Unexpected Second Chance at Love

Chapter 1069: The Last Man I’ll Ever Love

Yue Ling stepped out from behind the tree.

She wore a cream-colored dress that fell gracefully around her legs, paired with a matching cardigan.

Her long hair rested loosely over her shoulders, a few strands stirring in the winter breeze.

The golden lights reflected in her bluish-green eyes.

And on her face was a smile so warm that Lu Tian found himself smiling before she said another word.

He stopped beneath the tree.

For a moment, he simply looked at her then he tilted his head.

"Well, I didn’t expect to come home to this."

Yue Ling’s smile widened.

"Good."

She took a step toward him.

"That means I managed to surprise you."

Lu Tian glanced around once more.

"You certainly did."

She came to stand directly in front of him.

"I wanted to do something for you."

He looked down at her.

"For me?"

She nodded.

"Mm."

Yue Ling reached for his hands.

But the moment her fingers touched his, Lu Tian frowned.

Her hands were cold.

He immediately enclosed them within his palms.

"How long have you been out here?"

Yue Ling blinked then she laughed softly.

"Not too long."

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Yue Ling."

"What?"

"Your hands are freezing."

"It’s winter, Tian."

"That wasn’t my question."

She smiled innocently.

"I’ve been busy."

Lu Tian studied her. He knew that expression.

It was the same one she wore whenever she intended to avoid answering a question.

He sighed.

Without another word, he released one of her hands and removed his coat.

Yue Ling watched as he draped it over her shoulders.

The familiar warmth of his clothing settled around her.

She looked up at him.

"Now you’ll be cold."

"I’m fine."

He adjusted the coat around her.

"You should’ve waited inside."

"But then I wouldn’t have been here when you arrived."

Lu Tian looked at her.

She smiled.

And just like that, the words he had been about to say disappeared.

He shook his head faintly.

"Stubborn."

Yue Ling chuckled.

"Only a little."

His lips curved.

"A little?"

She ignored the question.

Instead, she took his hands again.

"Tian."

"Hm?"

Her smile softened.

"Thank you."

Lu Tian studied her.

"For what?"

"For always thinking of me."

He remained silent.

Yue Ling lowered her gaze to their joined hands.

"Even when you’re busy, you still make time for me. You worry about whether I’ve eaten, whether I’m tired, whether I’m cold..."

She glanced at the coat resting over her shoulders.

"Even now."

Lu Tian’s expression softened.

"You’re my wife."

"I know."

She looked up.

"But that doesn’t mean I should take everything you do for granted."

The sincerity in her voice made him pause.

Yue Ling glanced around at the decorations.

"I wanted to give you something that wasn’t about work, our families, or everything else happening around us."

Her eyes returned to his.

"Just something from me to you."

Lu Tian said nothing.

He simply waited for her to continue.

Yue Ling drew a quiet breath.

"Before our wedding, there’s something I want you to know."

A faint breeze stirred the ribbons hanging from the balloons.

The lights above them swayed gently.

"I know we’re going to get married," she said with a small smile. "And I know we’ve made promises to each other before."

Lu Tian’s thumb brushed over her knuckles.

She continued.

"But when we stand in front of yeye and everyone else in a few days, I don’t want you to think I’m only doing it because I want him to witness our wedding."

Her expression grew tender.

"I want that day because I want everyone to know that you’re the man I’ve chosen."

Lu Tian’s gaze remained fixed on her.

Yue Ling smiled.

"And I plan to keep choosing you for the rest of my life."

Something shifted in his eyes.

It was subtle.

A faint change that might have gone unnoticed by anyone else.

But Yue Ling saw it.

She stepped closer.

"Lu Tian."

"Hm?"

"Can I keep you?"

He raised an eyebrow.

She smiled.

"And never let you go?"

For a moment, he stared at her then a quiet chuckle escaped him.

"Isn’t it a little too late to ask that?"

Yue Ling puffed her cheeks.

"Tian."

"What?"

"I’m trying to be romantic."

His smile deepened.

