Chapter 1, Spring Dreams Leave No Trace

Xu Zhuoran smiled sweetly: "It's just a queue! I took the opportunity to touch up my makeup!"

In the café of the capital airport, jazz and blues play, evoking a sense of inexplicable sorrow of parting

"Where is Xiaoyan?" Xu Zhuoran glanced at the empty seat not far away, pulling her husband's hand with an anxious expression

He is wise, open-minded, and gentle, always striking the perfect balance in his actions and interactions with others, embodying the essence of a perfect mature man, as if there is not a trace of regret in him

A family of three, blissfully happy, walks out of the airport

Pan Haoru watched her silhouette, a bitter smile crossing his face; this troublesome little sister had finally left. He turned around, staring at the restroom at the end of the corridor, occasionally picking up the phone on the table to check the time

Tears streamed down Xu Zhuoyan's face, and she finally could not hold back any longer. She stood up and looked at him: "I will go in first and tell my cousin that during these two years by her side, I have learned many things from her, and I will always cherish this time."

Pan Haoru smiled faintly, the tenderness in his eyes captivating. He looked at his wife and said: "When you were her age, you didn't even run off to Qinghai by yourself, making me wait for a full six years. Now that you are like this as an older sister, you still want to meddle in other people's affairs"

Pan Haoru furrowed his brows slightly and said, seemingly in a tone of complaint, "Why is it taking so long?"

Xu Zhuoran looked up and said: "How annoying!"

As Xu Zhuoyan was about to explain, her cousin's husband, Pan Haoru, interjected: "Xiao Yan, it's also good to go out and explore; otherwise, if you always hide under your wings, it will conceal all her abilities and talents!"

Time passed slowly, and finally he became quite impatient waiting. He simply stood up, settled the bill, and waited at the restroom door with his wife's bag. After calling out repeatedly, Xu Zhuoran finally came out holding their daughter. Upon seeing him waiting at the door, she was initially a bit surprised, but then, as if receiving a pardon, she tossed their daughter into his arms.

"Dad, I need to go to the bathroom!" The little angel in Pan Haoru's arms woke up, and Pan Haoru immediately began to gently pat her, soothing her in a soft voice. He then stood up, preparing to walk outside.

When he turned around to gaze at Xu Zhuoyan, his expression changed to another one

It is uncertain whether my wife can manage on her own. Since our daughter was born, he has taken care of her single-handedly, handling daily baths and even changing diapers without relying on anyone else. This is because he understands his wife's character best; she is a sophisticated, capable, and outstanding career woman outside, but at home, it can only be described as a complete mess.

His expression was like the warm spring breeze, while her expression resembled the rippling spring water. She nestled in his embrace, and he held his wife with one arm while cradling their angelic daughter with the other arm

Blues, in English, means bitterness and melancholy. The half-step notes in the music, along with the occasional vibrato and glissando, enrich the emotions conveyed. However, it seems to sound like a lament, filled with sorrow and despair, which is why people also refer to blues as "the song of lamentation," perfectly aligning with the current state of mind of Xu Zhuoyan.

The tenderness in his eyes is capable of drowning a person, and at this moment, the warmth of a middle-aged gentleman is revealed so vividly.

The slightly pouted vermilion lips, along with the expression in her eyes that seems to be both reproachful and playful, add an extra touch of charm and beauty

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more to you!" Cousin held Xu Zhuoyan's hand, giving her detailed instructions, while Xu Zhuoyan kept nodding her head. However, in reality, she did not hear a single word.

Pan Haoru's expression momentarily froze, then he smiled and shook his head. He carefully handed his daughter over to his wife and watched her walk towards the bathroom

There is a sense of solemnity, yet also a hint of relief, as if there are many words to be spoken, but at this moment, it all transforms into a single phrase: "Take care of yourself while you are alone in a foreign place"

Xu Zhuoran paid no attention at all, her face filled with frustration: "What should I do? I still want to give her a hug before we part ways"

"What is it? She is still so young!" Xu Zhuoran shot a glance at her husband, adjusted the blanket over her daughter, her face reflecting the pride and tenderness of a young mother

Having said that, she left without looking back

By the window, Xu Zhuoyan and her cousin Xu Zhuoran, whose names differ by only one character, along with her husband Pan Haoru, the head of the largest diamond institution in the country, bid a fond farewell

"Wait a moment!" Cousin Xu Zhuoran called out to him, "You, this is not at home; this is a public place. Are you allowed to enter the women's restroom?"

Xu Zhuoyan twirled the straw in her juice, and through the cup filled with the lovely pink liquid, she could vaguely see the happy family sitting across from her

Pan Haoru looked at her, and the expression on his face was one of concern and compassion, which Xu Zhuoyan understood very well. It was precisely this gaze that had captivated her from the beginning. So profound, like a starry sky shimmering with mist, the longer one looked, the more disconcerting it became. He lit a cigarette and slowly said: "True love is not the 'you and me' that you see, but rather finding that person who still loves you at the right time after experiencing prosperity and enduring storms. You know a bit about the story between me and your cousin; from the moment I met her eight years ago, I was certain of her. It is not a matter of time. Perhaps from your perspective, our current life seems very ordinary, but I cherish it deeply and feel very happy. For her, it is not just love; it is also appreciation, respect, and a familial bond that is ingrained in my very being."

Xiao Yan, you really are something, leaving without a word, not giving any hint beforehand. No wonder your parents are angry; even I find it utterly frustrating to think about it! My cousin Xu Zhuoran, wearing a high-necked fitted wool vest, creatively layered with a short-sleeved silk shirt on top, paired with a denim wrap skirt and tall black knee-high boots, exudes an air of nobility and the charm of a fashionable woman in every gesture.

Alright! Pan Haoru half-embraced his wife and said: "If you have any excess enthusiasm, you can give it to me, and I will gladly accept it all"

Xu Zhuoyan's eyes reddened, and she blurted out: "Do I really have no chance? I can wait; my cousin waited for you for six years, I can wait even longer"

Pan Haoru is a successful businessman, and his success is not a matter of chance. In the business world, in matters of love, and in his relationships with friends and women, he exhibits a remarkable balance of ease and restraint. Handsome and charming, he possesses a touch of scholarly elegance in his demeanor, with deep-set eyes that often gaze contemplatively into the distance. This natural, masculine beauty carries a powerful allure.

"You took so long to get in, I let her go in first, and boarding has already started!" Pan Haoru reached out to help Xu Zhuoran adjust the diamond pendant on her necklace, saying, "Why is it always crooked?" That was their token of love, the "Pride of Africa" from Kimberley, the diamond capital of South Africa.

Pan Haoru shook his head: "You, the older you get, the more you will act up!"