Chapter Forty-Five: Their Love Was as Beautiful as a Meteor Shower

After dinner and a round of karaoke, under the gentle glow of night, four couples found themselves soaking together in a warm pool. The cool breeze mingled with the heat of the spring, making everything feel blissfully pleasant.

At this moment, several of Su Rouxue’s close friends couldn’t help but cast envious glances her way. It was only after spending the evening together that they realized just how outstanding Natsu was. During karaoke, his rendition of “A Little Love Song” had been nothing short of mesmerizing. Now, basking in the spring, his youthful, well-toned physique stood in stark contrast to the three men with beer bellies, leaving even the married friends a little unsettled.

There had been so many perfect moments that night, yet Natsu remained humble throughout. He genuinely hoped to leave a good impression on Su Rouxue’s friends. As for Su Rouxue, she was overjoyed; having her beloved boy recognized and accepted by her friends made her all the more certain of her feelings.

Except for Liu Siqi, everyone had become a little tipsy that evening. Su Rouxue leaned her head gently against Natsu’s shoulder, a radiant smile of happiness never leaving her face.

Click!

Liu Siqi giggled, satisfied as she looked at the photo she’d just snapped on her phone. “Such a beautiful couple—your baby is bound to be adorable!”

Lu Xuhan turned to peek at Liu Siqi's phone screen, her brows lifting with envy. “They really do fit perfectly together. It’s just a shame—Natsu is still so young. If our dear Xue wants to get married, she’ll have to wait at least four more years.”

“That’s right, Natsu, you must never let Xue down,” Wang Xiaoyu said seriously, looking straight at him.

“Don’t worry. Four years from now, I will definitely propose to her.”

Natsu squeezed Su Rouxue’s hand tightly. He understood that this relationship required him to take on responsibilities beyond those of his peers. He couldn’t treat it with the same mindset as other young people; after all, Su Rouxue was about to turn thirty.

Glancing at the time, Natsu saw that it was just half an hour to midnight.

“How about we go up to the viewing platform for a while later?” he suggested, pointing to the structure in the farmhouse courtyard.

“Alright.”

After soaking a while longer, everyone began to make their way to rest.

Soon, clad in bathrobes, Su Rouxue and Natsu found themselves atop the platform.

“Rou Xue, there are just three minutes left,” Natsu said softly.

He held her hands tightly, while she gazed at him with a bashful tenderness. The two stood together in silence, their eyes drawn to the stars and moon above.

Natsu couldn’t help but hope for a bit of magic. According to news he’d read a couple of days earlier, the Perseid meteor shower would be visible around midnight tonight—if only they could catch a glimpse at this special moment…

Unbeknownst to them, Su Rouxue’s friends were peeking out the windows of the guesthouse, their eyes following the newly in-love couple.

“Old Li, didn’t we use to be this sweet too?” Liu Siqi asked, full of longing, as she nestled into Li Heng’s arms, absently caressing her slightly rounded belly.

“Of course. Back then, I wrote you a hundred love letters, and in the end, I chased after you relentlessly until you finally gave in,” Li Heng chuckled.

“You really were persistent,” Liu Siqi sighed, her brows lifting as she glanced at Li Heng. There were things on her mind, but the words caught in her throat.

Li Heng sensed her unease. Stroking her back, he looked at her earnestly. “Siqi, you’ve been anxious lately, haven’t you? I know things may seem a bit mundane these days. I feel it too. But, after ten years together, maybe it’s just that we’ve gotten so used to each other that everything feels familiar.”

“There’s something I haven’t told you—I quit my job. Since you’re pregnant, I thought it over for a long time. Work wasn’t going well, so I decided to quit and spend this time with you, to enjoy a perfect wedding and welcome our child together.”

“Later, I plan to open a little shop. You’ll be my boss lady. Honestly, I no longer know what counts as romance, but I do know I want nothing more than to grow old with you, even if life is a little plain.”

Taking advantage of the evening, Li Heng finally spoke his heart.

Hearing his words, Liu Siqi’s eyes brimmed with tears. She threw her arms around him, memories of their many beautiful years together flooding her mind. Since becoming pregnant, anxiety had crept in, but tonight, Li Heng’s confession soothed her heart.

“Li, I love you.”

“I love you too, Siqi.”

…

Each in their own rooms, everyone was lost in their own reflections.

At the stroke of midnight, Natsu drew two rings from his pocket and smiled at Su Rouxue. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Su Rouxue had already guessed he would be the first to wish her a happy birthday, but hearing it still filled her heart with delight.

“These are Mobius strip rings, symbolizing endless love. They’re not engagement rings, but I hope they will bind us together forever.”

Natsu gazed at her sincerely, slipping one of the rings onto her finger.

“It fits perfectly—not too loose, not too tight. You did well!”

“Of course. I measured while you were sleeping.”

“So, you’ve been quite crafty, haven’t you?”

These two rings had cost Natsu nearly a month’s living expenses. Yet, for Su Rouxue, anything he gave with genuine care was priceless.

With rings on their fingers, they pressed their hands together. In the moonlight, the atmosphere was just right.

Natsu and Su Rouxue shared matching smiles. In the next moment, Su Rouxue rose on tiptoe, and Natsu bent his head to embrace her waist.

In that instant, thirty-year-old Su Rouxue bestowed her special kiss upon Natsu.

They were completely lost in the sweetness of love.

From the window, her friends looked on, filled with envy. They snapped photos, and even though they weren’t in the same room, they gossiped away in their group chat.

“Tsk, tsk, Natsu really knows what he’s doing!”

“It’s like a scene from a romance drama—so sweet it’s almost unbearable.”

“It’s destined to be another sleepless night.”

“I was hoping to be the first to wish Xue a happy birthday, but that rascal Natsu beat us all to it.”

“Hey, hey, look—girls, is that a shooting star?”

Just as Natsu and Su Rouxue shared their intimate moment, a dazzling meteor shower streaked across the distant sky. The meteors flashed, illuminating the heavens in a fleeting, brilliant display.

Before their eyes could fully take it in, the meteors vanished into the night, leaving behind a perfect, poignant scar across the sky.

And in those last moments before the shower faded, Natsu and Su Rouxue, catching the sight from the corners of their eyes, bore witness to this beautiful scene together…