"You are."

"Then stop teasing me."

Lu Tian lowered his head slightly.

"Alright."

But the amusement remained in his eyes.

Yue Ling gave him a playful look before releasing his hands.

She reached into the pocket of her cardigan. Her fingers closed around something small.

When she withdrew her hand, a familiar navy velvet box rested in her palm.

Lu Tian’s expression changed. His gaze dropped to it. He recognized the box immediately.

It was the same one Yue Ling had brought back from Han Mansion in City Z.

The one she had kept hidden from him.

The one she had promised to show him when the time was right.

Yue Ling looked down at it.

For a moment, her smile softened into something more reflective.

"This belonged to my father."

Lu Tian’s eyes returned to her face.

She carefully opened the box.

Inside lay a simple gold wedding band.

There were no diamonds or elaborate engravings visible along its surface.

Just a plain gold ring, its smooth finish carrying the gentle marks of time.

Lu Tian stared at it.

He had expected the velvet box to contain something important.

But not this.

Yue Ling brushed her thumb lightly against the edge of the box.

"I kept it after he passed away."

Her voice grew quieter.

"I remember seeing him wear it when I was little."

A gentle smile touched her lips.

"Back then, I didn’t understand what marriage really meant. I only knew that whenever my father came home, my mother would smile."

Lu Tian listened without interrupting.

Yue Ling continued.

"To be honest, he was truly the first man I ever loved."

She lifted her gaze.

"The first man who made me feel safe. The first man who taught me what it meant to be loved without having to earn it."

Her eyes glistened faintly.

"When I was little, I thought there couldn’t possibly be another man like him."

Lu Tian’s expression softened.

Yue Ling looked down at the ring again.

"After he died, there were times when I wondered whether I’d ever feel that kind of happiness again."

She paused then a small smile returned to her face.

"Shin was the one who filled that space before fate took him."

Her eyes teared but she held them back.

"But life has a strange way of surprising us."

She lifted her head and her bluish-green eyes met his.

"And somehow, it brought me to you."

Lu Tian felt something tighten in his chest.

He looked at the ring then back at her.

Yue Ling held the velvet box between them.

"Tian."

Her voice was gentle but steady.

"My father was the first man I loved."

She drew a quiet breath.

"Will you be the last man I ever love?"

For the first time that evening, Lu Tian found himself without an immediate answer.

Only hours ago, he had been sitting across from Grandfather Ji, discussing the dangers slowly closing in on the woman standing before him.

He had spent the afternoon uncovering painful truths, piecing together the intentions of a dangerous enemy, and deciding how to protect her from secrets that threatened to shatter the peace she had only just begun to find.

Secrets he had yet to tell her.

And while he had been consumed by the darkness of her past, she had been here, preparing something beautiful for their future.

He had returned home expecting nothing more than to hold her and spend the remainder of the evening with her.

He certainly hadn’t expected her to stand beneath a tree illuminated by a thousand tiny lights, holding her father’s wedding band and asking him to become the last man she would ever love.

The contrast struck him harder than he anticipated.

He was standing before her with secrets weighing heavily on his conscience, while she stood before him with nothing but love and unwavering trust in her eyes.

For a brief moment, an unfamiliar ache tightened his chest.

He looked at the simple gold band resting inside the velvet box.

It was a piece of the family she had lost. A cherished reminder of the father whose love had shaped her understanding of what a husband should be.

And she was offering it to him.

Lu Tian slowly raised his gaze to meet hers.

He had spent the afternoon thinking of everything he needed to protect her from.

Yet here she was, reminding him of everything he wanted to protect.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"I thought I already was."

Yue Ling stared at him then her cheeks puffed.

"Lu Tian."

He chuckled.

"What?"

"Don’t ruin this."

"I’m not."

"You are."

His smile widened slightly.

Yue Ling tried to look displeased, but the amusement in her eyes betrayed her.

Lu Tian reached for her waist and gently drew her closer.

The velvet box remained safely in her hand between them.

He looked down at her.

