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.”

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

the fear in the kid. Dad spoils her, and you indulge her. She will bring the house

to carry

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

Tongrui

faint smile. He lifted his arm to shuffle her hair and said, “Go on and

working at this

out a few emails. I’ll be in

she hung her head low and answered, “Sure.

the bathroom after her shower. By then,

“That was quick.”

Siqi left behind two days ago. The man deftly put the blocks together, ready

make you wait. The last

“…I don’t do that.”

was a woman of

“Come here.”

went

here and let me

nestled in

seemed bored to be cooped up at home all day. You can look for a job after the New Year if that’s what you want. You can

and looked at him

“What’s with that look?”

be supportive of me working

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

sweetly at him. “You talk to me as if I’m a child, and you’re the

staying at home. You’ll also realize

herself at Lingye. Caught off guard, Lingye collapsed in bed

stared straight into his soul. “Even if I don’t have contact with the outside world

only person who would give her

crush your

were painted with rosiness, Tongrui mumbled, “Am I that heavy? Fine, I’ll get

to relieve Lingye from her weight when the man suddenly grabbed