Chapter 65: I’m Eloping With The Princess

Ji Zhen Tang sang him a lullaby, her voice soft and gentle, like the night wind outside, brushing over the ancient driftwood houses along the coast and swaying the ferns in the yard.

The song and the scent of grass both carried a hint of bitterness.

On this starry night, after the fireworks had faded, the moon over the sea was shrouded in tropical haze, while the rolling tides kept time with the melody, together sinking into a night of perfect harmony.

After a long journey, they had found a home amidst the sound of the waves.

Zhong Yu Bai listened quietly until the end, slowly raising his eyes to meet her expectant gaze.

He said it was beautiful.

Then, gently rubbing the ends of her hair, he asked politely, “Can I stay over tonight, Miss Landlord?”

“Too formal, Mr. Zhong.” Ji Zhen Tang smiled brightly at him, “From now on, you can stay whenever you want; there’s no need to ask me. My door is always open for you!”

Zhong Yu Bai smiled with relief: “Only for me.”

“Of course, only for you.”

The key was still in her hand. Ji Zhen Tang looked at it and sighed, “I still can’t believe it.”

It felt like a dream.

“Being with you feels like I’m dreaming every day.”

Ji Zhen Tang remembered him saying that she shouldn’t wake up from her dream. It’s difficult for people to keep promises, especially such a big one; he made it so easily and fulfilled it just as effortlessly.

“Isn’t dreaming good?” Zhong Yu Bai replied calmly. “As long as I have the ability, I can ensure you remain safe in this dream.”

“What ability?” Ji Zhen Tang blinked and asked.

Zhong Yu Bai replied, “The ability to work, the ability to love.”

She held up the key: “Is this part of your ability?”

“Not even a ten-thousandth of it,” he said, understanding her fear of sudden fortune, and comforted her, “This house isn’t that expensive; it’s much more economical than a standalone one, so there’s no need to be overly anxious.”

Ji Zhen Tang remained skeptical for a while before slowly exhaling.

She added, “But the view is great; you really know how to pick.”

He responded rationally, “That’s the part I valued as well.”

After saying that, she remembered something, and Zhong Yu Bai informed her, “There’s a dinner tomorrow; come with me.”

Ji Zhen Tang was taken aback: “I didn’t bring a nice dress.”

Zhong Yu Bai was indeed meticulous, saying, “It’s already arranged; someone will deliver it tomorrow.”

The person delivering the dress came the next afternoon.

It was a champagne-colored princess dress, and the gilded surface sparkled under the sunlight. Despite Zhong Yu Bai’s low-key and humble demeanor, he made her shine as brightly as possible when it came to her, as if dressing a doll, with the hem of the skirt embedded with tiny diamonds reflecting his expectations.

Ji Zhen Tang changed into the dress and spun around; the fine sunlight under her feet looked like a circle of stars scattered from her.

The dress was very long, perfectly hiding her feet.

The hotel was named Changuel, derived from the Chinese characters for “long nobility.” The banquet’s venue was right in Ji Zhen Tang’s garden below her apartment, and she headed there in Zhong Yu Bai’s car.

Zhong Yu Bai wore a simple yet classic black velvet suit, choosing a gold-trimmed tie to complement her dress, secured neatly with a clean Windsor knot.

The man sat calmly, exuding elegance and grandeur, with a refined and noble demeanor.

In the car, he helped her style her hair. She glanced at him in the mirror.

Zhong Yu Bai had mentioned before that he didn’t like anyone touching his hair, so she took the hint and didn’t invite a stylist.

Watching him delicately braid her hair, Ji Zhen Tang was momentarily lost in thought.

On one hand, she admired his abilities; on the other, she was touched by the softness of his features at that moment.

That day was rare without rain, and the bright sunlight fell on his shoulders, illuminating him in a way that seemed out of place for him—bright and open.

His features were handsome and composed, clearly the image of a capable young man, completely unrelated to the notion of being old, yet psychologically, he was much more mature and refined than many men in their thirties.

Ji Zhen Tang felt inferior to his patience.

After styling her hair, Zhong Yu Bai thought the result was acceptable. After examining it for a moment, he remarked, “Practice makes perfect; next time will be even prettier.”

She smiled and shook her head to let her hair fall more naturally.

Changuel Hotel had international VIPs, so they held a grand banquet that day.

Without the need to wear high heels, Ji Zhen Tang felt a rush of confidence, navigating the social scene of international friends like a fish in water. The first time she felt out of place, the second time she became familiar, and by the third time, she was thriving.

