ISBH - Chapter 34
Chapter 34: Seen Through
"A one-night stand partner..." Han Tian's eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her own saliva.
What did Mo Sang mean by that?
Hadn't she been clinging to her just recently, insisting that she was her ex-girlfriend?
But moments later, Han Tian understood what Mo Sang meant.
Mo Sang waved at the car that had brought her over. Li Ai, who was driving, immediately reversed without hesitation, turned the car around, and drove out of the parking lot...
"Professor Han," Mo Sang tilted her chin up, glanced at Han Tian, leaned in close, and let out a soft yawn. "We have so much history between us. Are you sure we should settle everything right here?"
Han Tian stared at Mo Sang for two seconds before finally lowering her head in defeat, opening the car door, and climbing into the driver's seat.
As expected, the moment Han Tian opened the door, that little vixen promptly helped herself to the passenger seat. She even tilted her head and gave Han Tian a lazy glance. "I'll take a nap first. Wake me up when we get to your place..."
That naturally familiar attitude was enough to make anyone grind their teeth in frustration.
Yet Han Tian was the one in the wrong.
Putting herself in Mo Sang's shoes, if a loved one had vanished without a word and returned five years later as a complete stranger, it was hardly surprising that Mo Sang would act so recklessly.
This girl had always been so stubborn.
She must have been heartbroken back then...
Noticing the dark circles under Mo Sang's eyes, Han Tian couldn't bring herself to kick her out of the car. She bit her lip and started the engine.
It was morning now, past the rush hour commute. The sun hung high in the sky, casting dazzling reflections off the glass facades of skyscrapers. The city had developed rapidly over the past few years, yet some places remained unchanged.
Han Tian spotted the tallest building in the city.
She remembered the girl who had gone to the rooftop that day to miss her father. Back then, the girl had been thin and silent. Who could have imagined she would become so radiant today?
In truth, Han Tian had been secretly following Mo Sang's Super Topic lately. She knew Mo Sang had traveled to a neighboring province to film a music video for her new song.
Mo Sang hadn't released a new album in ages. When news broke that she intended to drop a new record, the entire Super Topic erupted!
Through inquiries with the staff member who had hosted Mo Sang that day, Han Tian learned that Mo Sang had frantically searched for her.
Yet Han Tian couldn't clearly explain her relationship with Mo Sang to that staff member.
After Han Tian returned, Mo Sang suddenly vanished from sight. She hadn't visited once, nor had she made a single phone call.
Han Tian couldn't gauge Mo Sang's attitude, and she dared not dwell on it. Her departure five years ago had been too sudden. She couldn't bear to imagine how much damage she had caused Mo Sang back then...
During this time, Han Tian could only throw herself twice as hard into her research.
Han Tian had guessed Mo Sang would eventually come looking for her, but she never expected it to happen so soon.
On the way home, a trip that usually took less than half an hour, Han Tian drove for nearly an hour. She dawdled until she reached her building, preparing to reverse into her parking spot, when Mo Sang immediately opened her eyes.
Han Tian almost suspected Mo Sang hadn't been asleep at all.
"Did it really take this long?" Mo Sang turned her head to glance at Han Tian, then looked down at her watch and let out a light scoff. "Anyone who didn't know better would think Professor Han was driving a snail..."
Han Tian said nothing. She pulled into the parking space, brought the car to a steady stop, and then turned her head to look at Mo Sang. "What do you want?"
Mo Sang's attitude today was far too strange. Watching her, Han Tian felt an inexplicable unease.
Mo Sang likely didn't know that Han Tian had regained her memories. Han Tian also had no idea how to navigate their relationship now.
She bore responsibility for leaving abruptly back then, but this whole 'ex-girlfriend' situation... was a tangled mess!
...
"Professor Han!" Hearing Han Tian's words, Mo Sang turned her head, feigning surprise.
She winked at Han Tian, wearing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Haven't you figured it out yet? I'm trying to court you..."
Court me?!
Han Tian nearly choked again. Was there anyone who pursued someone so aggressively?!
But seeing Han Tian's wide, startled eyes, Mo Sang narrowed hers and leaned closer, her smile deepening. "What, does Professor Han want to play dumb? That night, you stole my first kiss and took my virginity. You..."
