The boat had been sailing for a long time. In the vast sea, I couldn’t distinguish east from west, let alone find my way back; I didn’t even know where I was going. Finding Ke Xuan at the bow, he stood there, alone against the wind, pondering something, as if in a world of his own, blocking out anyone’s approach. That silhouette carried an unfamiliar aura, silent and distant. Knowing I should understand, I still couldn’t help but want to reject this feeling of unfamiliarity. I didn’t know when he noticed me; when he looked again, it was still that gentle face, “Xiao Xia?” “Yeah~” I snapped back to reality, skipping over to ask where we were going. He smiled and patted my head, “To a very far place.” “How far? Can we make it back for dinner tonight? Because I need to call Qi Yufeng to report.” “Dinner? We won’t reach there by then; it’ll take at least until tomorrow.” “That far?!” I excitedly grabbed his hands, “Are you planning to elope with us?!” Ke Xuan’s smile grew brighter, “Yes, and to a place where even Qi Yufeng won’t find us~” I blinked, wondering if he was serious… I called Qi Yufeng, and as soon as he picked up, he asked if I missed him, which was quite a chill, not like some palace concubine longing for her lord. Nowadays, it’s popular for women to be the breadwinners and men to manage the home. I’m out enjoying life, and I still have time to think of you? As the saying goes, ‘After a full meal comes desire,’ and I haven’t even had my meal yet… But thinking about it, it seems I won’t be able to make it back tonight, better be good, I hummed like a mosquito, hearing his satisfied tone, “Do you need something?” “Yeah, do you have time now?” “Just a few minutes, I have a meeting to attend.” Which meant I should hurry up if I had something to say, “Uh, it’s not much really, just that I won’t be back tonight.” “So that’s what you mean by ‘not much.'” It seems… there was something to it. “Where are you going?” “I’m not sure exactly, it seems quite far, Ke Xuan didn’t say…” “You’re going with Li Ke Xuan?” “Yes…” The cold wind was blowing on the other end of the phone… I added, “And he asked me to bring Er Yu.” In the silence… I felt my hand, along with the phone, was about to freeze. Finally, he spoke, “Do you really have to go?” “I want to.” Ke Xuan said he would be leaving, and I knew that meant there might not be many chances to meet again, so I wanted to go. After a long silence, I heard his reply, just one sentence, “I’ll wait for you at home.” My heart warmed, but I told him not to, he’s been busy with company matters these days, often coming home late at night, sometimes even staying over there, how could I ask him to wait at home? Plus, I wasn’t sure when I’d be back myself. But thinking about what I said, bringing the child along to a far place, it did seem like eloping with a lover, just as I was about to explain to avoid misunderstanding, I heard his low, firm voice, “Anyway, I’ll wait for you at home, no matter where you go, just let me know, and call me when you think of it, okay?” With a touch of tenderness and concern in his words, I could only nod, unable to say anything else, my eyes hot and wet, I hung up the phone, he knew, I could only say yes. His voice, his words, lingered inside me, making me feel uneasy and dazed, knowing my soul had left my body… Soaking in the clear, cool sea water, walking barefoot on the fine white sand, I looked around, doubting this was our destination – a deserted island? Not a soul in sight, more primitive than any painting could depict, clearly an undeveloped green island at sea. “How did you find this place?” I couldn’t help but ask Ke Xuan, who turned back and pointed, “I plan to invest in a series of resorts, honeymoon zones, etc., here. I stumbled upon this place during an inspection and liked it so much, I bought it.” “Bought it?! Here? Are you planning to build something?” “Already built,” he smiled and nodded, “A small house, we’re almost there.” On a cliff facing the sea, there was a patch of green grass, enclosed by a low wooden fence and shells, creating a small world, inside stood a lovely little white house, I couldn’t wait to run inside, it was almost empty, with clean white walls, a low window sill one could sleep on~ perfect~! “Do you like it here?” Ke Xuan asked while pushing open the window, letting sunlight spill into every corner of the room, dazzlingly bright. “Do you like it?” I looked on dumbly, feeling warm and comfortable. “Like, like, really like,” Er Yu was bouncing around, amusing himself. “That’s good,” Ke Xuan said, leaning on the windowsill, gazing outside leisurely. “This island, it’s all yours.”
“Ah?” I stood up in surprise. “No way.”
“You can’t refuse, I won’t accept it,” Ke Xuan turned to me. I thought it was a jest until his face darkened. “I just want to feel a bit better,” he said. “The dream of that castle and my promise to you, they’re no longer possible. I’m sorry. But at least there’s this child; you’ve invested a lot in him, haven’t you? Our future that was cut short, or perhaps myself… I want to see myself in him, a self that’s unburdened, not hesitating or weak, always moving forward in my own direction. That would change everything…”
“He can do it, even without this place,” I said firmly, watching Er Yu.
