10. Taboo Hearts [PT.2]

"It was the night before Lu Meiying's birthday, and Lu Yang felt incredibly anxious. He couldn't sleep, fully aware that what he was about to do was both significant and risky.

"I know she has feelings for me," he mused, "but it won't be simple. Even though she has feelings for me, she won't forget that she's my mother."

"But that won't stop me. I won't let my first love be ruined by worrying about what others might think."

With all these thoughts swirling in his mind, Lu Yang eventually drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, in Lu Meiying's room...

"After learning that Lu Yang has a love interest in someone, I was overcome by this strange, melancholic feeling. I understand the reason - I should be happy that Lu Yang is now interested in someone. I knew that this day would come, but I didn't think it would make me sad. It feels like someone is taking away something most precious to me. I understand these feelings and what they mean. This is the first time I've experienced this peculiar sensation, and it made me realize that I'm in love with Lu Yang. I didn't have this feeling when I was with his father. Everyday became more exciting after Lu Yang came into my life. I was so happy with Lu Yang. I didn't shed a single tear even when his father passed away. I thought that as long as Lu Yang was with me, I could do anything. This is my first experience of love, and I've already faced rejection."

Tears began flowing from Lu Meiying's eyes, her heart heavy with a mixture of sadness and longing. "So, this is how it feels to be rejected," she whispered as she wiped away her tears. With these thoughts weighing heavily on her heart, Lu Meiying fell asleep, her dreams entangled with the complexities of love and loss.

"It was the day of Lu Meiying's birthday, and Lu Yang woke up early while Lu Meiying was still asleep.

"I'll celebrate her birthday the way it was celebrated in my world, and the best dish for that should be a cake," Lu Yang contemplated. "In this world, no one knows the concept of cake, so it will be her first time seeing a dish like that. I should head out to town to buy the ingredients."

"Time's already ticking, and this town doesn't have any baking soda. I should make my way to the next town before it gets late. With my speed, I can make the trip and be back before evening."

Soon, Lu Yang returned home with all the required ingredients. He dashed towards the kitchen and called out, "Mom, please don't enter the kitchen until I say so," before closing the door behind him.

Lu Meiying was confused about what he was doing, but she was heartbroken. Lost in thought, she lamented, "He doesn't even remember my birthday. He's even cooking for that woman," which made her feel sadder and more jealous at the same time.

Lu Yang had to bake the cake, he needed to utilize the system because there was no microwave in this world. Furthermore, since this was intended to be a surprise for his mom, he had to ensure that she remained unaware of his actions.

"At last, it's finished. It took me two hours, considering it's my first time making a cake. Now, I'll go ahead and prepare the dinner table and the room with candles. I just hope she's not around," Lu Yang said with growing excitement, ready to surprise Lu Meiying.

Fortunately, his mom wasn't present. He adorned the room with candles, strategically placing the dining table by the window to capture the beautiful view of the full moon, infusing a romantic ambiance into the space.

The way I've prepared the room is how lovers do it. Today, it will be the day we become lovers.

With everything prepared, Lu Yang felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he eagerly awaited his mother, Lu Meiying. The room was aglow with the soft flicker of candles, casting a warm and romantic ambiance. He couldn't help but wonder how she would react to this surprise.

Lu Yang contemplated how to get his mother, Lu Meiying, into the room without arousing suspicion. He decided to call her gently, "Mom, could you come here for a moment? I need your help with something."

Lu Meiying, her voice devoid of its usual warmth, responded, "Yes, I'm coming." She made her way to the room, unaware of the beautiful surprise he had carefully prepared.

As Lu Meiying entered the room, her eyes widened in surprise and confusion. The soft candlelight bathed the room in a warm, romantic glow, and the table by the window offered a breathtaking view of the full moon. She couldn't fathom what was going on.

"Happy birthday, Mom," Lu Yang said with a warm smile.

After Lu Yang said, "Happy birthday," Lu Meiying was overcome with immense surprise and joy. Tears welled up in her eyes, and with a voice filled with emotion and tears, she exclaimed, "You...you remembered my birthday?"

With a heartwarming smile, Lu Yang replied, "Of course. How could I ever forget such an important day for the most special person in my heart?"

Lu Meiying was still shedding tears of joy, unable to believe the beautiful surprise. Lu Yang, seeing her overwhelmed with emotion, stood up and gently led her to her seat, ensuring she was comfortable and tenderly wiped away her tears.

"Mother, I've prepared a special dish for you," Lu Yang said, his voice filled with warmth and affection. He carefully removed the cover from the cake, revealing a beautifully decorated confection with "Lu Meiying" written on it.

"I learned this just for you. I know how much you enjoy sweets, so I prepared this dish called a cake," he explained, his eyes reflecting his love and effort.

Lu Yang cut a slice from the cake and carefully fed it to Lu Meiying. He asked with a warm smile, "Mother, how does it taste?"

