FRGNM -Chapter 58 Her Gift?

She shifted slightly, revealing her full, rounded curves, and the shorts pulled down over her hips couldn’t contain her firm rear, leaving glimpses of a mysterious region exposed.

A sudden, inexplicable heat surged through Luo Mingyu’s body. His gaze darkened, and he reached out to touch Ling Ruoxi’s cheek, smirking proudly. “You came to me yourself. Don’t blame me for this!”

“Damn it!” With a fierce motion, he removed the last piece of cloth, tossed his clothing aside, and approached her. The person on the bed seemed to sense something, laughing softly and wrapping her arms around his neck, winding around his waist. Her forward invitation made Luo Mingyu’s eyes redden.

One drunken night had completely stripped away her shyness. This perfect union was seamless, and Luo Mingyu luxuriated in admiring her willow-like waist as she writhed atop him.

It was a wild night, and he nearly devoured her entirely, finally holding her close as they fell into a heavy sleep.

If he had to describe his lower back in one word, it would be: pain! Ling Ruoxi wanted to tear Luo Mingyu into pieces. He had known she couldn’t drink, yet had placed alcohol before her. Not only had he humiliated her, but he had also… taken her!

That ferocious man must have been starving for some time. This time was even more intense than before. Her legs felt as if they were about to break, and the worst part was her waist—she couldn’t straighten it at all.

Afterwards, the culprit got up and left. To prevent the inn staff or the two children from coming in, she endured the soreness, cleaned up every piece of evidence in the room, changed into fresh clothes, and only then dared to step outside.

To make matters worse, the man responsible was sitting downstairs, calmly eating lunch.

“Luo Mingyu!” Ling Ruoxi glared at him fiercely, wishing she could stab his eyes with her chopsticks. Those devilishly charming eyes always haunted her dreams, impossible to shake off.

But Luo Mingyu, seated, smiled warmly. “You’re up? Time to eat, my Ruoxi…”

Damn it! If looks could kill, she would have already shot him countless times.

Huangfu Xuan, on the side, pinched the letter in his hands, frowning at Ling Ruoxi. He put the letter down and said, “This is news from the palace. The Crown Prince invites the three of us to go hunting in three days, along with Huangfu Yuan.”

“Huangfu Yuan? That annoying guy from the other day? He looks like bacon. No way.” Ling Ruoxi rubbed her sore waist, clearly irritated.

Huangfu Xuan chuckled. “No, we all have to go—yourself, me, and even Yizhui and Yimeng. Have you forgotten what day it will be in three days?”

“What day?” Ling Ruoxi raised an eyebrow, stuffing a steamed bun into her mouth.

“Three days from now is your birthday. You’re turning twenty-two this year, right?” Huangfu Xuan smiled faintly, producing a delicate little box from behind him and placing it in front of Ling Ruoxi. “Happy birthday.”

“What?” Even Yizhui and Yimeng froze. They had never seen their mother celebrate a birthday and had no idea when it was. Yet Huangfu Xuan actually knew?

Ling Ruoxi herself was puzzled. She had no idea when her counterpart in this era was born and never bothered to remember. With countless yearly tasks and medicinal research to manage, birthdays were long forgotten.

Now, with Huangfu Xuan bringing it up, Ling Ruoxi twitched her mouth and laughed lightly. “I see… I haven’t celebrated in ages. I forgot… I forgot…”

“This is a gift. Accept it. We’ll meet at the hunting grounds in three days.” Huangfu Xuan nodded and left the room.

Luo Mingyu had been glancing sideways at Ling Ruoxi. Once Huangfu Xuan left, he immediately grabbed the gift, opened the box, and pulled out the golden hairpin inside.

“Tch. I thought it’d be something impressive. Just a hairpin? Nothing special. Might as well toss it.”

“Luo Mingyu! What are you doing? Give it back!” Short-armed Ling Ruoxi quickly hugged his waist, trying to grab the hairpin.

Luo Mingyu refused, twirling the hairpin in his hand, raising an eyebrow at her.

Yimeng, tugging her cheek, exclaimed, “Shame! Daddy is stealing Mommy’s gift. Yizhui, go, cut Daddy!”

“You two!” Luo Mingyu’s expression darkened. Seeing Yizhui about to leap, he quickly handed the hairpin to Ling Ruoxi. “Here, it’s yours!”

“Hmph!” Yimeng grinned triumphantly.

Ling Ruoxi extended her thumb, looking at the gold hairpin carved with lotus flowers. She smiled faintly. Simple, yet the type she liked. She hadn’t expected Huangfu Xuan to be thoughtful enough to remember her birthday.

Luo Mingyu felt a pang of displeasure. He looked at the hairpin, propping his cheek with one hand, and his mind sparked. He reached to press on Ling Ruoxi’s sore waist.

“Ouch! What are you doing?” Ling Ruoxi yelled, clutching her waist. The man who had caused this pain now dared to touch it again?

Luo Mingyu chuckled softly. “I’ll use Dou Qi to ease your waist. Bear with it.”