Han Tian's mind went completely blank!
Instinctively, she reached out to cover Mo Sang's lips.
However, Professor Han's slight strength naturally paled in comparison to Mo Sang, who had spent years dancing and acting.
Mo Sang effortlessly reversed her grip, pinning Han Tian's hand above her head. She lowered her head, her gaze landing on Han Tian's flushed earlobes. Her smile held a hint of mockery, but upon closer inspection, something else lingered beneath it. "Does Professor Han look very angry?"
"What should I do..."
"The angrier Professor Han gets, the happier I am," Mo Sang's face drew even closer until their noses brushed. Her voice grew slightly husky as she reached out to stroke Han Tian's cheek. "Look, Professor Han is blushing from anger..."
It wasn't because of anger that she was blushing.
Yet Han Tian refused to admit the real reason. Even though she had mentally prepared herself not to yield to beauty, seeing Mo Sang like this still made her cheeks burn with shame.
"Mo Sang, stop being so excessive!" Han Tian took a deep breath and barely managed to tear her gaze away.
"Heh, excessive?"
Mo Sang's eyes darkened further.
"Then tell me, Professor Han, how can I not be excessive?"
"I've liked someone for years. I loved them so humbly that I sank into the dust, giving up almost everything, yet that person kept abandoning me again and again..." Mo Sang took a deep breath, her voice growing huskier. "Tell me, isn't that person excessive?"
Watching the suppressed fury in Mo Sang's eyes, Han Tian finally realized belatedly that Mo Sang was actually angry.
Han Tian swallowed hard but had no idea how to handle the situation.
In Han Tian's memory, Mo Sang had never been angry before...
The girl was always smiling, obeying her almost completely.
Seeing Han Tian's dazed expression, Mo Sang released her grip, let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh, and reclined against the passenger seat, closing her eyes.
...
Watching Mo Sang, Han Tian clenched her lips.
How was she supposed to coax Mo Sang out of her anger?
Han Tian had no experience in this area and felt utterly at a loss.
"Mo... Mo Sang," after nearly two minutes, Han Tian stammered. She wanted to tell Mo Sang not to be angry, but once she spoke, she didn't know what to say.
The moment Han Tian spoke, Mo Sang turned her head to look at her. She looked somewhat impatient, rubbing her forehead restlessly, yet her eyes stayed fixed on Han Tian without blinking, even showing a trace of anticipation.
Watching Han Tian's stuttering, Mo Sang's eyes grew darker and darker...
"Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?"
Facing Mo Sang like this, Han Tian felt an inexplicable timidity. Unsure where the inspiration came from, the words slipped out before she could stop them...
The anticipation in Mo Sang's eyes slowly faded.
She squinted, staring at Han Tian with a nearly expressionless face. Something heavy pressed down in her gaze, making Han Tian feel increasingly uncomfortable.
"Hello, Professor Han. You're very good..."
Mo Sang let out a cold sneer, her voice gritted through clenched teeth, each word measured, as if seeping through the gaps in her teeth...
Mo Sang didn't look at Han Tian again. She turned, put on her sunglasses, and stepped out of the car.
Mo Sang seemed even angrier now!
Han Tian furrowed her brows, covered her face in frustration, and rested her forehead against the steering wheel. After a long while, she finally got out of the car.
Mo Sang wasn't waiting by the elevator, nor did Han Tian know where she had run off to.
Daring not to contact Mo Sang while she was still furious, Han Tian tried calling Li Ai instead, but her call wouldn't go through.
By then, the elevator had arrived at Han Tian's floor.
Stepping out of the elevator, Han Tian noticed that the apartment across from hers, which had been vacant for a long time, seemed newly occupied. The door was cracked open, and she could hear footsteps inside.
After several failed attempts to reach Li Ai, Han Tian put her phone away and decided to take a shower to clear her head before figuring out her next move.
Halfway through her shower, Han Tian heard her doorbell ring.
The bell rang for a while and then stopped. Immediately after, Han Tian heard her mobile phone ringing...
Han Tian hastily rinsed off the body wash, and the phone rang again.
Was it an emergency?
Hurrying, she wrapped a towel around herself and stepped out. On her screen, the name "Girlfriend" flashed.
