Chapter 25: A Mistake, Thousands of Sadnesses, Crossing the Ocean Again, Heartbroken
When Ike learned that Xiao Xiangyue had agreed to study abroad, he was so excited that he almost cried, thinking that his teacher's earnest hope in her octogenarian years would come true. He immediately called Mrs. Daisy to arrange the trip to Sweden.
Luo Guoyun intellectually knew that sending Yue'er abroad was the right move, but the thought of being separated for years weighed heavily on his heart. Although Xiao Xiangyue had resolved to leave, she felt a deep reluctance. Each of them, each with their own preoccupations, faced a moment of separation, their closeness becoming distant, and they began to treat each other with respect.
Yi Han couldn't bear to see Luo Guyun suffer, so he advised: "Third brother, if you really don't want Yue'er to leave, just don't let him go. Yue'er will definitely listen to your arrangements."
Luo Guyun said, "That year in Lizhuang, when my elder brother came to pick me up, I was extremely reluctant to leave. Yue'er told me that the military camp was where I could display my talents, and told me not to hesitate because of him. Now, for Yue'er, studying the music he loves is the best choice. How could I let him give it up because of me? I decided to send Yue'er abroad because I knew that Yue'er had his own self-esteem and pride. He wanted to be with me and didn't want to be a burden to me. We both valued each other more than ourselves. We fulfilled each other, so we chose to part ways."
Two days later, Ike arrived at the mansion to discuss various matters related to studying abroad. He said that Madam Daisy wanted to leave as soon as possible and had booked a boat ticket for the end of March. Luo Guoyun, who was talking to Yi Han, and Xiao Xiangyue, who was immersed in studying music, looked up at the same time and said in unison, "No!"
Yi Han jokingly said, "Hey... weren't they ignoring each other? Now they're in sync again?"
The two people's eyes met, and they understood each other's intentions.
April 1st was Xiao Xiangyue's seventeenth birthday. He hoped to celebrate his birthday with Brother Yun before leaving, while Luo Guyun naturally wanted to spend the rest of his birthday with Yue'er before leaving. For the past few days, neither of them had discussed their departure, having previously discussed it. In reality, each had pondered the matter countless times, but each was afraid to speak first and upset the other.
The departure date was set for the third day of April, which was still more than ten days away. Luo Guyun was busy sending people to prepare luggage for Xiao Xiangyue. He found some of the best tailors in Shanghai and worked day and night to make clothes. Suits, vests, shirts, spring, summer, autumn and winter, all kinds of styles of clothing, everything was ready. The weather in Sweden was very cold, so he specifically instructed to prepare more thick clothes, shoes and hats. He also asked Sun Mu to draw up a list of Chinese medicinal materials and told Xiao Qin to prepare them one by one. Xiao Xiangyue’s favorite snacks, dried fruits, and various ingredients, as long as they could be stored and preserved, were bought in several large carts. Ike often went to the mansion during this period. Seeing this, he frowned and said, "Swedes advocate a simple life. These food and clothing expenses are enough for a lifetime, not to mention three years! It's really extravagant and wasteful." Luo Guyun disagreed: "I don't care what your country is like, but I can't let Yue'er down."
Xiao Xiangyue was as calm as usual, but a little thinner, with some dark circles under her eyelids.
That night, the two of them turned off the lights and went to bed. Xiao Xiangyue still lay on top of him like an octopus. After a while, her breathing became even, and it was obvious that she had fallen asleep.
In the middle of the night, Luo Guyun suddenly opened his eyes and said to the bright eyes that were so close to him in the dark night: "Yue'er stays awake every night just staring at brother. Is that enough?"
During the day these days, Luo Guoyun was busy preparing luggage for Xiao Xiangyue and holding meetings with military generals summoned to Shanghai to discuss military affairs. Ike came to the mansion every day to teach him Swedish. The two were busy with their own things and communicated less. Xiao Xiangyue was very reluctant to leave, but had no place to vent. She just stared at Luo Guoyun when he was asleep, as if to carve the face in front of her into her mind. Luo Guoyun was also sad. He didn't dare to think too much about the upcoming separation, and didn't know how to comfort him. He was afraid that speaking would make everyone sad, so he just closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. After two days of holding it in, seeing that he didn't sleep, he was afraid that he would hurt his body, so he finally couldn't bear it anymore.
