Chapter 40 For us Have you ever liked someone before...

A man carried his bride down the aisle, the deep blue wedding dress flowing like a galaxy between his arms. The person in his arms was enveloped in the nebula-like gown, like the most precious gift bestowed upon him by the universe.

Wen Mu buried his face in his chest and could clearly hear his strong heartbeat, beat by beat, like the most pious drumbeat.

"Put me down." Her voice was muffled in his chest.

"No." Song Xingran tightened his arms and hugged her tighter.

"It's very heavy." Wen Mu protested softly.

Just walking in this wedding dress was difficult for her, let alone being carried by someone.

Song Xingran chuckled and suddenly tossed her up. "If a man can't even hold his own bride, what kind of man is he?"

His voice was low and firm, with an irrefutable force. "Besides, you are already very light."

The tip of Wen Mu'er felt hot and he stopped struggling.

The light from the corridor flowed above their heads, stretching their shadows very long, like a knight in a fairy tale carrying his princess back to the castle.

In front of the locker room door, the service staff respectfully opened the door for them.

Song Xingran strode in and carefully placed Wen Mu on the velvet sofa. The dark blue wedding dress was spread out on the beige sofa, as if the night sky had descended to the earth.

"Wait a minute." He said softly, turning and walking towards the cloakroom.

Wen Mu watched his tall figure disappear through the cloakroom door, feeling a bit dazed. When they first met, he was still a young boy. Only half a year had passed, and he had already become a man who would meticulously prepare everything for her.

She didn't know whether to be happy or worried.

There was a slight noise in the cloakroom, and my eyes unconsciously followed the source of the sound.

Song Xingran emerged, holding a white cheongsam. The silk fabric shone like pearls under the light. Embroidered on it were delicate gardenias, their branches and leaves spreading, their petals layered, and the delicate fragrance of the flowers almost lingered.

He walked over and sat down beside her, his eyes incredibly soft.

"Shall I help you change?" he asked, a cautious request in his voice.

Wen Mu looked at the cheongsam in his hand and nodded slightly.

Song Xingran took a deep breath and knelt on one knee in front of her. He first lifted her foot gently, his movements were incredibly gentle.

Wen Mu's high heels were dark blue, matching her wedding dress, and the heels were as thin as a needle. His fingers brushed against her ankle, leaving a red mark there.

"Does it hurt?" He frowned, his voice full of self-blame.

Wen Mu shook his head, but flinched slightly when he unbuckled his shoes.

He immediately stopped and looked up at her, so focused and so direct that she unconsciously turned her head away.

The high heels were gently taken off, and the man's thumb stroked the red mark on her ankle. He leaned over and gently placed a kiss there.

"Don't." She protested softly, but her voice was unnaturally soft.

He chuckled, but didn't stop. He slowly untied the laces at the back of her wedding dress, his movements incredibly careful. His fingertips occasionally brushed against the skin of her back, bringing a subtle shiver.

The strapless design of the wedding dress meant she only had to wear breast stickers, and as the laces loosened, the fabric gradually slipped off.

Song Xingran's breathing became noticeably heavier, but he controlled his gaze and focused only on the task at hand.

When the wedding dress slipped completely off, Wen Mu could almost hear the sound of him holding his breath.

The woman's skin was like the finest mutton-fat jade under the light, and her curves were breathtakingly beautiful.

Song Xingran felt that his sanity was being tested like never before.

His bride was so beautiful that he wanted to kneel down and pray, but also wanted to blaspheme her.

He quickly picked up the cheongsam beside him and carefully helped her put it on.

The touch of silk fabric sliding across her skin made Wen Mu tremble slightly. His fingers occasionally brushed against her waist and back, and every touch seemed to send sparks flying.

When the last button was fastened, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Wen Mu looked up at Song Xingran, and was stunned by the emotion in his eyes. It was an undisguised fascination and passion, so intense it nearly burned her. She suddenly felt at a loss, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

The man spoke slowly, his voice a little hoarse: "Just now, in the church, I said something to you."

