She hugged her mother, enjoying the warm embrace that she had longed for over the past six and a half years.
It had been a considerable amount of time since she last saw her, and the familiarity of her mother's presence was a comforting balm to her soul.
But amid this moment of cherished reunion, another voice, one she had missed dearly, cut through the air like a ray of sunshine breaking through clouds.
Though they always spoke on phone but it was a lot more different hearing it up close, it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Feng Bai, didn't you miss me?" The voice was all too familiar, carrying with it the weight of memories and unfulfilled promises. How she had so missed the voice and the owner.
Lu Jin, a young man in his thirties, with his striking blond hair and mesmerizing green eyes, stood before her.
He possessed the kind of handsome charm that could grace the pages of a fashion magazine, and his slender physique resembled that of a male model, seemingly plucked from the ranks of the BTS club.
He had been betrothed to her before she embarked on her journey to England to further her studies, and her heart had remained tethered to him throughout her time abroad. She only thought of him; her love grew stronger over the years.
She pulled away from her mother's embrace and rushed into Lu Jin's arms. With effortless strength, he swept her off her feet, twirling her around in a joyful dance of reunion.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss that conveyed the depth of their longing and affection.
For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other's embrace. She never wanted to let him go, she had missed his smell, his body, everything about him.
The smile that adorned Yuan Yuan's face, her best friend, gradually faded as she observed the display of affection between her best friend and Lu Jin. She looked somewhat angry.
Mrs. Feng smiled before she finally cleared her throat, a subtle reminder of her presence, prompting the couple to break their kiss.
"I missed you so much, Jin," Feng Bai said, her voice filled with sincerity as she held his hand swinging it from side to side, her demeanor playful as she acted like a baby longing for attention.
Lu Jin reciprocated with a warm smile, revealing a charming one-sided dimple. "I missed you a lot, Bai Bai," he replied, using his affectionate nickname for her.
Yuan Yuan, still struggling to hide her displeasure, before Mrs. Feng interjected, "All right, let's all go inside. Mrs. Wang is preparing a special welcome home meal for you, they are your favorites."
With that, they made their way into the house, though Yuan Yuan's countenance still bore traces of irritation and disgust, she tried to mask it with a small smile.
As they gathered around the table to enjoy the sumptuous meal prepared by Mrs. Wang. Feng Bai regaled her mother and Lu Jin with tales of her time in England.
She spoke of her experiences, both the triumphs and the challenges, with animated enthusiasm.
Among her stories, she recounted a harrowing encounter where she had come close to seriously injuring a young bully who had attempted to assault her friend. Her audience listened attentively, marveling at her resilience and determination.
"Bai Bai, you have to teach me a few of those self-defense tricks. I need to learn how to fight," Yuan Yuan said, attempting to join the conversation with a smile so they won't notice her change in demeanor.
Mrs. Feng laughed heartily. "Our Bai always excels in everything she does," she remarked proudly.
Yuan yuan had a very jealous look on her face, seeing how Mrs Feng always praises her daughter.
However, the cheerful atmosphere at the dinner table took a sudden turn when Feng Bai declared her future aspirations with unwavering determination.
"Mom, I want to work in a hospital and save more lives," she announced.
The room fell silent, the weight of her decision hanging in the air.
It was a moment of anticipation, of hoping for support and understanding. But the response that came was unexpected.
"Never," a voice resolutely refuted her declaration, casting a shadow over her newfound ambition.