Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The reunion dinner was quite harmonious.
Song Siting also restrained herself. She actually did not have much prejudice against Qi Lei. She just felt that he was not as suitable for her daughter as Fujiwara was. She actually quite admired Qi Lei herself.
As for Lan Xiu, after his conversation with Dongfang Liuyun, the atmosphere eased up quite a bit.
The rain outside had stopped a long time ago. After dinner, although the night sky was not clear, one could vaguely see a faint moon hanging in the distant sky.
The air after the rain was very fresh, but it was also a little cold.
Qi Lei and Lan Xiu had been called over by Dongfang Gan to play cards, and the three of them just happened to be enough players for ‘Fight the Landlord’.
Dongfang Gan liked to play this game. Usually, Dongfang Liuyun would be pulled over to make up the numbers when there was a shortage of one. Dongfang Liuyun was naturally not too happy because she did not really like this game, she preferred Pai Gow[1].
The night was cool as water. Dongfang Liuyun drew open the curtains. As she walked out of the rooftop, she saw gorgeous and dazzling fireworks blooming in the sky. The sound of them rang in her ears.
The colorful fireworks lit up the entire silent night sky, making the moon hanging in the sky appear even more hazy.
Dongfang Liuyun walked slowly to the railing and stopped. She leaned against the railing and looked at the cold moon in the sky.
After a long silence, she took a deep breath, crossed her fingers, and bowed. She closed her eyes and prayed piously. At this moment, she looked peaceful and distant.
The cold wind blew at the corner of her clothes. She looked like a curled and swaying cloud. Her indifference was like the wind that passed through her fingers.
“Are you mourning him?”
Qi Lei’s deep and slightly emotional voice suddenly came from behind her.
Dongfang Liuyun did not move. Instead, she maintained her gesture and continued to recite something silently. It was not until Qi Lei stopped beside her for a long while that she slowly opened her eyes.
“Who is it that you’re referring to?” She turned around and asked softly with her bright eyes.
“Grandfather?” Qi Lei asked tentatively.
Dongfang Liuyun shook her head lightly and looked away to look at the cold moon in the sky.
“Grandfather passed away, so there’s nothing to regret. Sooner or later our day will come too. As long as he’s doing well over there.”
“Mmm, then what are you praying for?” Qi Lei asked.
“I suddenly remembered a good friend who passed away. He was a very warm person, the classic warm personality of the boy next door. If you had known me a few years earlier, you might have become good friends with him. He’s Lan Xiu’s older brother, Lan Qi. The three of us grew up together. He’s a few years older than me, and Lan Xiu is a little older too. It was them who took care of me.”
Dongfang Liuyun calmly mentioned this name.
Qi Lei did not say anything. He just looked at her quietly.
“If he hadn’t left, I might have married him.”
After a moment of silence, Dongfang Liuyun suddenly said this. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly. Qi Lei could not hear anything from her tone, but he could not deny that he felt a little uncomfortable hearing her say this.
“You… You liked him?” Qi Lei asked softly.
Dongfang Liuyun smiled sadly and shook his head, “No, I respect him like an elder brother. Theoretically speaking, I’m still considered his fiancée. It was just a verbal agreement, so it can’t be taken seriously. When he proposed to me, I was hesitant then, but he left without waiting for me to answer. Actually, I wanted to agree to it, but I was also afraid, just like what happened with Lan Xiu.”
“So, many times, life is like this. You can’t control your fate. Even if you accept your fate, you can’t admit defeat in your bones. Otherwise, we’ll fall. Don’t give yourself any excuses.”
Dongfang Liuyun sighed. “Okay, let’s not talk about these things. Tell me what you talked about with Father.”
“The South River Project, and that he’s going to Myanmar in a few days, but after I give you the betrothal gift.” Qi Lei said in a low voice.
“Betrothal gift?”
Dongfang Liuyun frowned in confusion.
“I told you before. On the 20th of this month, I’ll give you the betrothal gift. I’ll marry you openly and give you a wedding that you’ll never forget.”
Dongfang Liuyun paused for a moment. After some thought, she asked, “Do you really want to have a grand wedding with me?”
“Of course!” Qi Lei immediately replied.
Dongfang Liuyun suddenly smiled. After pondering for a moment, she nodded. “That’s fine too. But it’s already August, so I won’t be able to make it in time. At the end of the year, you can marry me to get through winter, I’ll have someone to warm my bed.”
“Haven’t I been warming your bed? And it’s exclusive too.”
Qi Lei gave her a sideways glance and stood with his hands crossed against the railing.
“Then we’ll do as you say. Let’s make it the end of the year. If we make it in time for the Spring Festival, we’ll go on our honeymoon overseas. I’ll accompany you to wherever you want to go and do whatever you want to do.”
Qi Lei would definitely follow her orders on this matter.
“Yes, okay,” she replied indifferently and suddenly turned to look at him. “Will you regret signing our marriage agreement?”
“Regret?”
He muttered softly and suddenly reached out to hold her hand. He looked at the ring on her slender fingers, before he replied in a deep and emotional tone, “I’ve never made such a decision before. It must be the most right thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Looking at his deep and determined look, Dongfang Liuyun chuckled. “I also think that I’m quite lucky. You’re really great. Compared to all the men I’ve met, you’re the only one who makes me feel like I can catch my breath.”
“So, I’m your stress relief package?”
Qi Lei was amused.
“I’ve said it before, we’re two people who seek warmth from each other. You’re alone, and I’m all alone in the world. Think about it. How similar are we now from how we were in the game?”
Dongfang Liuyun’s slender fingers casually fiddled with Qi Lei’s crystal-glazed cufflinks as he spoke.
“You have the care of your parents and the care of Lan Xiu. As for me…”
At this point, he suddenly paused and turned to look at her, “You’re probably the only one I have. You’re not going to abandon me, are you?”
It sounded very calm and casual, but Dongfang Liuyun’s sharp ears caught a hint of desolation.
She took a breath and suddenly tilted her head to lean against his shoulder. She said softly, “We have a lifetime…”
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