She was but an ordinary little woman who wished to live to a ripe old age with her husband. She couldn't stand to live through great ups and downs.
Even if Fu Huai'an came out unscathed from that Dubai incident, Dubai left behind a psychological trauma on Lin Nuan; it was a place she never wanted to return.
Fu Huai'an could understand what Lin Nuan felt. Just like that time in the Night Palace, when Mu Guangpu had insulted Fu Huai'an verbally, and Lin Nuan got so mad that she got physical with Mu Guangpu. At that time, Fu Huai'an worried Lin Nuan would get into an accident. It was the same now, just with their roles reversed.
Towards Lin Nuan, Fu Huai'an also only had one request, that she placed her own safety first.
Fu Huai'an nodded, his dark eyes serious. "I have you and Tuan Tuan. Furthermore…"
The man's calloused hand was placed on Lin Nuan's stomach, and he smiled, a gentle look in his eyes. "Perhaps there's also our child. I won't place myself in danger. After all, I still have you guys to protect!"
Lin Nuan's eyes reddened as she nodded hard, sticking out her little pinky to hook with Fu Huai'an's in a childlike manner, much like Tuan Tuan would do.
Fu Huai'an was rendered speechless.
Although he thought it childish, in order to soothe Lin Nuan's heart, Fu Huai'an still cooperated. He hooked his pinky with hers before they pressed their thumbs together, "sealing" the promise. He then proceeded to kiss her petite red lips forcefully.
Despite Fu Huai'an agreeing to her request, Lin Nuan still didn't feel at ease.
She could only hug him tightly to make him feel her worry and fear, in an attempt to make him willing to stay away from those dangers, for her sake.
…
After shaking off Su Manman, Shi Hanchu, who was in a black jacket and jeans, a tweed cap, and a mask, stood at the spot where he scattered his older sister's ashes. He was listening to the sound of waves crashing against the shores, his dark eyes appearing distant as he fidgeted with a gold lighter in his hands.
"Xiao Chu…"
Hearing a frail male voice call him by this familiar-sounding nickname, Shi Hanchu turned around.
The cardboard-thin Li Muyang, who wasn't far away, held onto a cane and walked towards him. The sea breeze was strong… causing Li Muyang's clothes to stick to his body, revealing his bony frame. Despite that, his thin face still exuded a demonic charm!
Seeing Ah Zhan and Li Muyang's other bodyguards following behind, Shi Hanchu's brows furrowed. He remained rooted in place, not making a sound. There was a fatigued and surprised look on his face…
The last time he saw Li Muyang, he was still that devilishly charming and stunningly handsome man. In a matter of years, Li Muyang's enviable face had become so frail and weak.
Li Muyang appeared less lethal now. Although he was still good-looking, it was a far cry from how he used to look.
Li Muyang slowly handed his cane to Ah Zhan, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Shi Hanchu on the slightly dangerous platform.
Ah Zhan was a little worried. With Li Muyang's frail frame, it seemed like a gust of wind was all it would take to knock him over.
However, if the other party was Shi Hanchu, Ah Zhan couldn't stop him. He kept a five-meter distance with the other bodyguards.
Shi Hanchu and Li Muyang stood there, neither of them speaking up.
The sea breeze blew over and messed up Li Muyang's jet-black hair. With his hands in his pockets, he smiled. "Your sister has been gone for four years…"
Shi Hanchu didn't reply, his hands continuing to fidget with that gold lighter, flicking the lid on and off. With his lowered and deep gaze, no one could tell what he was thinking.
Under those broad and deep eyelids typical of Europeans, Li Muyang's deep eyes gazed at the sea. The corners of his lips curled up, and his throat was vibrating, a hint of sadness in his calm voice. "Your sister died because of me. I know you hate me! But… I likely won't be able to live for long. Perhaps this is retribution."
"She did so willingly." Shi Hanchu spoke up after a while and said, "She didn't feel at all forced dying for your sake!"
Li Muyang clenched his hands, which were in his pockets. If he could choose again, Li Muyang would choose never to meet Shi Hanchu's older sister. Then… then such a wonderful woman would still be living well in this world, perhaps having given birth to children of her own.
She wouldn't have left this world forever with their child.
Perhaps unwilling to continue with this topic, Shi Hanchu said, "You're not getting any younger. It's time to settle down and raise a family. My sister is no longer around, towards my sister, actually you also…"
Shi Hanchu halted, laughing self-mockingly. "There is no need for you to stay vigil for her for the rest of your life. You need to let go of what you need to let go of. She loved you so much and would definitely be sad to see you like this!"
Then, Shi Hanchu casually tossed his lighter into the sea.
That old gold lighter in Shi Hanchu's hand was the only clue he had when he wanted to investigate the cause of his older sister's death back then.
He always felt that Li Muyang probably caused his older sister's death!
But investigations revealed that it was his older sister who willingly died for Li Muyang…
After finding out the truth, Shi Hanchu let go of the hatred he felt towards Li Muyang. The lighter had also lost its significance, and there ceased to be a need to keep it.
Li Muyang saw what Shi Hanchu did, but he didn't react. With his gaze lowered, he turned around to gaze at Shi Hanchu. "If you have time, let's go for a drink?"
"I'll pass, I need to return to filming!" Shi Hanchu rejected without consideration, then added after a pause, "In the future… stop wasting your money investing in movies that specify for me to be the male lead. I'm no longer the Shi Hanchu of the past!"
Li Muyang knew he couldn't hide it from Shi Hanchu. With a smile, he said, "I know. Xiao Chu is already the winner of the Best Actor Award. Now it's up to you to pick the scripts."
Shi Hanchu pursed his lips and remained silent, his gaze dull like a pool of dead water, making the atmosphere heavy.
Perhaps to soothe the atmosphere, Li Muyang asked Shi Hanchu about his health. "How's your back injury?"
When Shi Hanchu returned to the country from Iraq in 2016, he received news of his older sister's death when he was filming, falling from a great height. He was nearly paralyzed, but he managed to force himself to stand up again.
"It's fine!" Shi Hanchu sounded emotionless.
Li Muyang nodded, and silence fell upon them again.
"There's a show host in the country called Lin Nuan. Are you on familiar terms with her?" Li Muyang suddenly asked, his light tone making Shi Hanchu wary.
Hearing Lin Nuan's name from Li Muyang's mouth, Shi Hanchu felt his scalp sink. He narrowed his eyes…
This was because Shi Hanchu knew very well that Lin Nuan's voice was way too similar to his sister's. Shi Hanchu had noticed Lin Nuan back then because of her voice as well.
Seeing that Shi Hanchu didn't reply to him, Li Muyang laughed and said, "I've seen her shows and found out things about her. I know you lent her immediate support when something happened to her previously!"