Chapter 1229: Gift
The ancients said: Being apart for one day feels like three autumns.
Exaggerated yet realistic.
It’s been a month since Lin Tian last saw Liou Qingcheng. He felt she had lost weight, although she had dressed carefully, he still thought she hadn’t been well during this time.
Seeing Lin Tian approach with open arms, Liou Qingcheng stood up and ran towards him. After taking just a couple of steps, her pink slippers slipped off her feet.
With a gentle leap, Liou Qingcheng threw herself onto Lin Tian. If it weren’t for Lin Tian’s steady footing, they both would have toppled over onto the floor.
Liou Qingcheng was naturally tall, about 173 centimeters. Now, she clung to Lin Tian like an octopus, wrapping her long, beautiful legs around his, like a little girl being playful.
Soft scent like jade in his arms, Lin Tian felt as if he was melting. One hand supported Liou Qingcheng’s pert buttocks to prevent her from falling, the other wrapped tightly around her back, as if trying to merge her into his body.
Suddenly, Liou Qingcheng opened her mouth and bit Lin Tian’s shoulder.
"Ow~ah!" Lin Tian cried out with a twisted face.
Liou Qingcheng immediately released her bite, "Did it hurt?"
Lin Tian shook his head with a smile, "No, it didn’t."
"Hmph!"
Liou Qingcheng bit down again, and this time Lin Tian cried out for real, because it genuinely hurt.
Gradually, Liou Qingcheng eased her bite, but tears started to flow uncontrollably, soaking Lin Tian’s clothes. That alone wouldn’t have mattered, but soon Lin Tian heard her soft sobs and could feel her trembling body.
The tears she fought to hold back finally erupted. Leaning in his embrace, feeling his unique warmth, all her stubbornness fell away, revealing her grievances in full display.
Lin Tian gently patted her back, silently comforting her.
"Stop crying, it pains my heart," Lin Tian whispered into her ear.
"Hmph!" With a haughty scoff, Liou Qingcheng playfully wiped her little face with Lin Tian’s collar, stopped crying, yet refused to come down from his hold.
"I saw you brought me a gift, what is it?" Lin Tian curiously asked with a smile.
"It’s not for you!" Liou Qingcheng responded.
"Then who is it for?"
"It’s for the puppy!"
"Woof~"
"Haha~" Liou Qingcheng, now smiling without trace of tears, said, "Still not giving it to you."
Lin Tian chuckled, then carried Liou Qingcheng to the sofa, set her down, shook his slightly sore arms, and picked up the exquisite box on the table, studying it.
A square box with sides ten centimeters long, wrapped in pink heart-patterned wrapping paper, secured with a purple bow, exquisite and full of a youthful heart. In his hand, it felt a bit weighty. He gently shook it, silent without a sound.
More curious than ever, Lin Tian pinched the ends of the bow with both hands, gently pulled, and untied it. As he opened the box with utmost caution, Liou Qingcheng giggled from the side, joking, "Are you doing an archaeological dig? You’re so slow opening a gift."
With deep affection and seriousness, Lin Tian replied, "You don’t understand, this is more meticulous than an archaeological dig. There are treasures inside, what if clumsy hands break it?"
"Sweet talker!"
Saying that, Liou Qingcheng was incredibly pleased at heart. Her meticulously chosen gift being taken so seriously instead filled her with happiness.
Inside the large box was another smaller box. Though curious, Lin Tian maintained his leisurely pace, and finally, a very elegant jewelry box was revealed before his eyes.
Opening the jewelry box, inside lay a pair of couple’s watches—one larger, one smaller—with second hands that ticked in unnerving unison.
Gently, Lin Tian removed the lady’s watch and helped Liou Qingcheng put it on, then wore the men’s watch himself. Their wrists, placed side by side, matched perfectly.
"These watches have names; they’re called Mandarin Ducks. Designed by a domestic designer, they are one of a kind in the world. Do you know the habits of Mandarin Ducks?"
Lin Tian nodded with a smile, "Yes, I know. Mandarin Ducks have only one mate for life, once bonded, they never change. Some say if one dies, the other will die from longing."
"Yes, that’s how these watches are designed. I heard from the sales clerk, if a couple wears them, when they grow old together and one passes away, both watches will stop, freezing time at that moment forever."
"If I go first and the watch stops, you must keep wearing it," Lin Tian said.
"Phooey! What nonsense! These watches will keep ticking!" Liou Qingcheng seriously declared.
"Mm." Lin Tian nodded with a smile.
"Oh, and this, for you." As she spoke, Liou Qingcheng picked up the roses beside her, prepared long ago, and handed them to Lin Tian.
Lin Tian handed her a bouquet of baby’s breath he had prepared with a smile, saying, "Let’s exchange."
They each held a bouquet, glanced at each other, and spontaneously burst into silly laughter.
Suddenly, Lin Tian took Liou Qingcheng’s hand and said, "I also prepared a gift for you. Let me show you."
"Sure."
...
Full of anticipation, Liou Qingcheng followed Lin Tian, but never expected him to bring her to the bathroom in the end. Seeing the bath filled with floating rose petals, her face turned red.
"This... is the gift you mentioned?" Liou Qingcheng asked softly, this rascal!
"Yes, don’t underestimate this bath. Come, lie in the tub, I’ll give you a massage, help you relax," Lin Tian said, looking earnest.
"A massage? Relax?"
Liou Qingcheng’s expression turned peculiar, it sounded nice, but what massage! Pure mischief!
She knew Lin Tian’s nature too well! It was like a lamb to the slaughter.
"I’m not lying, it’s really a massage!" Lin Tian declared earnestly.
"But, this... alright."
Seeing his meticulous preparation, she didn’t care if it was a proper massage anymore. After all, they were ’old husband and wife’, why fuss over such things?
"Then help me undress." Liou Qingcheng, sitting by the tub, said, and after speaking her face lit up in uncontrollable red. Even after many times, it was still so embarrassing!
"Alright." Lin Tian nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, delighted.
It was changing seasons; she wasn’t wearing much, but it still took a while to undress. Naturally, taking liberties was inevitable.
Liou Qingcheng lay comfortably in the tub, awaiting the promised massage, only to find Lin Tian had dashed out.
What was this rascal up to again?
Liou Qingcheng was about to ask when she heard piano music play, immediately recognizing it as coming from the gramophone.