When Xi XinYi arrived at Nanqing City, it was just breaking dawn.
She immediately headed to the hotel right after getting off the plane, resting till 10 in the morning before stepping out.
It was a hot summer day, stuffy and rainy. Shortly after she stepped out, the sky started to drizzle.
"Little Miss, where to?" the taxi driver asked.
"The cemetery."
"You are going to visit the graves in this rainy weather?" The driver made casual conversation.
Xi XinYi didn't respond, her dazed gaze fell on the car window, staring blankly at the raindrops sliding down in a line, her brightly red lips hooked up a beautiful arc faintly.
Before leaving, she intentionally checked the weather forecast. Rain was expected.
This rain, was just to her liking.
Arriving at the cemetery, she bought a bouquet of white chrysanthemums from a flower shop near the cemetery. Holding the white chrysanthemums, she confidently walked into the cemetery, finally stopping in front of a tombstone. There were photos of a man and a woman on the tombstone, with the inscription "Tomb of the loving father, Xu JianBin, and the loving mother, Han Wei".
Xi XinYi stared at the man's photo, unconsciously tightening her grip on the chrysanthemums.
Dad, I have waited two years, success or failure, all depends on today...
In her trance, a steady and firm step was faintly heard from behind, from far to near.
Without turning back, Xi XinYi understood who was coming.
The drizzle at the start, suddenly begun to come down harder, raindrops as big as beans hit her body, with her wet hair sticking on her shoulders, her body was almost soaked through.
At that moment, the footsteps behind her suddenly quickened, rapidly advancing towards her. In the next second, a black umbrella unfolded over her head, shielding her from the torrential rain.
"Why aren't you using an umbrella?"
In the crisp sound of rain a mature male voice quietly emerged, his voice low and raspy, carrying a unique magnetism.
His voice was very pleasant, especially when he purposely lowered it, displaying a patience that was especially beguiling.
Xu Xinyi slowly raised her eyelids to look at the man before her.
Her height of 1.7 meters made her quite tall among women, but the man in front of her was much taller, and she had to lift her head to look at him.
He was dressed in olive green military garb, standing as straight as a pine tree.
His military demeanor was always present - serious and cold, calm and reserved. His facial features were sharply defined, with a tanned complexion that exuded a sense of rugged maturity. His gaze was bright and deep, and his appearance projected a formidable and commanding presence.
"Uncle He," Xu Xinyi called out politely, then replied to his question, "I didn't know it would rain."
"Hmm."
Hearing this address from her mouth again, he had to admit it was a bit unfamiliar.
Suddenly, He Xiao remembered her used to hug him tightly and was wilful, "Why should I call you uncle? I will call you by your name! He Xiao, He Xiao, He Xiao, He Xiao..."
Her indifferent and cold attitude had indeed made the atmosphere awkward and subtle.
He Xiao's gaze moved to the headstone, and then his feet came together with his toes apart at about 60 degrees. His sturdy body stood even straighter as he saluted the man on the headstone with perfect military bearing, "Uncle Xu, Xinyi and I came to see you."
"Mom and Dad, I'm doing well, you don't have to worry about me...."
Xu Xinyi spoke softly about her recent circumstances, lazily placing the white chrysanthemums in her arms in front of the tombstone as she spoke, "Also, there's something very important I want to tell you. I'm getting married."
Her hand slid under his gaze, inadvertently revealing the glimmering diamond ring on her slender ring finger. Upon hearing her words, He Xiao's eyebrows unwittingly furrowed.
"Married?" He Xiao scrutinized her, "You haven't even graduated from university yet, and you want to get married?"
Xu Xinyi fell silent.
"Is he your classmate?" He Xiao stared unblinkingly at her, questioning in an almost paternal tone about the guy's basic details, "What's his name? How old is he?"
A while later, as if recalling something, Xu Xinyi finally decided to respond, "I forgot."
He Xiao was taken aback, his voice raising in astonishment, "You forgot? You're marrying him and you can't even remember his name or age?"
The atmosphere fell into a tense silence. Xu Xinyi lifted her eyelids, meeting his fiery gaze. Her tone was filled with mockery and calmness, "He Xiao, I told you two years ago that if you don't want me, I'll marry someone else. As it turns out, I've reached the legal marriage age this year."
