Met once again.
Lin looked levelly into those heartless rainbow eyes. Golden chains bound both sides. This time, the rainbow eyes did not ignore him; they stared back, emitting a dazzling light.
"He" had been prevented from surfacing by the golden chains last time, so "He" believed that only by completely devouring Lin could "He" leave this red sea.
Lin closed his eyes.
Just then, the "He" with the rainbow eyes spoke.
"Is it so wonderful to be entangled with a ghost?"
Lin opened his eyes.
"Mmm..."
Sweet breath blew at zero distance. A small nose appeared first, followed by tightly closed beautiful eyes. The girl was curled up in the blanket like a wounded cub, gripping Lin arm tightly.
As if sensing Lin gaze, her long eyelashes fluttered and slowly opened, revealing clear blue eyes with a hint of pink.
"Mmm... Morning, Lin." The girl smiled like a flower in the golden light.
"..."
The echoes in his mind gradually subsided. Lin gave a gentle nod.
...
"Where should we go play today?"
After Lin brought breakfast to the table, Elysia began planning the day's arrangements. She held a spoon in her mouth, searching for fun places nearby on her phone.
"Don't play with your phone while eating."
"Oh~"
Under Lin supervision, she finished breakfast properly. After washing the dishes with him, a spark of inspiration hit her—
"Right, let's go pick out a wedding dress."
...
Stepping out of the taxi, Lin stood before a shop window filled with numerous wedding dresses. He looked up at the sign. Even without seeing the color, he knew the name—designed like a silk scarf—was the purest white.
"Let's go, let's go~"
Elysia pushed Lin into the shop from behind. A staff member greeted them with a smile, looking stunned by their appearance. "Are you two here to pick out a wedding dress?"
Lin glanced at Elysia wordlessly. She stepped forward with a light smile. "Yes, for me."
"And this gentleman..."
"He's my husband."
"That really is... a perfect match." Despite her surprise, the clerk maintained her professional poise. She led the way politely. "Would the lady please follow me to take measurements?"
Elysia followed the clerk to the back. Lin sat on the guest sofa. He stared at the vast array of dresses, his fingers unknowingly tightening.
Marriage? With Elysia...
Countless faces flashed before his eyes. His expression grew darker and darker until...
"What's wrong? Not happy picking out a dress for your wife?"
A voice came from the side, making Lin jump. He looked up hesitantly to see a man sitting next to him, turning his head as if chatting casually.
"You..."
"This is a major event in your life. It would be better to smile."
"..." Lin initial shock subsided. It made sense; this man was active in the Far East and had considerable influence there. It wasn't strange for him to appear here. Lin shook his head under the man's kindly gaze. "It's not that I'm unhappy. It's just..."
"Oh~ nervous, then. That's normal. I was very nervous when I got married too. After all, you're deciding to link your fate with another for the rest of your life." The man couldn't help but reminisce. "It's been over ten years since then."
"You are here..."
"Picking a wedding dress for my friend's daughter."
"I see."
The man seemed naturally talkative; he could chat with a young man whose name he didn't even know.
"You're so handsome, kid. Be a bit more confident. Can you cook?"
"Yes."
"Can you make brown sugar water?"
"...Yes."
"Then there's nothing to worry about. As a man, knowing those two things already makes you a high-quality partner. Later, just learn about prenatal care, pregnancy, and how to change diapers, and you'll be perfect." The man patted Lin shoulder, laughing heartily.
"That's not what I'm worried about..."
"Then what are you worried about? Whether your wife will change her mind? No need for that. A girl who asks you to help pick the dress instead of choosing it herself definitely loves you very much."
"..."
"Hold your head up and smile. Instead of worrying about things so far away that a handsome lad might turn into a middle-aged uncle with a receding hairline, why not look at your wife looking beautiful in her wedding dress?"
Another staff member walked over and said something to the man. He nodded, stood up, and gave Lin shoulder one last pat. "I'll head out first. Remember what I said—it's experience from someone who's been there."
"By the way, I haven't asked your name. Meeting in a wedding shop is a bit of fate."
"Lin."
"Oh? Then it really is fate. We even have the same name! Hahaha..."
Lin watched the man walk away. His laughter contained no extra hidden emotions. As he walked out the door, he turned back to give Lin a thumbs-up and pointed in another direction.
Lin looked where he pointed. Accompanied by the crisp sound of high heels striking the floor, a vision of pure white entered his sight.
Supported by two people, the girl with long, soft pink hair wore a pure white veil adorned with a crystal flower. The flawless train trailed slightly behind her. Her tall figure was accentuated by the tight white garment. Below her exposed, smooth thighs were dainty feet in crystal high heels.
She looked like a girl stepped out of a painting, and now, that painted girl was smiling vibrantly at him.
"Does it look good~"
The girl winked her right eye. After letting the others go, she lifted the corners of her skirt and twirled in front of Lin.
Like a blooming lily, spinning on a grand stage. There might have been other spectators, but the person she wanted to see her most was right in front of her.
Perhaps the light was too dazzling; Lin subconsciously looked away. But halfway through, a slender hand in a white lace glove supported his face, making him look at her.
Even without makeup, the girl was radiant.
"No looking away." Elysia was rarely this forceful. She said to the stunned Lin, "You must answer me. I know I look good in anything, but..."
She lowered her head shyly, her gaze fluttering, her voice as quiet as a mosquito.
"But you're the one who should decide..."
This time, Lin did not look away. After a long gaze, he gave a nearly imperceptible nod, then sat back on the sofa. Watching the girl walk back to the dressing room to change into another dress, he closed his eyes. Only tranquility remained in his heart.