Speed and Love

Jin Chao set a small driving goal for Jiang Mu, with the destination not too far. After Jiang Mu drove there haltingly, Jin Chao glanced at his watch and asked her to record the kilometers driven on the first day to see if her speed would improve after a week. So Jiang Mu obediently took out her phone and noted down the mileage.

New drivers often develop a bit of an addiction to driving. During that period, whenever she had free time after dinner, Jiang Mu would drag Jin Chao along to practice driving with her. Shandian sat in the backseat, and before they knew it, they had circled the entire city of Nanjing.

Now Shandian is an old dog. He suffered severe injuries as a puppy, and though he survived, his health has never been fully restored. Thanks to Jin Chao's unwavering care over the years, he has managed to pull through. However, the passage of time has taken its toll, especially in recent years as Shandian's health has declined noticeably. He falls ill almost twice a year, requiring hospital stays, and has become less active, unable to travel far. But Jiang Mu's daily drives around town have livened him up a bit.

Jin Chao still sets goals for Jiang Mu—sometimes long, sometimes short—and she completes them with increasing ease.

Indeed, driving is a skill that improves with practice. Whether it's on the road or in bed, familiarity breeds competence.

During the first month of living together, Jiang Mu was often shy about such matters, even changing clothes behind Jin Chao's back.

In winter, Jin Chao's health tends to worsen, especially on cold, damp days. The places where he once suffered fractures ache dully, often tormenting him to the point of sleeplessness.

Though he never showed any overt signs to worry Jiang Mu, she, who spent every day with him and cared deeply, could still sense something was off. So she took extra care in looking after his daily life—ensuring he didn't touch cold water, reminding him to dress warmly, accompanying him to regular acupuncture and physical therapy sessions. Every night before bed, she would warm his health tea in a thermos and place it by the bedside. If he woke up at night and used his crutches to go to the bathroom, Jiang Mu would rouse from deep sleep and wait for him, only settling back to rest once he returned safely. If Jin Chao took too long, she would always get up to check on him.

Several times, when Jin Chao opened the bathroom door, he would find her waiting anxiously outside in thin pajamas without even a robe, and he would feel heartbroken and urge her to hurry back to bed.

Once, while Jin Chao was showering, Jiang Mu heard a "thud" and anxiously paced outside the bathroom door, asking, "What fell?"

After a moment, a voice came from inside: "I might need you to come in and help."

Jiang Mu gently pushed open the bathroom door. Through the steamy haze, she saw Jin Chao sitting there, his physique still lean and defined. Her cheeks flushed red from the mist.

Jin Chao looked at the electric razor that had slid far away and said helplessly, "My hand slipped a bit."

Jiang Mu quickly picked up the razor from the floor, walked to the shower stall, and handed it to him. As Jin Chao reached for it, he also grabbed her wrist and pulled her directly inside.

Initially, Jiang Mu felt too shy to look at him directly, but Jin Chao turned on the electric razor and said to her, "Didn't you say you wanted to take care of me? Here's your chance to shine."Jiang Mu was burning with fever, having never bathed anyone else before, let alone a man. At first, she was at a loss, but after covering his hair with foam, a playful impulse took over. She sculpted various styles with the foam and even asked him to hold still while she fetched her phone to take pictures. Jin Chao grabbed her wrist, his gaze darkening as he said, "Looking for trouble? Taking indecent photos of me?"

Only then did Jiang Mu remember he was naked and probably not fit for the camera.

Later, while rinsing him off, she splashed water all over herself, her clothes clinging to her body with a restrained sensuality that stirred Jin Chao's desire. He pulled her onto his lap and made love to her. Before this, they had always turned off the lights or left only a dim one, as Jin Chao seemed uncomfortable with her staring at his wounds, which made him somewhat self-conscious.

This was the first time they truly saw each other clearly, and it was also Jiang Mu's first time taking the lead. After that frenzy, she became less awkward and more natural in front of Jin Chao, like a newly bloomed chrysanthemum, every gesture and glance exuding the charm of a young woman, making Jin Chao increasingly infatuated.

So much so that on New Year's Eve, while working out of town, Jin Chao specifically had Xiao Wen pick up Jiang Mu. She had wanted to drive her own little white car over to get some practice, as she had never driven outside Nanjing, but Jin Chao was worried. In the end, Xiao Wen drove Jiang Mu's car to bring her over, along with Shandian.

