Chapter 131 Extra Chapter (Song Zhiyi and Huo Yanli): 6. "Settling Down"
Six months passed in a flash amidst frequent air travel and intensive work. Song Zhiyi had just finished assessing the humanitarian situation in a Central African country following a conflict, and then participated in regional consultations on climate migration issues in Southeast Asia. Finally, she was granted a brief break to return home for a work review. The trip lasted less than a week.
As the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, the city lights were just coming on. Stepping off the jet bridge, Song Zhiyi immediately spotted Huo Yanli standing among the crowd of people waiting to greet passengers. Their eyes met, and he smiled slightly as he walked towards her, naturally taking her carry-on suitcase from her hand. He gently put his other arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Welcome home."
"Mmm." Song Zhiyi responded, letting him take her luggage and walking outside side by side. The faint scent of cedar on him mixed with the cool outdoor air, which relaxed her tense nerves a little.
The car didn't head towards her former Ministry of Foreign Affairs dormitory, nor towards the Huo family's old residence, but instead headed towards the embassy district. It eventually stopped in the underground parking garage of a modern, heavily guarded apartment building.
"This is...?" Song Zhiyi asked, somewhat puzzled.
Huo Yanli parked the car, unbuckled his seatbelt, turned to look at her, and smiled gently in his eyes: "Let's go up and take a look. You can stay here when you come back to China. It's not far from your department and the airport."
The elevator goes directly to the upper floors. Stepping inside, you're greeted by a living room with an exceptionally expansive view. The decor is minimalist, using large areas of off-white, light gray, and natural wood tones. The furniture features sleek lines and exudes comfort. The most captivating feature is the floor-to-ceiling window, offering a panoramic view of Beijing's dazzling nightscape, including the green trees and red walls of the embassy district and the distant lights of the China World Trade Center.
Huo Yanli naturally bent down and took out a pair of brand-new, off-white soft-soled slippers from the shoe cabinet, placing them beside her feet; they were the perfect size. Then he took her coat and carefully hung it up.
He led her on a brief tour.
Finally, he pushed open the study door. Song Zhiyi walked in and was slightly taken aback.
The study is very large, occupying almost the best position in the apartment. Two walls are floor-to-ceiling solid wood bookshelves, currently only partially filled with books and documents, leaving plenty of empty space, clearly reserved for future use. In the middle is a large solid wood desk, paired with two ergonomic chairs. The other wall is a floor-to-ceiling window, also facing an unbeatable night view. On the desk is a brand new, unopened laptop and necessary office supplies, and next to it sits a lush Monstera deliciosa plant.
“You said before that the bookshelves in the dorm weren’t enough, and the study in the old house was too formal.” Huo Yanli walked to her side, his voice calm. “This should be enough for you to store your things. The windows are very soundproof, there’s plenty of natural light during the day, and it’s quiet at night, perfect for reading or writing.” He paused, looked around the space, and his tone carried a hint of barely perceptible probing and expectation: “It’s not far from my company either. When you come back, I can come here to handle work. Consider it… a temporary base for us? Or, how about we call it our ‘Beijing supply station’?”
He used the familiar metaphor of a "supply depot," but added "our." This word was cleverly chosen, both continuing their past tacit understanding and giving it a new meaning: a more secure base that they both used together.
Song Zhiyi walked to the bookshelf, her fingers tracing the smooth wooden shelves, then looked out the window at the flowing traffic and lights. It was simple, practical, private, and offered a wide view, perfectly taking into account her work habits and need for a quiet space, while also implying the possibility of living with him.
A warm current slowly flowed into my heart, soothing the fatigue after a long journey.
“Thank you.” She turned to look at him, her eyes clear and gentle. “This place is very nice. ‘Base’…that’s a good name too.”
A look of relief and a smile crossed Huo Yanli's eyes. He stepped forward and naturally reached out to ruffle her hair. "I'm glad you like it. Are you hungry? I ordered takeout from a nearby private restaurant. It should be here soon. Eat something first, then take a nice bath and rest."
Dinner was a delicate home-style meal, and the two sat in the dining room under the warm yellow light, eating slowly. Huo Yanli kept putting food on her plate, piling her bowl full of her favorite sweet and sour pork ribs and stir-fried asparagus. "Eat more, you seem to have lost weight again," he said with concern.
Song Zhiyi didn't argue and ate quietly. The food was delicious, with a familiar taste. Occasionally, she would pick up a piece of his favorite Dongpo pork and put it in his bowl, earning him a gentle smile in return.
