After leaving the palace, Yang Ruoning first went to Jiang Xian Ge. Susu happened to be out, so Yang Ruoning went upstairs to put some things from her bag into her room, and then added a password lock to her door.
When she returned to the manor, it was almost noon. Uncle Zhong was greatly surprised to see her back. Uncle Zhong said that the General had gone to the palace in the morning and had not yet returned.
Hearing that Luo Yuan had not returned, Yang Ruoning felt, somehow, a sense of relief. She thanked Uncle Zhong and went inside.
She placed a bouquet of fresh flowers into the Tiffany vase in Luo Yuan's study. The large, unidentifiable red blooms were alluring and dewy. She had received them from Xiao Guizi when she left the palace that morning. Xiao Guizi had said that the Emperor had personally picked these flowers early that morning and had intended to deliver them himself, but was delayed by matters. Thus, he had sent Xiao Guizi to deliver them.
Yang Ruoning surveyed the study. After several months, the study was unchanged, except… it was much tidier. Unlike when she was there, it was no longer somewhat cluttered. She was not the type of person who liked neatness, while Luo Yuan seemed to be the opposite.
When she had left, it was still the dead of winter, but now it was the gentle spring breeze of April. Yang Ruoning moved a lounge chair into the courtyard and lay down. The sunlight warmed her, and the air was filled with the breath of spring. She gazed at the clear, cloudless, square sky of the courtyard and, thinking about the many things that had happened recently, drifted off to sleep unknowingly.
When she awoke, it was already dark. She stretched languidly, and as she prepared to get up, she discovered Luo Yuan sitting by a stone table nearby. Yang Ruoning suppressed the strong urge to rush over and embrace him, and said, "Why didn't you wake me?"
Luo Yuan put down the book he was holding. He gently cupped her cheek with one hand and said, "You looked so tired, I couldn't bear to wake you."
Yang Ruoning averted Luo Yuan's gaze and lowered her eyes. "I've just been traveling for days on end…" Luo Yuan's steady heartbeat made her feel at ease.
Luo Yuan gently pulled her into his embrace and said, "You were gone for so long, I missed you terribly every day… Ruoning, I won't allow you to leave me again."
After that long night of tender intimacy, Yang Ruoning lay on Luo Yuan's chest. She felt that if she were to say what she missed most about Luo Yuan after their separation, this place would surely rank in the top three. In this regard, they were like fish in water, so perfectly in sync that she was addicted and unable to extricate herself. Luo Yuan's fingers brushed casually over her smooth back, igniting her desire anew. However, drowsiness gradually overcame her, and she closed her eyes.
In her daze, she heard Luo Yuan ask if he could see the wedding dress. Yang Ruoning replied that according to tradition, the groom was not allowed to see the bride's wedding dress before the ceremony, as it was considered bad luck. Then, as if in a dream, she asked, "Luo Yuan, shall we leave together, just the two of us?"
Yang Ruoning did not get up until the afternoon of the next day. Luo Yuan had already left early in the morning. After eating lunch alone, she went to Jiang Xian Ge. In the main hall, Susu was counting on an abacus with one hand and flipping through a ledger with the other. After several months, she looked even more like a seasoned businesswoman. When Susu saw her enter the door, her worldly and shrewd demeanor instantly transformed into girlish delight. She bared her small white teeth and leaped into Yang Ruoning's arms.
"Sister, you're finally back, I missed you so much," Susu cooed in her arms.
"Yes, and I brought you a gift too." Yang Ruoning handed Susu a large bag of fruit candies.
Yang Ruoning and Susu sat in the courtyard, drinking tea and chatting about what had happened at the shop in the past few months. Susu said that business had been very good, and they had earned quite a bit of money. Susu mentioned that she was planning to acquire the neighboring shop to expand the business. Yang Ruoning of course supported this. After chatting for a while, Susu was called away to attend to customers. Yang Ruoning then went upstairs to her room.
