Red Roses: I love you

The back view of both of them made many around filled with jealousy, passerby and people in the tea shop alike. There was just something around them that felt so magical.

A couple of girls came by occasionally to hit on Chen, but he ultimately denied with a fierce glare.

What if they wake her up?

Surely, it happened.

One of the customers in the tea shop stood up from her seat and walked in front of Chen.

Everyone grimaced as their eyes followed her to the front. Can't you see how intimate they are? What is she doing?

But why would this girl care? What if she does succeed? Many have mistresses anyway. He looked like he is from a prestige family and a perfect chance for her to climb the ladders in this dog eat dog world!

"How may I help you?" Chen asked in a deadpan tone. Another one. Why is everyone so busybody today? Is there something interesting about us?

He thought cluelessly as he marginally wrapped his arm around Lily in a protective manner.

"Do you live around here?" The girl suggestively asked. "I'm new to the area, so I wanted to get some recommendations."

"No, my wife does, but unfortunately she's asleep."

Making up excuses is the only way to get rid of people like these.

Hmph! As if I'm going to buy that trick!

"Oh? If that's the case why don't we figure it out together?"

Right when the girl said those words, Chen felt his shoulder starting to get a little lighter. He immediately looked down towards the direction.

"Un..."

They woke her up.

Lily slightly squinted her eyes from the bright sunlight and rubbed them.

"Mhm...? You said something about me, darling?" She responded sweetly as she proceeded to lift her head towards Chen and then at the person in front of them. "My! who's this?" :0

Based on her impeccable timing, he knew she awake earlier.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good!" Lily gave him a peck before messaging his shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

Chen smiled extremely gentle at her. Lily's voice was full of flowers with a hint of concern as she looked at him with puppy eyes.

He was head over heels and unconsciously deepened his voice. "She said she needed recommendations and asked us what's good in the area."

"Hmmm... " Lily smoothly wrapped her arm around his before pondering.

"Ah! I thought of something!"

Chen tilted his head slightly and asked, "What could that be, my love?"

Words that he dare not ever say spilled out so naturally. He didn't mind it.

Lily cupped one of her cheeks while the other arm still hooked onto his. She shyly responded softly. "Of course.....You...."

Chen gave her a small chuckle. The cheesiest thing on earth, but it made his heart lit on fire. "But you can't possibly recommend me?"

"Of course not!" Lily continued. "There's nothing good In the area beside you so she needs to hurry along and discover something else!"

The girl was left dumbstruck.

Then, Lily sent a death glare straight at her. Why is she still here?

Not knowing what to do, the girl apologized and quickly left the store.

He looked like a respectable person and the girl seemed to be the nice passive type! Who would've thought she turn out to be a vixen! How can she show her face here ever again?

After the whole incident, Chen was in an amazingly good mood as they continue their way down the street. His entire aura was glistening as if sparkles of sunshine shot out of him.

"Do you like it that much?" Lily finally raised her brows and asked.

"Hm? Like what?"

"I can feel you grinning from behind." She sighed. "You should know I'm quite a possessive person." Lily grabbed hold of his neck firmly. "You still have the chance to run now if you want."

"Hm....how can I run when my body and soul already belong to you?"

"...you...." Lily blushed before hiding on the nook of Chen's neckline.

Thinking about the words he had said earlier, Chen's lips automatically lifted up into a big grin. Though it was acting, it felt so right.

"Say, what should our pet names for each other be? Shouldn't that be our next step in progressing our relationship?" Chen asked her carefully.

"Mm?" Lily was lazily leaning on his shoulder looking at the passing scenery. "Isn't it fine the way it is? How else do we call each other?"

Chen's ears perked up as Lily asked the question he wanted. "Hmmm, how about my love? Dear? Honey? My lovely husband? How about bab—"

Lily quickly shifted her head and slapped his shoulder. "You shameless man!" Does he have no dignity? If other people hear this, his reputation will go down the drain!

"What?" He teased her. "What wrong with calling my love, my love?!"

"Wrong in many ways!"

"I don't understand." Chen shook his head.

"Try saying that in front of your subordinates and see if they still dare follow you." She raised her brows.

Chen chuckled. "I take it that it doesn't matter as long as I don't say it in front of them?" She was so cute. So cute.

Before Lily could retort, Chen secures her on his back and slowly started to run. Chen took a deep breath and then parted his mouth. "My Love! You are the most beautiful person in the world!"

Chen shouted shamelessly. He felt the urge to just do something outrageous and brag to everyone about his angel.

As for Lily, she was as red as the apples by the stall they passed.

"What are you doing!" She quickly hid her face.

Forgetting his cool, indifferent image. Chen smiled brightly, running down from the small hill the street of shops were on.

Once they reached the same coastal area before where all the other streets lead too, Chen put Lily down and set their snacks from the shop aside.

"Wow, look Chen we can see the edge where the water is falling!" Lily held the rails and pointed towards the cliff of the ocean.

"En." He silently gazed at her. Today's purpose of going outside wasn't meaningless. He had planned something special, very special at the end of today. She had been smiling a lot ever since she came back to him.

Aside from the first few rocky days, he felt a complete sense of relief, but that wasn't enough. As a person, he was selfish and desired something more, something secure.

Chen gazed at her bright, cheerful side profile deeply and smiled to himself. Since they left in a late afternoon, the sun was about to set. This was finally the time he was waiting for.

"Lily."

"Un?" Lily shifted her gaze from the ocean to Chen. "Didn't you say you wanted nicknames?" Did he change his mind?

Chen chuckled. "I thought you didn't like it."

"I didn't say I didn't like it..." Lily lowered her eyes and blushed.

"Then my love," Chen moved a little closer and held both of her hands. "Do you like me?"

"Don't you already know the answer?"

"Yes, but I want to hear you say it." He looked at her seriously.

Feeling something wasn't right, Lily replied seriously in return. "Yes, I like you."

"...But I don't like you." Chen boldly told her.

She widened her eyes in shock. "What?"

Dazed at the unexpected answer, Lily loosened her grip and was about to let go but Chen quickly pulled her into his arms.

Lily struggled against his embrace.

"Let go!" Her pupils dilated, and her tears threaten to drop from her big, clear eyes. "What are you doing right now if you don't like me?!"

In the midst of it all, Chen put something in her hair firmly held her in place and said slowly word by word,

"I don't like you, I love you!"