Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets

She only felt her throat was scorched by fire, following her instincts she burrowed into Meng Siyu's embrace.

"Let's go, we're heading to the hospital." Meng Siyu kissed her forehead, a face full of self-reproach. She must have caught a chill on the balcony in the evening, and it didn't help with her stressed condition afterwards. It was all his fault. Why hadn't he noticed earlier that she wasn't feeling well?

Meng Siyu dressed Tang Yue and carried her to the hospital.

After a lot of hustle, daybreak came, Tang Yue was put on an IV, and her fever slowly receded. Only then did Meng Siyu relax. He was worried about Tang Yue being alone in the hospital, so after finding a nurse and asking them to take care of her, he quickly went to buy some congee.

With Tang Yue sick, it was best to have some light congee.

*

"We've been by the seaside for two days now, and I'm almost all better. Let's go play by the sea today." Tang Yue pulled Meng Siyu's hand, coaxing him.

Ever since they returned from the hospital that day, Meng Siyu had been treating her like a delicate porcelain doll; not to mention seeing the sea, she wasn't even allowed on the balcony.

"No way."

Meng Siyu refused: "You've just recovered. What if the sea breeze causes a relapse?"

"No..." It won't.

Before she could finish her sentence, Meng Siyu had already taken her to sit by the French windows, saying, "Look, we can see the sea from here, right?"

Tang Yue: "..."

Though seeing the sea through the windows was also beautiful, there's no comparison to the joy of standing right in front of the vast ocean.

"Once you've fully stabilized today, we'll go see the sea." Meng Siyu also didn't want Tang Yue to be cooped up in the room constantly. They were supposed to be here for fun, and always staying in the room wasn't conducive to her recovery.

"Tomorrow?" Tang Yue looked at him with eager anticipation.

"Mmhmm."

Meng Siyu relented.

Tang Yue happily flung herself into his embrace.

Thinking of going to see the sea tomorrow, Tang Yue felt hungry, but looking at the bland dishes, she couldn't help but fantasize about a seafood feast.

"Once you're better, we'll come back for seafood." Meng Siyu put some vegetables into her bowl, lifted his own bowl, and said, "You see, I'm eating lightly just like you."

Tang Yue immediately felt better.

The next day, early in the morning, before dawn, Meng Siyu woke her up. Tang Yue groggily opened her eyes only to see Meng Siyu pulling back the curtains, as the sun rose from the sea level, bathed in gold, dazzling yet beautiful.

This sunrise over the sea was different from the one they'd seen from the mountains of Xiushui Town—another kind of charm indeed.

"It's so beautiful."

Tang Yue was extremely happy. After watching the sunrise, she belatedly turned to look at him.

Meng Siyu, knowing what she wanted to say, explained, "You were sick these past days, couldn't get up too early, so I didn't wake you."

"Seeing such a beautiful view, I'm sure my illness will heal even faster."

Tang Yue tilted her head to think, then corrected herself, "No, I'm already better. You promised me we'd go to the beach today. You can't go back on your word."

Tang Yue cupped his face in her hands, rubbing her nose against his, saying, "A man's word is his bond, once said, even four horses cannot chase it back. You can't go back on your word."

"When have I ever gone back on my word?" Meng Siyu took the opportunity to kiss her and said, "However, what clothes to wear, you have to listen to me."

"Mmm-hmm."

Tang Yue nodded like she was pounding garlic, but when she actually saw what Meng Siyu had prepared for the swimsuit, Tang Yue was dumbfounded. No bikini—she could understand that—but the floral long dress was too conservative, especially since he somehow found a scarf to wrap her up completely. It didn't look like an outfit for playing at the beach at all. She was wrapped up like a zongzi (rice dumpling).

Tang Yue looked at him with a face full of grievance. "This dress, don't you think it's not quite suitable?"

Meng Siyu seriously replied, "It's suitable. The dress is just right. Don't you think it's beautiful?"

"A long dress?" Tang Yue tugged at the long dress she was wearing. How could she play in the water with a long dress on?

It was not convenient at all.

"If you like it here, we can stay for a few more days," said Meng Siyu while lightly touching her long hair. "Once you are fully recovered, we can go out to sea. How does that sound?"

"Go out to sea?" Tang Yue's eyes suddenly lit up.

Meng Siyu nodded, "Correct, I've asked around. There's Lanyun Island nearby which is said to be exceptionally beautiful. Once you're fully recovered, I'll accompany you there."

"You're the best, husband." Tang Yue happily threw herself into his arms, joyfully giving him a kiss. She felt incredibly blissful at this moment. Meng Siyu—though he didn't spend a lot of time with her, with time off, he still went around having fun with her.

Wearing sandals, Tang Yue stepped on the soft sandy beach, with the sea breeze blowing and a faint smell of salt in the air. The scent wasn't too strong, brought over by the waves, so faint that it was almost imperceptible.

Her long hair was blown about by the wind, and the scarf on her was properly draped; she played happily as if she couldn't get enough.

She had grown this big, lived two lifetimes, and this was the first time she had come to the seaside.

There were many people coming and going on the beach. There were others like Tang Yue wearing long dresses, but most wore very breezy outfits. With Meng Siyu by her side, however, nobody dared come too close.

Her silvery laughter never ceased, as Tang Yue was as happy as a child.

After playing for most of the morning, Tang Yue reluctantly returned to the hotel, changed her clothes, and went to the restaurant.

"In the future, we can bring our children here," Tang Yue couldn't help but fantasize about coming back here in the future.

Children?

Meng Siyu's heart stirred, nodding in agreement, "Sure."

Meng Siyu added, "That's perfect, Xiao Yu lives in Sea City, so we can come here every year."

"That's great," Tang Yue said, looking up. "But do you have that much vacation time?"

"A year is so long; there will always be time," Meng Siyu said somewhat guiltily. "It might be that we can only come for a day or two."

"That's fine, even coming every other year works," Tang Yue said with a beaming smile. "I know how busy you are with your work, but surely there will be a chance to come back here in the future."

The lunch was very lavish. Although it wasn't a seafood feast, it included a seafood dish among other tasty dishes, and she was utterly content with it.

Taking advantage of Meng Siyu paying the bill, Tang Yue stood in front of the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the sea, feeling the trip was completely worthwhile.

Tang Yue stood there for a while and was about to go back to find Meng Siyu when she turned around too quickly and bumped into someone behind her.

"I'm sorry."

Tang Yue apologized instinctively.

"You spilled coffee on me," a male voice rang out. The man's gaze landed on Tang Yue's face, filled with amazement.

When he had seen her standing by the window, he thought she must have a pretty face.

So, he slowly approached her, not expecting her to suddenly turn around and bump into him. Looking down at her from his height, he found she was even more beautiful up close, with a radiant, alluring face and eyes that seemed to speak volumes.