Chapter 63

Sweet Dreams Unaware of Awakening (03)

Chapter Sixty-Three

His kiss was restrained, full of tenderness, like a gentle rain brushing the face. Ripples spread across Mu He’s heart lake. Hearing him apologize repeatedly and call her “wife,” she felt even more wronged. What was this supposed to mean?

Wasn’t he just taking advantage of the fact that she would soften?

Zhong Li Fei said she was an emotional idealist. That was right. Even in the complex entertainment industry, she wanted a pure relationship, two people together because they loved each other, not for anything else.

What Mu He couldn’t let go of was that she had been ready to spend the rest of her life with him, yet he hadn’t been honest with her.

He was Huo Siheng of the Huo family, so then, who was her Xi Heng?

Was he fake?

“Xi Heng,” Mu He choked slightly as she called out the name she knew so well, “you can’t bully me like this.”

Huo Siheng’s heart seemed crushed by her voice; the light in his deep brown eyes extinguished instantly. He slowly released her: “I’m sorry, Yangyang.”

Mu He regained her freedom, yet didn’t feel relieved. The surroundings were silent. Her vision was blurred, making it hard to see. She blinked, and hot liquid fell. Noticing the movement of the man beside her, she casually wiped it away with the back of her hand: “Tonight I want to be alone and calm down.”

Without waiting for his reply, Mu He stood up and walked toward the bedroom, her steps weak and soft, like treading on cotton. She took pajamas from the wardrobe and went into the bathroom, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a little kitten—heavily made up, yet her eyes red and wet, evoking a pitiful charm.

Mu He slowly removed the remaining makeup, restoring her clean, natural look.

A “ding” alert sounded. The hot water was ready. She accidentally added too much rose essential oil; the room filled with fragrance. She sat in the bathtub, sinking into the soft embrace, thinking of nothing.

After bathing and drying her hair, Mu He lay on the bed, intending to calm herself and sort out her thoughts. But subconsciously, she resisted. She forced herself to sleep, her head spinning, nerves stretched to the breaking point, the pain unbearable. Only around midnight did she drift off into a foggy sleep.

Her sleep was light and restless. Habitually, she turned over, reaching out to hug a cold, empty air, waking with a start. She searched for him but couldn’t find him. In a hurry, she threw off the covers and stood on the cold floor barefoot. The chill made her shiver; she squatted in place, hugging her knees, tears streaming like broken pearls.

After crying, she lay back on the bed. Her bangs, soaked with sweat, stuck to her forehead. She checked her phone—it was past four o’clock.

Her body was exhausted, yet her thoughts were razor-sharp. Her mind was overrun by images related to him: meeting in the mountain city, reuniting in City A, cohabiting, understanding each other, falling in love, and finally, at the Golden Leaf Awards, he appeared as Huo Siheng to present her the award, shocking everyone, including her.

With his low-key and reserved nature, he couldn’t possibly have done something so high-profile. He wanted to surprise her, to personally hand her the meaningful trophy. Everything he did was because of her.

It was only because of his identity that things deviated from the original intention.

Mu He stopped the thought in time. Mu Yangyang, you mustn’t be easily shaken!

Yet, apart from hiding his identity, she couldn’t find any fault with him.

Biting her lip, Mu He forced back the tears. When had she become so fragile?

She knew Xi Heng’s family background wasn’t simple. Work-wise, she vaguely knew he was involved in business, investments, and the like. He had once said he did odd jobs, likely referring to handling Huo family affairs.

Huo Siheng’s photo had been exposed online by influencer Qian Qian. It looked like him, but then she doubted, reasoning he was too leisurely. Later, when he traveled thousands of miles to come back to her, all doubts disappeared. If she had asked back then, he would certainly have told her the truth.

Even so, he had had so many opportunities to explain…

Mu He could no longer sleep. She opened her eyes, watching the sky gradually lighten. The sun had just risen but was hidden behind clouds. Gray and gloomy, she didn’t want to move. Her growling, hungry stomach forced her out of bed to wash up.