Xiao Xiangyue didn't expect that Luo Guyun was not asleep at all. She opened her mouth to say something, but her mouth drooped and big tears dripped onto his face.
Luo Guyun felt his heart ache, and hurriedly hugged her, took a deep breath, and said helplessly: "Yue'er, cry as much as you want... But you can only cry in my arms, and never be sad in a place where I can't see you, otherwise... I will be heartbroken to death..."
Xiao Xiangyue nodded desperately, choking with sobs, "At most three years... Yue'er will be back... Brother Yun must take care of himself... If you go to the battlefield, you must take care of yourself for Yue'er... Don't take risks lightly..." Luo Guyun wiped the tears from his face with both hands, sobbing: "Don't worry, Yue'er... Brother will be fine... Yue'er is also... out there alone, brother can't take care of you... Be careful..."
This was the first time they'd opened up to each other since deciding to study abroad in Sweden. Previously, they'd carefully avoided discussing it, fearing it would upset the other. Tonight, hugging each other and crying, they felt a sense of relief. They were filled with endless sorrow and sweet nothings, whispering to each other all night long, unable to sleep.
It was already daybreak, and since there was a military meeting to attend in the morning, Luo Guyun got out of bed straight away. Xiao Xiangyue was about to get up too, but he quickly held her down, saying with concern, "It's still early. Yue'er hasn't slept all night, so get some more sleep." Xiao Xiangyue said, "I've been learning Swedish with Ike these days, so it's not good to be late." Luo Guyun held his face with a look of infinite sympathy, pouting and teasing, "...Yue'er, it's better not to see anyone like this..." Xiao Xiangyue glared at him suspiciously, then ran to the bathroom to look in the mirror. She immediately covered her face and screamed, "Brother Yun... what should I do?"
Xiao Xiangyue hadn't slept all night and had cried bitterly. Her eyes were red and swollen, like peaches, and she really couldn't face anyone. Luo Guyun comforted her, "Just sleep peacefully, Yue'er. I'll be back after the meeting to have lunch with you. Tell Ike to take a day off." Xiao Xiangyue thought about it and decided to do the best she could, so she lay back on the bed.
Luo Guyun went downstairs and stopped at the door. The captain of the guard, Wu Fang, immediately trotted over and stood at attention. "What are your orders, Commander-in-Chief?"
"The young master is resting. Arrange a few more guards to patrol the area. No one is allowed to disturb him upstairs," Luo Guoyun said. Rushing to a meeting, he instructed his butler, Uncle Hong, to call Ike and tell him not to come to the mansion today. After thinking about it, he said to Uncle Hong, "Call Adjutant Sun and tell him that Yue'er's eyes are swollen. Ask him if he has any quick way to reduce the swelling."
The military affairs meeting was held at the Hushan Hotel on Huaihai Road. The hotel was magnificent, rivaling the Peace Hotel in elegance. This was also Yi Han's Shanghai property, ostensibly a luxury hotel, but in reality, it served as Luo Guyun's secret military headquarters. The intelligence network established by the brothers was extensive, even picking up on gossip like the story of a commander's concubine having an affair with a subordinate. Although Luo Guyun had recently been accompanying Xiao Xiangyue, he possessed a thorough understanding of the domestic and international situation. Today, he would analyze the situation with the generals and discuss countermeasures.
Captain Wu Fang of the imperial guards appeared at the door of the conference room, peering in nervously. Seeing the commander-in-chief speaking, he didn't dare interrupt. He walked up to Yi Shui, leaned over and whispered a few words, then immediately withdrew.
Luo Guoyun quoted from classics, drew lessons from the past and discussed the present, and gave a profound and thorough analysis of the current situation. When his speech concluded, the generals applauded enthusiastically. Yi Shui stood up and said, "Now, let's discuss it freely. Secretary Wu will compile the written opinions and submit them to the Commander-in-Chief for review."
The established agenda was for each general to report their situation to the commander-in-chief. Luo Guoyun and Yi Shui had long worked together in perfect harmony, and when he saw Yi Shui suddenly change the meeting arrangements on his own initiative, he knew something was wrong.
