The sky gradually brightened, dawn's first light emerging. A faint wintry fragrance clung to the branches, as if flowing from the imprinted snow. The air was fresh and rich.
The lingering after-effects of a hangover brought a headache and a burning throat. Luckily, she hadn't been tormented much last night, so Mei Ran, unusually early for her, was sitting at the dining table leisurely eating breakfast.
Jessica stood by attentively. "...He has a habit of going for a run every morning after getting up. I heard it's to improve the quality of the next generation heir..."
Mei Ran choked slightly on her milk. Next generation heir... wouldn't that be... *cough cough*.
"Where does he usually run?" Normally at this time, she was still asleep, only waking when he had already changed and was sitting by the bed calling her, so she was naturally clueless about this.
Jessica named a place. "Would you like to go see?"
Mei Ran started to say no, but changed her mind at the last moment. "Alright."
She finished the milk and rinsed her mouth with warm water. Suddenly remembering something, she pulled a neatly folded piece of white paper from her coat pocket, unfolding it. "Jessica, can you help me translate the meaning of this sentence?"
It was an unfinished musical score Mei Ran had found in the study last night, signed "Ansel" in the top right corner.
Hadn't he not released new work for many years? Then who was this song written for? Her curiosity was piqued.
Jessica took it, thought seriously for a moment. "I'm not sure how accurate my translation is."
She didn't understand Chinese, so could only translate it into English both could understand. Upon hearing it, Mei Ran's eyes immediately brightened, and she blurted out, "If Missing Had a Sound."
Was this the song's name? Could it be the song promised to Yu Sheng last time?
Mei Ran softly repeated it again, her heart instantly softening. Just these seven words allowed her to imagine a deeply affectionate, poignant love story in her mind.
If missing had a sound, what would it say?
After pondering for a while, she still had no clue. Her curiosity was fully aroused, wishing she could stand before that man right now and ask for clear answers.
However, when she truly stood before him, she completely forgot that thought.
The man wore black casual sportswear, jogging steadily towards her from the morning light. The lines of his face were softened and somewhat blurred by the gentle glow, yet his deep eyes seemed freshly washed, clear and bright. The dark hair on his forehead was damp with sweat, slightly lifted then falling back with his movements. His long, powerful legs broke through the cold wind and thin snow with steady strides. Every part of him faintly exuded a low-key aura of sensuality.
"Why'd you come?" he asked as he drew near. Seeing she was still staring at him, lost in thought, he asked again, amused.
It wasn't until his slightly moist lips pressed against hers that Mei Ran reacted, but it was too late.
When the man had his fill of the good morning kiss and let her go, Mei Ran was already breathing as unsteadily as he was, even scalded a little by his warm breath pressed against her earlobe. "I still have five more laps."
"Ranran, as my attending physician, do you think I should finish the run, or replace it with another equally strenuous exercise?"
Mei Ran lowered her head, twisting a small white flower she'd picked up on the path, refusing to look at him.
Fu Shijin then understood she'd comprehended. Kissing her forehead, his tall figure jogged away with the wind again.
She stood in place, her gaze following him, her heart serene.
He kept his word. After each lap, he came over to claim a kiss. The two shamelessly flaunted their affection, so sweetly intimate it even made Jessica, watching nearby, blush slightly. Her narrow eyes widened considerably, her astonishment uncontrollably spilling out like a broken dam.
She had been here for nearly ten years, yet this was the first time seeing this man smile so tenderly. His handsome brows and eyes were filled with mirth, shining brilliantly under the sunlight, dazzlingly radiant.
He must love this woman before him deeply.
In this world, only coughs and love are impossible to hide.
After finishing his run, Fu Shijin went back to take a shower, change clothes, then dragged Mei Ran to have breakfast with him again, before leaving for his meeting satisfied.
Mei Ran also began packing her luggage in the bedroom. In the middle of packing, Fu Lanxin arrived, leaning gracefully by the door. "Ranran."
