Chapter 116: The Gift

Zeng Hong's words made me frown. I ignored her and turned to Xuan Ling, who was looking at me in silence.

The car headed towards Lanqiao Community. For a long time, Zeng Hong said nothing. I reached out and held Xuan Ling's hand, and she held mine in return. Finally, she mustered the courage to ask, "What... what did you do in the car?"

I looked at her and replied honestly, "I took off her clothes and touched her, intending to scare her. But it didn't work. So, I pushed her out of the car."

Though I was truthful, I kept some details to myself—I only wanted to protect Xuan Ling.

Xuan Ling pouted and pinched me hard. "How could you be so mean? A girl's reputation is so important! How could you leave her like that?"

Her words made me laugh. Xuan Ling was so kind-hearted. "To teach her a lesson," I said.

She placed my hand on her face and whispered, "Don't do that again. Show some basic respect for women. I don't want the man I like to be a crude brute, alright?"

I shook my head. "No can do. I'll only be gentle with you."

She burst into laughter, leaned in, and kissed me lightly. "Fine, I'll forgive you."

I smiled and stroked her hair, happiness flooding through me. Xuan Ling's kindness and innocence overwhelmed me. At that moment, I made a vow: no matter how dark and ruthless I became outside, I would protect this delicate, kind flower. Even if it meant weaving a web of lies, I wanted Xuan Ling to live in a world of beauty.

The car arrived at the community. The evening buzzed with life—children and elderly people strolled and played under the streetlights. We stepped out, and Xuan Ling clung to my arm, quickening her pace to match mine. "Will Cheng Na be released tomorrow?" she asked.

"She will," I assured her.

She nodded and smiled. "I trust you."

We reached the staircase. I glanced at the elevator, which was stuck on the tenth floor, and pressed the button twice. Xuan Ling suddenly suggested, "Why don't you carry me upstairs?"

I frowned. Six flights of stairs… But I crouched down anyway, and she hopped onto my back. Standing up, I teased, "How much do you weigh?"

"Not telling!" she giggled, covering my mouth with her hand.

Xuan Ling was incredibly light, barely 90 pounds, which worried me. But I teased her, "You're so heavy—I can barely carry you!"

"Ridiculous! I only weigh 85 pounds! Even Cheng Na can carry me. You'd better work out. Otherwise, how will you carry me into our new home after we get married? Make me walk up myself?" she complained playfully.

Her words made me laugh. I sprinted up the stairs, and she shrieked, "Slow down! It's scary—what if we fall?"

I slowed my pace and climbed step by step. "No matter how heavy you are, I'll always carry you. Even if I have to crawl, I'll bring you to our new home."

Hearing this, she tightened her arms around me and swung her legs like a carefree child.

Happy moments pass quickly. At the door, I let Xuan Ling down and knocked. Mom opened the door almost immediately, her face lighting up in surprise and joy.

"Ah, Zhao Fei! Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Have you eaten? Come in, quickly!"

She ushered us inside. Xuan Ling deftly handed me a pair of slippers before putting on her own, moving as naturally as if she were already at home.

"Auntie, I'm hungry. Can we have some meat?" Xuan Ling said, wrapping her arms around my mother affectionately. My mother, equally delighted, chatted and laughed with her. Watching them, my heart swelled with happiness. Since Dad passed away, I had rarely seen my mom smile like this. It was all thanks to Xuan Ling. I prayed these simple, warm days would last forever.

Mom made braised pork, Xuan Ling's favorite dish. She remarked that our shared taste in food must be fate, praising us endlessly as though afraid we wouldn't stay together.

I brought out a box, opening it to reveal a pair of jade bracelets. My mother gasped. "Oh my, such beautiful bracelets! They must have been expensive. Did you buy them for Xuan Ling?"

Noticing how much they both liked the bracelets, I chuckled and said, "They're for both of you. One for each."

I handed one to my mother, but she hesitated. "These are too flashy for someone my age. Young girls like Xuan Ling look much better in them. Zhao Fei is so thoughtful."

But Xuan Ling insisted, "Auntie, it suits you perfectly. You're so elegant—it matches your style."

She gently slipped the bracelet onto my mother's wrist. Mom beamed, reluctant to take it off. Then, I took the other bracelet and slipped it onto Xuan Ling's wrist. Her wrist was so slender that the bracelet seemed oversized. Seeing how delicate she looked, my heart ached a little.

The lavender jade glowed under the light, radiating an enchanting brilliance that enhanced Xuan Ling's beauty.

"Look at us," my mom laughed. "Don't we both look stunning with these bracelets?"

Xuan Ling nodded enthusiastically. My mother's smile turned cautious. "Zhao Fei, these bracelets weren't cheap, were they?"