After exiting the highway, Xiao Wen let Jiang Mu take the wheel. Jin Chao was still working, so Xiao Wen dropped Jiang Mu off directly at Jin Chao's residence there. Jiang Mu had assumed Jin Chao was staying in a hotel, but only when Xiao Wen brought her to the building did she learn he had an apartment here.

Xiao Wen didn't go upstairs. Jiang Mu took the key card and entered Jin Chao's place. The apartment wasn't large but was tidy and well-kept. After setting out food and water for Shandian and taking a shower, Jiang Mu sat on the bay window, scrolling through her phone while waiting for Jin Chao. The bay window was spacious, with a rug and soft cushions, and soon she dozed off.

This business trip of Jin Chao's was longer, spanning New Year's Day and the year-end, with accumulated matters that had to be resolved. Three days apart felt like torture for them.

When Jin Chao finished work and returned, he pushed open the door to find Jiang Mu curled up on the bay window. He quietly entered, fetched a blanket, and covered her. After his shower, she was still in the same position. Jin Chao tossed the blanket back onto the bed and pressed her against the bay window, kissing her deeply. Jiang Mu woke to his kisses, her body soft as she wrapped her arms around his neck, inhaling his clean, freshly showered scent, and murmured in a gentle, drowsy voice, "You're back?"

Jin Chao, worried she might be uncomfortable arching her back, grabbed a nearby pillow to cushion her waist. Jiang Mu let out a dazed "Mm," which sounded more like a silent invitation. Jin Chao couldn't resist her like this and pushed up the smooth fabric of her clothes. Only then did Jiang Mu regain some awareness, blocking his hand as she said, "You never told me you had a place here."Jin Chao had no choice but to explain honestly, 'This apartment is part of the employee welfare housing program.' I got it early when I first came here for development. They had a few slots available, and since it was cheap, I took one. It's convenient to have a place to stay. The property prices here haven't changed much over the years, and it wouldn't be worth much if I sold it now. I didn't think it was necessary to mention."Jiang Mu pouted. "What do you mean there's no need to explain? You come here several times a month—how would I know you haven't set up another home here or hidden some woman in this house?"

Jin Chao's brows and eyes relaxed instantly. He had thought she was upset about him concealing his financial situation, but her concern lay elsewhere. Truly, a woman's thought process was unfathomable.

After laughing, Jin Chao narrowed his gaze, his expression turning predatory. "Looks like you're asking for a lesson."

She wasn't carried to the bed; he had his way with her right there on the bay window.

The unfamiliar environment made Jiang Mu uneasy, her soft whimpers trapped helplessly in her throat. He nibbled her earlobe and whispered, "The soundproofing here is excellent. No need to hold back."

But Jiang Mu still bit her lip hard, shaking her head frantically. "Are there people living next door?"

"Not the respectable kind."

Jin Chao would startle her with sudden movements, teasing her until she was utterly defenseless, reduced to begging for mercy.

When those overwhelming sensations peaked, she would cry out incoherently—"Zhaozhao," "Gege"—each plea only driving Jin Chao further out of control.

By the end, she was drenched and too exhausted to speak, only remembering what Jin Chao had told her days earlier: "New Year's should leave a lasting impression."

So they had carried on from last year into this one. How long they'd lost their minds, even Jiang Mu couldn't tell. It wasn't until Xiao Wen called that she realized her voice had gone hoarse, raspy like a broken bellows.

She hadn't even noticed when Jin Chao was called away by a phone call that morning. She took Shandian downstairs, got in the car, and drove to the address Xiao Wen had sent her.

This was actually Jiang Mu's first time visiting the industrial park where Jin Chao worked. The Automotive Engineering Institute building stood imposing and bright, surrounded by neatly manicured, lush greenery.

As she parked in front of the research institute, Xiao Wen came out to greet her. "Even on holiday, something urgent came up. Engineer Jin was worried about you, so he asked you to come here first. It'll be over soon."

He swiped his card to let Jiang Mu in. The building was nearly empty during the holiday, with most staff away. The young man at the front desk, unfamiliar with Jiang Mu, asked her to register and informed her that pets weren't allowed inside.

Xiao Wen told him, "She's with Engineer Jin."

The young man looked up in surprise, studying Jiang Mu before retracting the pen warmly. "Engineer Jin is in the small conference hall on the third floor. You can tie the dog here—I'll keep an eye on it."

"Thank you," Jiang Mu said.

After settling Shandian, Xiao Wen explained, "Although Engineer Jin isn't formally stationed here, everyone at the institute knows him. He came four years ago for a few months of development work and contributed to the Model 05 engine design. That engine achieved breakthroughs in both technology and emissions. It went into production last year, and the newest vehicles releasing this spring will be equipped with it. There's a gap between domestic engine development and major automotive nations, so top talent like Engineer Jin is highly valued here."

