Chapter Forty-Five

At the beginning of the year.

The day after Ms. Shi returned, she sent a message to Xing Bei, asking them to come home for the Chinese New Year.

Xing Bei handed her phone to Lu Runxu: "Mr. Lu, why don't you come home with me for the New Year this year?"

After seeing the content on the screen, Lu Runxu stood there for a long time without saying a word. Xing Bei looked at his blank expression and burst out laughing.

She raised her hand and pinched Lu Runxu's cheeks: "Mr. Lu, it's not that serious, is it? It's just meeting the parents, are you scared?"

Lu Runxu stared at her and smiled: "How could I not be afraid? Taking their precious child home without the mother-in-law's consent is the biggest crime."

"Don't be afraid." Xing Bei leaned over and kissed him. "I'll protect you."

Lu Runxu stared at her, a scene he would never forget flashing through his mind.

He lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "Okay."

Before returning to Qingyang, Lu Runxu suddenly suggested moving. Having lived here for so long, Xing Bei suddenly felt a little reluctant to leave. However, upon arriving at Fenghu Garden, Xing Bei instantly changed her mind.

Xing Bei loved every corner of the garden; it was exactly the kind of retirement life she had always dreamed of.

There was a patch of different kinds of camellias in the backyard, and a separate camellia was planted in front of their room.

The tree branches are very thick, indicating that it has been planted and grown for many years, but the soil underneath is very moist, suggesting that it was transplanted.

On the third floor of the building, there is a spacious and bright private studio for her. However, what puzzles her is why there is a large chaise lounge in the studio, which is also covered by a screen.

She asked Lu Runxu, and he gave her a meaningful look, saying that she would know next time.

It's all so mysterious.

On the day they returned to Qingyang, Xing Bei was pulled out of bed early in the morning by Lu Runxu. She sat on a chair in the changing room, looking at him with some annoyance.

When Xing Bei saw the huge pile of clothes he had sorted out, her sleepiness and irritability vanished, and she couldn't help but laugh.

She pointed to the pile of clothes and said, "Mr. Lu, don't tell me you woke me up this morning just to pick out clothes for you."

Lu Runxu nodded confidently: "I'm meeting your aunt and uncle today, so I definitely want to make a good impression on them."

Xing Bei walked over, took his hand, and teased him with a smile, "With your face, it would be too easy for you to win over my mom. You'd have to win over my dad to succeed."

Judging from Ms. Shi's expression last time, she must have been very satisfied with Lu Runxu. If she wasn't satisfied, she probably would have made them break up on the spot. Why would she let her take him home for the New Year?

After all, when she brought Zhou Xuzhe home, Ms. Shi deemed him unsuitable after only a few words, and her father left after their first meeting.

She had a long cold war with her father over this matter at the time, but now it seems she really trusted their judgment.

Watching Lu Runxu change into a whole bunch of clothes, and seeing that he wasn't satisfied with any of them, Xing Bei shook her head helplessly.

I just saw a really nice couple's down jacket a few days ago. The temperature in Qingyang is much lower than in Chanjing, so wearing a down jacket will keep me much warmer.

When they arrived at the door, Lu Runxu hesitated to get out of the car, and Xing Bei's hand was held tightly by him.

She lowered her head and gently patted the back of his hand, comforting him, "Don't be nervous, my parents are very easy to talk to."

Inside the house, Ms. Shi, dressed in a dark green cheongsam, was chatting happily with another man, while Mr. Xing also had a kind smile on his face.

After Xing Bei entered the house, she saw the familiar figure on the sofa, and her beautiful brows furrowed slightly.

"Mingzhu, you're back." Ms. Shi noticed the people by the door out of the corner of her eye, quickly got up and walked towards them. "It just so happens that your brother Qingyan is here too."

Chen Qingyan smiled and looked at her: "Happy New Year, Mingzhu."

Xing Bei glanced furtively at the person beside her, who wore a standard smile, but she still noticed a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

"Happy New Year, Qingyan-ge." Xing Bei held Lu Runxu's hand tightly and looked at Ms. Shi. "Mom and Dad, this is my boyfriend, Lu Runxu."

Ms. Shi had noticed their intertwined hands long ago and had been trying hard to suppress the smile on her lips.

She felt that Lu Runxu was familiar when they first met, and it wasn't until she was browsing Weibo that she realized that Lu Runxu was the grandson of Grandpa Lu.

Ms. Shi was already very satisfied, and since the person was someone she knew well, she was even more pleased.

Lu Runxu smiled and handed over the things in his hand: "Happy New Year, Uncle and Aunt. These are some small gifts I prepared. I hope you won't mind them."

"You're here, why bring a gift?" Ms. Shi took the gift and placed it on the table, her eyes full of satisfaction with Lu Runxu. "Mr. Lu is indeed as people say, a handsome and talented man."

