Chapter 61
The fatigue from the long flight reached its peak when the plane landed at Heathrow Airport.
I supported my aunt, and my uncle, who seemed to be in good spirits, looked around curiously. We collected our luggage and followed the crowd to the airport entrance.
As I walked out of the passage, my eyes passed through the slightly noisy crowd, and a figure that was so familiar that it couldn't be more familiar caught my eye so clearly.
Atobe Keigo stood there with an upright posture, his perfectly tailored dark coat highlighting his broad and neat shoulders.
He obviously saw us the first time. His deep eyes lit up instantly, and an unconcealed and contagious smile appeared at the corners of his lips. He strode towards us.
"Uncle, aunt, thank you for your hard work on the journey." He walked closer and bowed slightly, his posture impeccable respect and enthusiasm.
However, the words he spoke were no longer the stiff, broken Japanese Chinese he remembered, but rather Mandarin that was perfectly articulated and incredibly fluent! There was even a natural rhythm to it, and it was infinitely smoother than the few words he'd managed to convey to his master before his death.
"Mr. Atobe?" His uncle was obviously taken aback as well, looking him up and down. "Your Chinese... is so good! Even better than those guys who were sent back from overseas in our unit!"
My aunt also nodded in surprise: "Yes, I didn't expect it! It's amazing!"
The smile on Atobe's face deepened, with a hint of subtle pride, but his tone remained humble and proper: "You two are very kind. I heard you were coming, so I practiced a little bit, hoping it would facilitate communication."
He naturally took the smaller luggage cart from his uncle and gestured to the smartly dressed assistant behind him to take the rest of our luggage. "The cart is outside. We'll take you to your hotel first. We're not rushing the trip. Your comfort is our top priority."
He led the way attentively and talked with my uncle and aunt in fluent Chinese, almost without pause, introducing the weather, the scenery along the way, and the arrangements for a short break, with great consideration.
I fell half a step behind, looking at the calm and confident figure in front of me, chatting and laughing with my elders in fluent Chinese. The astonishment in my heart spread out like the surface of a lake where a stone was thrown, and finally turned into an indescribable warm current and an incredible trance.
This guy's Chinese... when did it improve so rapidly?
At Keigo Atobe's unquestionable insistence, our trip to the UK was completely transformed into a "Tailored Tour for the Atobe Family." The itinerary was impeccably comfortable, but I felt a little guilty about it.
"Atobe," I pulled him over while my uncle and aunt were taking a short break in the hotel, "This isn't a vacation, how can you possibly spend the entire trip with us? Just a symbolic day or two to show your appreciation is enough. We can handle the rest on our own."
He put his hands in his coat pockets, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said with a sense of self-righteous arrogance: "I have my own schedule. Accompanying you is the most efficient schedule."
He paused and added, "Besides, if I let my uncle and aunt find their way on their own and they get lost or encounter any inconvenience, wouldn't that be rude of me?"
"Excuse me..." I muttered quietly, but I knew in my heart where his stubbornness came from.
"But," I changed the subject, looking up at him with a mischievous smile, "Your Chinese... has improved by leaps and bounds. Who did you learn from?"
A suspicious blush crept up on Keigo Atobe's ears. He quickly turned his head away, looking out the window at the neatly trimmed lawn. His tone was a bit stiff, "Ah, well, my language talent is naturally top-notch. Do I really need to learn such a small thing?"
He refused to mention that he practiced pronunciation over and over again in his study in London late into the night with Chinese textbooks and recordings, and even felt embarrassed when he was caught by a passing housekeeper.
The chill of early spring in the UK had not yet faded, and the clothes we brought clearly underestimated the damp cold. Atobe immediately used this as a "legitimate reason" to drag us into London's top department store.
"This cashmere coat really suits my aunt's temperament."
"Uncle, try this classic windbreaker. It's windproof and warm."
"Xiaoyin, come and take a look at this scarf... and these boots... and try on the hat too..."
He was like a professional buyer, with a keen eye and extremely high efficiency. He would examine me from head to toe, and if he saw something he liked, he would signal the salesperson to pack it up.
Soon, the assistant behind him was carrying bags of all sizes.
"Atobe Keigo!" I warned him in a low voice and tugged at his sleeve, "Keep a low profile! That's enough! Uncle and aunt are still here!"