I quickly replied, "Of course not. I got them for 5,000 yuan at the Ruili Jade Market. They have some really expensive pieces there."

Mom's expression softened. "5,000… that's alright. Xuan Ling, when Zhao Fei earns more, he'll get you a golden one, alright?"

I chuckled helplessly. If she knew these cost a million, she'd insist I return them. But her happiness mattered most.

After dinner, Xuan Ling offered to clean up, but Mom stopped her, guiding her to the living room to watch TV while assigning the chores to me. "Men should learn to do housework. Otherwise, they'll grow lazy," she declared.

Xuan Ling, seizing the opportunity, bossed me around. I gladly complied, savoring the feeling of being at home.

As I washed the dishes, I gazed out the window. The scenery here wasn't as breathtaking as Ruili's, but it brought me peace and contentment.

That night, Mom prepared separate rooms for everyone—one for Xuan Ling, one for herself, and the sofa for me. I suggested sharing a room with Xuan Ling, but Mom smacked me on the head. "You're not married yet—how improper!"

Lying on the sofa, I saw Xuan Ling pouting. "I wouldn't mind sharing a room with you," she teased. "But Auntie doesn't allow it, so it's not my fault."

I laughed, reaching out to grab her hand. "Go to sleep."

Though reluctant, she leaned down to kiss my forehead before retreating to her room.

As I stared at the ceiling, I felt utterly content. Sometimes, love doesn't need grand gestures—just caring for each other, finding joy in each other's happiness, is enough.

The next morning, Xuan Ling mischievously pinched my nose to wake me up. I opened my eyes to see her smiling impishly. I grabbed her and tickled her until she squirmed with laughter. Mom emerged from her room, scolding us playfully, "Enough, come have breakfast."

After eating, I drove Xuan Ling to the police station to pick up Cheng Na. She anxiously checked her phone while we waited.

Finally, Cheng Na appeared, looking tired but relieved. Xuan Ling ran to embrace her. "I was so worried about you!"

Cheng Na looked at me coldly. "Thanks," I said, breaking the silence.

"I didn't do it for you," she snapped. "It was for my best friend. But mark my words—if you hurt Xuan Ling, you'll regret it."

I frowned but stayed silent. I knew how much Cheng Na cared for Xuan Ling. Her loyalty was admirable.

"Do you know why I fought Zeng Hong?" Cheng Na asked suddenly.

I shook my head. Xuan Ling tugged at her, trying to stop her from speaking, but Cheng Na pulled away. "Zeng Hong handed Xuan Ling a check in front of the entire class and our professor. She demanded that Xuan Ling leave you, accusing her of stealing you with underhanded tactics. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was? That's why I hit her."

Hearing Cheng Na's words, a surge of guilt and anger welled up inside me. I hadn't known the full extent of what Xuan Ling had endured because of me. She had borne all this quietly, without complaining, without asking for my help.

I looked at Cheng Na. "Thank you," I said sincerely.

She scoffed. "I didn't do it for your gratitude. If you let her suffer again, you'll have to answer to me."

Xuan Ling pulled at her arm, trying to calm her. "Alright, Na Na, that's enough. I'm fine, really."

Cheng Na rolled her eyes. "You're too softhearted for your own good, Ling."

I placed my hand on Xuan Ling's shoulder and said gently, "Let's go home."

The three of us got into the car. As we drove, Cheng Na remained silent in the back seat, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and lingering frustration. Xuan Ling, sitting beside me, kept glancing at me with a soft smile, as though trying to assure me that everything was alright.

We dropped Cheng Na off at her home first. As she stepped out, she turned to me with a warning look. "Remember what I said."

I nodded. "Take care."

When it was just the two of us again, the tension in the car seemed to lift. Xuan Ling reached over and held my hand. "Don't mind her. She's just worried about me."

"I know," I said. "She's a good friend to you."

Xuan Ling smiled. "She is. But you're the most important person to me."

Her words filled me with a deep sense of responsibility. I resolved, once again, to cherish and protect her—no matter what challenges lay ahead.

As we pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex, Xuan Ling looked at me with a playful glint in her eyes. "Carry me upstairs again?"

I sighed, shaking my head with a smile. "Six floors, and you're already making me work this hard."

She giggled. "That's what boyfriends are for."

I crouched down, and she hopped onto my back. This time, her laughter echoed through the stairwell as I carried her up, step by step, to her door.

Once inside, I set her down, and she turned to face me, her eyes shining with gratitude and affection. "Thank you, Zhao Fei. For everything."

I stroked her hair lightly and said, "You don't have to thank me. This is where I want to be—by your side."