When the elevator doors opened, the hallway displayed introductions of the R&D teams. Jiang Mu scanned them and indeed found Jin Chao. The plaque listed his notable project experiences, and she particularly noted his title: "Product Development Consultant & Thermal Power Engineer."

Jiang Mu stood there, a surge of pride welling up inside her.Afterward, she arrived outside the small conference hall on the third floor. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, she saw Jin Chao standing by the conference table, speaking with an ease in his gestures that made him appear wise and composed. Watching him work in his element made Jiang Mu find him irresistibly charming.

She quietly observed him from the back door for a while, her gaze growing increasingly tender and affectionate.

Jin Chao was the first to step out after the meeting ended. When he saw Jiang Mu waiting by the door, he broke into a smile, leaned in close, and whispered, "Looks like you got everything sorted out last night. You’re all smiles again today."

His words made Jiang Mu blush. Just moments ago, he had seemed so professional, but the moment he stepped out, he was back to his playful self. A few colleagues followed him out and asked, "Engineer Jin, are you heading back to Nanjing right away?"

Jin Chao instantly switched to a more serious demeanor and replied, "I’ve made plans to have lunch with some friends. I’ll head back later."

Jiang Mu had no idea how he managed to switch so effortlessly between his behavior around her and around others. If his colleagues knew what he was really like in private, they’d probably be shocked. But before living with him, she too had thought Jin Chao was quite proper. Even when they dated as teenagers, he had never crossed any lines with her. It just went to show how well he could hide his true nature.

Once they left the building, Jiang Mu asked, "Who are you having lunch with? Are you taking me along?"

"Of course. I’ve already reserved a spot. You’ll see when we get there."

So Jiang Mu took the wheel, though Jin Chao still didn’t fully trust her driving skills. Only when he was sitting beside her did he feel at ease letting her drive.

They parked in front of a restaurant. With the holiday season in full swing, the place was bustling, and many cars were already parked outside. A server came out and directed Jiang Mu to a tight corner spot, instructing her to squeeze the back of the car into the space.

Even though Jiang Mu had her driver’s license and could drive normally, reverse parking remained a source of anxiety for her. Whenever she went out, she always looked for parallel parking spots and avoided parking garages whenever possible. The spot in front of her now seemed almost impossibly tight.

Jin Chao made a phone call and said, "We’re here. Come down and meet us." Then he turned to Jiang Mu and said, "Take Shandian upstairs first."

So Jiang Mu left the car and led Shandian toward the restaurant entrance. Before she even reached the steps, she saw a man with a small ponytail swaggering out of the restaurant. When their eyes met, both froze for a moment. Jiang Mu’s eyes immediately curved into a smile as she exclaimed, "San Lai?"

San Lai stared at her, looking her up and down, and let out an astonished, "Holy crap! It’s like you’ve come back to life!"

Jiang Mu grinned and hurried up the steps. San Lai spread his arms wide and said, "Welcome back to the team."

Jiang Mu, still holding Shandian’s leash, gave him a quick hug and asked, "What team?"

San Lai glanced down at Shandian, who was wagging his tail energetically, and replied, "The Paw Patrol."

"..."

San Lai seemed unchanged from before. His hair was longer, with a few wispy bangs framing his face. While Jin Chao had matured noticeably, San Lai still had that youthful, delicate look. Tall and dressed in a carefree, slightly disheveled style, he carried an air of lazy charm. Perhaps it was his fearless attitude—even wearing rags, he never seemed down on his luck.

San Lai led Jiang Mu into the restaurant and asked, "Where’s You Jiu?"

Jiang Mu replied, "He’s parking the car."

San Lai’s smile faltered slightly. "What?"Jiang Mu explained, "I just got my license and I'm not very skilled at reversing yet. That spot was too narrow to park properly."

San Lai frowned slightly. "He's willing to touch the steering wheel again?"

While walking upstairs, Jiang Mu learned from San Lai that the accident had not only caused irreversible physical damage to Jin Chao but also left him with PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder, a type of mental disorder. Even though national regulations allow people with left lower limb disabilities but otherwise sound limbs to drive small cars, he had never touched the steering wheel since then.