As the two of them walked out of the conference room, Yi Shui said hurriedly, "The captain of the guards reported that Yue'er is seriously ill. Brother Sun, Xiao Qin, Senior Brother Lu, and the others have already arrived at the mansion."
Luo Guyun was shocked. He was fine when he left in the morning. How could he be sick?
The Hushan Hotel was a half-hour drive from the mansion. With police cars leading the way, several Ford sedans raced back to the mansion at lightning speed. Before they even stopped, Luo Guyun jumped out and headed straight for the main building. He saw Sun Mu, Ike, Lu Hankun, and Xiao Qin all in the living room. Xiao Xiangyue, blushing, sat on the sofa. Seeing him, her face flushed even more.
In the morning, Luo Guyun asked the housekeeper Uncle Hong to call Sun Mu and ask for a way to quickly reduce the swelling in the eyes. Sun Mu and Qin Xiao were in the hospital preparing various medicines for Xiao Xiangyue to take to Sweden. When they heard that the eyes were swollen, they hurriedly asked why. Uncle Hong couldn't explain it. Qin Xiao said that Mr. Ike had been with the young master every day recently and might know the reason. Sun Mu called Ike, and Ike said he didn't know either. He only heard from the housekeeper that Yue'er was not feeling well and could not attend class today. Sun Mu felt that the matter was serious when he heard it. Yue'er has a strong sense of responsibility and would not easily delay her studies. She asked for leave specifically, so she must be seriously ill. He immediately put down what he was doing and rushed to the mansion with Xiao Qin. Ike and Lu Hankun were also nervous. The departure date was in a few days. How could she be sick now? They also rushed to the mansion.
Only a few people, including Sun Mu, Yi Shui, and Yi Han, were allowed in and out of the main building where Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue lived. Seeing it was Sun Mu, the head guard Wu Fang didn't dare to stop him. But when he heard that Yue'er had come because he was ill, he was quite surprised. If the commander-in-chief didn't report the young master's illness promptly, the consequences would be severe! Without delay, he headed to the hotel to report the situation.
Sun Mu ran up to the bedroom on the second floor and saw someone lying on the bed. He grabbed his hand and carefully felt the pulse. He felt that the pulse was stable and did not look like he was sick. When he was wondering, Xiao Xiangyue had woken up. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and saw that it was Sun Mu. He sat up quickly and asked in surprise: "Why is Brother Sun here?" Sun Mu saw that his face looked normal, but his eyes were a little red and swollen, so he guessed about 70% of the answer. He asked: "Did Yue'er not sleep well last night?" Xiao Xiangyue said embarrassedly: "I cried last night and talked to Brother Yun until dawn..." Qin Xiao entered the bedroom and said that Lu Hankun and Ike heard that Yue'er was sick, so they also rushed to the mansion and were waiting in the living room. Xiao Xiangyue quickly got up and put on her clothes, and went downstairs with Sun Mu.
After figuring out the whole story, they realized it was all a huge misunderstanding. Xiao Xiangyue blushed and said anxiously, "...Yue'er has caused trouble for everyone again..." Luo Guyun smiled brightly, "It's better to meet by chance than to invite each other. Since everyone is here today, let's have lunch together at the mansion."
Sun Mu took some ice from the kitchen icebox, wrapped it in gauze, and applied it to Xiao Xiangyue's eyes. The redness and swelling had eased considerably. They all moved to the dining room and chatted idly while eating.
"We will depart next week. Are all matters ready?" Lu Hankun asked.
Yi Han said, "The luggage is ready. But my third brother is worried about Xiao Qin going alone, and he's also worried that Yue'er won't be used to the food, so he wants to send a few guards and the mansion's cook to go with him. As the departure is approaching, the boat tickets are sold out, so this matter is being coordinated. However, we have already contacted the shipping company through the embassy, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Xiao Xiangyue protested with wide eyes, "Brother Yun... Yue'er is just an ordinary student over there, but bringing so many followers with her... It's really strange!"
Ike also said, "General Luo, you're worrying too much. The Swedish people are simple and honest, peaceful and tranquil. The general's safety is not a concern for Yue'er."
