Chapter 244: You really missed me

Wen Ling didn't ask him, just being led by him, silently waiting for Zhou Yinhe to say what he wanted to say.

"Ah Ling, after I went back, I pressed my cousin for answers—honestly, it was actually all his doing."

Zhou Yinhe turned his head to glance at Wen Ling; seeing she had no reaction, he continued, "You and I breaking up—including that dream I later… had—was all his doing."

Wen Ling hummed, then asked, "What was that dream of yours like?"

Zhou Yinhe wasn't surprised; he chuckled, using a storytelling tone, and simply said, "In the dream, after we broke up, you came to Hua Guo to find me and reconcile, we got together, after I proposed to you, something happened on the day of our engagement."

"What happened?" Wen Ling stopped walking and looked at him seriously.

Zhou Yinhe tugged at the corner of his mouth and still spoke frankly: "You died because of my cousin."

"And you?" Wen Ling gave a light smile, her lips curving.

"Me?" Zhou Yinhe snorted with a laugh, a bit proud: "I naturally couldn't let you be alone, so I stayed with you."

Since it was a false dream, he spoke of it without much reservation.

Wen Ling burst out laughing, even bending at the waist; Zhou Yinhe stood before her, watching her until she lifted her head, her eye sockets moist and red.

"I've dreamed of it before; after seeing you, I had a vague dream, but I forgot it upon waking." She raised a hand to wipe her eye corner, "If you hadn't said anything, I might truly not have remembered."

She gradually wiped her smile away, ripples appearing in her eyes, and she said, "Zhou Yinhe, I thought it was really my fault, so I dumped you; now that I know the truth, I don't feel as guilty."

Zhou Yinhe stepped forward and spoke softly, "Then do you still want to be with me?"

Wen Ling locked eyes with him for a long while, then turned her head away and gave a light hum: "You think it's that easy to get me to reconcile? No way."

Not far off, a sound suddenly came—one after another—and Wen Ling snapped her head around.

Only to see blossom after blossom of gorgeous fireworks bursting in the sky; while Wen Ling was still dazed, Zhou Yinhe had already embraced her from behind.

"Do you like it?" He tilted his head, kissed her ear tip, and whispered, "It's not much different from the scene when I proposed to you—just without family and friends as witnesses."

No girl would dislike such a scene, and Wen Ling was no exception, staring blankly at the fireworks in the sky.

When the fireworks ended, Zhou Yinhe took Wen Ling's hand and walked toward the restaurant.

The restaurant was in Ding Lou Hua Yuan; at that moment it was empty, with only the path to the dining table lined on both sides with rose-red flower bouquets.

Dappled light fell on her side; Wen Ling's steps halted, unwilling to move forward.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Zhou Yinhe blinked: "A confession, what else?"

He was straightforward, but Wen Ling had already flushed; she glared at him, walked around him to the table, pulled out a chair and sat, crossing her legs, saying, "Let me tell you, trying to make me blush is impossible—when have you ever seen me shy?"

Her bold action made Zhou Yinhe laugh; he laughed as he drew near, leaning with his elbows on the stool beside her, getting closer and closer…

Wen Ling guessed his intention, lifted her chin, and planted a kiss on the corner of Zhou Yinhe's lips.

Zhou Yinhe's eyes lit up with her motion; he raised a hand to cradle the back of her head, lifting her into his arms and deepening the kiss.

Until Wen Ling's legs went weak and she limp against his embrace, Zhou Yinhe chuckled lightly and finally let her go.

After helping Wen Ling sit on the stool, he crouched beside her leg and whispered, "Are we reconciled now?"

Wen Ling's lips were red and swollen, her eyes red too; she bit her lip and still nodded.

Zhou Yinhe burst out laughing, yet couldn't hold back tears.

Wen Ling lowered her gaze to look at him, raised a hand to wipe his tears, and softly asked, "Why are you crying?"

"I'm happy, you agreeing made me naturally happy." Zhou Yinhe rubbed her palm, saying, "Can I tell my parents? And my older brothers and sisters, uh, and Jiang Jibai and them—they'd been teasing me just two days ago, saying I couldn't win you back."

Wen Ling was amused by his childishness, yet still nodded, letting him brag.

Zhou Yinhe wasn't in a rush; he rose and sat opposite Wen Ling, and then someone brought over wine and dishes.

Zhou Yinhe wasn't hungry, propping his chin on his hand as he gazed at Wen Ling across from him.

Wen Ling was truly hungry; she had rushed back to Wen Garden at noon and hadn't had time to eat, and just now Zhou Yinhe had bullied her, so she really felt a bit hungry now.

Being watched while eating, Wen Ling felt at ease; she let out a breath of relief, feeling an indescribable comfort, and she was eating noticeably more than usual.

"Eat a bit more."

Wen Ling lifted her eyes, gave him a glance, and smiled, asking, "How so? Any more plans ahead?"

Zhou Yinhe said nothing, just smiled with deep meaning.

Wen Ling naturally understood—this guy couldn't possibly just let her go; just look at the vigor with which he'd bullied her moments ago, showing he had no intention of letting her leave easily.

Seeing she understood, Zhou Yinhe leaned on the table and stared silently at Wen Ling.

Seeing Wen Ling had almost finished eating, he finally spoke softly: "I really missed you; when I woke up and found myself back in the present, I was glad to see you again, yet afraid Zhou Jingyuan would meddle and make you forget me completely."

Wen Ling gently set down her knife and fork, pursed her lips, and smiled, saying, "Don't panic."

"Mm, I'm not panicking anymore; with you by my side from now on, I won't panic."

After finishing, Wen Ling stood, glanced around, and lightly inhaled, filling her nostrils with floral fragrance.

She was a bit reluctant to leave in a hurry, but Zhou Yinhe couldn't wait, coaxing and being clingy as he tugged her downstairs together.

He had booked a room downstairs, purely out of urgency, not even letting Wen Ling go wash up; he grabbed her and refused to let go.

He kept at it until the early hours, and Wen Ling felt she was on the verge of collapse.

She breathed rapidly, gave Zhou Yinghe a light, floating glare, and said, "You truly missed me—so much you'd rather have my life."

Zhou Yinhe gave a muffled laugh, bent over, lifted Wen Ling, and carried her into the bathroom.

Originally just intending to give her a simple wash, but unexpectedly, Wen Ling's legs were weak and she couldn't stand; she flailed, bracing her hands against his front, which made Zhou Yinhe's eyes redden again.

Wen Ling didn't even have time to resist.

She passed out; when she woke, daylight was bright, she glanced at the time—it was already afternoon—and Zhou Yinhe slept peacefully beside her.

Wen Ling felt sore and uncomfortable all over; she sighed and shifted her posture, trying not to wake Zhou Yinhe.

In his daze, Zhou Yinhe still held her tight, murmuring, "Where are you going? Sleep a bit more."

He slept much later than Wen Ling; taking advantage of it being daytime in Hua Guo, he called his parents, older brothers and sisters, and Jiang Jibai and a few others, boasting thoroughly about his reconciliation with Wen Ling.

When he was sleeping, the sky was just about to dawn.