The celebration banquet was a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Looking at everyone, Shang Wu felt that life couldn't be more perfect than this.

The shadows of the past have completely vanished.

...

Night had fallen.

The noise of the dinner party subsided.

The Lu family villa has returned to tranquility.

After washing up, Shang Wu came out of the bathroom wearing a soft silk nightgown and saw Lu Rang standing alone in front of the bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window.

He didn't turn on the main light; only a warm yellow wall lamp by the bedside emitted a soft glow.

Shang Wu walked over quietly, gently wrapped her arms around his lean waist from behind, pressed her cheek against his broad back, and felt his body stiffen slightly.

"What's wrong? Still thinking about today's check-up?"

Her voice was soft and gentle after her bath, "The doctor said everything is fine, don't worry."

Lu Rang did not answer immediately, but covered her hands that were clasped on his abdomen; his palms were a little cool.

After a long while, he slowly turned around to face her.

In the dim light, Shang Wu saw that his eyes were bloodshot.

His usually sharp and composed eyes were now veiled with a fragile, watery light.

Lu Rang looked at her intently, his thin lips pursed, and said nothing.

Shang Wu's heart clenched suddenly. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Lu Rang's lips tremble slightly.

Lu Rang shed tears.

Shang Wu was completely stunned.

“A-Jan…”

She called out to him with heartache and reached out to wipe away his tears.

Lu Rang suddenly lowered his head, buried his face deep in her neck, and hugged her tightly, so tightly that she could hardly breathe.

His body trembled slightly, and tears dripped onto Shang Wu's neck.

Shang Wu stopped talking, but hugged him back just as tightly, gently patting his back with one hand.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm fine now, aren't I? Okay, don't be afraid."

After a long while, Lu Rang's voice, muffled by the nape of her neck, came through, tinged with lingering fear: "Awu, I'm so scared, I'm really so scared."

"I'm terrified of losing you, terrified of losing you."

He tightened his arms around Shang Wu, as if only by holding her tightly could he confirm her real existence.

“When you fainted, I saw you lying there lifeless. The doctor said you needed surgery because there was something in your brain. I felt like my world was collapsing.”

Shang Wu listened quietly, her heart aching terribly.

Lu Rang remained calm throughout, but only she knew how scared and sad he was.

“While you were having surgery, every single second I was outside felt like I was being slowly tortured to death. My hands were shaking as I signed those consent forms.”

Lu Rang's tears flowed even more fiercely. "I dare not think about it. I dare not think about what I will do if the outcome is bad, what will happen to Xiao Wu?"

Shang Wu's eyes also welled up with tears.

Lu Rang's meticulous care over the past few days was all a facade to keep her from worrying; he silently bore all the pressure alone.

"I'm sorry." She choked back tears, gently kissing Lu Rang's temple. "I'm sorry for making you worry..."

Lu Rang shook his head vigorously, his eyes reddening, and laughed: "Don't apologize to me, A-Wu. It's good that you're alright. Your well-being is more important than anything else."

He cupped Shang Wu's face in his hands, his fingertips still slightly cool, and gently kissed her brows and eyes.

"Promise me you'll take good care of yourself from now on, and you'll stay with me until we're old. I can't live without you."

Shang Wu watched him plead for a promise like an insecure big boy, and her heart softened and ached, mixed with a hint of inexplicable amusement.

She tiptoed and kissed Lu Rang's lips.

"I promise you." Shang Wu whispered on his lips, "I will always be with you, watching Xiao Wu get married and have children, watching our grandchildren grow up, and we will see many, many beautiful sights together, and grow old together."

Lu Rang gazed at her intently, the vulnerability in his eyes gradually fading.

"Mmm." He responded softly, burying his face in Shang Wu's fragrant hair, unwilling to let go.

Shang Wu smiled and patted his back, gently coaxing, "Alright, let's go rest. It's getting late, I can't stay up late, have you forgotten?"

Lu Rang's eyes flickered, and he nodded.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

...

After a night, Shang Wu instinctively reached out to her side, only to find nothing.

She opened her eyes and found that Lu Rang had already gotten up, and the other side of the bed was cold.

She got up with some confusion, washed up, changed into her home clothes, and went downstairs.

Upon entering the living room, Shang Wu was stunned.

Lu Rang stood in the center of the living room, dressed in a dark gray suit, his hair neatly combed.

She replaced the cufflinks on her clothes with the pair of tulip-shaped gold buttons she had given her before.

"Awake?" Lu Rang saw her, a slight smile playing on his lips, and walked towards her.

He naturally took Shang Wu's hand and said, "Go change your clothes, I'll take you somewhere."

Shang Wu looked down at her loose-fitting loungewear and became even more confused: "Where are you going? Why are you dressed so formally?"

She reached out and straightened Lu Rang's already perfectly neat tie, jokingly saying, "Attorney Lu, are you going to meet some important client? Do you need me to help you make an appearance?"

Lu Rang grasped her mischievous hand, a gentle smile in his eyes, and said mysteriously, "Much more important than clients. Go on, pick out your favorite dress."

Seeing his seriousness, Shang Wu became curious. She smiled at Lu Rang, went upstairs to the dressing room, and picked through a row of dresses.

She ultimately chose a lotus root-colored dress, simple and elegant, which made her look radiant.

Shang Wu wore light makeup, loosely tied up her long hair, and put on a pair of pearl earrings.

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