Chapter 73: Extra 3

Chapter 73 Side Story 3

That person knew Song Xu, and knew him quite well.

He blurted out, "Your wife? You’re married? Oh my god, I thought you were still waiting for Zhu Qiwei..."

His words trailed off abruptly.

He instinctively glanced at the beauty under the moonlight. Wen Bairan’s face showed no trace of displeasure or embarrassment. Her serene eyes were as moist as two pieces of jade, with a faint hint of coldness that might have been due to the weather.

Song Xu walked down the steps, placed the coat in his hand over her shoulders, felt her icy wrist, took it, and tucked it into the crook of his arm. Wen Bairan naturally leaned against him. Their closeness was obvious.

"You just asked for her contact? I’ll give it to you later." Song Xu’s expression was so calm it was almost odd.

The speaker now felt embarrassed, apologizing to Wen Bairan for his blunder and his earlier forwardness: "Sorry, I didn’t know you were..."

Wen Bairan pursed her lips slightly. The words "it’s okay" never left her mouth.

The man left, looking embarrassed.

With no one else around, only the two of them remained under the wall lamp.

The coat on her shoulders was about to slip off. Wen Bairan wanted to adjust it—it was really cold outside. But the hand tucked in his arm couldn’t move.

She paused and looked up.

Song Xu gazed at her deeply and said, "I suddenly had an insight."

An insight?

What kind of insight could he have at a time like this?

He had appeared at such a perfect moment. Wen Bairan was sure he had been following her since she stepped out. After witnessing her series of actions at the signature board, instead of thinking of how to explain or cheer her up, he actually came up with an insight?

Hmph.

Wen Bairan actually knew what his so-called insight was about, but she still humored him with a blink. "Do tell."

"A woman’s jealousy and a man’s possessiveness only surface under specific circumstances. When they sense danger, or simply dislike seeing someone else standing by your side," Song Xu said.

"Oh?" Wen Bairan fluttered her eyelashes. The cold night mist veiled her eyes like a layer of gauze. "You’re really domineering, then."

"You could say that." Song Xu adjusted her coat. Her exposed hand was too cold. He held it with his left hand, a seemingly casual gesture, but the warmth from his palm transmitted to her skin, slowly warming her frozen joints.

Wen Bairan always liked this tenderness. He was warm, and if they weren’t outside, she thought she might press both hands against his chest to absorb his heat.

As if reading her mind, Song Xu took her other hand as well and tucked it into the pocket inside his coat.

The motion naturally turned her more toward him, drawing her closer. His now-free hand naturally wrapped around her waist, pulling her in. With both hands pressed against his chest, she was held firmly in his embrace.

She smelled lovely, her fresh scent turning crisp in the cold wind, yet her cheeks remained soft. Song Xu kissed her face and asked as he pulled away, "And what about you? What kind of danger did you sense?"

Wen Bairan paused, then felt somewhat defeated, as if resigning herself. She lowered her head, resting it against his shoulder, and whispered, "What do you think?"

Even though she knew the past was the past precisely because it no longer existed in the present, the name Zhu Qiwei had been heard and thought of too many times tonight. She felt somewhat ashamed of her mindset, treating a woman she had never met as an imaginary rival. She never wanted to compete or confront anyone; she only wanted to be sure why he refused to utter that name.

When they had previously talked about their romantic histories, Song Xu’s tight-lippedness about this person now seemed to carry a subtle emotion.

He was never like this with anyone else.

Not even with Ning Shuang, who kept giving him car air fresheners.

Wen Bairan asked, "Were you really waiting for her?"

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

But Song Xu was listening.

"No."

He had never waited, and he never would.

When Zhu Qiwei said they were breaking up, their relationship was over.

There was no suspense, no lingering feelings.

He never allowed such things to remain.

Wen Bairan knew he would answer this way, so she didn’t feel particularly relieved.

"Then why do you never mention her name?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

They embraced in a quiet corner. The moon in Paris carried a dreamlike, hazy quality, its light falling like frost at their feet.

