It was nearly dark outside; the sky had turned into the colour of raw sienna. Whereas inside, each room of the house was filled with candles and rose petals, leading a trail that ended at the sliding doors. Using the gla.s.s of the doors, she noticed her reflection. Qian Meigui wore a tight thin-strapped red dress that Song Sheng purchased earlier. It was revealing and beautiful. She now understood why Song Sheng did her twice within a short period before she fell asleep again.
Qian Meigui opened the doors, going through as she continued to follow the path. The rose petals and beach sand were soft underneath her bare feet, and her heart fluttered unsteadily. She heard the ocean waves crash against the boulders and the gulls squawked in the distance.
She approached the beach sh.o.r.elines where Song Sheng was waiting underneath a beautiful canopy that looked like a tent, but vines and flowers entwined the bars and roof. The canopy had a carpeted design of white and gold.
Qian Meigui smiled with tears welled in her eyes. She did not expect that this day would come, even as a matter of fact. And yet, Song Sheng stood tall, wearing a white-collared s.h.i.+rt and trousers, he dressed in a suit without his jacket; they both dressed formally despite being underneath a canopy full of flowers by the sh.o.r.elines at a different country.
There was a table also full of candles, petals, and food, with wine gla.s.ses and bottles. Song Sheng had pulled the seat for her to sit on. She sat on the chair, appreciatively. Qian Meigui smiled brightly, as Song Sheng poured some Spanish wine while informing her that it had aged for 15 years from a nearby vineyard of a local-native family.
Qian Meigui tasted the rich flavours, lingering the juice in her mouth, appreciating the drink.
"How do you like the taste?" he asked her.
Qian Meigui smacked her lips, "Mhm. Tasty," she responded.
Song Sheng smiled as he made her a plate of food full of rice, roasted chicken, potatoes, and salad. When they began to eat, they spoke about their plans on what to do around the area, as well as how they must complete some work in between.
Qian Meigui did not bother to look at any social media these days, afraid of what she might find. But Song Sheng informed her that people were happy to see them together, sending them well wishes. At that, Qian Meigui felt some relief. It was still hard to believe that one year ago, Song Sheng wasn"t there, and she had given up on him. But when he returned, he made it all about her; it had been like that since the very beginning.
Although he rejected her countlessly, he never failed to help or protect her when she needed it. Qian Meigui loved him so much she could hardly breathe.
After dinner, Song Sheng took her to walk around the sh.o.r.elines holding hands, where lit-up torches of fire guided them. Qian Meigui breathed in the fresh air of the salty ocean. Song Sheng led her to a path, where they stopped abruptly because Qian Meigui was in shock.
There was a giant statue made of flowers in the shape of a heart. The night had turned dark, but the fires lit up the centre as if it was the only light in between a world of shadows.
Qian Meigui had gazed around the flowers, appreciating how many there were. There were at least twenty different types, multiplied by hundreds.
She turned around where Song Sheng held one of his hands in his pockets, gazing at her affectionately. Her lips parted slightly, she approached him slowly, meeting his golden-brown eyes that resembled crackling embers, or the setting sun, or the eyes of wolves, or everything in between.
Song Sheng used his free hand to caress her cheeks, causing her to s.h.i.+ver. It still amazes her that they were even together, that Song Sheng allowed himself to give it a chance, knowing that before, it nearly seemed impossible.
He smiled at her with his dimple; his black hair swayed with the wind.
"Can I confess something?" he said.
Qian Meigui reached up to him, encircling her arms around his neck. "What would you like to confess?" She asked him.
He gazed at her, meeting her deep rich-brown eyes. Song Sheng loved everything about Qian Meigui. He loved that she was patient, that she was grown to be driven and defiant, without needing much help. She did most things on her own. She faced her most significant challenges fearlessly. She faced life and death and embraced both. Qian Meigui thrived from darkness, not fall into it. Song Sheng was grateful. This girl came to him when she was eleven years old, and he was seventeen. At first instinct, he welcomed her, treated her kindly and nothing else.
It was when she was eighteen, grown and beautiful that he began to recognize her differently. He didn"t understand it. Then again at twenty-two, he saw her, and his feelings had heightened to the point of no return. She was twenty-three now, and he was confident that he wanted her for the rest of his life. She always supported him, never doubting his motives or decisions; therefore, he will make her, his.
They"ve known each other for twelve years, and it will continue for a lifetime.
He leaned in, towards her ear, whispering as he held her waist. "I loved you for years, not knowing exactly how many. I was cruel and selfish, but you never saw me any differently. So I promise that I will love you until the end of time, selfishly, unwavering, and exceedingly, continuing to prove to you that you made the right choice at picking me. Our relations.h.i.+p will prevail, as this was only the beginning."
He then knelt down on one knee, pulling out a black box from his pocket; his face full of emotion, sincerity, and genuinety. Qian Meigui froze rooted; her heart was pounding violently. Qian Meigui dropped to her knees, unbelieving, her mouth gaping.
