Chapter 42: "If you feel sorry for me, then give me a kiss."

Living in this Dong village in Guizhou Province for nearly two weeks gave me a sense of disorientation, as if I had lost track of time in the mountains.

On the return flight, the winding road they had taken on the way there was unavoidable. Jiang Yi was once again tormented, the only difference being that Gu Lai was beside him.

Jiang Yi had little experience with motion sickness, as did Gu Lai, but Gu Lai had experience taking care of her.

Jiang Yi was a greenhouse rose who had been pampered since childhood, and was used to being picky about her environment. With just a glance or a frown from her, Gu Lai could guess what she was feeling. The driver and secretary were so relaxed that they almost wanted to give Gu Lai a bonus.

Gu Lai asked Jiang Yi to lie down and sleep, but Jiang Yi refused with a pale face. Gu Lai knew she didn't want to lie flat. She didn't bother looking for a suitable pillow and simply sat in the back seat, gesturing for Jiang Yi to use it.

Jiang Yi hadn't said much, and now, lying in Gu Lai's arms, she remained silent with her eyes closed. Gu Lai pressed her Hegu and Neiguan acupoints, then stopped moving, afraid of disturbing her sleep.

But Gu Lai had no interest in looking at her phone or anything; she kept her head down, staring at Jiang Yi. The usually radiant man was now lying there with pale lips, looking terrible, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Even though Jiang Yi had already comforted her once before, Gu Lai was still worried and regretful.

Luo Ou, who had just recovered from her serious illness, was hurling insults at Gu Lai in her hospital bed. Gu Chengdong had turned into a square coffin, but she felt nothing. What caused the emotional turmoil was actually the symbol of "family" that these two people represented, and the core of this symbol was Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi had a profound experience at the hospital that day, leaving Gu Lai in a daze. Now, recalling the wailing family members and the hurried medical staff in the emergency department, Gu Lai belatedly broke out in a cold sweat.

This almost brought her fears to life. She couldn't even imagine how devastated she would be if Gu Chengdong and Luo Ou were replaced by Jiang Yi.

She cannot accept any kind of departure without saying goodbye, and she cannot accept that she cannot participate in the relationship as a legal lover; at the very least, she cannot be completely relegated to being a bystander.

By the time they set off from the last rest stop for the second half of the journey, Jiang Yi had recovered considerably and knew the final stretch of the road would be relatively easy. Therefore, she hesitated slightly as she boarded the vehicle, instinctively glancing at Gu Lai. Gu Lai gently said to her, "Come on."

So Jiang Yi lay down happily again. This time she felt Gu Lai cover her with a small blanket and gently hold her like a child who might fall. She looked up at Gu Lai and smiled, "I feel like I'm more delicate on the way back than on the way here."

Because some people indulge them, and others not only don't dislike them but also take care of them with great affection, this is different from a simple monetary employment relationship.

Gu Lai didn't want her to worry any longer, so he lowered his head and kissed her forehead, coaxing her, "Okay, rest now, Jiao Jiao. I'll call you when we get there."

Jiang Yi smiled and closed his eyes.

The two returned to Haicheng together this time, so they also traveled on the same plane. When Jiang Yi mentioned it to Gu Lai a few days ago, Gu Lai didn't think much of it and naturally agreed. But now, seeing the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar interior, she was actually a little dazed.

Jiang Yi sensed it. She was walking ahead, and when Gu Lai stopped, she also stopped and turned around. Without saying a word, she reached out her hand to her.

Gu Lai instinctively grabbed and touched her slender fingers, where there was a hard ring. Jiang Yi was also holding her hand. He turned around and continued walking forward until they sat down.

Gu Lai hadn't been on the same plane as Jiang Yi for a long time.

This phenomenon didn't begin during the period of their arguments and divorce disputes in the latter half of last year; rather, it had been a long time since they had traveled together. The superyacht that Jiang Yi had given her three years ago hadn't been sailed much either. She felt it was a bit pretentious to sail alone, and she had almost no opportunities to be with Jiang Yi.

Looking out the porthole at the empty, flat airport, Gu Lai turned to Jiang Yi and said, "When shall we take a yacht out for a trip, to places like the Apennine Peninsula?"