The real reason was, she didn’t know how to face him.

Mu He slowly brushed her teeth and washed her face. She called Ye Xi, asking her not to arrange work for the next few days.

Ye Xi had learned from Tan Mian about Mu He and Huo Siheng’s situation and spent the whole night processing it. She didn’t know the full truth and didn’t pry: “Okay, then rest well at home.”

“Thanks, Sister Xi.”

After hanging up, Mu He prepared to go out and find something to eat. Opening the door, she saw a man leaning against the wall. He was still in last night’s clothes—his shirt wrinkled, two buttons undone, exhaustion clear on his face. Blue stubble dotted his chin, giving him a rare look of disheveled fatigue.

It was obvious he hadn’t gone to his room, but stayed outside all night.

“Awake.”

Huo Siheng’s hoarse voice sounded as if sandpaper had scraped it. “Hungry, right? I made you breakfast.”

Mu He didn’t speak and walked past him to the dining area, pulling out a chair. He brought a bowl of soft, porridge-like Eight Treasure Congee. She tasted a spoonful—the sweetness was just right—but an underlying sourness stirred in her heart.

She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to cold-war with him, torturing each other, but also didn’t want to forgive him so quickly.

Eating without tasting, her empty stomach urgently needed food. Mu He barely managed half a bowl, then couldn’t eat more. Huo Siheng, seeing her put down the spoon, throat tight: “Yangyang, eat a little more.”

She lowered her gaze, softly to the table: “I don’t want to talk to you for now.”

Huo Siheng seemed to feel his heart being torn to pieces—an unprecedented sense of frustration and helplessness. He almost pleaded: “Then when you want to talk, tell me, okay?”

Mu He turned her head, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window. Distant mountains pale blue, the Xi Zi River flowing quietly, cars moving over the cross-river bridge.

Bowl Bowl, sensitive as ever, lifted its paw to lightly tap her foot. Mu He bent over, stroking its head. Bowl Bowl closed its eyes comfortably and “meowed.”

Her phone buzzed on the table. Zhong Li Fei sent a WeChat asking about last night’s events.

Mu He: “Domestic violence, cold war in progress.”

Zhong Li Fei replied with a string of exclamation marks.

“Teacher Mu, want to come out and have some fun?”

Mu He really didn’t want to stay at home. After hesitating for two seconds, she agreed, went back to her room to change, picked a light bag, slung it over her shoulder, and walked to the living room, hearing him say: “Come back early.”

She nodded carelessly and left as if escaping.

She met Zhong Li Fei at a tea house in the commercial district. The environment was private and serene, suitable for chatting.

Seeing her listless, Zhong Li Fei lightly poked her cheek: “Insomnia?”

“Mm.”

“Fei Fei, I’m really confused right now.”

The tea fragrance curled around them. Mu He lightly traced the edge of her teacup, her long lashes lowered. “Actually, before last night, I didn’t know he was Huo Siheng.”

“You figured it out,” Zhong Li Fei said, “your reaction back then—stunned beyond description.”

“I can understand your feelings. When a close lover suddenly seems like a stranger overnight, it’s normal not to adjust immediately, especially when you’re so deeply involved.”

“Girls are delicate, especially in the early stages of love—sensitive, prone to overthinking, totally normal.”

“Seeing him makes me uncomfortable,” Mu He sighed deeply, “and it makes my heart feel even worse.”

“It’d be scarier if your heart were like still water.”

Well, it wasn’t that bad, was it?

Zhong Li Fei asked: “What’s your plan next?”

Mu He chose to be an ostrich: “Take it one step at a time.”

Honestly, Zhong Li Fei never expected her boyfriend to actually be the Fourth Young Master of the Huo family, someone whose every move and decision carried authority and power. They didn’t seem like people who would intersect, yet here they were together.

A powerful figure hiding his identity, silently protecting the woman he loved, ensuring her path was smooth—clearly a scenario straight out of a fairy tale romance.

“Yangyang, do you remember Zheng Shengli from Dongxing Enterprises?”

“Of course.”

