On his day off after returning from his journey, the spring sunshine was bright. White clouds drifted low against the backdrop of a deep blue sky, but Li Haojun felt no inclination to admire the view. Instead, he was unusually engrossed in searching for information on his computer—from Seattle to Montana, from Oregon to Arizona—scouring details about every county and township. He was curious to discover other places as obscure and peculiar as Kalispell.
“Still hung up on that Siena thing?” Tan Wenjing asked, patting his shoulder from behind.
“Haha, yeah. Seems this world isn't quite what people usually make it out to be,” Li Haojun replied, turning to look at her.
“Look how beautiful it is today. Let's go for a walk.”
“Sure. How about a picnic?” Li Haojun suggested offhandedly.
“But where should we go?” Tan Wenjing asked.
“Let's go to Lispell.”
“Hahaha, touring your own workplace on your day off? That's a first,” Tan Wenjing laughed.
“Exactly. I just want to see what it's like there on a day off.”
Qin Wenjing thought for a moment and rejected the idea.
“Liberating the world doesn't need you. Your responsibility is to be with me.”
Li Haojun chuckled. His woman cared so deeply for him—wasn't that exactly what he'd hoped for? He stood up, turned back, and embraced Qin Wenjing.
“You're right,” he said, cupping her cheeks with both hands.
“Where do you want to go? Into Moselake City?”
“No, just a walk around home. Stay with me. Stay away from the townspeople—no Kasias, no Siennas.” Qin Wenjing flashed a mischievous grin, tucking a strand of bangs behind her ear with her left hand as she rolled her eyes at Li Haojun.
“Hahahaha,” Li Haojun laughed heartily, then pinched Qin Wenjing's chin and shook her gently, saying,
“Fine, fine, fine. Whatever you say.”
“Mm, just let me change first.” With that, Qin Wenjing returned to her room and sat before the dressing table.
Li Haojun, having put on his outer coat, stepped out into the courtyard to wait. Basking in the warm sunlight, he surveyed the flower beds, pondering where he might need to replant something.
After a while, Tan Wenjing emerged from her room, fully dressed. As the bright spring sunlight hit her full face, the stark contrast between the dim interior and the radiance of daylight gave Li Haojun a fresh visual impact.
She wore beige low-rise stretch flared pants that hugged her waist and hips, and gradually flared from the thighs and knees down. The cuffs covered most of her black high heels. She wore a short, light green jacket with a large round collar and lotus leaf pattern over a white lace-collared blouse, the white lace cuffs peeking out from beneath the jacket sleeves.
Today she wore her hair swept to one side in a shoulder-length style, with a delicate silver drop chain earring adorning the opposite earlobe. She applied a light blush, and peach-pink lipstick. The overall palette and look radiated youthful vibrancy.
Descending the steps in her heels, she moved with careful precision, eyes fixed on each stair. Slightly turning her hips as she walked, she accentuated the curves of her buttocks and thighs—a gait that struck Li Haojun as exceptionally graceful.
When Qin Wenjing finally stood before him, they raised their hands to clasp fingers at chest level. Li Haojun sensed an indescribable quality to her beauty today.
“What do you think?” Qin Wenjing asked with a smile.
“You? Your hair?” Only then did Li Haojun notice her long, straight golden locks—a shade darker than usual.
“Yes, it's a wig. How does it look? Still pining for your little darlings?” "
“Hahaha, it looks great—very novel,” Li Haojun said, scrutinizing her from every angle.
Qin Wenjing obliged, turning her head and shifting her stance.
“Perfect. It all blends together beautifully. Come on, let's show the whole town of Moses Lake.” With that, he grabbed Tan Wenjing's hand and headed out the gate. She followed behind, laughing so hard her sides ached, strands of hair slipping off her shoulders.
Stepping into spring's embrace felt worlds apart from coziness indoors. Bright sunlight etched tree silhouettes sharply onto the ground, while sunlit branches stood out vividly against the blue sky backdrop. The air carried the scent of damp earth and budding foliage. In this season of rebirth, everyone felt brimming with vitality.
Li Haojun held Qin Wenjing's hand as they walked along the hillside path. He occasionally turned to glance at her face, her hair gently swaying, and the slight sway of her body as she walked in high heels on the mountain trail.
“What? Can't get enough of the view?” " Qin Wenjing asked with a smile.
“Yeah,” Li Haojun replied with a silly grin.
“Oh my, and this is just me pretending to be them. If I were really with them, how jealous would you be?” Qin Wenjing teased, poking his forehead with her finger.
“You're different from them,” Li Haojun said, halting his steps. He cupped Qin Wenjing's shoulders with both hands, admiring her for a moment longer before pulling her into his embrace.
“Your body, your heart—they're all mine. They can't hold a candle to you,” he sighed.
