Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 82
Chapter 82
"We'll be quiet..."
Chi Lishu simply smiled, a silent agreement.
Their movements were practiced and gentle.
In the soft light, the fine lines around Yang Lu's smiling eyes were clearly visible.
In a few years, they would be over fifty. No matter how much you took care of yourself, time would always leave its mark. Twenty years of companionship, from friendship to love, intertwined with familial affection, a lifetime of memories.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that." Loving each other, yet unable to be open about it.
"It's alright, as long as we're happy." Yang Lu said, a carefree smile on her face. "I'm just glad you didn't plan to keep me a secret forever."
Chi Lishu kissed Yang Lu softly on the lips, grateful that even at their age, amidst the mundane realities of life, they could still experience the beauty of love.
Outside, a snowy night; inside, warm and cozy.
Chi Jia had slept more soundly last night than any other night since coming home, having finally unburdened herself. She woke up late, still feeling drowsy.
Chi Jia opened her eyes; Jing Rui's head was buried in her chest, still asleep. Chi Jia realized she had been a bit too rough with Jing Rui last night, and she must be tired.
8 AM.
Chi Jia didn't wake Jing Rui up, but looked around the familiar room, her arms around the woman she loved, a smile on her face. Everything felt perfect, almost surreal.
"What time is it?" Jing Rui mumbled, her head still buried in Chi Jia's chest.
"It's early, go back to sleep."
Jing Rui reached for her phone and checked the time. "It's already 8 AM."
"It's fine, go back to sleep." Chi Jia took Jing Rui's phone and put it aside, showering Jing Rui's face with kisses. "I'll wake you up for breakfast."
"You seem to be in a good mood today." Jing Rui, who had been sleepy, was now wide awake from Chi Jia's kisses. She gently caressed Chi Jia's face. "So sweet and affectionate so early in the morning."
Jing Rui used to have quite a temper, but with Chi Jia, she had become much more patient. She was not a morning person, and Miss Chi was even worse, their mornings always filled with playful banter.
Chi Jia thought it was a miracle they hadn't broken up yet. Perhaps it was because they were so compatible, always making up after their arguments, their disagreements never lasting beyond a night, resolved in bed, their usual method.
"Then you should cherish it, such opportunities are rare." Chi Jia said with a smile, knowing she wasn't exactly the gentle and virtuous type.
"Once a month is enough for me."
"Am I really that grumpy in the morning?"
"What do you think?"
Chi Jia thought for a moment, then said, her hand gently caressing Jing Rui's waist, "I'll try to be… nicer to you from now on."
Jing Rui snuggled closer to Chi Jia, her voice soft and playful. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Chi Jia leaned in and kissed Jing Rui, a sweet, lingering kiss. She had been incredibly happy these past two days.
Jing Rui rolled on top of Chi Jia, her hand wandering over Chi Jia's body. "Little vixen, you want me to take you, don't you?"
"Stop it, let's be serious." Chi Jia caught Jing Rui's hand, wanting to discuss something important. "If you're still tired, go back to sleep, I'll wake you up later."
"I'm awake now." Jing Rui sat up in bed, her expression serious. "It's my first time at your house, I should at least make a good impression on your mother."
Chi Jia, still lying in bed, glanced at Jing Rui. "Don't you see? My mom already adores you, she practically wants to adopt you as her daughter."
"Your mother has good taste, unlike you, rejecting a perfect woman like me when I proposed." Jing Rui looked down at Chi Jia, a playful reprimand in her voice.
"Have you ever looked in the mirror?" Chi Jia chuckled, playfully kicking Jing Rui with her foot.
Jing Rui patted Chi Jia's foot. "Get up."
After getting dressed, Chi Jia opened the bedroom door. The living room was quiet, the door to Chi Lishu's room still closed. Usually, breakfast would be ready by now.
Chi Jia thought her mother had gone out to buy breakfast and was about to knock on her door when Chi Lishu opened it.
They both jumped, startled.
"Mom, you're still asleep?"
"Yes… I slept in."
Chi Jia's gaze fell on a faint mark on her mother's neck, and she suddenly understood. "Um… Jing Rui and I are going to buy breakfast, you can go back to sleep if you're tired."
