I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Walking In The Rain

She woke up naturally, without an alarm.

This—this was what life should be like. Comfortable, relaxed, in her own home. Yue Xi lay in bed with her hands behind her head, staring at the ceiling.

 

A new day. A fresh start.

 

After washing up and eating brunch, Yue Xi mysteriously dragged Ning Ran over and handed her a sketchbook with some drawings.

 

Ning Ran took it and gasped. “Wow, is this a surprise for Xiao Luo?”

 

“Yeah. Sis, help me pick—tell me which one looks better. I’m going out to get it made later,” Yue Xi said, pointing to two designs.

 

“Tsk tsk tsk, oh my, this is romantic! You’ve got potential~” Ning Ran teased with a mischievous grin. “This one. It’s simple and sweet—suits Yi Luo.”

 

“Mm, I’m heading out now.” Yue Xi tucked the sketch into her pocket.

 

“Don’t forget, Grandpa’s taking us to Yumi Restaurant tonight.”

 

“Got it.”

 

“Need me to give you a ride?”

 

“No need, I’ll just walk a bit and grab a cab,” Yue Xi said as she stepped out with empty hands—no cane either.

 

“Hey, your cane!” Ning Ran called after her, but the door had already closed. “Sigh… this girl never makes it easy.”

 

Yu Xiaohua had the day off and was walking home from the market when she spotted someone in a beige pullover and jeans walking a little oddly in the distance.

 

“Hello, Auntie!” Yue Xi called out cheerfully from afar.

 

“Oh, hi there!” Yu Xiaohua finally recognized her up close and was a little surprised. “Why aren’t you in school?”

 

“Oh, I took a leave. I was in the hospital for a few days.” Yue Xi scratched her head awkwardly.

 

“Your leg’s hurt?” Yu Xiaohua glanced at her right leg.

 

“Yeah.” Yue Xi nodded.

 

“Be careful, okay? Kids always bump into things. Such a good child—it’d be such a shame if something happened.”

 

“I’m all better now,” Yue Xi said, hands stuffed in her pockets. “Auntie, I’ve got something to do. I’ll head off first.”

 

“Alright. Come visit when you’re free.” Yu Xiaohua lifted the grocery bag in her hand.

 

“Sure. Bye, Auntie.” Yue Xi smiled and walked a bit further before hailing a cab.

 

“I’m home!” Yi Luo called as she took off her shoes.

 

“You’re back early today?” Yu Xiaohua had just tied on her apron and heard her daughter’s voice.

 

“Yeah, Yue Xi was discharged, so I didn’t have to go to the hospital.” Yi Luo dropped off her backpack and headed into the kitchen. “What’s for dinner?”

 

“All your and your dad’s favorites.”

 

“Perfect.”

 

“Hey, tell me—was Yue Xi in the hospital for a long time? You’ve been coming home late a lot lately.”

 

“Yeah, it was pretty serious.”

 

“I see~” Yu Xiaohua put the washed vegetables into a clean basket, her tone certain. “You really care about her.”

 

“Of course I do.” Yi Luo stuck out her tongue. “I’m gonna do some homework.”

 

Yu Xiaohua watched her daughter’s back and couldn’t help but wonder. Yi Luo’s moods seemed tightly linked to Yue Xi. And was her concern for Yue Xi… too much? Even for close friends, it was unusual to visit the hospital every single day. Could it be that the two of them were…?

 

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. I’ll keep an eye on it for now.

 

Dinner was a feast, and both Yi Luo and her dad were eating happily, while Yu Xiaohua remained distracted.

 

“What are you zoning out for? Been working all day at home? Too tired?” Yi Dad asked with concern.

 

“No, nothing like that.” Yu Xiaohua snapped out of it. “Don’t you think Yue Xi looks like someone?”

 

“Looks like who?” Yi Luo paused, her chopsticks in mid-air.

 

Yi Dad stopped too, chewing thoughtfully with a frown. “Huh… now that you mention it, I’ve always had that feeling—like I’ve seen her somewhere. But who?”

