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

As soon as Luo Lixi entered her room, she got a message from her phone. When she saw the friend request, she was taken aback. 

"Ru Xixi, do I know someone with this name?" Luo Lixi wondered and then accepted the request either way. Afterwards, she threw her phone and the shawl which was covering the mummified arm. 

All thanks to this that she was able to avoid unnecessary questions. She got a clean set of dresses from the closet. 

While she was on the way to the washroom, her phone rang out. Luo Lixi had to pause in her steps and then went to the bed. She picked up the phone and accepted the call. 

"Hello, who are you?" Luo Lixi asked politely as she went to the washroom. The other end stayed silent and heard the sound of water falling. 

"Hey, are you there?" Luo Lixi asked with a frown and checked the screen. "The connection is good. Um…"

She waited for the other person to say something but no sound came. With annoyance, she wanted to disconnect the line when a thought suddenly crossed her mind. 

'Ru Xixi, no way…' Her lips twisted as she glanced at the ongoing call. After a while, she pressed the video call option and instantly, the other person accepted.

As if he was waiting for it all the time. When the familiar face appeared on the screen, Luo Lixi beamed with a smile. 

"Hubby~ So, that's you!" Luo Lixi whispered as she sat down on the edge of the bathtub. 

"Why did you leave so suddenly?" Sheng Ruming's face was black as he stared at her. Luo Lixi coughed and then replied sheepishly. 

"Some matters came up so I had to leave." Luo Lixi whispered. For a moment, she thought of mentioning the matter with his company but in the end, she decided otherwise. 

Her mood also pummeled remembering it and thus, she didn't want to continue the chat. 

"Ruming, I have to shower now. Let's talk later." She added and then went ahead to disconnect the call. Sheng Ruming's face became gloomy as he saw this. He thought of a certain line from social media. 

[After using my body, my lover threw me away!]

He had the illusion that this was the same case. His eyes turned red as he turned to look outside. 'Thinking of leaving me? Dream on!'

…

Even though Luo Lixi disconnected the call, she waited for his call again. Ten minutes passed, then thirty, then an hour but Luo Lixi didn't get another call. 

She pouted and put more body wash in the water. While covering herself with giant bubbles, Luo Lixi thought angrily. 

'Can't you even give me a call?! I am waiting!' 

But she only ended up spending a long time in the washroom and playing with the bubbles. 

Knock~ Knock~

"Who?" At the knock on her washroom door, Luo Lixi inquired. 

"Miss, madam Sun told you to stop staying in the washroom for so long and come down to have food." A maid spoke as she tried to stop her giggle from breaking out. 

It was rare to see someone so big playing with bubbles like a small child. Since she was small, Luo Lixi liked this and it became a habit. 

"Oh. Tell her I am coming in a while." Luo Lixi replied with embarrassment. The maid left to notify her mother. 

'Phew! It's not even two hours!' Luo Lixi shook her head and submerged herself under the bath water. After a while she emerged and opened her eyes. 

"..." Luo Lixi glanced at the man who had appeared in front of her so suddenly. She was flustered and forgot to close her lips. 

Sheng Ruming chuckled as he leaned down beside the bathtub and gently nudged on her chin. Afterwards, he went beside her ear and whispered. 

"Dare to end the call without my permission? My baby, your guts are so big?" 

His hoarse voice tickled her ear and made her flushed. Luo Lixi hurriedly hid her body under the water and only her head was sticking outside. 

Sheng Ruming smiled with stifled anger and asked, "Hiding?"

"Er, hehe! Ruming, how, how did you come here?" Luo Lixi asked as she moved back and stared at him with confusion. The man didn't reply. 

He leaned in front of her which made her eyes bigger. Sheng Ruming grabbed her shoulders and dragged her towards him. Then, he dragged her out and kissed her madly. 

Luo Lixi was too shocked to do anything. She was hugged by the man and had to stand up as she received his kiss. But she couldn't concentrate on the act as her mind was shrouded with several questions. 

'Why is he here? How did he appear so soon? Do others know?...' 

Sheng Ruming saw her not responding and was displeased. He tickled her waist and Luo Lixi was forced to come out from her trance and flinched. 

"Why did you?!" Luo Lixi whispered with grievance. She tried to be free and added, "Your suit will get wetter!"

"I don't care!" Sheng Ruming replied nonchalantly and captured his lips again. He hugged her tightly and after the kiss, she rubbed his face on her neck. 

Luo Lixi shuddered and wanted to retreat again but he refused to let her go. Luo Lixi resigned and finally did something. 

"Accho! Sniff~ it's cold here." Luo Lixi didn't struggle and leaned against him pitifully. Sheng Ruming paused and finally Luo Lixi got the effect she wanted. 

The man hastily helped her to put on her dress and then, both of them walked out. Luo Lixi glanced at the door and was relieved to see it locked. She tugged on his shirt and whispered, "How did you get here?" 

"A secret!" Sheng Ruming chuckled mysteriously and nudged her hair. Luo Lixi pouted.

"Tell me! So many people are guarding this place. How did you come?... Did you come via the main entrance?" Luo Lixi felt this can't be. Sheng Ruming didn't answer and hugged her again. 

"Do you want to get married? Should I send the proposal to your family now?" Sheng Ruming glanced at Luo Lixi's eyes and waited for her reply. Luo Lixi froze and then began to contemplate as to whether she should say 'yes' or not. 

"Now?" Luo Lixi frowned. "Later."

Sheng Ruming smiled broadly and replied, "Too late."

"Eh?" Luo Lixi was confused as hell but the man didn't explain. She also lost interest to inquire further. 

Knock~ Knock~ 

At the knock on the door, Luo Lixi flinched. Sheng Ruming didn't move and continued to hug her tightly. 

"Tell mother I will come later!" Luo Lixi spoke out with panic as she saw the man had no intention to move from his place. 

"It's me. Open the door." Luo Baiyun's deep voice came from the other side. Sheng Ruming's sneaky smile paused. 

Luo Lixi didn't wait for his words and directly dragged him to the washroom. She pushed him inside and locked the door. 

"Xixi?" Luo Baiyun called out again. 

"Coming!" After saying that, Luo Lixi whispered beside the door, "You don't make any noise!"

"I will… consider." 

"You!" 

Hearing Sheng Ruming's inconsiderate words, Luo Lixi was stumped. Nonetheless, she went ahead and opened her door. 

"Baba!" As soon as Luo Lixi saw Luo Baiyun, she opened her arms for a bear hug. The old man's stiff face also broke out into a vague smile as he hugged her back. 

"Finally you have thought of coming back?" Luo Baiyun asked innocently as if he wasn't the one who had sent Zhao Yichen to bring Luo Lixi to Long city. 

"Ah, not you too!" Luo Lixi broke the hug and whispered with a sigh. She wanted to sneakily come out but Luo Baiyun entered the room. 

He glanced inside and then sat down on a nearby sofa. Luo Lixi also followed and sat in front of him. 

"How is your studio going?" Luo Baiyun asked.

"Good." Luo Lixi replied happily. The thing that gave her happiness the most was this studio and she loved working to make it bigger; something that she had never imagined in her past life. 

"It's good to hear." Luo Baiyun nodded and then he eyed Luo Lixi sharply. Noticing his gaze, Luo Lixi straightened her spine and smiled stiffly.

"Any thought of settling down?" Luo Baiyun asked with seriousness. Luo Lixi nodded subconsciously and then became ashamed. 

"I… um… father, I…" Luo Lixi stammered as she didn't find the proper words to say. How could a girl say right on his father's face that she planned on marrying?!