On July fifth, Nina had finally finished her last exam and strode out of the teaching building with a sense of relief. A classmate handed Nina a rose as she pointed to a direction and said, "Mrs. Shi, your husband is waiting for you over there."
The rose in her hand was decorated with little water droplets, dazzling in the setting sun.
"What? My husband?" Nina reached out and took the rose. A wisp of a familiar fragrance wafted into her nose.
Nina looked in the direction, trying to see John but to no avail.
"Thank you." Nina just decided to thank her and walk to the direction she pointed at.
Just a few steps away, another classmate handed her a rose and pointed to the same direction, saying the same words.
"Mrs. Shi, your husband is waiting for you over there."
Nina was stunned and took the second rose.
Then the third, the fourth, the fifth...
After walking for some time now, Nina couldn't even count how many roses she had. Her arms were filled with more than a bouquet by now.
What was John up to?
Was this because she finished her exams?
Nina looked down and carefully arranged the roses in her arms. She had to hold them neatly because they were from John after all. She couldn't break them.
"Mrs. Shi, this is for you."
Her eyes were met with a red rose accompanied by familiar slender fingers and an unmistakable voice filling her ears.
Nina froze. Her eyes slowly looked up the flower and followed the slender fingers.
She smiled at his hands and took the roses.
These hands had become a symbol of security for her.
They would often interlock their fingers while John held her in his arms each night before falling asleep. Even when they walked around, he would hold her hand in the palm of his.
"Mr. Shi?" Nina raised her head and laid her eyes on the dreamy figure before her. The shadow of the tree acted like a mask on his face but couldn't hide how handsome he was.
This was not the first time she was called Mrs. Shi,
but somehow she felt different this time.
John's voice was so gentle,
she couldn't help but become intoxicated.
All they needed was a long simple life together.
"Mrs. Shi, do you know how many roses you have there?" John took Nina's hand and walked her to the school gate.
"I don't," Nina said.
John glanced at her silently.
It was difficult to tell whether he was happy or not; the only thing for certain was that he looked a little helpless.
"Let me count." Nina was about to pull her hand away when John tightened his clutch. He said slowly, "52."
"52?" Nina quickly got his point. "Are you trying to say 'I love you' in this way. But you should give me 520 roses. What about the remaining 468?"
Nina raised her eyebrows and cheekily glanced at him.
"520 roses are far too many. You won't be able to hold them." John turned his head and smirked at Nina.
"520 means that I love you.
52 means my love. My one true love in my life.
You are the love of my whole life, little girl."
"Come on! I think you are just trying to find an excuse so that you don't need to give me 520 roses," Nina cheekily remarked. The beautiful grin on her face was so gorgeous that it put the roses to shame.
Nina had told John that James and Emma were out shopping and holding hands lovingly.
He knew his little girl didn't just bring this up for no reason. She definitely wanted to hold hands and shop as well.
John took her hand and led her into a food street near the university. It was littered with places flooded with delectable treats and food.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Only you in my love