Traveling back to 1966, starting by living in a cowshed.

Chapter 89 Promise

The sky outside the window was a pale, fish-belly white, and the bedroom of the hillside villa was still bathed in a warm glow. The embers of the red candles that had burned out last night were scattered on the floor, and the lingering fragrance of rose petals mixed with a faint sweetness in the air, lingering around the nose.

Lin Zhou was awakened by the clear chirping of birds outside the window.

When he opened his eyes, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting soft golden light that fell precisely on the hair of the person beside him. Su Wanqing was still fast asleep, her cheek pressed against the silky pillowcase, her long, curled eyelashes drooping peacefully, her breathing even and deep.

Her wedding dress had already been carefully changed out, and now she was wearing a light pink silk nightgown with an exquisite lotus vine pattern embroidered on the neckline, which made her skin appear even whiter and more delicate.

Lin Zhou didn't move, but turned to the side, his gaze tracing her eyebrows and eyes inch by inch.

From the capable young woman in a white dress standing in front of the radio factory when we first met, to the gentle and graceful woman who is now my bedmate, every little detail along the way slowly flashes through my mind like a movie.

He remembered how reluctant she was when they first discussed acquiring the production line, how she handed him a cup of hot coffee when he worked late into the night, and how she said "I do" with tears in her eyes on the day they set their wedding date... His heart felt filled with something, and he was completely overwhelmed with tenderness.

He couldn't help but reach out and gently brush his fingertips across her cheek, touching a warm and delicate skin.

Perhaps startled by the slight touch, Su Wanqing's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those eyes, usually brimming with competence and decisiveness, were now veiled with a sleepy mist, looking at him with a hint of bewilderment before a shy smile appeared.

"How long have you been awake?" Her voice was still hoarse and soft from just waking up, like a feather gently tickling Lin Zhou's heart.

"Just woke up." Lin Zhou chuckled softly, leaning down to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe. "I didn't want to wake you."

Su Wanqing's cheeks flushed slightly. She turned her head away, avoiding his burning gaze, but he reached out and pulled her into a warm embrace. The faint scent of cedar lingered around her nose, a familiar smell that brought her a sense of peace.

"You must be exhausted from yesterday?" Lin Zhou's voice was deep and gentle as he gently stroked her back. "You drank so much at the banquet and had to entertain guests for so long."

Su Wanqing snuggled closer to him, nodded, and said in a muffled voice, "It's alright, you're here to protect me."

Recalling the scene at the banquet last night, she couldn't help but smile. The manufacturers' representatives and distributors took turns toasting her, but she was too weak to hold her liquor, and Lin Zhou accepted almost every glass without batting an eye.

"Luckily, I secretly put all that wine into bottles in my spatial storage, otherwise I would have been completely drunk by now," Lin Zhou thought to himself.

"I'll never make such a big fuss again." Lin Zhou sighed, her voice full of concern. "You've been standing all day, wearing high heels, your feet must be swollen."

Su Wanqing smiled, pursed her lips, and didn't say anything. She simply reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

The bedroom fell silent, save for the sounds of their intertwined breathing and the occasional chirping of birds outside the window. The morning light gradually streamed in, casting a soft golden glow over their embracing figures.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Wanqing finally lifted her head from his embrace, rubbed her eyes, and said softly, "It's time to get up. The housekeeper should have already prepared breakfast."

Lin Zhou refused to let her go, instead tightening his arms around her and saying in a spoiled manner, "Lie down a little longer. We don't need to go to the company today. Let's take a day off."

Su Wanqing was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled: "A day off? Zhonghua has so much to do, the air fryer OEM orders still need to be shipped, and many overseas orders for the handheld console haven't been finalized yet..."

"Don't worry." Lin Zhou interrupted her, his eyes full of certainty. "I already told Secretary Chen yesterday that all meetings today will be postponed. If there are urgent matters, let the senior executives handle them first. No matter how big the matter is, we can talk about it tomorrow."

