Chapter 49 - I miss my home.

He still remained quiet, his fingers playing with his wristwatch. Chunlan's voice finally brought him out of his deep unknown thoughts. "Since you don't have anything to say, I will going now. Please forgive me for being unable to accept this proposal."

Panic coursed through his veins as he unknowingly blurted the words she wanted to hear. "Chunlan, I like you."

She paused, her back hiding her smile. "Really?"

He nodded slowly, enchanted by her soft voice. "I have always like you since we were children. I have always wanted you to be happy and I want to be the one to make you happy. I know you don't love me but its okay, I have enough love to last for both of us. I just want a chance, Chunlan. Just a chance."

Chunlan's hand trembled but she said nothing. She started walking till she felt her outstretched hands touch the door and opened it. Honglin's heart sank.

She cleared her throat. "So when do you want the engagement party to be set?"

He failed to process the words coming out of her mouth, clearly stunned as his lips parted. Does this mean that she has accepted him?

"Honglin." She called out, not hearing anything around her. "Are you still here?"

"I am here. As for your question, it all depends on you." He gazed at her, trying to study her, looking for hints of deceit.

"Okay. Well, I have to go. See you later." She walked out of the room, closing the door quietly. Honglin stood up, looking out of the window his hands tucked in his pockets.

Was she being serious? Did she really want to marry me? Is she that desperate to see again?

He picked up his black suit and wore it, his long fingers working on the buŧŧons. He shook his head as he turned and opened the door.

The man who he had thrown his mug at, had his head wrapped in bandages but still stood straight not daring to slack. "Sir, we are ready."

"Lets go."

Ryōsei stood in front of the guards in front of Jihai's hospital room, hearing their oral reports of the day. As he listened, he felt a headache coming. It seemed like in order to protect Jihai, they had offended quite a lot of people. At the end, he could only say "Well done. Continue the good job." Bringing relief to the tense faces of the Japanese guards.

But he couldn't stop worrying that in time, it will bring more attention from unwanted people unknowingly hurting the innocents. Not that he cared, but he was concerned about Jihai's reputation.

So he started reminding them. " Remember that first comes courtesy, then persuasion, then brutality...."

A soft body suddenly collided into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Brother Fei!"

Ryōsei: "?"

The guards: "?"

One of the guards eyed the girl and looked at his leader. "Leader Ryō, who is she?"

Su Menxiang's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she turned to face Ryōsei, her hands still on his body. "What did he say?"

Ryōsei glared at the man when he finally understood that the guard had spoken in Japanese. They had come under the alias of Chinese bodyguards so they could blend in. Luckily, she didn't understand it or they would have been exposed.

He finally pried her off his body and pushed her at a far distance, ignoring her pouting face. "What are you doing here?"

She bent her head dejectedly. "I was hoping to invite you for dinner. In the hospital cafeteria. If you don't mind. I just wanted to thank you for helping Jihai. That's all. I was looking for your uncle but......"

Ryōsei felt his head shrink from her excessive blabbering. She was still talking, her eyes downcast as she looked at her shoes.

From his peripheral vision, he could see the guards snickering. He could just imagine what they were thinking.

"I'll go." He was already slightly exasperated but the woman's face lit up like the sun. He suddenly wanted to go home.

I miss Japan. He wailed silently while keeping a stoic appearance.

Menxiang grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers together while giving a bright smile.

Ryōsei's eyes furrowed when he motives his heart stir at the sight.

He thought.... What is happening to me?