Lu Meiying was pleasantly surprised after taking a bite of the cake. It wasn't shocking because no one in this world knew about how sweet, fluffy, and tasty it is. Lu Meiying's eyes sparkled with delight, and she couldn't resist taking another bite. In that moment, she forgot about everything else and simply enjoyed the cake, making her face even brighter than it had been the entire day, her face beaming with delight, exclaimed, "Wow, what is this? This is the most delicious sweet, I've ever eaten in my entire life! It's absolutely amazing!"

"Really this was my first time making a cake. Let me taste," he said taking a bite from his mother's cake creating an indirect kiss.

As Lu Yang took that bite from his mother's cake, indirectly sharing the moment with Lu Meiying, she couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions. Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and her heart quickened its pace. The intimacy of the shared bite sent unexpected shivers down her spine.

In that fleeting moment, as their lips had indirectly met through the cake, Lu Meiying found herself caught off guard by the warmth that surged through her. She knew she had to compose herself, not wanting to display her feelings too openly.

While Lu Meiying was savoring the delicious cake, Lu Yang discreetly reached into his pocket and carefully retrieved a small, ornate hairpin box. He cleared his throat gently, capturing his mother's attention. With a warm smile, he said, "Mother, I have a special gift for you." and handed the hairpin.

Upon receiving the hairpin box from Lu Yang, Lu Meiying's brow furrowed in confusion. She recalled Lu Yang mentioning that this gift was intended for his friend, his crush. With a puzzled expression, she gently inquired, "Lu Yang, wasn't this gift meant for your friend? Why are you giving this to me?"

Lu Yang, seemingly unfazed by her question, smiled warmly and said, "Mother, allow me to recite a poem for you." After saying this, Lu Yang stood up and positioned himself near the window under the moonlight, the breeze gently tousling his hair, and an atmosphere of profound silence enveloping the room.

"In the realm of cultivation, where destinies entwine,

I bear a love that I cannot call mine.

Forbidden, it is, by the paths we've chosen,

A love that can never truly be spoken.

Our destinies, like rivers, will never meet,

A love that's forbidden, bittersweet.

In this martial world, our fates we must accept,

A love we can't pursue, a secret well-kept.

But now, beneath the moon's soft martial glow,

I must admit the feelings I can't let go.

Though our love is forbidden, it's true and pure,

In my heart, your place, it will endure.

Lu Meiying, these words I must finally say,

I love you, though we can't find our way."

Lu Meiying, upon hearing Lu Yang's heartfelt confession, was completely taken aback and left in stunned silence. Her typically composed demeanor faltered, and, she struggled to find the right words. She stood there, unsure of what to say in response to his unexpected admission of love.

Lu Yang approached Lu Meiying, who was visibly embarrassed, her cheeks flushed with surprise and her heart racing after the sudden confession. He gently took her hands and placed them on his heart.

"Can you feel how fast my heart is racing?" Lu Yang said, his voice filled with deep emotion. "It's like this every time I'm near you. I want you to know... it's because of you.

"Mom, I know you too have feelings for me," Lu Yang gently remarked, his words carrying a mixture of certainty and empathy. "But you're hesitating because of our current relationship, aren't you?"

Lu Meiying, her voice trembling with a touch of sadness and reluctance, replied, "N-no, I don't have any romantic feelings for you. I only see you as my son." Her words, though gentle, held the essence of rejection, as if she were struggling to convey a truth she wished were otherwise.

"Then why are you not looking in my eyes? Why is your heartbeat as loud as mine? Why are you stuttering? Why are you embarrassed? Why are your cheeks red?" Lu Yang asked, his voice filled with seriousness.

"If you truly hate me, turn around and say that you don't love me while looking in my eyes. I promise I will completely let go of the feelings I've harbored for years, and I will move to the sect. I promise that this Lu Yang will never appear in front of you again," he declared, his words carrying the weight of his emotions.

Hearing that Lu Yang was willing to leave her, Lu Meiying was overcome with extreme fear and sadness. He was the only person she had ever wanted in her life, and the thought of him leaving was unbearable. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned her face away, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "No, don't leave me. Please, don't leave me."

Seeing Lu Meiying in tears, Lu Yang couldn't bear to see her in such distress. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

"I don't want to leave you," he whispered, his voice filled with sadness. "But living with you will only make my feelings for you grow stronger, and I won't be able to control myself." His words carried the weight of his internal struggle, torn between his love for her and the complexities of their relationship.

"But our current relationship won't allow that," Lu Meiying said, her voice filled with a mix of longing and resignation. The reality of their situation weighed heavily on her heart, knowing that the constraints of their world made their love seem impossible.

"Why do you care about others so much? Why don't you just follow your heart this time? Besides, we're not from any prestigious families, and no one knows about our relationship," Lu Yang said, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and longing. "The only family we have left is you and me." His words carried a plea for them to prioritize their love over external factors.

He gently cupped Lu Meiying's cheeks with both of his hands, his touch tender and filled with a depth of emotion. Their faces were now so close that their breaths mingled.

"If you hate this," he whispered softly, "then push me away."