"Zi Xin."
Tang Wulin's lips trembled slightly as he tightly embraced the beauty in his arms, finally uttering those two simple words.
Overcome with emotion, his body couldn't help but shiver slightly—a shiver of happiness.
"That's more like it..."
At this moment, Ouyang Zixin's face also broke into a sweet smile as she nodded gently and whispered softly.
"It's official!"
Not far from the two, Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue were also present. The former watched the scene unfold before him, a faint smile instantly appearing on his face.
From this moment on, his Wu Lin would embark wholeheartedly on the path of being a doting husband!
Beside him, Tang Wulin's parents, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue, also wore expressions of heartfelt approval—the recognition of a mother and father.
Indeed, all three members of the family were here at this moment.
Naturally, Tang Luochuan had come here with Gu Yue, while the parents' presence was purely coincidental. To put it simply...
On their way back from an evening date, the elderly couple happened to pass by this spot and, by sheer luck, ended up witnessing this sweet moment.
"I've always thought Wu Lin and the Ouyang family's little girl were a good match. See, wife? I wasn't wrong..."
"Watching this tonight made the long wait worth it."
Tang Ziran spoke with a bright smile on his face.
"Indeed."
Beside him, Lang Yue also nodded with a smile. When Wu Lin was little, he had always called her "Zi Xin Jie" so affectionately!
Their union was truly what everyone had hoped for.
"..."
"Good, really good."
Meanwhile, Wu Zhangkong's gaze was also fixed on the scene, a handsome smile on his face as he murmured to himself.
If only Long Bing could see this too—students in his class, just like him and her back then, experiencing innocent and pure emotions...
As for why Luo Chuan didn't give him the same feeling, well, that went without saying. Because...
That guy had two girls by his side!
And judging by the way things were going, even two might not be enough to rein him in—completely different from himself!
"I'll protect you for the rest of my life..."
"And keep you safe."
Tang Wulin held the girl in his arms tightly as he spoke. For someone who wasn't good at talking to girls, this was the best he could muster.
"The rest of my life, huh...?"
"Is that for real?"
Ouyang Zixin's eyes were red as she smiled and looked at him.
"Of course it's real. Brother said..."
"A gentleman's word is as unchangeable as a mountain!"
Tang Wulin nodded seriously, his voice firm.
"Is that so, is that so..."
Ouyang Zixin nodded with a bright smile, pulling back slightly from his embrace as if to memorize his expression at this moment. Yet, in her heart, she couldn't help but feel a little lonely.
How she wished she could stay by Wu Lin's side forever. She only hoped that, in the future, she wouldn't become a burden to him...
"When you're at Shrek Academy..."
"You have to..."
"Keep your distance from other girls."
Suddenly, Ouyang Zixin stared at him intently, her beautiful face now filled with seriousness as she spoke bluntly.
Of course, she knew the Wu Lin she loved wasn't that kind of person, nor did she doubt his sincerity. But the problem was...
His brother, Luo Chuan, had a track record!
Moreover, given his talent and looks, even in the illustrious Shrek Academy where prodigies abound, he was destined to be the object of many girls' admiration.
"Of course."
"I'll keep my distance from every other girl."
Tang Wulin responded immediately. In his heart, there would only ever be one person—Zi Xin.
"Hehe..."
"That's so sweet!"
Ouyang Zixin's cheeks flushed pink as she gazed at the resolute boy before her, her heart fluttering. Gently taking his hand, she said happily,
She could always trust Wu Lin.
"Absolutely."
Tang Wulin nodded without hesitation, his expression firm. If he couldn't be good to Zi Xin, who else would he be good to?
"It's getting late. If we don't head back soon, your parents will start worrying..."
"Let me walk you home."
Though reluctant, Tang Wulin spoke softly. It really was time to go back.
After all, today...
He had finally spoken his heart. And the girl before him had given him the answer he longed for.
"Okay."
Ouyang Zixin agreed with a smile, her joy undiminished. After all, today...
She had received the response she wanted most.
"Alright..."
Tang Wulin nodded, tightening his grip on her hand as they walked toward her home.
The warmth in his palm stirred his heart—
He wished he never had to let go.
"Luo Chuan, since Wu Lin is pretty much settled, your mother and I will head back first. You and Gu Yue..."
"Mm, stay safe and don't stay out too late."
Tang Ziran gave the two a meaningful look before leaving with Lang Yue, his expression calm and smiling.
He knew his children well—they would never do anything outrageous. The most outrageous thing so far... was clearly Luo Chuan ending up with both Gu Yue and Na'er.
"What a rascal. If he hadn't admitted it himself..."
"I'd never have guessed he managed to win over both girls."