They spent a few more days at Chi Jia's hometown.
Chi Jia and Jing Rui left on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year.
Chi Lishu had wanted them to stay until after the Lantern Festival, but Jing Rui had work to do, and Chi Jia's holiday was almost over.
In the past, Chi Jia would have spent her entire vacation with Chi Lishu, afraid of leaving her alone, but things were different now. Seeing her mother and Yang Lu so happy together after all these years, she felt reassured.
But Chi Lishu was still reluctant to see her daughter leave, so before they left, she repeatedly reminded Jing Rui to take good care of Chi Jia.
Jing Rui readily agreed.
Being with Jing Rui had been much smoother than Chi Jia had expected, their life together peaceful.
No major dramas or conflicts, just occasional bickering, their life together mundane yet sweet and fulfilling.
Three years passed quickly.
At the AS Design office building.
"Good morning, Director Chi!"
"Morning." Chi Jia, dressed in a smart business suit, a latte in hand, strode confidently into her office and started working.
At twenty-eight, Miss Chi had finally achieved her career goals, from a small cubicle to a private office, from a junior employee to a design director, years of hard work and dedication paying off.
No one understood Chi Jia's drive and ambition, which was partly due to her personality, and partly because she wanted to be worthy of Jing Rui's proposal. Her girlfriend was so successful, she had to work hard too.
Speaking of proposals, Jing Rui had proposed to Chi Jia countless times during the past three years, on Valentine's Day, anniversaries, every opportunity.
Although Jing Rui knew Chi Jia wasn't ready to get married yet, she still enjoyed creating romantic proposals every year, simply because her little vixen loved it.
Few people could spoil their wives like Miss Jing.
As the end of the workday approached, Chi Jia repeatedly checked the time, fiddling with a small box in her hand. Inside, a dazzling diamond ring, an engagement ring, engraved with their initials.
Today was their fifth anniversary.
Chi Jia had thought eight years, the length of her mother and Yang Lu's relationship, was a long time, and now, she and Jing Rui had been together for five years, a long-term relationship.
Looking at the ring in her hand, Chi Jia smiled; Jing Rui would never guess the surprise she had for her tonight.
Today, Chi Jia had decided to stop teasing Jing Rui and accept her proposal.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Her secretary walked in, holding a folder. "Director Chi, this is last month's performance report."
"Okay, put it there."
At 5:30 PM sharp, Chi Jia clocked out, her secretary staring after her in disbelief, rarely seeing Director Chi leave so promptly.
In the car, driving along the familiar route, even a thirty-second delay felt like an eternity to Chi Jia.
Half an hour later, she finally arrived home.
Standing at the door, Chi Jia took a deep breath to calm her nerves, imagining the elaborately decorated proposal scene waiting for her inside. And tonight, she would say yes.
The thought made her smile.
After composing herself, Chi Jia entered the passcode, but as she opened the door, she froze…
The apartment was empty.
"I'm home," Chi Jia said as she changed her shoes.
No reply.
Chi Jia walked through the apartment, realizing she had been expecting too much, Jing Rui hadn't prepared anything. Then, she received a simple message from Jing Rui:
—Wifey, I have a work dinner, you eat first.
Their fifth anniversary, and she had completely forgotten?
Chi Jia felt a pang of disappointment, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, typing then deleting a message: "Do you even know what day it is today?" She decided against sending it.
Sitting alone on the sofa, Chi Jia looked at the ring she had carefully chosen two months ago, her mood darkening. She told herself that Jing Rui was just busy, but she was busy too, and yet she had never forgotten any important dates, especially those related to Jing Rui.
They talked about the seven-year itch, and they had only been together for five years, and it was already like this. And who was the one who swore to love her forever?
As night fell, there was still no news from Jing Rui.
Then, her phone rang.
Chi Jia, sulking, let it ring for a while before finally answering, giving Jing Rui a chance to redeem herself.
"Have you eaten?" Jing Rui's voice was low and slightly slurred.
"Have you been drinking?"
"Yes, a bit too much, I'm feeling dizzy, come pick me up at Number Nine later." Jing Rui said.
That was all, nothing more.
Work dinners and alcohol again, it wasn't the first time. Chi Jia, annoyed, snapped, "Don't come back if you're drunk!"
