To Love You Again

Chapter 351 - Promises

With their faces just inched apart from each other, he smiled to her lovingly, "Come follow me, my sweet captive. This daring bandit has a little surprise for you." He held her hand, switched on the lights, and led her to his \'surprise\'.

Xiong Zhi\'s eyes shone as she saw the room filled with LED candles and roses petals on the carpeted floor. According to her years of study about romance, she naturally has an idea of what this scene was for.

There was a look of shyness and anticipation in her eyes.

Was it the most awaited honeymoon?

Candles, rose petals, wine, light delicacies... then her eyes saw a mini-player and a speaker in the corner. And romantic music! This was clearly for honeymoon!

But where was the bed?

Her head shyly turned around to look for a bed that might be hidden from view, or even a mat, but there was none. She could not help but dubiously lower her gaze on the floor covered with scattered rose petals, filled with doubt.

Was it possible that he planned to do it on the floor?

If Linfeng knew what Xiong Zhi was thinking, either he would choke on his breath or helplessly pat her head then patiently explain to her that this was how romantic dates work abroad, from what he gathered. And that if she wanted to, they could, ahem, get a room after.

Spending a few years abroad has naturally broadened his horizons. He was more open-minded and was no longer as restrained in intimacy as before. Especially now that Xiong Zhi was already an a.d.u.l.t.

Alas, she did not ask, and he did not know.

So of course, that did not happen.

While Xiong Zhi was taken aback by the sudden view and was busily looking around, Linfeng sneakily picked up a bouquet of roses on the table and hid it behind him.

The real plan was to hide here in the dark. Once she came inside, the candle lights would automatically lit up, he would appear on the midst of the rose petals, and the romantic background music of the record of his guzheng would play out. He would offer her a bouquet of flowers and heartwarmingly reunite with her through this romantic date.

Sadly, the plan was ruined by some fly. Thinking about the scene he witnessed earlier, Linfeng\'s eyes glinted a bit, but then threw it aside. It was not the right time to spoil the atmosphere.

He has the urge to push her to the wall and roughly kiss her, then ask her what was that all about in between kisses. It appeared like there were some wolves who targeted the precious little lamb that he left at home.

The flies would be taken care of, but not today.

Today was the most awaited day for him and his Zhi\'er.

Linfeng\'s long straight legs stepped forward and his tall body stopped in front of Xiong Zhi, drawing back her attention. Her eyes were shining in delight. This was the first time that he initiated a romantic surprise.

"You prepared this for me?" she asked the obvious.

Linfeng took in Xiong Zhi\'s joyous face.

She was much more expressive now. She wore a pale rosy dress, with faintly shimmering lights on the edges, just like stars. The stunning dress made her perfectly fit in with the romantic picture, with candle lights and pink and red rose petals. The necklace that he had gifted to her delicately rested below her throat, and highlighted her slender neck.

The sight of the necklace made him want to hug her again. Right, he needed to kiss that, too.

"Yes, did you forget? I promised you something a long time ago."

"Which one was it?" Xiong Zhi has a question mark on her face.

"Try to think more."

"..." She tilted her head. Hmm... Ah, there was that. "You told me that after you return, you will stick with me 24/7, even when I am showering. Is that it?"

Linfeng: "..." Shit, there was also that.

He coughed. Well, he could not deny that there was also anticipation for \'that\'.

To shower together, what else could possibly lead to that except...

He coughed and shook his head with a smile. Ah, focus now, focus.

"...I promised you that once I return, I will make you the happiest girl every day. And this is just the first day. There\'s a lot more to come," Linfeng said with a gentle smile.

Xiong Zhi\'s brows rose and her phoenix eyes curved up in a soft smile. So it was those tiny, sweet promises that made her sleep with a smile.

"But in case you forgot, let me repeat those promises again."

How could she forget? When they were communicating through media, Linfeng promised her almost every day that once he was back to the country-

"I promised you that once I return I will hug you more than twice a day." He took a step towards her.