He leaned over to my ear, his warm breath brushing against it. His voice was filled with a certain innocence and self-righteousness: "I've been very restrained." He pointed at what was in his assistant's hand. "This is just the beginning."
His uncle and aunt beside him were also carefully matched by him. Their originally low-key clothes were replaced with well-tailored British style, and their temperament instantly improved by several levels.
My aunt looked in the mirror, her face full of smiles: "Oh, this outfit is really refreshing, don't you think, old man?"
My uncle pulled the collar of his new coat, looked at himself in the mirror, and was barely satisfied. But he said to me in a deliberately sour tone, "It's all thanks to Xiaoyin, thanks to us~"
"Uncle..." I was helpless.
In the vast exhibition hall of the British Museum, my uncle stood in front of the exquisite porcelain and bronze wares from the East, silent for a long time.
When he walked out of the exhibition hall, the smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a heavy sense of regret.
"Alas... all these good things are lost..." He sighed heavily, his fists unconsciously clenched, "I have to work harder, old man, to make more money! Maybe one day... Alas!"
He suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked sharply at Keigo Atobe who was carefully reading the exhibit description next to him.
"Atobe," his uncle's tone was a little scrutinizing, "let me ask you a question. Are you a pure Japanese?"
Atobe Keigo was taken aback by the sudden question. He put down the introduction booklet in his hand and answered frankly: "I am Japanese-English, uncle."
"Oh..." My uncle nodded thoughtfully, his expression becoming more serious. "Japanese-British mixed-race... Britain and Japan were both in the Eight-Nation Alliance." His words were incoherent, but they were meaningful.
"Pfft..." I couldn't help but look at my aunt and almost laughed out loud.
My aunt quickly tried to smooth things over and patted my uncle's arm: "Old man! What nonsense are you talking about! It's the right time now, and you're still looking at these old calendars! Jibu is a young man and has never been involved in those things. Don't scare the child!"
An extremely rare look of confusion and helplessness flashed across Keigo Atobe's face. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to explain something, but in the end he just bowed slightly and remained silent.
That expression was exactly like that of an "unlucky guy" who was innocently implicated in historical issues.
In front of the magnificent Windsor Castle, Atobe Keigo was half-crouching to take my picture. His photography skills were obviously specially trained, and his grasp of composition, light and shadow was excellent.
My uncle stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the towering castle complex, smacking his lips and commenting, "Well, this place...it's okay, but it's quite impressive."
He suddenly turned his head and said to Keigo Atobe, who had just pressed the shutter, and me, who was standing in front of the camera, in a very casual tone: "When you take wedding photos in the future, this background can be used."
Atobe Keigo's eyes lit up instantly, like ignited stars, the light of surprise almost overflowing, and the fingers holding the camera tightened.
However, my uncle added slowly, his tone chilling, "But Xiaoyin is still young, only in her second year of high school. Why rush? Wait another ten or eight years, I don't think it will be a big deal."
Snap——!
It was as if I could hear the sound of Atobe Keigo turning to stone and shattering. The delighted smile on his face froze instantly, the twinkling in his eyes dimmed, and he seemed to have been paused, leaving only a silent wail in his eyes: Ten... years?!
In the bookish courtyard of Shakespeare's former residence, Atobe was introducing Shakespeare's life and his favorite works to his aunt in fluent English.
The aunt nodded repeatedly, looking at Atobe with admiration: "Oh, Atobe-kun is really outstanding, and knows so much about history and literature. I like studious and motivated children like him!"
She changed the subject and began to sigh, "Unlike my two little grandchildren, oh my, kids nowadays are so hard to raise! They can't sit still at all! And their homework is so worrying!"
She seemed to have found a kindred spirit. She pulled Atobe aside and began to pour out her sorrows, from her grandson's picky eating to his addiction to games. At the end, she suddenly smiled and asked in a very homely yet slightly tentative tone, "By the way, Atobe-kun, you're so outstanding. You must like children in the future, right? How many do you plan to have?"
This question is too direct!
I felt my cheeks getting hot instantly and I didn't know where to look.
He was clearly caught off guard by this direct response. He subconsciously glanced at me quickly, his ears reddening again. He cleared his throat, trying to maintain composure, and replied, "Well...it depends primarily on the woman's wishes."
His voice was lower than usual, with a subtle hint of nervousness.
