I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 32

It was the weekend, so the place was packed. The western restaurant was no exception—bustling with people.

Dad Yi managed to find the last table by the window, and the three of them sat down.

During lunch, Dad Yi kept trying to lighten the mood—cracking jokes and sharing funny stories. Yi Luo played along enthusiastically, and the father-daughter pair got along well. Yu Xiaohua, on the other hand, remained gloomy, barely speaking or eating. She looked exhausted.

Dad Yi originally planned for the family to go shopping and catch a movie afterward, but Yu Xiaohua said she was tired and wanted to go home and rest. He didn’t push her and agreed, so the three of them returned home directly.

Meanwhile, Yue Xi had spent a boring day yesterday at home playing video games with Ning Ran. She was deeply worried about Yi Luo—her calls weren’t answered, her texts got no reply. She had been waiting all night and was about to lose control, tempted to go knock on Yi Luo’s door.

“Yi Luo’s fine,” Ning Ran, lounging on the couch, saw through her. “I saw her family going out together this morning.”

Yue Xi nodded, fiddling with an apple in her hand.

“When things aren’t so tense on your end, I want to go bring Sarah back,” Ning Ran said casually, though she was actually anxious herself. Yi Luo’s mom had come to the house—this was serious.

“I’m fine. The sooner you go, the sooner you can bring Sarah home. As for me and Yi Luo, it’s not something that’ll be resolved in a day or two,” Yue Xi understood how complicated things were now. Yu Xiaohua’s attitude made everything clear. If she wanted to be with Yi Luo, there was still a long road ahead. But she was confident—in Yi Luo, and in their love.

“I’m definitely going to get Sarah. Compared to you two, our situation isn’t as intense. Sarah’s parents are just worried about her living conditions after moving. Your issue, though… is much more serious,” Ning Ran said, brushing back her hair and sighing, “Sigh…”

Yue Xi didn’t respond. She just gripped the apple tightly, frustrated at how powerless she was.

Seeing this, Ning Ran shoved the game controller into Yue Xi’s hand. “Come on, let’s battle again! I’m going to redeem myself!”

Yue Xi chuckled softly. She knew Ning Ran was trying to distract her. But Ning Ran’s gaming skills were… frustrating. “Sis, don’t mash the buttons randomly. You have to actually look at the screen. And follow the instructions—or else you’ll lose.”

Ning Ran was completely hopeless at games. No matter what they played, she lost miserably. Yue Xi, though not a pro, could easily defeat her every time. Yesterday Ning Ran got all pouty and kept begging for rematches, sometimes even playing dirty. Watching her sister act like a kid begging for mercy made Yue Xi helplessly amused.

Back at home, after returning from lunch, Yu Xiaohua rubbed her temples and walked to her bedroom without saying a word. Her footsteps were heavy. Dad Yi looked at Yi Luo helplessly, and Yi Luo just shrugged, showing she understood.

“Dad, can I go out for a bit?” Yi Luo asked with a bright smile. Today was a special day—she didn’t want to miss it.

“Shhh…” Dad Yi pulled her into the kitchen. “Where are you going?”

“I want to buy something. And see Yue Xi.” Yi Luo always told the truth.

“Then just be quiet when you shut the door. Your mom probably isn’t asleep yet.” Dad Yi pulled out a few large bills and stuffed them into Yi Luo’s hand. “Buy whatever you want.”

“Dad, I haven’t even spent my allowance yet,” Yi Luo replied. She knew the family wasn’t well off—her parents lived paycheck to paycheck. She was frugal, and most of her allowance each month went unspent. It added up to quite a bit for a high schooler.

“Take it.” Dad Yi insisted, pushing the money into her hands, and gently ruffling her hair.

“Alright then.” Yi Luo accepted the money, thinking she’d use it to buy gifts for her parents during the holidays. She didn’t argue anymore. She returned to her room, tidied herself up, and then quietly said goodbye to Dad before slipping out to buy things.

Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang. Yue Xi, who had been holding a controller, put it down and went to open the door. Ning Ran had lost the game so badly she’d fled to the bathroom, claiming a bathroom break, and hadn’t come out for a while.

When she opened the door, Yue Xi froze. She rubbed her eyes and blinked hard, making sure the girl standing there—wearing a fresh summer dress, scented and carrying a small shoulder bag—was the very same Yi Luo she’d been longing for.

“Stunned, huh?” Yi Luo threw herself into Yue Xi’s arms, inhaling deeply. That warm, sunny scent—her favorite.

Yue Xi tightened her arms around her, burying her face in Yi Luo’s thick black hair.

They didn’t know how long they stood there before Ning Ran finally emerged from the bathroom, loudly announcing, “I’m out!” Then she spotted them hugging and smirked, “Carry on, carry on.”

Yue Xi let go of Yi Luo and smiled at her. She turned to Ning Ran, “We weren’t doing anything.”

Yi Luo entered and closed the door behind her, taking Yue Xi’s hand and cheerfully greeting, “Hi, Sister Ning Ran.”

“Do whatever you two want, I’m going to sleep now,” Ning Ran smacked her lips. The scene reminded her of Sarah. “No wait—video call first.” Then she disappeared into her room.

Yue Xi held Yi Luo’s hand tightly. “You’ve gotten thinner.”

