65. Treating Each Other with Sincerity

Thanks to thorough preparation, although it was not the best season and the road ahead felt somewhat desolate, the leisurely journey made Tong Zhenzhen feel relaxed. Coupled with the sweet interactions between Julie and Li Ming, she gradually began to set aside the grief of losing her child.

With Jun Lengche's attentive care all the way, she decided to temporarily push aside her worries and fully enjoy the trip.

In the afternoon, the vehicle drove into a small town and parked in an open space.

Free from heavy industrialization, the town still retained the imprints of a bygone era—quaint and tranquil.

"Julie, shall we go take a stroll?" Tong Zhenzhen invited.

"Little Zhenzhen, I am going to fight to the death with Mr. Li." Julie pouted, waving the game console remote in her hand. "Why don't you let your husband accompany you instead?"

Tong Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment.

"My girl, let's go. Don't get in their way," Jun Lengche chimed in.

Li Ming also nodded repeatedly. "Sister-in-law, you two go ahead. I need to teach her a lesson and show her my might."

"This..." Seeing the excitement on Julie and Li Ming's faces, Tong Zhenzhen agreed.

Stepping out of the vehicle, she saw Jun Lengche pull a striking motorcycle from the side storage compartment of the RV, along with two helmets.

"Here, put this on." He handed one over.

She put on the helmet and straddled the back of the bike. Because it was a motorcycle, she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his waist.

"Hold onto me tightly." With those words, he started the engine and sped off like the wind.

The north wind howled past, but with him shielding her in front, all she could hear was the whistling of the wind.

As they rode, her initially rigid body gradually relaxed, pressing closely against his back, bringing an inexplicable sense of security.

Jun Lengche skillfully drove the motorcycle through the town's broad avenues and narrow alleys, the scenery on both sides flashing past like a revolving lantern.

For a split second, she had an illusion, as if she were a maiden hunted by assassins, rescued by a chivalrous hero descending from the heavens, riding together on a white steed and galloping freely between heaven and earth.

Behind his back, she closed her eyes in peace, listening to the song of the wind.

"We're here." Not until his voice sounded did she realize the bike had stopped.

He parked the vehicle and lifted her down.

Before them stood an unassuming assembly hall. What was he bringing her here for?

Riddled with doubts, she followed him inside.

A single door separated the worlds: outside was the blustering north wind, while inside was a warm, gentle spring.

At the center of the hall was a large heart outlined in red roses, with their wedding portrait placed right in the middle.

Rose stands were also arranged in the corners around the room.

Joanna Wang's gentle, low voice was singing softly:

*I love you*

*Say we together baby, you and me.*

*I can only give my love*

*And show you what I am*

*……*

Yet, this was not even the most breathtaking part.

What shocked her the most was the array of easels set up throughout the hall. Twenty-three of them held enlarged photographs—every single one representing a milestone portrait of her life.

From her hundred-day portrait, first-year birthday photo, kindergarten enrollment picture, to her tenth-year portrait, graduation photos, and more, twenty-three years of her splendid life were condensed right here.

"This... what does this mean?" She was completely stunned.

"My girl, in the first twenty-three years of your life, I wasn't there. But in all the years to come, our pictures will be added alongside yours. Will you marry me?" Jun Lengche knelt on one knee, holding up a brocade box containing a diamond ring.

She realized this was not the ring prepared for their previous wedding, but a brand-new one.

"I'm sorry, I owe you a formal proposal and a perfect wedding. Let me make this up to you first. Are you willing to accept?" His eyes were like the breeze of March, warming her heart.

She bit her lip, unable to hold back the tears streaming down her face.

Some of these photos were ones even she didn't possess. How much painstaking effort had he poured into collecting them?

Facing all that he had done and said, should she accept?

He remained kneeling so persistently, gazing at her with longing.

Tears blurred her vision. It turned out that tears could also taste sweet. After a long moment of hesitation, she finally reached out her hand.

This time, as he slid the ring onto her finger, he was extremely solemn and careful. Would she never leave him now?

His heart felt as though joyous melodies were playing.

He had finally won her turning back; this very moment was true happiness.

"That's great!" Li Ming's booming voice rang out.

She jerked her head around to find that both Julie and Li Ming had arrived, with Julie holding a video camera.

So, all of this had been arranged by them.

She couldn't help feeling a bit shy, reaching out to block the camera lens.

"My girl, don't block it, let her film. Such a happy moment deserves to be recorded." Jun Lengche pulled down her hand, pulled her tightly into his arms, and kissed her lips.

He hoped the past fractures between them could be erased, and that he and she could stay together forever.

Her heart fluttered similarly, as if she heard the gentle knocking of happiness at her door. Yet, the grievance of her mother's death still lingered in her heart, preventing her from fully opening up. Even so, the warmth of the present moment made it impossible for her to refuse.

His kiss was like the bright sun, steadily melting the thick ice in her heart.

How was she supposed to face him?

Later on, she and he came to the Poplar Forest.

