Han Lingshi and Hao Ren were sitting on the dining table, next to each other. Hao Ren was holding her hand as he gazed in her eyes. He had just asked her to stay the night, and he was holding her hand as gently as if holding a delicate treasure.
Han Lingshi was anxious, yet anticipation was visible in her eyes. She tried to peek deeper into Hao Ren's soul, the young man seemed to be at the end of his wits. This proposal seemed to have taken a lots of guts.
She did not know when he became so bold, but then the images of his lips on hers flashed in her mind and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. She took a deep breath and calmed her heart before she said, "Ren, I am not ready for that step yet."
It takes a lot of courage for a lady to express her stance on intimacy aspect of the relation. Hao Ren already knew this, but he was still surprised to think that Han Lingshi was so vocal that it made him look dense. He smiled and said, "I will never force you about anything Lingshi, as soon as you feel like I am reaching out a bit too much you can smack my hand and give me a dress down."
Han Lingshi shook her head and said, "I know that you won't force me. It's not that I don't like you, but I feel like we are progressing a bit too fast. I don't know a lot of things about you even now. I like you, definitely, and just want to know you more before we reach the final step."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "You can take your time and I will always wait for you. However, do you know how much I have missed you this whole month? You being away is not the problem, but the video calls and the urge to feel you in my arms was like a smoldering burn to me. Can you really not stay the night?"
Han Lingshi sensed that by the end of his dialogue, Hao Ren's shoulder has slumped and his voice had become very disheartened. She did not expect Hao Ren to have such a strong sense of attachment with her. However, when she realized the things he had done for her, they were nothing short of capturing stars in his palm.
Han Yuntian and Maria died, and Han Ming lost his mind. This was probably the best outcome of this situation.
She had gained a lot in this, and from what the police told the Han family, Only Han Ming was responsible for the actions, when Yue Shenlong told her about his infiltration stint she was shocked, she did not know what this guy was capable of, and when she heard him say that he gained the inheritance of an old medicine professional she could not believe him but then again, Magnificent Cosmetics would not stake on their prestige on the word of a young man without any capital right?
Hao Ren before her was a man whom she thought she knew very well, but at the same time there was a mysterious halo around him. She could not help but want to peel off the layer and find out who is the real Hao Ren.
After all these thoughts in her mind, she nodded, and said, "Fine, I will stay, but you are not allowed to take advantage of me."
Hao Ren looked at her and smiled as he nodded his head in submission. Han Lingshi sighed and said, "I will get my clothes from Aunty's room."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "I will be in the balcony, call me when you are done showering."
Han Lingshi nodded and the young man left.
...
In the balcony, Hao Ren's eyes were flickering with a cold glint. He held his phone as he watched the twinkling lights of the city, "Xiao Mei, did you find out who is holding the consignment of the herbs?"
Hao Ren chuckled and pulled her in his embrace. Han Lingshi did not say anything and she did not struggle either. It would be a lie to say that she did not miss him at all. The young man had become an integral part of her support system and she genuinely liked him.
The two enjoyed the embrace. Hao Ren felt calm as Han Lingshi felt cold against him, similarly, Han Lingshi felt relaxed as she leaned on his warm chest.
They stood in the balcony for a few minutes, when they heard a clattering sound from the inside. Hao Ren turned around and said, "I'll be right back. Mom probably needs water."
Han Lingshi nodded, but then she decided to follow Hao Ren. The two of them reached the kitchen and found Mrs. Hao looking for some stuff in the kitchen cabinets. Hao Ren asked, "Ma, what are you looking for?"
Mrs. Hao replied, "Flour, to make noodles."
Hao Ren smiled and said, "I will get you flour in the morning. Get some sleep for now."
Mrs. Hao walked up to him and placed her hands on her waist as she asked, "Why are you so careless?..."
She began to nag Hao Ren, and the young man took it all with a smile, not only that even Han Lingshi ganged up on him. The young man sighed and after sending his mother back to bed, he looked at Han Lingshi with a narrowed gaze. The lady chuckled and asked, "Why are you looking at me like a villain? What do you want?"
Hao Ren approached her step by step and said, "Thou shalt be punished."
Han Lingshi chuckled and ran while Hao Ren chased her. Their voices filled the house with joy. Mrs. Hao was laying bed with her eyes closed but her lips were curled up. After a few minutes, she mumbled, "Mei, bless your brother to stay happy."
...
After an hour, Han Lingshi and Hao Ren were laying in bed, while the lady was panting, Hao Ren looked a bit pale. He had been chasing after the lady for an hour and although he did not push himself too much, his body was not used to the sharp turns and twists inside the house and his ribs were strained.
Han Lingshi was regained her breath after a few minutes, and then she looked at Hao Ren, who was also feeling better, his physique had improved, and it was helping him heal quicker too. Hao Ren turned to the side to look at her and found her looking at himself. They both were laying so close that they could sense the slightest of movement from each other.
Han Lingshi asked softly, "How did you get inside the Yue Mansion? Shenlong was so scared."
Hao Ren smiled, he knew that she would ask him something like this and said, "I used Xiao Mei to plan the path of entry and exit, and I only followed that. With Xiao Mei beside me, it is not a big deal for me to walk in and out through the front door."
Han Lingshi thought about it and believed him, she knew that Xiao Mei was a powerful AI. The two talked a lot and discussed a lot of things, unknowingly the distance between them had closed up, whether it was the bed or their hearts.
The love between them was akin to a seed that was being nourished slowly and the bud was taking deeper roots.