Chapter 125 Reply

The wedding banquet hall was ablaze with lights, crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. An ivory-white carpet carpeted the center of the stage, flanked by pale pink and creamy apricot floral arrangements, creating a scene of spring quietly blossoming within. Staff members shuttled around, adjusting microphones and checking the sound system, while the newlyweds on stage were meticulously instructed by the wedding planner on their positioning and movement.

"Bride, don't move. Listen to my instructions." The wedding planner spoke in a stern tone with sharp eyes.

Guan Yue just waved to greet Le, but was cut off by the voice before she could finish her words. She stuck out her tongue, hunched her shoulders and stood back in her original position pretending to be obedient, with a smile on her face that she had not had time to put away.

Le stood in a dimly lit corner, watching everything unfold with a gentle gaze. She said nothing, simply standing quietly, watching Fang Li beside Guan Yue, holding her hand and following the instructions step by step. The rehearsal progressed one by one, the speech a bit fast and the rhythm rushed, like a theater set on fast-forward. But the couple standing in the center seemed to have their own rhythm, their gazes still gentle as they exchanged glances, as if they had gone through this process a thousand times without tiring.

The other bridesmaids and groomsmen were scattered on either side of the venue. Some leaned against the pillars, chatting quietly, while others had already opened their phones. But Le remained fixed on the two people on the stage. A smile played at the corner of her lips, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Meanwhile, the scene in the hotel room was quite different.

Yuzuru Hanyu huddled in the corner of the sofa, his Switch in hand, half-wrapped in a pillow, looking quiet and forlorn. The screen glowed dimly, and the monotonous sound effects of the game filled the room—the clatter of blows, the character's gasps, the chime of a failure... It seemed strangely out of place in this empty yet luxurious room.

He didn't choose to go with Le to the wedding rehearsal. In fact, when she answered Guan Yue's call in her room, changed her coat, and hurried out, he also moved. But in the end, he just watched her close the door and sighed.

This half-day of socializing in unfamiliar languages ​​had already left him bewildered. The various incomprehensible dialects, the complex relationship between Guan Yue and Fang Li's family, the baffling toasting sessions, and even though he couldn't understand them, he could still sense the joy of wedding preparations. No one knew that this "big star" sitting in the corner was feeling lost and alone.

Because he himself has not received a reply yet.

At this thought, his hand slipped, and the in-game Kinsect skill wasn't activated. The monster took advantage of the opportunity and attacked him with a flurry of attacks, resulting in mission failure. The ink-colored image of failure slowly emerged.

Yuzuru Hanyu let out a low sigh, threw the controller aside, leaned back on the sofa, and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

"She said she didn't want to agree just because she was moved."

"She said 'I love you', so... she probably means she's willing."

He once again recited every word from that Boston night in his mind, like a spell he had rehearsed countless times, trying to find a glimmer of encouragement, a signal.

He sat up, walked to the bed, and pulled the small velvet box from the compartment of his suitcase. His fingertips slowly caressed the edge of the box, as if caressing an unresolved fate. He stared at the box in a trance, as if trying to inject his feelings into it through his eyes.

Suddenly, there was a slight click from the door.

Yuzuru Hanyu's hand trembled, and he stuffed the box back into his bag very quickly. He turned his head suddenly, with a little panic in his eyes - like a child who had just been caught peeking into a gift box.

"You're back?" He asked knowingly, his voice sounding like he had just come out of a daze, with a hint of unnatural lightness.

"Yeah." Le responded, but her eyes fell on the hand he had just hastily withdrawn from the bag. She raised her eyebrow and asked casually, "You haven't showered yet? We have to get up early tomorrow."

"Okay! I'll go right away!" Yuzuru Hanyu jumped up as if he was ignited, picked up his pajamas, and rushed into the bathroom as if escaping.

The sound of splashing water soon began to sound.

Le stood still, her eyes lowered as she stared at the suitcase he hadn't zipped up yet. The corner of the velvet box peeked out from the zipper—dark blue velvet, the edges slightly worn, the curve alone making her recognize it.

She walked over slowly, as if drawn by something, and bent down to take out the small square box. Her fingertips gently stroked the familiar velvet, like caressing a long-silent heart.

She didn't open the lid, but just stared at it silently for a moment, then picked up the phone and turned to walk towards the balcony.

Outside, toward the sea, the night breeze carried the scent of sea salt, ruffling her hair. The sea rolled in the distance, its waves muted, yet there was a sense of boundless vastness—a darkness and depth that could bring peace to the heart. The night was dark, the sea devoid of light, only the moon and stars hung in the sky, a distant yet real companion.

Le leaned on the balcony railing, took a deep breath of the salty night air, then lowered his head and dialed the phone.

"Le?" The call was quickly connected, and it was Suginohara Kaede's voice, a little surprised. She probably didn't expect to receive a call from her daughter at this time.

"Yes, Mom, it's me." As she spoke, she slowly bent down and lay on the balcony, her body stretched out lazily like a kitten, as if she wanted to release some weight that had been accumulated for a long time from deep within her body.

