Chapter 39: Anniversary
Time flies, like the restless waters of Victoria Harbour, quietly taking away five years. Huo Linshen and Su Lingwan's marriage has reached its third anniversary.
Over the past three years, they've matured and become more comfortable in their roles as parents. Huo Minghao has grown into a calm and quiet young boy. Though just four years old, he already possesses some of his father's calm demeanor, meticulously protecting his younger sister. Huo Mingyue, the family's lifeblood, is quirky and sweet-talking, possessing her father, Huo Linshen, in her own right. She's truly a beloved little princess.
Under Su Lingwan's leadership, Luminance has become a resounding brand in the international jewelry industry. Its unique "New Chinese Elegance" style is highly acclaimed, and its brand value continues to grow. She has successfully struck a balance between business success and family life, shedding her youthful immaturity to cultivate a mature elegance that combines gentleness and strength.
Huo Linshen was still the man who controlled a vast business empire, but his cold, aloof air had long since been melted by the warmth of his family. He was still the formidable CEO of the Huo Group in the business world, but at home, he was a husband and father who would ride like a horse with his daughter and patiently play with his son playing with blocks.
A few days before their anniversary, Su Lingwan noticed something mysterious about Huo Linshen. He'd studiously avoided her when answering the phone, and his study door was even tighter than usual. When she asked about their plans for the anniversary, he'd only vaguely say, "I've got plans," but his eyes held unconcealed anticipation and a subtle hint of... a touch of nervousness.
Su Lingwan understood, but didn't point it out. She embraced his "mystery" and felt a surge of sweet anticipation. She knew this seemingly cold and hard man had never been careless about the rituals that concerned her.
On the morning of the anniversary, Su Lingwan woke up to Huo Linshen's gentle kiss.
"Mrs. Huo, happy anniversary." He pressed his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse from the morning and filled with deep love.
Su Lingwan hugged his neck and kissed him back: "Mr. Huo, have fun together."
He did not rush to get up as usual, but held her in his arms and kissed her for a long time, until the sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, dyeing the room a warm golden color, until the chirping of his children and the gentle exhortations of the servants came from outside the door.
"Mom and Dad are such lazy bums!" Huo Mingyue knocked on the door in a baby voice.
Huo Minghao was more reasonable: "Sister, Mom and Dad are celebrating their anniversary, we have to be good."
Su Lingwan laughed and pushed the man on her: "Hurry up, the children are waiting."
Huo Linshen then reluctantly let her go, but with a smile in his eyes.
During the day, they played in the garden with their children, feeding the swans and building sandcastles, just like any other weekend. Huo Linshen even lowered himself to lie on the ground with his son, studying ants moving. He didn't care that his daughter had adorned his hair with small garlands of flowers. He just looked at Su Lingwan, who was sitting in the sun not far away, smiling at them, his eyes so gentle that tears could flow.
In the evening, the servants took the tired children to wash and rest. Huo Linshen took Su Lingwan's hand and said softly, "I'll take you somewhere."
He didn't call a driver, but drove her to the city of Hong Kong Island himself. The car finally stopped at a familiar intersection - near the manor where they held their grand wedding five years ago.
But Huo Linshen did not drive into the manor. Instead, he took her on foot to the top floor of the nearby top hotel - the panoramic banquet hall where he proposed to her that year.
The door to the banquet hall slowly opened.
Su Lingwan stood at the door and was stunned for a moment.
The scene before me was so similar to the proposal night five years ago, yet completely different.
There were no overflowing guests, no flashing spotlights, not even dazzling crystal chandeliers. The entire ballroom was decorated like a private sanctuary filled with memories. The walls were covered with photos of their life over the past five years—moments of mutual smiles at their wedding, the tenderness of his listening to her belly during her pregnancy, the tears in his eyes as he held their children with cherished care at their births, the warmth of their family of four playing on the grass, the silhouette of him quietly accompanying her as she worked at her design desk... Each photo captured the joy they had shared.
Countless floor lamps and wall sconces cast a soft, warm glow, filling the space with a hazy, romantic atmosphere. The air was filled with the scent of her favorite white gardenias, blending with the sweet aroma of champagne. In the center of the ballroom, there was no luxurious dining table, only a small round table covered with a white tablecloth, set with exquisite cutlery for two and candlesticks.