"What's wrong?"
"You're asking me what's wrong?!"
Forgetting such an important day, her mind filled with nothing but work and social engagements, being busy wasn't an excuse, it simply meant she didn't care as much anymore. Chi Jia's thoughts spiraled downwards, especially remembering the engagement ring she had prepared for Jing Rui.
Jing Rui didn't answer, just mumbled, "I can't drive, come pick me up."
Chi Jia, exasperated, hung up.
But after ten minutes of pacing and restless waiting, she still drove to Number Nine, unable to ignore Jing Rui's drunken plea, worried about her.
Number Nine was closed, but the door was unlocked.
Chi Jia, her face like thunder, pushed the door open, prepared for a fight, but she froze, the scene before her taking her breath away.
Her plans hadn't gone as expected.
The restaurant was dimly lit, candles flickering, casting a warm glow on Jing Rui's elegant figure. She stood up and walked towards Chi Jia, a beautiful smile on her face.
Chi Jia knew she had been tricked.
"Happy fifth anniversary." Jing Rui presented her with a bouquet of flowers, a carefully arranged, exquisite bouquet.
Chi Jia's first reaction wasn't to take the flowers, but to roll her eyes at Jing Rui, complaining, "Happy? I was almost worried sick!"
"Did you really think I would forget such an important day?"
"You're being ridiculous." Chi Jia still didn't take the flowers, continuing to pout. "I still think you don't care about me as much as before…"
Jing Rui understood Chi Jia's complaint; she had been busy with business trips and social engagements lately, neglecting Chi Jia. She put down the flowers and pulled Chi Jia into an embrace, kissing her forehead. "Don't say that, when have I not cared about you? I've just been a bit busy lately, I'll make it up to you."
"When are you ever not busy?"
"Director Chi, you're one to talk. Have you calculated how many times you've neglected your wife?" Chi Jia was just as guilty, if not more so. Jing Rui playfully bit Chi Jia's lip. "I think you're the one who prioritizes work over your wife."
"..." Chi Jia was speechless.
After a moment of silence, Chi Jia wrapped her arms around Jing Rui's neck, pulling her closer, wanting to save face. "So you're turning the tables on me now? You used to always indulge me."
Despite being a powerful career woman now, in front of Jing Rui, Chi Jia was still the same stubborn and playful little woman.
"You're truly exhausting." Jing Rui sighed, her arms around Chi Jia's waist, a smile on her face.
"Can't stand me anymore?" Chi Jia looked at Jing Rui, using Jing Rui's own words from her proposal last year, "Who was the one who said they were willing to be tormented by me for a lifetime?"
"Did I say I can't stand you…?" Jing Rui's voice softened as she leaned closer, her lips brushing against Chi Jia's, a warm, lingering kiss.
After a few kisses, Chi Jia closed her eyes, her arms tightening around Jing Rui's neck, completely immersed in the moment.
Actions spoke louder than words; their anniversary should be celebrated like this, sweetly and intimately. Thankfully, Jing Rui hadn't forgotten; if she had, Chi Jia wouldn't have let her off so easily.
Perhaps she had been too busy lately, Jing Rui had never forgotten their anniversaries before. Thinking of this, Chi Jia opened her eyes slightly, cupped Jing Rui's face in her hand, and deepened the kiss.
Jing Rui was right, they hadn't been this intimate in a while because of work.
After the kiss.
"Babe, it's been five years…"
"Yes." Chi Jia replied calmly, her heart pounding, expecting Jing Rui to say "it's time to get married," thinking, as soon as the vixen proposed, she would present her own ring.
But…
Jing Rui handed Chi Jia the bouquet. "Beautiful, aren't they?"
"They are." Chi Jia took the flowers, waiting, but nothing happened. She couldn't help but ask, "Just flowers for our fifth anniversary?!"
Jing Rui smiled. "What else do you want?"
I want you to propose right here, right now!
But how could she say that out loud? It would make her seem too eager.
Jing Rui was usually so proactive with her proposals, why was she so quiet now, when Chi Jia was finally ready?
Chi Jia couldn't help but wonder, was she doing this on purpose?