Before this, Jiang Mu had never heard Jin Chao mention it. Next to their garage was a large Jeep. If parked too close, Jiang Mu couldn't reverse into the spot. The first time she drove to work and came back to park, she spent nearly twenty minutes struggling to reverse. Frustrated, she called Jin Chao. He tried to guide her, but seeing her helpless, he hesitated for a moment before telling her to get out of the car. Then, with one swift move, he reversed it in. Although Jin Chao seemed a bit quiet afterward, Jiang Mu didn't think much of it. Many times after that, when she couldn't reverse properly, she would call Jin Chao to come down and help.

She never imagined he had suffered from PTSD. A racer who once dominated the tracks now found touching the steering wheel a painful experience. Jiang Mu's heart tightened with each thought.

San Lai realized he had spoken out of turn and said, "Don't take it to heart. It's been years; he should have moved on by now. This is a good thing. You should encourage him to get behind the wheel more often. I mean it."

Jiang Mu forced a stiff smile. San Lai opened the private room door, and inside sat familiar old friends: Jin Fengzi, Zhang Guangyu and his wife, and their son, who was already over two years old.

Jin Chao hadn't told them in advance. When they saw San Lai bring Jiang Mu in, they were stunned for a moment before standing up. Jin Fengzi had the most exaggerated reaction, exclaiming, "Oh my god, I didn't even recognize you! Little sister, you've really changed—the older you get, the prettier you become. Last time I saw you, you were just a little girl. Now, if I passed you on the street, I wouldn't know it was you."

Amid the greetings, Jin Chao walked in. San Lai immediately scolded him, "You really know how to keep a secret! When did you two reconnect? You didn't even give us a heads-up."

Jin Chao smiled faintly, placing a hand on Jiang Mu's shoulder as he guided her to sit. "It's been a while," he said.

Seeing their demeanor, everyone understood the situation.

San Lai sat down, clicking his tongue and shaking his head at the two of them. Jin Fengzi, in high spirits, insisted that Jiang Mu drink a few glasses with him. Jin Chao protected her tightly, saying she was driving, and didn't let them mess around.

San Lai, indignant, yelled, "You protected her like this when she was eighteen, fine, but she's almost twenty-eight now! Are you even human?"

Jin Chao leaned back casually, one arm resting on the back of Jiang Mu's chair, letting them curse as they pleased, still wearing a smile.

Jiang Mu smoothed things over: "My driving skills are too poor, and I still have to drive back later. Next time you come to Nanjing, visit our place. I'll cook for you and have a proper drink with you then."

San Lai said in surprise, "Well, why wait? How about tomorrow? By the way, what's wrong with your voice?"

Jiang Mu quickly sat up straight, cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing with a hint of guilt. She feigned calm and said, "I caught a chill last night."After speaking, she felt she had definitely been corrupted by Jin Chao, as she too had begun spouting nonsense with her eyes wide open.

Jin Chao lowered his lashes, smiling silently while his fingers traced lightly on her back, tickling Jiang Mu unbearably. She didn’t dare move, so she turned her head and shot him a silent glare. Jin Chao’s smile only grew more unrestrained at the corner of his lips.

Later in their conversation, Jiang Mu learned that during Jin Chao’s hospitalization, Jin Fengzi had left Wan Ji and moved out of his home to take care of Jin Chao’s daily needs, largely out of guilt over the Tie Gongji incident. After Jin Chao was discharged, Jin Fengzi continued living with him for a while. At that time, Jin Chao faced many inconveniences in his daily life, but fortunately, Jin Fengzi’s robust build made it possible for him to manage the care.

However, with two grown men just staring at each other all day, boredom was inevitable. Later, when Jin Chao decided to prepare for the self-study exams, he found Jin Fengzi’s constant gaming too noisy and dragged him into studying for the exams as well.

The problem was, Jin Fengzi had never seriously studied a day in his life. After graduating from technical school, he had idled away for several years. Looking back, Jin Fengzi still believed Jin Chao must have been seriously ill during that period—not only taking exams himself but forcing Jin Fengzi to do the same.

Under Jin Chao’s relentless pressure, Jin Fengzi actually managed to earn a bachelor’s degree. After moving with Jin Chao from Changchun to Anhui, Jin Chao even considered dragging him into preparing for graduate school. It was only when Jin Fengzi threatened to end his life that Jin Chao finally gave up on tormenting him further.

Now, Jin Fengzi works as a technician under Zhang Guangyu at the factory, securing a stable life, though he still hasn’t found a partner. He asked Jiang Mu to keep an eye out for potential matches.

As for San Lai, his story was even more remarkable. The year Jin Chao left Tonggang, Xi Shi passed away. Heartbroken, San Lai closed his pet shop, rented the space next to Fei Chi, merged the two, and opened a fast-food restaurant. Surprisingly, business was quite good.

