Mr. Xiao’s Unconditional Love

Ye Qiao began to regret her impetuosity. With a smile, she kept her composure in the face of doubt and added, “A girl from my class asked Lu Beichi for your number. That’s how I found out about it.” She made up an excuse on the spot.

“Did you note it down subconsciously or consciously?” He was thrilled at the possibility that she took his number to heart.

Ye Qiao took a few big steps backward and shyly remarked, “Try to guess.”

Guess? The man took a moment to ponder the possibilities before answering.

“Xiao, stay where you are. Now, turn around!” Ye Qiao excitedly instructed him.

Lu Beixiao frowned, wondering what the girl was trying to do.

“Turn around, please?” Ye Qiao asked earnestly, to the point where Lu Beixiao could not refuse. She already softened his heart. Not knowing what was ahead, he turned around as told.

It was a midsummer night full of tranquility. The sound of a blaring television was the only background noise that could be heard. The air hummed with a murmur from the famous 1986 series of Journey To The West, with a catchphrase from Sun Wukong that went, “Monstrous creature, where do you think you’re going?”

The sky was a stunning palette of midnight blue, brimming with twinkling white dots that formed the milky way. Next to it was the brightest star of the northern constellation – Vega. Such were the great times of the 80s. No air pollution hindered the magnificent view of the starlit sky.

She stared at the man who was merely a few steps away. At this very moment, she was irrevocably attracted to him. Events of their past started to fill her head. Overwhelmed with a pensive mood, she leaped towards the man in front of her.

Lu Beixiao thought that she had already left, so he certainly did not expect the hug. Ye Qiao squeezed her arms tightly around his waist and leaned her soft body against his back. He was caught off guard and stood in amazement.

She put her face against his back and hugged him close. The hug was enough for her to relieve herself of her past regrets.

This time, it was not a cold tombstone that she was holding onto, like the incident just before she died. His warm body was a great reminder that he was really alive.

Lu Beixiao, you stay well and alive, this time! It will not be difficult as I will not do anything to trouble you. The only thing that I’m going to do is to love you and stay by your side, unconditionally.

Those were the promises that she made to herself in her heart.

“You’ve only known me for a day, and yet you’re already throwing yourself at me,” Lu Beixiao teased, while gladly accepting his undeserved gain.

“You’ve only known me for a day, and yet you’ve already stolen my first kiss. I need to get myself a hug in return, at least.” She suppressed the overwhelming sadness in her heart and casually teased him.

He quickly turned around to face her, and Ye Qiao unwillingly let go of him. She took a step back, only to see his silly grin. “You should’ve kissed me back instead.”

A hug was never enough for the man. Nevertheless, Ye Qiao found that to be wishful thinking at this stage!

“That’s reserved for your next homecoming.”

“I will remember what you said today. You’d better kiss me back the next time we see each other!” He flashed her a threatening look her way.

“Sure! I’ll be sure to get what I deserve!” She expressed herself boldly before running off into her house. At the gate, she stopped and looked back. “Xiao! I will definitely page you! Good night!” She spoke just loud enough for him to hear her as she did not wish to startle both their grandparents.

“Be a good girl!” Lu Beixiao answered back loudly. The volume alone was startling!

“Xiao, who are you talking to?”

“Seems like he’s talking to a girl.”

Ye Qiao heard the chatter from Mr. and Mrs. Lu next door, prompting her to leap into her house in embarrassment.

“Xiao Xiao, who were you talking to?” Grandma Lu asked him as soon as he stepped through the gate. She was thrilled to hear that he was talking to a girl! It seemed that her eldest grandson was finally dating someone.

In the garden, Grandpa Lu spent his entire evening lying in his lazy chair with a paper fan in his hand. Slices of watermelon were served on the table next to him. Although he seemed totally unconcerned by what was happening, that was not true. He heard everything that was going on right outside his house.

“Your future granddaughter-in-law!” Lu Beixiao was unashamed to let his grandparents know about his date.

“Huh? Where is she now? Why didn’t you invite her to the house? Why didn’t you walk her home? How could you let a girl go home alone? That’s unbelievable!” Grandma Lu questioned him intensively.