"Then you’ll have to take responsibility for me."

Yue Ling blinked.

"For what?"

"For the rest of your life."

Her expression softened.

Lu Tian brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek.

"You’ve already made me yours, wife."

His voice was low and calm.

"So don’t expect me to let you change your mind."

Yue Ling smiled.

"I wasn’t planning to."

"Good."

He lowered his forehead toward hers.

"Because neither was I."

For a moment, neither spoke.

The winter breeze moved through the branches above them, making the hanging lights sway.

Yue Ling looked into his dark brown eyes.

Then she laughed softly.

"So is that a yes?"

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Do you really need me to answer?"

"Yes."

He studied her then his expression softened.

"Yes."

His thumb gently brushed her waist.

"I’ll be the last man you love."

Yue Ling’s smile grew.

"And you’ll be the only woman I love," he added.

Her eyes shimmered.

She closed the velvet box and carefully slipped it back into her cardigan pocket.

Then she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Lu Tian drew her closer.

Yue Ling rose onto her toes.

He lowered his head to meet her.

Their lips touched in a gentle kiss.

And at that exact moment—

Boom!

A brilliant burst of light illuminated the night sky.

Lu Tian’s brows drew together.

Another explosion followed.

Then another.

He slowly pulled away from the kiss and looked up.

Fireworks blossomed across the darkness.

Brilliant streams of light scattered like falling stars before fading into the night.

Yue Ling remained in his arms, watching the display with a delighted smile.

Lu Tian stared at the fireworks then he looked down at his wife.

A realization settled over him.

"Yue Ling."

"Hm?"

"Let me guess."

She looked up innocently.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You found my men."

Yue Ling blinked then she shrugged.

"I mean, since they were already there, I figured I might as well use the extra hands."

Lu Tian stared at her.

For a moment, he said nothing then a quiet laugh escaped him.

Of course.

He should have known.

Jiangyu had reported no security concerns.

Which was technically true.

But apparently, the men he had stationed around the house had spent the afternoon helping his wife prepare a surprise.

Lu Tian shook his head.

"All four of them?"

Yue Ling nodded innocently.

"Mm."

He looked at her.

"How?"

She smiled.

"Well..."

Several hours earlier, Shaofeng had entered the house looking as though he was walking toward his own execution.

Yue Ling had led him into the living room, where she had just finished bringing out the shopping bags and decorations.

The moment he saw the balloons, ribbons, and other supplies spread across the floor, his expression changed.

"Boss Lady..."

Yue Ling looked at him.

"Yes?"

"You’re decorating?"

She nodded.

"For Boss?"

"Who else?"

Shaofeng stared at the supplies.

Then he slowly looked toward the front door.

Yue Ling noticed.

"Thinking of running away?"

His back straightened.

"What? Of course not!"

She chuckled.

"Relax. I just need some help."

Shaofeng hesitated then he glanced at the helium tank.

"With the balloons?"

"Exactly."

He visibly relaxed.

That seemed simple enough.

At least until Yue Ling showed him how many balloons she wanted inflated.

Shaofeng stared at the supplies.

Then at her.

Then back at the supplies.

"...All of them?"

Yue Ling smiled.

"All of them."

He swallowed.

"Roger."

By the time they finished preparing the balloons, Shaofeng had begun to regret volunteering to approach the house.

But the real trouble started when they moved outside.

Yue Ling surveyed the large tree in the backyard.

Then she looked at the decorations.

Then at Shaofeng.

He followed her gaze.

His expression slowly changed.

"Boss Lady..."

"Hm?"

"You’re not expecting me to do all this by myself, right?"

Yue Ling tilted her head.

"Of course not."

Shaofeng nearly sighed in relief.

Then she continued.

"There are three more of you."

He froze.

"..."

A few minutes later, Jiangyu, Yiqing, and Weilong found themselves standing in the backyard.

Yiqing looked at the boxes.

Then at the tree.

Then at Shaofeng.

"You dragged us into this?"

Shaofeng pointed at Yue Ling.