“That’s better.” Ling Ruoxi rolled her eyes but leaned on the table, enjoying the relief.

Yizhui and Yimeng watched their mother, puzzled. Yimeng rubbed her head and asked, “Big brother Yizhui, I remember on Liuli Island, when Mommy got drunk, she just talked nonsense and hit around. The next day, she was fine. Why now, when Mommy drinks, she wakes up all sore, and her waist hurts so much?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the wine here is too strong, and Mommy overindulged,” Yizhui replied, touching his small nose.

Ling Ruoxi blushed furiously, glaring at Luo Mingyu. This man had no sense of moderation—she had embarrassed herself in front of the children!

Luo Mingyu smiled faintly, ignoring the kids, and carefully massaged Ling Ruoxi’s waist before leaving cheerfully.

Ling Ruoxi relaxed and, having nothing to do, entered the bath, soaking her body. Turning slowly, she faced away from the mirror, lifting her long hair to inspect the markings on her back.

The faint purple glow dissipated with her consciousness. Her fair skin bore no scars—pure and radiant.

Pressing her hands to her shoulders, Ling Ruoxi frowned, quickly dressed, and opened her books, eyes scanning the text intently.

“Let’s try!” Her eyes gleamed as she sat cross-legged, clearing her mind and entering meditation.

Within her, the glowing Dou Qi converged, forming long lines connecting throughout her body. Ling Ruoxi carefully guided the flow toward her dantian. The final two lines collided with a whoosh, and the gathered Dou Qi instantly dissipated.

Sweat drenched her head. Still no progress. Six years of trying to cultivate Dou Qi, yet her dantian never held it. She could not become a Dou Qi master.

“Mommy! Mommy! Something’s wrong!” A small, urgent voice echoed. Ling Ruoxi shivered, rushing to the door.

Outside, Yizhui looked anxious. Ling Ruoxi picked him up. “What’s wrong, Yizhui?”

“Huangfu Daddy is missing! Mommy, Yimeng and I have been searching for him for an hour. Do you know where he went? Is he sick again? He has no medicine; it’s all with me.”

“Don’t worry. Your Huangfu Daddy is fine. He doesn’t need medicine,” Ling Ruoxi said gently, carrying Yizhui into Huangfu Xuan’s room. As Yizhui had said, the room was empty except for a single letter on the table.

Ling Ruoxi set Yizhui down and opened the sealed letter.

“Miss Ruoxi, forgive my sudden departure. Huangfu Yuan’s target is me, and I will confront him personally. Thank you for saving me. Life must still be in one’s own hands. If there’s a chance, my life belongs to you.”

“Huangfu Xuan! You idiot, what are you doing?” Ling Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat. Had he gone to duel his brother?

Recalling Luo Mingyu’s words, Huangfu Xuan had been framed by Huangfu Yuan and lost his Dou Qi. Now that he had recovered, his temper would surely drive him to revenge.

“Mommy, what happened?” Yizhui asked, puzzled.

Patting his head, Ling Ruoxi said firmly, “Stay here, you two. Go nowhere. I’m going after Huangfu Xuan.”

She dashed outside but immediately collided with a white figure, nearly falling.

Quick as ever, Luo Mingyu caught her by the waist, drawing her into his embrace. “What’s the rush? Calm down. By the way, I have a surprise for you.”

He excitedly pulled a large box from his sleeve.

Ling Ruoxi, focused on Huangfu Xuan, shoved him aside impatiently. “Enough! Surprise or not, later! Huangfu Xuan might be dueling his brother—I need to find him!”

“Ruoxi, listen, this is your—”

“Out of the way!” She slapped the box, which fell to the ground. Ling Ruoxi paused, staring at it, puzzled.

“What is this?” She turned to Luo Mingyu, twitching her mouth. “Uh… you said… tell me.”

“Nothing. Go find him.” Luo Mingyu coldly glanced at the box on the ground. The joy vanished as he bent down, picked up the box, and tossed it into the trash.

“Ridiculous,” Ling Ruoxi muttered, glancing at him. Something felt off, but Huangfu Xuan came first. She ran ahead.

The two children peeked from behind the door and quietly ran down.

“What will Daddy give Mommy?” Yizhui asked, fishing the box from the trash with a bamboo pole. He caught it, but the contents rattled inside.

“Open it,” Yimeng said, reaching for the box.

Together, they opened it. Inside lay a miniature Ling Ruoxi, crafted from multicolored stones. She held blooming lotus flowers in delicate hands, her white dress, flesh-colored skin, green stems, pink petals, and black hair flying behind her.

The figure was exquisitely detailed, perfectly displaying all five colors. Only someone uniquely talented could achieve this.

But the figure’s lotus flowers had broken into pieces inside the box. The moment it fell, it was inevitably damaged.

“This was Daddy’s gift for Mommy, but Mommy destroyed it herself,” Yimeng pouted, pulling the lotus flowers out. “It would have been even better if we could have fixed it.”