Winter was cold, but holding each other like this was warm.

She preferred hugs over kisses.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true.

There was hardly any part of his body she didn’t like.

Song Xu didn’t speak, but the large hand on her shoulder tightened slightly.

Suddenly, Wen Bairan understood.

Time leaves scars on people. Even if he never wanted them, those marks remained too painful to touch for him.

Just as she would never mention Zhou Lin in front of him.

It was in the past, but the memories remained, the traces lingered, time passed.

Zhu Qiwei’s words—that he didn’t love her—always stayed with him.

Before, he had only thought of it as a failed relationship. Only now did he realize he was truly at fault.

He had never truly looked at Zhu Qiwei, or any one else.

He must feel ashamed.

And guilty.

But these uncomfortable feelings were not permitted to linger.

So he simply didn’t think about it, didn’t mention it, locking it away forever, out of sight.

This was reasonable self-preservation.

Wen Bairan let out a scoff at his words, lifting her head with noticeably improved spirits. "You really know how to twist things around."

Clearly, it was evasion—what kind of "so-called 'reasonable risk avoidance'" was that?

Any negative criticism always got a positive spin from him.

Song Xu’s features softened, yet he remained earnest. "Have confidence."

In him, in herself.

In their marriage.

Don’t doubt, don’t hesitate.

It was only later that Wen Bairan understood the deeper meaning of his words—have confidence, love yourself first. There was nothing worth her melancholy or confusion. After anything happened, think of herself first, then think of him.

Consider whether her interests were harmed, remember how he said he was her weapon.

They were always one.

She shared these thoughts with Song Xu, who was pleased by her change in perspective and told her that if an unexpected situation ever arose, he would want her to protect herself first.

Wen Bairan’s eyes glistened with emotion, and after a long pause, she said with her voice slightly choked up, "Yes, I will."

/

On their final night in Paris, Song Xu said to her, "Although a woman’s jealousy can be troublesome, yours is like winter. The north wind might give someone a cold, but the snow is beautiful. I could watch it forever."

Wen Bairan sniffed and grumbled, "Once is enough, who says forever? If you dare make me feel this way all the time, just watch me spend all your money."

Song Xu laughed. "Now that's a threat."

She snuggled deeper into his embrace.

The two of them held each other like that for a long time, never making it back to the event.

"By the way, don’t forget to remind me later to give Jack my info."

"Who’s Jack?"

"The one who asked for your number earlier."

"...You’re really giving it to him?"

Song Xu said, "His family’s hotel business spans the globe. It gives us a venue for company exhibitions and seminars in the future."

Wen Bairan: "..."

She looked up, gritting her teeth and wrinkling her nose. "You evil capitalist."

Song Xu smiled faintly. "The more money I make, the more you have to threaten me with. Is that so wretched?"

...Even worse!

//

They stayed in Paris for a full month, and by the time they returned to China, the Spring Festival had already passed.

The exhaustion from the long flight made Wen Bairan fall asleep as soon as she got in the car. When she opened her eyes again, the familiar scenery outside the window left her briefly confused.

"Where is this?"

The neighborhood, the building, that middle-aged couple strolling in the small park over there—why did it all look so much like her home and her parents?

Their originally planned return from Sydney for the New Year had been delayed until now, a full month past the intended date.

Her family still didn’t know they had registered their marriage in Paris, nor did they know they were returning today.

Wen Qianming and Ms. Xie, having finished their walk, were heading home together when they noticed a luxury car parked downstairs. It looked somewhat familiar, but they couldn’t quite place where they’d seen it before. A premonition stirred in Ms. Xie’s heart, and the next moment, she saw Wen Bairan lift her head from the open trunk, saying with a mix of surprise and worry to the person beside her, "So many things—how are we going to carry them all up? My building doesn’t have an elevator..."

Hearing the voice, Wen Qianming turned suspiciously and called out, "Ran Ran?"

Wen Bairan leaned halfway out from behind the car. "Dad, Mom, fancy meeting you here! You’re back too."

