Shen Xiaoxing raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I only know about giving red envelopes for New Year, and... teacups?"
"Red envelopes are for lucky money, a gift from elders to the younger generation." An Ruo pursed her lips and chuckled softly. "A cup symbolizes a lifetime."
It was a way to wish for good luck in the new year, and she also hoped he would use this cup to drink water every day. That way, every time he picked it up to drink, he would think of her.
A little trick, really!
Shen Xiaoxing planted another kiss on her delicate face. "I love this gift."
Caught off guard by his sudden kiss, An Ruo instinctively covered her face, frowning at him in displeasure. "In front of so many people... there are people all around."
She had thin skin and felt embarrassed.
But Shen Xiaoxing wanted to tease her like this. Who told this girl to usually act so aloof and cold? When he teased her now, she blushed like a charming, adorable little bride.
"Meow~"
The Ragdoll cat that An Ruo had held earlier jumped off the rocking chair, as if longing for her embrace, rubbing against the man's legs in a coquettish manner.
The man looked down at the cat acting spoiled, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes, but only for a moment before he instantly regained his composure.
"It acts just like you when it's being clingy."
"How is that like me?" An Ruo let out a playful scold, reaching out to scoop the cat into her arms, her small hand smoothing its glossy fur.
Shen Xiaoxing leaned close to her ear, a wicked smile curling on his lips. "Ruoruo, when will you act spoiled for me?"
"..."
An Ruo felt a tingling numbness spread from the base of her ears. Whether it was because her skin was sensitive or because the man had stirred her, her ears turned bright red.
The man held her, and she held the cat—the scene was suddenly very heartwarming.
Han Chong couldn't resist pulling out his phone, adjusting the angle, and snapping a photo.
*Click.*
The man looked up at the sound, catching him in the act of taking a secret photo.
He had always hated being on camera and didn't want his face exposed to others.
Han Chong's hair stood on end in shock, but the man only gave him a brief glance before turning back to gaze at the girl playing with the cat in his arms, his look so tender it could kill.
Just then, the shop assistant brought over the finished ceramic piece, but seeing the couple so absorbed in each other, she hesitated to interrupt.
Assuming they were together, the assistant handed the ceramic bottle to Han Chong instead.
Han Chong thought about giving it to the man, but when he saw the pattern engraved on it—wasn't that their young mistress?
It was only a profile, but honestly, Yun Li's carving skills were decent. He recognized the subject immediately.
If he rashly handed this to the young master, wouldn't he get beaten to death?
Han Chong didn't dare take the risk. He quietly placed the ceramic bottle back on the shop owner's table, instructing him to keep it for now and let Yun Li come back for it when he remembered.
...
Since they were already out, the two decided to stroll along the road and enjoy the local scenery.
Back home, it was just after the Spring Festival, with the earth reviving and full of life, but it was still a bit cold.
New Zealand was different. It was summer there, and the season stretched long, with lush greenery everywhere.
As dusk fell, An Ruo pushed the man onto a stone bridge. Beneath them was a large lake, and the setting sun cast a warm, beautiful glow...
"Like it here?" The man held her hand, his thumb rubbing the back of hers, his voice deep and gentle.
"Yeah, it's beautiful here."
An Ruo's light brown eyes caught the sunset, clear as glass beads. Golden rays fell on her hair and shoulders, gilding her smiling lips with a golden edge.
Shen Xiaoxing's deep black eyes, reflecting the sunset, grew even sharper and brighter. He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the girl beside him as she admired the distant scenery.
Just like this, in this moment, she looked at the distant view, while he looked at her with deep affection—from their prime youth to the slow passage of time.
As time flowed, youth faded, and black hair turned to snow, the only one always by his side would be her.
Leaving the stone bridge, they headed to the lakeside park.
At this hour, there were few people around. Most had probably finished a long day's work and gone home for a hot meal.
An Ruo watched as the green lights flickered on one by one, and suddenly remembered what had happened at the ceramic shop that afternoon. She bit her lip, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
The man noticed she had something on her mind and raised an eyebrow. "Is there a secret between us that can't be shared?"
Understanding his implication, An Ruo lightly bit her lip. "What did you say to Yun Li at the ceramic shop today? I didn't quite catch it. Does he have some motive for getting close to me?"
She thought Yun Li was a decent person and genuinely wanted to be friends with him.
But ever since their last encounter, the man hadn't had a good impression of him, and at the ceramic shop, the two had been at odds.
"I really don't know why he's trying so hard to win you over."
An Ruo frowned. "Why would he try to win me over?"
"..."
"Isn't it just about being friends?" She thought it over. Wasn't that the whole reason Yun Li had invited her out?
Her answer made the man laugh.
Good thing this girl didn't understand the nuances of romance. He also marveled that Yun Li hadn't directly confessed his feelings to her. Otherwise, with her single-minded view of emotions, it would be hard for her to figure out someone else's intentions.
Rustling sounds came from the park's woods. A dark gun barrel slowly emerged, and in its scope, the two were chatting and laughing, with Han Chong following at a distance.
An Ruo looked up at the sky and said softly, "It's getting dark. Should we go home?"
The man was about to nod in agreement when he seemed to sense something. His ears twitched sharply, and he pulled her into his arms.
"Watch out!"
*Bang!* A loud gunshot rang out, making An Ruo, pressed against the man's chest, tremble violently.
It was gunfire.
Shen Xiaoxing looked up. A bullet was embedded deep in the stone pillar in front of him.
He wasn't afraid of dying, but what terrified him was that if he hadn't anticipated it, that bullet would have hit the girl's head!
Han Chong drew his gun instantly, aiming at the assassin hiding in the woods. He fired a burst of shots, then put his fingers to his lips and whistled. Ye Feng, who had been lurking in the shadows for protection, heard the signal and immediately led his men out. A black car sped over.
The man pressed the girl's head down with his palm, shielding her safely in his arms. With his other hand, he felt for his waist, then frowned deeply. Damn it, he hadn't brought his gun!
In an instant, the park was filled with the roar of gunfire. An Ruo curled up in the man's arms, trembling with fear, as if she were in the middle of a war movie—it felt too real!
The black car slid to a stop not far from them. The driver pushed open the door. "Young master, get in first..."
The man's eyes lit up, and he was about to let the girl in his arms get into the car first when a bullet flew over, hitting the driver square in the head, killing him instantly.
Shen Tingfeng had gone all out this time, sending only the best assassins. They fought fiercely, advancing with weapons as they fired.
A group of bodyguards surrounded the two, forming a safe circle around them. But the enemy had set up an ambush and had plenty of ammunition.
One by one, the bodyguards fell. Shen Xiaoxing's handsome face darkened as he picked up a pistol still warm with blood. With one hand holding the girl, he accurately shot the sniper hiding across from them.
"Young master, get in the car first!" Han Chong, shielded by the bodyguards, reached the car and yanked open the door.
The man gently patted the girl in his arms. His eyes, which had been cold a moment ago, softened with infinite tenderness as he looked down at her. "Wait for me in the car first."
In a crisis like this, An Ruo logically wouldn't want to abandon him. But she knew that if she stayed, she would only hold him back, needing his protection.
[Want to see a damsel save the hero~ Hehehe!]