Chapter 42

After listening to Chen Yan's confession about the past and perfection, Lin Qi's heart was completely filled with a huge and gentle emotion.

She struggled a little out of his arms, then smiled and threw herself back in, burying her face in his solid chest. Her voice was muffled, a little proud, and a little coquettish "threat".

"I haven't even started messing things up yet, so be prepared. If I really get carried away, things might get even more chaotic than this."

Hearing her announcement, Chen Yan was stunned at first, and then a very low voice with a lot of laughter vibrated out from his chest.

He tightened his arms, pressing her deeper and harder into his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice full of laughter and doting.

"Really?" he whispered. "Then I'm kind of looking forward to it."

He could feel that she moved slightly in his arms because of his words.

He held her and rocked her gently, as if soothing a kitten pretending to be ferocious.

"My world," he said softly, as if sharing a secret, "has been too quiet and too orderly for the past thirty years. There's not a sound at all."

"Just come on," he tightened his arms and made a promise in her ear with an unquestionable and completely inclusive tone.

"It's as messy as it can be."

"As long as you are here in the end," he paused and very lightly placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"No matter how messy it is, I can always tidy it up bit by bit and turn it into... a look that we both like."

Lin Qi smiled and raised his head, "Okay, I'll remember that."

Then she stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the face.

That dragonfly-like kiss, like a stone dropped into still water, stirred up huge, unquenchable ripples in Shen Yan's heart.

All his calmness and restraint completely collapsed at this moment.

He didn't say anything, simply reaching out his arms and pulling her back into his embrace with great force. This time, he didn't give her any chance to distance herself. He lowered his head slightly and accurately captured her slightly surprised, soft lips.

This kiss was different from any other kiss before.

It was no longer a comfort, no longer a test, no longer merely gentle. It carried with it all the emotions of the night, all settled and no longer suppressed, and his complete and unreserved possessiveness of her. Lin Qi could sense his initial surprise, and then, her hand slowly climbed up his neck, responding to him awkwardly, yet with immense sincerity.

After an unknown amount of time, he pulled away slightly and rested his forehead against hers. They were both breathing softly, and in the dim light, he could see the water in her eyes and the charming blush on her cheeks.

"Lin Qi..." His voice was very hoarse.

He looked into her eyes, very seriously, as if seeking final permission.

She didn't say anything, but just hugged him back more tightly with her hands around his neck.

To him, this silent action was the clearest invitation in the world.

He didn't hesitate any longer and picked her up by the waist.

She screamed subconsciously and wrapped her arms around his neck tighter. He held her and walked steadily into their bedroom, which was lit only by a bedside lamp.

He placed her gently on the soft bed, then leaned over, supported her on both sides of her body, and used a soothing and delicate kiss, from her forehead, to the tip of her nose, to her lips, little by little, to make her relax again.

"Don't be afraid." He whispered softly in her ear, "...give yourself to me."

Lin Qi could feel his tense body slowly and completely relaxing after hearing his words.

He pulled the quilt over them both.

In that small, warm and private space that belonged only to the two of them, he used the most pious and original way to make her understand how important she was to him.

It was not a simple release of passion.

It was more like a long-overdue, sacred sacrifice. He gave her all of his lonely, calm, and unknown self from the past thirty years, and all of his beautiful, warm imaginations of "home" in the future, all without reservation.

When everything finally calmed down, the moonlight outside the window had moved to the center of the room.

Chen Yan tucked Lin Qi's sweaty, messy hair behind her ears, strand by strand. She curled up in his arms, like a cat that had finally stopped wandering, completely silent.

He lowered his head and placed a very precious kiss on her smooth shoulder.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

After a long time, she finally said "hmm" in his arms in a barely audible voice with a strong nasal tone.

Chen Yan smiled and held her tighter in his arms, allowing her face to rest against his steady and strong heartbeat.

"Go to sleep," he said.

"From today on," he closed his eyes and made the last and most important promise of the night in her ear.

"We will never be separated again."