Although Ms. Xie called the shots and was open-minded and generous, Wen Bairan wasn’t entirely sure if they were open-minded enough to accept her getting married first and asking questions later.

Come to think of it, Song Xu hadn’t even formally met them yet.

Ms. Xie, being in the know, wasn’t all that surprised. Her enigmatic expression suggested she already knew what Wen Bairan had done.

Wen Bairan tactfully went up to her first, linking arms and leaning in to act cute. "Long time no see, Ms. Xie. How have you gotten even younger? I can’t see a single wrinkle on your face. What skincare products are you using? You’ve got to recommend them to me~"

Ms. Xie knew exactly what she was up to and patted her hand. "Oh, you." Her reproachful look seemed to say, "We’ll see how you handle this later."

As for Wen Qianming, his father's intuition made him wary upon seeing Song Xu again.

Their brief encounter outside the birthday banquet last time hadn't left much of an impression of the suddenly appearing figure, but today was different. Song Xu’s hands were full of items, and though he hadn’t spoken yet as he approached, the way he looked at Wen Bairan already indicated he wasn’t just here for a casual visit.

Although Ms. Xie had given him a heads-up beforehand, he didn’t know much about this person and didn't get why, since he was here, he couldn't even be bothered to say "Uncle" or "Auntie"?

The last guy, though also from a wealthy family, had been much more enthusiastic toward them than this guy.

Seeing Wen Bairan immediately step forward to link arms with him as he approached, Wen Qianming’s face darkened. He turned away with a huff, hands behind his back, and stormed upstairs.

Ms. Xie followed behind him, glancing back to take in the sight of the two standing together, a satisfied smile appearing on her face before she too went up.

Wen Bairan hadn’t known in advance that Song Xu was bringing her back, otherwise she would've given them a heads-up. With Wen Qianming in this state, he probably wouldn't be rolling out the welcome mat for Song Xu later. She was deeply afraid that Song Xu, displeased, might just walk out. He was capable of doing just that.

But he showed no signs of displeasure or coldness at being slighted, remaining exceptionally calm as he told her to grab something from the glove box.

Wen Bairan found an enamel box inside.

Without opening it, she hurried back downstairs.

She tried to help him carry some things but was refused.

Song Xu: "You go ahead."

This was his usual tone, but they had been so inseparable lately that Wen Bairan had grown accustomed to his soft, gentle voice. Hearing him speak normally now, she instinctively wondered if he was upset. "Don’t take it to heart, my parents—"

"Let’s go upstairs first." His hands were full, making it difficult to hold hers, so he gently nudged her side with his arm, signaling her to lead the way.

Seeing that his expression showed nothing unusual, Wen Bairan decided to drop it for now.

Upstairs, Ms. Xie had left the door unlocked for them.

Wen Qianming was waiting in the living room.

His stern expression looked as if he were about to interrogate a criminal.

Wen Bairan’s stomach dropped, and she instinctively glanced at Ms. Xie, who merely smiled faintly. It seemed she had already briefed Wen Qianming, but it was still anyone's guess how this would go.

Song Xu followed her in, empty-handed.

The things he brought were left at the entrance, cluttering the entryway.

The two stepped forward, and Wen Qianming scanned what he was holding, letting out a dismissive snort. His expression seemed to say that Song Xu at least had some self-awareness, knowing to leave the stuff by the door so it would be convenient for him to throw them out later.

Wen Bairan couldn’t help but sidestep slightly, blocking his view.

"Dad..." she began with a frown, but Wen Qianming glared at her, cutting her off.

Wen Qianming was a mid-level manager at his workplace, and his colleagues, especially the younger ones, showed him deference. By nature, he was easygoing, but with Ms. Xie dominating the household for so long, his authority as the head of the family was largely performative.

Wen Bairan clearly wasn’t afraid of him—her eyes widened just as fiercely as his.

After all, this was Song Xu's first time visiting their home. Even if he were just a guest, some common decency ought to be shown.

