Chapter Forty-Seven: Affection

"Don't cry, I'm fine now!" Looking at Xue Xi, who always wore a smile but burst into tears the moment she got close, Chen Hongxu scratched his head and tried to comfort her.

Xue Xi's eyes were red. She had already imagined countless scenarios for their reunion, but somehow, none of them involved tears. Why did her eyes suddenly sting as if sand had gotten in them? Why did reality feel so different from her expectations? Why did her heart skip a beat for no reason? Why did she suddenly want to close her eyes and lock all these feelings deep inside her heart?

Like a little child, Xue Xi clung to the corner of Chen Hongxu's shirt, forgetting her earlier bold words, forgetting her secret plan to steal a kiss. She simply felt that being by his side like this was wonderful, comforting. If she could hold on to this man for a lifetime, perhaps she could be happy forever.

"But what about the next life?" As this thought crossed her mind, her dark eyes, which had just stopped shedding tears, welled up again, making her look all the more pitiful.

Uncle De looked at the helpless Chen Hongxu and smiled, signaling the group of black-clad bodyguards—who were all serious-faced but brimming with curiosity—to return to the car, giving the young couple some space. Though the setting wasn't ideal, feelings didn't need to be cultivated in absolute privacy; the environment wasn't so unforgiving as to deny them this moment.

Just as everyone turned away, Uncle De suddenly noticed a blond youth swaggering toward them, dragging two short machetes. To make the blades spark against the ground, the blond youth was moving in a half-crouch, his actions so bizarre that they were both alarming and comical.

Fan Blockhead hadn't started out running like this. After leaving the car, he realized something was off—the target would be too obvious if he approached with two knives in hand, and even Su Xiaoxiao had said the opponent was an expert. Besides, there was no sound of fighting; a clash between masters couldn't possibly be silent.

He jumped in place to get a better look at the scene ahead of the black-clad crowd and saw Chen Hongxu being held by an attractive woman, a sight he quickly took in. He had spoken with Xue Xi on the phone and made it a point to learn about Chen Hongxu, so unless he was out of his mind, he wouldn't charge in recklessly.

As for why he was crouching while running? Aside from wondering if Chen Hongxu would misunderstand his aggressive arrival, Fan Blockhead was never one to need a reason for his antics. Of course, he did want to lighten the mood a little—the girl named Xue Xi was already weeping—and yet, the couple had no time for his grand entrance. In the eyes of lovers, there was room for no one else.

Noticing the wary glances of the black-clad bodyguards, Fan Blockhead muttered a curse, then gave an awkward smile, turning to gesture with his knife at the car he’d come in.

"He's one of us, pay him no mind. He's a bit short on common sense sometimes," Chen Hongxu said, only half trusting Su Xiaoxiao's words and never letting his guard down, fearing Zhang Shufang might not be as proud as Su Xiaoxiao claimed.

Still holding onto Xue Xi, Chen Hongxu looked at Fan Blockhead and chuckled, then shifted his gaze to Su Xiaoxiao, who had just gotten out of the car and was smiling as well. He nodded in greeting.

Fan Blockhead sheepishly slid his two machetes into the leather holsters strapped to his legs, straightened up, flicked his hair with a flourish, and walked up to Chen Hongxu, extending a hand toward Xue Xi. "Sister-in-law, you’re really beautiful. We’ve spoken on the phone. My name is—"

Bang! Before he could finish, he was sent flying sideways again. Staring indignantly at the foot that had landed a precise side kick on his backside, he grudgingly got up, moved aside, pulled out his phone, and barked, "Bear, when is your G Team getting here? Stop dawdling like a girl. Is Chen’s business something you can just drag your feet on?"

Su Xiaoxiao retracted her dainty foot, ignoring Fan Blockhead’s ingratiating smile. She extended her hand with a smile. “Su Xiaoxiao.”

Xue Xi, wary, looked at this woman who wasn’t exactly beautiful but still made her feel a pang of inferiority. She reached out her hand. “My name is Xue Xi. I’m Chen Hongxu’s fiancée—no, his wife. You must be the girl who spent all night helping my Hongxu in the provincial capital, right? You’re so pretty. It’s incredible that someone as ordinary as my Hongxu has a friend like you. He’s really lucky.”

Su Xiaoxiao glanced at Chen Hongxu, then at Xue Xi, and smiled. “He’s outstanding, with limitless potential. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”

Xue Xi raised her delicate brows, let go of Chen Hongxu’s shirt, and quickly seized Su Xiaoxiao’s other hand as if she were an old friend she hadn’t seen in years. “It’s wonderful that Hongxu has a sister like you!”

Finishing his call, Fan Blockhead had a strange look on his face, as if he could see electricity crackling and sparking all around Chen Hongxu.

Feeling Fan Blockhead’s stare, Chen Hongxu glared back, then stepped forward, pried apart the two women’s joined hands, and coughed. “Let’s not linger here—let’s go home.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. Xue Xi also nodded, but asked, “Our home, or your home?”

“Damn, that’s too sweet,” Fan Blockhead muttered, darting into the car as if he couldn’t take any more.

Su Xiaoxiao pursed her lips in an enigmatic smile, gave Xue Xi a meaningful look, and then got into Fan Blockhead’s car without further fuss.

Cheeks tinged with red after being exposed by Fan Blockhead, Xue Xi was gently pulled into an embrace by Chen Hongxu, who kissed her on the forehead before leading her into the car as well.

As the scenery outside slid rapidly by, Chen Hongxu held Xue Xi close, quietly listening to the soothing music in the car.

“Do you think I’m petty, or narrow-minded, or unreasonable…” Xue Xi bowed her head, rubbing her hands together, hesitating for a long time before voicing her worries in a faltering whisper.

Chen Hongxu leaned in, breathing in the scent of her hair. “A little.”

“But it’s only because I love you. That Su Xiaoxiao is really special, and I can tell she’s a remarkable woman. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so willful as to walk around barefoot. I can see she’s not just trying to attract attention. She’s… she’s really great. I’m afraid I can’t compare to her, that I can’t help you as much as she can. I’m afraid…”

“It’s true!” Chen Hongxu nodded seriously. Seeing Xue Xi’s eyes widen in surprise and uncertainty, he continued, “You do have this flaw and that shortcoming, and she does have all those strengths. But so what? The one I love is you—the complete you. There’s no need to compare yourself to anyone else. You are you, silly girl!”

“You! …You!” Just as Chen Hongxu was imagining Xue Xi would be so moved she’d massage his back and shoulders for him, a pair of delicate fists landed squarely on his head. “Idiot, you scared me…”

Some people may not be the best or the most beautiful, but after you’ve come to know both their virtues and their flaws, and still find yourself unable to let go—well, that woman is probably someone you’ll love for a lifetime. You don’t need to keep reminding yourself; she’ll simply pass through your mind from time to time, and your heart will sigh, “I still love her.”