Chapter 1496: Great to Have You (56)
Long Xiaoxi’s spirits were lifted because of the movie, during which she constantly laughed out loud.
Zhong Minhe was as happy as a lark too. It seemed being around her was enough to make him elated.
It was already past nine o’clock by the time they exited the movie theater.
It had stopped snowing, and they were walking at a slow and leisurely pace. Although she said that she could head home by herself in a cab, he insisted on sending her home.
Hence, she conceded.
When they arrived at the entrance of her home, she refused to let him alight together with her and instead closed the door and said to him while smiling, “Goodnight, Brother Minhe.”
“Okay, goodnight. Rest well.”
Long Xiaoxi nodded and watched the taxi leave. As soon as she was about to turn around and enter her home, she was stopped in her tracks by a voice that called her name all of a sudden.
“Xiaoxi.”
Long Xiaoxi tensed up the instant she heard the voice. She scanned her surroundings, only to discover that there was no one in sight. Thinking to herself that she must have been hearing things, she decided to head home. Just as she was about to enter, the gates of the mansion opposite opened.
Jin Yiheng stood rooted to the ground with a domineering aura.
Long Xiaoxi gazed at him quietly.
Jin Yiheng began walking toward her and stopped when he was a meter away from her.
“I’m sorry about what happened in the past.”
His apology was nine years late.
Long Xiaoxi said coldly, “It’s all over now. Let bygones be bygones and don’t bring it up again. I’ve already forgotten what I should have. I’m over it now.”
“If you’ve gotten over it… why are you afraid to make eye contact with me?”
The moment she heard his words, Long Xiaoxi looked him in the eye and they held each other’s gazes. However, she was filled with an inexplicable feeling, and her inner voice seemed to be screaming for an unknown reason.
“So I have to establish eye contact with you in order to prove that I’ve already gotten over it? I was just too lazy to look at you. Don’t read too much into things. I used to be young and ignorant. Perhaps that’s why I was so smitten with you in the past. I don’t feel any special feelings when I look at you now. Actually, I have you to thank for being able to recognize who I really am.”
She then turned around and entered her home, leaving Jin Yiheng standing still and alone with a sullen expression on his face.
Long Xiaoxi’s hands were still trembling by the time she returned to her room. She felt that she should have given Jin Yiheng a tight slap.
She threw her purse onto the bed, removed her makeup, and proceeded to wash up in the bathroom.
She rinsed her face with icy cold water instead of warm water. Staring at herself in the mirror, Long Xiaoxi felt much more clear-headed.
She grabbed the towel and used it to wipe her face.
She then made herself a hot cup of tea and walked toward the balcony with the cup in her hands. Shivering in cold, she leaned against the railing and sipped on the tea. Despite the biting cold, she did not wish to go inside at all.
When she was halfway done with the cup of tea, Long Xiaoxi turned around and leaned back against the railing with her back facing out. Her heart began to scrunch up all of a sudden. Although she was right in her own home, she felt as if she was incredibly near him and could not help but be reminded of all the memories they had, which were still fresh in her memory.
Recalling everything that had happened throughout the past few years, she decided that it was really time to give herself a break.
She finished up the rest of the tea in the cup, feeling much more relieved.
Long Xiaoxi headed back to her room and lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling above her for the rest of the night.
There was endless chatter at the dining table during breakfast the following morning. However, a deafening silence filled the room the moment Long Xiaoxi spoke.
“I want to get married,” she said.
Long Tianze and Mei Yangyang looked at each other in shock. “Married? To whom? Minhe?”
Clad in a black, collared sweater, she said with a straight face, “Yes. There’s nothing much for me to consider when it comes to Brother Minhe. He’ll treat me very well. We watched a movie together last night and it was very enjoyable. Even though we haven’t met each other in a long time, we don’t feel awkward with each other at all. I think he’s the best choice there is out there. I want to start living life properly. I’ve never had a boyfriend before when I was abroad because I was too afraid. Father, Mother, will you guys agree?”
Mei Yangyang said, “Your father and I will have no objections as long as you’re happy. Xiaoxi, marriage is a serious matter that concerns your lifelong happiness. I hope you won’t act rashly and think carefully before you make a decision. We know that Minhe is a good kid, but your father and I are honestly rather taken aback by your decision to get married right after you just came back from abroad.”
She believed that her daughter truly wanted to get married and wasn’t acting rashly. Hence, she and Long Tianze would support her decision. They’d already had enough of living away from her.
“Daddy, Mommy, I’m already 23 years old. I’m no longer a child. I’ll take responsibility for my own actions. Regardless of how insensible I may have been in the past, I’ve thought about it carefully. I was unfilial in the past and I’ve decided to accompany you guys for the rest of my life to make up for the time lost. I want to settle down and build a family of my own. I want to work a job that I like. I’ll have no other requests as long as you’re both healthy.”
Long Wenlun said, “Xiaoxi, have you… really thought about it?”
“Of course. Why would I tell you guys if I haven’t?”
“I support your decision too, then. Father, say something.”
Long Tianze said, “Daughter, what matters is you’re happy.”
Long Xiaoxi grinned and said, “I knew you loved me the most, Daddy. It’s my blessing to be able to reincarnate as your daughter.”
Long Wenlun spread the news in the group chat with his friends.
“Special Announcement: Xiaoxi is getting married, get your red packets ready!”
Ji Gui was flabbergasted and replied almost instantly.
“What!?! So soon!?! With whom!?! Is it really Minhe?”
Long Wenlun replied, “Duh. It’s been confirmed. My parents have agreed too.”
“Xiaoxi is so quick to get married.”
“Of course, you can’t deny it.”
…
They continued to mock each other in the group chat. However, they were the only ones talking even though there were four people in the group chat.
Jin Rongyan did not join in because he was busy treating patients in the hospital and thus could not check his mobile phone. Jin Yiheng did not reply because he was staring blankly at his screen…
He knew that Long Wenlun was not joking. Hence, he was at a loss for words. He simply could not bring himself to congratulate her.
Her words were still ringing in his ear.
She used to be young and ignorant?
She used to be blinded by love?
She doesn’t have any more feelings for me?
He could not sleep well at all because of that.
He felt extremely guilty for what he had done to her. However, he always thought that he had probably only seen her as a younger sister. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have canceled the engagement.