Luo Xian held a handkerchief, gently wiping the corner of Su Jin's mouth. She had finally stopped coughing after eating the spicy hotpot, her face flushed a deep red—a mix of embarrassment and the lingering heat. Throughout the meal, Luo Xian had treated her like a child, attentively taking care of her. While it had started as a shared dinner, he ended up spending the whole time selecting dishes for her, cooking them perfectly, and even wiping her nose and eyes when the spiciness became overwhelming. He hadn't eaten a single bite himself, his focus solely on her.
"Did you enjoy it?" he asked, his deep voice breaking through her thoughts.
Su Jin nodded. The fiery sensation coursing through her body had oddly left her feeling refreshed and lighter, even easing the tension she usually felt around him. For the first time, she found herself a little less guarded in his presence.
Luo Xian noticed the sparkle in her eyes and the faint smile tugging at her lips. She looked like a silly rabbit, he thought, sitting there grinning foolishly. Unable to resist, he reached out and pinched her chin gently. "You're looking more cheerful now," he said with a smirk. "I think I should bring you here every two weeks. By then, I'll have fattened up my little rabbit, and maybe we'll get a double chin to pinch."
Su Jin blinked at him, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "Why every two weeks?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of protest.
Luo Xian's smile deepened, his dark eyes gleaming with a mix of indulgence and authority. "Because we have a lifetime together. There's no rush. Even if it's once every two weeks, I'll keep bringing you here until we grow old together."
Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't hearing such intimate, straightforward declarations from him for the first time. Luo Xian had always been unapologetically direct when expressing his feelings, and she had been unsure how to react. But recently, his words no longer filled her with fear or unease. Instead, they stirred a strange, unexplainable sensation deep within her, as though something in her heart was quietly shifting.
"Where else would you like to go today?" Luo Xian asked, leaning back slightly and observing her with a relaxed expression. "Let's make the most of the day. I don't want to see you sulking at home anymore."
Su Jin hesitated. Truthfully, she wasn't used to "having fun." Her childhood had been filled with piano lessons, tutoring sessions, and endless studying. Even her free time was spent reading quietly in her room rather than out exploring the world like other girls her age. Shopping, for instance, was a necessity rather than an activity she enjoyed, and most of her outdoor trips were limited to walks in quiet parks.
Just as she was about to respond, a group of women at a nearby table shouted excitedly, "Let's go sing karaoke!"
Su Jin's heart stirred. She had never been to a karaoke bar. In her school days, classmates often invited her to join, but she'd always declined due to her strict curfew and an innate sense of distance from others. Friendships never deepened, and invitations ceased after a while. She regretted it sometimes, those missed chances to be part of something, to let loose.
Her life had always been too orderly. First, it had been structured and disciplined by her family; later, it was a constant hustle to make ends meet. She had never experienced the so-called "youthful recklessness" others often reminisced about. And now, a spark of longing flared up in her chest.
Luo Xian, ever perceptive, noticed the glimmer in her eyes. "Have you decided? Wherever you want to go, I'll take you," he said softly.
Years later, Su Jin would remember this moment in the unassuming hotpot restaurant. For the first time, she had made a request to Luo Xian—not because he anticipated her needs or pushed her toward something, but because she wanted it for herself.
"Let's go sing karaoke," she said.
It wasn't long before they found themselves in a small karaoke room. The venue wasn't anything extravagant, just a student-friendly spot near a university, bustling with energy. Luo Xian had initially intended to book a private, high-end lounge for just the two of them, but Su Jin had other ideas. Like a mischievous child, she tugged at his hand, insisting they follow the group of women from the restaurant instead.
"We'll just tail them," she whispered conspiratorially. "They'll lead the way, and we'll just blend in."
Luo Xian raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Her excitement was infectious, and he found himself indulging her whims. After all, this was what being a couple was about—sharing little adventures and creating memories together.
The karaoke room they ended up in was modest, but Su Jin didn't seem to mind. She had already darted inside ahead of him, her eyes lighting up as she fiddled with the song-selection screen. By the time Luo Xian entered, she was crouched on the floor, eagerly tapping the screen with a broad smile on her face.
For a moment, Luo Xian simply stood there, watching her. It was rare to see her so unrestrained, her joy so unguarded. She looked like a child discovering something wondrous for the first time, her eyes sparkling with unbridled excitement. The sight struck him deeply, and he knew this image of her would be forever etched into his memory.
Placing the snacks and drinks he'd brought from the front counter onto the table, Luo Xian walked over and sat beside her. Without warning, he scooped her into his lap, his arms wrapping securely around her waist. Then, leaning down, he planted a series of kisses on her lips.
"Luo Xian!" Su Jin gasped, her face flushing as she tried to squirm out of his embrace.
He grinned, his expression both playful and serious. "Why is my little treasure still so shy? We've done far more intimate things, yet a few kisses still make you blush?" His teasing tone left her utterly speechless.
"You… you're shameless!" she finally managed to say, burying her face in her hands.
"Only for you, my dear wife," he replied smoothly, his voice low and suggestive. "But if you keep squirming like this, we might not even get to sing. And do you know why?"
Su Jin blinked at him, confused. "Why?" she asked naively.
Leaning close to her ear, Luo Xian whispered, his breath warm against her skin, "Because I won't be able to stop myself. Instead of hearing you sing, I'll make you scream my name."
Her face turned scarlet, her body going stiff as she froze in place. Luo Xian chuckled, utterly charmed by her reaction. He kissed her again, this time softer, savoring the moment before finally letting her go.
"There. That's my interest for now," he said with a smirk. "When we get home, I'll collect the full payment. For now, let's hear you sing."
The first song Su Jin picked was an old classic, "Later" by Liu Ruoying. It wasn't a song younger women typically chose anymore, but it held a quiet, timeless beauty. As she began to sing, her voice soft and clear, Luo Xian found himself completely captivated. The lyrics, filled with longing and introspection, seemed to resonate in the room, weaving an almost magical spell.
He watched her intently, her slender figure bathed in the soft glow of the screen. She seemed to be in her own world, pouring her emotions into each word. And as the melody wrapped around them, Luo Xian felt something deep inside him stir. When she finished, he crossed the room in a few strides and pulled her into his arms once more.
"Su Jin," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I'll wait for you, always. No matter how long it takes for you to learn how to love, I'll be here. And when you finally do, I promise, I'll never let go."
Su Jin's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. The sincerity in his words left her speechless, and as she stood there, enveloped in his embrace, the sound of her own heartbeat seemed to blend with the lingering melody of the song. For a brief moment, it felt as though time had stopped, leaving just the two of them in the quiet warmth of the room.
Years later, she would remember this night not just as an outing, but as the moment her heart began to truly open to him.