Mr. Shang, please be passionately in love after marriage.

After Grandpa Shang left with Ranbao, Jingtang Garden suddenly became much quieter.

Shang Hanzhou went to see them off, and now she was all alone.

Before leaving, Shang Hanzhou told her not to worry about the dishes that had just been used on the table, and that he would clean them up when he returned.

But she was bored sitting alone, so she got up and cleaned up the dishes.

I had just come out of the kitchen when a buzzing sound came from a WeChat video call.

It's Yu Ping.

Cen hope thought she had come to ask about Jiang Zheng, since Jiang Zheng hadn't had much contact with Jiangcheng lately because of the injury on his neck.

The video call connected, and Yu Ping and Jiang Guoliang sat together, huddled in front of the screen to watch her.

"Manman, it's your birthday tomorrow, what are your plans?"

Birthday.

Cen hope belatedly realized that her birthday was on the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter). Time had passed so quickly; more than half a year had gone by from the height of summer to Lidong.

Seeing her in a daze, Yu Ping scolded her playfully, "Don't tell Mom, you even forgot your own birthday."

"Manman, how about your parents buy train tickets to Beijing tonight and celebrate your birthday with you?"

Jiang Guoliang suggested that Yu Ping give him a light push.

"The young couple will definitely celebrate their birthday together; let's not interfere."

Jiang Guoliang touched his forehead. "That makes sense."

"Manman, what are your plans for tomorrow, you and Hanzhou?"

This question really stumped Cen hope.

If Yu Ping hadn't sent this video, she would have forgotten her own birthday, let alone Shang Hanzhou's.

He probably doesn't even know her birthday.

But he couldn't tell Yu Ping this, or they would worry. So he mumbled, "I'll probably go out and get something nice to eat."

"Okay, Mom knitted you a scarf and gloves, I'll send them to you tomorrow. I check the weather forecast for Beijing every day, it's much colder than Jiangcheng. You've always been afraid of the cold, remember to wear more clothes."

Once Yu Ping starts talking about these things, she can go on and on.

Cen hope's eyes crinkled into a smile: "I know, Mom. You and Dad should also take care of yourselves."

"Don't worry about us, we're perfectly healthy."

We chatted for another half hour before the video call ended.

Perhaps Yu Ping reminded Jiang Zheng of her birthday, because as soon as the video call ended, Jiang Zheng sent a message.

Jiang Zheng: [Manman, it's your birthday tomorrow. I'll take you shopping. Buy whatever you want.]

Cen hope couldn't help but find it funny. When she was little, Jiang Zheng celebrated her birthday in the same way, taking her out to buy things and letting her choose whatever she wanted.

Just as I was about to reply to the message—it went dead.

The Jingtang Garden, which had been brightly lit just moments before, was suddenly plunged into a deep night.

Is there a power outage?

The power tripped again.

Cen hope was a little unsure. Being alone in such a large space with lights on didn't feel strange, but now, all she could see when she opened her eyes was darkness and shadows, and the atmosphere was inexplicably oppressive.

Fortunately, I studied medicine and worked countless night shifts, which made me much braver.

I panicked for about half a minute at first, but quickly calmed down.

She turned on her flashlight, intending to check the power switch.

Shang Hanzhou's phone rang at that moment, vibrating in his palm.

"Manman, go to the study; there's a solar-powered desk lamp there."

Even through the electrical current, the man's deep, magnetic voice indicated that he also knew about the power outage at Jingtang Garden.

Shang Hanzhou explained gently, "There's a construction team working nearby, and they accidentally affected the power supply. It will be restored in half an hour at most. Don't worry, I'll be right back."

It turned out to be the case.

Cen hope hummed in agreement. "I'm not afraid. I've experienced far more frightening things while working at the hospital at night."

This is nothing.

A deep voice chuckled on the other end of the phone.

"We're incredibly brave."

An affectionate tone.

We are full.

In the darkness, Cen hope's cheeks burned.

She followed his words and went to the study. Because there was no light, the atmosphere in the study was even more oppressive than usual. Cen hope went to find the desk lamp he mentioned, which was placed on the dark brown hardwood table.

The call was not disconnected.

She clearly said she wasn't afraid.

But he still stayed with her.

Even without saying a word.

On the phone, only the two of them could be heard breathing warmly and evenly.

Cen hope walked towards his personal desk and clicked the light switch, casting a warm yellow glow into her eyes.

Beneath it lay an envelope blurred by rainwater.

The letter paper was crumpled, showing signs of having been carefully dried.

Even with the utmost care, the writing on it had long been washed away by the rain, becoming a blurred mess that was impossible to decipher.

Cen hope recognized him at a glance.

Those were love letters she wrote when she was eighteen.

Her eyes trembled slightly, and she felt only surprise.

He actually found it.

Last night, with such heavy rain, she thought those love letters had long been lost in the downpour, but he actually brought them back one by one.

A sudden sour feeling rose deep in my throat.

Did he calculate that she would see these love letters that he had retrieved?

She wanted to ask him, but as soon as she opened her mouth, her weak voice inexplicably loosened and trembled. Cen hope reached out and touched it; under the smudged envelope was a brand new letter.

white.

It has a pink floral trim.

It's her favorite color.

The words "满满亲启" (meaning "To be opened by a full heart") are written neatly and carefully on the top.

Her fingertips, which had been resting on the table, suddenly curled up in a narrow arc; she could hardly believe what she was seeing.

Those love letters written when I was eighteen.

Surprisingly, a reply was received at this very moment.

She could hear the man's steady breathing beside her; he remained silent, simply staying by her side.

There was a long silence.

Cen hope finally mustered up his courage and picked up the reply he had written himself.

A faint fragrance permeates the air, as if one could smell the scent of the rain that washed over the heart when we first met at the age of eighteen—clean and pure.

"To My Dearest: "

I apologize for replying to you only now, ten years later.

I want to tell you that when I confirmed that these love letters were all written to me, all the jealousy and unease deep in my heart were soothed by you.

It turns out, I was the one you loved all along.

What followed was heartache.

I'm sorry for what I said to you two years ago when we got our marriage certificate.

Manman, I no longer want to treat you with the polite formality we once did. I want more.

And that sentence, "I should have told you a long time ago."

Cen hope, I've already fallen in love with you.

His signature read: Dear Z.

Tears rolled down my cheeks without warning.

Cen hope choked up silently.

She never imagined that one day, her secret crush would be seen by him.

It was seen by "Dear Z," whom she hid in the envelope and dared not even mention her name.

"Did you cry?"

On the phone, the man's usually calm voice fell silent.

Cen hope pursed her lips, forcing back tears, and said, "Your friends all say you can't say sweet nothings, you're a liar."

He's clearly very good at it.

Shang Hanzhou chuckled softly: "Then give me a chance to say it to your face, okay?"

She stood frozen in place, as if two voices were overlapping in her ears.

He turned his head as if sensing something.

The person who should have been on the other end of the phone appeared behind her at some point, holding a cream cake, his tall figure striding towards her.

Happy birthday, Manman.

It turns out he remembered her birthday.