Sun Mu pondered, "Dietary habits in different regions are formed over time based on the local climate and environment. For example, Sichuan is humid, so the locals like spicy food to drive away the dampness. Chaozhou and Guangdong are hot, so the locals love to drink soup to clear heat and moisten the lungs. Local climate and soil shape local people. When Yue'er goes abroad, she should also adapt to the local customs and get used to the local food, which is beneficial to her health."
"I heard that Swedes like to eat cheese, and Yue'er can't eat milk. I'm always worried." Luo Guyun was still worried.
Qin Xiao said, "General, don't worry. Xiao Qin has studied medicine with Brother Sun for many years and is quite familiar with the young master's constitution. I will know what foods are suitable and what foods are not suitable, and I will make sure that the young master does not make any mistakes."
Yi Shui said, "Third brother's worry is understandable, but Yue'er is in a foreign country and should keep a low profile. Bringing guards to school will definitely attract attention and may even be disadvantageous."
Luo Guyun no longer insisted. He simply grabbed her hand from under the table and caressed it leisurely.
Xiao Xiangyue looked at him sideways, wanting to say something but hesitant, her eyes somewhat pitiful. Luo Guoyun couldn't help laughing. Yue'er was like this. Whenever she felt guilty about something or wanted to ask him for help, she would have this expression. He couldn't help laughing and said, "What is Yue'er planning now?" Xiao Xiangyue whispered, "Yue'er...I want to ask Senior Brother to record a record for me..."
Lu Hankun interrupted, "Oh? Junior Brother, have you composed a new song? What kind of record do you want to record?" Xiao Xiangyue hesitated, "...I promised Mr. He before that I would record a special record for him with music suitable for him..." She looked at Luo Guyun with clear eyes and said anxiously, "If Brother Yun doesn't agree, Yue'er won't record it..."
Lu Hankun knew that Luo Guyun hated He Qisheng very much, and was not prepared for Xiao Xiangyue to bring this up, fearing that he would be furious.
Luo Guyun sighed softly, looked at him deeply, and said softly: "If Yue'er feels that this is the only way to feel at ease, then record it."
Lu Hankun sighed inwardly. He had never imagined that the renowned and powerful Commander-in-Chief Luo would love his junior fellow apprentice so deeply, placing him above himself. His understanding, tolerance, forbearance, and restraint were truly admirable. He immediately said, "In that case, I'll arrange for a recording studio and crew. Time is tight, so you'll have to work hard. We'll try to finish the recording before we leave."
In the blink of an eye, it is the first day of April.
Last night, the mansion was bustling with activity. Yi Shui and Yi Han kept saying that Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue owed everyone a wedding drink. So they set up a banquet, donned the bright red wedding gowns from their wedding in Lizhuang the previous year, and treated everyone to a lively reunion dinner that lasted until midnight.
Xiao Xiangyue had been working from dawn to dusk these past few days recording his album, and was extremely tired. Last night, everyone had been goading him into drinking a lot of red wine, and it was almost noon, but he was still sound asleep.
Luo Guyun got up early in the morning, practiced a set of boxing and kicking, had breakfast with everyone in the mansion, and arranged to handle official business before returning to the bedroom. Seeing that Xiao Xiangyue was still sleeping, he sat by the bed, staring at his beautiful sleeping face, looking at him intently. In a trance, he couldn't help but lean over and peck his face. Xiao Xiangyue felt the touch, opened his hazy eyes, and called softly: "Brother Yun." He stretched out his bare arms to wrap around his neck and pulled him towards himself. Luo Guyun hugged him, leaned close to his ear and said affectionately: "Baby, happy birthday."
Xiao Xiangyue was completely bewildered and silent, clinging to him tightly, face to face, like a puppy, rubbing against him. Luo Guoyun felt completely limp, his lower abdomen ablaze with fire. Thinking of important plans for the day, he gritted his teeth and said, "Little lazy cat, the sun is burning your butt, why don't you get up quickly?" He pulled him out of the bed and changed his clothes.