Song Xu stood behind her, his gaze resting on her profile. Her slightly puffed cheeks radiated determination, as if she were ready to stand up for him. His sharp features softened almost imperceptibly.

"......"

His authority undermined and under Ms. Xie’s repeated glances from the side, Wen Qianming cleared his throat awkwardly and waved them toward the couch.

The living room was small, with only a single sofa that could seat one person.

After Song Xu sat down, Wen Bairan naturally took a seat right beside him.

Wen Qianming, who had scooted over to make space for his daughter on the opposite sofa, felt even more wounded. It was as though she was already taking his side, even before anything had really happened.

It wasn’t that he opposed their relationship or marriage, but such significant life decisions should always be discussed with parents first. Unlike them, who acted first and asked for forgiveness later. Now that they were here, was he not even allowed to assert some paternal authority?

That Zhou Lin from before was clearly still a wet-behind-the-ears kid. Knowing he’d be a pushover, Wen Qianming hadn’t been too stern with him. But Song Xu was different.

Having been a career bureaucrat, Wen Qianming was confident in his ability to read people.

Song Xu appeared dignified and composed, the type who was going places. But someone with too much presence might also be domineering at home. He worried whether Wen Bairan would be able to keep him in check.

If she had chosen someone more easygoing, life might have been easier.

Wen Qianming, somewhat set in his ways, questioned Song Xu as if conducting a security clearance interview—covering everything from top to bottom, inside and out, even wanting to know about his family three generations back. It wasn’t until he learned that Song Xu’s father was a lawyer and his mother a designer, both living abroad long-term, that his stern expression softened a bit.

The three members of the family were each in completely unrelated fields, yet all successful—clear evidence of an open-minded and affluent household. This would undoubtedly benefit their future life together.

Having seen too many conservative and rigid approaches within the system, Wen Qianming actually admired Song Xu’s personal insights and eloquence. Professionally, he was exceptional. But being so exceptional likely meant high expectations for family life as well.

Wen Qianming got right to it: "When do you plan to have children?"

"Dad!" The question was too direct. They had just gotten married—how could they already be discussing children? Song Xu had never even mentioned this to her.

Wen Bairan reacted strongly, but this time Wen Qianming didn’t let her shut down the conversation. Instead, he said sternly, "You’re still young and don’t understand that some issues must be addressed early. You’re both still in the rising phase of your careers and don’t seem prepared to sacrifice anything for family life. But a woman’s precious fertility window is limited. Are we supposed to wait until you become an older mother or face fertility issues before discussing this? By then, it would be too late."

He rarely spoke so seriously in front of Wen Bairan. Slightly stunned, she pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Song Xu understood that Wen Qianming was considering Wen Bairan’s well-being. Without evasion, he replied candidly, "Regarding this issue, my plans are on the back burner."

Wen Qianming pressed, "How long? Is it not happening at all, or is there a timeline? You seem like a very planned person—tell me your thoughts."

Song Xu responded, "As you said, we’re both still in the rising phase of our careers. Having a child now would inevitably cut into our work time. As the birth parent, Ran Ran would undoubtedly have to sacrifice more than I would. Even before we married, we agreed that P&T would be hers to run. She supported this idea and has already made many plans for the company’s future, all of which she intends to realize. Clearly, she isn’t the type to revolve entirely around family. In my list of priorities, my partner comes first. I’ve always believed that balancing family and career isn’t something one person can achieve alone, so I will respect and support all her wishes. Having offspring is important to me, but not that important. If she’s willing, we can start trying immediately. Of course, if she is unwilling and remains firm, I would never force her. In this matter, you need not worry at all about me pressuring her."

Wen Qianming was set in his ways. Although modern views on marriage offered young people diverse choices, he traditionally believed that marriage and children were entirely normal for women. He knew Wen Bairan wasn’t the type to be a stay-at-home wife, and he couldn’t bear to see the daughter he raised spending her life revolving around a man. His question was meant to show that he would have her back—with him around, no one could force her into anything she didn’t want.

He hadn’t expected Song Xu to be so on the same page.