"Mom."
"Why not have someone help you?"
Mei Ran smiled. "I'm used to packing myself."
Fu Lanxin glanced around. The freshly changed bedsheet was still messy, full of creases. Understanding dawned, and she couldn't help teasing, "What, Shijin is willing to let you go?"
Mei Ran also noticed where her gaze fell, instantly her face grew hot, not knowing whether to stand or sit.
Even more awkward than her father catching an intimate moment was her mother-in-law stumbling upon the scene of their 'misdeeds' before it could be tidied up.
Fu Lanxin stopped teasing, taking her hand and slipping on a jade bracelet she had just taken off. Mei Ran's wrist was slender, making the jade bracelet seem slightly large, but her fair complexion complemented this exquisite piece of vibrant green jade.
Truly, slender jade-like fingers and delicate wrists.
"Mom, what is this?"
"This is the engagement gift Shijin's father gave me."
"It's too precious." As Mei Ran spoke, she tried to remove the bracelet. "I can't accept it."
She understood all too clearly. For her mother-in-law, this jade bracelet wasn't about its intrinsic value, but its meaning. It held a unique, irreplicable significance in this world.
"Keep it properly," Fu Lanxin pushed the bracelet back on her wrist. "It's Mother's sincere intention."
Having said that, Mei Ran could no longer refuse.
The bracelet was too precious. After seeing Fu Lanxin off, Mei Ran specially cleared out a jewelry box to store it in. After thinking it over, she still felt it improper and was about to rise when suddenly there was movement outside the door again.
Moments later, Fu Shijin walked in. She looked at the time in surprise. "The meeting ended early?"
He lightly "hn"-ed, walked over and sat down, glancing at the item in her hand, his eyebrow lifting. "What's that?"
Mei Ran briefly explained, then asked, "This bracelet is very important to Mom. I've been considering it, but I still think I should return it to her. What do you think?"
The man reached out, pulling her into an embrace, pressing his face against her abdomen, as if thinking it over. "It's fine. Keep it."
"But..."
Her waist was suddenly tightened by a forceful pull. Mei Ran stumbled forward, barely steadying herself by holding his shoulder. Then she heard his muffled voice buried there. "Three more hours."
She suddenly felt like laughing, stroking his short hair as reassurance.
"Can't you ask for a few more days off?"
"Mr. Fu," Mei Ran laughed, "It's only three days apart. Besides, brief separations help deepen feelings..."
Well, true. Little partings might enhance reunion, which sounded not bad either. Thinking this, Fu Shijin's mood improved somewhat.
Three hours passed in a flash. Mei Ran embarked on her journey home with her father. Fu Shijin personally saw them off at the airport. Fu Lanxin couldn't come as she had an important banquet to attend.
It was almost boarding time. Mei Hongyuan glanced at the two not far away and cleared his throat. "Ranran, we should go."
Only then did Fu Shijin release her hand, repeating his instruction, "Call me as soon as you arrive, no matter how late."
"Alright." Mei Ran could almost recite his words verbatim.
Truly at the moment of parting, thinking of him returning alone soon, Mei Ran felt a pang of reluctance. After taking a few steps, she ran back and gave him a tight hug. "I'll wait for you to come back."
Seeing his daughter's crestfallen expression, Mei Hongyuan couldn't help but laugh. "Should I send you back to him now?"
"Dad!"
Purposely making fun of her.
The plane took off. The buildings, mountains, and rivers below grew smaller and smaller. Mei Ran slowly withdrew her gaze from the large white clouds.
Goodbye, France.
She wrapped herself in the blanket, wanting to sleep, but her mind was too occupied to rest. Mei Hongyuan tilted his head to look at her.
"Dad, can you tell me how you persuaded Aunt Huiyuan to return?"
Mei Hongyuan looked ahead, his deep gaze seemingly seeing a far-off place. After a long while, he let out a light sigh. "To return to one's roots."
