Chapter 296: I Have You Now

Lu Xinyi snapped out of her thoughts and looked back at Shen Yi, surprised that he was just watching her. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, remembering that they were the people on this island. Too bad they had to go back soon, or else she would love to explore the island with him.

"It's getting cold. Let's go inside," Shen Yi reached out, grabbed her hand gently, and began walking. He squeezed her hand lightly and reassuringly.

"Alright," she agreed.

Satisfied that she could spend these rare moments with him, she glanced down at her hand, still held firmly by Shen Yi's. Again, her mind wandered to her parents' life and her future with Shen Yi.

"I wondered what it feels like." Unknown to her, she just let the words leave her lips.

"Wondered what?" Shen Yi glanced at her.

Lu Xinyi opened her mouth, only to realize she just voiced out what she was thinking.

"I was wondering before what it's like to be in love."

Shen Yi almost tripped, hearing those words from her. His heartbeat sped up, and his stomach twisted into uncomfortable knots. He'd never been good with women; what more with love?

"You've never experienced being in love before." It was supposed to be a question, but in Lu Xinyi's ears, it sounded more like a statement.

"Have you?" Lu Xinyi questioned him back.

Shen Yi scoffed but didn't answer her question. What was he supposed to tell her? That his feelings for Li Qiao were something he'd never understand? Even now, it was strange that he was dangerously attached to Lu Xinyi.

"Don't dodge the question." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"I never knew love before you," Lu Xinyi confessed, "but I've always wondered what it feels like when I was younger. I was afraid to fall in love."

Shen Yi couldn't fathom what was running in her mind, but at least, she was telling him things like this.

"Why?"

They were nearing the house, and he slowed down his steps and helped her walk on the slippery trail. He opened the old gate and let her in. There weren't many changes he could see from his last visit.

"People nowadays fall in and out of love easily. I want a love that can last for a lifetime. The idea of being left behind scares me. It scares me that one moment, he loves you; the next, he regrets being with you. I would like to be someone who loves me for who I am regardless of from what family I came from." Lu Xinyi explained.

"Xinxin..."

Shen Yi didn't know what to tell her. It might be her fears before, but she had him now. He wanted to tell her that she would never feel being alone again, that he would never stop loving her.

Love. Shen Yi almost choked on the thoughts that came to him. What did he know about love, anyway?

"You aren't alone anymore, Xinxin."

Lu Xinyi looked at him and smiled warmly.

"Of course, I am not! I have Xiulan and Yuan Jin. They'll never betray me like Meng Jiao. And I have you now. Why else would I be afraid of love?"

Shen Yi looked away quickly, trying to hide the slight blush staining his cheeks.

"See, so then why worry about these things. You're a different Xinxin now."

Lu Xinyi grinned, but her face lit up once she spotted an old swing not too far away from the house.

"Look, there's a swing!" she said excitedly, freeing herself from her husband.

Shen Yi saw what she was talking about. It was the swing he made for Shen Xue when they were young. The last time he and his brother stayed at this island, their parents' divorce was already on-process. It deeply saddened the young Shen Xue that he refused to eat for almost a week, throwing tantrums at anyone. Even their father, Shen Huang, couldn't talk to him properly.

Shen Xue only listened to his older brother, something their father and the Shen Matriarch couldn't understand. Their relationship before was better than what they have now. Now, there were arguments between them as if they wanted to rip each other's necks when they were in the same room.

The swing was the last gift he'd given to Shen Xue.

"I like to swing. Push me, please, Shen Yi!"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Xinxin."

The snow was falling harder now. It might turn into a harsh snowstorm anytime soon. The weather on this island was unpredictable.

"What? You are no fun, President Shen!" Lu Xinyi stuck her tongue to him playfully.

He frowned, making her laugh once more. Shen Yi followed her begrudgingly and watched her sit on the swing that was made of a thick rope and an old tire. Lu Xinyi got to the swing and gave herself a little push since Shen Yi refused to give her one.

"Do you think we will be fine?" She asked what had been bothering her since morning.

"I don't see why not. As long as you don't subject yourself to be with another man."

"Aww... don't tell me President Shen thinks I would make him wear a green hat?" she chuckled.

Shen Yi scoffed and shook his head. Ridiculous, as if she could find a better man than he was!

"Don't worry, President Shen. I'm sure you never got to worry about me cheating on you." Lu Xinyi started, and then her cheeks suddenly were tinted with a blush. "I might eat something that was yours, but that's about it."

Shen Yi was pleased with her words. He wasn't really worried about her cheating on him, but that didn't mean men wouldn't flock around her like flies knowing she was free.

"I think we should get inside. You might get cold, and I rather not see you sick in bed."