"Boss Lady asked!"

Yue Ling smiled pleasantly.

"Would you mind helping?"

The three men immediately straightened.

"Not at all, Boss Lady."

Shaofeng stared at them.

"...Traitors."

Yiqing grinned.

"You started it."

With four trained members of Wolf Team assisting, the decorations came together much faster than Yue Ling had anticipated.

Jiangyu handled the lighting arrangements.

Weilong helped secure the decorations along the branches.

Yiqing arranged the balloons and cleared the pathway.

And Shaofeng...

Well, Shaofeng did whatever Yue Ling asked.

Which somehow involved carrying boxes, untangling ribbons, inflating balloons, and repeatedly climbing up and down a ladder.

By the time the sun began setting, the backyard had been transformed.

Yue Ling stood beneath the tree, looking around with satisfaction.

"Perfect."

The four men exchanged exhausted glances.

Then she smiled at them.

"Thank you."

And just like that, their complaints disappeared.

But Yue Ling was not finished.

She looked toward the distant skyline.

Then back at Jiangyu.

"There’s one more thing."

Shaofeng’s shoulders dropped.

Yiqing slowly turned toward him.

"This is your fault."

Back beneath the illuminated tree, Lu Tian listened as Yue Ling finished explaining how his men had become involved.

He looked at her in disbelief.

"You made Jiangyu arrange fireworks?"

Yue Ling smiled.

"Only a small display."

Lu Tian glanced toward the sky, where another brilliant burst of light illuminated the clouds.

"Small?"

She followed his gaze.

"Well... smaller than what I originally wanted."

Lu Tian laughed.

A genuine laugh that escaped before he could suppress it.

Yue Ling’s eyes brightened.

She loved hearing him laugh like that.

It was a sound he rarely allowed others to hear.

And knowing she was the reason for it made the entire afternoon worthwhile.

Lu Tian lowered his gaze to her.

"So that’s why Jiangyu’s report was so brief."

Yue Ling chuckled.

"He was very professional."

"I’m sure he was."

"And Shaofeng worked especially hard."

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Shaofeng?"

"Mm."

She nodded.

"He was the first one I found."

A knowing smile appeared on Lu Tian’s face.

"Let me guess. He was hiding in the bushes."

Yue Ling blinked then she burst into laughter.

"How did you know?"

Lu Tian shook his head.

"That kid..."

Yue Ling laughed harder.

"He looked so shocked when I spotted him."

"I can imagine."

"He even asked whether you’d punish him for being alone with me."

Lu Tian paused.

Then he laughed again.

Yue Ling smiled up at him.

"Don’t punish them, alright? They were only helping me."

Lu Tian looked at her.

"And you think I’d punish them for that?"

She tilted her head.

"Would you?"

He pretended to consider it.

"Depends."

"On what?"

"Whether they neglected their actual assignment."

Yue Ling smiled. She didn’t know why Lu Tian ordered them to watch her but he must have had his reason.

She looks back up at the fireworks.

"They didn’t."

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"You’re certain?"

"Very."

She leaned closer.

"They were protecting me the entire time."

He looked down at her.

"And decorating the yard."

"Multitasking."

Lu Tian chuckled.

He leaned his head to hers.

"And you say I’m the impossible one."

Yue Ling smiled.

"You are."

"Am I?"

"Very."

His lips curved.

"Then what does that make you?"

She pretended to think.

"Your wife."

Lu Tian shook his head.

"That’s not an answer."

"It’s the only answer you need."

He laughed softly then he kissed her temple.

"You’re unbelievable."

Yue Ling slipped her arms around his waist.

"But you love me."

His expression softened.

"That I do."

Another firework burst above them.

Yue Ling continued to watch.

Lu Tian, however, kept his gaze on her.

The warm lights reflected across her face, illuminating the gentle smile that had remained there since he arrived.

He thought about the afternoon he had spent at Ji Mansion.

About the documents scattered across Grandfather Ji’s desk.