"It’s best if you truly think this way. I hope you can keep your word."

Song Xu gave a slight nod. "Of course."

Wen Bairan had never heard him say these things before. In fact, they hadn’t been together long at all—even the decision to marry had been made in a whirlwind week. At least, that was true for her.

She had always felt that everything was moving too quickly, but Song Xu consistently showed through his actions that this was a well-considered decision.

From Sydney to Paris, and then back here.

Looking further back, it seemed his presence had always represented a sense of security for Wen Bairan.

In the living room, spring sunlight softly spilled over his shoulders. Surrounded by the place she had grown up in, with both her parents present, Song Xu’s broad back and the slight tilt of his face toward her blended seamlessly into the scene. It was as if they had rehearsed this countless times—as if he had always known he would sit here, in this very spot, his back to her, quietly reaching for her hand beside him.

The look he gave her was deep and gentle, enveloping her completely.

Wen Bairan felt a sudden prickling in her nose. This certainty of being thoroughly considered and cared for was something she had never experienced before.

All the worries from just minutes ago now felt unnecessary.

Song Xu—he truly never disappointed anyone.

Especially her.

Seeing the emotion in her eyes, his expression softened gradually. No excessive words were needed; all tenderness was conveyed through the hand holding hers.

She gave a firm squeeze back.

/

Dinner was at a restaurant.

Song Xu had reserved a hotel—the same one where Grandma Wen’s birthday banquet had been held.

In the private room, Wen Qianming, though still somewhat displeased that Song Xu had married his daughter without a word, had at least mellowed enough to talk civilly with him.

Somehow, the two found a bottomless well of things to talk about, as if they could talk forever.

As the evening drew to a close, Wen Bairan got up to pay the check, only to be told by the server that it had already been paid.

There was no need to ask who it was.

She glanced back through the crack in the door at the man seated facing her direction. He had drunk some liquor—baijiu, with a high alcohol content—and even with his good tolerance, his eyes were slightly reddened. The bright lights cast a warm, attractive glow on his pale complexion.

Their eyes met through the door, with no barriers between them.

Wen Bairan smiled.

Softly.

And so Song Xu smiled too.

A faint, almost imperceptible curve fleeting at the corners of his lips.

The warm air carried a hint of sweet rosé.

It was her favorite sweet soup dessert.

Without her even realizing, Song Xu understood her better than anyone else.

Just then, Ms. Xie stepped out to use the restroom. Wen Bairan withdrew her gaze and walked arm in arm with her.

She filled Ms. Xie in on everything that had happened over the past two months, from quitting her job to getting married. When mentioning the prenuptial agreement, Wen Bairan wasn’t trying to prove or show off anything—she just really wanted her mom to know that Song Xu was serious about her.

In the bathroom mirror, the scene of the mother and daughter talking seemed to have happened once before. That time, Wen Bairan had been filled with confusion and resentment toward the unknown; this time, she was filled with anticipation.

The most precious thing in life is anticipation.

Anticipation for the future, for love, for people.

Anticipation is about hoping for and expecting good things; it brings positive energy and guides you toward beautiful places.

But this sense of anticipation is getting rarer these days.

It meant a lot to Ms. Xie that Wen Bairan still possessed this ability. She stroked her long hair, just like she used to when combing it for her as a child. "It’s wonderful. For me, nothing makes me happier than knowing you’ve found happiness."

Ms. Xie’s gentle, loving gaze made Wen Bairan’s eyes well up instantly. She leaned into her shoulder. "Mom, believe me, I won’t make you worry like I used to. This time, I’ll get it right."

Ms. Xie smiled. "Silly girl, that’s never what I worried about. I only worried that you’d keep everything bottled up and refuse to talk about it. Of course, I believe you can do well, but you should also know that it’s totally okay if things aren’t perfect. You’ll always have your dad and me."

Wen Bairan’s voice got even shakier. "Mom..."

