Chapter Seventy: Proud Bones

  Lin Ruo Lan felt like she was going crazy, in the past five days, she had followed Jin Huang to almost all of Nanjing's famous scenic spots and eaten her way through all of Nanjing's famous snacks. She was exhausted from playing, after having a big midnight snack at Fuzi Temple, she still insisted on going for a night stroll around Mochou Lake. Jin Huang looked at her tired expression and the dark circles under her eyes, without saying a word, he stuffed her into the car, drove back to their lodgings, and ordered her to get a good rest, otherwise he would never take her out again.

  She took a refreshing hot bath, lay down on the bed, and Lin Ruolan was overwhelmed by the surging sleepiness, and before she could turn over, she had already fallen into darkness.

  She slept soundly and stably until noon the next day, when Lin Ruolan lazily opened her eyes. At the same time she opened her eyes, the big hand wrapped around her slender waist suddenly tightened, holding her a few inches closer. "Awake?"

  Jin Huang came to her room after his morning exercise, when she was sleeping soundly, with the upper half of her body hanging off the bed, and flipping over might make her fall off. He didn't want to wake her up, so he gently picked her up and placed her lightly in the middle of the bed. Lin Ruo Lan softly murmured a sound, her small face unconsciously rubbing against his arm. His heart was filled with gentle emotions, leaning against the headboard, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face.

  "Mm." She responded softly and leaned closer into the strong embrace, letting him hold her, looking obedient.

  "Still sleepy?" Jin Hao gently pinched her cheeks, the smooth sensation on his hands made him reluctant to let go.

  Lin Ruo Lan let out a big yawn, shook her head, but still felt lazy and didn't want to move. She half-closed her eyes, with one hand resting on his chest, drawing circles.

  Jin Hao's large hand covered her small, irregular hand, holding it tightly against his chest. His thin lips curved into a very indulgent smile. "You're so sleepy, and you were still making a fuss about not coming back last night." The scolding words turned into gentle concern: "Are you hungry? Get up and eat something, move around a bit, and then sleep again when it gets dark."

  "Hmm." Lin Ruolan reluctantly propped herself up, and Jin Huang was already holding her in his arms, picking up the discarded quilt to cover her with it.

  After washing up, her brain was still a bit dizzy, and Jin Huan carried her downstairs. Old Yang had already set up two deck chairs by the lake, with a tea table beside them holding several delicate pastries and a pot of fragrant Longjing tea.

  Last night's rain had left a refreshing scent in the air, and Lin Ruolan took a deep breath, feeling a slight coolness penetrate her heart. She suddenly felt her mood lift and her mind clear up a lot. She picked up a small pastry to savor, and then drank a mouthful of tea that was just the right temperature. With a satisfied sigh, she said, "Jin Huang, shouldn't we head back now?"

  Jin Huang sat down in another recliner, gently scratching her nose across the tea table: "I thought you didn't want to come back anymore."

  "Not at all." Lin Ruolan wrinkled her nose at him and turned to gaze at the sparkling lake: "No matter how good this place is, it's still someone else's home. Only when we go back will it be our own home."

  "Home?" This long-forgotten word stirred Jin Huan's heart, a scorching emotion shook his chest. He focused on the little woman beside him and asked softly: "Lan'er, do you want a home of your own?"

  Lin Ruo Lan turned to look into his eyes, those eyes had no passion, no aggression, but instead were filled with a soothing gentleness: "I thought you'd already given me a home, a forever home."

  Jin Hwang stretched out his hand, and she grasped his large hand, running to his side with a heart full of trust. Before she had even snuggled into his arms, she let out a comfortable sigh, instinctively pressing herself against his chest. Jin Hwang tightly hugged her, this hug without any romantic atmosphere was more intimate than any other.

  After a long time, Lin Ruolan said softly: "Jin Huang, tell me about your affairs."

  Jin Huang's arm tightened, and the little person in his arms was held so tightly that he felt a bit suffocated. He couldn't help but struggle lightly, and Jin Huang immediately loosened his grip. "What's wrong?"

  "What's on your mind? Don't hide it from me, I can tell. You've been playing with me these days, but you have something on your mind. Can you tell me?" She raised her head and looked at him seriously.

  Jin Huang gently combed her hair, massaging her scalp with the palm of his hand, while the other hand patted her back lightly: "Lan'er, it's not that I intentionally hid it from you, but I didn't want you to have even a bit of unhappiness."

  "Jin Huang, if you're not happy, how can I be happy alone?" She said softly, with genuine concern flashing in her eyes.