At the banquet, Ji Zhen Tang met Li Da, Zhong Yu Bai’s business partner, who was said to be another major shareholder of the hotel.

Li Da brought over a glass of wine and clinked glasses with him.

Zhong Yu Bai pulled his girlfriend closer, introducing her and mentioning to Ji Zhen Tang that Li Da was someone he had known since childhood.

As a businessman, Li Da had a kind and gentle demeanor, with a warmth that was somewhat earnest, continually praising Ji Zhen Tang for being so beautiful.

She was overjoyed, repeatedly thanking him, “Thank you, uncle.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Da subtly hinted at something regarding Zhong Yu Bai, implying he had something to discuss with him.

Zhong Yu Bai replied, “You can say it here.”

He did not ask Ji Zhen Tang to leave.

Li Da glanced at the two of them, then spoke without any further pretense, pulling out a pocket watch from his pocket. He said softly, “This is your mother’s keepsake.”

Zhong Yu Bai stared at the object in his hand for a long time, momentarily unable to react.

His expression was calm, but Ji Zhen Tang sensed his tension as the fingers wrapped around her waist tightened slightly.

“Looks like it was found after all.” After a pause, Zhong Yu Bai looked at Li Da and took the watch.

He said, “I heard from a subordinate of Songtang that he is now living in hiding in Penang. I searched for a long time before I found him. This is what your mother gave him before she left; it contains her last words. I thought it necessary for you to see it.”

Zhong Yu Bai opened the pocket watch, and a satin handkerchief nearly fell out. He didn’t unfold it immediately, fearing it would drop to the ground. Instead, he hurriedly tucked it back in with his fingers and closed the watch.

He smiled gently and said, “Your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain.”

Li Da, feeling a mix of emotions, sighed, “I had a deep friendship with her and didn’t want her to leave without clarity. I always felt there was something left behind—whether grievances or hopes. Otherwise, life feels like an empty journey. Your mother may have seemed soft, but she was strong at her core.”

“At this point, we must accept it; this is probably the ending.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the rusty watch in Zhong Yu Bai’s palm, filled with sentiment.

“However, I believe she will be happy in her next life.”

Zhong Yu Bai also looked down at the object, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, as if finding some relief, and he softly said, “Maybe.”

At the dining table, he fell into a brief silence. Zhong Yu Bai did not take out the possibly written handkerchief again, perhaps out of reluctance or disinterest.

Ji Zhen Tang felt he wouldn’t be indifferent to it.

Not wanting to think further, she noticed a rainbow outside, took a sip of coconut juice, and her peripheral vision caught the high, illusory bridge.

“Look outside!”

Zhong Yu Bai lifted his gaze in response. After a brief evening rain, the sky was painted with colors, but unfortunately, the tall buildings obstructed their view, allowing them to see only a part of the rainbow.

Ji Zhen Tang grew a little anxious; she wanted to go outside, checking the time five times in a minute. She tapped her foot on the ground, her eyes expressing: why isn’t it over yet?

“Do you want to go outside to see?”

Zhong Yu Bai glanced at her and, after some thought, picked up his suit jacket, saying, “Let’s go.”

She was overjoyed, “Great!!”

With his nod, Ji Zhen Tang lifted her dress and stood up. “Let’s hurry; let’s take the MRT! The view is better there; quickly, or it will disappear soon!”

Zhong Yu Bai chuckled, wanting to suggest sending a car, but Ji Zhen Tang had already rushed out impatiently.

He had no choice but to follow her outside.

As they dashed across the bustling road, she transformed into a champagne-colored light, running ahead with her dress trailing behind her, her speed aided by the sneakers she wore today.

Zhong Yu Bai called Li Da to say a quick hello, and when he looked up again, she had already woven through the crowd, almost disappearing from sight.

No matter how long Zhong Yu Bai’s legs were, he couldn’t match her speed and had to run alongside her toward the station. Both of them were dressed to the nines, but they didn’t attract much attention; there were too many colorful men and women around, and they were not the only ones chasing rainbows.

“Quick—” Ji Zhen Tang gasped, checking the time and looking back at him, her arm waving forward, “We have five minutes to catch the next one, we can make it! Go! Chase the rainbow!!”

Amidst the towering buildings and under the vibrant rainbow bridge, in the congested traffic, in a neighborhood by the sea where the crowd was dense, he had to constantly dodge and control his pace.

