NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 81
Gu Xilin turned down the volume to the lowest setting, but Jiang Yan still woke up, tugging at the blankets in his embrace.
He helped her adjust her position, but his too-firm arm poked her, causing her to push it away.
Seeing the scene where Gu Xilin bumped into the door, Jiang Yan laughed and snuggled into his embrace. Gu Xilin held her tightly, knowing he had already gained her affection but still fearful of losing her.
Jiang Yan curled up under the blanket, secretly giving him a kiss, her muffled voice coming through: "I won't leave you."
Gu Xilin's fingers clenched tightly.
The phone was neglected nearby, its screen showing a director emotionally stirring a scene, the delicate, skin-friendly bed sheets creased by the reddened fingertips gripping into them.
Outside, a wind picked up unexpectedly, causing the newly planted tender seedlings to sway and the buds on the branches to tremble precariously under the weight.
Her mission complete, Jiang Yan could stay here again. But she always knew this wasn't their true ending.
Time and again, Jiang Yan professed her love to Gu Xilin, etching her image deeper into his heart with each declaration.
Each time, Gu Xilin would swell with boundless affection. He would affectionately press his face to hers, his voice gentle and doting: "Believe me, I will love you forever."
He had no idea why Jiang Yan felt insecure about their love, but he could assure her that he would always love her.
Just as she appeared in the vast sea of people, he would still recognize her at a glance and be moved by her presence.
Jiang Yan's career was progressing well.
When she focused on something, she had the ability to accomplish it efficiently. As a result, she quickly rose to prominence on the world stage.
When she shone brightly on that stage, the audience below would cheer and applaud for her. At those moments, she was the star of the show.
The system's humanized program felt a sense of bewilderment. Even with a humanized facade, its essence was still cold and unfeeling.
So it couldn't understand why those people could so easily forgive Jiang Yan, why the female lead would put aside past grievances and sit in the audience, tears welling up as she watched Jiang Yan.
It was truly strange.
Gu Xilin's overly privileged upbringing shaped his personality and pride.
Before meeting Jiang Yan, he didn't think anyone was worthy of his love; after falling for Jiang Yan, he felt she would forever be worthy of his love.
His status meant he couldn't indulge in emotion. But the renowned genius producer Gu Xilin dedicated all his subsequent music and works to one person—his beloved Jiang Yan.
Gu Xilin loved to finish his work at the studio, then buy a bouquet of flowers to pick up his darling after her shift.
What he enjoyed even more was teaching Jiang Yan about his areas of expertise in that small studio. At those times, her entire being was focused on him.
Later, when Jiang Yan grew tired of work and Gu Xilin had achieved his former goals, the two went on a vacation together.
At the fervent pleas of their fans, they ended up recording vlogs of their travel life.
They visited cities abundant in fruit, eating all kinds until they were full. Jiang Yan sampled the tart grapes, then fed some to Gu Xilin before whispering to the camera that they weren't very good.
They went to an underdeveloped old city, where they chanced upon a red three-wheeled cart selling preserved plum blossoms. The bright yellow, glossy flowers were bundled, large bundles for twenty and small ones for fifteen.
Gu Xilin generously offered to buy some for Jiang Yan. He borrowed a little pony and chatted with the flower vendor for half an hour before finally acquiring a large bundle of fragrant plum branches for fifteen yuan.
He carried the aromatic branches and went to the vegetable market to find Jiang Yan playing with the fish.
Proud of his prize, he showed it off to her. Jiang Yan gave him an enthusiastic compliment, and the two held hands, returning with their bundle of romance.
They continued on like this, stopping and going, sometimes posting videos for their fans, sometimes chatting with old friends, spending a very long time together.
They still didn't have children.
But it was Gu Xilin who brought it up. Because of the significant risks of childbirth, he was selfish—he didn't want to take any chance of losing Jiang Yan.
So it remained just the two of them, slowly growing old together.
As Gu Xilin aged, his temperament worsened. He constantly sought amusement, sometimes saying he wanted to dye his gray hair green to fit the youthful trend; other times secretly knocking down the sandcastles built by the neighborhood kids, then arguing with them; or teasing the cats with a little hamster, waiting until the terrified rodent begged for death before sweeping in to play the heroic savior...
The kids really found him annoying. But they were mindful of the old man's frail health and didn't dare pick fights with him, even though the old man was always raring to go.
The old man had his weaknesses, too.
The old lady living with him was revered by the children as a deity. Though petite and adorable, her slightest glance would render the old man obedient.
If the old lady said the neighbor's roses bloomed beautifully, the old man would sneak over and bring back a whole basket; if she commented on a child's lovely goldfish, the old man would trade his big turtle for it... Eventually, the old lady would grow angry, and the old man would pout and pretend to cry in the yard, clinging to her.
The children, idling on the steps and swinging their legs, would mutter to themselves about finding such a cute old lady to keep them company in their twilight years.
Suddenly, a sharp pain would strike their heads—the old man had angrily tossed candy at them.
...
Growing old isn't scary, as long as you're by my side. With you, my life will always be filled with joy and meaning.