Song Xihua clutched her hand tightly. Suddenly, he didnât want to let go.
Could it be that he was really going to lose her before even starting anything?
âWonât you reconsider it?â he asked. Only the two of them knew the meaning behind the words.
Yan Huan shook her head and extended her left hand, displaying the ring on her finger. Wearing a ring didnât necessarily mean that one was married, but Yan Huanâs action had made it clear to Song Xihua.
Song Xihua pursed his lips tightly. He couldnât give his blessings from start to end. He just couldnât.
Yan Huan smiled at him without a word. Sometimes, some things are better left unsaid.
Not like any words mattered.
Yan Huan went back to Sea City on company transport. The show she just shot would be produced and broadcasted in the next few days, but Yan Huan knew she most likely couldnât watch it. Lu Yi had already enlisted her. She was going to be a soldier soon.
Yes, be a soldier. Becoming a female soldier had been her greatest dream when she was little. Back then, her mother always used to say, âhow good would it be if my Huan Huan can become a soldier.â
She didnât understand why her mother liked to say that, but her words stuck to her mind.
From then, becoming a soldier was as much her dream as her motherâs.
Soon, she would become a soldier. A young woman like her becoming a soldier. It would realize both hers and her motherâs dream.
Of course, it was also a test to surpass her current limits as an actress. Choosing to become a soldier was a way gain maturity.
âKnock, knock...â Yan Huan knocked on the door. Soon, the door opened. A hand reached out and hugged her tightly.
The familiar scent, warmth, and sensation.
âIâm home.â Yan Huan pressed her face against the manâs chest tightly. Until now, she couldnât believe that she would have a home to return in the future. Not hers and Yi Lingâs home, but hers and Lu Yiâs home. Their home for the rest of their lives.
Yi Ling will eventually get married and leave her. But Lu Yi wouldnât. He wouldnât till they grow old and death do them apart. But that means they would be together, physically and mentally. Even when they die, their ashes will reside together.
âWhatâs on your mind?â Lu Yi rubbed her forehead gently. Why did he worry so much when it hadnât even been long since their parting? Ah, this must be what they call absence makes the heart grow fonder.
âIâm thinking about...â Lifting her face, Yan Huan tip-toed and tugged at the hair beside his ear. âWhat you be like when you grow old. When you die, I want our ashes to be kept together. Even death shall not do us apart.â
Saddened by the notion, she sniffed.
âSilly girl,â chided Lu Yi, wiping her tears away. He pressed her chin against her forehead. âWeâll be together in good health, and be together when we die. I will have our children mix our ashes together, so that we would never be apart, forever and ever.â
Men often spoke lies, but Lu Yi always kept his word.
He might not be a romantic, nor was he good with words, but every word he said was heartfelt.
Yan Huan wiped her tears with his sleeves. âIâm going out to buy ingredients so I can make your favourite dishes. Iâll ask Yi Ling and Luo Lin over for dinner.â
âAlright,â Lu Yi took her cap and put it on for her. He then grasped her hand. Their interlocked fingers was their vow to remain committed to each other.
âHow about this?â Yan Huan placed a bag of milk tea powder before Lu Yi.
Lu Yi took it over. âI like this.â
âOf course I know that.â
Yan Huan dropped the bag into the trolley.
âWhat else do you know?â Lu Yi pinched her cheeks.
âI know many other things,â said Yan Huan, taking another bag. She was stocking up for Lu Yi. Lu Yi loved milk tea. When she enlists, she wouldnât be able to come back everyday.
Lu Yi pushed the trolley with one hand. His other hand was always locked against hers.
That was when someone recognized Yan Huan and took out their phone. Lu Yi shot an icy stare at the person. The person seemed to recognize Lu Yi too. He quickly kept his phone and fled. Of course, he wouldnât dare to report something like this. He would have to ask himself whether he had the courage to get Inspector Lu onto the headlines.
A public figure like Yan Huan had most likely been sneakily filmed, but she never had any scandals. Even if there were, it would be her pictures with Lu Yi. As long as the person in question knew Lu Yi, they wouldnât provoke him openly. Therefore, Yan Huan was safe. The chances of her marriage being exposed wasnât big.
Of course, Yan Huan never tried to hide anything. If anyone took a picture of that, let them do it. She was a married woman anyway.
When they were home, Yan Huan called the nanny over to help her make some dishes. After that, she invited the guests over. There werenât many of them.
Just Yi Ling, Luo Lin, and Lei Qingyi.
âWhat?â Yi Lingâs chopsticked fell to the table. She stared agape.
âYou guys, are...â she pointed at Yan Huan, then Lu Yi.
âYou guys are married?â
âYes,â said Lu Yi, grasping Yan Huanâs hand. They wore the same ring. It wasnât decorated, but clearly pricey.
Lei Qingyi raised his thumb at Lu Yi. Well played, well played. Yan Huan is only 23, you cradle robber.
He picked up the chopsticks from the table, wiped them against his shirt, and handed it back to Yi Ling. âDidnât you guess it already? Itâs eventually going to happen. This is much better.â
âMuch better my assâ yelled Yi Ling. âWhat are you trying to do, Lu Yi? My Huanhuan hasnât even worn a wedding dress yet! How dare you kidnap her from us? Donât you feel sorry for our Huanhuan?â
Lu Yi lifted his head and stared at Yi Ling through a squint.
âItâs a secret marriage. If you want me to prove it now, I would be more than happy to.â
That choked off whatever Yi Ling wanted to say.
Luo Lin picked up her chopsticks and began eating. She was much calmer than Yi Ling. Finally, she laid down her chopsticks and said,
âNowadays, itâs nothing special for an idol to get married. People are more open to such things now. However, I agree with your decision to stay low-key in consideration of the nature of Inspector Luâs occupation. You can always announce it when the time is right.â