Hearing this, Jiang Mu was stunned: “You’re the one who opened that fast-food place?”

San Lai replied, “Huh? You’ve been there?”

“I never went inside, but when I returned to China during my freshman year, I made a special trip to Fei Chi and saw it.”

Jin Chao turned his gaze toward her, and Jiang Mu shot him a resentful look in return. Jin Chao took her hand, and everything was understood without words.

However, San Lai’s entrepreneurial journey took a rather magical turn later on. After Jin Chao and Jin Fengzi both left Changchun, San Lai, seeing his brothers heading south to develop, eagerly followed suit and opened a branch opposite their factory. At first, business was slow.

Zhang Guangyu, who had worked his way up from the workshop, knew many people. Jin Fengzi, a lover of alcohol, had a crowd of dubious friends. Combined with Jin Chao’s influence, the initial customer flow at the fast-food joint relied entirely on the brothers’ support.

Ultimately, the food tasted better than the factory canteen’s. Though slightly more expensive, the portions were generous, and people didn’t mind paying an extra ten or eight yuan. More and more workers abandoned the canteen for San Lai’s place. Later, San Lai took Jin Fengzi’s savings meant for marriage and expanded the business, scaling it up to rival the factory canteen. This led to a decline in the canteen’s operations, drawing complaints from management. The following year, during the bidding process to replace the canteen operator, San Lai eagerly submitted a bid. Many of the leaders at the bidding event had previously patronized his restaurant, and with his silver tongue, he successfully secured the contract to run the canteen.

Thus, he became a bona fide canteen manager—complete with formal business cards.Jiang Mu couldn't help but recall that year when she went with San Lai to find Jin Chao. They were stopped by Boss Wan's men at the foot of the mountain, where he had boldly claimed in front of Boss Wan that his culinary skills were more than sufficient to run a restaurant. Back then, Jiang Mu never imagined he would actually end up managing a cafeteria someday—life truly is full of unexpected turns.

Jiang Mu sighed with emotion, "So you've all settled down here now."

San Lai chimed in, "Exactly! As soon as I arrived, I rented the room next to You Jiu's, and we became neighbors again. Hahahaha..."

Jiang Mu's face gradually darkened as she silently turned to look at Jin Chao. She remembered asking someone last night if anyone lived next door, and he had replied, "It's not exactly a respectable person."

Hearing San Lai's unrestrained laughter, Jiang Mu inexplicably felt that this description wasn't entirely wrong.

Jin Chao naturally knew what Jiang Mu was thinking, his eyes holding an indescribable amusement as he glanced at San Lai.

Since leaving Tonggang, almost no one Jin Chao had met knew about his past. In the eyes of his current colleagues, he was steady and reliable, with solid expertise in his professional field. He had re-entered this circle with a clean slate, completely burying his former self. No one knew about his turbulent past, and only in front of these old friends did he remain You Jiu.

...

Although everyone had been teasing them during lunch, no one actually drank. After they had eaten their fill, San Lai called Jin Chao to join him for a smoke on the balcony outside.

Once they stepped onto the balcony and slid the glass door shut, San Lai lit a cigarette and cursed, "You damn dog, why didn't you tell us until the kid could run all over the place?"

Leaning against the railing, Jin Chao chuckled, "It hasn't been that long. She's only been with me for a little over two months."

San Lai exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Just over two months? You really have the nerve to say that. How many meals have we shared in these two months? Did your mouth have a combination lock?"

Jin Chao glanced at him dismissively, "Like a nagging mother, do I have to call and report everything to you?"

Mentioning phone calls reminded San Lai of a few months ago when he had actually heard a woman's voice near Jin Chao during a call. That was ages ago. When he later saw Jin Chao and asked if he had found a woman, Jin Chao had stubbornly refused to answer.

San Lai grumbled, "That woman I heard on the phone last time was Mu Mu, wasn't it? Were you two already together back then?"

"Not at that time."

San Lai rambled on, "No wonder you've been rushing around like you're on a tight schedule lately, leaving as soon as you arrive and refusing to join us for meals. You've been hurrying back to be with Mu Mu, haven't you?"

Jin Chao rubbed his nose and coughed dryly, "New love, you know."

San Lai fumed, "New love my ass! You two have been hot for decades."

"Go to hell."

San Lai pressed further, "So how far have things progressed now?"

Jin Chao looked at him with a cryptic expression and said only three words, "Thinking of marriage."

