After they were done with dinner, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan decided to wash the dishes together. Shao Yan was telling him about the visit to printing house with Wenhai in the afternoon and the story of the owner, Mr. Luo.
Shao Yan was really impressed with his humble background, so she was very animated when telling Li Xiqing his story.
"You know... There was one time, I went there to print architecture guide book. Few months prior, I was managing the photoshoot project anyway."
She was rinsing the plate that Li Xiqing had washed with soap, "So, few months ago, I got the chance to work with the photographer. And on the shooting day itself, I took several pictures" she grinned.
"To my surprise, my picture was selected as the cover of the book! I was so happy!" she looked at Li Xiqing with her big, round, lively eyes.
"And guess what Mr. Luo said?" she lifted her chin a little to brag.
Li Xiqing was staring at her adoringly. His woman was so cute. So enchanting. He really wanted to pat her head, but he had soap all over his hands.
"Mr. Luo said, that the photographer of the cover was talented and could go far!! He he.." she smiled shyly at herself.
"But, Mr. Luo also said that it was under condition that the photographer had to keep working with the architect. Because that photographer, which was me, understand the element that the architect wanted to portray to the audience." Shao Yan just finished washing all the plates, and was wiping her hand to a napkin.
She bumped her fist on her chest, and smiled so proudly at him, "Aren't I amazing, wife?"
Li Xiqing looked at her, and shook his head. His lips curved up and his eyes gazed at her lovingly. He leaned in closer and pecked her cheek, "En, you are always amazing."
.....
Li Xiqing went to the fridge to pour orange juice for them. They walked to the living room together, and sat down on the grey sofa.
He put both mugs on the side table, and then sat next to her. He put his arm behind her back.
"Do you want to make this a full time career? I mean... To be a photographer?" Li Xiqing gathered her close to him, as they sat side by side, snuggled on the sofa. Shao Yan grabbed the TV remote to turn it on.
"Honestly, I don't know." she kept changing the TV channel, and finally settled on a cooking show. She turned down the volume and put the remote on the table.
"This photography thing..." She softly sighed, "It was actually started as a hobby when Mom passed away..."
She paused and looked at the corner of the room, seeming lost in her thoughts, "I needed to do something or I would have been drown in all the negativity."
She paused and snuggled closer to him. She was seeking his warmth for comfort and also his sturdy chest for strength. She leaned all her body onto him, folded her legs under her bottom on the sofa to one side, and pressed her cheek on his chest.
He rested his hand on her waist, unconsciously rubbing her dotingly like a kitten. His other hand was holding the mug, and slowly sipped on the orange juice.
"At first, it was only started as a curiosity. I followed some friends to a local photography workshop. And then before I knew it, I bought my first camera."
She looked up and beamed at him, "I worked all summer to earn that money myself" her eyes twinkled and the corner of her lips were smirking. She looked so proud of herself.
Her voice was so soft. In the tranquility of the night, she spoke so gentle while reminiscing the past. She was glad that she did not have to walk that lonely path anymore. She had found him; her strength and her joy.
She took a deep breath.
And then she looked at him with a very sad face, "But I broke it yesterday." the corner of her lips, that were lifted so arrogantly just now, had slanted down, and then she sulked. "It had accompanied me for almost ten years, Xiqing~" she wailed and then she rubbed her cheek on his chest "And now it finally rest in peace"
Li Xiqing frowned a little. So... That camera was not the one that Fu guy bought for her?
He put down the mug on the side table. He felt a burst of happy bubbles inside him. He could not help but let out a silly grin on his face.
And luckily she did not see it.
.....
Shao Yan moved to hug Li Xiqing's waist tighter. His hand was now patting her waist in a slow rhythm. He bended down and kissed the crown of her head.
"I found a lot of joy just from taking pictures. And then when I developed the result, I couldn't stop staring at them"
She tilted her head and peeked at him. She put her chin on his chest, while looking up, "Xiqing..." she hesitated for a while, "Uhm.. If I decided to be a photographer.. What do you think?" She bit her lower lip while waiting for him to answer.
Li Xiqing was looking down at her. His fingers swiped her hair that was covering her eyes, and slipped it behind her ear, "As long as you're happy, just do whatever you want".
Li Xiqing raised his index finger to touch the tip of her nose and smiled, "I can take care of you for the rest of your life. So you don't have to worry about anything else."
Shao Yan, who was smiling so wide at his first sentence, suddenly went stiff after Li Xiqing said the second sentence.
W.. What was that..??!!
⊙.☉
A proposal??
Li Xiqing looked at her stunned expression and laughed. He crooked his index finger and gently knocked on her forehead, "Don't think too much! I'm not that lousy, alright? It's not a marriage proposal." He pinched her nose gently.
Shao Yan scrunched her eyebrows and hit him on the chest lightly. He laughed heartily and rubbed her hair, "Rest assured... When the time comes, it won't be this simple, Miss Shao."
Li Xiqing leaned in close to her lips, he brushed his lips on top of hers like a feather, "When it comes... Just hope that your heart can take it... and just remember, all you need to say... is yes" and then he pressed his lips firmly onto hers.