"You, did you hear that?"

Wen Mu looked at him for a while and nodded.

"Yeah, I heard it."

Song Xingran clenched the fabric of his suit pants, his knuckles turning white. "Then, are you willing to accept it?"

Wen Mu was stunned.

She thought he would ask "Do you love me" or "Will you be with me forever?", but she never expected it to be such a humble request.

Not asking for it, but asking if she is willing to accept his love.

My heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, feeling both sour and warm.

This once arrogant and unruly man gradually broke down her defenses in his own unique way, but he never forced her into anything.

The man raised his eyes, his voice trembling slightly.

"Actually, I've always wanted to ask you a question."

"Ask."

"Have you ever had someone you liked before?"

Wen Mu suddenly lost his voice. His throat seemed to be blocked by something and he couldn't make any sound.

She thought of the junior student in Zurich who always "randomly" bumped into her in the library, his brilliant smile and ardent gaze. He had burst into her world with such fanfare, and then quietly left her in the chaos.

From him, she understood what it felt like to be moved.

Just like now, she would have the same feeling towards the man kneeling in front of her.

Wen Mu was struggling, wondering whether to tell a white lie or to skip the topic and let him guess on his own.

However, when she met that pair of eyes, all thoughts of escaping disappeared.

"have."

She finally answered honestly.

"I once fell in love with someone."

A flash of pain crossed the man's eyes, but he quickly adjusted his expression and simply clenched his knuckles even tighter.

"Do you like it?"

Wen Mu shook his head: "I'm just moved."

"What about me?"

Song Xingran looked up at her, his eyes incredibly fragile.

"It's been so long, are you attracted to me?"

The locker room was so quiet that you could hear each other's breathing.

Wen Mu felt that she was not a cold-hearted person. She could feel his passionate feelings and also her own heart.

In the past, her heart was like a piece of ice, but in these nine months, the ice was melted little by little by the man's body temperature and began to beat again.

There were many moments when she was not unaware of the situation, but she just didn't want to face it or admit it.

But now, here, on their wedding night, under the aurora, before him, the heart that beat for him was exposed.

"Um."

"some."

The man's eyes lit up instantly. He took her hand and said seriously, "Can you listen to me for a few words?"

Wen Mu chuckled. From the time she met him, to their marriage, to living together, to the time they spent together, in their interactions, Song Xingran was always the one chattering, and she was always the one listening quietly.

In the past, she thought listening to people's nonsense was a waste of time, but now, she finds it very interesting.

"When did I stop listening to you?"

"Master Song, please don't wrongly accuse the elderly."

He didn't laugh, but took a deep breath and continued, "I know that we have been together for a short time, and I also know that I have many shortcomings and am not a qualified husband."

"But I really love you. Or, if you think it's too rash of me to say that, I want to say that I really like you. The kind of like that I want to turn into love."

"Before I met you, I had never been in love, and I had never been moved by anyone. So I don't know what it means to like someone, or to be in love with someone. But I know that you are different. My feelings for you are also different."

"Wenmu."

"Can you give me a chance to learn to love you?"

His voice was trembling violently, and he was completely different from the arrogant racing driver he usually was.

He was sad, nervous, anxious, and even a little humbled.

Wen Mu had never seen him like this before, and his heart felt like it was hit hard by something.

"I don't care about your past relationship. We are already married and no one can change this fact."

"I just hope you can only look at me. Even if I'm just moved now, I will work hard to become better, so that you will fall in love with me."

My eyes suddenly felt a little hot.

She reached out and gently stroked his cheek.

"I do."

The man raised his head, his eyes bright with astonishing brightness.

"I am willing to let you learn to love me."

I am willing to learn to love you too.

Wen Mu didn't say it out loud. She was afraid that her feelings were wrong, and that the few times in her life when she "followed her feelings" were wrong.