Seeing the disappointment on Chi Jia's face, Jing Rui finally said, her voice teasing, "The gift is in the flowers."
Chi Jia searched through the bouquet and found a small box. "What's this?" she asked.
"Open it and see."
Chi Jia's smile faltered as she opened the box, her face falling; it wasn't a ring, but a necklace.
"..."
The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
"I had it custom-made for you, don't you like it?" Jing Rui, suppressing a smile, had noticed Chi Jia's shift in expression, from anticipation to disappointment.
Chi Jia, trying to hide her disappointment, said, "…I like it."
"Saying you like it without even looking?" Jing Rui took the box from Chi Jia and opened it, revealing the necklace, a simple chain with a diamond ring as the pendant. "Perhaps you prefer this?"
The diamond, a symbol of eternal love. Chi Jia immediately understood, what a trick. "Jing Rui, you're playing with me again!"
"So, do you like it now?"
From hope to disappointment, then back to hope, this proposal was truly memorable. Chi Jia was deeply touched; after all her antics and mood swings, Jing Rui was still willing to put in so much effort, always finding new ways to make her happy.
"I love it!"
"Then say yes, this time." Jing Rui's voice was serious and sincere. "Marry me."
Although overjoyed, Chi Jia still pretended to hesitate for a moment before smiling. "Okay, I'll… say yes to you this year."
On their fifth anniversary, at the place where they first met, Chi Jia finally accepted Jing Rui's proposal.
As Jing Rui slipped the ring onto her finger, Chi Jia looked at her, a soft smile on her face, and whispered, "Actually, I already said yes in my heart when you first proposed."
"Then why did you torture me like that?"
"Because I like torturing you, is that okay?"
"As long as you like it, I'm willing."
Just then, Chi Jia took out the ring she had prepared for Jing Rui and asked, "Then will you accept this?"
Jing Rui was surprised. "Are you proposing to me?"
Chi Jia nodded, then quickly added, "You better say yes!"
Such a proposal, typical Miss Chi.
"Chi Jia, are you proposing or robbing me?"
"You're mine anyway." Chi Jia grinned, then taking Jing Rui's hand, she asked seriously, "Will you marry me?"
"Do I have a choice?"
Chi Jia's smile was radiant. "No."
"Of course, I will." Jing Rui said, then leaned in as Chi Jia slipped the ring onto her finger, their lips meeting in a sweet kiss.
June, they got married abroad.
October, they held their wedding ceremony in China.
Chi Jia, in her wedding dress, was breathtakingly beautiful, but she would never forget the moment Jing Rui, also in a white wedding dress, walked towards her, a vision of ethereal beauty.
Exhausted after a long day, they finally took off their wedding dresses.
Late at night, sitting together on the rooftop, the gentle lake breeze, the starlit sky, a perfect night.
Chi Jia had drunk quite a bit of wine, and now, slightly tipsy, her cheeks flushed, she leaned against Jing Rui, holding her hand, their wedding rings glinting in the dim light. "We argue so much, do you think we'll get divorced one day?"
Discussing divorce right after their wedding, Miss Chi was probably the first.
"No, we won't."
"How can you be so sure?"
"With your terrible temper, who else would put up with you besides me?" Jing Rui turned Chi Jia's face towards her. "Only I love your bad temper."
"Jing Rui, we just got married… and you're already complaining about my temper?" Chi Jia whined, drunk and playful.
Jing Rui looked at Chi Jia's face. "I said I love you."
Chi Jia, still slightly dizzy, thought about Jing Rui's words for a moment before finally understanding. She hugged Jing Rui's waist, nuzzling her face against Jing Rui's neck, enjoying the familiar warmth and scent, a contented smile on her face.
Jing Rui held Chi Jia close and chuckled softly. "Such a puppy…"
When Chi Jia first agreed to be with Jing Rui, she hadn't dared to imagine spending a lifetime together. Even their friends didn't believe they would actually get married.
After all, they had both been so fickle in love, who would have thought they would find lasting love with each other?
Two "heartbreakers," a perfect match. Chi Jia felt that she and Jing Rui were a case of:
"Us loving each other is a public service."
Belíssimo 🎉🎉🎉🎉🤧🤧🤧🤧
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