"I'm...at the hotel where Guan Yue's wedding is taking place."

"Yeah, I know." Feng's tone was steady, and no emotion could be heard. "Did you guys have fun?"

"Well...it's fine." Le replied softly.

On the other end of the line, Feng listened to her daughter's voice, and a long-lost sense of familiarity welled up in her heart. Her voice was a mixture of weariness, coquettishness, hesitation, and a hint of hidden worry, just like the little girl who used to sit at the kitchen door and beg for cake. She unconsciously softened her tone:

"Do you... have something to say?"

"...Hmm." Le's fingers gently circled the phone case and he looked down at his fingertips, as if to encourage himself.

"Yuzuru, proposed to me."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a second, and then Feng's calm but firm voice came:

"Yeah, I guessed it."

"Mom..." Le said softly, with a hint of struggle and confession in his tone, "I... don't believe in marriage."

Feng was stunned for a moment, almost subconsciously saying something about his past marriage, but Kele interrupted him softly:

"It's not entirely because of you. I can't really say why... maybe it's just the influence of my childhood, or maybe it's something in my own personality... I always feel that since the end is the end, I'd rather not start."

"I've always been like this. If I don't expect anything, I won't be disappointed. I won't regret it either. If there's no ending, I'll just let go of the present moment."

The night wind lifted the ends of her hair. She closed her eyes and added softly:

"But...I can't give up my present relationship with Yuzuru."

She seemed to be talking to her mother, or perhaps trying to convince herself.

There was silence on the other end of the line, no interruptions. Feng could hear her breathing and the sound of the waves that night—even across thousands of miles, it was soothing.

"So, Mom..." Her voice was soft, but every word was clear and firm:

"I want to... cherish this present moment."

Just like the newlyweds on the stage who were about to get married, just like she suddenly realized in the eyes of the rows of guests who were blessing her, that she also longed for a place to call home.

Feng was silent for a while, and spoke slowly and gently:

"Yes. As long as it's your own choice, Mom supports it."

As she spoke, she glanced at Marrku, who had been eavesdropping for a while. The latter leaned over with his head tilted to the side, his eyes full of an expression of "Can I talk now?" Feng couldn't help laughing:

"To correct it, yes—we all support it."

At that moment, the person on the other end of the phone was illuminated by a beam of light, as if the room had come alive. Some people were joking, some were laughing, and there was a gentle warmth in the noise.

Le also smiled. The haze that had been weighing on his heart for a long time seemed to be blown away a little by the night breeze.

She raised her head, looked towards the starry sky, and announced softly and solemnly:

"Mom, Marrku, I think... I'm getting married."

"Le, you can go take a shower now."

Yuzuru Hanyu emerged from the bathroom, toweling his hair. The room was silent, no one responded. He paused, then noticed—the balcony door was open, the white curtains swirling in the wind, gently swaying in the air like water.

The night wind blew in with a faint smell of dampness and saltiness, and the person he was looking for was standing there.

Her back stood quietly on the balcony, motionless, as if not even the wind could bear to disturb her. Her long hair was lifted by the wind, creating a gentle arc in the moonlight, and her thin skirt fluttered gently against her calves, like a flower just blooming in the night.

She stood barefoot on the wooden floor, her toes gently tapping the ground, her hands resting on the railing. The moonlight outlined her soft, independent figure. As if drawn by the starry sky, her gaze gazed deeply into the distant, indistinct night sea. It was like a painting, a lonely, determined silhouette.

Yuzuru Hanyu was stunned for a moment, and the towel in his hand unconsciously stopped. He put the towel down, walked over quietly, and stood beside her, not disturbing her, just quietly accompanying her.

"What are you looking at?" He lowered his head and moved closer, following her line of sight into the distance.

The night sea was as dark as ink, bottomless, and so black that it almost swallowed up the boundary between heaven and earth.

"There's nothing to see at this beach..." He muttered, shrugging his shoulders, "But the starry sky is really beautiful."

"Well... yes, it's very beautiful." Le responded softly, his voice like light mist, carelessly falling into the wind.

The two stood side by side, not saying a word. The night air was pure, and the sea breeze blew through the balcony, brushing against their cheeks, fingertips, and gently touching the corners of their eyes and the ends of their hair. It was like time quietly passing by.

"Time will eventually separate us..." She suddenly spoke, but her tone was not sad, but calm, as if she were reading a poem. "But even so, until that day comes... let's stay together."

Yuzuru Hanyu couldn't help but scratch the back of his head after hearing her sudden monologue, then chuckled, "That was my confession! Le actually remembered it word for word."

He narrowed his eyes, looking around as if recalling a secret. "That time... was also on the balcony, right? So did that remind Le of my confession?"

Le turned around and looked at him, the stars in the sky and his familiar appearance reflected in his eyes.

"This is my answer to you." She looked into his eyes and smiled gently and frankly.