Seasonal Dreams.

Xu Mingyao had always thought she knew what it felt like to like someone.

Just like the feelings she once had for Qing Mo.

Fiery and intense.

The heart-fluttering every time they met.

That uncontrollable desire to have her.

The paranoid possessiveness born from her very bones.

Back then, she would even go to any lengths to get her, regardless of the cost.

Xu Mingyao had always believed.

That this was love.

But now, Xu Mingyao was a little unsure.

Because she realized that her feelings for Tao Yaoyao were not like that at all.

By Tao Yaoyao's side, Xu Mingyao felt as though her emotions were a marionette manipulated by strings.

And at the end of the strings controlling her emotions were Tao Yaoyao's joys and sorrows.

A few days ago, Tao Yaoyao had been under a lot of pressure at work.

Insomnia and anxiety clung to her like two evil spirits, making her visibly haggard.

During that time, Xu Mingyao had no right to say she was suffering more than Tao Yaoyao, who suffered from sleepless nights.

But back then, she herself truly felt awful as well.

Seeing Tao Yaoyao's exhausted appearance, Xu Mingyao felt as if her heart was being crumpled up like discarded scrap paper.

It ached, and it was unbearable.

She wished she could snatch away her pain and bear it herself.

Just so she could live a little more comfortably.

Even if it just meant she could sleep a little more peacefully.

Her heart ached for her.

But recently, Tao Yaoyao had managed to shake off that agonizing state.

Although she didn't know what she had gone through or what she had done to successfully emerge from that terrible state.

But seeing Tao Yaoyao now looking so relaxed and full of drive, Xu Mingyao was very happy.

Happy from the bottom of her heart.

Even happier than if she had encountered something joyful herself.

Xu Mingyao didn't know what this feeling was.

Could this also be what it feels like to fall for someone?

But how could liking someone have two different feelings?

Now, recalling that unattainable Qing Mo, who seemed to sit high up in the clouds, Xu Mingyao's state of mind had grown calm.

Actually, thinking about it carefully.

Her past self seemed to only have a maddening thirst for Qing Mo.

She had been solely fixated on getting close to her and having her.

But as for their future after getting her, she had never even considered it.

Now, living together with Tao Yaoyao.

Although their days were far from being as wealthy and carefree as before.

In this kind of life, she could feel happiness and satisfaction.

Many times, Xu Mingyao would start to look forward to the future.

Not looking forward to returning to her former glory and living that reckless life again.

But rather, envisioning that in every moment of her future, Tao Yaoyao would be by her side, never leaving or forsaking her.

Whenever she thought of this, Xu Mingyao would feel a profound sense of happiness.

It was as if a jar of honey had spilled inside her heart.

The sweet, rich sensation spread out gently and slowly, allowing one to fully experience the bliss within.

Xu Mingyao didn't know if her feelings for Qing Mo and Tao Yaoyao were both love.

But if she absolutely had to choose between the two.

Xu Mingyao would now choose the latter.

Xu Mingyao didn't want to admit it.

But that was the truth.

Even now, she still pathetically liked Qing Mo.

But if she were allowed to choose.

This time, she would choose Tao Yaoyao.

This wasn't because Tao Yaoyao had never abandoned her.

But because Xu Mingyao had finally recognized the true feelings she had never dared to face before.

She liked her.

So even if she could never change back into that high and mighty Xu Mingyao again.

Just thinking that Tao Yaoyao would be by her side in the days to come.

It seemed those days wouldn't be so hard to endure after all.

Shaking the residual water from her hands and pulling out a towel to dry them, Xu Mingyao left the kitchen and turned into the bathroom.

After washing herself until she smelled sweet and blow-drying her hair, Xu Mingyao put on her battle gear and excitedly returned to the bedroom.

???

How was she already asleep?

Looking at Tao Yaoyao lying in bed, sleeping soundly, Xu Mingyao felt a bit frustrated for a moment.

Hadn't they agreed there would be activities tonight?

How could you just fall asleep?

Xu Mingyao was a little disappointed.

But seeing Tao Yaoyao sleeping so peacefully, that tiny bit of disappointment in Xu Mingyao's heart was instantly swept away, leaving only tenderness and affection.

Forget it.

Let her sleep.

If she sleeps earlier, she won't be tired when she goes to work the next day.

After pathetically coaxing herself into a better mood, Xu Mingyao walked softly to the side of the bed.

Moving carefully and gently, she got into bed, lifted the covers, and lay down beside Tao Yaoyao.

She didn't look at her phone, afraid of disturbing Tao Yaoyao's rest.

But just lying there, she couldn't fall asleep, so Xu Mingyao turned on her side and stared intently at Tao Yaoyao's profile.

Hmm.

She seemed a bit thinner than she was in college.

The curve of her cheeks wasn't as full as before, but much smoother.

On her face, Xu Mingyao could no longer find much of the greenness of a young girl just coming of age, and instead, there was mostly the sexiness and charm belonging to an adult.

Mmm.

She loved it!

Xu Mingyao's lips curled up.

She stared at Tao Yaoyao in fascination for quite a while.

Xu Mingyao realized that Tao Yaoyao really had become different from before.

But exactly what was different.

Xu Mingyao couldn't quite say.

It seemed her aura was different.

Yet she didn't look like she had changed much, she was just a bit thinner.

Could being a little thinner bring such a massive change to one's aura?

Xu Mingyao didn't think that was right.

Tao Yaoyao's aura hadn't become sharp or harsh with her weight loss.

Instead, she had become softer and more lively.

If she was like soft cotton before.

Then now, she was a pool of gentle water.

It was as if something had filled the void in her soul.

Her entire aura had become complete, giving off a very comfortable feeling.

Just like...

Just like...

Right!

Xu Mingyao remembered.

Just like those wives who were deeply in love with their husbands and completely satisfied with life.

Although Tao Yaoyao didn't have that ripe-peach-like flavor of a mature wife.

But right now, she gave Xu Mingyao exactly that kind of feeling.

As if her soul had become whole.

Fully filling out her physical shell.

Mmm.

She loved her even more!

A smile pooled in Xu Mingyao's fox-like eyes, reflecting Tao Yaoyao's delicate profile.

But soon, she frowned.

Because the Tao Yaoyao in her eyes also frowned.

Was she having a nightmare?

A hint of heartache showed in Xu Mingyao's expression.

But soon, Xu Mingyao's gaze turned amused.

Tao Yaoyao probably wasn't having a nightmare.

But rather a dream related to the spring season.

Hearing the soft, melodic moans she let out every now and then, Xu Mingyao couldn't help but sit up halfway out of curiosity, sweeping her long hair aside and bringing her ear close to her lips, wanting to hear exactly what she was dreaming about.

Time flowed slowly in the quiet space.

Yet Xu Mingyao seemed pinned to the spot, remaining perfectly still for a long time in her half-raised posture to eavesdrop.

Beneath a few stray strands of hair, the somewhat sly smile on her face had long since vanished.

Her expression was dark and cold.

Like solid ice shrouded by dark clouds.