“No way. It’s only been two days.” Yi Luo examined Yue Xi carefully. “You’re the one who looks skinnier.”

Yue Xi smiled gently. “Is everything okay at home?”

“Mm…” Yi Luo scrunched her nose, thinking. “I guess it’s okay, but my mom’s still a bit…”

“She let you come see me?” Yue Xi didn’t bring up Yu Xiaohua’s visit.

“Otherwise, would I be standing here?” Yi Luo avoided mentioning the fight she’d had with her mom.

“Then come with me. I want to take you somewhere.” Yue Xi pinched Yi Luo’s cheek. “Let me just change clothes.”

“Okay.” Yi Luo also had a surprise prepared for Yue Xi.

Yue Xi changed, let Ning Ran know, then pulled Yi Luo out the door.

The skies were clear, the sun bright, the heavens as blue as a calm sea. In the early summer park, cicadas chirped, birds sang, and the breeze was gentle. Flowers bloomed in all colors. Everything was full of life. Vast stretches of greenery stretched around them, refreshing their spirits. Walking along the tree-lined path was cool and pleasant. Yue Xi rented a tandem bicycle, and they rode it around the park, admiring the sights. Children rolled and laughed on the grass while adults sat chatting leisurely.

Yi Luo turned her head to look at Yue Xi. At this moment, in this setting, her eyes held only her. Everything else faded away. Yi Luo silently thought: all of this… was worth it.

While Yi Luo was lost in thought, Yue Xi hit the brakes. Yi Luo came back to her senses to find herself in front of a lush lotus pond. The water shimmered in the sunlight like scattered diamonds. The air was filled with the refreshing fragrance of lotus flowers—sweet, soothing, and lingering.

“Do you like it?” Yue Xi put an arm around her shoulders.

Yi Luo nodded and gave a heartfelt smile.

“Close your eyes, I’ve got something for you.” Yue Xi said as she gently covered Yi Luo’s eyes. Yi Luo obediently complied.

Seeing her so cooperative, Yue Xi carefully pulled a velvet box from her pocket. “Alright, here’s your gift.”

Yi Luo took it and opened it. Inside was a ring—half hollowed out, with engraved words on the inner layer. She looked at Yue Xi with delighted surprise.

“I made it.” Yue Xi proudly patted her chest.

“Careful! Doesn’t your rib still hurt?” Yi Luo caught her hand, a little worried.

“It’s healed.” Yue Xi laughed and picked up the ring, gently slipping it onto Yi Luo’s right ring finger. “If you don’t want to wear it on your hand, I can get a chain so you can wear it around your neck.”

“It’s beautiful.” Yi Luo kept admiring it, her face full of joy.

“There’s something engraved inside. Read it when you get home.” Yue Xi touched the ring, satisfied it was the perfect fit.

“Is this that math symbol we learned?” Yi Luo thought the hollow design looked familiar.

“Yeah. Infinity.” Yue Xi said softly.

Yi Luo’s lips curved into a smile. Her eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars. She started mumbling, “When are you coming back to class? Finals are soon. Next term we have to pick majors.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow. I’ll work hard.” Yue Xi laughed.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Yi Luo glared playfully at this handsome girl, heart fluttering. Yue Xi always left her flustered.

“Because you’re pretty.”

Yi Luo didn’t reply. Her heart thumped like a drum. Her gaze lingered on Yue Xi, the girl who always left her at a loss, who felt like she came from a galaxy of stars, who she could always rely on, who never grew impatient with her.

Yue Xi gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Yi Luo’s ear and held her hand, gazing at her. This was the girl who haunted her dreams—those bright eyes, delicate brows, elegant nose, and soft lips. Everything about her—the smiles, the frowns, the anger, the joy—was engraved in her memory. Her love for this girl would never fade. With deep emotion, she said:

“Whether it’s sixty days or sixty years, I’ll be here. I’ll stay by your side, take care of you, make you laugh, and ensure you never have to worry or be sad.”

Yi Luo listened quietly, her smile growing with every word. Looking at Yue Xi, who only had eyes for her, she gently kissed her and pulled a small, neatly wrapped package from her bag. “This is for you.”

Yue Xi opened it and found a finely made notebook. It felt solid and meaningful in her hands. On the first page, in Yi Luo’s elegant handwriting, it read: “Happy 60 Days. I love you.”

“Use this to record our memories. When we grow old and look back, it’ll be something special,” Yi Luo said, leaning on her shoulder.

Facing the lotus pond, both their hearts were full—only with each other.

“Let’s go take photo booth stickers,” Yi Luo suggested.

“Sure, then I’ll treat you to a meal. Gotta fatten you up,” Yue Xi laughed as she pedaled. “Let’s go~ I’ll feed you till you’re round and fluffy.”

“Yue Xi! You’re doing this on purpose! Let’s see who fattens who first!”

Their joyful laughter echoed along the road.

Back home, feeling content, Yi Luo took off the ring and looked at it under the light. She carefully read the tiny engraved words:

“Infinity Love—YL & YX”

She found a necklace chain and wore the ring around her neck.

Yue Xi, flipping through the thick notebook, pasted their photo booth stickers on the first page. Staring at Yi Luo in the photos, her heart felt completely full.