Chapter Seventy-Six: We Shall Live Together Until We Grow Old

Page 1/3

Although Yang Danni’s work was not especially grueling, the absence of weekends or holidays meant that if she ever wanted time off, her partner would have to be available to cover for her. The key issue, however, was that if she failed to appear on the seven o’clock news even once, countless viewers would be left disappointed and saddened. Thus, not only did the television station hope to avoid such a situation, but Yang Danni herself was also unwilling for it to happen.

Fortunately, after a long period spent numbing herself with work for the sake of love, she had grown accustomed to this endless routine, and the result was that her partner enjoyed a rather easy time of it, often hopping over to other channels to guest on variety shows, finding no small measure of enjoyment in it all.

As she was about to leave, Yang Danni mustered a brave smile for Long Fei. She knew that he would not return for the next couple of days, and in his absence, she had no reason to come by either. Otherwise, if Yang Batian were to suddenly appear, it would only lead to awkwardness.

A woman’s infatuation for a man—whether he be a rake or a rascal—matters little, nor does it matter if she throws herself at him. But to wait alone in an empty room is something no woman should have to endure.

Dream Garden.

Qi Yufei was cooking in the kitchen, and to her surprise, Ye Wentian was helping her. Their cooperation was seamless, and Qi Yufei wore a gentle smile; it had been so long since she had felt such contentment. Every now and then, she would glance over her shoulder at Ye Wentian bent over the sink, washing vegetables, and her heart would warm involuntarily, only to be followed by a pang of sorrow.

Ye Wentian shone in the outside world; the Ye Group owed much of its success to Qi Yufei as well, but she had never once regretted marrying him. Even after twenty years, she had remained pure and faithful. Yet whenever she thought about this, she felt she owed something to Ye Wentian.

Marriage is a vital landmark on the journey of love. Before marriage, love is poetry untouched by the dust of the mundane world; after marriage, it becomes the daily clatter of pots and pans, the unending cycle of rice, oil, and salt. The dazzling gives way to the ordinary—that is the true meaning of life. Romance may elevate love, but it is the calm and steady that forms love’s final destination.

Taking advantage of a moment when Qi Yufei turned around, Ye Wentian suddenly looked at her back, his gaze filled with happiness and contentment, as if the distance between them had suddenly grown much smaller.

Ye Wentian was not, as the rumors claimed, unwaveringly loyal in love; he was simply too discreet in his affairs. He kept no fewer than three lovers outside, but had never loved any of them. They were merely a way to satisfy physical needs. He never intended to hide this from Qi Yufei, yet she never asked, which only increased his sense of guilt.

Dinner was ready, and they were just waiting for Long Fei and Ye Qian to come home before they could start.

The two moved to the living room. Knowing Ye Wentian liked coffee, Qi Yufei thoughtfully brewed him a cup. He did not say thank you, only nodded with a smile.

“How fragrant.” He took a gentle sip, closed his eyes, and a look of contentment spread across his face.

Page 2/3

Qi Yufei maintained her graceful smile, hesitating to speak.

“Is there something you wish to say to me?” Ye Wentian was taken aback.

She shook her head, then nodded.

Seeing that Ye Wentian was still watching her, Qi Yufei composed herself for a long moment before finally saying, “I’m sorry. These years have been hard for you. Have you never once regretted it?”

A look of guilt finally appeared on Qi Yufei’s face.

Ye Wentian grew solemn as well, pressing his lips together as if still savoring the taste of the coffee—coffee made by the one he loved was naturally extraordinary.

“If anyone should apologize, it’s me. All these years, I know you’ve always wanted to visit Yanjing, but sometimes I was too selfish. Having your body, I still yearned for your heart. Was I too greedy?” Ye Wentian managed a bitter smile.

Qi Yufei responded softly, “The past is but smoke and clouds. In truth, I’ve led a happy life. To have a man who loves me deeply—what greater happiness could there be?”

“I—I’ve never truly given you happiness!” Ye Wentian said, his voice full of remorse.

“No, you have. In all these years, there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to say to you. Though it’s only three words, it’s all I have to offer. But please believe, I mean it with all my heart: I love you.” Qi Yufei’s face flushed as red as a young girl of sixteen or seventeen.

But in Ye Wentian’s eyes, it was the most beautiful face in the world, and those words were the happiest he had ever heard in his life. His eyes stung with emotion; three words he had waited twenty years to hear—twenty years is no short time.

“If—if I could hear those words, even in death, it would be worth it,” Ye Wentian murmured in wonder.

“Yufei, I love you too—more than anyone else. If there are ten thousand people in the world who love you, one of them is me. If there is only one, it must be me. And if there is no one left to love you, then I must have died.”

Page 3/3

“I don’t want you to die. We must grow old together, mustn’t we?” Qi Yufei gripped Ye Wentian’s hand tightly. His entire body trembled, beyond control—this was the first time in twenty years that Qi Yufei had held his hand so intimately, not even on their wedding day.

Two hands, neither of them large, clasped together—holding hands, growing old together—this is life’s most romantic promise.

“Yes, we’ll grow old together.” Yet as Ye Wentian said this, he remembered the women he kept outside and was suddenly overcome by a wave of disgust. He cursed himself inwardly, resolving that tomorrow he would send them away. No matter how beautiful those three women were, no matter that they were willing to remain by his side even knowing he had a wife, none of it mattered. Compared with Qi Yufei, those women only inspired guilt and made him feel filthy to the core.

Every man in this world has a woman who loves him most, and every woman has a man who loves her most.

Qi Yufei was that woman for Ye Wentian; in his eyes, apart from her, all other women faded into insignificance.

Never before had Ye Wentian and Qi Yufei shared such intimacy—and this was no exaggeration. But their first moment was caught right at that instant by Long Fei and Ye Qian, who walked in as the two hurriedly let go and blushed, shifting awkwardly in their seats. Ye Qian’s eyes went wide, then she broke into giggles. “Dad, Mom, what are you doing? Reminiscing about your romantic youth? That’s so sweet! I’ve never seen you holding hands before. How about you do it again? I’ll take a picture for you as a keepsake!”

Long Fei frowned, glancing at Qi Yufei, feeling a pang of disappointment—as if the closer Ye Wentian and Qi Yufei became, the more unsettled he felt.

Ye Wentian, in high spirits, chuckled and looked at Qi Yufei, who, face aflame, cast an exasperated look at Ye Qian.

“Oh, Long Fei, come here, have a seat—I was just looking for you!” Ye Wentian called out.

Meanwhile, Qi Yufei pulled Ye Qian aside to question her. “What happened last night?”

She fixed Ye Qian with a wary gaze. Every mother, no matter how unusual the relationship with her daughter, feels concern and protectiveness.

Ye Qian had already thought out her answer on the way home, and she hurriedly whispered a few words in Qi Yufei’s ear. The latter let out a surprised exclamation, then shot Long Fei a few complicated glances before murmuring in a low voice, “You’re not lying to me, are you? Don’t you dare fool me. You’re engaged to someone else. You can’t fall in love with Long Fei, you understand?”