He had already decided that on their first day of marriage, he would spend quality time with her. Zhonghua's career was important, but the person before him was the most precious treasure of his life.

Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Su Wanqing felt a warmth in her heart and stopped arguing. She simply nestled obediently in his arms, listening to his strong heartbeat, a happy smile on her lips.

After lingering for a while longer, the two slowly got out of bed.

After washing up, Su Wanqing changed into a beige knitted long dress, her long hair loosely tied into a bun, revealing her slender, fair neck. Lin Zhou, on the other hand, wore a casual cotton shirt and trousers, shedding the sharpness of his suit and tie, and exuding a more relaxed and gentle homey vibe.

As the two walked downstairs hand in hand, the housekeeper had already placed breakfast on the table.

On the long dining table, there was an exquisite lace tablecloth, two glasses of warm milk, a plate of freshly baked croissants, several dishes of delicate Chinese pastries, and a small bowl of soft and sweet bird's nest porridge.

"Good morning, sir and madam." The housekeeper greeted them with a smile, her tone full of joy. "Breakfast was prepared according to your instructions. The bird's nest porridge was simmered overnight. Madam was tired yesterday, so drink some of this to nourish yourself."

"Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Zhang." Lin Zhou smiled and nodded, then reached out and pulled out the chair next to him, gesturing for Su Wanqing to sit down.

Su Wanqing thanked him before slowly taking her seat.

The atmosphere at breakfast was warm and pleasant. Lin Zhou cut the crispy croissants into small pieces and handed them to Su Wanqing's plate. He then scooped up a spoonful of bird's nest porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to her lips. "Try it. Aunt Zhang's cooking is getting better and better."

Su Wanqing opened her mouth and took the warm porridge, which slid down her throat with a faint sweetness that warmed her from her stomach to her heart. She looked up at him, her eyes full of smiles: "You eat too."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of pastry and placed it on his plate.

The two of them ate their breakfast slowly, taking turns eating, occasionally whispering a few words to each other, their tenderness and affection almost overflowing.

As the light outside the window grew brighter, the morning scenery of Hong Kong gradually became clearer. In the villa's garden, all kinds of flowers were in full bloom, butterflies fluttered among the flowers, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

After breakfast, Lin Zhou took Su Wanqing's hand and strolled in the villa's garden.

The morning breeze, carrying a cool dampness, brushed against their cheeks, feeling exceptionally comfortable. Su Wanqing's hand was held in his palm, warm and dry. The two walked slowly along the cobblestone path, neither speaking, yet feeling no awkwardness whatsoever.

When they reached the swing deep in the garden, Lin Zhou stopped, helped Su Wanqing sit down, and stood behind her, gently pushing the swing.

The swing swayed gently, causing Su Wanqing's skirt to flutter slightly. She looked up at the azure sky, the sunlight shining on her face, making her smile exceptionally radiant.

"Lin Zhou," she suddenly spoke, her voice soft and gentle on the breeze, "Do you think we'll always be like this?"

Lin Zhou paused for a moment while pushing the swing, then continued pushing gently, his voice soft yet firm: "Yes."

He looked at her flowing hair and the bright smile on her face, and said, word by word, "Not only will it always be like this, but I will also make you even happier. Zhonghua will get better and better, and our home will get better and better too. This is my promise to you."

Su Wanqing turned to look at him, her eyes glistening with a thin layer of moisture, yet her smile was exceptionally radiant: "I believe you."

The swing was still gently swaying, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows. The wind carried the fragrance of flowers, birdsong, and the deep, unbreakable bond between the two.

Lin Zhou stood behind the swing, watching Su Wanqing's back, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

For the rest of my life, there will be wind and rain, and there will be sunshine.

There is him, there is her, there is a family, there is Zhonghua.

That's enough.

As the sun rose higher, it bathed the entire hillside villa in a warm glow.