San Lai's hand trembled with anger, "Old Jin and I always said that since you were alone, if either of us got married first, you'd be pitiful all by yourself. But now look at this—we're both still single, and you're talking about marriage? You always call me inhuman, and I admit it, but you're the real dog."

Jin Chao laughed as he spoke, but San Lai wouldn't let it go, continuing, "Back then, you changed your number, and you even talked me into changing mine, cutting off my direct line to Mu Mu. Tell me, all these years, were you guarding against me? Admit it! You were jealous of my charm and dashing looks, afraid Mu Mu would develop feelings for me if we stayed in touch, weren't you?"

Jin Chao replied calmly with a smile, "Yes, whatever you say. Let me ask you something—how's your drone flying these days?"

The topic shift was too abrupt. San Lai stared at him blankly for a moment before responding, "Why are you asking me that? Didn't you say my skills were trash?"San Lai had become obsessed with drones over the past two years, starting with models costing a few hundred to a few thousand, and now he was playing with ones worth over ten thousand. He had even joined some amateur enthusiasts association, charging off with a group of drone hobbyists every weekend.

Seeing Jin Chao staring at him with a serious expression, San Lai shook the stray hairs on his forehead and said, "You might think my skills are trash, but out there people respectfully call me Master Lai and come to me for advice. What do you know?"

Jin Chao patted his shoulder. "After the meal, could you do me a favor, Master Lai? I'll give you Gu Tao's contact info. Take your gear and get in touch with him when you arrive."

"..."

Inside the private room, Jiang Mu was holding Zhang Guangyu's son while playing with Shandian. The little boy wanted to touch Shandian but was scared of his large size. He'd poke a finger out then hide back in Jiang Mu's arms, making everyone laugh.

San Lai joined in the laughter before suddenly sighing. "After going around in circles, she's finally back. Do you regret sending her away back then?"

Jin Chao remained silent for a few seconds before replying, "I'm grateful. Grateful she didn't see me at my worst. Back then, even you guys wanted to beat me to death. She's a girl - how could she have handled it? Even the strongest feelings would have been worn away. Fortunately, she returned when I was capable of providing stability. Two years earlier would have been difficult."

San Lai said with emotion, "True. Two years ago you were even considering selling property to keep the coffee shop afloat. Glad we all made it through."

Jin Chao's gaze lingered on Jiang Mu's smiling face, and the corners of his mouth lifted in response.

...

After the meal, San Lai said he had something to attend to and drove off first. Jin Chao and Jiang Mu returned to the apartment and stayed a while longer.

Jin Chao had woken up early, and they hadn't been restrained last night, getting a bit wild. Jiang Mu worried he might be tired and suggested he rest before heading back.

Jin Chao leaned back on the massage chair in the living room. Jiang Mu covered him with his fleece coat, then sat on the nearby sofa scrolling through her phone to keep him company.

Jin Chao wasn't actually asleep, just resting with closed eyes. He turned his head to look at her and called out, "Mumu."

Jiang Mu put away her phone and turned to him. He lifted the coat and said, "Come here, let me hold you."

Thinking he was cold, Jiang Mu walked over and touched his hands - they were still warm. Jin Chao wrapped his arm around her waist, letting her half-recline against him. Jiang Mu asked cautiously, "Am I too heavy? Am I pressing on your legs?"

Jin Chao chuckled. "Not heavy at all. Quite soft actually."

Jiang Mu buried her face in the hollow of his collarbone and complained, "Don't start anything with me. You still have to drive later."

Jin Chao didn't respond. Jiang Mu looked up at him to find tender affection in his eyes as he asked, "What about the mileage numbers I asked you to record?"

"They're in my phone."

"Let me see them."

Jiang Mu opened her phone's notepad. Jin Chao stared at the screen and asked, "What do these numbers look like to you?"

Jiang Mu studied the seemingly random string of numbers for a long time. Jin Chao pointed at two numbers and said, "What are the first letters of these two destination names?"

After thinking, Jiang Mu replied, "E and N."

Jin Chao continued her train of thought: "What kind of marker does that resemble?"

After a moment's consideration, Jiang Mu said, "Latitude and longitude?"

Jin Chao smoothed her hair. "Add the numbers."

"It couldn't be coordinates, could it?"

Jin Chao pressed on: "Try connecting them."

As Jiang Mu marked the numbers with latitude and longitude and rearranged them, Jin Chao lifted her slightly higher, playing with the ends of her hair. "Don't you want to know what place it is?"Jiang Mu turned her head to stare at him: "You know?"