Ever since Mo Sang had saved her contact under that name back then, Han Tian herself did not know what frame of mind she had been in, and she had never changed the form of address.
Han Tian took a deep breath, forced herself to calm her nerves, and answered the call.
"Where did you go again?" Mo Sang's voice on the other end sounded somewhat anxious.
"I'm at home..."
There was a brief silence on the other end. Then the doorbell rang again. Mo Sang's voice through the receiver had returned to calm. "Open the door..."
Han Tian's eyelid twitched. Acting on instinct, she walked to the door and opened it.
"Why are you..." Holding the phone, Mo Sang squinted and glared at her. She clearly hadn't expected Han Tian to be in such a state. For a moment, she stood frozen, eyes wide...
They stared at each other until Mo Sang reacted first. She pushed Han Tian inside and shut the door tightly. "Professor Han, you answer the door dressed like that?"
"Didn't you tell me to open the door?" Han Tian mumbled quietly, but meeting Mo Sang's gaze, her face involuntarily flushed.
The person in front of her was Mo Sang, not the little Mo Sheng who used to obey her every word.
"Do you just listen to whatever I say?" Mo Sang's gaze grew sharper. She let out a cold laugh, tucked her hair behind her ear to hide her reddening roots, and her voice grew more mocking. "Does Professor Han want to promote this one-night stand partner to official status?"
Mo Sang took two steps closer, gazing deeply into Han Tian's eyes. "Since Professor Han thinks so, I don't mind reliving that night with you..."
Han Tian's eyes widened!
It wasn't until Mo Sang stepped another inch closer that Han Tian snapped out of her daze. Blushing fiercely, she turned and bolted into the bathroom...
Han Tian scrambled to change clothes, splashed water on her face to cool her burning cheeks, and only when she returned to face Mo Sang did she remember: Didn't Mo Sang leave? How did she come back...
Yet Mo Sang seemed oblivious to Han Tian's confusion.
She glanced at Han Tian, her frown deepening. "Is this how Professor Han lives alone at home?"
Following Mo Sang's gaze, Han Tian realized her hair wasn't dry and was still dripping water...
Because water droplets couldn't remain on her body during her phantom state, Han Tian had subconsciously formed the habit of not drying her hair. It had been a month since she returned, and she still hadn't adjusted...
Under Mo Sang's stare, Han Tian felt a chill crawl up her spine. She obediently returned to the bathroom to dry her hair, only to find Mo Sang following her in.
Without a word, she took the hair dryer from Han Tian's hands and stood behind her, beginning to blow-dry her hair.
She hadn't noticed it during her spiritual state, but now Han Tian realized Mo Sang was already half a head taller than her.
Watching Mo Sang in the mirror, diligently drying her hair, Han Tian's gaze fell on Mo Sang's waist-length black hair. In a daze, she recalled those years she had spent with Mo Sheng: Once Mo Sheng's hair grew thicker, the girl often struggled to dry it properly, and Han Tian would usually volunteer to take the hair dryer...
Now everything seemed to have reversed.
...
Mo Sang watched the expression in Han Tian's eyes in the mirror, her own gaze darkening. She maintained a cold demeanor, yet her fingers moving through Han Tian's hair were incredibly gentle.
Somewhere in the haze, Han Tian thought she heard Mo Sang say something behind her, but the hair dryer was too loud, and she couldn't make out the words.
"What did you say?"
Only after Mo Sang put down the hair dryer did Han Tian ask.
"Nothing," Mo Sang replied, still wearing that cold expression. She frowned, walked to the doorway, and glanced back at Han Tian. "Didn't you say you were hungry?"
"If the food gets cold, I won't reheat it!"
Seeing Han Tian's still bewildered expression, Mo Sang's frown deepened. She stared at Han Tian coldly, her voice growing icier. "I made braised beef with potatoes..."
"It's not because of you. I just wanted to eat it myself..."
Seeing Han Tian remained stunned, Mo Sang let out a cold snort, turned around, and walked straight into the opposite apartment...
Through the open door, Han Tian could clearly see the finished dishes on the dining table across the hall.
Only then did Han Tian realize belatedly: Mo Sang had moved into the apartment across from hers?
...
Mo Sang reached her own door, turned around, and shot Han Tian a cold glance.
Startled, Han Tian's body moved before her mind could catch up, and she hurriedly followed.
