It was already dinner time by the time Yuqin and Lingling got back to the apartment. After unlocking the entrance door, Lingling and Yuqin went up to floor seven. By the time they reached room #710, Yuqin could hear things being thrown. Lingling carefully went into the room and Yuqin locked the door behind her.
"Sister Yuqin, my brother is in his bedroom. I'm afraid I'll make him mad again." Lingling went to the living room and cleaned up the space. Yuqin knocked on Han Rong's bedroom door. Han Rong ignored her presence.
"Han Rong, I'm here." As she got closer to Han Rong, he was holding onto the edge of his desk while trying to stand up. Just as he was about to throw a pile of paper, Yuqin held his hand and stopped him just in time.
"Han Rong, it's okay. Let's take a break and sit down."
She supported him as they sat on his bed, she didn't know what happened.
"Did something happen?" She asked him in a gentle and soothing voice. After a few minutes, Han Rong spoke.
"I killed them. It's my fault." He held onto the photo of his teammates who passed away more than four years ago during one of their last missions. Yuqin carefully took out the photo and looked at it. She didn't know any of them.
"They were like my brothers. And I destroyed their lives. We were supposed to come back together." He tightened up his fist and closed his eyes, "They're never coming back." Yuqin listened quietly and spoke nothing. She stayed beside him and offered her support.
"Yuqin. I hate being like this." Han Rong closed his eyes while Yuqin turned on her phone and placed a earbud inside one of his ears. She chose November's Chopin, Nocturne.
"Han Rong, remember we used to listen to this music? After you broke up with me, I listened to this song whenever I thought about you. Does it sound familiar to you?" She asked.
He nodded while he rested his head on her left shoulder.
"Han Rong, I love you."
***
After the first few days of running, and doing various obstacle courses. Yuqin, Henry, and a few other lifeguards were all ready for the real training to start. They were partnered up and required to observe each movement with precision. After practicing a few times, they were required to observe more self-defense movements.
Even though Yuqin was exhausted but she felt refreshed right after an intense workout. Henry came back from the cafe carrying at least 6 iced americanos for them.
"Nothing beats an old iced americano." He smiled while giving out to everyone.
"You always know what I want." Yuqin smiled and drank her iced americano.
"That's what friends are for." He replied while he also drank his iced americano.
After a short break, everyone went back to work. People started to crowd the beach since it was a Saturday. Even though school already started for some students, there are still a lot of young people skipping school and go to the beach.
A few days passed, Yuqin haven't heard anything from Han Rong. He's probably working, she thought. Just before she got out her phone to call him, she heard someone calling her name. She turned around and saw Han Rong. Beside him were his colleagues from the station.
"What brought you here?" Yuqin was ecstatic to see him that she forgot about working.
"We were on our way to meet a client. And I wanted to stop here to check on you." Han Rong looked at Yuqin with his usual smile and he wasn't on edge compared to what happened over a week ago.
"More like you like wanted to see her because there are no clients to see today." Albert turned away and whispered but Max nudge him on the side of the his ribs.
"Ow!" He screamed in silence. Ling stood there and facepalmed, "These two."
Max smiled and looked at Yuqin, "Boss really cares for you."
Yuqin and Han Rong looked at each other intensely. She took a step forward and noticed one of his uniform collars wasn't properly folded. She smiled and slowly bent down to adjust the collars. Suddenly, Han Rong grabbed her right wrist then pulled her towards him and their lips touched. Her lips were soft and moist. Her warmth and gentleness were everything to him.
Albert and Max looked at each other then looked away. They started to giggle until someone called her name.
"Yuqin!"
"Who's that person?" Albert asked Max.
"Why are you asking me? I've no idea." Max replied and shrugged his arm.
Henry came over and greeted them.
"I'm Yuqin's colleague. And you are...?"
"Henry, let me introduce them. This is Albert, Max, Ling, and my boyfriend, Officer Han Rong. This is Henry, my best work pal. Don't worry, he's already married." Henry came forward and shook their hands.
"Pleased to meet you all." He looked at Han Rong and said, "Yuqin is a wonderful young woman. You have to cherish her at all cost." Han Rong replied, "Thank you, I will."
"Yuqin, I wish you the best." Henry looked at them one final time before leaving work.
***
That evening after dinner, Yuqin drove with Han Rong to the beachside. It was getting dark and the sun had already set. The lights from the buildings made everything look much more livelier than it was in the morning.
As they sat in the car, they looked at the horizon while listening to Nocturne. Another day passed by in a flash, Yuqin wanted time to stop. Just for this moment. Yuqin was separated from Han Rong for close to eight years. During that time, she had no idea what he'd gone through. She just wanted him to stay with her like this.
"Han Rong, I..." She was about to tell him something but he already drifted off to sleep.
She grabbed a light blanket at the back then placed it over his chest. She held onto his hands without letting go.
As she went closer to Han Rong's sleeping face, she whispered to him.
"Han Rong, thank you for coming back to me." Then, she kissed his lips as gentle as possible.