Tang Ziran couldn't help but sigh. And it wasn't just him—even Lang Yue felt the same.
"Honestly, since both girls are willing, it's not so bad. Whether it's Gu Yue or Na'er..."
"They're both wonderful girls."
Lang Yue chimed in cheerfully.
But mentioning Na'er brought a pang of nostalgia. Even though Na'er had always felt like a child bride to Luo Chuan when they were young, it had just been a joke back then...
Who knew it would actually come true?
"Luo Chuan, look!"
"Wu Lin only has Zi Xin by his side, unlike you—you bad playboy..."
Not long after their parents left, Gu Yue, who had been holding Tang Luo Chuan's hand affectionately earlier, suddenly let go and huffed.
As the saying goes, no comparison, no harm!
She hoped this troublemaker would behave better in the future and stop fooling around.
But honestly, fooling around was the least of her worries. If Luo Chuan ever brought another girl before her... now that would be truly dangerous.
"Gu Yue..."
Tang Luo Chuan didn't refute her complaints. Instead, he stepped forward and gently pulled her into an embrace.
He understood Gu Yue's feelings, after all, he...
Was indeed quite shameless.
Even just being with Na'er was already a huge concession for the proud Silver Dragon King before him.
Gu Yue was really, really good.
"Don't think..."
"That hugging me will make me happy."
Gu Yue snorted lightly, but in reality, whenever she was with Luo Chuan, especially nestled in his arms, her body would soften...
"Is that so?"
Tang Luochuan asked with a smile.
"Honestly..."
"You've got me completely under your spell, you bad guy."
Gu Yue let out a soft huff, yet her body leaned into him with unusual compliance, her face filled with contentment.
She...
Still wanted to be alone with him, didn't she!
"..."
"Hey, Zi Xin."
"What will you call Brother in the future?"
Meanwhile, just as Tang Wulin was seeing her off, something suddenly occurred to him, and he asked with a hint of curiosity.
Previously, due to their age difference, he had always called her Zi Xin Jie (Sister Zi Xin). But now, they couldn't just keep calling each other whatever they wanted, could they?
"Of course, I'll call him Brother."
"Are you really that silly?"
Ouyang Zixin shook her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on him as she spoke softly.
"Haven't you heard the saying..."
"Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog?"
She looked at him—was she really going to let her boyfriend's older brother call her "sister"?
That was impossible!
"Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog..."
"Zi Xin, I can't marry you yet."
Hearing this, Tang Wulin froze for a moment. He really wanted to marry Zi Xin, but right now, he didn't have the means to do so...
"Silly."
"Who said you have to marry me now?"
Ouyang Zixin chuckled and shook her head. Marry her?
Wu Lin was still too young to marry her now!
"Oh..."
Tang Wulin scratched his nose sheepishly. He really was getting ahead of himself—they hadn't even been together for long, and he was already thinking about not being able to marry her...
How shameless!
"But..."
"I'll wait for you to marry me."
Then, Ouyang Zixin suddenly giggled, her hopeful gaze resting on Tang Wulin as she spoke softly.
She knew this wasn't a joke. She would...
Wait for that day to come!
"I..."
"I will!"
Tang Wulin smiled warmly, stepping forward to give her a big hug as he whispered his vow.
This was a promise from a young man to the girl in his heart. And in the not-too-distant future, they would surely reach the end of their story—one that was destined to be beautiful and happy.
After all, he was Tang Wulin.
"Well, I should head back now. But before that, Wu Lin, could you close your eyes...?"
The next moment, Ouyang Zixin blushed and suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
"Close my eyes?"
Tang Wulin didn't understand, but he obediently closed his eyes. And at that very moment, a soft, warm sensation brushed against his lips.
Though it lasted only an instant before pulling away, it was enough to short-circuit Tang Wulin's brain. His eyes flew open in shock as he stared at the blushing Ouyang Zixin before him.
That magical sensation... was this the kiss of a loved one?
"Wu Lin..."
A trace of bashfulness flashed through Ouyang Zixin's eyes. Although she was also an inexperienced girl experiencing her first love, as the older sister by a few years...
She had to take the initiative!
After all, Wu Lin was such a shy boy.
"I..."
Tang Wulin's expression was anything but calm as he was about to say something when the figure before him suddenly moved.
"I... I should head back now!"
"You should go home soon too, Wu Lin!"
Truth be told, Ouyang Zixin's heart was equally unsettled. Throwing out these words, she quickly headed toward her home.
Yet even so, she kept repeating to herself - she was the older sister by a few years, she had to take the initiative...
Just before entering her home, she paused, turned back to look in Tang Wulin's direction, and gave a gentle wave.
"Be careful on your way back, and..."
"Remember to think of me."
(End of Chapter)