It was still three dishes and a soup, but this time it was radish and pork rib soup, not the tomato egg drop soup Han Tian disliked...
Han Tian secretly sighed in relief.
Mo Sang's overwhelming presence today still made Han Tian nervous. She dared only to pick at her food in small bites, barely tasting anything.
"Have you considered it yet?"
Suddenly, Mo Sang across from her spoke without warning.
"Consider what?" Han Tian asked blankly, lifting her head.
Mo Sang seemed full. She sipped her wine leisurely, raised an eyebrow, and glanced at Han Tian. "Naturally, about promoting me to official status..."
"I've considered it: Since you refuse to admit I'm your ex-girlfriend, let's get to know each other all over again."
"I'm Mo Sang. I'm exactly the type you like in every way..."
With a snort, Han Tian nearly spat out her soup!
Meeting Mo Sang's gaze, Han Tian's face involuntarily flushed again.
She suddenly understood Mo Sang's scheme: Mo Sang likely still believed she had lost her memories and wanted to force this 'ex-girlfriend' label onto them...
But they weren't in that kind of relationship. Han Tian had never agreed to be her girlfriend...
Staring blankly at the Mo Sang in front of her, Han Tian had never imagined that the outstanding, ambitious, upright, and kind Mo Sheng she had raised would turn out like this!
Yet Mo Sang wasn't entirely wrong: she truly was Han Tian's type.
Han Tian had absolutely no resistance against Mo Sang.
...
Suddenly, Han Tian felt afraid to let Mo Sang know that she had regained her memories.
Mo Sang currently seemed angry. If she found out Han Tian knew the truth, who knew how she would fly into a rage...
Seeing Han Tian hadn't responded, Mo Sang's eyes grew deeper. She set down her wine and stared unblinkingly at Han Tian. "You don't like me? But I've been checking your Weibo again these past few days..."
"No," Han Tian quickly interrupted, fearing Mo Sang might spout those embarrassing lines about "Cub's legs, spring river water by the Rhine..." She spoke helplessly. "I like you, but I never thought of possessing you. You're too dazzling..."
This was Han Tian's most genuine feeling.
From beginning to end, Han Tian had never considered owning Mo Sang.
Her world was monotonous and dull. How could it accommodate a star as brilliant and multifaceted as Mo Sang? She only needed to see a glimmer of light from her.
...
"Heh!" Mo Sang's eyes darkened, but a cold sneer crossed her face. "But you already possess me! Shall I help you remember..."
Han Tian choked on her words.
She had originally thought the clingy, vixen-like Mo Sang from before was hard to handle, but now she realized that compared to the angry Mo Sang of today, the previous one was practically an angel.
It seemed everything had become hopelessly entangled since that night...
Han Tian lowered her head, biting her lower lip, unable to comprehend why Mo Sang harbored such a deep obsession.
The atmosphere grew utterly silent in that instant.
Watching Han Tian, Mo Sang's eyes grew even darker. She lowered her head and took another sip of wine, hiding the obsessive madness in her gaze. "Regardless, I will pursue you. You are the Sister I love most..."
...
Han Tian said nothing more. She quickly ate a few more bites, and after finishing her meal, she sighed in relief and prepared to leave. But Mo Sang raised her wine glass and offered it to her. "Want to drink some?"
"My tolerance is low..." Han Tian instinctively declined. "Should I head home first?"
"No rush," Mo Sang didn't force her to drink. She chuckled softly, placed the glass beside her, and gestured for Han Tian to sit next to her. "Would you like to hear the story of me and my Sister?"
Perhaps due to the alcohol, the anger had faded from Mo Sang's features. Her expression now looked languid and hazy, unintentionally evoking the sirens of fairy tales whose beauty alone lured ships onto the rocks...
Reason told Han Tian that Mo Sang's sudden question must be a trap, but Han Tian desperately wanted to know what had happened after she left. After much deliberation, she still sat beside Mo Sang.
"Don't move," the moment Han Tian sat down, Mo Sang lay back, resting her head on Han Tian's lap, and let out a soft sigh. "Professor Han wouldn't mind, would she?"
Han Tian initially thought this gesture was far too intimate, but seeing the dark circles under Mo Sang's eyes that couldn't be hidden, she stiffly remained seated.