She had come not only to see Susu but, more importantly, to retrieve some things. In fact, without Jiang Qi's reminder, she had already brought some equipment from the modern era that might be useful. All the equipment was US military grade. As the wealthiest person in the world, it was not surprising that Mr. Kinsey could procure such high-level equipment. However, Yang Ruoning, as an ordinary office worker, didn't know how to use these items. Her purpose for coming today was to figure them out.
Fortunately, Mr. Kinsey's instruction manuals were relatively easy to understand. Yang Ruoning tinkered with them for over two hours and finally got everything set up. She checked the time; it was past five o'clock. She had arranged to have dinner with Luo Yuan that evening. She quickly changed her clothes, put on some light makeup, and left Jiang Xian Ge. As she was leaving, Susu was extremely displeased with her attire. She shouted after Yang Ruoning's hastily departing figure, "Sister, are you sure you want to go drinking with the General dressed like a nun?!"
Luo Yuan had booked a private room on the top floor of Fan Lou. Outside the room's window was a palace complex of golden tiles and red walls. When the waiter led Yang Ruoning to the private room, Luo Yuan was already there.
"Why are we at Fan Lou again?" Yang Ruoning was actually a little displeased with the venue for their date. "There are so many delicious places in the capital we haven't tried yet."
"Do you remember what day it is today?" Luo Yuan picked up his teacup and said slowly.
What day? Yang Ruoning was a bit confused. She couldn't recall any special occasion. Was it his birthday? But then again, she didn't seem to know his birthday. Hadn't they known each other for about a year? Clearly, she had already missed his birthday.
Seeing Yang Ruoning's flustered expression, Luo Yuan smiled. "You're always so careless. But it's okay if you don't remember, as long as I do."
Yang Ruoning smiled apologetically at him.
"A year ago today, we met for the first time at Fan Lou," Luo Yuan said.
"Oh~~" Yang Ruoning finally understood. No wonder they were at Fan Lou today. She tilted her head slightly, gave Luo Yuan a playful smile, and said mysteriously, "Coincidentally, I have a gift for you. Consider it a first-anniversary gift?"
Luo Yuan put down his teacup, and his anticipation was evident.
Yang Ruoning took out a beautifully packaged box from her small bag. She had thoughtfully tied a blue ribbon into a bow on the box, making it very attractive. She handed the small box to Luo Yuan. "Here, a gift."
Luo Yuan took it. He examined it for a moment, then set the box aside.
Yang Ruoning, however, frowned. "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
Luo Yuan blinked in surprise and quickly explained, "Of course I like it! It's because I like it so much that I plan to open it slowly when I'm alone."
"No, no. According to our customs, you have to open gifts in front of me, because I want to see your reaction when you see what's inside," Yang Ruoning said, wagging a finger at Luo Yuan.
Hearing this, Luo Yuan picked up the gift and opened it. Yang Ruoning saw that his face was bewildered when he saw what was inside the box.
It was a black digital watch.
Just as she expected, Yang Ruoning giggled. She took it from his hand, opened the clasp, and fastened the watch onto his left wrist. Then, Yang Ruoning taught him how to tell time. However, since it displayed digital time, it was much easier than a mechanical watch with hands. Luo Yuan, being so intelligent, understood it in no time.
He looked down at the watch on his wrist. "Why are you giving me this?"
"Well… you can tell time with it. Oh, and this watch has another function," Yang Ruoning pressed a small button on the dial, "Look, this can show you how many steps you've walked today."
"Why record that?" Luo Yuan asked, puzzled.
"Ha, it's mainly for health. You don't know how little exercise people in my region get. You too. After… later, you should also pay attention to exercise. The only things power and money can't buy are probably health. Health is the most important thing…"
"So you want me to exercise more?" Luo Yuan touched his pectoral muscles. "Do you think I've gained weight recently?"
"Of course not, it's so you know what time to come home," Yang Ruoning tapped the watch face lightly with her fingertip. The dial immediately displayed a few numbers. It was now 8:05 PM.
"So I have to come home on time from now on?"
"Yes, of course. After we get married, you have to come home on time every day after work, no later than ten o'clock at night. And you need permission to stay out overnight~"
"Ha, I didn't know there were such rules after marriage. Hmm…"
"Are you regretting it?"
"Let's get married tomorrow."