Chapter 86: Promise (1)

Xi Xiaye stood there as she watched the cars move further and further away before they eventually disappeared in the dark. She did not move and just stared into the empty darkness mindlessly, suddenly feeling a sense of sorrow within her.

After some time, there was a humid chill in the air. Lifting her head, she noticed the dark sky starting to drizzle. The lights from the street lamps started to look blurry.

"Let's get back. If you miss them, you can visit them anytime." Mu Yuchen's voice reached her ears as he stood up straight with a hand in his pocket and the other on her shoulder. When she turned to him, his eyes were focused on the dim yellow street lights amidst the rain.

She nodded and then said, "I suddenly realized Grandpa has really grown old. Even Mother... She would've never told me those things, yet now..."

The chilly breeze was freezing. His arm over her shoulder tensed slightly as he asked, "What did she tell you?"

"She said she just wants me to be happy," Xi Xiaye replied. Going along with Mu Yuchen's force of direction, she turned around and the married couple went back into the house. The dim and blurry lights from the street lamp made their shadows extremely long.

"Mu Yuchen?" She called out to him when he did not say anything.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we will?"

She halted in her steps, her clear eyes staring at the brightly-lit Maple Residence. Her tone sounded light.

Mu Yuchen looked at her before averting his eyes following the direction of her gaze. He gave it some thought before nodding. "We will."

"How are you so sure? We were just strangers a month ago," she said.

"The amazing part of a marriage is that it can make two totally unrelated people become the most intimate pair ever. That's fate, my wife," he said with a smile, then he continued walking with her back into the house.

...

After staying together for a number of days, Xi Xiaye realized that Mu Yuchen was a valuable house husband. He usually came back from work rather early, and since he was a disciplined person, he would finish all his work on that day before going to sleep no matter how tired he was. She often found him staying up late.

Xi Xiaye stayed in Maple Residence all the while and did not take a step outside. She used Mu Yuchen's study room and she did not let herself relax as she prepared for the South River project so that she could get right to work after the New Year.

Sis Wang had gone over to prepare meals for Xi Xiaye the past few days. Mu Yuchen did not go home in the afternoon, thinking that she would be too lazy to cook for just herself, so he asked Sis Wang to take care of her.

That night, after they had dinner, Mu Yuchen went upstairs as usual while Xi Xiaye took care of the dishes. After cleaning up, she had a luxurious bath and afterwards, she got a call from Su Nan.

"Hey, Xiaye, don't forget tomorrow. Come over earlier with that guy in your home, okay?"

Su Nan had been burning with curiosity for several days and the weekend had finally arrived. She was extremely curious to see what kind of person would Xi Xiaye have suddenly married.

Xi Xiaye used a large towel to dry off her long, wet hair as she replied, "Mmm, I'll go and get you guys in the afternoon. We'll go straight to Imperial Sky Entertainment City. I'm not sure if he's free in the afternoon. I'll ask him later, but he arranged dinner for us at the Imperial Sky Hotel. He'll definitely be coming for dinner."

"Mmm, okay. Then, we won't drive tomorrow and we'll wait for you."

"Okay, rest well. See you tomorrow."

"Sure, see you!"

...

Xi Xiaye took a deep breath after the phone call ended. She walked out of the bedroom and saw that it was empty.

When she wandered out, she saw the man was in the living room watching television as he lounged on the sofa. There was a pot of flower tea beside him, emitting a pleasant fragrance in the air.

Mu Yuchen turned his head when he heard the sound of footsteps.

She was wearing a beige sleeping robe. Her elegant face appeared slightly pink as she had just come out from the bath. She was shrouded in a thin mist and his dormant eyes widened. A rare yet subtle stunned expression crossed his face.

"Isn't there a hair dryer in the cupboard?"

Mu Yuchen poured her a cup of flower tea when she went over. He shifted slightly and made space for her.

"It's better to let it dry naturally. What are you watching?"

Xi Xiaye sat beside him and took a sip of the tea. She rubbed her palms around the teacup as she looked at the television screen. A live NBA match was on.

Mu Yuchen suddenly picked her towel up and started to help her dry her hair. "Couldn't you have washed it tomorrow? Your long hair's already reached your waist..."

Xi Xiaye was stunned when she noticed his behavior. After a while, she got used to his gentle movements. She chuckled at his focused expression. "My hair's long enough to reach my waist already. Isn't it the right time for you to marry me?"

"Even if you didn't have waist-length hair, I'd have already married you anyway," Mu Yuchen replied.

"Actually, I don't understand why people always like to talk about waist-length hair, men seem to really like girls with long hair. Mu Yuchen, do you like girls with long hair as well?" Xi Xiaye asked.

Mu Yuchen gave it some thought before answering, "It doesn't matter if they have short or long hair. What matters is you have long hair."

It was a cold and straightforward answer. He would never have thought about people unrelated to him or about what kind of women he preferred.

"Tomorrow..." She started to ask.

"I'll be there by the evening. I'm going to City B in the morning and will only be back in the afternoon. Don't worry. I won't stand you up," Mu Yuchen assured without slowing down the stroking movements of his hands.

Xi Xiaye took another sip of tea and then nodded. "Okay, the holidays are in a few days' time. About the annual general meeting..."

"It's next Thursday and the holidays start after the meeting. You have to attend it too. Otherwise, your reward will be given to someone else."

"Reward? I have a reward?" Xi Xiaye's eyes brightened. "Chairman Mu, can you give me a hint what kind of reward it is?"

"You'll find out on that day. I don't know what they prepared either. I just know that you're in the list. Good on you to help me gain some reputation!" Mu Yuchen laughed.

"Sure!"

Xi Xiaye felt elated and her expression seemed joyous.