I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Too Hasty

On the afternoon of the third day, while everyone else was napping in the villa, Yue Xi quietly watched Yi Luo sleeping soundly on the bed. She leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. Feeling that the air conditioning was a bit too cold, she carefully tucked the blanket around her and tiptoed out of the room.

“Where are you going?” Ning Ran ghosted open the door and poked her head out, whispering toward Yue Xi.

“Shh…” Yue Xi tiptoed over, pulling Ning Ran down to the living room. “I want to give Yi Luo a surprise.”

“Oho, someone’s finally catching on~” Ning Ran crossed her arms with a mischievous grin.

“Come on, I’m being serious.” Yue Xi rolled her eyes and pointed to a flyer in a brochure. “Look, there’s a place in the scenic area called the ‘Lovers’ Lake.’ I want to take Yi Luo there this afternoon—just the two of us.”

“Hehe, no problem. Leave the rest of the group to me~” Ning Ran’s eyes squinted into crescents as she smiled.

“I’ll go buy a few things to prepare, then.” Yue Xi knew that if Ning Ran said it was handled, it definitely was.

Ning Ran narrowed her eyes and patted Yue Xi on the shoulder. “Go, go~ Enjoy your date.”

—

“You’re awake?” Yue Xi had everything prepared and was back in her original spot, leaning casually against the bed frame. Seeing Yi Luo slowly wake up, her sleepy face still drowsy, Yue Xi’s heart nearly burst from how cute she looked.

“Mmm~” Yi Luo opened her eyes and was met with Yue Xi’s gaze—so tender it looked like it could drip water. It felt like she was lying on a bed made of clouds, basking in the warmest, softest sunlight.

Yue Xi’s breath caught. Yi Luo must’ve been doing this on purpose, tempting her to do bad things. And she did—Yue Xi leaned down and gave her a long, lingering, unforgettable kiss.

Yi Luo felt her breath stolen away. She pushed Yue Xi back, face flushed, and took deep, hurried breaths. But her eyes never left the one who made her blush.

Yue Xi continued staring at her with dreamy eyes—watching her blush, watching her breathe hard, watching her nestle into her arms with playful protest. Yue Xi wished she could scoop out her heart and give it to Yi Luo—every inch of it carved with Yi Luo’s name, occupying every corner.

Yi Luo let her stare. Her fingers lightly traced shapes on Yue Xi’s stomach, as if writing something.

“Hey, that tickles.” Yue Xi hugged her tighter and caught the mischievous little paw. “Come on, get up. I’m taking you somewhere.”

Yi Luo’s big eyes blinked curiously, trying to guess where Yue Xi was planning to take her. She replied with a soft “Okay~” but remained sprawled on the bed, eyes closed again.

“Don’t fall asleep again! If you do, we’ll be late~” Yue Xi stretched lazily, then bent down and scooped Yi Luo up in her arms. “If you don’t want to walk, I’ll carry you out~”

“No. Wash my face first.” Yi Luo wrapped her arms around Yue Xi’s neck, pouting before giving her a kiss on the neck.

“Yes, ma’am~” Yue Xi’s heart felt sweeter than drinking barrels of honey.

—

“Ta-da~” Yue Xi gently untied the blindfold from Yi Luo’s head. “We’re here~ Open your eyes.”

Before Yi Luo was a lake of emerald water, with trees gently swaying in the breeze. A small wooden canoe sat on the bank, covered in colorful flowers, glowing in the soft sunlight.

Yue Xi stepped confidently onto the boat, steadying it, then reached out her hand. “Come on.”

Yi Luo tucked her hair behind her ear, grabbed Yue Xi’s hand, and eagerly stepped onto the boat. But it rocked left and right, and she wasn’t sure whether to advance or retreat.

Just as she hesitated, Yue Xi pulled her into her arms. “It’s okay~ I won’t let you fall in.”

Yi Luo gave her a playful smack. “You did that on purpose!”

“Yup~ I wanted to make you lose your balance.” Yue Xi let go, sat on the boat’s edge, and patted the seat. “Sit down now, or when I start rowing later you’ll say I did it on purpose again.”

Yi Luo rolled her eyes but sat down across from Yue Xi as told. Her heart lingered on the feeling of being held—safe and steady. Even though deep water lay beneath them, she was willing to trust Yue Xi completely.

Rowing across the lake was peaceful and relaxing. Yi Luo felt like a water sprite, glowing in the dappled waves, brought to life by the one smiling at her from across the boat.

Yue Xi held the oars and rowed gently, watching the ripples spread and merge again—just like her feelings for Yi Luo: layer upon layer, deep and shallow, but never-ending, never breaking.

Happy days always pass unnoticed. The hand of fate, with a simple motion, swept away all the sweet and bitter memories, leaving behind nothing but yellowing pages of nostalgia.

