Chapter 77
The night in the south of France was so quiet that one could hear the rustling of olive leaves in the wind. They sat side by side in the soft lounge chairs, sharing their body warmth and gazing up at the starry sky that was so bright that it was almost luxurious and had never been seen in the city.
The air lingered with the sweet aroma of grape juice and a hint of nighttime coolness. The long silence wasn't awkward, but rather filled with a sense of tranquil intimacy. Perhaps bewitched by the foreign tranquility, or perhaps because the day's relaxation had let down his guard, Ling Yao suddenly spoke, his voice much lower and softer than usual.
"I...some time ago, I resumed contact with my mother." He paused, and there was not much emotion in his tone, more like a calm statement.
Su Rui tilted her head slightly to look at him, but didn't interrupt. He knew Ling Yao had always had a strained relationship with his mother, who was extremely concerned with appearances and had a strong desire for control.
Ling Yao's gaze remained fixed on the starry sky as he continued, as if sorting out his thoughts. "She's still the same. She doesn't approve of the path I've chosen. She thinks even if I gain fame, even if I become a top star, I'm not truly successful and unworthy of being her son." He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a faint, helpless smile. "But I seem... not so angry anymore. I even understand her a little. She's been supporting that shaky family all by herself for too long, and it's been too tiring."
He sighed softly: "So I bought her a lot of bags and jewelry, filling up her closet. She likes those things the most, they can save face... She is the person who loves face the most." There was a complex emotion in these words, with alienation and sarcasm, but there seemed to be a trace of tired understanding and almost numb filial piety.
Suddenly, he turned his head and looked at Su Rui. His eyes looked particularly serious under the dim light, and even carried a hint of guilt: "Rui Rui, I'm sorry."
Su Rui was stunned: "...Why are you apologizing suddenly?"
"For me in high school." Ling Yao's voice was soft, but every word was clear. "Back then, I clearly... I clearly didn't feel that way in my heart, but because I felt ashamed, because of that ridiculous, self-righteous 'face', I followed everyone else in distancing myself from you. I even said those nasty things in front of Azhe and the others, denying any contact with you."
He took a deep breath, as if the despicable cowardice of the boy from back then still weighed on him. "I'm sorry. Back then, I was so foolish, and I thought face was more important than anything else, more important than...real feelings."
Su Rui remained silent, his heart tightening slightly. Those long-forgotten, deliberately forgotten minor injuries, now solemnly brought up and apologized for by the person involved, didn't cause any pain. Instead, it felt like a tiny thorn being gently removed, leaving behind a sore, swollen sense of relief. He shook his head, about to say something, but Ling Yao's next question stopped him.
"Your father..." Ling Yao hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Did he... come home later? Or... could I not contact him?" He knew that this was one of the deepest scars in Su Rui's heart.
Su Rui's eyes dimmed. He lowered his eyelashes, staring at the lines on the blanket. He spoke softly, "No. Not long after he divorced my mother, he completely lost contact with me. It's like... he disappeared from this world." He paused, his voice even softer, almost blending into the night breeze. "My mother... won custody of me. She could have kept me forever... but..."
But he couldn't say the rest. The sudden car accident took his mother away and completely shattered his already shaky family. In the end, it was his grandmother who caught him in her warm embrace.
Ling Yao's heart felt like it was being gripped by an icy hand. He reached out and pulled Su Rui into his arms, hugging her tightly. Su Rui's body stiffened for a moment, then softened. She buried her face in the warmth of his shoulder, breathing in his reassuring scent.
"It's all over." Ling Yao's voice was low and firm. He patted Su Rui's back gently, as if making a solemn promise, "Rui Rui, we will be family from now on. I am your family."
These words were like a warm current, instantly breaking through the last barrier in Su Rui's heart. His eyes suddenly became hot.
Ling Yao felt the subtle trembling of the person in his arms, his heart filled with indescribable love and a strong urge to give him complete security and a sense of belonging. As if he had made up his mind, he gently let go of Su Rui. Then, under Su Rui's watery and slightly questioning gaze, he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
The starlight and warm lights of southern France intertwined, falling on the proposal ring that lay quietly. The ring was simple yet extremely delicate. The platinum band shone with a warm luster, and a perfectly cut diamond was set in the center, reflecting a dazzling fire in the light.
Ling Yao's eyes were deep and gentle, even with a hint of nervous solemnity. He stared at Su Rui, who was completely stunned, and said in a low and clear voice:
"Rui Rui, this isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. I've been preparing for this for a long time... I want to give you a home, a real home that will never leave you. Are you willing?"
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