“Ah, though Casey and I still keep in touch for work, since we parted ways, it feels like our connection has gradually faded. Maybe she's even dating someone else now.”
“Then go find her?” Qin Wenjing pushed away from Li Haojun's embrace, looking into his eyes as she suggested.
"Ah, Don't be silly. Maybe she was just seeking emotional comfort from me. After all, she's so young—does she really expect me to commit myself?"
“Oh, so you know there's a gap between ideal and reality?” Qin Wenjing stifled a laugh as she watched him.
“Oh, so you were mocking me just now,” Li Haojun finally caught on.
“I wasn't. You're the one getting ahead of yourself,” Tan Wenjing retorted, wriggling free from his embrace and running ahead alone.
Li Haojun trailed behind, not bothering to chase seriously. He admired the graceful, feminine sway of her running form while feigning urgency in his calls,
“How dare you make fun of me? Wait till I catch you!”
Hearing his shouts behind her, Qin Wenjing glanced back to gauge the distance, then burst into laughter as she sprinted a few more steps forward. Against the backdrop of clear blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and the tender, budding earth, the two playful figures dotted the scene, embodying the vibrant spirit of spring.
After enjoying the spring scenery, they felt a bit tired and started their way back. Qin Wenjing wrapped her arm around Li Haojun's as they walked, asking,
“If I had another chance to reverse our ages, would it be okay if I became your daughter?”
“Why do you always want to be my daughter?” Li Haojun asked distractedly.
“Because I want all your love.”
“You already have it. Just call me Dad.”
Seeing Li Haojun hadn't taken her question seriously, Qin Wenjing explained further,
“I mean, if I could go back to when I was younger—”
“Kindergarten? Fine. I'll cuddle you to sleep and promise not to bully you.”
“Oh,” Tan Wenjing felt the topic growing dull. He wasn't taking it seriously, so she pressed,
“Don't you want a daughter like me?”
“Would you take your current memories back with you?” Li Haojun looked at her seriously. Seeing no response, he added,
“The point is choosing me when you don't know what the future holds, not what our relationship is.” Though true, the words stung. As soon as they left his mouth, Li Haojun realized his mistake. He didn't know why he'd been so blunt in reopening her wound. He glanced at Qin Wenjing carefully. she walked quietly beside him.
Li Haojun stopped, took her hand, and as their gazes met, he realized his own regrets mirrored hers. He pulled her close and whispered,
“Nothing in this world is perfect. Let's cherish the time we have now.”
The spring breeze stirred her golden hair, sending strands dancing before Li Haojun's eyes. It seemed to remind him—had he mentioned too many other names in recent casual conversations, prompting Qin Wenjing to dress like this today? The thought made him step back abruptly, pushing her away slightly to examine her face for signs of tears.
“How about we invite Kaycia to hang out with us tomorrow?” Tan Wenjing asked thoughtfully.
“No. She has her own life. If she's dating someone else, I wish her happiness.”
Hearing this, a faint smile touched Tan Wenjing's lips before she turned and walked home alone.
Curious, Li Haojun hurried after her.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I'm not telling you,” Tan Wenjing's mischievous streak surfaced again.
Li Haojun's curiosity got the better of him, so he pleaded,
“Tell me already! What are you laughing about? You're driving me crazy!”
“I'm laughing because she won't get a chance like mine,” Tan Wenjing replied out of the blue. Li Haojun still didn't understand, so he hurried closer, slowing her pace as he asked,
“What are you talking about? What kind of chance won't she get?”
Tan Wenjing looked at Li Haojun with smiling eyes and asked,
“If Casey dated another guy and then came back to you, could you still accept her?”
“Oh,” Li Haojun replied, processing the hypothetical scenario. It made sense—Qin Wenjing had already planted that seed.
He imagined Casey standing before him in that situation. It would be hard to accept. Why hadn’t she chosen him when she had the chance? But then, hadn’t Qin Wenjing entered his life under similar circumstances?
Comparing the two, Li Haojun suddenly realized: Qin Wenjing had entered his life without him having a choice. He’d woken up with her by his side, having no memory of what came before. He couldn’t even gauge how he’d accepted her back then. Then he recalled the hurtful words that had slipped out without thinking earlier. Better not to ask about the past. Why shatter her current happiness?
After frolicking along the mountain path and returning home, it felt as though his entire being had absorbed the essence of spring. Gone was the stifling, oppressive gloom of the indoors. Look at the trees and grass in the forest—having endured the winter's ice and snow, they sprouted fresh buds once more. What hardship could possibly stand in the way?
Watching Qin Wenjing walk ahead, Li Haojun caught up and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
“What are you doing?” Qin Wenjing turned her head from the side where her hair was never worn loose.
Her sparkling eyes, sweet voice, and softly murmuring red lips—in Li Haojun's eyes, she seemed like a flower blooming just for him in spring.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf1ea85Yvw
and then Add to home screen.