Yue Xi stood on the balcony, surrounded by impenetrable darkness. The only sound was her own breathing. She slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. Through the swirling haze, Yi Luo’s smiling face reappeared. That summer—was the most beautiful memory she had. After returning from Ziyun Mountain, it seemed like everything began moving in the right direction. But perhaps they’d been too caught up in their bliss, too unprepared for the coming storm.

Yi Luo still carried the same backpack as when she left home, only now she also had a small bag in hand. She smiled sweetly at her father, quickly dropped her backpack in her room, and carried the small bag into the living room.

“Dad, where’s Mom?” she asked, glancing around.

“She went grocery shopping.” Her dad set aside his newspaper, got up, and peeked into the bag. “Buying things for your parents now, huh? You really are growing up.”

“Dad, come on. I’ve always known how to do that.” Yi Luo took a sip of water.

“Alright, alright, our Yi Luo is the best~” Her dad sat beside her and lowered his voice, “Just be mentally prepared. Your mom’s probably about to blow up. I don’t even dare provoke her at home—she’s like a ticking time bomb. One wrong move, and—boom!”

“Huh?” Yi Luo was startled. She’d thought her mom would come around eventually—but it seemed she still couldn’t accept it.

Seeing the gloom on Yi Luo’s face, her dad hesitated before saying, “Your mom’s just a bit stubborn. Deep down, she’s doing it for your own good.”

Yi Luo looked at her dad, then leaned back on the couch. She felt exhausted after these past few days of trying to gain her mother’s approval. Powerless. A part of her just wanted to run away from everything. To stop caring. To stay quietly by Yue Xi’s side. Just watching her slender, gentle figure was enough.

Her dad gently patted her head. “Don’t be too upset. Things always turn around eventually. Don’t assume the worst. Be a little more optimistic, okay?”

Yi Luo didn’t respond. She gave him a faint glance, then softly said, “Dad, I’m going to lie down for a bit.” Without waiting to see if he had more to say, she went to her room and threw herself onto the bed, like a puppet whose strings had been cut—scattered and lifeless.

—

“Hey~” Yue Xi had just come back and tidied up a bit before lying down for a nap. As soon as she opened her eyes, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Yi Luo’s smiling face flashed on the screen. She answered quickly.

“Hello… Yue Xi…” Yi Luo’s voice was muffled through the phone. Just hearing Yue Xi’s voice made her heartache ease a little.

“Miss me already?” Yue Xi’s low, alluring voice carried through the line, as if it could reach deep into her soul.

“Mhm…” Yi Luo’s lips curled into a soft smile, dimples showing. If Yue Xi could see her expression right now, her heart would probably leap straight to 180 beats per minute—and she might do something reckless.

“Then… should I come find you?” Yue Xi’s breath grew quicker as she spoke.

“No, you stay home and rest. I just wanted to hear your voice.” Yi Luo’s words flowed like water, soothing Yue Xi’s anxious heart.

“Okay. If you miss me, just poke your head out and take a look.” Yue Xi sounded incredibly confident.

“Where?”

“Your window.”

Yi Luo walked over and saw Yue Xi standing on the floor above across the way, waving and smiling.

“See me now?” Yue Xi grinned as she saw Yi Luo quietly gazing back, her long hair cascading down.

“How did you get here so fast? It’s only been a few minutes!” Yi Luo stared at her from the hallway across the gap.

“As soon as you called, I came out~” Yue Xi leaned on the window, tilting her head.

“You’re such an idiot… What if I wasn’t home?” Yi Luo bit her lower lip. Silly girl.

“I knew you were.” Yue Xi patted her chest and pointed to her heart. “This told me.”

“Go home. It’s too hot—be careful not to get heatstroke.” Yi Luo was reluctant, but the city’s summer heat was no joke. The sweltering air felt like it could swallow you whole.

“Don’t miss me anymore?” Yue Xi smiled teasingly. “Then I’ll leave~”

“Okay.” Yi Luo nodded.

“I’m really leaving now~” Yue Xi slowly backed out of sight.

Yi Luo stood at the window, staring at the now-empty space, her expression as desolate as bare autumn branches.

“What’s wrong?” Yue Xi, hiding in the shadows nearby, didn’t miss a single change in Yi Luo’s face.

“Nothing. Go home,” Yi Luo said, waving her hand.

“Yi Luo,” Yue Xi whispered, returning to the window. “Don’t carry everything by yourself. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you. I’ll take care of you, spoil you, protect you. So don’t ever suffer alone—because you have me.”

Yi Luo’s eyes turned red. Her sorrow cracked open, emotions flooding out like a broken dam. All her pain and helplessness condensed into one simple sentence:

“I love you.”

The only sound on the other end was Yi Luo’s soft breathing. Yue Xi hated herself for not having wings—to fly across and hold Yi Luo in her arms, to give her warmth, strength, and happiness. She hated her own powerlessness. What could she do? As long as it made Yi Luo smile, anything—anything—she would do.

A person’s disappointment and sadness ultimately come from anger at their own helplessness. Yue Xi flicked away her cigarette. At some point, the dark night outside her window had become speckled with stars.