“Ready to head back?” Chen Mian asked, leaning down to look at Flora.
Flora nodded. Just as she was about to take a step, her knees went slightly weak, and she stumbled forward.
Chen Mian quickly caught her by the waist. “No strength left?”
Flora’s face flushed a deeper shade of red, but she didn't deny it. She just lowered her head and muttered softly, “...It’s your fault for being like that earlier.”
“Like what?”
“You know exactly what.” She looked up and glared at him, but there wasn't a hint of anger in her eyes. Instead, they held a softness she hadn't even noticed herself.
Chen Mian stopped teasing her and bent down to scoop her up in his arms.
Flora naturally wrapped her arms around his neck. “...Someone might see us.”
“It’s dark out. No one’s paying attention.”
“What if they do?”
“Then they see us.”
Flora buried her face in his chest. “You’re so thick-skinned.”
“It’s good to be thick-skinned when necessary.”
Flora didn't say anything, but her grip around his neck tightened slightly.
Chen Mian carried her down the street toward the teleportation array, his pace slightly slower than usual.
The winter night air carried a damp chill, and their breath condensed into white mist under the dim yellow streetlights.
“Chen Mian.”
“Mhm?”
“Do you think... we’ll always be like this?”
“Like what?”
“Living together, eating together, you holding me, taking me out shopping...” Flora paused, her voice carrying a touch of earnestness. “I’ll cook for you, and buy decorations with you.”
“We will.”
“What if you change your mind one day?”
“I won't.”
Flora looked up at him slightly. The streetlights cast a soft glow across his face.
After watching him for a moment, she let out a soft laugh.
“What is it?”
“I just feel... it’s so nice to have met you.”
Chen Mian didn't stop walking, but his arms tightened slightly around her. “Mhm. Me too.”
“Actually, Flora, you spent so many years in that secret realm, and now you’re living in this tiny apartment in the Forest of Death. Do you feel like you’re missing out?” Chen Mian looked down into her eyes and asked, “A Red Jade Rank mage could live incredibly well anywhere on the Continent of Cecia, and you won't stop at the Red Jade Rank either.”
“Just like the question you asked me when you first came to the apartment... Don't you want to see the wider world?”
“You still remember that?” Flora looked up, her lively eyes holding a hint of surprise and softness. “Back then, I had just left the elves and escaped danger. I wasn't familiar with you or the apartment, and I really did long for the outside world.”
“But we’ve been to Tangwu Town, Wigtan, and the Royal Capital... The scenery in those places is beautiful, but none of them are home, and none of them made me feel like staying,” Flora said softly.
“The Continent of Cecia has no shortage of beautiful scenery or interesting customs, but no matter how beautiful those places are, I’m just a passerby.” Flora’s voice sounded exceptionally clear in the winter night. “You and Loviki aren't there.”
Chen Mian looked down at her, his pace slowing down unconsciously. “Loviki would be moved to tears if she heard you say that.”
“What about you? Are you moved?”
Chen Mian stopped at the entrance of the alley, looking down at the elf girl in his arms who was tilting her face up, waiting for an answer.
“Tell me first, what answer do you want to hear?”
Flora blinked. “Of course I want to hear you say you’re moved.”
“Then I’m moved.”
“...You’re just humoring me.”
“Yes, I’m humoring you.” Amusement colored Chen Mian’s voice. “But it’s also the truth.”
“We haven't known each other for very long, and we haven't gone through any grand, life-altering events together. Is it really worth it for you to feel this way?” Chen Mian asked, a hint of seriousness in his tone.
Flora was slightly taken aback. Her lively eyes stared at him quietly under the streetlights. After a moment, her fingers slowly slid down from the back of his neck to his chest, gently poking him. “Whether it’s worth it or not is for me to decide.”
Chen Mian stopped completely. Standing under the streetlight at the alley’s entrance, he looked down at her.
“And I’ve already decided.” Her voice was still soft, yet it carried an undeniable certainty. “I think it’s worth it.”
“You know I spent many years in that secret realm. The world I saw was tiny, and the people I interacted with were few.” At this point, she lowered her eyes slightly before looking back up at him. “But because of that, I can easily distinguish what I truly want.”
“Chen Mian, you make me feel safe.” Flora’s voice was soft, clear, and pure. “When we first met, I could have found plenty of reasons to reject your conditions, but I didn't.”
“And ever since then, you’ve never made me feel like I wasn't good enough, or that I had to change myself to stay. You wash my hair, you stand at the kitchen doorway and watch me cook, you prepare those special wines for me when I say I want to get stronger, and you carry me through the cold night like this...”
She paused, looking slightly embarrassed, but a smile she couldn't hide tugged at the corners of her lips. “So it’s not a question of whether it’s worth it. I’ve liked you for a long time, so you have to take responsibility. If I absolutely have to give a reason... it’s fate! Maybe we were lovers in our past lives.”
“No, I didn't meet Flora in my past life.”
“...Yes, you did,” Flora retorted, turning her head slightly.
“Alright, alright, I met you.” Chen Mian kissed her forehead gently, his voice full of clear affection. “You’ve even learned how to act spoiled.”
Flora’s face turned even redder, but instead of hiding like she used to, she lifted her chin slightly. “Is that not allowed? Isn't it normal to act spoiled around the person you like?”
Chen Mian continued walking forward with her in his arms, glancing down. “Then do it more. I don't mind.”
“Hmph, keep dreaming.” Despite her words, the arms wrapped around his neck tightened slightly, and she snuggled her face closer to his shoulder.
“Flora, I can travel with you to see the Continent of Cecia,” Chen Mian said calmly. “We have plenty of time ahead of us. You’re an elf, so you’ll live for a very long time. But don't worry, I can live for a very long time too, and so can Loviki. You don't need to care about those elven warnings against choosing human partners due to differing lifespans.”
“How do you know the elves have that warning?”
“Because I’ve met a lot of elves. But you’re quite the rebel, ignoring their advice right from the start.”
“Of course!” Flora laughed softly.
“You’re not just humoring me, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then it’s a promise!”
“It’s a promise.”
“Pinky swear!” Flora said, straightening up slightly in his arms. She reached out, curling her fingers except for her pinky, which she wiggled in front of his eyes.
“If we pinky swear, you’re going to fall,” Chen Mian said with a smile, looking at her pinky. “Let’s seal it instead!”
With that, he gently kissed Flora on the cheek.
“...Now seal this side too.”
“Mwah!”
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