Dark clouds enveloped the city of Hangzhou as wind and rain slashed through the trees and buildings. On this cold night, a man and woman were tightly embraced in each other's arms. Standing at the center of a beautiful garden, the two of them were lost in their thoughts. Even though their clothes were completely soaked in the rain, it didn't seem to bother either of them.
Gently stroking her back Han Zhixin tried to comfort the crying woman in his arms. His heart ached for her as she wept in his embrace.
'What could have triggered her emotions for her to cry like this??'
As he pondered this, a thought crossed his mind, causing a cold glint to appear in his pale blue eyes.
'Could it be...?'
When his thoughts led him to the father of the little one, he immediately dismissed it.
'No, that couldn't be right wh-....'
Han Zhixin's body stiffened, and his eyes widened in surprise at his woman's gesture.
Tightening her arms around his neck, Tang Li Mei gently nuzzled into his chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks along with the droplets of rain as her heart grieved for her child.
The baby she carried for almost ten months, birthed, and nurtured was gone. The little boy who played in her arms now remained a distant memory from her previous life. Her heart ached in despair, and her sobs got louder when she thought about this. She knew no matter how long she cried and begged, her child would never come back. But how was she supposed to explain this to her grieving heart???
Han Zhixin squeezed her waist lightly as he tried to calm her down, but her cries were never-ending. The more he heard, the more he felt sad for her. The feeling of one's heart being pierced by multiple arrows as they heard their lover cry in grief—he understood that feeling very well now.
His mind was filled with unanswered questions, but he knew now was not the time to ask them. They have their entire lives ahead of them; surely someday she will tell him, right?? His heart twisted at that thought. Sighing, he pushed aside all his doubts and tightened his hold on her. So what if she never tells him?? At least he could stay by her side and share the pain alongside her; that alone would be more than enough for him.
...
Time went by, but the woman in his arms was still weeping. Han Zhixin sensed the rain getting heavier than before. As much as he liked the feeling of having her in his arms, this was neither the right time nor the right place for this. With much difficulty, he withdrew her slender arms from his neck.
His action didn't go unnoticed by the woman in his embrace. Tang Li Mei's body stiffened when she felt her hands being removed and the warmth surrounding her left her body. Her heart twisted in pain at his rejection, while her body shivered from the cold. She wanted to demand that he take her back into his arms. But what right did she have to ask him about this?? They just met a few days ago and hardly knew each other. Then why was her heart aching so much at the loss of his warmth???
Clenching her hands into fists, she bit her lips to stop herself from crying. She didn't have the guts to lift her head and see the disgust in his eyes. Maybe seeing her in this condition was for the best. Maybe now he realizes how broken she is and is finally willing to stop chasing after her.
Tang Li Mei's lips quivered, and tears clouded her stormy gaze at that thought. This was what she wanted all along, wasn't it??? Then why was she feeling like this?? Wasn't she the one who rejected his proposal in the first place?? Then why did the distance between them bother her so much??
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a pair of cold palms cup her cheeks gently. Tang Li Mei was startled by his actions as her eyes widened in surprise. What is this??? Didn't he push her away because he was tired of her?? Then why was he being gentle with her now??
Was he going to mock her for being weak and fragile!??? And that she needed a man to calm her down?? First of all, what on earth was she thinking running into his arms like that?? Was she expecting him to comfort her when, all this time, the only thing she did was rudely push him away???
Han Zhixin saw the pitiful state his woman was in while she was lost in her thoughts. A sad smile pulled up on his face as he gently tucked the wet hair behind her ears. Brushing his cold fingers on her pale cheeks, he called her in a hushed tone.
"Sweetheart, look at me."
But Tang Li Mei didn't even blink when he called her. Sensing the lack of response, he sighed. It seemed like his woman was too lost in her thoughts to even hear him.
Gently lifting her chin, his cold fingers slightly grazed her red lips as he breathed out.
"Xiao Mei, look at me, love!!!"
Tang Li Mei froze when she felt his fingers brush her lips. Her heartbeat fastened as she opened her eyes to look at him. The man in front of her looked distressed and heartbroken; his pale blue eyes stared back at her with so much love that it got her heart racing.
What was she thinking?? How could she judge him like that when all he did was help her from the start?? When did she become so muddleheaded that she couldn't even judge a person correctly???
Han Zhixin gently knocked his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.
"Please don't cry; I can't bear to see you like this." He whispered.
Tang Li Mei's heart ached when she heard the pain in his voice. Closing her eyes, she held onto his hands that were gently caressing her cheeks.
"Xiao Mei, I don't know the reason for your distress, nor do I know what to do to make you feel better. Because, trust me, watching you suffer like this is hurting me too. But if crying like this makes you feel better, if it alleviates the bitterness in your heart even a tiny bit, then so be it. Cry all you want, my love; I'm here for you." He whispered gently, brushing his nose against hers.
Even though her tears made his heartthrob in agony, he was willing to accompany her in her sorrow. Because sometimes crying is how your body speaks when your mouth can't explain the pain you feel.
"Promise me just one thing, love: from now on, if you ever feel the need to cry, no matter what, where, or when, call me. Please!!! Don't shut yourself off!!! Let me share the burden with you, no matter how small or big it is. Alright???" He stated as his gaze fixed upon her stormy ones.
Tang Li Mei's lips quivered as she tried to suppress a sob. This man—how deep were his feelings for her to say such words??? Silent tears trailed down her cheeks while she gave him a nod. Han Zhixin let go of her cheeks and held her waist, pulling her closer into his embrace.
"You know, this is the first time you have let me hold you without thrashing around," he joked as his lips pulled into a small smile.
Tang Li Mei's eyes narrowed, and her cheeks heated up when she heard his words. Turning her head away, she tried to hide the small smile that pulled up on her face. She knew what he was trying to do and appreciated his efforts. When she remembered the words he whispered to her, she felt warm all over, and her cheeks warmed up even more.
Seeing her blush like that, Han Zhixin felt the agony in his heart ease a bit.
'At least she stopped crying now!!'
"Come on, let's go. We have played in the rain for quite some time now," he said, pulling her towards the house.
As they walked towards the back door, Tang Li Mei felt lightheaded and weak in the knees. Gently laying her head on his chest, she closed her eyes. Listening to his strong heartbeat that calmed her senses, she finally gave in to exhaustion.
Han Zhixin sensed her body stagger against his as he quickly tightened his hold on her.
"Xiao Mei??" he called out as his heartbeat fastened in worry.
"Xiao Mei??? Sweetheart, wake up!!"
Patting her cold cheeks, he tried to wake her up, but to no avail. Gently scooping her into his arms, he hurriedly ran inside the house.
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'THUD THUD THUD'
The urgent knocks on the door woke up the old woman, who was fast asleep. Squinting her eyes, she looked towards the door, trying to guess if she was just hearing things or if someone had knocked on her door. As she was pondering, she heard another set of urgent knocks. Aunt Lan hurriedly pushed away the blanket and walked towards the door.
Opening the door, she was completely taken aback by what she saw.
"You-Young master????" She stammered as she took a look at the person. The man in front of her looked anxious and was drenched from head to toe.
"Aunt Lan!!!!..."
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