Ten Years of Yearning. My Love, Let Me Protect You.

Watching his ear tips turning red, Ji Yanli knew her hunch was right. 

Last night, she went back to the hot spring to retrieve her forgotten belongings but it was out of her expectation to witness Sheng Ruming and Luo Lixi in the water, together, drenched like that. 

As soon as he dragged Luo Lixi out of the water, she fled. 'Now watching him like this, my gossipy soul can't stay still~' 

She wanted to ask further, the man didn't deny or answer her any questions. In the end, she gave up and went away sulking. 

"Ma, why are you setting barbecue early in the morning?" Sheng Ruming just wanted to come and leave as soon as possible but watching this scene, he deemed it wouldn't be so easy to leave now.

"Ah, Xiao Ming?! It's good that you have come. Ruomin told us she wanted to have barbecue as breakfast…" The woman continued as she sprinkled some spice on the mutton which was placed on the barbecue machine, "... it's rare for us to have time together. So I have decided to go with her wish."

The man watched as his mother was very interested in making food rather than him. "It's not good for your health." 

Wei Airan smiled at his whisperings. "Don't worry. It's okay to let loose once in a while." 

Sheng Ruming hummed after a while. Suddenly Wei Airan asked him, "Where is she?"

"Busy." 

"Oh." 

Afterwards, both of them became silent. Sheng Ruming loosened his collar and took off his outer suit. Then, alongside his mother, he helped them in preparing even though the resort staff was enough. 

Wei Airan was startled when he volunteered to help her. After all, she had only planned to make a few things and then leave the rest to the resort staff.

But after he had started to make things beside her, she remembered, 'It's been a long time since we have done something together… ' 

Her nostalgia kicked in and in the end, all the works were done by themselves while the staff only looked at them from the sidelines.

But soon, Wei Airan realised the reason for his voluntary actions because after he had  barely eaten anything, the man stood up when he checked the time, "I am full." 

Yan Ruomin, who was gloating because she was sitting beside him, froze instantly. 

But rather than leaving, he packed a little box with some of the things he had made personally and left. 

Ji Yanli dropped a piece of spicy potato in her mouth and watched as the atmosphere turned a little awkward. Thus she decided to salvage the situation.

"He is busy with work. It's miraculous that he has spared time to spend with us. I am sure he will eat them later."

Yan Ruomin turned towards her as soon as she heard. Then she also thought of joining, "Yes, after all,  Ruming is so hard working. Aunty Wei, let's start. We won't get another opportunity like this so easily."

In the end, the somewhat awkward breakfast started. Ji Yanli politely declined, "I am on dieting. I can't eat oily things."

Even the person who had suggested this, also told them, her tone had a slight touch of sadness.

"Neither can I, Aunty Wei." As soon as she finished, her sight fell on Wei Airan's gloomy face.

"Ruomin, you are the one who has suggested…" The woman was staring at them, smiling but it was cold like the time when she dealt with an annoying bug of her precious garden, "Why are you saying this now?"

Su Mengsi patted Yan Ruomin's thigh but nobody noticed it. She got what her mother wanted her to do. 

"Aunty, I will just have some." Yan Ruomin picked a roasted meat piece and began to chew. 

Watching this, Wei Airan's face turned normal. Ji Yanli saw that everyone was busy chatting and eating. She left without notifying them but Su Mengsi noticed her from the corner of her eyes.

*** ***

After Sheng Ruming had come in the room, he didn't disturb her. Rather he took his personal laptop and sat beside her. The whole time, he worked.

Even though he was asked to go to have lunch with others, he declined.

Around 3 pm in the afternoon, finally she showed signs of waking up.

"Um, Ruming?" Her confused eyes watched him working while his back faced her. 

"You are awake?" The man turned toward her, his voice was so gentle that for a moment she assumed it must be an imposter. 

"I need cold water…" Hearing her, he asked. 

"For drinking or… " Sheng Ruming eyes her thoughtfully.

Luo Lixi's face crumbled as she gnashed her teeth, "I want to drink!" Her loud broken voice made his nearly coming smirk stop in its place. 

The man helped her to drink and when he wanted to carry her to clean up she stopped him. "I want to rest a little more." 

Thus Sheng Ruming laid her back and sat beside her like earlier and picked up his laptop. However, Luo Lixi had other thoughts.

"Give me some place, will you?" Luo Lixi moved with a little difficulty and popped her head in his lap. 

Sheng Ruming looked down on the figure. If he just put a little strength, her whole body would come on his arms.

In the end, he put her head on his thigh and let her watch the things he was doing. 

"This is… " She couldn't remain still when she saw the information. 

"Yes. It's the data of the shares in which I have invested in your name. So, Luo Lixi, you are the owner of this little sum of fortune… "The man didn't move his gaze from the laptop screen and told her somewhat jokingly.

Luo Lixi glanced at the few millions USD he was talking about. "Don't disturb me." 

Sheng Ruming's hand paused when she abruptly turned around. This time her eyes fell on his tummy and felt like doing a little mischief.