Chapter 67: Loving You Without Reservation

Lily of the Valley gazed at the fruit on her plate, each piece cut small, arranged with care, every slice crafted and presented exquisitely. Indeed, the tropical fruit was fragrant and sweet, with a wonderful texture. The entire meal passed in quiet, and now and then she turned her head to glance at the courtyard, where a pavilion stood with a unique shape—the "Idle Pavilion," as it was called. Just as its name suggested, in a life stretched taut as a bowstring, it was better to pause more often; sometimes, being content with the present was the most comfortable way to exist. Lily of the Valley liked it here. Though it lacked the bustling splendor of South River, it possessed a beauty that was fresh and natural.

After breakfast, Mo Zhicheng left first.

Boss Mo gave her half a day off to recuperate, so she leaned alone on the railing, gazing into the distant scenery. The beauty was breathtaking, and no matter how she viewed it, she was awed by the wonders of nature.

As evening approached, she could no longer resist the urge to sightsee. The hotel was vast, but she didn't call for a tour cart; instead, she wandered alone.

The pebble-paved path wound ahead, its sides blooming with crimson bougainvillea, and as far as the eye could see, it was a sea of flowers.

Today, the hotel seemed livelier than usual. She heard voices in the distance and quickened her steps. On the Bulgari hotel's open terrace, a couple ascended a path strewn with gardenia petals. In the air drifted the melody of "Mariage d'Amour." She watched as they held each other close, listening to their vows.

The groom kissed his bride, and the gardenia blossoms on the branches fluttered down in the breeze, as though a shower of white flowers were falling.

“I will take you as my wife. From this day forward, you shall be my lifelong friend, companion, and only true love; I give you my promise, to love you without reserve, to be proud of you, to respect you, to protect you in hardship, comfort you in sorrow. I promise to be forever faithful, to trust you, until the end of time.”

A beautiful moment, a scene that would last forever, frozen in memory. Amid a tide of cheers, Ye Lily of the Valley turned away, her eyes brimming with autumn water, like melting crystal.

A wedding vow so easily brushed against her heart’s softest chord. Such promises, for her, were always out of reach.

She quickened her pace and hurried away. She did not know how long she walked before she suddenly encountered Mo Zhicheng and his group, separated only by a sea of flowers. The world was bright and flourishing. The man’s steps slowed involuntarily; he watched her from afar, quietly, noticing the shimmer of tears in her eyes. The breeze teased her fringe, half veiling those tearful eyes.

Unconsciously, he withdrew his gaze and left with the Bulgari staff.

Moments later, her phone vibrated in her palm. She hesitated, letting the ring continue as she sat on the roadside curb, only answering at the very end.

“Hello?”

“You took your time answering. What were you doing?” His tone was tinged with displeasure.

“I was admiring the scenery at the hotel—got a little too absorbed,” she replied softly.

“I think the Bulgari hotel’s next commercial should feature you. The theme: ‘Lost Child.’ They need only capture the look you had just now for the ad,” he snorted.

“Is that so?” Lily of the Valley tilted her head, gazing at the distant blue sky, smiling lightly. “President Mo, you truly live up to your name as a businessman—always able to spot opportunity, wherever you are. So talented, endlessly creative.”

“Turn around,” he stopped teasing, speaking in a low voice.

Lily of the Valley instinctively turned and saw, not far away, his tall figure. Without realizing it, she stood up as he approached and stopped before her.

Seeing the hint of tears in her eyes, he quietly took a white handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the traces of tears at the corner of her eyes. She turned her head away, but he firmly guided her face back, gazing into her eyes, slowly brushing away the tears. “I wanted to do this just now but forced myself to hold back.” His voice was low and magnetic, whispering into her ear.

He frowned slightly as he studied her. “How is it that a woman like you exists? Your eyes seem made of water—one daren’t touch them, for fear they might shatter. One can only try their best to protect them.”

“—” Lily of the Valley averted her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. “Your handkerchief is stained. Let me wash it clean before returning it to you.”

“All right,” he replied, handing it to her.

She took it, her fingers brushing his by accident. He took her hand in his, enveloping it, his thumb gently caressing her fair skin. “Come, let’s walk.”

He led her onto another path. She stumbled along behind him, murmuring, “President Mo, your hand—” gesturing for him to let go.

Mo Zhicheng not only ignored her, but gripped her hand even more tightly. In the end, dissatisfied with mere contact, he intertwined his fingers with hers. “I want to show you someplace.”

“Where is this?” she asked in confusion.

“Jimbaran.”