  Jin Hao gazed at her with a mixture of affection and an inexplicable chill in his eyes. He slowly sat up from the recliner, took a sip of tea to calm himself down, then pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly in his arms. Resting his chin on top of her head, he gently stroked it before finally speaking: "Lan, I...I've never mentioned that person to you - the one who gave me part of their bone marrow."

  Lin Ruo Lan slightly opened her mouth, her heart rapidly beating a few times, and softly said "Hmm": "Is your unhappiness related to him? Is he troubling you?"

  "Yes, no." He patted her back soothingly and lowered his voice to say, "Hear me out. He's a general at headquarters, someone who really holds power."

  Her rosy face turned pale as she stared at Jin Huan in a daze, her eyes wide with shock. Headquarters? Wasn't that the department that held absolute power and control over all operations during wartime? So he was the real deal, someone who stood at a height she couldn't even reach.

  She didn't interrupt, quietly waiting for Jin Huang to continue, her calm and collected demeanor made Jin Huang feel a chill run down his spine, he couldn't help but hold her tighter, as if she would disappear at any moment.

  "Twelve years ago, when my mother was still alive, he had arranged a marriage for me. The bride's father is his old comrade-in-arms, a general at headquarters. It was a political marriage aimed at consolidating the political status of both families. Now the bride's father has taken it upon himself to push his daughter onto me and force me to accept her." Jin Huan gazed at her expression, carefully choosing his words.

  Lin Ruo Lan's face suddenly turned pale, a stubborn expression appeared on her beautiful face, fragile and heart-wrenching. She smiled self-deprecatingly and struggled out of his arms, walking towards the small building.

  "Where are you going?" Jin Huan quickly stood up and grabbed her arm.

  She smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes: "I think I should be sensible and not have a high-and-mighty father to arrange a good marriage for me. Please let me leave with dignity, I won't cling to you and seek death or life, to obstruct your happy marriage." The sharp words came out of her mouth, but were accompanied by gentleness and pitifulness, making Jin Huan both angry and heartbroken.

  "Don't even think about going anywhere!" Jin Huan gritted his teeth and growled, "Damn it, can't you just listen to me finish speaking?! Do you think I'd be willing to marry her?!"

  "Sorry, I won't be so presumptuous! I'll go back to where I belong and find the love I'm supposed to have. I won't bother you again!" She proudly lifted her chin, holding back tears from falling in front of him. With a burst of strength, she broke free from his grasp, as he was afraid of hurting her and didn't dare use too much force.

  "Jin Huang, is it my fault that I fell in love with you? You're selfish and want to have your cake and eat it too, keeping me by your side while marrying a woman who can secure your status. But let me tell you, you can't do that! My lover must absolutely love me, prioritize my needs as his own, and put me first in his heart, not loving me in secret but being asked to sacrifice with you!"

  "YOU!" Jin Hao was infuriated for the first time in his life, with a surge of anger that made his vision blur and smoke billowing from all seven orifices. No one had ever dared to be so presumptuous in front of him, not even willing to let him finish speaking. Even in the past, "he" would discuss matters with Jin Hao before taking action, never using high-pressure tactics to force him into submission, lest it backfire. And that was just with him, let alone others.

  His natural coldness was enough to create an iceberg, but this time, he couldn't command himself to drive away the flames of anger. His fists were clenched tightly, his face looked even more terrifying, and suddenly he stretched out his hand, hugged her around the waist, and put her fiercely on his lap. "I think I've spoiled you too much, you can only stay by my side for this lifetime, you're not allowed to go anywhere!"

  "Let me go! You want me to watch you marry another woman, and not let me leave? Kim Ho, you're selfish!" Lin Ruolan struggled with all her might, using both hands and feet, punching his solid chest, but couldn't break free from his iron-like arms. "Don't hold me. If you won't be my husband, then you have no right to get close to me again. Let go! I won't hug another person's husband!" The more she spoke, the sadder she became, tears quickly gathering in her eyes and falling down, wetting her collar. She let out a loud wail and burst into uncontrollable crying.

  Jin Hao's heart was originally burning with anger, but when he saw her tears, his heart softened instantly. He busied himself wiping away the overflowing tears and couldn't help but whisper comfortingly: "Don't cry, don't cry, believe me! I won't marry her, I never had any intention of marrying anyone else besides you!"

  He had always known that Lin Ruolan was a very special woman, her slender and beautiful appearance made her look like a fragile crystal doll, her purity and determination gave her a pair of clear eyes untainted by worldly desires. But beneath this weak exterior, she possessed an intelligent mind and a strong wrist, even he couldn't help but surrender to her.