She wanted to leave some room for herself, some dignity, and some confidence so that she wouldn't get hurt again.

Song Xingran took a small box from the low table, which contained the jade bracelet that Wen Qingwu gave her.

"You promised me you would wear it when you toasted."

He explained softly, carefully slipping the jade bracelet onto her wrist.

The man stood up again, took out a pair of flat embroidered shoes and socks from the cloakroom, knelt on one knee, and put them on her with his own hands.

He stroked the red marks on her ankles with his fingers, frowning, "It's all red. Does it hurt?"

Wen Mu shook his head: "Not bad."

I'm sorry." His voice was filled with self-blame. "I clearly promised you that you would be the happiest bride, but I still hurt you and made you feel uncomfortable."

Wen Mu looked at his drooping eyelashes and whispered, "It hurts."

"But since I'm marrying you, it doesn't matter."

Song Xingran suddenly looked up, emotions surging in his eyes.

He stood up, extended his hand to Wen Mu, and said in an incredibly gentle voice: "Wife, let's go."

Wen Mu placed her hand in his palm and was gently pulled up by him. The man took her into his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. She closed her eyes obediently, feeling his warm embrace and strong heartbeat.

"I'm so happy."

Song Xingran whispered in her ear, his voice filled with unconcealable joy.

"We're married."

"You are my wife now."

Wen Mu opened his eyes, looked at the Jupiter brooch on the left chest of his suit, and whispered, "I have been one for a long time."

Her chin was gently lifted by the warm fingertips, and the man's thumb lingered at her jawline.

The aurora cast changing spots of light on them through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the pupils under his eyelashes were filled with the starlight of the entire Milky Way.

"Song Xingran."

She called him softly.

"Um?"

The man's fingertips paused at her lips.

Wen Mu looked up at him, his eyes particularly clear in the dark: "Don't you know that I like kissing under the starry sky?"

He chuckled: "Teacher, are you teaching me?"

She stood on tiptoe slightly, and the aurora was reflected in her clear eyes.

"Now then—"

"What are you waiting for?"

The kiss came down as light as a snowflake.

Wen Mu closed his eyes, feeling the trembling he was trying to control. This man, fearless on the track, now kissed her with the same care he'd used to treat a fragile dream.

Two seconds later, the lips parted.

"I heard that anyone who sees the aurora will be happy for the rest of their life."

Wen Mu raised his hand to straighten his crooked bow tie: "You are already very happy."

"You will continue to be happy."

The man's eyes were obsessed and almost devout. He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his heart.

"Well, I will be happy."

It’s not because I saw the aurora, it’s because I met you.

He didn't say it out loud, but instead placed a light kiss on her fingertips.

*

Inside the church, crystal chandeliers cast shadows of people clinking glasses onto the stained glass windows. Wen Mu, holding Song Xingran's arm, walked among the guests, their jade bracelets gently colliding with the champagne glasses, making a crisp sound.

"Zhizhi is so beautiful today." Qin Yi wiped the corner of her eyes and pinned a gardenia on her daughter's temples. "She is even more beautiful than her mother was back then."

Wen Zhiyuan held up his camera and kept taking pictures: "Take a few more pictures, then develop them and hang them all over the study."

Song Mingshen was arguing with the old man, and Shen Sui interrupted with a smile: "Dad, don't worry about the honeymoon itinerary, A Ran has arranged it."

"What arrangements have been made?" Wen Qingwu suddenly interrupted, his eyes sparkling. "Have you been to the observatory I mentioned last time?"

Song Xingran was about to answer when Yu Mo suddenly rushed over and dragged Wen Mu away: "Lend me your wife for ten minutes!"

As soon as the door to the dressing room closed, Yu Mo touched Wen Mu's lips with her fingertips: "Tsk tsk tsk tsk, the lipstick was kissed off."

