She fell asleep in his arms. The next day, upon waking up, he told her he had to rush to the airport.
“Are you going on a business trip?” Qi Feifei asked, feeling lost. She had mustered the courage to come to New York to see him, but they couldn’t spend more time together.
“Yeah.”
“In that case…” She bit her lip, hesitating to speak, reluctant to part with him so soon. But what else could she do?
Unexpectedly, Xin Zhihuan made an invitation. “Do you want to come with me?”
“What?” She blinked, her heart first swelling with joy, then retreating. “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate? You’re busy with work, and I’d just be a distraction.”
“I don’t care. I want you to come with me.” He insisted, wrapping his arms around her like a stubborn child.
She couldn’t help but laugh.
So, she dashed around with him, flying across several major cities in Europe. On the planes, she always sweetly fell asleep leaning against him. Upon reaching their destinations, he would head off to meetings while she wandered with a travel guide. In Paris, she climbed the Eiffel Tower alone and visited the Louvre. In Zurich, she sailed on the lake and took photos with locals. In Munich, she sat in a sidewalk cafe in the afternoon, enjoying dark beer and playing with a foreign child…
Then, when he finished his business, it was their time together. He would accompany her to explore local life further, savoring local specialties.
Back at the hotel, night after night was filled with passion, often leaving her unable to look him directly in the eyes the next morning.
For him, it was stolen moments amidst a busy schedule; for her, it was the most wonderful vacation.
But vacations always come to an end. Ten days later, they flew to Tokyo, Japan, staying for two days and one night before arriving at Narita Airport.
He was heading to New York, and she was returning to Taipei.
It was time to part ways.
Was this really goodbye?
Facing each other in the bustling departure hall, she had a thousand words to say but remained silent.
He spoke first. “Here, this is for you.” He pulled out a gift box from his bag and handed it to her.
She took it blankly. “What is it?”
“A music box,” he explained. “I bought it the day you arrived in New York.”
Ah, that one.
She remembered now. That day, she had noticed him carrying a paper bag and asked curiously what was inside. He had casually said it was a gift, and she had jokingly wondered if it was for a client or a pretty female colleague.
Turned out, it was for her.
She cradled the gift in her arms, her eyes tinged with tears, but she didn’t want to cry. She didn’t want to act like a child throwing a tantrum over temporary separation. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
“Then goodbye.” She took a deep breath, mustering a smile. “Take care of yourself when you get back to New York, and look after yourself. See you again when you come back to Taiwan.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, leaning in to peck her cheek. “Bye.”
They waved to each other, bidding farewell, turning away and walking in opposite directions. After a few steps, Qi Feifei suddenly froze, halted, and turned back.
His figure was gradually disappearing into the bustling crowd. She watched, her heartstrings vibrating intensely, her chest boiling with emotions.
“Zhihuan!” She called out, her voice initially soft, gradually rising. “Zhihuan, Zhihuan!”
He heard her, turned back, looking at her in surprise.
She stared at him from afar, tears blurred her eyes. “I love you… I love you.”
“What?” he mouthed.
“I… love you!” She summoned all her courage, exerted all her strength, and confessed to her beloved man in a foreign airport. “I love you! You must come back to Taiwan to see me. You must come back. I’ll wait for you!”
She shouted, crying, tears streaming down her face.
He stood frozen in shock, as if he hadn’t expected her to declare her love publicly.
“Goodbye.” She waved, waved again. “Goodbye!”
They must meet again!
She noted in her heart. After finally making up her mind, she hurriedly turned away, rushed through the crowd, through the boarding gate, and boarded the flight to Taiwan.
Xin Zhihuan had booked a business class seat for her. Finding her seat, she settled in and eagerly opened the gift he had given her, carefully taking out the music box.
Looking at the delicate and lovely dollhouse, she smiled, listened to the clear music, yet tears welled up.
“You must come back. I’m waiting for you,” she murmured to the music box.
She had waited for six years. She didn’t mind waiting a little longer. Even if they were apart, as long as he could come to Taiwan every time and be with her.
That would be enough. More than enough.
“I’ll wait for you, Zhihuan. You’re the only one in my heart…”
“Really?” A clear voice interrupted her.
She froze, looking up in astonishment.
“Zhihuan, is it really you? How are you here?”
“Here.” Xin Zhihuan pointed to the seat next to her by the aisle. “This should be my seat.”
“Your seat?” She was bewildered. “But… weren’t you supposed to go back to New York?”
“Who said I was going to New York?” He squeezed into the seat next to her. “My next stop is home!”
Home? She stared blankly.
Seeing her dazed expression, he laughed, loving and pitying, pinching her soft cheek. “Silly girl, didn’t I say I’d stay by your side?”
“But… don’t you need to go back to work at the headquarters in the US?”
“Why go back? I’m the general manager of the Taiwan branch now. Going to New York earlier was just for a meeting with the higher-ups.”
“So…” She suddenly understood, her heart bursting with joyous ripples, as if millions of butterflies were fluttering, and millions of flowers were blooming sweetly.
“So, from now on, I’ll stay in Taipei, except for occasional business trips.” He explained softly.
“And… will you always be with me?” Her voice trembled.
“Of course, I’ll be with you!” He pinched her again. “Where else would I go when I love you so much?”
“But… I still can’t believe it.” Was it true? From now on, would he stay in Taiwan and be with her?
“It’s true.” Seeing her doubt, he emphasized seriously, reaching out to cradle the back of her neck, touching foreheads with her.
She closed her eyes, moved, tightened the strings of her heart, enjoying the sweet affectionate love.
“Say it again.” He suddenly asked.
“Say what?”
“What you shouted to me in the airport hall. I didn’t hear it clearly. Say it again.”
He was being naughty now. She had shouted impulsively earlier, how could she muster the courage to confess again?
She pouted at him, lips pursed, slightly reluctant. “I… love you.”
“Too quiet, I can’t hear.” He deliberately leaned closer to her lips.
“I said I love you.” She whispered, feeling a bit embarrassed, gently biting his earlobe.
He was both tickled and thrilled, turning his head, cupping her cheeks, and fervently rewarded her with a deeply affectionate kiss —
As the plane ascended, soaring through the vast sea of clouds belonging to lovers, their next stop would be in each other’s embrace, never to part again.