Lu Runxu shook his head modestly, unaware that his palms were already sweating: "Thank you for the compliment, Auntie. You can just call me Xiaoxu."

Mr. Xing observed Lu Runxu's every move. So far, the man's behavior was acceptable, and it was clear from his eyes that he liked the woman he liked.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was fairly harmonious. Ms. Shi genuinely felt it was a good time, and Mr. Xing simply asked a few simple questions about everyday matters.

But Xing Bei, who knows her father very well, knows that her father is preparing a big move.

After dinner, Xing Bei was pulled into the kitchen by Ms. Shi to make desserts. Three men were talking in the living room. Xing Bei wanted to go over and listen, but Ms. Shi gave her a look.

Xing Bei looked away and smiled at Ms. Shi: "Mom, I'm going upstairs to look for something."

When she returned to Qingyang last time, besides asking her senior brother for some paint, she actually planned to come back to find a few books, but she forgot about it when she left.

After graduation, Xing Bei piled all her belongings in one place, and after so long, she didn't know if she could still find them.

The storage room was occasionally cleaned by an aunt, but it was still covered in dust, and Xing Bei couldn't find it after searching all around.

Looking around, I found a box covered with a cloth in the corner, covered with even more dust.

Xing Bei walked over and lifted the cloth with a puzzled look. When she saw the familiar yellow plastic box, she remembered that it was a box containing important items she had left behind when she graduated.

Just as she was about to open it, she heard Chen Qingyan's voice behind her. She got up and looked towards the door.

Chen Qingyan: "What are you looking for? Do you need my help?"

Xing Bei shook her head: "Nothing, just came up to take a look. Qingyan, what brings you up here?"

Chen Qingyan smiled and handed over the things in his hand: "I came up here to give you a New Year's gift."

"Brother Qingyan, you still treat me like a child." Xing Bei took the box and saw that it contained a pearl bracelet.

Apart from the smooth pink pearl in the very center, all the surrounding light pink pearls were carved into the shape of camellia flowers.

It's Coisini's latest limited edition bracelet. She had seen the official line art before, and it wouldn't be available for sale online until late January.

However, the bracelet she received is clearly different from the one officially announced.

Xing Bei picked it up and waved it in front of him: "President Chen, this one hasn't even been released yet, why are you giving it to me like this?"

Chen Qingyan raised an eyebrow, his tone gentle and doting: "This one was designed especially for you. It's the only one in the world, and only it is worthy of our Mingzhu."

Xing Bei handed over the bracelet: "Then let the founder of Coisini put it on me personally."

"Yes, ma'am." Chen Qingyan took the bracelet and carefully put it on Xing Bei.

Just as Xing Bei was about to express her gratitude, a sudden phone ring echoed throughout the room. Chen Qingyan saw the contact name, and his smiling face instantly turned serious.

Based on Xing Bei's understanding of Chen Qingyan, the troublesome phone call was from his mother.

Although she hadn't contacted Chen Qingyan in recent years, she occasionally heard Ms. Shi mention him when she talked to her on the phone.

Chen Qingyan's mother was quite controlling. Back then, Chen Qingyan's transfer to another school and his trip abroad were all arranged by his mother, and he didn't even have a chance to resist.

Now that Chen Qingyan has the ability, he is still slightly affected.

While she was lost in thought, Chen Qingyan had already walked up to her. Despite trying to control her emotions, Xing Bei could still detect a hint of irritation in his eyes.

Chen Qingyan: "My mother is sick and hospitalized. I'm sorry I can't spend the New Year with you today."

Xing Bei didn't expose him, and gently touched his shoulder: "It's okay, we can meet again next time. Be careful on the road."

She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Chen Qingyan's car completely disappear from her sight, and sighed helplessly.

Although she has escaped her birth family, she is still the mother who raised her, and she can never completely sever ties with her in her heart. She is destined to be trapped by blood relations.

Xing Bei returned to the original place and found the book she wanted in the dusty box, where she also discovered a very exquisite little wooden box.

She couldn't remember what was inside, but when she opened it, she found many envelopes and a white photo album.

Xing Bei flipped through the photo album and saw familiar scenes. Her eyebrows curved into a smile. The album contained precious memories of her high school days, most of which were taken by Yi Zesu.

Those envelopes were gifts from her classmates when she graduated. She stuffed them into this wooden box and never had time to open them.

Xing Bei was unsure whose envelope to look at first among the colorful ones, so she closed her eyes and decided to pick one randomly.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a mint green envelope, which immediately reminded her of the mint that Lu Runxu liked.

"What are you looking at?"

Just as Xing Bei was about to open it, Lu Runxu's clear voice came from behind her. She turned around and looked at Lu Runxu.