Jin Chao shrugged: "Would you like to take me to see it?"

Jiang Mu immediately pulled out her phone and searched for the coordinates. It turned out to be just over a hundred kilometers away from them—not too far—but the map showed a large forest park in that area, without much detail.

Jiang Mu grew interested, straightening up as she said to Jin Chao: "Shall we go? We could actually make it before dark if we leave now."

Jin Chao tilted his neck: "Need me to be your navigator?"

Jiang Mu leaned in and gave him a kiss: "What are we waiting for, my navigator."

The drive was leisurely. Shandian sat in the back seat, sticking his head between them with his tongue out. A rare trip out of town seemed to be great fun for him.

By evening, they reached a scenic area parking lot. Jin Chao unbuckled his seatbelt and said to her: "Let's get out."

Jiang Mu locked the car and asked: "Are we going in? It must be closed by now, right?"

Jin Chao had already taken hold of Shandian's leash and said to her: "Let's go check."

Jiang Mu locked the car and followed.

The scenic area was vast. They rented a sightseeing electric cart and drove around for quite a while following the coordinates. Shandian was the most excited, finding everything new and happily nuzzling up to Jiang Mu.

Jiang Mu checked her phone and told Jin Chao: "We're here. Don't go further. Turn in from here and let's see."

But when Jin Chao turned in, Jiang Mu was stunned by the sight before her: a massive hot air balloon suspended in mid-air, abruptly crashing into her view. She tugged at Jin Chao and said: "Wow, you can ride a hot air balloon here."

Jin Chao laughed: "Quite a surprise."

The coordinates matched perfectly. The sightseeing cart stopped, and before them lay an open grassy area—the hot air balloon launch site. Jiang Mu tilted her head back, her eyes filled with delight.

Jin Chao turned to look at her: "Since we're here, want to ride?"

Jiang Mu's eyes sparkled as she asked in astonishment: "How did you find this place?"

"You found it, remember?"

Jiang Mu glanced sideways at him, his eyes shimmering with a captivating light: "Let's go, to commemorate our first time."

Jiang Mu let herself be pulled toward the enormous hot air balloon, still dazedly asking: "What first time?"

Jin Chao looked back at her, teasing with his gaze: "First time riding a hot air balloon. What did you think I meant?"

Jiang Mu felt her thoughts had been very impure lately, definitely corrupted by Jin Chao. Whatever he said, her mind wandered to all sorts of indecent things.

But once they were actually in the hot air balloon, Jiang Mu felt both excited and extremely nervous. Shandian was excited beside them, and she took out her phone to take pictures. However, as they rose higher, she put her phone away, too afraid to stand near the edge. She turned and clung tightly to Jin Chao, patting his arm. Understanding, Jin Chao wrapped his arms completely around her, giving her a sense of security. Jiang Mu looked up and asked: "Are we going even higher?"

Jin Chao gazed at the distant valley and replied: "Probably. What can you see like this?"

With that, he turned her around and held her from behind. In that instant, as they ascended, her pupils were coated with a dazzling golden hue. The rolling mountains stretched out before her, and other hot air balloons rising in the distance dotted the sky like blooming flowers—dreamlike and breathtakingly beautiful.The world appeared before their eyes in a state of stillness, as though all things had vanished except the two of them, facing that glimmer of light, growing toward the sun.

Jiang Mu’s gaze was distant and serene, her voice scattered by the wind across the valley as she asked, “Have you ever regretted it? If you could do it over, would you still compete in that race?”

For a long moment, there was no sound from behind her. Jiang Mu only felt his arms gradually tighten around her. After a while, he finally said, “I could have lived a dim but healthy life, or I could have risked everything for a chance to see the light again in my later years. In a way, the world is fair—there’s always an invisible scale balancing what we gain and what we lose. You ask if I regret it? For a long time, I kept asking myself the same question.”

His voice trailed off. The last rays of the setting sun spared no effort in illuminating the entire valley. After a long pause, he told her, “Now I can say with certainty—no regrets. As long as you’ve come back to me, nothing else matters…”

Just as Jin Chao’s words faded, countless balloons suddenly soared into the sky from the distant valley, covering the mountains and fields in a dazzling array of colors. The breathtaking sight made Jiang Mu gasp, “Chao Chao, look! Over there—someone’s releasing balloons! They’re so beautiful! Where are they coming from?”

She even forgot to take out her phone to capture the moment, simply staring in awe as the colorful balloons rose into the sky, the scene so magnificent it felt unreal.