Seeing him take out a suit and shirt meant for formal occasions, Xiao Xiangyue asked curiously, "Brother Yun, are you going out today?" Luo Guyun replied, "Today is Yue'er's birthday and also our first wedding anniversary. I've already made arrangements. We're going to a French restaurant for dinner tonight so we can enjoy some time together."
Nanjing Road used to be a bustling, neon-lit street, with rows of shops ablaze with lights. Today, every shop is shuttered. Cars drive through the streets, and there are almost no people in sight. Only armed police patrol the streets every three or five steps. Seeing this, Xiao Xiangyue exclaimed in shock, "Brother Yun... are you putting the entire street under martial law just for Yue'er's meal? This... this is simply outrageous!" Luo Guyun complained, "Yue'er is wronging me. How could I possibly be so powerful as to mobilize the Shanghai police? This is just a bargain made by someone who loves his daughter so much."
Since Wu Xiaoxin formed the Yue Fan Club, she has tried many times to invite Xiao Xiangyue to meet with everyone, but she was always rejected. She had no choice but to ask her father, the mayor, to intercede for her, but Luo Guyun was not impressed, so her wish has not been fulfilled.
After Xiao Xiangyue's trip to Sweden was finalized, Luo Guyun discussed with Lu Hankun and others that it would be best if he himself announced the news of her study abroad. Luo Guyun then informed Mayor Wu that he would take advantage of today's opportunity to invite Wu Xiaoxin, some representatives from the Yue Fan Club, and reporters from several major newspapers to hold a small press conference at a French restaurant.
Mayor Wu was very happy to see his daughter, who kept pestering him to see Xiao Xiangyue. To avoid any problems, he simply put Nanjing Road under martial law.
A long red carpet rolled out the entrance to the French restaurant. Flowers and flower baskets sent by Yue's fans were placed against the far wall. Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue entered the hall side by side. The first-floor lobby had been set up as a small, makeshift conference room. The reporters had all been informed in advance and behaved properly, refusing to snap away. Xiao Xiangyue announced her plans to study abroad, posed for photos with her fans, and briefly answered a few questions from the reporters. The press conference concluded.
Luo Guyun has booked the entire restaurant tonight, waiting for the press conference to be over so that he can celebrate Xiao Xiangyue's birthday and one-year marriage anniversary on the second floor.
Unexpectedly, the reporters were easy to dismiss, but the fans surrounded him and refused to leave. Some girls burst into tears, shouting through their noses and tears, "Mr. Xiao, don't leave... Don't let the rumors break you down... We will always support you..." Wu Xiaoxin was also very emotional, grabbing people and saying, "Mr. Xiao, don't be afraid of what people say. Xiaoxin will always have your back. We all like you and support you. We implore you to stay..." Xiao Xiangyue hated seeing others sad, so she tried to comfort everyone incoherently, at a loss for what to do.
Secretary Wu, who was accompanying them, stepped forward and announced loudly, "Master Xiangyue is feeling unwell and needs to rest. To thank you all for your kindness, we will host a music appreciation event for Mr. Xiao Xiangyue at the film company tonight at 8 o'clock. We will also give you a limited edition music album. The car is ready, please follow me to the film company."
Luo Guyun had long anticipated that it would be difficult to escape once Yue'er showed up, so he discussed with Lu Hankun in advance and came up with this plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain.
The second-floor private room was warmly and romantically decorated. Dozens of red candles lit up in European-style candlesticks, and even the tablecloths were specially changed to red. Exquisite porcelain utensils, silver cutlery, and crystal glasses sparkled in the candlelight, emitting a gorgeous and charming glow.
French cuisine is all about finishing one course before the next. Luo Guyun, impatient for interruptions, ordered all the dishes served at once, after the appetizers, accompanied by wine, brandy, and various liqueurs. Each dish was paired with a different drink. The air was filled with the aroma of red wine and the flavors of the dishes. The two of them chatted and laughed, sipping their wines slowly, feeling an indescribable sweetness and romance.
