Under the gaze of everyone, from the factory floor emerged a woman dressed in ancient attire.
The wind, as if summoned, surged into the warehouse, its force lifting the hem of the woman's ancient robes. Her red and black skirt billowed, her dark hair danced in the breeze, lending her an air of a valiant general returning victorious from battle, radiating a powerful aura.
Qing Muyun's steps faltered, and he stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the woman emerging.
A distance of ten meters separated them. Qing Muyun could clearly see the bloodstains on Meng Jingwei's face and hands. His heart skipped a beat, threatening to leap from his throat.
"A'Wei?"
He called her name, unaware that his voice had become choked and hoarse.
He also failed to notice his hands, hanging by his sides, trembling uncontrollably.
Qing Muyun lunged forward abruptly, pulling her into his embrace, holding her tightly. One hand clutched the fabric of her clothes, and he closed his eyes, sighing with relief, "I'm sorry, I'm late."
Held tightly in his arms, Meng Jingwei found it difficult to breathe.
But it was precisely this embrace that touched her wound, and she gasped, "Ah!" Qing Muyun immediately loosened his grip. "Are you badly hurt?"
The crowd that followed, seeing Meng Jingwei emerge, rushed into the warehouse.
Meng Jingwei looked at Qing Muyun, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "It's nothing, just a small injury on my shoulder."
Standing face to face, Meng Jingwei finally noticed Qing Muyun's ashen face and his eyes, bloodshot and frighteningly red.
It was the first time she had witnessed Qing Muyun in such a state of panic and helplessness, his expression filled with concern for her.
"Let me see, where else are you injured?"
Qing Muyun cupped her shoulders with both hands, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. He saw no tears in her theatrical costume, yet his worry persisted. "Your face and hands are covered in blood, where exactly are you hurt?"
Could it be internal injuries causing this?
Meng Jingwei lowered her head and then realized her hands were indeed covered in bright red blood. She shook her head, "It's someone else's blood, not mine."
Indeed, it wasn't her blood.
Hearing her words, Qing Muyun's taut nerves finally relaxed. He pulled Meng Jingwei into his arms again, his cheek rubbing intimately against hers. "A'Wei, it's all my fault, I was late."
He dared not imagine what might have happened if Meng Jingwei had no means of self-defense and he had arrived so late. How would he live the rest of his life if something had befallen her?
Meng Jingwei rested her cheek against his collarbone, her smile sweet. She raised her hand and gently patted Qing Muyun's back, "Do you think so little of your wife? I'm perfectly fine."
Meng Jingwei kept reassuring Qing Muyun and added, "If I didn't have some skills, how could I be worthy of you?"
Beside them, Han Yu, Lu Yanming, Song Jun, and Song Ci were all present.
The headlights of the cars in the distance illuminated the surroundings, like stage lights falling on the protagonists. Above, snowflakes danced and fell, rendering everything picture-perfect, a poignant beauty tinged with enviable happiness.
Lu Yanming crossed his arms, nudging Han Yu with his elbow. "See, it's truly enviable."
Han Yu glanced at him. "Only a lonely dog would envy this."
Song Jun and Song Ci, the two brothers, exchanged amused glances, tickled by Han Yu's remark.
Teased, Lu Yanming's expression soured, a sense of defiance rising within him. "Believe it or not, if I wanted to, I could find you a sister-in-law within a week!"
As he finished speaking, Han Yu looked at him, his usually stoic face etched with a hint of doubt. "I don't believe it."
His tone implied: If you have the ability, try finding one for me.