Jin Chao lowered his head, his breath brushing her cheek as he said, “I still remember how you tugged at me, full of questions after seeing that movie poster. You said you envied the old man and the child being lifted into the sky by balloons, and you asked me what it feels like to fly up there. Can balloons really lift a house? Would they pop in the sky? Do you remember how I answered you?”

Jiang Mu’s thoughts instantly drifted back to that time, her breathing quickening as she recalled, “You said… you knew about something called a hot air balloon that could carry people into the sky. I begged you to take me on one, and you said we’d go when we were older.”

The wind was strong at that height, and Jiang Mu felt cold. Jin Chao opened his coat and wrapped her inside, saying, “It’s a pity we couldn’t choose how we lived back then.”

Balloons filled the sky, soaring higher into the vast expanse, but one pink heart-shaped balloon flew directly toward them. Jiang Mu thought she must be seeing things—how could a balloon fly toward them?

As it drew closer, her eyes widened in disbelief. Even when the drone carrying the pink balloon hovered right in front of them, she still hadn’t processed what was happening. The next moment, to her astonishment, San Lai’s voice suddenly blared from the drone: “You Jiu, you bastard! You called me here to watch you two lovebirds? Don’t you have a conscience?”

Jiang Mu flinched, but Jin Chao calmly retorted, “I thought humans didn’t eat dog food. Turns out you’re not human after all.”

Jiang Mu stared in horror at the exchange between the man and the machine, wondering why these two had to argue mid-air. Then she heard San Lai shout at her, “Mu Mu, hurry up and—”

Only then, in her dazed state, did Jiang Mu notice the drone…

Before the word “and” could fully form, the drone zipped away at lightning speed.

Jiang Mu turned to him, still wide-eyed with shock. Jin Chao sighed. “I didn’t know his drone could transmit voices. Miscalculation on my part.”Jiang Mu lifted the small bag and asked, "And then?"

Jin Chao, unusually showing a hint of awkwardness, said to her, "Last time I saw that Yearning keychain was worn out, so I thought of getting you a new one."

Jiang Mu took out the small box from the bag. Although she had a premonition, when she opened it and saw the sparkling diamond ring inside, with the indelible four characters "Yearning" engraved on the inner wall, uncontrollable excitement welled up in her eyes.

Jin Chao took the ring and said to her, "We couldn't choose our childhood lives, forced apart as a family. Now, are you willing to rebuild a family with me?"

A warm tear watered her entire heart. Jiang Mu's emotions surged wildly. Between heaven and earth, at the transition of sun and moon, on the first day of the New Year, witnessed by the vast sky and towering mountains, she firmly anchored herself into the entire journey of his life.

Though deeply moved, she pretended to be calm and said to him, "I knew you luring me all the way here meant something was up, but I never expected you to propose in such a high place."

Jin Chao laughed and said, "Yeah, no way out for you. If you want to refuse, the only option is to jump down, but you're too timid."

Seeing her not moving, Jin Chao lifted his pant leg and said, "Looks like I have to kneel to show sincerity."

Jiang Mu couldn't bear to see him go through such effort and quickly reached out her hand, her voice choked: "Yes, yes, yes. Important things should be said three times."

Jin Chao smiled and slipped the ring onto her finger, securing her. Jiang Mu looked down at the "Yearning" now embedded on her ring finger and muttered, "But isn't this too fast? We've only been together for over two months, and we're getting married?"

Jin Chao turned her around, embraced her from behind, and said, "Your calculation of time is off. You've been with me since you were 19, and it's been seven years now. If I don't marry you soon, would that make sense?"

He gently touched her flat abdomen and said softly, "Besides, we've skipped protection several times. If there really is a child, I can't let our baby come into this world without a name or status."

Jiang Mu placed her hand over his large one, a faint anticipation climbing into her heart. She suddenly wanted very much to have a child with Jin Chao. She could imagine he would cherish their baby just as he cherished her. They would build a new family—one with a child, Shandian, and... just thinking about it made her unable to suppress a smile.

Jin Chao kissed her hair devoutly and said, "Next month, for the New Year, I'll go with you to Australia to visit your mom."

Jiang Mu's heart trembled violently. That year, on a rainy night, he left Suzhou and could never call Jiang Yinghan "Mom" again. But after all these years, he could finally call her "Mom" in another capacity.

The surrounding valleys gradually darkened, the last rays of the sun disappearing into the earth. The moon eventually returned to the sky. Dusk follows dawn, time flies like a shuttle.

On the first day of the New Year, Jiang Mu gained a new identity, taking her husband's surname—Jin Mu.

The End