Chapter 10
After the call, Lu Xuefeng returned to the private room, and the meal concluded shortly after.
Xiao Shuyi’s son, Jiang Yihuai, had called saying he was nearby and could drive them home.
Xiao Shuyi left first, declining Lu Xuefeng’s offer to escort her.
So, when Lu Xuefeng emerged from the restaurant, he saw Song Muqing waiting outside, as expected.
He stood with his back to Lu Xuefeng, beside a streetlamp, his head slightly raised, looking patient, clearly waiting for someone.
As Lu Xuefeng approached, Song Muqing seemed to sense his presence and turned around.
Seeing the expected person, Song Muqing’s eyes crinkled with a smile, as if he knew he would come.
Lu Xuefeng stopped beside him, not speaking.
“I just checked, and this spot has the best view,” Song Muqing said.
Lu Xuefeng followed his gaze, tilting his head slightly to see a vast expanse of stars scattered across the dark night sky.
Perhaps because the weather had been good these past few days, sunny during the day, the stars seemed even brighter at night.
Lu Xuefeng always felt that stars were rarely visible in the city, at least not in such abundance, not like in the countryside.
Even in his small hometown, looking up at the stars at night was a childhood memory.
After his parents left, his grandmother, fearing it would hurt his self-esteem, had told him they had become stars.
Back then, Lu Xuefeng was still naive, harboring a sliver of hope for his parents. He believed whatever his grandmother said and often looked up at the sky.
Now, looking back, it would have been better if they had become stars.
Lu Xuefeng couldn’t help but smile faintly, a hint of helplessness in his expression.
“What’s wrong?” Song Muqing noticed his change in mood.
Lu Xuefeng replied, “I just remembered something from my childhood.”
“Oh?”
Lu Xuefeng looked at the brighter stars in the sky, seemingly twinkling.
“When I was young, I liked looking at the stars because my grandmother told me my parents had become stars, and I believed her.”
Song Muqing remembered Lu Xuefeng mentioning that his only family was his grandmother.
He asked hesitantly, “Are they…?”
Lu Xuefeng, hearing his cautious tone, shook his head slightly, denying it.
He thought for a moment. “They probably have new families now. They just don’t need me.”
“I wish they had become stars.”
Although it might sound callous, that’s how Lu Xuefeng felt at this moment.
That way, he wouldn’t have to face the reality of being abandoned by his parents and could still hold onto the illusion that they loved him.
Lu Xuefeng looked up at the clear moon in the sky, lost in thought.
Song Muqing suggested softly, “Let’s take a walk.”
“It’s fine, it’s nothing.”
“Let’s not look anymore.”
Song Muqing insisted, and Lu Xuefeng didn’t object, following him slowly along the road.
The streetlights were bright, even the leaves overhead glowed faintly.
The night was still, with cars passing by, not completely silent.
“Sorry,” Song Muqing apologized softly.
He had simply thought the starry night was beautiful and wanted to share it with Lu Xuefeng. He hadn’t expected it to evoke unpleasant memories.
He knew what the departure of parents meant to a child and could imagine how heartbreaking it must have been.
Song Muqing felt a pang of sympathy, not knowing what to say besides apologizing.
Lu Xuefeng, surprised by his sincerity, explained, “It’s really nothing. I don’t mind.”
Long ago, Lu Xuefeng had learned to accept this reality. When talking about it now, he felt no emotional turmoil.
It was all in the past.
“I don’t mind. Don’t worry about it,” Lu Xuefeng said with acceptance. “For me, from beginning to end, my grandmother has been my only family.”
Song Muqing looked at the person beside him.
There was no resentment or complaint in his tone, only acceptance.
Lu Xuefeng was a strong and independent person, able to endure loss and grow up with his grandmother, becoming the accomplished choreographer he was today.
He didn’t ask, but he could imagine the hardships Lu Xuefeng must have endured over the years.
It couldn’t have been easy.
Song Muqing felt a surge of admiration and an indescribable emotion.
“I understand why you want to get married now,” Song Muqing said.
He might not have fully understood before, but at this moment, he clearly understood Lu Xuefeng’s state of mind.
Lu Xuefeng murmured a soft “Yes.”
They walked in silence for a while.
“So, were you on a blind date just now?” Song Muqing changed the subject.
“…No.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t know why he would think that.
Song Muqing looked at him.
“Can I ask,” Song Muqing was curious, not wanting to hide his thoughts, “who were you having dinner with?”
“My teacher, the person who helped fund my dance studies.”
Song Muqing nodded, feeling slightly relieved, but the mention of financial assistance kept him from fully relaxing.
“You have a good relationship.”
“Yes, I’m always grateful.”
Lu Xuefeng had thought this countless times. It was thanks to Teacher Xiao’s help that he had achieved what he had today.
In a way, Teacher Xiao was indeed a benefactor in his life, and equally important.
They walked slowly for a while. It was getting late.
Song Muqing asked if Lu Xuefeng had driven.
Lu Xuefeng hadn’t. He had taken the subway directly from the theater.
“I’ll drive you,” Song Muqing offered. “Are you going back to the hospital or home?”
Lu Xuefeng was about to decline, but seeing the sincerity in his eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
Song Muqing fetched his car and waited for him to get in.
“Home, please.”
He had already informed his grandmother about the dinner, so there was no need to go to the hospital again.
She was probably asleep by now; he could visit tomorrow.
“Address?”
Lu Xuefeng gave him the name of the residential complex.
Thus, Song Muqing obtained the address of Lu Xuefeng’s current residence.
He drove steadily, then suddenly remarked, “It’s not very far.”
“It’s still quite a distance,” Lu Xuefeng replied. The drive from here to his apartment would take more than ten minutes.
“I mean, it’s not far from the Lanyuan district.”
“What’s that…?”
Lu Xuefeng had heard of the Lanyuan district but didn’t know why Song Muqing suddenly mentioned it.
Song Muqing glanced at him. “The residential complex where I live.”
Lu Xuefeng responded slowly, pondering the meaning of his words.
Song Muqing focused on driving, not speaking, the sound of traffic filling the car.
The car was quiet. This time, Song Muqing didn’t play any music to set the mood.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t mind.
He watched the changing lights and shadows outside the window, lost in thought.
When they arrived, he realized it with a slight delay.
Lu Xuefeng prepared to get out of the car.
But Song Muqing stopped him.
“I’ve been thinking about something during the drive.”
“What is it?”
“I think it’s best to fulfill an elder’s wish as soon as possible.”
Lu Xuefeng’s hand paused on his seatbelt, his expression slightly bewildered.
“What I mean is, would you like to marry me?”
Song Muqing looked at him, adding, “Tomorrow is Monday.”
A weekday.
They could register their marriage.
