Chapter 283: SAYING GOODBYE

That finally earned him a look. "You think a few gifts will distract me?"

"I wasn’t planning on buying just a few."

Guiying couldn’t stop the smile threatening to appear. "You really are trying to bribe me."

"If it makes my husband smile, I don’t see the problem."

The amusement in Guiying’s eyes lasted only a moment before quiet reluctance returned. "I don’t need gifts." His voice softened. "I’d rather have you."

For a brief second, Liuxian looked at him. There were countless expensive things in this world he could place in Guiying’s hands without a second thought, yet none of them compared to those four simple words.

He reached up, gently cupping Guiying’s face. "You’ll have me." His thumb brushed lightly across Guiying’s cheek. "Just give me a little time."

Guiying searched his face for several long moments before finally nodding. "I’ll wait."

Liuxian smiled, relief flickering across his features before he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss against Guiying’s forehead. "My love..." His voice was quieter now. "Promise me you’ll take care of yourself while I’m gone."

Guiying didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached up and straightened Liuxian’s tie, smoothing the fabric with slow, careful movements that seemed more like an excuse to delay the goodbye than anything else. Only after he was satisfied did he meet Liuxian’s eyes again.

"I’ll take care of myself." A faint smile curved his lips. "But you have to promise me something too."

Liuxian waited.

"When you get to HWI, you’ll be almost eighteen hours behind me." Guiying’s fingers found Liuxian’s hand, naturally intertwining with his. "I’ll call whenever I can. The times might be strange because of the time difference, but answer if you’re awake. If you can’t, call me back when you’re free."

Liuxian gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I will."

That simple answer was enough.

With one last reluctant breath, Guiying leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Liuxian again, holding him tighter than before, knowing that the next time he did this, it would be after days of waiting rather than mere hours.

Their embrace lingered in the quiet bedroom, neither of them willing to be the first to step away, until the soft knock outside the door sounded once more, gently reminding them that time had run out.

The bedroom door closed softly behind them.

Neither of them rushed toward the stairs. Their fingers remained intertwined as they descended together, their pace unhurried, as though both of them understood that every step brought Liuxian closer to leaving.

Guiying glanced at their joined hands before letting out a quiet laugh. "I just remembered something."

Liuxian looked at him. "What is it?"

"When we first moved in together, I couldn’t wait for you to leave for work."

"I remember."

"You do?"

Liuxian nodded. "You would stand at the door until my car disappeared. I thought you were reluctant to see me go."

Guiying looked away, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. "I was making sure you actually left."

"So you could enjoy having the house to yourself?"

"...Yes."

A low chuckle escaped Liuxian. "I should’ve guessed."

Guiying smiled sheepishly. "I thought marrying you was the worst decision I’d ever made but that only last maybe a week or two."

"And now?"

Guiying’s smile gradually softened. "Now I don’t want you to leave."

Liuxian stopped halfway down the staircase. He turned toward Guiying, lifting their joined hands before pressing a gentle kiss against the back of his hand. "I’ll come home as quickly as I can."

"I know." Guiying looked at him quietly. "I still don’t like it."

Liuxian’s eyes softened. "I don’t like leaving either."

By the time they reached the foyer, Wang Chengli, Mrs. Chen, and Old Li were already waiting. Old Li immediately walked over carrying an insulated food bag.

"Young Master Liu, your breakfast." He handed it over before continuing, "Plain congee, the side dishes you like, your stomach medicine, plus a flask of hot water. Eat before the plane takes off. Don’t wait until your stomach starts hurting."

Liuxian accepted the bag with a small smile. "Thank you, Uncle Li."

Old Li snorted. "Don’t thank me. Just listen for once."

Mrs. Chen smiled helplessly. "He spent half the morning checking whether everything was packed."

"I only checked three times."

"You checked five."

"I was being thorough."

Guiying couldn’t help laughing.

Liuxian looked toward Wang Chengli. "Uncle Wang."

Wang Chengli inclined his head. "The route to the airport has already been cleared. Peng Guoqing has been waiting outside for several minutes."

Liuxian nodded before turning to Guiying. "Shall we?"

Guiying quietly answered, "Mm."

The morning air greeted them as they stepped outside together. The black Rolls-Royce Boat Tail stood waiting before the entrance. Peng Guoqing was already beside the rear door. The moment he saw them, he straightened respectfully. "Young Master Liu. Young Master Xue."

A short distance away, Haiyan waited beside Guiying’s matte sand beige Lexus. He remained silent, understanding that this wasn’t the time to interrupt.

Liuxian turned to face Guiying. Neither of them spoke immediately. There wasn’t much left to say. Everything that needed to be said had already been spoken upstairs.

Guiying stepped forward first, slipping both arms around Liuxian’s waist. This embrace was tighter than the last. Liuxian rested one hand against Guiying’s back while the other gently stroked his blonde hair.

"I’ll call you after I land."

"You’d better."

"I will."

"If work keeps you busy..."

Liuxian smiled. "I’ll still answer."

Guiying looked into his eyes for several quiet seconds before rising onto his toes. Liuxian met him halfway. Their lips touched in a slow, lingering kiss. Neither of them hurried to pull away.

Standing several meters away, Wang Chengli calmly looked elsewhere. Mrs. Chen quietly lowered her gaze, while Old Li cleared his throat and suddenly became very interested in the flowers lining the driveway. Only Peng Guoqing and Haiyan remained perfectly composed, as though they hadn’t seen anything at all.

When the kiss finally ended, Guiying rested his forehead lightly against Liuxian’s. "Take care of yourself, Hubby."

Liuxian smiled faintly. "You too, wifey."