 

“Maybe we’ve just seen her in passing before. Forget it, never mind.” Yu Xiaohua gave up.

 

“Wait, Dad! Try to remember—what if she’s related to Yue Xi?” Yi Luo said excitedly.

 

“Probably not. If I could remember, I’d have said so. It must’ve been a long time ago,” he said, still thinking.

 

“Luo’er, you and Yue Xi…” Yu Xiaohua hesitated.

 

“Hmm?” Yi Luo’s hand paused in midair.

 

“Nothing. Let’s eat.” Yu Xiaohua took a sip of soup.

 

“What do you mean, Mom? Tell me!” Yi Luo pouted and squirmed in her seat. “Mom, come on~”

 

Yu Xiaohua put down her chopsticks, clearly debating whether to speak.

 

“I’m dying of curiosity!” Yi Luo nudged her dad. “Dad, talk to Mom.”

 

“You should just say it. We’re family—keeping secrets only makes us more curious,” Yi Dad added.

 

“Ugh… how do I even say this?” Yu Xiaohua sighed. If this is all in my head, I’ll look ridiculous.

 

“Aaaah~ Mom, please, I beg you, just tell us!” Yi Luo buried her face on the table, her voice muffled under it.

 

Yu Xiaohua steeled herself. Her suspicion had been gnawing at her. “Luo’er, I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while… just be honest with me—are you and Yue Xi really just friends?”

 

Yi Luo suddenly lifted her head. Her long hair fell over her face, hiding her expression.

 

Yi Dad cleared his throat. “What are you talking about? Isn’t it obvious? They’re just close friends.”

 

Yi Luo, recovering from the surprise, calmly tucked her hair behind her ear, pressed her lips together, and said, “Dad, how do you know?”

 

“Haha, since you were little, you always loved playing with her in the courtyard. Of course I know,” he laughed heartily.

 

Yu Xiaohua let out a small breath of relief.

 

“Dad, you’re wrong.”

 

“Eh?” Yi Dad blinked. “What do you mean?”

 

“We’re not just friends,” Yi Luo said with a mix of joy and hesitation in her eyes.

 

“What?!” both parents shouted in unison.

 

“What do you mean not just friends?” Yu Xiaohua’s voice trembled.

 

“I like Yue Xi. And Yue Xi likes me too,” Yi Luo said firmly. “Just like you and Dad like each other.”

 

Yu Xiaohua blinked a few times, too stunned to respond.

 

Yi Dad recovered first. “Luo’er, are you serious?”

 

“Yes.” Yi Luo nodded without hesitation.

 

“R-Really?” Yu Xiaohua’s eyes widened.

 

Yi Luo nodded again, looking straight into her mother’s eyes. “Yes. I like her. I’m happy when I’m with her. And I will stay with her.”

 

“Honey, I feel dizzy…” Yu Xiaohua’s hands flailed in the air.

 

“Ah?! I’ll take you to the bedroom!” Yi Dad stood up, alarmed. “Luo’er, go get the medicine.”

 

“Okay.” Yi Luo looked worried but thankful her dad was there.

 

She rummaged through the medicine drawer, found the right pills, placed them on the table, and poured a glass of water. “Mom, take this first. I’m going out to get more medicine.” She grabbed the door and left.

 

“Did you eat yet?” Yue Xi had just finished dinner with Ning Ran and Shen Wei when she was called out by Yi Luo’s phone call.

 

“Halfway through. I scared my mom into fainting. I came out to get her medicine,” Yi Luo shrugged as she walked.

 

“Huh? Why?” Yue Xi caught up to her and walked beside her.

 

“I told her about us. I don’t think she’s recovered yet.”

 

Yue Xi reached out and ruffled Yi Luo’s hair. “Why did you tell her?”

 

“She asked, so I answered. I never planned to keep it a secret.”

 

“You’ve thought it through?” Yue Xi smiled.

