from her arms, he greeted her cheerfully: "Been waiting long?"
Mu Xiangxiang: "............"
Her gaze slid past his arm toward the person behind him. Qiao Nan gave a guilty cough. The next second, Mu Song came charging forward, clutching the top of his head, and buried himself in her arms.
Mu Xiangxiang: "............"
The rebellious gray-haired lead singer pitifully buried his face deeper into his sister's neck. Several long seconds of silence passed. Then, cradling what remained of his self-esteem—now shattered into eight pieces—he finally burst into grief-stricken tears.
Author's Note:
Mu Song [delicately wiping away tears with elegant fingers]: "There's no point in living. Really."
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