Chapter 40

The high-speed train moved smoothly along, and outside the window, the scenery of the northern plains flew by, gradually becoming familiar. Sunlight streamed through the clean windows, casting a warm glow on him and on Xia Wan, who leaned against his shoulder, eyes closed, resting.

Jiang Yu tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on her peaceful, sleeping face. Her breathing was even, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyes, and a faint, contented curve played at the corners of her lips. A few strands of soft hair fell, plastering her fair cheek. She leaned against him defenselessly, like a small animal that had finally found a safe haven.

An unprecedented, profound sense of satisfaction filled Jiang Yu's chest, nearly overflowing. This satisfaction was different from the sense of accomplishment from a successful project, or the feeling of conquest from overcoming a technical challenge. It was warmer, softer, and carried a strange, reassuring power, quietly melting those long-hardened, cold corners of his heart.

He carefully adjusted the position of his shoulder to allow her to lean more comfortably. His fingertips unconsciously and extremely gently caressed the back of her hand, which was folded in his. The delicate, warm touch passed through him like an electric current, bringing an indescribable soothing feeling.

The three days in Suzhou were like a beautiful, meticulously crafted dream. From their time together in the misty rain of Couple Garden, to their passionate first kiss deep in the Night Garden, to their tender, lingering farewell under the lamplight last night... every moment was vividly etched in his mind, carrying a heart-pounding warmth and color.

He thought of that secluded corner of the "Dianchun Pavilion" in the Night Garden. When she released his hand and walked alone to the pool, intently gazing at the flickering reflections of the starlight in the water, her slender, beautiful figure, in the dim light, was as beautiful as a painting, yet tinged with a sense of detached loneliness. At that moment, a powerful urge seized him—he wanted to break that distance, to take her firmly under his wing, to let her know that she was no longer alone.

So, he followed his instinct. When he put his arm around her waist from behind, he felt her momentarily stiffen, and a flicker of trepidation washed over him. But when he said, "Look at me," and she slowly turned around, her clear eyes filled with panic yet a throbbing light, all rational thought vanished in an instant. That kiss was an outburst of long-suppressed emotion, a response to her silent invitation, and a declaration—she was his, from now on.

The moment their lips met, his soul trembled. Her awkward response, her hand on his neck, the subtle tremors of her body... all served as the strongest catalyst, driving him to want more, deeper. His prided self-control crumbled before that kiss. Only when he felt her slightly lacking oxygen did he force himself to end it. Gazing into her misty eyes and slightly swollen lips, he felt a surge of satisfaction and a sense of cherishment he had lost and regained. The words, "My Xia Wan," that slipped out of his mouth were the truest cry from his heart.

His thoughts drifted back to last night's farewell at the hotel. Watching her drooping brows as she packed her luggage, a faint sense of parting entwined him like a fine thread. He used the excuse of helping her pack her blueprints, simply wanting to stay a little longer. As she stood beneath the lamp, the melancholy of impending separation gripping her, he could no longer resist the urge to draw closer. The moment he held her in his arms, feeling her gentle embrace and embrace, and hearing her muffled "hmm," his heart melted. That gentle, lingering farewell kiss was his clumsy way of trying to soothe the sadness of parting, and it was also his silent promise—this separation would be temporary, and his heart would always be with her.

At this moment, she slept peacefully on his shoulder, her breathing light and clear. Jiang Yu's gaze fell on her lips, which shone slightly with a healthy luster, still bearing the marks he had left last night and this morning. A familiar throbbing surged up again, but he simply tightened his grip on her hand, resisting the urge to lean in and kiss her. Let her sleep. This peaceful embrace made him feel more at ease than any kiss could have.

The word "ten years" that Lin Wei's noisy bestie blurted out at a celebratory dinner resonated in his world like a tinkling wind chime in the breeze. Although she later stopped, and although Xia Wan never brought it up, the word, along with the open diary page filled with mumblings about "dreams," was like a vague key that unlocked a heavy door in his heart.

He vaguely glimpsed the outline of a story—the outline of a story that began before the class reunion. The outline of a long, lonely, hopeless wait.

A sharp, belated ache stabbed through her heart, a mixture of immense heartache and inexpressible regret. What had he missed? In those youthful years when she silently admired him, when he chased the hustle and bustle of the lights, had he ever inadvertently hurt this quiet, resilient soul? Had he ever left her an overly perfunctory message when she mustered the courage to hand over the yearbook?

This regret stemmed not from a desire to make amends for past guilt but rather from a deeper, deeper pain that came from understanding. He felt for Xia Wan, blossoming alone in the corner, and for the long years she had walked alone. This pain made his cherishment of her now even more profound, and even more resolute.

He looked at Xia Wan, who slept on his shoulder. The sunlight outlined the soft lines of her profile. Her breathing was steady, and she leaned on him trustingly. This complete trust and surrender gradually calmed the turmoil in his heart, stirred by the glimpse of the outline of "Ten Years," and transformed into a quiet and powerful force.

The past cannot be changed. Those missed times, those feelings he never "saw", are a foregone conclusion.

But the future is in his hands.

He wouldn't leave her alone anymore.

He would use every morning and sunset of the rest of his life, every time they held hands and cuddled up, every kiss, whether passionate or gentle, to fill the gap of those ten years and to respond to the deep and heavy feelings that he might have just fully understood.

He lowered his head and very gently touched her smooth forehead with his lips. The movement was as light as a butterfly's wings, carrying with it endless cherishment and silent vows.

Xia Wan seemed startled by the subtle touch, her eyelashes fluttering a few times before she slowly opened her eyes. Her sleepy eyes met his deep, focused gaze.

"Awake?" His voice was low and gentle, with a hint of smile.

"Hmm..." Her voice was soft and tender, like she had just woken up. She subconsciously rubbed against his shoulder like a lazy cat, "Where are we?"

"We're almost in Jinzhou," Jiang Yu replied, gently brushing away the messy hair on her cheek with his fingertips. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah." Xia Wan sat up straight, rubbed her eyes, and a satisfied blush appeared on her face. "I feel safe and secure leaning on you."

The word "peace of mind" was like the warmest sunshine, instantly dispelling the last trace of the haze caused by the "ten years" in Jiang Yu's heart. He looked into her clear, trusting eyes, saw the natural smile on her lips, and felt that the heart in his chest, named "Jiang Yu", had never been so full, so stable, and so filled with a quiet and majestic power.

He reached out and firmly shook her hand again.

"Yeah." He responded softly, his voice steady and powerful, like the most solid harbor, "From now on, I will always feel at ease."

The scenery outside the window rapidly receded, and the familiar city outline gradually became clear.

Jinzhou, here we are.