Luo Guyun forked up a frog leg sprinkled with chopped celery and placed it on Xiao Xiangyue's plate, introducing it, "The French also like to eat frog legs. Yue'er, how about trying this method of frying them in butter?" He took a bite, his eyes widened and said, "...Delicious! I didn't know frog legs can be eaten like this besides making porridge!" Luo Guyun smiled dotingly and said, "Yue'er loves frog legs so much. It seems that I will have to study various ways to cook frog legs in the future and give you some new and different ways to eat them." Xiao Xiangyue nodded and said, "Well, when Yue'er comes back and Brother Yun no longer fights, we will return to Lizhuang. Every summer, we will watch fireflies and catch frogs together. Yue'er wants to eat frog legs every day."
One is extremely handsome, the other is extremely handsome, they look at each other affectionately in the flickering candlelight.
Luo Guyun pulled out an exquisite box, revealing two enormous diamond rings. The faces were identical, both engraved with an exquisite pattern of circling clouds and moons; the only difference was the diameter of the bands. He spoke slowly, "I've heard that rings are an indispensable token of love for Westerners, given to each other at weddings as a symbol of commitment and fidelity. I didn't get to wear them at our wedding last year, so let's make up for it today."
He had prepared the ring early in the morning and had wanted to take it out last night. Firstly, he was worried that Xiao Xiangyue would be embarrassed in front of everyone. Secondly, with his uninhibited personality, he believed that love was a matter between two people. His feelings for Yue'er were evident to all, and making solemn promises in front of others would have seemed shallow and hypocritical.
Luo Guyun grabbed Xiao Xiangyue's hand, took out the smaller ring, and carefully placed it on his ring finger. He placed a cherished kiss on the back of his hand and said in a hoarse voice, "Yue'er, I will never let you down in this life."
Xiao Xiangyue picked up another ring, stroking it, examining it closely. After a long pause, she tremblingly slipped it onto Luo Guyun's ring finger. She held his hand and pressed it against her cheek, remaining motionless for a long moment. Her misty eyes gazed directly at him, a gentle ripple in their depths. A thousand words of deep affection, expressed in silence.
It's not the wine that intoxicates, it's the people who make them intoxicated. Luo Guyun had a very good alcohol tolerance. Normally, he could down several pounds of baijiu with his fellow soldiers without issue. But today, after some brandy and red wine, he was actually feeling a bit tipsy. He forked a piece of dessert and fed it to Xiao Xiangyue. Seeing a small amount on his lips, he leaned forward and said with a wicked smile, "Yue'er, you had a French meal today. Would you like to experience a French kiss..." He placed his lips on hers, gently licking, sucking slowly, and then biting and kissing her closely.
Xiao Xiangyue was already a little tipsy, her face flushed, her eyes slightly closed, her long eyelashes trembling. Luo Guyun extended his tongue again, drawing circles rhythmically, the rich and slippery saliva caressing and entwining between his lips and teeth, extremely teasing, hot and strong. Xiao Xiangyue was lost in this lingering and deep kiss, her body trembling slightly, a broken moan coming from her throat. The fire that Luo Guyun had been aroused in the morning rose up, making him feel hot all over, only his mind was still a little clear, he thought to himself, bad, everything is ready today, but the moisturizing cream is left in the car, not with him, it would be bad if it hurts Yue'er... In a hurry, he dragged her, his steps unsteady, and stumbled downstairs.
The guards waiting at the door saw the two men get out and, assuming they were leaving, quickly opened the car door. Luo Guyun simply ordered, "Stay alert thirty meters away," and locked the car door with a bang.
Both of them were impatient, tearing off the extra ties on each other. Luo Guyun was strong and tore open Xiao Xiangyue's clothes, buttons falling off one by one, revealing her delicate and smooth body. The shirt was difficult to untie. Xiao Xiangyue pulled a few times but couldn't pull it off. So she simply lifted the hem of Luo Guyun's clothes, took out a dollop of the moisturizing cream in his hand, smeared it on her back hole, and thrust forward.
Xiao Xiangyue was not as strong as Luo Guyun, and usually when they made love, Luo Guyun was on top. But today, under the influence of alcohol, he burst out with all his strength and whipped Luo Guyun to his heart's content. Luo Guyun felt as if his body was being penetrated, and he was hit in the vital parts every time. His head was dizzy, as if he was in the clouds, and he said with difficulty: "... Yue'er... go slower..." Xiao Xiangyue seemed not to hear him, with red eyes, supporting himself with one hand, and sprinting hard, again and again, all the way in. He kept calling out: "Brother Yun... Yue'er wants you... Brother Yun is Yue'er's... Brother Yun... Yue'er can't bear to leave you..."