"What is the woman's wish?" My uncle was originally looking at the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Upon hearing this, he immediately came over, like an eagle protecting its cubs, raised his eyebrows, and spoke in a loud voice.
"Speaking of this, I have to remind you, Atobe-kun. Our Xiaoyin is the precious baby that the Long family has been waiting for after giving birth to eight sons! He is so precious!"
"According to the rules of our Long family, if you find a partner in the future, you have to marry into the family! And the children you give birth to have must have our Long family surname!" He deliberately emphasized the three words "Long family surname", and his eyes carried a hint of "You kid can decide for yourself".
My heart suddenly skipped a beat! This old rule was usually tacitly understood by everyone, but my uncle pointed it out so bluntly in front of Atobe... I looked at Atobe nervously, afraid that he would show any displeasure or embarrassment.
Atobe Keigo was stunned for a moment. He followed me silently half a step behind me, his eyes fixed on my fingers, which were slightly clenched with nervousness.
After a moment, he spoke clearly in an extremely calm, even matter-of-fact tone:
"No problem. My Chinese name is Long, and my Japanese name is Atobe. Easy to solve."
"Pfft!" This time even my aunt couldn't help laughing out loud.
My uncle choked a little, obviously not expecting him to come up with such a straightforward and "best of both worlds" solution. He couldn't find any fault with it, so he could only snort and mutter, "...slippery tongue."
As for me, I just felt a heat rushing from the soles of my feet to the top of my head, and my cheeks were so hot that I could fry an egg!
This guy... what's with the Chinese or Japanese name?! Who discussed this with him?
In shame and anger, I took advantage of no one's attention and stepped hard on his shiny leather shoes!
"Hiss..." Atobe Keigo took a breath of cold air in pain and looked down at me, his deep eyes filled with an innocent smile and a cunning look of success.
"I'm not an adult yet!" I stared at him fiercely.
"Yes, yes, I know, I know." He spread out his hands and nodded to show that he understood.
On the final days of our journey, we arrived in the ancient and tranquil city of Cambridge. The spring afternoon sun shone through the tender green leaves, casting tiny golden rays on the surface of the River Cam.
My uncle was filled with emotion as he returned to his alma mater where he had studied as an exchange student in his youth.
Like a child eager to share a treasure, he took his aunt's hand, pointed at the old college buildings covered with ivy, and chattered on and on: "Look, that's the tower! I used to listen to Professor Hopkins's class in that classroom. The old man was so strict... And there's that bridge. We used to row boats under it..."
My aunt listened with a smile, responding from time to time.
Soon, the two elders were immersed in their own stroll through memories and gradually walked away.
Finally, it was just me and Keigo Atobe left, walking side by side on the cobblestone path, surrounded by the leisurely academic atmosphere of the academy and the figures of students hurrying by.
Atobe let out a soft sigh, his shoulders relaxing almost imperceptibly. The next moment, a warm, dry hand pressed against the back of my hand with undeniable strength, then slipped its fingers through mine and clasped them tightly.
He held my hand, the warmth of his palms radiating through my skin. Without the "constraint" of an elder beside him, he was obviously much more relaxed, and his steps were light and brisk.
We walked slowly along the River Cam, enjoying the rare quiet time that belonged to just the two of us.
"Hey," he suddenly spoke, his voice a little deeper than before, with a hint of subtle nervousness, "Have I been behaving well these past few days?"
He turned his head to look at me, his deep eyes reflecting the shimmering light of the river, as well as a hint of cautious inquiry, "Uncle and Aunt...are you satisfied with me? In China, is this called 'meeting the parents'?"
The three words "meet the parents" came out of his mouth with a bit of awkwardness and solemnity, which instantly made my cheeks hot.
I pretended to be dumb, my eyes drifting towards the wildflowers blooming on the other side of the river. "Hmm... I don't know. Uncle's mind is so hard to guess. One moment he's disgusted, the next he seems quite satisfied. How about... you go ask him in person?"
Atobe's brows immediately furrowed slightly, and a trace of real sadness passed across his face.
He walked a few steps in silence, but his grip on my hand tightened, as if drawing strength from it. Then, as if making a firm decision, he gritted his teeth and said in a tone that was both slightly aggrieved and incredibly serious, "...waiting another ten years is fine."
"Ah?" I was stunned by his incoherent words.
