“Okay!” Meng Yan readily agreed.

He paused for a moment, then chuckled, wondering if he had agreed too quickly.

Huo Jiayuan pursed her lips gently and brushed back the stray hairs that had fallen across her forehead. Meanwhile, Meng Yan hurriedly ran into the room and squatted in front of a cabinet in the corner, rummaging through it for a long time.

He'd been alone for so long, and he really didn't have anything worth giving her as a keepsake.

He was wearing old boxing gloves, sweatshirts, and sweatpants; there were dumbbells and a punching bag on the balcony. He then realized that he had nothing else besides these.

He sighed softly, and a moment later found an old photograph—probably his only one. The photograph was slightly yellowed; he was in military uniform, his eyes resolute, looking imposing and dashing. Meng Yan froze, his hand trembling slightly. After thinking for a long while, he stuffed the photograph back into the deepest part of the drawer.

The next day, he took Huo Jiayuan shopping, wanting to buy her something. He said he didn't have any souvenirs, so he would let her choose one herself.

The weather was beautiful that day; the sun in the border region blazed with intense heat, baking the earth. But Huo Jiayuan wasn't in a particularly high mood.

She silently counted down the days until she left the border town.

This was the first day, and her time with Meng Yan was dwindling. She suddenly felt like a terminally ill patient, waiting hopelessly for that moment to arrive.

Meng Yan led her into the mall. The air conditioning was strong inside, so she couldn't be in the sun and could stroll leisurely beside him. It was a weekday, and there were very few people shopping in the mall during the day. The huge space made Huo Jiayuan feel a little empty.

She walked behind Meng Yan, keeping half a body's distance from him. She kept looking at his tall figure, his angular profile, his high nose, his beautiful sideburns... she watched him walk with a brisk pace, and the faint scars peeking out from under the cuffs of his T-shirt.

She suddenly felt very sad.

After returning to the central city, he was just a dream to her.

Huo Jiayuan bit her lip, mustered her courage, and tried to take his hand, but at that moment he turned to look at her, chuckled, and asked, "Do you like this dress?"

Huo Jiayuan was stunned, realizing that he had already brought her to a specialty store.

She shook her head and walked away silently.

Meng Yan followed her and pointed to a bag in the shop window, asking if she wanted it.

Huo Jiayuan shook her head again.

He was somewhat at a loss, and when he tried to buy her something, she refused to accept anything.

"Didn't you say you wanted me to give you something?" He grabbed her arm. "You don't want this or that, how can I give you something?"

"I……"

Huo Jiayuan paused for a moment, then caught a glimpse of a photography studio not far away.

There aren't many studios that can be located in large shopping malls, but this one has a somewhat vintage feel to its decor, making it quite unique from the outside.

Meng Yan followed her gaze, then understood what she meant. He smiled gently, and without saying a word, he took her hand and led her inside.

Huo Jiayuan's heart skipped a beat, and when she came to her senses, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Welcome! What kind of photos would you like to take?"

The shop assistant enthusiastically handed over the photo album and introduced some special offers. At this moment, the owner came out from behind the door and recognized Meng Yan at a glance.

"You...you are..."

The chubby boss, who looked like a meatball, had a kind and honest smile on his face. "Oh, isn't this the boxer?"

Meng Yan was stunned. She didn't expect to run into an acquaintance here, but she couldn't remember when they had met.

"I took pictures of you during your competition!"

The boss walked forward with a smile, then turned back and waved to his assistant before leading them into the VIP photography studio. There were dedicated stylists and makeup artists there. This photography studio was a well-established name in Biandu, and many celebrities even came specifically to have their photos taken by the boss. The boss was considered a top performer in the industry, and for celebrities who weren't particularly famous, he would delegate the photography to his assistant.

But today he personally took charge, setting up the venue, choosing dresses for the two of them, and considering the atmosphere for the photo shoot, keeping himself very busy.

"I especially enjoy watching you throw punches!" the shopkeeper laughed. "Your punches are sharp and satisfying!"

Meng Yan recalled that once he had competed against a foreigner. The man was very arrogant before the match and made some outrageous remarks, but later he beat the man so badly in the ring that he couldn't find his way out.

A patriot like the boss, with a pure heart, loves watching these kinds of matches, even if they're in underground boxing rings. And every time he bets on Meng Yan to win, Meng Yan never loses, making the boss a fortune in the underground boxing rings.

"I heard you got married?" The boss looked at him, then at Huo Jiayuan. "This must be the bride?"

Meng Yan neither admitted nor denied it, and the boss immediately had his assistant bring over more than a dozen wedding dresses.

"I'll take a set of wedding photos for you two today!" the boss exclaimed excitedly.

Huo Jiayuan felt a little awkward. She glanced at Meng Yan beside her, then lowered her head and smiled slightly. The two then took photos in formal attire, changing into several different outfits. However, Huo Jiayuan's favorite look was the one with the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe.

The outfit was elegant and luxurious, and the whole scene was decorated in festive red. Meng Yan, who was standing next to him, was wearing Hanfu, which was a completely different style from his usual boxing style.

The two of them smiled contentedly at the camera.

The photo shoot took a long time. After it was finished, Huo Jiayuan picked through each one, wanting to keep every single one. In the end, she chose the one of her in a phoenix coronet and wedding robes. She patiently waited for the photographer to finish retouching the photos, then carefully tucked them into her pocket.

This was the best gift Meng Yan could give her.

Three days passed quickly, and as the moment of parting approached, both of them tacitly understood each other, without even glancing at one another. At midnight, Meng Yan drove Huo Jiayuan to the dock, where he saw Xiao Rong already waiting.

"Get out of the car," Meng Yan said in a low voice.

After a long silence, this was the first time he had spoken to her.

Huo Jiayuan didn't have much luggage; her most treasured possession was the photo in her pocket. She reached in and touched it, then took her hand out and pressed it against the outside of her pocket, finally giving him a deep look.

Meng Yan thought for a moment, got out of the car, and walked around to her side to open the car door for her.

Xiao Rong saw them and ran towards them in small steps.

"Meng Yan, you..." Huo Jiayuan's voice was very soft, "Will you remember me?"

Meng Yan's heart tightened, and she forced a smile.

Huo Jiayuan lowered her head. "I will remember you, I will remember you for the rest of my life."

“No need,” he said in a deep voice. “Once you get back, just forget everything that happened here.”

"Meng Yan".

"Run!"

He grabbed her hand, and just then Xiao Rong ran up to them. Meng Yan took the opportunity to place her hand in Xiao Rong's.

That means I've safely handed her over to him.

From that moment on, they lived in two different worlds.

Xiao Rong anxiously reminded Huo Jiayuan, "Let's go... Actually, the ship was about to leave, but I delayed it for a few more minutes."

“Miss,” Xiao Rong whispered in her ear, “If we delay even a few minutes, the ship’s course may change. Let’s hurry! If we delay any longer, something else might happen.”