Chapter Sixty-Eight: Nearly Became a Widower

She wasn't about to let go so easily. She couldn't accept it... Yet, when she looked up and saw the pitch-black darkness around her, all her courage seemed to drain away. Never mind... If he wants to marry, let him marry someone else... The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached. Luo Yixia hugged her knees and buried her face in them, closing her eyes as she quietly sobbed, hoping that in this way she might block out the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, and maybe, just maybe, she would feel a little less afraid.

Song Chengyi was searching nearby in the woods with the police. They had been circling for ages, and as night fell, his heart grew heavier. All he could think of was Luo Yixia’s smiling face—if she were lost, what would he do? As they ventured deeper into the forest, the group suddenly heard the sound of crying. Song Chengyi paused, followed the sound, and saw the little girl curled up, hugging her knees, crying her heart out in utter misery.

He sighed helplessly, finally feeling a weight lift from his chest. He walked over. The girl didn’t seem to notice anyone approaching, perhaps too lost in her grief. Song Chengyi reached out and gently placed his hand on her trembling head. He felt her body startle at his touch. With a wry smile, he asked, “Why are you crying?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Luo Yixia slowly lifted her head. The moment she saw his familiar figure, she broke down in even louder sobs, leapt to her feet, and threw herself into Song Chengyi’s arms. He held her tightly, his hand patting her back softly, offering comfort.

“Song Chengyi… Why did you come so late? Do you know you almost became a widower…?” Luo Yixia sobbed, tears and snot staining his clothes.

Song Chengyi couldn’t help but laugh. “So you even know what a widower is?” His tone was filled with indulgence and helplessness.

Afterward, Song Chengyi spoke with the police for a while. Luo Yixia couldn’t understand Japanese anyway, so she simply stayed in his arms, crying. When they returned near the inn and the police had left, Song Chengyi found a car, brought her inside, and Luo Yixia was still sniffling, unable to calm down.

“Enough crying.” Song Chengyi took out some tissues, gently wiping away her tears and the smudges of mud on her face, making her look utterly disheveled. Even her once-white dress was now stained with dirt.

“So, tell me, how did you get lost?” Song Chengyi asked with a smile.

“My bag was stolen by a thief. When I got off the bus, I didn’t know the way, so I ended up wandering into the woods.” As she spoke, the sadness welled up again, her lips quivering as she tried not to cry.

Song Chengyi truly felt defeated by her. “I called your phone—a passenger answered. He said the girl next to him had gotten off and forgotten her bag.”

Luo Yixia, confronted with this, managed to hold back her tears.

“How can you be so careless? You even forgot your bag on the bus.”

Luo Yixia pouted unhappily. “Isn’t it enough that I’m already like this, and you’re still scolding me?”

She burrowed into Song Chengyi’s arms again, and he didn’t stop her.

The driver in front said something to Song Chengyi, who replied briefly.

In his arms, Luo Yixia looked up and asked, “What are you talking about?”

“He asked if I’d brought my daughter out traveling—said you’re so delicate.” Song Chengyi chuckled softly.

She blinked her large eyes, looking at him seriously. “Do you really look that old?”

Song Chengyi’s mouth twitched. Was that really the point? This girl’s train of thought was always so peculiar.

He awkwardly coughed, then noticed the bag Luo Yixia was still clutching to her chest.

“Is that the gift you bought for your friend?”

“No.” Luo Yixia smiled, revealing a dimple.

“But didn’t you say you were going to buy your friend a present?” Song Chengyi remembered her saying that earlier.

“I’ll show you when we get back to the hotel.” Luo Yixia held the bag tightly, a mysterious expression on her face.

Song Chengyi pressed his lips together, wondering what on earth she was up to.

“It’s still more than two hours to Tokyo—I’m so tired.” Luo Yixia remained nestled in his arms.

“I thought you’d be back quickly, so I already checked us out of the inn over there.”

Luo Yixia was getting drowsy, ready to fall asleep, when Song Chengyi’s phone rang.

“Mom,” Song Chengyi answered. Luo Yixia immediately sat up straight, pricking up her ears.

“Chengyi, why can’t I reach Xiaxia’s phone?”

Luo Yixia heard and quickly gestured to him, mouthing: Don’t tell them.

Song Chengyi nodded.

“Her phone must be dead, Mom. Is there something you need? She’s right here with me.”

“Oh, nothing, nothing. I just wanted to ask when you two are going to give me a grandchild?” Zhou Yun’s laughter came through the phone.

Song Chengyi glanced down at the little girl pressing against him, pretending not to hear, and immediately switched the phone to his right hand so Luo Yixia couldn’t listen in.

“Mom, if there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up. We’re in the car, heading back to the hotel.”

“You haven’t returned to the hotel yet?” came the shocked reply.

“No, we just got back from Mount Fuji.”

What was everyone up to, hurrying them back to the hotel?