She took out a small mirror and held it in front of Wen Mu, "Look for yourself!"

The woman in the mirror had rosy cheeks and lips so pale they were almost transparent, with only a hint of red at the corners of her eyes.

Wen Mu subconsciously touched the corner of his lips: "It wasn't a hard kiss."

"Still quibbling!" Yu Mo took out a lipstick from her makeup bag and twisted it open angrily, "Lower your head!"

Wen Mu leaned over obediently, letting her use the lip brush to outline the lips bit by bit. Yu Mo's hands were steady, but her eyes gradually blurred.

When the first tear fell on the cotton pad, Wen Mu was stunned.

"Momo?"

"Shut up! Look up!" Yu Mo ordered fiercely, but her hands moved even more gently. "I'm not crying! I just got mascara in my eyes..."

Wen Mu looked at her bestie's red nose and subconsciously reached out to hug her. The scent of gardenia perfume hit her face, mixed with the scent of Yu Mo's usual shampoo, so familiar that it made her eyes warm.

"Wow, my cabbage has been eaten by a pig!" Yu Mo buried her face in her shoulder, her carefully groomed wavy hair in a mess. "We agreed to be single together until we are thirty. How could you get married first? How could you leave me alone..."

Wen Mu patted her trembling back gently, recalling the time when they were lying on the dormitory rooftop in college and Yu Mo swore that "all men are pigs".

"sorry."

"You know what!" Yu Mo raised her head with sobs, her eyeliner smudged into panda eyes, "We've eaten out half as much since you got married! I went to that new Japanese restaurant that opened last week alone. I also went to that hot pot restaurant we used to go to often alone."

"Wow, wow, wow, I hate you, I hate you!"

Wen Mu used his thumb to wipe away the tear marks on her face, but the more he wiped, the more marks became on her face.

"Don't cry, baby, don't cry."

Yu Mo suddenly grabbed her wrist, and the jade bracelets made a crisp sound when they collided.

"Wen Mu, listen to me carefully." She sniffed, her makeup smudged terribly but with unwavering seriousness. "No matter what time, you are the most important. If you feel uncomfortable or unhappy, you must speak up."

Wen Mu nodded, but Yu Mo suddenly raised her voice: "If that brat dares not listen, come find me! I will always stand by you!"

There was a muffled "bang" sound outside the door, followed by Song Xingran's cry of pain.

Ning Yuanxi's voice could be heard faintly: "I told you not to eavesdrop..."

She wiped her nose and added angrily, "If we can't live together, let's get divorced! Who's afraid of who? If you divorce me, I'll support you and we'll live together forever!"

There was another chaotic noise outside the door, this time mixed with Song Xingran's gritted teeth "You're dreaming" and Ning Yuanxi's helpless sigh.

Wen Mu suddenly smiled. She hugged Yu Mo's tearful face and patted her back gently, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

"Really?" Yu Mo raised her tearful eyes.

"Yeah." Wen Mu nodded, his eyes gentle, "But now, can you help me finish my lipstick first?"

"The best Jasmine baby in the whole world."

Yu Mo burst into laughter and continued to sob: "Remember to send me a postcard."

“I send it to every place I go.”

“Buy the ugliest ones in the area!”

"good."

When Wen Mu reappeared in the banquet hall, Song Xingran immediately came forward to greet him.

He stared at her reapplied lipstick for a few seconds, then suddenly leaned over to her ear and asked, "Can I kiss you later?"

Wen Mu glanced at Yu Mo, who was watching closely from a distance, and said softly, "You can try."

The man laughed heartily, took her hand and walked towards the dance floor. The aurora shone through the dome onto them, dyeing the dark blue cheongsam and black suit into a dreamy purple and green.

Under the gaze of their family and friends, they swayed slowly to the music, like two stars who had finally found each other in the vast universe.

*

Wen Mu sank into the duvet, fatigue washing over him like a tide.