He glanced at her, but Ye Lily of the Valley’s eyes had already fallen upon the bay. Sea and sky met in a blue line. She gazed longingly; Jimbaran Beach was Bali’s most enchanting place. She slipped off her shoes and walked barefoot across the white sand, letting the waves lap at her feet. Mo Zhicheng followed a few steps behind. She spoke quietly: “The sea here isn’t that clear, sapphire blue.”

He smiled gently, only a few paces away.

The brown water foamed with white waves, the surf graceful yet powerful, and when it struck her feet, she felt its untamable force.

The beach was firm and flat; one’s step left no pits, only a vague footprint, soon erased by the sea breeze. The boundary between beach and sand was clear—broad and heavy, fine and warm.

“But it is pure, without a single impurity. No wonder they say this is the last paradise on earth.” She sighed softly. “When I return to South River, the more prosperous it is, the more cutthroat it becomes. The more driven by profit, the more intrigue and scheming there is.”

As soon as her voice faded, the man suddenly embraced her from behind, as though unfurling his wings to gather her close. She started, turning in surprise, her eyes meeting his. “Do you know what’s most beautiful here? Not the beach, but the sunset,” he murmured.

In the entire bay, only his arms held her; the crash of waves broke the silence. She watched and waited for the final glow of the setting sun.

At last, she tried to brush his arms away, but he only held her tighter. Leaning close to her ear, his voice hoarse, he asked, “Tell me—why did you cry today?”

“—”

She did not answer. In truth, she was not as strong as she appeared, cloaking herself in sharp armor. She was like a pear: sweet outside, sour within, but those who ate the pear never knew the heart was bitter.

She had been abandoned by her parents at the orphanage when she was just a child. She had no name, nor any knowledge of her origins. It was May then, the season when lilies of the valley bloom.

The orphanage was sponsored by the Ye Foundation, and all the children shared the same surname. So she was given her name—Ye Lily of the Valley—whose flower language is the waiting for happiness.

From childhood, she had learned that if you gave a little more than anyone else, you would receive a little more in return. She had to work harder for recognition, her struggles greater than others.

But what about her happiness? She loved Ye Shenghan. When she saw the newlyweds step joyfully onto the marriage carpet, when she heard them vow their promises—

Those words lingered in her memory. To love in secret was to be content with hope; but to be in love was the ultimate possession.

In this world, is there someone you love, who loves you in return? Is there someone who will hold your hand and turn all tenderness into a vow: “I will take you as my wife, love you without reserve, be proud of you, respect you, protect you in hardship, comfort you in sorrow, and promise you my eternal fidelity, to trust you, until forever.”

Forever… forever…

Ye Lily of the Valley spoke: “Have you ever loved? Loved so deeply, so completely, that you would give your all?” She forgot who the man behind her was and asked foolishly, “No matter if she is whole or broken, no matter what her past, would you still be proud of her? Have you ever loved a woman like that?”

The man behind her was stunned into silence for a long moment.

She laughed softly, a little bitterly. “A man like President Mo probably finds it hard to understand such love.” Still, she was greedy, wishing for it.

She brushed his arms away again; gradually, he loosened his embrace. After a while, she took out her phone and pressed the record button. He came to stand beside her, seeing her holding her phone towards the sea, and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Hush—” Ye Lily of the Valley raised a finger to her lips, signaling him not to speak. She was recording, capturing the sound of the crashing waves.

The roar of the surf overlapped in waves, mingling the freshness of the sea with the music of the wind. When she finished, she noticed the question in his eyes and explained, “I’m recording the sound of the sea.”

“Oh?” he asked.

“The sea here is more beautiful than in South River. I wanted to hear if its sound was more moving too.” She smiled softly. She wanted to bring this back for Little Bell to hear.

Mo Zhicheng glanced at her. “You always have so many strange and wonderful ideas.”

She lowered her head, kicking at the water, her footprints deep in the warm white sand. Yes, she always had many strange ideas, always searching for another side to things. At heart, she loved life, able to find a different vitality in the ordinary and simple.

“—”

She turned away. At that moment, the sun was sinking; the blood-red afterglow painted the sky. The sharp lines of the man’s profile were bathed in orange light.

In a fleeting moment, the magnificent sunset faded, its last rays disappearing.

Their eyes met, their figures outlined against the great setting sun, a scene so breathtaking it startled the heart.

Jimbaran Beach, dinner beneath the sunset. Many travelers gathered, but Mo Zhicheng and Ye Lily of the Valley chose a quiet spot to dine. As dusk slowly faded across the sky and night fell, she looked at the long table set on the sloping sand, covered with spices and fruit. The aroma drifted over as seafood grilled in coconut shells was served: giant shrimp, squid, crabs, and other delicacies of the sea. It truly felt as if she wanted to take Jimbaran Beach home with her.