Having gotten used to being driven everywhere, Zhong Yu Bai felt a surreal sense at this moment; it was hard for him to experience such reckless moments in life again.

From the back, the warm glow of dusk fell on her shoulders. Beneath the clear sky after the rain, it was almost night; the blue curtain of night was about to unfold, yet everywhere was filled with fresh and free vitality.

The repressed soul, like a crumpled piece of paper that had been curled up for thousands of years, was finally being gently smoothed out on this street where one could run freely without fear of being watched, gaining space to breathe.

She pointed at the sky and looked back at him with a smile.

He couldn’t hear clearly what she said, but he received the signals of joy in her eyes, and a hint of warmth blossomed at the corner of his mouth.

Her shoes were convenient, but her skirt was too fluffy, and Ji Zhen Tang ran, paying no attention to the edges and corners.

The hem of her skirt bumped into a woman’s handbag at the bus stop.

With a “thud,” the leather bag dropped to the ground.

She was completely unaware and didn’t look back.

Soon, the bag was picked up by Zhong Yu Bai.

He dusted it off and handed it back to the woman, saying with a serious and apologetic tone in the face of her astonished gaze, “Sorry, the princess and I are eloping.”

The woman’s eyes lit up with surprise and she shrugged, “That’s ok, congratulations!”

He smiled and replied, “Thank you.”

In the wonderfully glowing dusk, Ji Zhen Tang stepped into the MRT as the doors were about to close. In the crowded carriage, this chase finally came to a stop.

Zhong Yu Bai stood behind her, protecting her.

The doors slowly closed.

With no seat available, Ji Zhen Tang, gasping and hands on her hips, faced him and laughed, “Have you never taken the subway? It’s just like this, full of people.”

However, the MRT car only had three compartments, elevated on tracks to carry passengers for sightseeing.

Zhong Yu Bai smiled amiably, resting his palm on the glass, slightly bending over to look at the sky outside, “It’s not a bad experience.”

Whether it was really good or he was just trying to please her, Ji Zhen Tang laughed heartily and reached up to fix his slightly crooked tie.

As the train slowly pulled away, she leaned close to the window, gazing at the scenery as night fell.

Zhong Yu Bai stood behind her, his palm covering her hand, gently curling his fingers around hers.

It was only a light touch; he didn’t hold her tightly.

In this subtle moment, standing in his embrace, it felt as if she was surrounded by a sense of happiness filled with affection.

In Ji Zhen Tang’s peripheral vision, many people were taking photos of the rainbow.

No one recognized them, and no one politely called out to “Boss Zhong.”

Nor did anyone look over with questioning eyes, thinking that they were unworthy in various ways.

At this moment, they were not a big boss and an artist; they were just two ordinary people in the bustling crowd, seriously in love, chasing the fleeting moments of happiness that spread across the sky.

The colors of the rainbow slowly faded in the deep blue night.

The carriage was lit, and Ji Zhen Tang saw the reflection of his eyes in the window.

She didn’t look at the descending night anymore but secretly observed his expression.

The train passed through clusters of coconut trees.

Zhong Yu Bai gazed at the rainbow with a faint smile, every memory of this place vivid in his mind.

“Do you remember this place? When you were little, you came here; my uncle opened a branch office that made ice cream, and you loved it.

“This place used to be an amusement park; we rode the carousel here when you were just two. Now, it’s all abandoned.

“Over there is the beach where I took you and your mother to ride a yacht,” he said, glancing down at the dazed Ji Zhen Tang. “Have you forgotten everything?”

She suddenly snapped back to reality: “Ah, now that you mention it, I remember.”

Zhong Yu Bai smiled lightly, not calling her out on it.

Ji Zhen Tang didn’t pay much attention to what he said; she only felt the happiness radiating from his expression at this moment.

Such emotions rarely appeared in Zhong Yu Bai’s eyes.

It was not a joy born from her happiness but a feeling that arose naturally from his heart.

In the crowded carriage, they leaned against each other. As the train jolted and swayed, they found themselves in this unfamiliar yet familiar world.

Ji Zhen Tang listened to him recounting some past events while gazing outside at the humid glass, trying to keep up with the memories.

Regardless of whether she could recall them, she was in a state of reminiscence.

At this moment, the train was passing through the coconut groves and the ocean waves, not traveling from one end of the rainbow to the other, but briefly journeying back to their lost childhood and youth.

It passed through the faded and yellowed memories of old times, ultimately arriving at a beautiful dream that flowed through the years.

He was the dream weaver and also the dreamer.

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