The aurora was still dancing outside the window, painting the ceiling a flowing emerald color.

She looked at the light and felt as if today's wedding was a dream.

The dark blue wedding dress, the gardenia cheongsam, and Song Xingran’s shining eyes when she said “I do” under the aurora.

She slowly stretched out her hand, wanting to touch the starry sky outside the window.

As soon as my fingertips touched the cold air, they were wrapped by a warm big hand.

"What are you catching?" The man's voice was lazily afterward.

"Catching..."

"Star."

He chuckled softly and brought her hand to his face. Wen Mu turned around and met his eyes, which were so close. The aurora reflected in his pupils, as if it contained the entire Milky Way.

He rubbed her palm and said in a hoarse voice: "Isn't the brightest one already here?"

Wen Mu raised his lips slightly: "Narcissist."

I tried to pull my hand back, but he held it tighter.

Song Xingran tightened his arms and pulled her into a hug. His body temperature radiated through their skin, warmer than a duvet.

His warm breath brushed past the tip of her ear: "Next month, I'm leaving."

Wen Mu asked him almost subconsciously: "Are you leaving again?"

As soon as I said it, I realized that it was inappropriate, so I just added stiffly: "Mom and Dad, they will miss you."

Surprisingly, Song Xingran didn't take the opportunity to tease her. He just nuzzled her hair with the tip of his nose and said, "I used to stay at home even less."

"Because of you, it's different."

Wen Mu silently played with the ends of his hair, not knowing how to respond.

"Will you come to see me like you did last year?"

He asked softly, as if he was afraid to hear the answer.

His fingertips paused. Wen Mu thought of the mountain of observational data in the lab. Yu Mo had said in the bar yesterday that they wanted to finish the simulation before the rainy season.

She turned to face Song Xingran and looked him straight in the eye: "This year's project has reached a critical stage, and perhaps..."

Before he could finish his words, he was hugged even tighter.

The man buried his face in the crook of her neck and said in a muffled voice, "I know this is wrong, and I know you'll be angry. But I still have to say it."

"I hate that you take work so seriously, and I hate it even more that you take work more seriously than me."

"After that, hit me."

Wen Mu unexpectedly didn't get angry, but laughed instead.

She raised her hand to touch the back of his neck, her fingertips entangled in soft black hair. "I heard from grandma that you stayed in the factory for two weeks two years ago to develop a new car?"

"We just did the right thing at the right time. It had nothing to do with who was more important."

Song Xingran raised his head, his eyes slightly red.

He shook his head stubbornly, like a large dog whose toy had been snatched away. "That's different. I can cancel any competition for you. What about you? Can you postpone the experiment for me?"

Wen Mu suddenly thought of the word "young wife" and chuckled.

She cupped his face, her thumb brushing the corners of his slightly drooping mouth. "After the project is over, I'll try to find a job in Europe."

The man's eyes lit up for a moment, then quickly dimmed.

"You'll miss home."

She nodded and looked into his eyes:

"Yeah, I'll miss home."

"But being with you is also home."

He stared at her for a long time, then suddenly kissed her with such force that it almost hurt her lips.

Wen Mu closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his neck.

His kiss gradually changed from rough to long, and his tongue traced the shape of her lips, as if he wanted to carve this promise into her body.

He casually took out a box from the bedside table and poured out all the contents at once, tearing open the aluminum foil.

The man stood up, breathing heavily: "Can I?"

Wen Mu was surprised at how quickly he recovered. He licked his numb lips and gently pushed him: "Don't be too aggressive."

He chuckled, leaning over and biting the delicate skin on the side of her neck: "When have I ever disappointed you, huh?"

The tip of the tongue slid soothingly across the teeth marks.

"Tonight, I'll show you the control a racing driver can exert."

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The author has something to say: I’ve confessed my feelings!

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Six thousand words in a few chapters! Did you enjoy reading it? [Starry eyes]