The CEO who tried to exploit her, only to suppress her instead.

“As far as I know, the ones who ruined Dongxing were from the Huo family. Guess who it was?”

The answer was obvious.

“And,” Zhong Li Fei continued, “that time we targeted Yuan Xin’er, didn’t I ask if you knew any big figures?”

Inevitably, she sighed at her silly best friend, who had the strongest backing yet knew nothing.

Mu He pursed her lips silently. She guessed wrong—it wasn’t a dispute between two families; it was him…

Zhong Li Fei stated confidently: “He’s standing up for you.”

“Think about it—last night he made a grand appearance at the awards ceremony, yet didn’t go public, didn’t reveal even a hint of your relationship. Why? Either he doesn’t love you, or he loves you to his bones, wholeheartedly considering you. Do you think it’s the former or the latter?”

Mu He’s mind was in turmoil.

Meanwhile, after she left home, sensing something was off, Huo Siwen, who had volunteered to “inspect” the South Africa branch overnight, called a cross-national call: “Fourth Uncle, how are you and Fourth Aunt?”

“What do you think?”

South Africa was in summer, scorching hot, yet unexpected gusts of cold wind came from that side. Huo Siwen’s mood cooled, his brows furrowed.

It seemed Fourth Uncle still hadn’t calmed Fourth Aunt.

“Fourth Uncle, actually women aren’t that hard to soothe. Sweet words alone won’t work. Whatever she likes, you give her. Treat the problem specifically—it’s a cure-all.”

Huo Siheng recalled how delighted she had been when receiving the bag and piano-lipstick gift box. Not a bad idea. He ended the call quickly and dialed Zhang Chang.

A wave of gifts arrived at Golden Moon Bay. Zhong Li Fei and Mu He, having finished their spa, were shopping in the mall. Zhong Li Fei swept through the counters and returned laden with goods. Mu He only picked one jacket, a men’s style, which she thought suited him perfectly at first glance.

Zhong Li Fei smiled knowingly and teased: “You said to act cold toward him, yet you buy him a jacket. Hmph, such a two-faced woman.”

Mu He touched her nose sheepishly: “I’ll hide it first.”

She’d give it to him once they made up.

Zhong Li Fei tapped her shoulder: “Don’t go soft. Follow the plan we made—act out, really act out. Drive him crazy!”

After all, making a powerful man suffer a little was so satisfying.

“Why do I feel like you’re enjoying this a bit too much?”

“Just a bit?”

Zhong Li Fei retorted, “Am I that subtle?”

Mu He: “……”

After dinner, Mu He returned home under the night sky. Seeing the living room table and sofa piled high with gifts—lipsticks, perfumes, jewelry—her first thought was that the company sent them. She picked up a limited-edition C-brand bag not yet on sale. His figure appeared from the kitchen: “Like it?”

Mu He immediately realized it was his way of showing affection. Like a hot potato, she put down the bag: “So-so.”

“Want me to put it in the wardrobe for you?”

Mu He’s heart twisted. She said coldly: “Whatever.”

She went into the home theater, picked a comforting animated film Howl’s Moving Castle, and started watching. The door slightly ajar, he paced back and forth outside. She pretended to focus, but in reality, she didn’t absorb a single scene.

Tonight was destined to be another difficult night.

Sleeping and waking intermittently, Mu He didn’t get up until nearly noon the next day. The afternoon sunlight was abundant. She planned to move the chaise lounge in her room to the large terrace but underestimated its weight—it wouldn’t budge.

“I’ll do it.”

Huo Siheng lifted the chair effortlessly. As he moved, the firm lines of his shoulders, back, waist, and abdomen were revealed, forming a perfectly proportioned golden inverted triangle. His long, powerful legs and firm, rounded hips… Mu He awkwardly looked away but secretly glanced back—why waste a view?

She comfortably enjoyed his attentive care, sat on the chaise lounge, her long, thick black hair messy across her chest and shoulders, and opened a book on bridge design. Reading a few lines, she said: “Fourth Young Master Huo, you’re blocking my sunlight.”