What moved Su Lingwan the most were the "jewels" that surrounded her.
Those weren't actual jewelry, but high-precision miniatures of her most iconic pieces for "Luminance," suspended by countless thin, clear crystal threads. From the original "Chu Lu" collection, to the stunning "Mo Yun" in Paris, to the "Pearl" series symbolizing their love, and the subsequent "Shao Hua" and "Liu Guang" collections... those miniature necklaces, earrings, and rings, illuminated by the light, resembled a dazzling galaxy suspended in the air, documenting her growth as a designer and bearing witness to every step of their love and marriage.
"This..." Su Lingwan covered her mouth, her eyes instantly moist. She hadn't expected that he would use this method to blend her dream with their love so skillfully.
Huo Linshen walked up to her, took her hand, and led her to the brilliant "galaxy".
"Five years ago, here, I begged you to give me a chance to love you." His low voice rang out in the quiet space, echoing solemnly. "Five years later, I want to tell you that having you is the luckiest and proudest thing in my life, Huo Linshen."
He stopped and turned to face her, his deep eyes shining surprisingly brightly under the star-like light.
"In the past five years, I've watched you grow from Miss Su to Mrs. Huo, to the mother of Haohao and Yueyue, and finally to a sought-after international designer." His gaze swept over the miniature jewelry models around him, filled with pride. "Every bit of your growth, every moment of your brilliance, brings me greater satisfaction and joy than any business achievement."
He leaned over slightly and took out a velvet box from his pocket, but it was not a ring box.
Su Lingwan looked at him puzzledly.
Huo Linshen opened the box, and inside lay a key quietly - a brass key with an antique and unique shape.
"What is this?" Su Lingwan was puzzled.
"This is the key to the Pearl Pavilion." Huo Linshen placed the key in her palm and closed her fingers, his eyes deep and gentle. "I bought an old house for you in Mid-Levels and transformed it into a private jewelry museum and design studio. All your designs, including the 'Nanyang Pearl', will be permanently displayed there. It will belong only to you, the place where your dreams will rest, and also the place where the 'Pearl' will be passed down to our Huo family in the future."
Su Lingwan's breath suddenly stopped. She stared at him in disbelief, then looked at the heavy key in his palm. This gift shocked and moved her more than any expensive jewelry. He not only loved her, but also understood her, respected her dreams, and built an eternal nest for her dreams.
I couldn't hold back my tears anymore and they rolled down my face.
"Lin Shen..." She choked and couldn't speak a complete sentence.
Huo Linshen raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips. His voice was low and full of love: "Don't cry. My Mingzhu, you deserve the best in this world."
He took her hand, walked her to the small round table, and pulled out a chair for her. Dinner, prepared on site by a top chef, was a quiet and private affair. Like a typical couple, they shared a meal, whispered quietly, and reminisced about the past five years. They smiled at each other, their gazes locked, revealing a love that had grown stronger and more resolute over the years.
After dinner, Huo Linshen took her to the French window. Outside the window was the familiar, star-studded Victoria Harbour night view.
He hugged her from behind, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head, and they looked out at the bustling night scene that had witnessed the ups and downs of their love and also held the promise of their infinite future.
"Remember?" Huo Linshen whispered in her ear, "I said you are the dawn of my eternal night."
Su Lingwan leaned in his warm and solid embrace, feeling his steady heartbeat, and responded softly: "And now, you are my most solid harbor and the brightest starry sky after all the dawns."
He laughed softly, a pleasant vibration in his chest. He tightened his arms and hugged her deeper.
"Mrs. Huo," he called her, a satisfied sigh in his voice, "Five years is so short, so short that it seems like I just married you yesterday. But five years is also so long, so long that my life is already filled with your traces."
He paused, his voice becoming deeper and more pious:
"Every five, fifty years from now... I want to hold you like this, watch our children grow up, watch your dreams come true one by one, and watch us... grow old together."
Su Lingwan turned around, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the lips.
"Okay." She made a vow against his lips. "It's a deal."
Outside the window, there are thousands of lights and a flowing, brilliant galaxy of stars.
Inside the window, there are two people embracing each other affectionately, and their love and commitment shine brighter after being tested by time.
The fifth anniversary is not the end, but another starting point full of love and hope.
Their story continues and will continue forever, and the night in Hong Kong will always be bright.
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