She felt incredibly fortunate to have parents who loved her so deeply. After experiencing love and heartbreak, she’d still gotten back up and looked forward. Now, she had a marriage. Song Xu never said the word "love" out loud, but he made her feel truly loved through his actions.

Having all of this, she felt content.

It took her a minute to pull herself together. After sniffling, Wen Bairan said they weren’t planning to have a wedding.

Weddings were too complicated. Whether grand or simple, with many guests or few, something always ends up not quite right. Neither she nor Song Xu enjoyed such big to-dos. Their trip to Paris was both their honeymoon and their wedding trip.

Ms. Xie understood but said they should at least have a meal together.

Wen Bairan then explained that Song Xu’s family situation was… complicated. He himself was pretty detached when it came to family. She still hadn’t met his father, and that whole dynamic was probably hard for ordinary people to accept. Initially, she had even prepared herself for the possibility that he wouldn’t meet her parents, so him showing up was a surprise.

Ms. Xie was surprised. "He won't even meet Grandma?"

Wen Bairan thought for a moment and said she would go alone. Grandma lived with Wen Houliang’s family, and that house is always packed with people. Song Xu definitely wouldn’t like that.

After some consideration, Ms. Xie agreed with the suggestion. Her cousin was recently home on vacation and had brought a boyfriend back. Wen Houliang was extremely unhappy with the young man, and the family was a whole mess.

But this jogged her memory about something else.

"Do you know someone gave Grandma a very expensive bracelet?"

Wen Bairan was puzzled. "A bracelet? What bracelet?"

Half a month ago, Grandma Wen received a top-quality mutton-fat jade bracelet. The note in the gift box said it was a belated birthday gift from Wen Bairan.

Grandma was thrilled and immediately called to ask about it, but Wen Bairan was abroad at the time and missed the call. So, Grandma called Ms. Xie instead.

As soon as Ms. Xie saw the bracelet on video, she knew it was worth a fortune. She also knew no one in their family was that generous with gifts. At first, she wondered if maybe Zhou Lin had sent it. She had meant to ask Wen Bairan about it but was afraid it was a conversation for in-person, and she didn’t want Song Xu to overhear and get the wrong idea. So, she’d held off.

Today, when she saw the enamel box they brought back, it looked kinda familiar, and she realized it must have been from Song Xu.

Wen Bairan had received so many similar surprises over the past two months that she was pretty used to Song Xu’s behind-the-scenes actions. She didn’t even know what was in that box, let alone that he had even looked out for Grandma Wen.

She asked Ms. Xie about the bracelet.

Ms. Xie said that because the bracelet’s origin was unclear and it was too valuable, Grandma didn’t dare wear it. She brought it over the very next day, and it was still sitting in the cabinet.

Wen Bairan had to laugh. Sensing that Ms. Xie was a little uncomfortable about it, she reassured her that since they were married now, they were family. Whatever Song Xu gave was as good as from her, and they should go ahead and wear it.

Ms. Xie couldn’t help but sigh. "On Grandma’s birthday, he came but didn’t even come in for the party. Yet he still remembered to send her a gift. That’s very thoughtful."

Indeed, it was thoughtful.

He must have already been making his move back then.

Wen Bairan thought she would have to get the full story from him that evening, just how many things he had done behind her back.

/

It was quite late by the time they finished dinner. Ms. Xie couldn’t deal with a drunk Wen Qianming by herself, so Wen Bairan had to help take him home. Song Xu had also drunk quite a bit and couldn’t drive. He stood at the hotel entrance, standing in the wind, looking kinda pathetic.

After getting Wen Qianming into the car, Wen Bairan hurried over to Song Xu, touched his warm face, and called out, "Song Xu, Song Xu? I’ve called a driver for you. He’ll be here soon. Head back to the hotel on your own, alright?"

Song Xu didn’t answer, just staring at her, his reaction slow.

The car was still waiting. Wen Bairan didn’t have time to say more. Before getting into the car, she turned back and told him to call her once he reached the hotel.

Song Xu stood where he was, watching her get into the car. Even after their car had driven far away, Wen Bairan could still make out his figure standing there when she looked back.

