Chu Xujin mustered all his courage and swiftly asked, "If I asked you to stay, would you want to?"
Ge Lihua's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her gaze. In the tense moment before she responded, Chu Xujin was practically holding his breath. Then, Ge Lihua nodded, saying, "I would."
The moment he received affirmation, it was as if fireworks were set off in Chu Xujin's mind, his eyes shining brightly, "Really?"
"Yes," Ge Lihua nodded again, then shyly moved forward.
Chu Xujin watched her back, entranced. From the first moment he saw her, he was deeply drawn to her. He always thought of her as out of reach, but now he finally had a chance to get closer.
He chuckled to himself and hurried after her, "Lihua, wait for me."
Ge Lihua stopped and turned back, smiling softly, her face reminiscent of the ink orchids that bloom in early winter, just as Chu Xujin first saw her.