When Lu Runxu got closer, he saw what Xing Bei was holding. He froze for a moment, and his hands, which were hanging at his sides, instinctively clenched.

Xing Bei happily picked up what she was holding and handed it to him: "I was looking for books just now and I accidentally found some graduation gifts. I'm a little curious about what they wrote for me."

Lu Runxu kept staring at the thing in her hand. The mint green cover made Lu Runxu recognize that it was written by him at a glance.

He looked away from the box and glanced at the other envelopes inside: "I'm also very curious about Mingzhu's high school life."

“Then let’s watch it together tonight.” Xing Bei put the things in her hand back into the wooden box. “What did my dad talk to you about? I didn’t expect him to send you up to find me so soon.”

Lu Runxu shook his head and looked at her with a somewhat aggrieved expression. Xing Bei frowned in confusion.

Could it be that her father doesn't agree?

That can't be right. They were all smiles while eating. Could something have gone wrong?

Seeing her conflicted expression, Lu Runxu said softly, "Mingzhu, I'm sorry, I accidentally revealed that we're already married. Your uncle wants you to go to his study now."

Xing Bei was completely dumbfounded. Had she just blurted that out so sweetly?

She was planning to take it one step at a time, but she didn't expect Lu Runxu to do it all on the very first day they met.

I wonder what her father will think. It would be terrible if there were any misunderstandings.

Lu Runxu noticed her troubled expression, and his heart sank.

Could it be that he hasn't been recognized yet?

"Sister, I really didn't mean to." Lu Runxu lowered his head, gently shaking her hand, his tone full of grievance.

Xing Bei looked at him helplessly: "You stay here, I'm going to the study to find my dad."

She jogged to the study, pushed open the door, and explained directly, "Dad, don't blame Lu Runxu for this; it was all my idea."

Mr. Xing, who was rubbing his temples, turned even darker upon hearing her words.

Xing Bei knew she was doomed, so she stood obediently in front of the desk.

Neither of them spoke first, and the atmosphere grew increasingly strange. Xing Bei cast a pleading look at Ms. Shi, who was watching the scene unfold.

Ms. Shi rolled her eyes at her speechlessly, then gently patted Mr. Xing's shoulder: "Xiao Xu is excellent in every way, and he is young and promising. He would be a good match for Mingzhu."

Mr. Xing snorted: "But you can't treat marriage like a game. Making such a decision without even consulting us is simply ridiculous."

The person standing opposite didn't dare to say a word, and kept their head lowered. If Xing Bei had superpowers, she really wanted to become invisible right now.

At this point, the woman became indignant and slapped Mr. Xing on the shoulder: "Old Xing, don't talk about your daughter. Who didn't coax and trick me into marrying you back then?"

Mr. Xing's expression stiffened, and as he took Ms. Shi's hand, his tone softened instantly: "I was just too worried about my daughter."

Ms. Shi smiled with satisfaction: "Our daughter isn't one to act recklessly. This Xiao Xu is really quite good."

“Our daughter is just as good, okay?” Mr. Xing gently patted Ms. Shi’s hand. “You go out and talk to Xiao Xu first. I have something to say to our daughter.”

Ms. Shi nodded: "Then you're not allowed to yell at your daughter. If she tells on you later, you'll be sleeping in the study for a month."

Mr. Xing: "Yes, ma'am."

Watching the two of them flaunt their affection in front of her, Xing Bei just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

After Ms. Shi left, Xing Bei immediately tensed up. She went over and took her father's arm, saying in a coquettish tone, "Dad, I know I was wrong."

Mr. Xing looked up at her and helplessly tapped her forehead with his hand: "Mingzhu, tell your father seriously, do you really want to spend your life with that boy?"

"Yes." Xing Bei didn't know why she suddenly remembered the scene when she first met Lu Runxu. The corners of her lips curved up. "Dad, I really like him, and I don't take marriage lightly."

Seeing her so earnest and persistent, Mr. Xing couldn't help but think of his own youth and shook his head helplessly: "It's true what they say, daughters grow up and leave home."

"The moment she rushed in, she immediately defended that pretty boy, not caring at all whether her father was heartbroken," Mr. Xing accused her. "Tell me, do you even care about your father anymore?"

pretty boy?

This was the first time Xing Bei had ever heard someone call Lu Runxu a pretty boy.

Judging from his father's tone, he seems to have accepted Lu Runxu, but he's a little jealous that someone took his first place.

Xing Bei smiled and wrapped her arms around her father's neck, saying sweetly, "Of course! Old Xing will always be number one in my heart. No one can take your place."

Even though he knew she was just trying to comfort him, Mr. Xing still put on a kind smile: "You have a stubborn temper, and I can't persuade you. If you've been wronged, just come home. Our family's wealth is no less than the Lu family's."