After dinner, Song Zhiyi wanted to wash the dishes, but he gently pressed her shoulder down: "Leave them, there's a dishwasher. Go take a bath, the hot water is ready, and the bath salts are on the shelf."
In the bathroom, a scented candle, her favorite sandalwood fragrance, burned beside the bathtub. The water temperature was just right. Song Zhiyi immersed herself in the warm water, letting out a comfortable sigh. The fatigue from days of travel seemed to slowly dissipate with the rising steam.
When she came out dressed in comfortable loungewear and drying her hair, Huo Yanli had already tidied up the kitchen and was sitting on the living room sofa reading a financial magazine. Seeing her come out, he put down the magazine and patted the spot next to him: "Come here, let me help you dry your hair."
Song Zhiyi obediently sat down. The hairdryer hummed as his long, slender fingers gently ran through her hair, carefully drying each strand. His movements were practiced and the pressure was just right; the warm air caressed her scalp, making her almost drowsy.
"Your technique is good," she said softly with her eyes closed.
“I’ve studied this specifically.” He chuckled softly above her head. “I need to have some skills to serve you.”
After drying her hair, he turned off the hairdryer, his fingers lingering in her soft hair for a moment before gently pressing her temples: "Tired? Go to sleep early."
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the living room through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The two woke up naturally and made a simple breakfast together: toast, fried eggs, and oatmeal with milk. While Huo Yanli was frying the eggs, Song Zhiyi hugged his waist from behind, pressing her face against his broad back. He stiffened slightly, then relaxed, flipping the egg with one hand while his other hand covered her hand wrapped around his waist, gently squeezing it.
"Stop fooling around, be careful not to get oil splashed." His voice was full of affection.
After dinner, the two went shopping together at a nearby imported goods supermarket. Huo Yanli pushed the cart, while Song Zhiyi linked arms with him as they strolled around. Knowing her taste preferences well, he naturally picked up a box of her favorite strawberries when they passed the fruit section: "These are very fresh, do you want some?" He then pointed to the oatmeal on the shelf: "The brand you usually eat, we're almost out at home, want to get a can?"
Song Zhiyi nodded, and while putting things in the car, she also grabbed a few cans of his usual coffee and a few packets of his favorite beef jerky. Passing by the fresh food section, she pointed to a fresh sea bass: "Shall we make steamed fish for dinner?" Huo Yanli looked at it: "Okay, and I'll also buy some scallions and ginger."
The shopping cart gradually filled up, mostly with groceries and daily necessities—simple yet full of life. While queuing to pay, Song Zhiyi noticed that Huo Yanli's shirt collar was slightly turned up, and naturally reached out to straighten it for him. He looked down at her, his eyes tender, and quickly kissed her forehead when no one was looking.
The next two days were leisurely and sweet. Most of the time, Huo Yanli cooked, and Song Zhiyi sometimes helped out by washing vegetables and handing over plates; other times, she would lean against the kitchen door, watching his back as he focused on preparing the ingredients while wearing an apron, and chatting with him casually.
"When did your knife skills become so good?" she asked as she watched him skillfully slice the carrot into even, thin strips.
"I practiced it." He didn't even look up. "I was thinking that I can't keep letting you eat takeout or my burnt dishes all the time."
During their meal, they sat in the dining room, sharing a simple meal of three dishes and a soup. Huo Yanli would always place her favorite dishes in front of her and keep putting food on her plate. Song Zhiyi would also push his favorite dishes toward him or put the parts of her bowl that she thought were particularly delicious on him.
"Try this, it's cooked just right." She picked up a piece of fish and put it in his bowl.
He tasted it and nodded: "Hmm, it's not bad. Next time you can add a little more ginger."
After meals, the two often cleaned up together. Song Zhiyi washed the dishes, while Huo Yanli wiped the table and stove, working in perfect harmony. Then they would brew a pot of tea or heat two cups of milk, and snuggle together on the large sofa in the living room to watch an old movie or simply chat casually.
Huo Yanli would lift her feet onto his lap and warm them with his palms. Her feet were always slightly cold, so he would patiently warm them.
"Next time you go out, remember to bring a few more pairs of thick socks," he said, rubbing her cold toes.
"Mmm." She snuggled comfortably in his arms, watching the flickering lights and shadows on the television screen.
Sometimes, they would do nothing but sit side by side on the beanbag chair on the balcony, covered with the same soft wool blanket, watching the night view of Beijing outside the window. He would put one arm around her shoulder, letting her lean against him. The night breeze was cool, but his embrace was warm and firm.