About Choi Li Sun and the unanswered questions surrounding his return.

For several hours, those matters had occupied every corner of his mind.

But now, standing beneath the illuminated tree with Yue Ling in his arms, he allowed himself to set them aside.

Just for tonight.

He looked down at her.

"My love."

She turned back.

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Her expression softened.

"For what?"

He glanced at the lights surrounding them then at the balloons floating above their heads.

Finally, his gaze returned to hers.

"For this."

Yue Ling smiled.

"Do you like it?"

Lu Tian nodded.

"Very much."

She leaned closer.

"Good."

Her voice softened.

"Because I wanted you to have something to remember."

He brushed his thumb gently against her waist.

"I’ll remember."

Yue Ling looked at him for a moment.

Then she reached into her cardigan pocket and retrieved the velvet box once more.

Lu Tian watched as she opened it.

The simple gold band rested against the dark velvet.

She carefully lifted it out.

"Give me your hand."

Lu Tian extended his left hand without hesitation.

Yue Ling held it gently.

For a moment, she looked at the ring.

Then she raised her eyes.

"My father wore this when he promised to spend his life with my mother."

Her smile trembled slightly.

"I want you to have it."

Lu Tian’s gaze softened.

"Yue Ling..."

She shook her head gently.

"I know we already have our wedding rings."

Her fingers tightened around his.

"But this one means something different to me."

He remained silent.

Yue Ling carefully slipped the gold band onto his finger.

It fit.

She looked down at their hands.

A quiet smile appeared on her face.

"There."

Lu Tian stared at the ring.

It was simple.

Unassuming.

Yet he understood the weight of what she had given him.

It was not merely a gift.

It was a piece of her childhood.

A memory of her father.

And a symbol of the love she had grown up believing in.

He slowly closed his hand around hers.

"Are you sure?"

Yue Ling nodded.

"Of course."

He looked at her.

"This belonged to your father."

"I know."

"You don’t have to give it to me."

She smiled.

"I want to."

Lu Tian remained silent for a moment.

Then he lifted her hand and pressed a gentle kiss against her knuckles.

"I’ll take good care of it."

Yue Ling’s eyes softened.

"I know you will."

He drew her into his arms once more.

This time, his embrace lingered.

Yue Ling rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Above them, the final fireworks illuminated the winter sky.

Their colors reflected in the house’s glass windows before fading into the darkness.

The last echoes gradually disappeared over Imperial.

Silence returned to the backyard.

Only the soft rustling of the ribbons and the distant sounds of the city remained.

Lu Tian lowered his head.

"You’re cold."

Yue Ling chuckled.

"You’ve already said that."

"And you’re still cold."

She looked up.

"Then warm me up."

A faint smile touched his lips.

He tightened his arms around her.

"Like this?"

Yue Ling nodded.

"Mm. Better."

He brushed his lips against her forehead.

"Let’s go inside."

"In a minute."

Lu Tian looked at her.

She smiled.

"I want to stay like this a little longer."

He studied her for a moment then nodded.

"Alright."

They remained beneath the illuminated tree, holding each other as the winter breeze moved gently around them.

Lu Tian’s gaze eventually drifted toward the gold band resting on his finger.

His thumb brushed over its smooth surface.

He had received countless gifts throughout his life.

Expensive watches.

Rare collectibles.

Things most people could only dream of owning.

Yet none of them had ever made him feel quite like this.

He looked down at the woman in his arms.

She had offered him something no amount of money could purchase.

A place in the memories she treasured most.

And a promise that the future she imagined would always include him.

Lu Tian lowered his head and kissed her hair.

Yue Ling smiled against his chest.

Neither spoke.

There was nothing more they needed to say.

For tonight, the past could remain where it belonged.

And whatever uncertainties awaited them tomorrow, they would face them when the time came.

Beneath the winter sky, surrounded by the warm glow of a thousand tiny lights, Lu Tian held his wife a little closer.

On his finger rested the wedding band of the first man she had ever loved.

And in his arms was the woman who had asked him to be her last.