But she wanted to play on the beach by herself. However, it was quite an accomplishment that she could stand here now. Thinking of this, Jian You couldn't help but glare resentfully at Xuan Mohan.
If it wasn't for him, would she be like this?
Receiving this unspoken message, he couldn't help but chuckle, "I won't bother you for the next two days..."
That was more like it. If he dared to torment her again, she would make sure he… never saw her again.
Jian You leisurely rested on Xuan Mohan's broad back. The distant scenery, the comfortable breeze caressing her face, and the faint floral fragrance drifting in...
Jian You deeply cherished these free and peaceful days. Beautiful scenery coupled with her beloved by her side, it was as idyllic as could be.
Ever since meeting Xuan Mohan, she learned that there could indeed be someone with no relation to you who would unconditionally dote on and indulge you.
Except for… his possessiveness in certain aspects.
Otherwise, in Jian You's heart, Xuan Mohan was perfect.
Jian You wrapped her arms around his neck and softly parted her lips near his ear, her breath tickling him.
"Do you smell something? It’s so fragrant."
"Is that so..."
Xuan Mohan echoed, then, as if from nowhere, produced a large bouquet of roses. Each bloom exuded a fresh, captivating scent, not a single petal wilting.
Jian You's eyes lit up. She stretched out her head and took a deep inhale, her entire being filled with a sense of delight. "Xuan Mohan, where did you get these flowers?"
He had been right beside her, and they were on the beach. Where could he have possibly gotten them?
Jian You gauged the distance and then noticed the faint traces of footprints. She immediately realized someone had been there, but he was truly thoughtful. She loved flowers.
Just as she reached out to take them, Xuan Mohan spoke again, "I might not have told you, but I love you very much, as ardent as this flower..."
Jian You felt her heart pounding, faster and faster. The world began to blur; her eyes could only focus on this man. She didn't even realize when she had been set down.
All she knew was that he was drawing closer, and she slowly closed her eyes.
However...
"Heh heh~"
Jian You immediately opened her eyes, finding her hands stuffed full. Xuan Mohan was watching her with a playful smirk.
Blushing, she thrust the flowers back into Xuan Mohan's arms, not caring if he was ready to receive them, and turned to leave. Taking just one step, Xuan Mohan pulled her into his embrace.
And because her legs felt weak, Jian You stumbled onto Xuan Mohan. The next moment, the man kissed her gently. Before a dark shadow fell from above, she heard his voice, so tender and doting:
"Did you know I wanted to kiss you, so you came over..."
Jian You didn't know what Xuan Mohan was feeling, but her heart felt as if it were filled with sweet bubbles.
The kiss was passionate and lingering, reluctant to part. Eventually, Xuan Mohan lifted her into his arms, fiercely claiming every breath she took.
"Xuan Mohan... don't..."
Jian You's eyes were hazy with shyness as she cautioned him.
Xuan Mohan pretended not to understand, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Don't what? If you mean don't get close to you, then that's impossible."
After saying that, Xuan Mohan wickedly whispered in her ear, his voice husky, "I want to..."
Jian You immediately covered his mouth and quickly interjected, "No, you don't."
Seeing her flustered expression, Xuan Mohan bit her palm, a playful bite, "I just want to take you out for a spin on the sea. If you don't want to..."
Jian You, still flustered by Xuan Mohan's actions, felt a tickle of excitement as he hadn't exerted any real force. Hearing his words, she immediately blurted out:
"No, let's go now! I've never been out on the sea before."
Although there was a river near the old man's place, he never let her go near it. And after she went to Mr. Jian's, there was nothing of the sort.
Hearing this, Xuan Mohan's heart ached. He had pursued her along that river for so long, and no one knew how terrified he had been. That was why he hadn't wanted to bring her to the seaside.
The shadow of that time still lingered in his heart. If Li An hadn't said that girls liked romance and passion, he wouldn't have come. But seeing her smile made him feel it was all worth it.
"Alright, let's go out on the sea."
However... he intended to collect interest...
Jian You exclaimed that the fare was too expensive, and it was charged continuously throughout the journey, not stopping even when she disembarked.
But all of it vanished like smoke when she saw what he had meticulously prepared for her, leaving only a sense of deep感动.
Tired from playing, Jian You fell asleep in Xuan Mohan's arms, without any worry about where she was sleeping or if she would be safe outdoors. She didn't know when her trust in him had grown to this extent.
All she knew was that her affection for him grew daily, and she could hardly bear to be apart from him now.
Xuan Mohan gazed at her beautiful sleeping face, but his heart was not as light as it was during the day. He had listened to the doctor's advice and chosen to leave her for a while.
Who could understand his reluctance and pain? How he wished he could be with her every moment, but he couldn't. He didn't want tragedy to repeat itself, nor could he bear to lose Qian Qian again.
There wasn't that much luck. One time was enough; he couldn't gamble on the unknown.
Xuan Mohan's hand stroked her cheek inch by inch, unwilling to let go, as if his touch was on the finest jade. Finally, he couldn't resist kissing her forehead.
"Qian Qian, I'm only leaving you for two days. If there are no accidents, I'll come back to be with you, okay? We'll never be separated again."
Xuan Mohan knew the person on the bed couldn't hear him, but how he wished she would deny his words, say she wanted him to stay. Then, he would undoubtedly stay without a second thought.
But... there were no 'ifs.'
...
City A
Normanis was playing chess with the old man. Their skills were evenly matched, and after an hour, neither had won, which made Normanis admire him.
The old man was old, yet his mind was still sharp, something not easily achieved by ordinary people.
"How is your investigation going?"
Normanis understood the old man's meaning. He subtly placed a piece on the chessboard without speaking. The old man glanced at it, then observed the game, and finally put down his own piece.
"I can't compare to you young folks anymore."
Normanis smiled and stopped his move. "With your skill, if it were out there, you'd be dominating."
"You, don't talk so much to this old man. Protect Ya'er is the most important thing. She's our family's treasure. You've seen it, haven't you? Her mother's health has worsened considerably because of her. She doesn't want to go see Elder Jian either, and she's been lacking spirit lately."
The old man's expression carried a hint of helplessness, a mixture of exasperation with his wife and heartache for his daughter.
Normanis's deep pupils flickered slightly before he spoke, "Duoduo has been found."