Xiao Xiangyue thrust hard a few times, and Luo Guyun felt that the clone in the passage suddenly grew bigger, and streams of hot liquid poured out, burning him so much that he shuddered and trembled. An overwhelming pleasure came over him, and thick white liquid spurted out, staining the back seat.
The car was a mess, his straight suit wrinkled, and only the sound of panting could be heard. After calming down a little, Luo Guyun hugged the person in his arms and called softly, "Yue'er...are you okay?"
Yue'er's wildness just now really shocked him, as if he felt the power and beauty of her playing the piano at the Central Party again.
After the climax, Xiao Xiangyue's body was soft and she looked at him with charming and misty eyes. She whispered: "Yue'er... is very good... Yue'er is very happy..."
Luo Guyun was moved by the enchanting eyes, and secretly sighed that Yue'er looked very lively after drinking. This state of mind could not be seen by others. He coaxed softly: "When brother is not around, Yue'er can't drink with others." Xiao Xiangyue pouted and said coquettishly: "When Yue'er is not around, brother Yun is not allowed to dance with others, date others, or accept love letters from others!"... Luo Guyun was amused and confused: "Yue'er, what are you talking about? Brother... have you ever done these things?" Xiao Xiangyue, who was drunk, was very willful, and her beautiful eyes were full of anger as she shouted: "Yue'er doesn't care... In short, brother Yun can't do these things!"
Luo Guyun recalled the time at the Central Party reception, when he was dancing with Miss Kong when Yi Shui approached him and told him about He Qisheng. Later, while chatting, Yi Shui recounted the thrilling moment, saying that had he been even a moment later, He Qisheng would have succeeded. He even mentioned that he had found him on the dance floor... Unexpectedly, Yue'er had remembered this. As for the date... it must have been after the Mid-Autumn Festival the previous year, when Commander Bai's sister-in-law from Guangxi arrived in Shanghai. Commander Bai sent him a message, hoping for his favor. The underlying intention was to match Luo Guyun with the sister-in-law and use it as an opportunity to win him over. Luo Guyun understood the logic, but he couldn't afford to offend Commander Bai, so he simply had Yi Han arrange for her to stay at the Hushan Hotel, without even showing up. The sister-in-law, determined to achieve her goal, stayed there for over a month. Rumors circulated that the woman was Commander-in-Chief Luo's lover, staying at the hotel for easy rendezvous. Luo Guyun felt hiding was no solution, and fearing rumors would reach Xiao Xiangyue's ears and cause misunderstandings, he went to the Hushan Hotel to meet with the woman, telling her that his heart was with the country and he had no intention of marrying. He urged her to give up the idea and leave Shanghai as soon as possible. Secretary Wu was also present. Luo Guyun thought he had kept his affair secret, but somehow Yue'er found out and couldn't forget it... As for the love letter, there was a talented woman named Lin in the capital. She was well-known for her talent, good family background, and stunning beauty, and was the object of many young men's pursuit. At a banquet, the woman fell in love with Luo Guyun at first sight and wrote him many affectionate letters after returning home. Luo Guyun's correspondence was mostly handled by the secretary of the Confidential Office. He never read them himself, but only heard the secretary's report of such a matter, but he ignored it. Miss Lin saw that her letter fell on deaf ears and that her talented writing, which she was so proud of, could not impress General Luo at all. She felt bored and gave up hope.
Luo Guyun was secretly shocked. Yue'er was very thoughtful and took every single thing to heart. It seemed he would need to be more careful with his words and actions in the future so as not to cause any resentment in him... He pinched his cheek and laughed, "I didn't expect Yue'er to be such a jealous little girl. How much my brother loves you... doesn't Yue'er understand?"
Xiao Xiangyue's eyes were filled with tears, and she sighed softly: "Yue'er understands... How could Yue'er not understand, it's just... Yue'er feels sad... Can't bear to let go..." Finally, she couldn't hold back any more, and two lines of tears flowed down her cheeks.