Jiang Yi thought about her words carefully for a moment and said, "Early summer, June or July, the scenery is beautiful then."

Gu Lai thought about it and was still somewhat looking forward to it: "Then I'll talk to someone later and make sure they don't assign me a bunch of things to do."

Jiang Yi rubbed his temples and smiled when he heard this, "Are you a little reluctant to leave the Dong village because you're thinking about filming 'Gantang' in a few days?"

“Yes.” Gu Lai paused for a moment, then whispered, “I really want to turn you into Thumbelina and carry you away in my pocket.”

Jiang Yi said, "Maybe in the next life, I'll become the kind that can stretch in size."

Gu Lai stared at Jiang Yi's thumb for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. Jiang Yi knew what she was thinking at a glance, so he let her be.

Jiang Yi took out her tablet to do some work, but Gu Lai, who had been staring at her hand, suddenly realized what the ring she had been holding was. She lifted Jiang Yi's wrist to look at it and said, "Why did you suddenly decide to dig out this ring and wear it? I haven't seen you wear it for the past few days."

Jiang Yi was wearing a pigeon blood red ring; the rich color suited her perfectly.

Jiang Yi glanced at himself and said calmly, "It wasn't convenient the past few days, so I've spent most of my time traveling today."

“No… Oh.” Gu Lai realized what she meant and said from the bottom of her heart, “You are truly a gifted person when it comes to eloquence in this area.”

"You flatter me," Jiang Yi said with a smile, glancing at Gu Lai's empty fingers and asking, "You're not wearing one?"

Gu Lai: "I am in excellent physical condition and will not be exhausted and unable to do anything just because I am traveling."

Jiang Yi was silent for a moment and then said, "Wow, that's impressive. Now let me see for myself?"

Gu Lai kicked her.

Jiang Yi smiled and made a zipper-zipping gesture.

Gu Lai tilted her head to admire it for a while, and after a long while said, "I'll buy an even prettier one another day."

"This looks great."

"Really? I was thinking of buying you an emerald one."

Why emerald?

"Emeralds symbolize health and longevity, and I think they also symbolize rebirth, like Christ."

Does a ruby ​​symbolize love?

"right."

For a moment, Jiang Yi's expression was somewhat indescribable.

Gu Lai asked, "What are you thinking about? You're not thinking of pairing pigeon blood red and emerald green together, are you?" So-called reborn love?

Jiang Yi did not deny it: "It's too ugly."

Gu Lai smiled and said, "I bought it for you before we went on vacation. Even if it looks ugly, you can't go without wearing it."

Jiang Yi thought to herself, "I've never looked down on your taste," but she didn't say it aloud. She simply nodded and said, "Okay."

Gu Lai's eyes lit up again, and she continued to make a wish: "Let me choose the clothes then, so that we can have lots of matching outfits for photos. It can't be like these past few days on set, where you're dressed like a butterfly while I'm dressed in a sporty and androgynous style."

Jiang Yi said "Okay" again.

Gu Lai turned his head and kissed her briefly, saying lightly, "Everything is 'good,' you're like a doll that I can do as I please."

Jiang Yi said, "I'm looking forward to it too."

Gu Lai: "I didn't notice."

"Hmm? What's wrong with me? Is it because I'm too calm?"

“No, not really,” Gu Lai said. “Actually, I was a little surprised that you’ve been here for so long this time.”

Jiang Yi turned to look at her, said nothing, but his eyes seemed to say, "Please elaborate."

“I’ve almost forgotten when we last went on a long vacation together. I think it was the year before last or something. Anyway, we usually only stay at home for a little longer, and even then we’re mostly out early and back late, so we’re already asleep by the time we get back.” Gu Lai thought for a moment and said, “Do you remember our wedding anniversary last year? I waited for you all day, and you didn’t get back until after 10 p.m.

This is a problem that's neither too big nor too small for them; they're just too busy.

Gu Lai has always been the one who accommodates Jiang Yi. Jiang Yi's career is indeed a crucial part of his life, and in the beginning, Gu Lai was less famous and didn't have many scheduled activities. After her status rose, she became different from other celebrities; she wouldn't participate in activities that would normally make money for other artists.

