Xue Guangli glanced at the registration office. Long Huojin placed his mask underneath his chin and said, "You will be under my household registry," he said, sure of himself.

Xue Guangli faced him, placing down her mask, too, smiling. The wind picked up, billowing her hair like a waving flag. "If I left you right now, would you chase me?" she asked.

Long Huojin"s eyes darkened. "Mhm. I can"t let you go, not when I have you now," he said.

Xue Guangli"s smug smile held. She reached up to kiss him, brus.h.i.+ng his lips with a light peck. When she broke the kiss, she stared into his eyes. Xue Guangli used to consider his eyes as ice-cold, deep and unthawed like the arctic, but now it was warm and flowy like the ocean.

"I love you," she said openly, a breath of a whisper.

Long Huojin"s eyes widened, but then it narrowed, with his focus on her, full of need and want. "I love you, too," he responded genuinely.

He took her hand as they ascended the steps of the hall.

Some part of her felt guilty for not telling any of the others, but it was necessary, and she knew that they would understand when they found out. Another part of her wished her mother was there, too. All she ever wanted was to see her daughters get married, and now she never would. But Xue Guangli didn"t want to think about it.

The two of them went through the registration procedure, providing all their personal information, awaiting approval.

They took three pictures together for their marriage certificates, paying the fee, and then after, they whispered vows to each other before leaving the building as a married couple.

Xue Guangli descended the steps of the hall, holding her husband"s hand. She kept smiling broadly and felt embarra.s.sed at the fact that Long Huojin caught her grins. But she couldn"t help it.

On her left hand, she wore two rings on the same finger — a beautiful golden engagement ring with a blue sapphire, and a thin gold wedding band on top. She would have to hide the rings around the others, but for now, it felt good to have it on her hand as she can"t stop looking at it.

Long Huojin arranged a car to pick them up. Inside, Xue Guangli almost couldn"t keep her hands off him.

After a fifteen-minute drive, they stopped at a cemetery unexpectedly. It stunned her. Long Huojin stepped out of the car, and she followed after him. He purchased some flowers from a stand before grasping her hand. Without saying a word, they approached her mother"s grave.

He bowed to pay his respects, mumbling words she couldn"t understand. But regardless, she felt happy by his gesture. He was speaking to her mother.

Xue Guangli also spoke to her silently. She confessed that she"s happy now and moved onto a better place. But she would still not rest until justice was served.

When they finished, Long Huojin retook her hand, and they went back in the car.

It was an enduring two hour car-ride of hand-holding, light pecks, and stolen glances.

They arrived at a country-side home, away from the city, where Long Huojin rented the place for two days. They had the entire s.p.a.ce to themselves, keeping them apart from troubling thoughts and overbearing responsibilities. It was the escape they needed.

They took out two carry-on bags from the car and went inside the house, placing it by the entrance.

In the living room, Xue Guangli lit the fireplace and candles around the room, as Long Huojin started cooking in the kitchen. She then went to the dining room, to light more candles and set the small table, and afterward, she joined Long Huojin in the kitchen, by circling her arms around his torso.

Long Huojin turned around, capturing her lips with his. She opened for him, kissing him until she couldn"t breathe. The food began to burn, but Long Huojin quickly lowered the heat, stirring it. His golden wedding band glimmered on his left hand. Xue Guangli felt complete bliss.

After an hour of cooking and preparing dishes together, they went to the dining room to eat. The room was dim-lit with only candles illuminating the s.p.a.ce around them.

They both dug into their meals, smiling and glancing at each other. Half-way through, Long Huojin rose from his seat and headed towards the kitchen. Xue saw him wash his hands in the sink and after drying them, he went to pull something out, hiding in a compartment.

As soon as she saw it, she knew what it was. It was a violin case. Long Huojin approached their table again, pulling out the instrument. "I want to play for you as you eat," he said.

Xue Guangli flushed. She only ever heard him play at a distance, or during a performance, and sometimes from his room.

He looked nervous as he placed the end of the violin underneath his chin. He lifted the bow and began to strum the strings with a smooth, mellow sound. As he performed the piece, he quicked his pace, strengthening the sound, losing himself. His music intensified into a l.u.s.trous metallic pitch.

Xue Guangli watched him entranced; she couldn"t look away at how he slowed or quickened, transitioning smoothly. His dark locks tumbled as he concentrated.

There was something about his graceful posture that moved as his slender hands held his instrument. His face was tight, hollow at the cheekbones, and yet his expression was soft as he played for her.

Xue Guangli tried to eat, but she wasn"t hungry as her attention snapped to him. How can anyone let themselves feel distracted when he was playing so beautifully?

It was the same as always. Xue Guangli felt frozen when she watched him, heard him. Long Huojin slowed down at the ending of his piece, arriving at a full stop, but not until after he lingered the last few notes.

Long Huojin panted, and Xue Guangli rose to embrace him. Long Huojin held his bow and violin to the sides. When she let go, he put it back in his case and asked, "Are you still hungry?"

Xue Guangli shook her head. "Not anymore," she said,

Long Huojin smiled. "Me neither,"

Suddenly, Xue Guangli felt nervous.

She took Long Huojin"s hand, and he guided her up the stairs towards the master bedroom. Long Huojin went around the room to light the candles, revealing the romantically decorated bedroom, but knowing Long Huojin, he must have requested it before they arrived.

There were different types of flower petals scattered around the room, from lilies to orchids, to sunflowers and roses. The bed looked soft with cus.h.i.+ons and blankets. Xue Guangli felt nervous but warm throughout.

Long Huojin came from behind her, kissing her shoulders, making his way towards the nape of her neck.

Xue Guangli tried to calm the pace of her heartbeat as she began to feel fuzzy, and despite all the times they"ve done other things, she felt nervous but eager.

She turned around to kiss him pa.s.sionately. He cupped her face, kissing her on the lips, biting the lower one slowly. Long Huojin broke the kiss and said, "We should bathe first."

Breathless, Xue Guangli nodded.