"Hold your hand whenever I want, kiss you as much you allow me to-" Linfeng grinned mischievously at this.

"Cook all the food I learned in the states, of course, your favorite ones too." He did not forget to add those dishes that Xiong Zhi said she would like to taste during their mealtime through video calls.

"I also promised you that I would play a song for you, dance with you, and go on dates with you as much as we want." Linfeng was now standing close to his young miss. Taking all her figure like he did not do so earlier.

He was dead serious when he uttered those promises.

Now that he was back, he would spoil his girl as much as he could.

Xiong Zhi felt the flutter of her heart. Warmth seemed to envelop her whole body. His words that he just uttered made her truly feel that the waiting was truly over. Now that he was here, they could show their love for each other within arm\'s length.

Linfeng secretly pressed on the remote inside his pockets. The music player played the next song. The soft and melodious sound of his guzhen playing his adaptation of the modern song \'When you say nothing at all\', sung with the original singer whom William helped to contact, started to play in the background.

Linfeng gentlemanly bowed and handed to her the bouquet of flowers that he personally cultivated during these two years.

"Now, this abductor wanted to fulfill those \'threats\'. " They both grinned at his words.

Then he lightly swallowed and become serious. Linfeng was now like a man in love waiting for his girl to say \'yes\', though the question was different.

"May I have a dance with you, my dearest Young Miss? This poor one is dying to have a dance with his beloved."

Linfeng appeared very handsome like a prince, no, he was more like a king now. A striking king standing tall and holding a bouquet of flowers. The dim lights from the candle lights made him more romantic and manly.

Before, she wondered how she would feel if Linfeg gifted her flowers, which he never really did previously. And now she got the answer. So this was what it felt, receiving a bouquet of flower from the man she loved. The feeling of being cherished became much stronger.

She felt giddy that she wanted to twirl, jump, open her arms, and shout to the world, \'I am in love!\'

Xiong Zhi\'s rosy cheeks showed her dimples. Her enchanting phoenix eyes, her red lips whose rosy pink lipstick was already eaten clean by her lover yet appeared redder like jellied cherries, her smooth and slender face, it all looked even more beautiful and alluring under Linfeng\'s gaze.

"By all means, please take care of me. "

She offered her free hand.

Linfeng gently held it, brought it to his lips, and lightly kissed it. His eyes never left her.

As the music sounded, Linfeng held her tiny waist. They danced lightly with no gaps.

Both of their hearts were at ease, comfortable, and enveloped by happiness. For them, this comfortable silence with only their breathing and the calm rhythm of their hearts, it was the most peaceful and satisfying time for the pair of tired lovers who was separated for a long time. It brought them tranquility and security.

They finally felt like \'home\'.

Their embrace was each other\'s home.

Xiong Zhi leaned her head against Linfeng\'s hard chest, her ears pressed right above his heart. She listened quietly to his steady heartbeat. Her arms were wrapped around his shoulders and occasionally touched his neck. This way, she could fully embed herself into him and greedily savor the warmth that she missed for two long years.

Linfeng gently kissed the top of her head, rested his chin on it, and hugged her waist tighter. They softly swayed to the music and immersed themselves in their own world.

The music went on quietly, the warm glow from the candles shone gently over them, and the room was filled with warmth and serenity.

They were contented.

"Linfeng?" Xiong Zhi spoke amidst the silence.

"Hmm?" Linfeng\'s lips was on top of her hair, sniffing her scent.

"I miss you."

"...I miss you more."

"Linfeng?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Thump. Linfeng\'s heart raced. The scene two years ago when she first said those words and then ran away without waiting for his response came to his mind. His chest warmed.

Thump. Thump.

Come to think of it. He answered that time, too.

Linfeng lifted his head from her hair and leaned down to whisper in her ears. In his deep, low voice filled with sincerity, he uttered his answer from two years ago, which stayed true until now. He was no longer a hesitant youth, but a mature a.d.u.l.t man who could finally be responsible for his words.

Though he added one more word.

"I love you more."

He bowed his head, lifted her chin, and kissed her again.