He stopped, turned around and faced me, his eyes burning. "Didn't your uncle say that he thought you were still young and that it wouldn't matter if you waited another ten years?"
There was a hint of desperation in his tone, "I can wait. After all, you're such a good person, it's only natural that my uncle wouldn't agree easily."
This guy! What nonsense is he thinking about all day long?
I was both angry and amused, so I raised my hand and poked his solid chest: "Atobe Keigo! Stop imagining that!"
My fingertips touched the firm and elastic muscles under his shirt, and the warm and powerful touch made my heart jump inexplicably.
Hmm...this guy seems to be in better shape...?
He obviously caught my movements and momentary distraction.
A smile flickered in his eyes, and he quickly grasped my fingers before I could withdraw them. His warm palm enveloped mine, and then, with a delicate, cherishing touch, he gently caressed my cheek. His fingertips, lightly calloused, gently stroked my jawline.
"You've lost weight," he whispered, a hint of barely perceptible heartache in his voice. His eyes traced my features, focused and thoughtful. "And... you've become more and more beautiful."
He paused, his tone suddenly tinged with a hint of sour grievance and undisguised possessiveness. "This whole time, I've felt a strong sense of danger. There were quite a few men staring at you as they passed by."
Listening to his almost coquettish accusation, I couldn't help but retort: "Don't give me that. Who knows how many female confidantes Young Master Atobe has in England? Maybe they're lining up!" There was a hint of deliberate provocation in these words.
Sure enough, it was like stepping on his tail.
Atobe Keigo's brow furrowed, the slight grievance in his eyes instantly replaced by the irritation of being wronged. His arm around my waist suddenly tightened, and his other hand pinched the soft flesh on my side as a punishment. The force wasn't strong, but it was enough to make me cry out in surprise.
"You have no conscience!" He accused me, almost gritting his teeth, holding me tighter in his arms, his chin resting on the top of my head. "In the UK, apart from dealing with family affairs and attending to necessary social activities, I spend all my time on..."
He didn't finish the rest of the sentence, but his hot breath brushed against my ear, and the unspoken meaning was clear enough. Held in his firm, warm embrace, shielded from the cool spring breeze from the River Cam, a heavy sense of security enveloped me.
Not far away, a boatman was rowing a boat full of laughing tourists, his long pole piercing the calm water, creating ripples. We rented a small flat-bottomed boat, and Atobe Keigo sat across from me, his long legs a bit awkward, but his posture remained calm.
He no longer held my hand, but instead held both of my hands in his large palms and placed them on his lap.
The boat glided slowly in the gentle waves of the River Cam. The ancient college buildings on both sides stood quietly. The golden willows on the river bank hung down their tender green branches like a bride's hair.
In this scene, the lines from Xu Zhimo's "A Farewell to Cambridge" naturally came to mind. Looking at the rippling water, I softly recited them: "Quietly I leave, just as quietly I came; quietly I wave goodbye, bidding farewell to the clouds in the western sky..."
My voice was soft, lost in the sound of the oars and the waves. Atobe Keigo didn't interrupt. He listened quietly, his gaze fixed intently on my face. His deep eyes reflected the light of the water, and also my figure.
When the echo of the last line, "I wave my sleeves, not a cloud is left behind," faded into the air, he remained silent for a long time. The sound of the oars paddling the water seemed to be the only background sound.
Then he spoke, his voice low and clear, with an unprecedented solemnity and passion:
"There was someone who walked gently into my life."
He stared into my eyes, his gaze was like the deepest ocean, wanting to drown me in it, "But, I won't let her go easily." He held my hand tightly, as if to leave some kind of mark.
"Because..." He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice with a frankness that pierced the soul, "Every night when I dream of the middle of the night, her face is the most vivid and vivid part of my mind."
"I can't get rid of it, and... I don't want to get rid of it."
There are no fancy words, no deliberate sensationalism, only the most straightforward and passionate declaration.
The spring breeze in Cambridge blew across my cheeks with moisture, but it was far less intense than the passionate love in his words that wrapped me tightly.
It seemed as if all that remained between heaven and earth was the unwavering affection in his deep eyes and the reassuring warmth that flowed endlessly from his palms. The weeping willows along the riverbank swayed gently in the wind, like silent witnesses.
He took out his cell phone and took a picture of our hands clasped together.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