 

“Thought what through?”

 

“Telling your parents means you’re choosing to be with me.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“What if… someday, we’re not together anymore?”

 

“You wouldn’t dare! If you do, I’ll have Ning Ran beat you up!” Yi Luo said fiercely, hands on her hips.

 

“I wouldn’t dare.” Yue Xi quickly raised her hands, pulling Yi Luo into her arms. “I’m too scared of you to even think about it.”

 

“So you’re scared of me—not because you like me?” Yi Luo gently pushed her away, careful not to touch her injury.

 

“I like you, I like you so much. You’re my favorite.” Yue Xi pulled her back into a hug. “I love you.”

 

“Hmph.” Yi Luo hummed softly in her arms, basking in the joy Yue Xi gave her.

 

“It’s raining.” Yue Xi looked up again and confirmed. “Didn’t bring an umbrella.”

 

“It’s just a light drizzle,” Yi Luo assured her.

 

“You have school tomorrow—you can’t catch a cold.” Yue Xi looked at Yi Luo’s thin long sleeves and quickly took off her own jacket, slipping it over Yi Luo’s shoulders before she could react. “Now you won’t get wet.”

 

Yi Luo’s heart warmed. She reached out and cupped Yue Xi’s face. “Aren’t you afraid of getting soaked?”

 

“Nope.” Yue Xi smiled. “I have a protective layer.” She patted her chest, then grabbed Yi Luo’s hand. “Let’s go—your mom’s waiting.”

 

Yi Luo looked at Yue Xi’s familiar profile under the warm glow of a streetlamp. She seemed to shine with a soft, timeless light, like an image preserved through centuries. It felt eternal—and it all belonged to her.

 

The two walked hand-in-hand through the drizzle, sharing warmth. When their eyes met, they saw reflections of themselves in each other—happiness slowly enveloping them.

 

“If only this road had no end… we could keep walking like this forever,” Yi Luo said, leaning on Yue Xi’s arm.

 

Yue Xi laughed softly. “Even if it ends, we’ll just walk it again and again.”

 

“Mm. Over and over—until neither of us can walk anymore.” Yi Luo gazed at her without blinking.

 

Sensing her gaze, Yue Xi returned a reassuring smile and pointed ahead. “We’re here.”

 

Yi Luo stepped out from under the eaves, holding the plastic bag with medicine. “I’ll make sure my parents accept us.”

 

“Mm. And I’m here too.” Yue Xi took the medicine and wrapped her arm around her. “If they scold you, just call me. It’s better for two people to be scolded than one.”

 

“They wouldn’t scold me—they love me too much. They’re just shocked and need time.” Yi Luo still felt a bit worried about the future.

 

“Are you happy with me?” Yue Xi didn’t want to be the cause of any rift between Yi Luo and her parents.

 

“Mm. Always happy. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy doing anything.” Yi Luo walked backward, smiling at Yue Xi.

 

Yue Xi pinched her cheek. “That’s all I need.”

 

They chatted as they returned to the neighborhood. “Go on up—call me if anything happens,” Yue Xi said, handing over the medicine.

 

Yi Luo kept glancing back as she walked, watching Yue Xi stand in place, her short sleeves a little wet. A new kind of courage swelled inside her—one that could take on anything.

 

After Yue Xi got home, she took a hot shower. While she was drying her dripping hair, a message from Yi Luo came:

 

“Mom took the medicine and fell asleep. I’ll return your jacket in a few days.”

 

“You like my jacket that much?” Yue Xi was a little suspicious. They lived so close, yet Yi Luo said it would take days to return it.

 

“Mm. It smells like you.” Yi Luo sat cross-legged on her bed, replaying the dinner scene in her mind.

 

“Don’t overthink it. I’m here. Good night.”

 

Yi Luo stared at the screen. The worry in her heart faded as she read those words. She replied with a good night and a smiling emoji, put her phone aside, and hugged Yue Xi’s jacket as she drifted off to sleep.