Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

While behind the wheel on the way back from Marine World, Lingye said, “If you’re up for a road trip and love whales, we can take the trailer to the sea to watch the whales next time.”

Tongrui smiled and replied, “Sure.”

If she had a chance to return to North City, she wanted to catch the whales and the sunset off the coast with him.

Only time would tell whether she still had the luck.

…

Tongrui’s mind seemed to be elsewhere by the time they were back at Repulse Bay. Lingye wrapped his arms around her from behind and sank his head to kiss her temple. He asked in a raspy voice, “What’s the matter? You’re looking blue.”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about when we can go whale-watching by the sea.”

Lingye chuckled and replied, “I’ll take you there when I have time off in a few days. We can stay by the sea for three days if you want.”

“But… don’t we have to visit relatives for the new year?”

“Although we have a large extended family, my dad is high in the family hierarchy, so our family is older than most relatives. Plus, some of our relatives don’t get around much. The festivities aren’t prominent in the city anyway. Most families simply have dinner at a restaurant to celebrate.”

Tongrui nodded her head. “That’s nice. It saves me from mingling with your relatives. I doubt I will get along with them.”

Lingye looked at her and laughed. “Why do I get the feeling that my dear wife is complaining that our family has a short fuse?

“Am I wrong? Specifically, I’m talking about… you.”

Tongrui turned around in his arms to face him. She poked his chest and shifted her gaze down, focusing on his shirt button before uttering, “You’re so unpredictable. I never know what sets you off. You just flip the switch.”

Lingye listened to her muffled whining before taking her hand. With downcast eyes, he locked gazes with her and teased, “So my unpredictability is not to your liking?”

With Tongrui giving him the side-eye and making a face, Lingye took the cue and tightened his grasp around her. He caressed the back of her head and said, “I’ll change. I can be unpredictable to anybody but my wife.”

“You can’t act that way to Siqi either. She’s just a little girl. It will be detrimental to her well-being,” Tongrui added.

Lingye was amused. “You’re talking as if I hadn’t been nice to Siqi.”

serious look. “I know you’re good to Siqi, but she’s young. Don’t be so strict

the kid. Dad spoils her, and you indulge her. She will bring the house down if I don’t give her tough

response prompted Tongrui to carry on with her

glanced at her. “There’s something off with you today. What’s

Tongrui

lifted his arm to shuffle her hair and said,

you still working at

need to sort out a few emails. I’ll be in

his burning gaze flushed her ears red, she hung her

By then, Lingye was

“That was quick.”

man deftly put the blocks

couldn’t possibly make you wait. The last thing I want to do is dampen your enthusiasm. You might

“…I don’t do that.”

pouted. Surely, she was a woman of

“Come here.”

Tongrui went to him. “What do

do I want? Come here and let

in his

the New Year if that’s what you want. You can interact with the people out

her head and

“What’s with that look?”

you would be supportive of me working

have a problem so long as you don’t hang around the wrong crowd. Besides, you’re young. I can’t keep you locked in the house. You should engage more with the outside

at him. “You talk to me as if I’m a child, and you’re the adult. Oh, I should deny that you’re an

learn to appreciate the feeling of staying at home. You’ll

off guard, Lingye collapsed

have contact with the outside world or

who would give her the

crush

painted with rosiness, Tongrui mumbled, “Am I that heavy? Fine,

her weight when the man suddenly grabbed her.