Mo Sang lifted her eyes, her gaze landing on Han Tian's trembling eyelashes. A flicker of deep thought passed through her pupils, but she lowered her voice to speak...
"When I first met my sister, I wasn't even fourteen yet. Back then, I was still called Mo Sheng..."
Han Tian had never imagined Mo Sang would remember everything from the past so clearly.
As Mo Sang recounted her story, Han Tian felt as though she had returned to that summer, seeing once again that bullied, weak, and humble little girl.
"I spent my fourteenth birthday with my sister. It was supposed to be my saddest day, but because of her, I was incredibly happy that day. Back then, I made a wish in my heart..." Mo Sang covered her eyes with her hand, her voice slowly gaining a hint of a smile. "I wanted to stay with my sister forever. Every year since, my wish has remained exactly the same..."
Hearing these words, Han Tian felt a storm raging within her heart!
She knew Mo Sheng had lost all other relatives back then, but she had never imagined Mo Sheng would value her so highly...
How heartbroken Mo Sheng must have been after she left!
...
Han Tian lowered her head, barely suppressing her guilt, ready to hear the rest of Mo Sang's story, only to find Mo Sang breathing evenly, already fast asleep...
So she had been this exhausted all along?
Han Tian's ache and guilt deepened once more. She barely dared to breathe, carefully shifting her weight on the sofa to make Mo Sang more comfortable.
Han Tian didn't notice Mo Sang's slightly trembling eyelashes...
Exhausted from the afternoon's turmoil, she forgot when she had fallen asleep herself.
By the time Han Tian woke up, dusk had fallen.
Han Tian slept on the sofa, covered by a thick coat. In the orange glow of the sunset, Mo Sang had long since awakened. She had changed into a dark red robe and leaned against the windowsill. The wind stirred Mo Sang's waist-length hair, and Mo Sang's delicate profile resembled a captivating painting, appearing both ethereal and enchanting...
Han Tian noticed a flickering crimson dot between Mo Sang's fingers.
"When did you develop a cigarette habit?" Still groggy from sleep, Han Tian was somewhat dazed and almost instinctively frowned. "Smoking is harmful to your health..."
The moment she finished speaking, Han Tian broke into a cold sweat, instantly snapping awake. That tone had essentially betrayed the fact that she had regained her memories.
Mo Sang turned around, extinguished the cigarette in her hand. She seemed unaware of the flaw in Han Tian's tone, slowly walking over to wrap her arms around Han Tian's waist.
"I picked it up shortly after my ruthless sister left me..."
Mo Sang's body was cold, having been exposed to the wind for who knows how long.
"The story isn't over yet. Do you want to hear what happens next?" Mo Sang seemed unaffected by the cold. She smiled at Han Tian, looking breathtakingly beautiful in the dim light. "When she was with me, she explicitly promised to be my girlfriend. She gave me countless vows, saying she'd marry me, stay with me forever, and love only me in this lifetime... She shamelessly seduced me. Just as my heart fluttered and I agreed to be with her, she abandoned me..."
Han Tian's eyes widened!
Right in front of another involved party, how could Mo Sang twist reality so blatantly!
"You're lying!"
Blushing fiercely, Han Tian instinctively fired back.
"I'm lying?"
Mo Sang let out a cold laugh, gripping Han Tian's hand tightly and bringing it close to her cheek. "Then what does Sister want to hear me say?"
"To hear me say that I humbly loved you, filled with joy, decided to confess my feelings, only to be callously abandoned by you..."
"Han Tian," Mo Sang gently curved her lips, stroking Han Tian's cheek. "How could you be so cruel?"
"At eighteen, a nearly desperate girl, carrying a heartbroken despair, went to an internet cafe..."
"She knew the woman she loved most had a secondary account. Fearing that woman might still have unfinished wishes in this world, she logged into that email account. Looking at the drafts, a sliver of hope suddenly sparked in her heart. Perhaps that woman would return someday and take these files with her..."
"So, she changed the email password..."
"But look what I discovered today?" Mo Sang held up her mobile phone, showing Han Tian the notification about the email account being locked due to incorrect password attempts. She chuckled softly. "Who else would know to try logging into this email account?"
"Han Tian, admit it! You remember everything..."
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