“Well, just get back soon! Good, good. Son, keep it up. Mom is counting on you—try to come back with good news!”

“Ahem, Mom, I’m hanging up.” Song Chengyi ended the call.

“What did your mom say?” Luo Yixia asked.

“Nothing, just checking in.” Song Chengyi turned his face to the window, avoiding her gaze.

“Hey, why are your ears red?” Luo Yixia reached out to touch them.

But as soon as she brushed against him, Song Chengyi gently brushed her hand away.

“It’s stuffy in here—move over a bit.” He shifted away, not letting her lean against him.

Luo Yixia pouted. Stingy. She’d only leaned on him for a little while, and he was already unhappy.

Song Chengyi simply felt that, after his mother’s teasing, everywhere Luo Yixia touched felt burning hot. It was better to keep a little distance.

The three-hour journey passed quickly. Luo Yixia, groggy and exhausted, eventually fell asleep against Song Chengyi.

“We’re here—wake up.” Song Chengyi pinched her cheek gently, and she slowly woke up.

After paying the fare, Song Chengyi brought Luo Yixia into the hotel.

But the moment they entered, they realized something was amiss. Their room had been checked out.

Luo Yixia stared at their two suitcases in the lobby, her mind hazy.

Song Chengyi spoke with the front desk, but Luo Yixia didn’t understand what was being said and had no choice but to wait patiently on the side.

After he finished, Song Chengyi, face dark, made a call.

“Mom, what are you up to?”

“Son, you’ve arrived at the hotel?”

He didn’t reply.

“I just switched you to another hotel, it’s not far.”

Song Chengyi hung up, fuming.

“What’s wrong?” Luo Yixia quietly approached, seeing his expression wasn’t good.

“Let’s go. The hotel will send a car to take us to the new place.” Song Chengyi started dragging their suitcase away.

Luo Yixia didn’t ask further, simply following behind him in silence.

In truth, her leg was injured. Every step hurt, and she’d hoped to treat her wound once they got to the hotel. Earlier, when Song Chengyi wasn’t paying attention, she’d checked—her knee had been scraped raw, and though it wasn’t bleeding anymore, dirt had gotten into it and would need to be cleaned.

Once they got into the car, Song Chengyi remained silent. Luo Yixia understood him; after such a long car ride, to find their room gone and have to rush off again—anyone would be upset. But she wasn’t the type to lose her temper. She was used to others making decisions for her, so she didn’t feel angry, just that others’ help sometimes backfired.

After another half-hour drive, they finally arrived at the hotel.

Getting out of the car, Luo Yixia realized it was the very seaview hotel she’d been muttering about before, right next to the beach and sea—she resolved to go play by the water tomorrow. In the distance, she could still see throngs of tourists on the sand, making her eager to run over. But as soon as she took a step, pain shot through her leg, bringing her back to reality.

Song Chengyi walked ahead with the luggage, and Luo Yixia quietly followed behind. Even as they received the room card and entered, she felt people glancing at her—she really was a mess, her white dress now almost gray with grime.

Stepping inside, they both froze, wondering if they’d entered the wrong room. Song Chengyi even checked the card—520. Yes, it was correct.

Wait—520… and the room was filled with roses...

In an instant, it became clear. All the phone calls, the room change—this was the reason.

Luo Yixia suddenly didn’t know where to put her feet. The room was filled with roses and heart-shaped candles.

It was beautiful, truly—no girl could resist roses.

“So pretty…” With no lights on, the red roses glowed in the candlelight, and the atmosphere instantly turned warm and romantic. Luo Yixia couldn’t help but smile.

Song Chengyi said nothing, just pushed the luggage inside. Looking back and seeing her still standing at the door in a daze, he called, “Hmm? Come in?”

“Oh, okay.” Distracted, she missed a step and fell flat on the floor.

She landed right on her knee.

“Ah!” Her face twisted in pain, the ache shooting straight to her heart.

Song Chengyi dropped the luggage and hurried over.

“Are you alright? Did you hurt your knee? Let me see.” As he spoke, he reached to lift her skirt.

Luo Yixia tried to cover it. “It’s nothing, just a little fall.”

But Song Chengyi gently pulled her hand away and lifted the skirt, revealing a shocking wound.

The skin on her knee was scraped off, and there were small grains of sand embedded in the raw flesh—she must have fallen in the woods.

Song Chengyi could tell at a glance that the wound had been there for four or five hours.

“You hurt yourself in the woods earlier?” he asked seriously, frowning.

“It’s nothing, just a small injury. I’ll wash it off and it’ll be fine.” Luo Yixia, seeing his worried expression, felt a bit guilty but still smiled unconcernedly.

Song Chengyi pressed his lips together, said nothing, and went to the bathroom to wet a towel. He began to gently clean the wound.

The moment the towel touched her raw skin, the pain made Luo Yixia suck in a sharp breath.