Li Xiqing and Shao Yan walked around the garden for a while.
They were soon escorted to their table. They were seated by the pond, a slight distant from the musician, so they could still talk to each other easily.
There was no menu, as the chef would be the one who decided the course for the night. Their service attendant would only ask them if they were vegetarian or had any food allergies, and then they left.
Shao Yan was still admiring the place. Li Xiqing poured tea into her cup, "Here, drink this first". He looked around, and asked her if she"s cold. Her dress today was a sleeveless so he was worried.
Shao Yan took her cup and sipped it, "No, it"s comfortable". She smiled at him.
The food started to arrive when they were talking. Shao Yan was telling him about the anniversary preparation that was almost done.
She was complaining about VP of finance, Madam Mei strict budget rule that always challenging her expenses when the main course arrived.
Li Xiqing was listening to her attentively. He also offered comments every now and then.
After dinner, they decided to stay on their seat for a while, enjoying dessert, tea and also music.
Shao Yan had never felt this relax before. She felt the past few months had been too hectic for her. This break was really precious for her.
After dinner, they decided to have a quiet walk in the garden to digest their dinner.
Shao Yan knew this was the time to talk to him.
"Li Xiqing", she stopped at her step and looked at him in the eye,
"Let"s talk".
Li Xiqing knew this was coming.
Shao Yan looked exceptionally calm. She was looking at him with her big round eyes.
He had been waiting for what she wanted to say. It seemed that she needed the whole day to gather her courage.
Li Xiqing gently brought her to the bench by the pond and sat down with her.
Li Xiqing sat next to her, he crossed his legs and with his left arm resting on the bench behind her. Shao Yan didn"t notice this, she was choosing her words. Replaying possibilities in her mind.
Shao Yan fidgeted for a while before she called him.
"Li Xiqing", she sounded so soft.
"Shao Yan", he interrupted, "Before you say anything, let me first say something".
Li Xiqing took her hands and held it.
"I like you, Shao Yan"
He paused and still looked into her eyes, "I really like you a lot".
Li Xiqing could feel that she was fidgeting under his grasp. He hold her still.
"And I know you also have good impression of me", he spoke very gentle with her.
Li Xiqing paused for a while there.
Shao Yan opened her mouth to say something.
He continued again, "I don"t know what has been weighing on your mind"
His thumb caressed her hand.
"But I need you", his left hand that was on the bench was now caressing the back of her head, "to give us a chance".
"I need you to give us a chance."
This kept echoing inside Shao Yan"s head. She didn"t know what to do now. Why was this man so amazingly perfect.
She wriggled off her hand out of his grasp and pressed her hands onto her cheeks.
Li Xiqing just smiled at her.
After she calmed down, Shao Yan then started, "Li Xiqing, I don"t want to disappoint you", she braved herself to look at him, "But how much actually do you know about me?"
Li Xiqing was about to reply, but Shao Yan put up her hand and stopped him, "Hold on, let me finish".
Shao Yan cleared her throat, "You must have heard the rumors in the company", she peeked at him again.
She took a deep breath.
"What if I tell you, that one of those rumor is actually true?"
Li Xiqing was scrutinizing her. He had a feeling that this was what had been holding her back from accepting him.
"It doesn"t matter." he paused, and enunciated, "I don"t mind about your past", he was still caressing her hair.
"As long as your present and future are with me", he gently hold her hands again.
Shao Yan let him hold them, but she looked away.
"I also have a past but it doesn"t matter anymore", he was searching for her eyes. "My present and my future belong to you".
"Shao Yan" he called her softly.
"Let"s walk together on this" he squeezed her hands a little.
"Let me love you, alright?" he gently grabbed her chin to turn her face around.
"Alright?" he asked her again.
Shao Yan was just looking at him, she didn"t know what to say.
He could see hesitant and doubt in her eyes. Li Xiqing sighed.
He gently wrapped her shoulder and brought her to his embrace. He hugged her and kept her protected from the night wind.
Shao Yan, with her ear now resting on his chest, could hear the vibration of his deep masculine voice.
"Don"t be afraid. I will be with you. Always."
His soothing voice gradually calmed her restless soul. Shao Yan felt that she could trust this man.
His vow.
She closed her eyes and let herself drowned in his warm embrace.
After embracing her for a while, Li Xiqing could feel that Shao Yan tried to wriggle out her arms. He relaxed his hold on her a little, and then she took out her arms, and hold him back around his waist.
He could hear Shao Yan"s timid voice softly said, "Alright, Li Xiqing, let"s be together".
Li Xiqing stiffened slightly, but then he relaxed and buried his face in her hair.
Li Xiqing was so happy, he couldn"t stop smiling. He knew he still had a long way to her heart. But this was a very good start.
"Are you asleep?" he asked softly.
"... no"
"Are you cold?" he asked her again.
"..." she moved a little to a more comfortable position "No".
He could feel that Shao Yan put all of her weight, entirely leaning her body, on him now. Li Xiqing smiled, feeling that he was the happiest man.
"Do you want to leave now?" he asked her again.
"... okay"
But no one moved, and no one let go off their embraces from each other.
After a very long while, she finally let him go first.
Shao Yan tidied her ponytail and avoided his gaze. Her face must have looked so red right now.
Li Xiqing just smiled and didn"t say anything. He waited for her patiently. And then he stood up, grabbed her hand, and started to walk.
Shao Yan didn"t try to wriggle her hands away, so he spread her fingers and then linked their fingers together.