Afterward, I seemed very calm, while Pei Shi Yu was even more silent. I didn't want to guess what she was thinking at that moment. I only knew that I had a strong desire to walk into the hall of marriage with her, and it was the first time I had taken a relationship so seriously.

I used one hand to cushion her head and the other to hold her slender waist, intentionally stroking her waist gently. Her skin was very smooth and delicate. Pei Shi Yu had her back to me, but this embracing posture brought every part of our bodies close together.

Pei Shi Yu's long hair was a little messy, a testament to the passion we had shared. Her beautiful ears were adorned with a pair of red studs, which made her look elegant and added a touch of femininity. My heart began to flutter again, and my hand moved upward naturally and instinctively. She didn't stop me or struggle; she was unusually gentle. It was the most comforting moment I had experienced since we met.

I kissed her again. Tonight was destined to be a night of indulgence. I had been celibate for so long, as if I had been saving myself especially for Pei Shi Yu. Taking advantage of the night, we embraced each other tightly again...

It was nearly two in the morning. Pei Shi Yu beside me had already fallen into a deep sleep, but I was unexpectedly sleepless. Or rather, I was afraid to sleep. I was afraid that waking up would mean it was all just a beautiful dream. The lights in the room were still on, and my eyes were fixed on Pei Shi Yu's face. She was buried in my arms, and only her right cheek was visible. She seemed to be sleeping soundly.

I gently got out of bed and went to the bathroom. The face in the mirror looked tired, but it was also filled with happiness. I looked into my own eyes, unable to believe that my life had taken such a big turn. I, who had once been so depressed, not only had a ready-made career waiting for me to take over, but I had also managed to pursue a woman as outstanding as Pei Shi Yu. I thought I should be content for the rest of my life.

I turned on the faucet, and the water flowing out was neither too hot nor too cold. I splashed some water on my face with both hands, as if to tell myself that this was all real. I had obtained Pei Shi Yu's body. No matter how far we could go in the future, my heart was set. I would not only take responsibility but also create a better future for myself.

...

The next day, when I woke up, Pei Shi Yu had already gotten up and changed into an outfit she had prepared in advance. After last night, she had changed, becoming a little gentler than before. It seemed she had taken off the thorny armor she always wore. Perhaps gentleness was her first step, at least that's how it felt to me now.

When she turned around and saw me looking at her with my eyes open, I thought she would avoid my gaze, but she didn't. Her eyes also held a hint of tenderness, the kind of look that only appears in front of a lover, shy but natural. I liked her like this, and I felt infected by her, instinctively giving her a warm smile.

Then I quickly put on my pajama pants, still shirtless because my top had been torn. I walked over and gently hugged Pei Shi Yu from behind. This feeling was wonderful because it was mixed with the power of love.

I rubbed my chin against her cheek, wanting to bring our hearts closer together in this way. Although she didn't refuse, Pei Shi Yu immediately moved away from me and said, "Go wash up first. It's getting late, and we still have to have breakfast later."

I obediently let her go. My compliance, I think, has to do with each person's personality. That's just how I am. I don't respond well to being forced. I react in kind to how others treat me, like a mirror reflecting the resilience and gentleness in my character.

I pulled the two suitcases that had accompanied us here and downstairs. I looked back at everything here with nostalgia. Goodbye, New York. I hadn't seen enough of you this time. I thought I would definitely come again in the future, and I hoped that when I came again, it would be as a family of three. My eyes stared at the bus stop not far ahead, and I silently envisioned it in my heart.

Today, I volunteered to flag down a taxi and calmly said "airport" to the driver. Then I turned around and looked at Pei Shi Yu confidently, as if to tell her that my memory was very good, my learning ability was even stronger, and I was very conscientious!

On the way to the airport, I seemed to have forgotten about Lin Yang's death and Xiao Wu's phone call yesterday because my mind was filled with the images of Pei Shi Yu and me making love last night. The exciting scenes were constantly replaying in my mind.

But at the crucial moment, I still thought of Xiao Long. Was I going to bring her back or not? Was she going to be raised in the United States, or what?

"Is Xiao Long planning to stay in New York for a long time?" I asked Pei Shi Yu.

"We'll talk about it in a while. Her aunt also dotes on Xiao Long. Anyway, it depends on her attitude. If she wants to, she can be raised here. I have to come here on business often anyway, so I can take her back whenever she wants to."

"If she wants to come back, if we get married in the future, I will treat her like my own son..."

Pei Shi Yu immediately interrupted my thoughts, "You're thinking too far ahead."

"How is it too far? As soon as we get home, I'll take you to see my mom."

"I'm not going!"

"Why?"

"There's no why. I'm not ready in my heart. What does meeting your mom mean?"

"It means that I'm treating this relationship very sincerely."

"We'll talk about it later."

I didn't know why, but Pei Shi Yu's tone suddenly returned to the way it used to be. Did she not have a good outlook on our relationship, or did she not need to take responsibility even after we slept together?

Just as I was overthinking, she added, "You should go test the waters with my dad first. The past was such a big deal, I can't bring myself to bring it up."

Her explanation dispelled my unfounded suspicion. I thought that as long as Pei Shi Yu had feelings for me and was willing to be with me, I would be willing to take any risk. I wouldn't have dared to do that in the past, but now, after all, I have my mom behind me to support me, which is a crucial step.

"I'll talk to your dad. I think his impression of me from the contact we had some time ago shouldn't be bad, right? You shouldn't let your thinking stop at three years ago. You should make a clean break. I'll treat him to dinner when we get back. He should be quite anxious, right? My appearance just happened to eliminate his concerns about you."

"I'm not anxious at all, and neither is my dad. Don't impose your own thoughts on others."

"You're not anxious, but I am! It's not easy to meet such a good woman, how can I let her go so easily?"

There's no need to explain the hustle and bustle of the airport. It was still early, so I found a seat for Pei Shi Yu, while I curiously wandered around, the people from all over the world each looking for their respective boarding gates.