"The view here is really good," Song Zhiyi said softly, looking at the distant, stretching lights.
"Mmm." Huo Yanli gently brushed his chin against the top of her head. "I specially chose this floor and orientation. I thought that when you came back, sitting here would allow you to see the best view and relax."
She turned around and looked at his well-defined profile in the dim light. She reached out and gently stroked his slightly furrowed brow, where a hint of weariness always seemed to linger.
"You must be very tired from work too?" she asked.
He took her hand, kissed it, and said, "Seeing you makes me feel less tired."
On the third night, Song Zhiyi inadvertently glanced at an inconspicuous corner at the very bottom of the bookshelf, where two familiar small photo frames and a dark blue velvet box sat. She stopped and walked over.
They are her old photos and her grandfather's medals. In the photos, she is a young girl, laughing carefree beside her grandfather; her young parents stand side by side, their eyes filled with boundless hope for the future.
She opened the velvet box, and the medal lay there quietly, gleaming warmly under the light.
"When I was helping you pack your things last time, I saw them," Huo Yanli said softly as he walked behind her. "I thought... maybe you'd prefer to keep them in a place where you spend more time. So I brought them over."
Song Zhiyi didn't speak. She gently stroked the face of her loved one in the photo with her fingers, then touched the cold medal. The brief warmth of her childhood spent with her parents, her grandfather's strict yet loving teachings, and the memories and beliefs that sustained her through long, lonely years all surged back into her heart with unparalleled clarity.
A sudden pang of emotion welled up in her eyes, and they instantly burned. She blinked hard, suppressing the surging emotions.
She carefully placed the photo and medal back in their places, then turned to face Huo Yanli. Under the light, her eyes were slightly moist, but her gaze was clear and bright. She didn't say "thank you," but simply reached out and gently took his hand.
Her palms were slightly cool, with a barely perceptible tremor.
Huo Yanli immediately reached out and gripped her hand tightly, completely enveloping her slightly cool hand in his warm, dry palm. He didn't ask anything, but simply looked at her quietly, his gaze filled with silent understanding and acceptance.
Then, he gently pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder, took a deep breath, and the familiar, reassuring scent emanating from him completely relaxed her.
“It’s all in the past,” he whispered in her ear. “Now you have me. From now on, I’ll remember them with you.”
Song Zhiyi nodded gently in his arms.
That evening, after washing up, she naturally walked into the master bedroom. Huo Yanli was already leaning against the headboard reading a book. When he saw her come in, he put down his book and lifted a corner of the blanket. She crawled in, lay down next to him, and naturally snuggled into his arms, resting her head on his arm.
He turned off the light, kissed the top of her head in the darkness, and pulled her closer to him.
"Go to sleep," he whispered.
"Mmm," she responded, finding the most comfortable position in his arms, and quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep.
On Song Zhiyi's last day back in China, Huo Yanli went back to the old house to retrieve some things. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Huo's mother pulled him aside to ask if the two had any plans to get married. Huo Yanli calmly but firmly expressed that they had their own pace, and that their current state of mutual understanding and support was good enough.
In the evening, Huo Yanli drove Song Zhiyi to the airport. Outside the security checkpoint, he carefully straightened her scarf and tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear.
"Remember to let me know you're safe every day," he whispered, looking into her eyes.
"Okay." Song Zhiyi nodded and reached out to straighten his tie, which wasn't crooked.
She turned and walked into the security checkpoint, took a few steps, then turned back. He was still standing there, his gaze following her. Seeing her turn around, he smiled and waved at her.
Song Zhiyi smiled, waved, and turned to disappear completely into the crowd.
On the way back, Huo Yanli turned on the apartment's smart home system and set a warm yellow wall lamp in the living room and study to turn on every evening and turn off at dawn.
That way, the next time she comes back, no matter how late, she can see this familiar window from the direction of the airport expressway, where a warm light, lit just for her, quietly waits in the night.
After the plane took off, Song Zhiyi watched the lights of Beijing gradually recede outside the window. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the simple plain ring on the ring finger of her left hand, and then touched the old photo of her parents in her pocket, which she had secretly put there before leaving.
The mountains and rivers remain, but the journey is not yet over.
But this time, her luggage carried an extra weight of warm concern, a light shining for her behind her, and a warm embrace willing to understand and accompany her through all her flights and stays.
This is perhaps the most grounded and sweetest "settling down" for Song Zhiyi and Huo Yanli.
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