Xing Bei rubbed her face against his and said, "I understand."

Mr. Xing patted the arm wrapped around his neck and looked out the window at the magnolias: "I originally planned to match you with Chen Qingyan, but it seems there's no chance now."

Xing Bei suddenly stood up and looked at her father very seriously: "Dad, don't try to play matchmaker. I've always considered Chen Qingyan my own brother."

"I understand." At this moment, Mr. Xing really felt a little sorry for Chen Qingyan.

*

In the courtyard downstairs, Lu Runxu stood under the magnolia tree, lost in thought. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the hem of a dark green cheongsam and then looked away.

Ms. Shi was elegant and gentle, like the most beautiful white magnolia in bloom, and her peach blossom eyes were exactly the same as Xing Bei's.

"You're the little boy who secretly watched Mingzhu from outside back then, aren't you?" Ms. Shi glanced at the person beside her. "I never thought that you would be the one to marry Mingzhu. It feels like destiny."

Lu Runxu stared at the white magnolia on the branch, which was swaying precariously in the wind, and his eyes slightly upturned: "I never expected to meet Mingzhu again."

Sometimes, when he sees Mingzhu chatting away and telling him interesting stories, he always feels a sense of unreality.

Ms. Shi looked intently at the person beside her. Lu Runxu stood tall and straight, his smile as warm as a spring breeze. His fox-like eyes always held undisguised affection when he mentioned Xing Bei.

This reminded Ms. Shi of the first time she met Mr. Xing when she was young; he was also a young man like Lu Runxu, a bright and gentle figure.

Ms. Shi gently patted his shoulder: "I imagine it must have been tough for you since you entered the world of Mingzhu."

Lu Runxu was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "I don't feel bitter at all. It is the honor of my life to marry Mingzhu."

Ms. Shi picked a white magnolia blossom and recalled the words of a little girl from years ago.

When Xing Bei was very young, she asked Xing Bei what kind of person she would like to spend her life with.

Xing Bei looked at her smugly: "Of course, it's because she's good-looking."

Ms. Shi: "But there are so many good-looking people in the world."

Xing Bei stroked her chin and thought seriously: "I only want what I like, preferably like my dad, who can plant a whole yard of camellias for me."

Ms. Shi looked away, lowered her eyes and smiled, muttering to herself, "Now she's really met her match."

*

That evening, Xing Bei learned that they only had a few days of annual leave, so she decided to spend more time with them in Qingyang.

After tidying up, Xing Bei lay on the bed looking at the letter in the wooden box, her slender, white legs swinging up and down in the air, her nude-colored nightgown scattered messily among the gray bedding.

Lu Runxu walked over, took a blanket from the side and covered her with it. Seeing the paper in her hand, he asked curiously, "What did you write? You're reading it so carefully."

Xing Bei immediately sat up and put the paper she had read most of aside: "They are all blessings written by my classmates."

She picked up the mint green envelope and waved it in front of Lu Runxu: "Lu Runxu, this person likes mint just like you."

Where no one could see, Lu Runxu's hand trembled slightly as he took the letter from Xing Bei. The handwriting on the paper was beautiful yet subtly sharp.

In an instant, Lu Runxu felt as if he had been pulled back to the night he wrote that letter.

Lu Runxu looked at her: "So what do you think of the writing?"

Xing Bei stroked her chin and commented seriously: "It's very well-written. You can't tell that someone I know could write like this. You can tell from the words that the other person has had a crush on me for a long time."

Lu Runxu chuckled softly, cupped her face, and kissed her lips: "Our Mingzhu is so beautiful, I would also have a crush on her."

It started snowing lightly outside the window sometime during the day. Xing Bei met his gaze and saw her own reflection clearly in Lu Runxu's eyes.

At this moment, he only had eyes for her, and Xing Bei's heart was pounding wildly for him.

Lu Runxu leaned down and gently covered his red lips with hers. Xing Bei stared at his thick eyelashes and trembled slightly. Their eyes met, and Xing Bei couldn't resist closing her eyes.

The kiss deepened; such pure, uninhibited kisses were rare among them.

Xing Bei's breath was completely stolen by the person in front of her, and her body temperature continued to rise.

Before anyone knew it, the bed sank in, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on Xing Bei's forehead, her peach blossom eyes also covered with a layer of mist.

The person in front of her gently stroked the stray hairs on her cheek, so tenderly yet without holding back. Occasionally, a sweet, mournful sound echoed in the room, and Xing Bei felt as if she were about to shatter.

The snow outside the window gradually stopped, and the yellow light of the lamp fell on the slightly faded envelope, making the last sentence even clearer under the light—

May spring bring you peace, summer bring you tranquility, autumn bring you joy, and winter bring you happiness. May we have the chance to meet again.