Once home, after settling Wen Qianming, both mother and daughter were exhausted, their backs aching.

There was usually a ban on alcohol at home, but today was an exception. Wen Qianming had really let loose, and he was paying for it now.

By the time she and Ms. Xie finished cleaning up, it was almost midnight. Wen Bairan had gotten a stain on her clothes, so she went to take a shower first. When she came out, Ms. Xie had some ginger tea waiting for her and told her to drink it and go to bed.

She drank it while it was hot. Back in her room, the first thing she did was grab her phone to see if Song Xu had sent her any messages.

There were none.

No messages at all.

Wen Bairan couldn’t help but wonder if he’d just forgotten.

She called him. The call went through, but no one answered.

Did he not hear it?

Or was he taking a shower?

She sent him a WeChat message.

Ran: [Are you back at the hotel?]

Ran: [My dad threw up for a long time. Are you okay?]

Ran: [Message me when you see this.]

After waiting for a long time with no response, she guessed Song Xu must have already fallen asleep.

Wen Bairan put down her phone and prepared to sleep too.

But she tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

She had slept on the plane there and back, so she wasn’t tired at all now.

Picking up her phone to check for messages from Song Xu just made her more awake.

He still hadn’t made a sound. She wondered if he was asleep.

Thinking about it, he had drunk quite a bit today, but it wasn’t even that much for him. Could it be because it was baijiu?

Wen Bairan recalled her few experiences with hangovers, and realized nearly every one involved Song Xu. Remembering the feeling of a splitting headache and a parched mouth, she couldn't help but worry if Song Xu was feeling unwell.

She checked the time—almost two o'clock.

The lights in the next room had long been turned off, and in the silent darkness, she could faintly hear Wen Qianming's faint snoring.

She texted him again to ask if he was back at the hotel, but still got no response.

The more Wen Bairan thought about it, the more she felt there was something off about the look on Song Xu's face as he stood at the hotel entrance watching her get into the car. She decided to get up and change clothes. Rather than guessing and worrying, it would be more reassuring to just go see him herself.

The spring night no longer carried the chill of winter, but the air was thick with dew, and it was still cold enough to make one bundle up tightly.

Wen Bairan hurried downstairs, with just her phone in hand.

As she stepped out of the building, the wind blew, and she tucked her face deeper into her scarf, quickening her pace.

After just a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

As if guided by some inexplicable impulse, she raised her head and looked toward the nearby flower bed.

In the night, the man's black trench coat nearly melted into the shadows under the tree. He leaned against the trunk with his head down, tapping the tip of his foot. In the heavy darkness, the glow between his fingers and his excessively pale face stood out sharply.

In the cold wind, the dry scent of smoke and a faint yet rich fragrance carried on the air.

Wen Bairan whispered in disbelief, "Song Xu?"

The figure didn't react, still smoking with his head down.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she walked toward him.

The flowerbed was small, and the young poplar tree looked even less sturdy than the man.

The cigarette was nearing its end, the bitter taste mingled with a hint of orange blossom.

The hand holding the cigarette stub paused slightly.

His eyelids lifted slowly, and in his line of sight appeared a pair of boots, the toes facing him, just a fist's distance away.

Wen Bairan's cautious voice was so quiet it felt almost illusory in the empty silence of the night, "...Song Xu, why are you here? Were you waiting for me?"

Song Xu raised his head from the shadows, his deep eyes filled with the darkness and cold of the night. Suddenly meeting her gaze, Wen Bairan shivered from the chill, but she didn't step back. After confirming that his complexion looked normal, she even took half a step closer and asked gently, "Have you been waiting long?"

"Why didn't you call me? I almost fell asleep."

"How did you get here? Where's your car?"

"Song Xu, are you okay?"

"Why aren't you saying anything... Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should I take you upstairs for some hot ginger tea? How about that..."

Her murmured words were swallowed by his embrace, along with her surprised gaze and his sigh.

"Yes, I was waiting for you."

Waiting for a long time,

A very long time.

...