It was winter, and the cold wind raged. Across the desolate wilderness, gnarled and twisting poplars stood tall and proud between heaven and earth, defying the odds and displaying the indomitable, everlasting resilience of life.

"My girl, my love for you is like these poplars, undying through a thousand years." He gripped her hands tightly and made his vow.

She seemed to hear something collapsing deep within her heart.

In that instant, she couldn't help but believe his promise. With eyes full of hot tears, she looked up at the man before her.

On the final day of their trip, they didn't stay in the RV. Instead, they checked into a hotel, booking two separate rooms.

Jun Lengche held her in his arms as they lay on the bed.

Turned away with her back to him, she felt his warm breath circling the back of her neck, tickling her gently like a spring breeze.

Held tightly in his embrace, she drifted into a deep sleep.

In the middle of the night, she was suddenly jolted awake. It felt as though someone had violently yanked the bed.

Next, the windows rattled loudly, followed by a cup on the table crashing to the floor.

Immediately after, the room began to shake violently, and dust started raining down from the ceiling.

What was happening? She sat blankly on the bed.

"My girl, it's an earthquake." A solid embrace wrapped around her from behind.

What? An earthquake? Startled, she whipped around, looking at him in sheer panic. "What... what should we do?"

"Don't worry, I'm here." His composure acted like a reassuring anchor for her soul.

She realized just how powerless and insignificant human beings were in the face of nature's might. The entire room was trembling; framed pictures on the walls and vases and ornaments on the tables tumbled down one after another. She felt like a tiny boat in the middle of a raging storm, liable to be capsized by giant waves at any second.

He grabbed a soft pillow from the bed. "Quick, protect your head and crawl to the side of the bed."

She clutched the corner of the pillow, shielding her head, but her body felt frozen, unable to move an inch.

Seeing how terrified she was, he scooped her up instantly and got off the bed. He pressed her down onto the floor, urging her to lie flat. Her hands were shaking so badly she couldn't grasp the corner of the pillow.

With a soft sigh, he threw himself over her, arching his back slightly to act as a protective shield, keeping her safely beneath him.

By now, the room was shaking even more violently, convulsing with the wild spasms of a madman.

The window frames began to shudder as though twisted by an invisible giant hand, and the glass shattered all over the floor.

Though she couldn't see, she could hear, and panic consumed her heart. Were they going to die?

"Don't be afraid. I'm here." His deep, resonant voice enveloped her like an embrace, drowning out all the chaotic noise.

He pulled her tightly into his arms, kissing her hair.

Warmth and courage flowed down from the crown of her head.

In his arms, as if sheltered within an impregnable fortress, her hurried breathing gradually calmed.

Having him here was truly wonderful.

She didn't have to face the wrath of the world all by herself.

He really would protect her—this thought welled up in her mind, growing clearer and clearer.

Feeling the person in his arms tremble less than before, he felt somewhat reassured.

Thank goodness she was here.

He could keep her safe.

At that moment, dust and debris billowed through the room as sections of the ceiling collapsed.

"Will we be alright?" She finally voiced her worry.

"We'll... be fine." His reply paused briefly before he finished the sentence.

Why did it feel like dust was falling right onto the top of her head? She couldn't help sneezing.

"Are... you... alright?" He had to stop several times before finishing the question.

An ominous feeling enveloped her heart; she wanted to turn her head to look.

He gently pressed down on her small head. "Don't. Cough, cough. There's dust."

No, her nose had caught the scent of blood. "Are you really okay?"

"Fine. Just... scraped some skin." His voice sounded alarming.

Yet the violent shaking of the room intensified. She dared not move, lying flat on the floor in sheer panic. Fortunately, she could still hear the steady, strong beating of his heart.

At the threshold of life and death, the only thought in her mind was a plea for his safety.

All the lingering resentment and awkwardness vanished into nothingness at this very moment.

As long as he was safe, nothing else mattered.

The intense tremors lasted for over ten minutes. Afterward, he remained silent, but his breathing still rustled her hair, letting her know he was okay.

With a loud crash, something heavy fell down, and a thick cloud of dust billowed around them. She felt a heavy weight land on her back, but it was lifted almost immediately. She heard his labored breathing.

Turning her head slightly, she realized they had been pinned under a slab of concrete. However, he was propping himself up with both elbows, arching his body to carve out a small space for her.

In this cramped enclosure, the smell of blood grew even stronger.

She knew clearly that she was uninjured.

Therefore, the scent of blood must be coming from him.

The moment she realized this, her heart clenched tightly.

"Jun Lengche, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Because he was pressed against her back, she couldn't turn around, and could only ask with growing anxiety. Her heart was filled with terror.

"My girl, I'm fine. Just scraped... some skin." His steady voice came from behind her head, acting like a sedative that slowly calmed her frantic heart.

Thank goodness he was okay. This news made her let out a long breath of relief.

"My girl... have you fallen in love with me?" He asked abruptly.