They were kneeling in front of each other on both legs now. Song Sheng opened the box, revealing a white-gold sunburst diamond. It was the most beautiful jewel she"d ever seen; it practically screamed, "Be Mine." Everything about it screamed "Song Sheng," meaning she belonged to him and it was a reminder.
"Will you marry me, Qian Meigui?" he asked sincerely, breathlessly, nervously.
Qian Meigui stared at him for a long time, unregistering. It made Song Sheng flush nervously.
"Mei?" he asked.
Qian Meigui"s lips were parted wide open. After a few moments, tears cascaded down her cheek. She then nodded enthusiastically, breathing, "Yes. Yes. Yes. I could keep going if you want me to?" she responded. Song Sheng chuckled, he then took the ring from the box and placed in on her ring finger. Qian Meigui stared at it on her hand for a long time.
The ring glimmered on her finger brightly, despite it being night. After finally registering everything, she smiled and pounced on him, planting kisses all over his face. "Will you love me even when I"m no longer young and beautiful?" she asked him.
Song Sheng smirked, nodding from the ground as he gazed up at her. "Mhm, even after death, when our souls merge into the plains of the earth," he responded.
At that, Qian Meigui kissed him deeply, expressing how much she loved him against his lips. Song Sheng kissed her back, flipping her underneath him. He also told her how much he loved her against her skin as he caressed her entire body with kisses. They removed their clothing, and Song Sheng made love to her gently on the beach; their bodies coated with sand, but that did not stop them from becoming one as Song Sheng penetrated the very depths of her.
Qian Meigui grabbed onto his shoulder blades where the ring continued to glimmer against their bare skin.
Their vacation was spent exploring the towns and cities, travelling through forests and beaches.
When they returned, Qian Meigui showed her ring to her entire family who smiled proudly at them. Song Ren was the most excited one, tapping her feet up and down as Su Feng grinned at them knowingly.
Song Sheng had to go to the family registry to remove her name from the Song family. She felt bittersweet about it, as she no longer was legally a Song. But Song Sheng a.s.sured her with a kiss on her forehead, reminding her that she was getting married into the family; therefore, it was necessary. She felt happy after being told.
Afterwards, Song Sheng told Qian Meigui that he had a surprise for her. Puzzled, Qian Meigui followed him to an unfamiliar place. It was a building that appeared to be in the midst of renovations.
"What is this place?" she asked as they stepped out of the car. They then saw Qian Hongli approach them from a distance. Qian Meigui"s heart nearly stopped when Song Sheng held her hand, saying, "It"s all right. I called him wanting to know what he wanted with you, and it"s part of the surprise." Qian Meigui nodded, understanding. If Song Sheng told her to trust Qian Hongli, then she will.
Qian Hongli stepped forward, he appeared to be nervous, and it made her chuckle. He reminded her of her father, who was always pacing around and nerdy. "h.e.l.lo, Qian Meigui," he said to her.
Qian Meigui smiled, "h.e.l.lo, Uncle." She was holding onto Song Sheng, which gave her the confidence to speak to him.
Qian Hongli scratched his head. He then stretched his arm, pointing to the building. "This is your father"s law firm. The project abandoned after he died. But I kept the property and never sold it; I couldn"t bear selling it. But since I found out that you, my niece, were alive and well, and practicing law. I thought I should give it to you." He then pa.s.sed her the keys.
"I spoke to your fiance about it over the phone. He is investing in the project, spending money to complete it," Qian Hongli said to her. Qian Meigui was in shock. But Song Sheng looked at her lovingly. "You are going to be a lawyer. Why not own a firm where you can run your staff and work on your terms?" Song Sheng said.
Qian Meigui"s lips parted open. She felt like kissing him, making love. But all she did was turn to Qian Hongli. "Will you help me?" she asked him.
Qian Hongli"s eyes widened, and then he nodded happily, smiling. "Yes. I would be more than happy to."
After she reunited with Qian Hongli, he confessed to her that the reason why Qian Shanyuan did not trust custody with him was that he was rather young and careless at the time and that it would have been more dangerous for him to take care of her. But now, he wanted to get to know his niece. He did not have much family left, and she was the only one, and Qian Meigui felt the same way. They only had each other.
When Qian Meigui and Song Sheng went back to their apartment, she told him. "You never fail to surprise me."
Song Sheng smiled. "There"s more," he said.
Qian Meigui"s lips parted. "What now?"
He then tossed her another pair of keys. "Our new home," he said to her.
Qian Meigui gritted her teeth, "You...!!" and she then attacked him.
Song Sheng was fast asleep in her arms when she reflected on her life. She hoped her parents were watching in one way or another, so she could tell them that she"s well and happy. Song Sheng was going to be with her for the rest of their lives.
[END]