Luo Guyun was heartbroken, frantically holding his face as kisses rained down on his eyes, nose, and cheeks... With their separation imminent, any words of comfort were powerless. They both felt that only by becoming one could they withstand the heart-wrenching pain. Unable to wait until they could return to the mansion, they tangled fiercely in the cramped backseat of the car, clinging to each other until death. Eventually, Xiao Xiangyue ran out of energy and drowsily let Luo Guyun pound into him. Luo Guyun had already released himself countless times tonight, his entire body drenched in sweat as if he had just been in a sauna. Seeing that the man beneath him was nearly asleep, he grabbed his shirt, wiped it briefly, laid him flat on the backseat, and covered him with his wrinkled suit. Not wanting the guards to see Yue'er in this state, he forced himself, exhausted, to drive back to the mansion himself.
Several huge ships were anchored at the shore. The ocean port was bustling with traffic and people. People of all colors crowded the dock, dragging heavy boxes, waiting to check in and board the ships.
Mrs. Daisy had purchased a VIP cabin ticket through the embassy, allowing her to use a special passage, and her luggage had been delivered to the ship in advance. Despite Xiao Xiangyue's protests, her luggage had been significantly reduced, but it still comprised more than a dozen large suitcases. When the guards carried the heavy boxes aboard, the foreign crew, witnessing this unprecedented amount of luggage, were stunned.
Worried, Luo Guyun had personally boarded the ship to inspect the cabins ahead of time. Xiao Xiangyue's VIP cabin had its own balcony, a fully equipped bathroom with toilet and shower, and a small living area for reading and writing. Luo Guyun felt bad for Yue'er, saying she had to stay in that pigeon-cage-like room for over a month. Fortunately, there was a balcony for some fresh air, otherwise she would have been suffocated.
Yi Han teased him, "Third brother, do you want to buy a ship and send Yue'er to Sweden?" Luo Guyun raised an eyebrow and said, "Why not?... When the war is over, I will buy a cruise ship and travel around the world with Yue'er!"
The whistle blew, signaling the departure of the ship. Passengers from the port had already boarded, and the dock fell silent. Luo Guyun still held Xiao Xiangyue in his arms, giving her earnest instructions, reluctant to let go.
"When you go out in winter, you must cover your mouth and nose. If you catch a cold, you will cough again."
"Um."
"The roads are slippery on snowy days. Yue'er should wear non-slip boots and be careful not to fall."
"Um."
"Sleep well at night and don't get up in the middle of the night to write music."
"Um."
"Even when you're in a bad mood and have no appetite, eat something. Don't go on an empty stomach."
"Um."
"Don't be too greedy for coolness in summer and eat less raw and cold food."
"Um."
"If you miss your brother, write to him. Don't keep it in your heart."
"Well...Brother Yun should also write to Yue'er more often..."
Xiao Xiangyue leaned on her chest and answered in a muffled voice, her voice already tinged with tears. Luo Guyun was startled... Why was he so fussy? He had made Yue'er so depressed. What would he do when he got on the boat and hid away in a deserted place, feeling sad and upset? He immediately pushed her away, put one hand on his shoulder, pointed to the sky with the other and swore mischievously, "Yes! Brother will follow Yue'er's instructions!"
Xiao Xiangyue burst out laughing at his amusement. She looked straight at him with clear eyes, deep affection flowing in her eyes. She said softly: "Yue'er is gone, take care, Brother Yun." Luo Guyun smiled brightly: "Yes, take care of Yue'er too. Don't cry if you miss me." Looking at Qin Xiao standing behind him, his eyes were solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "Take good care of the young master."
Qin Xiao respectfully clasped his fists, bowed deeply, and said solemnly, "General, rest assured. I will definitely fulfill my mission."
The huge ship slowly left the shore. Xiao Xiangyue stood on the high side of the ship, waving desperately. No sound could be heard, but from the way she lip-synced, she seemed to be calling out for "Brother Yun." Luo Guyun ran after the ship, wanting only to be closer to Yue'er. He chased to the end of the harbor and watched the ship drift further and further away until it disappeared over the horizon, tears blurring his eyes.
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