After following Jiang Yi's pace for so long, Gu Lai had gotten used to it. She would disappear for ten days or half a month a year to the film set or recording studio. During these days, she wouldn't just stay there blankly. Occasionally, she would go to see Jiang Yi, or Jiang Yi would take some time out of his busy schedule to visit her on set.

To be honest, Gu Lai didn't really see any problem with it. It wasn't a big deal for her to compromise on the schedule. Before, when she was free and Jiang Yi was busy, she could always keep up. Now that she's busy too, and Jiang Yi doesn't want her to give up her career in the entertainment industry to be a wealthy wife with him, the time they spend together will inevitably decrease.

Gu Lai used to be mainly troubled by this, but now she can see another downside—less time spent together leads to estrangement and formality, and even if they love each other, a distance will slowly grow between them.

Jiang Yi had actually forgotten why he was late on the anniversary Gu Lai mentioned. It was probably because someone from work came to see her, and he was either in a hurry or thinking he could handle it in a short time.

But that's not a reason either.

This shows that going home is not his priority.

Jiang Yi didn't argue. She looked into Gu Lai's eyes and said very seriously, "It's my problem."

Gu Lai met her gaze but did not feel happy.

She felt a little dazed, remembering how annoyed she had been just a few months ago because Jiang Yi never apologized. Now, Jiang Yi's apologies were becoming increasingly fluent, but she seemed to feel more and more upset every time she heard them.

As she lowered her eyes in thought, she felt Jiang Yi gently brush her brow with the pad of his thumb and say, "Don't frown, A-Lai."

Gu Lai turned her head to look at her and told her what she had been thinking.

Jiang Yi didn't answer immediately. Instead, while Gu Lai was staring intently at him, he unexpectedly kissed her cheek. Under her slightly surprised and annoyed gaze, he smiled with a hint of smugness and said, "You care about me so much."

Gu Lai wanted to deny it, but she could only admit that what she said was true.

Jiang Yi said with a smile and a hint of coquetry, "I'll try my best not to do anything that requires an apology, but if you feel sorry for me, then give me a kiss."

The plane sped up and took off, the land outside the window receding further and further away, wisps of clouds beginning to fall, and the entire airport, the entire city, and the entire land rapidly shrank.

Sunlight streamed in from behind Jiang Yi, as if radiance were crowning her. Her already sharp features appeared even more striking in the slanting sunlight streaming through the porthole, yet her expression was gentle and radiant, like the winter sun—not too harsh, yet still unbearable to behold.

Gu Lai gazed at her quietly, then, after a second or two, she embraced her shoulders and kissed her. However, this time Jiang Yi wasn't as compliant as when they first met. She wrapped her arms around Gu Lai's waist and responded more passionately.

A tingling, electric-like sensation exploded in Gu Lai's brain, as if the electrons generated by friction when the plane passed through the clouds were transmitted into her nerves, flowing through her limbs and body, while also quietly stealing her breath, blending into a soft and intoxicating emotion.

Gu Lai leaned back slightly, creating some distance between them, and whispered defiantly, with her breath still slightly labored, "I can kiss you anytime, anywhere."

Jiang Yi, looking somewhat satiated and languid, smiled more confidently than Gu Lai, saying, "I'm really looking forward to it, Your Highness, whose physical condition is excellent."

Gu Lai, embarrassed and angry, slapped her, but then laughed at herself.

Jiang Yi asked, "Where are you going after we land? With me or back to Huating No. 1?"

It's true that Jiang Yi's subtle scheming can be deadly. With the lingering warmth of their intimacy still present, Gu Lai almost agreed to go back together with her.

But when her gaze swept across the white clouds outside the porthole behind Jiang Yi, she was suddenly jolted awake from her beautiful, dreamlike state.

The last time I stared at the monotonous scenery outside the porthole for a long time, I thought of a near-hopeless fall.

One such ordeal is enough; one time is enough to resolve it completely.

Gu Lai hugged Jiang Yi, buried her face in the crook of her shoulder, and whispered, "It's not time yet... I'm going back to Huating No. 1."

"Okay," she heard Jiang Yi reply. "I'll take you home first."

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