363 The Place

Beijing is the capital of China that is known for its beautiful cultural architecture that includes the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and many others.

"Where are we going?" Lily asked with her eyes closed. "You still owe me a dinner at the hot pot near the orphanage," she stated.

"We can go to that hot pot restaurant for dinner this weekend. For now… let's go to 'the place'."

Lily opened her eyes when she heard Zhuo Jingren. "'The place' you mean the one with the LED screen in between two malls?" Lily knew of this place as it was featured in a magazine she once read. It was said to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in China. If her memory serves her right, this place should be called Sky Screen.

"Hmmm… Let's have dinner first before  going back to the hotel to get your things and then catching our flight back to Hong Kong."

After a few minutes, they arrived at Guanghua Road where Sky Screen was located along other stores and restaurants.

Since it was a weekday, the place was not as crowded as it was during the weekends. The couple was able to choose a restaurant that was near the entrance of Sky Screen.

"This place is lit. Literally," Lily said as she stared at the swirling stars that seemed to dance on the large LED screen just above them. Soft music was playing in the background, its timbre ever-changing to match the dancing stars. "I was expecting something like futuristic cars or spaceships." She chuckled.

"Oh… you would prefer cars and spaceships to seeing stars?" he asked while slicing Lily's ribeye steak. "You know when the doctor said you are underweight, I couldn't believe it." Just as he expected, Lily's head abruptly turned towards him, her gaze piercing, earning a hearty laugh from Zhuo Jingren.

The best way to attract her attention is to talk about things like her weight. "I was joking. I agree with Takashi. You need to eat more."

"But you have been feeding me a lot lately," Lily countered. "I think you must have told him in advance to advise me to eat more."

Zhuo Jingren only beamed at her words. He continued to slice her steak before he put it on Lily's plate. Lily uttered a word of thanks before digging into her steak. "I love steak. Let me tell you… I have never tasted a slice of steak before going to Europe." Going to Europe had exposed her to a lot of things - new things that she never thought she would experience, ever.

"Then maybe I should teach you how to cook one?"

"No need. I don't need to learn that. I already have you. No need to spend a lot of time learning something as menial as that." Lily's nonchalance earned another smile from her husband.

….

However, not everyone was as relaxed as Lily and Zhuo Jingren. In fact, Qin Mo was feeling the exact opposite. The deep turmoil in his eyes was so evident, it sent shivers down Tang Lingyun's spine.

"So? We are just going to let this go? That man is a murderer! He wanted to murder our son because of the evidence that you said you found in his room. Mo... We can't just…"

"Can you just shut your mouth for a while?" Qin Mo hissed. "This happened because he was too careless. How could he go and see Lily and inform her that he had something? Qin Liwei is stupid and whatever happened to him is all his fault!"

"Mo! He is your son!"

"A useless son!" Qin Mo's rage was surging in his veins as he looked at the unconscious Qin Liwei. The beeping sound of the machine seemed to rile him up even more. "Qin Liwei's approach was wrong! It was stupid!" he said.

"Still! Qin Liwei deserves justice! Please, Qin Mo… you have to do something about it!"

Qin Mo let out an exasperated sigh. Exhaustion apparent in his eyes before he looked at his phone. He recalled the phone call that he received earlier telling him the location of his son's meeting with the man who claimed to be the one who provided his son the evidence. Until now, he was still undecided if he would see the said man.

"Mo… Please, I am begging you. We need to make the people responsible for this pay. We need to make Zhuo Jingren pay."

Tang Lingyun's pleading sobs interrupted his thoughts. Qin Mo clenched his jaw as he gazed at his unconscious son. A decision slowly shaped in his mind. If there was a chance that he could retaliate against Lily and Zhuo Jingren, would he really take the risk and take it?

...

Lily was all smiles as she looked at the different shapes dancing on the Sky Screen; shapes of different sizes and colors twisted and turned, creating a 3D effect that illuminated the whole street below.

"This is so beautiful."

"It is." Zhuo Jingren nodded, his eyes were glued towards Lily's side profile. A small smile was on his lips. "How about we go under the LED screen?"

"Sure." She nodded before she took his hand. Slowly, the pair made their way into the center of the street, giving them a view of the entire LED screen that was about two hundred and fifty meters long. Then slowly, the shapes turned into stars once again.

Hundred of sparkling stars started to dance in her eyes as a piece of slow romantic music began to play. The melody was soft and gentle which reminded Lily of the gentle early morning breeze. It made her feel warm inside and brought out a myriad of emotions, particularly love as Zhuo Jingren started filling her mind.

A smile escaped Lily's lips as she shifted her gaze away from the LED screen and turned towards the man next to her. Then she let out a surprised gasp.

Surrounded by the lights illuminating from the LED screen, Zhuo Jingren got down on one knee holding a velvet box out on his hand. His eyes glistening with tears that were threatening to pour at any moment as he gave her a nervous smile. "I never gave you a proper proposal," he uttered just loud enough for Lily to hear. "Lily Facci-Qin…" Zhuo Jingren made a deliberate pause as he let out a chuckle. Seeing the surprised look on Lily's face was sending butterflies into his own heart. "Since I was fifteen… I always knew that you are the only one that I want to share my life with."

"Marry me, will you?"