Mei Ran felt sudden enlightenment.
For someone who had drifted for most of their life, twilight years inevitably call for a return home. Some who cannot return home in life, even their ashes must be sent back to their homeland for burial after death.
Her eyes grew warm. "Is Aunt Huiyuan doing alright now?"
Mei Hongyuan said, "Her temper has softened a lot compared to before, and she's getting along quite well with the family."
Getting along quite well?
Mei Ran was taken aback, thinking of Aunt Zhou's earlier phone call. She said Mei Mengran had been discharged from the hospital. Upon hearing that Old Madame Mei had been confined to the side courtyard, she was so furious she almost fainted again. Before she could even stir up a commotion, she was thoroughly subdued by the newly appointed Household-Managing Grand Aunt.
Come to think of it, Mei Ran's memory of this aunt wasn't very clear either. Most of her impressions came from her parents, who said she closely resembled this aunt in her youth.
She and her father talked much more about Aunt Huiyuan, until finally she could no longer resist sleepiness and drifted into a hazy slumber.
It was already the early hours of the next day by the time they arrived home. As soon as Mei Ran got out of the car, she called a certain someone, talking until the phone grew hot, only hanging up reluctantly.
She rested all morning and went to the hospital in the afternoon. There were many backlogged patients, and the assistant was grumbling from the busyness, clutching her in shared grievance.
Seeing off the last patient, Mei Ran finally had time for a sip of water. The phone on the desk vibrated. Swiping the screen, she saw a message from Yu Sheng, who had disappeared for a long time.
Yu Sheng: Aaah! So great! So great!
Yu Sheng: Big sis finally slept with Ye Qihan!
Mei Ran: ...
Yu Sheng: Don't you have anything to say to me?
Mei Ran: Should I say congratulations?
Yu Sheng: Tch! No sincerity at all!
Mei Ran: Then... may you sleep safely.
She waited nearly half an hour, but there was no reply. Smiling, Mei Ran put her phone away.
Two days passed in busyness. Finally Friday arrived. Mei Ran handed over her shift to the colleague on night duty, returned to the office to organize some medical records, and by the time she walked out of the Traditional Chinese Medicine department entrance, dusk was deepening. Actually, it was only around six o'clock, but because it was deep winter, darkness fell especially early.
Her parcel had been placed at the side entrance security booth, so she didn't go through the main door this time, though the two entrances weren't far apart.
Mei Ran placed the parcel box in a bag, then blew warm breath onto her hands. Just as she stepped out the side door, her phone in her bag suddenly rang. Walking out while answering the call.
"Ranran, where are you now?"
"At the hospital, just got off work."
A brief silence on the other end. "Why didn't you call me today?"
Mei Ran: "I did. Couldn't get through."
"Is that so..." The deep voice carried a hint of laughter. "Your side is 18:15 in the evening now? Is it dark yet? I'm still in a meeting... Miss you."
Mei Ran looked across the street at the familiar, tall silhouette standing by a car door, the corners of her mouth curving upwards.
Does intelligence really plummet for those in love? Setting aside the caller ID, this man had exposed himself completely right before her eyes, completely unaware.
Listening to him talk, she slowly crossed the street towards him, preparing to give him a "surprise" in return.
Never expecting that before she could deliver the surprise, shock descended abruptly.
The side door of a parked van suddenly pulled open from inside, and a man dressed all in black, wearing a mask, jumped out.
Mei Ran only saw him stride quickly towards her. By the soft orange lamplight, she could clearly see the sinister malice in his eyes, as dense as this night.
She didn't even have time to turn and flee before the man took large strides to her, glaring at her viciously. Without a word, he seized both her wrists and started dragging her towards the van. Mei Ran's eyes widened in shock, momentarily stunned into silence until her phone was snatched and smashed forcefully to the ground…
"Shijin, save me!"