Kian Keller noticed the intersection ahead and anticipated the driver would slam on the brakes as usual.

In the driver’s eyes, the cane in his hand seemed to be just for show.

But he wasn’t annoyed. He liked the feeling.

He gripped his cane, bracing himself.

The jolt he expected never came. What came first were her fingers, ice-cold from the freezing air.

She grabbed onto him tightly.

He glanced down at her, and to be honest, he felt a little like laughing.

She was so petite, yet she was trying to use all her strength to steady him.

And as it turned out, she did.

She looked so small, yet her spirit was so strong.

She never seemed to mind her own feelings, yet she had built a fortress with her pride.

Mia Grant didn’t look up at him. People were boarding through the front door. The new phone Hayes Hughes had given her this morning had already died from the cold. Luckily, she had cash.

She dropped a hundred-yuan bill into the fare box. Ignoring the stunned gazes of the driver and passengers, Mia Grant helped Kian Keller make his way to the back.

The paired seats were on a raised platform, up a few steps. Mia Grant took one look and abandoned the idea.

"Let’s sit here," she said, helping him toward a single seat near the front.

But Kian Keller didn’t move. "Let’s go to the back. It’s quieter."

"..." Mia Grant pursed her lips. ’He’s so difficult,’ she thought. But she still helped him over.

Once they were finally seated, Mia Grant rubbed her hands together. Her gaze fell to the bandaged hand he had resting on his cane.

Her stare was probably too direct to ignore. Kian Keller explained, "I had an IV in. It bled a little."

Then, he added, "I’m fine."

"Whether you’re fine or not has nothing to do with me," Mia Grant said, turning her head away and trying hard to ignore the corruption value above his head.

She was in a completely self-destructive mood now. ’Screw it all. Whether they live or die has nothing to do with me.’

She tilted her head to look out the window. Jynsia at night was quieter than she had imagined. There were few cars on the road, and even fewer pedestrians.

The evening wind carried a chill as it swept past red walls and yellow-tiled roofs. Mia Grant’s brow twitched as she recognized it—the temple she and Kian Keller had visited together.

There, the two had knelt side-by-side before the hall, raising the incense in their hands above their heads.

His mobility was limited, so they had only stopped in front of a few of the great halls.

While they were taking a break, she had gotten up, saying she needed to use the restroom.

That was what she’d said, but she had actually jogged over to The Healer’s Sanctum.

Incense smoke swirled in the air as she looked up, her gaze meeting the eyes of the Medicine Buddha.

Inside the solemn and majestic hall, she knelt for a long time, bowing again and again.

Ashes from the burning incense fluttered down, dusting her brow and eyes.

It was said to be the most efficacious temple in all of Jynsia. That day, she had recited Kian Keller’s personal information from memory, speaking endless good words to the great Buddha on his behalf.

Logically, she should have prayed for something for herself.

Wealth, career, peace and health.

Who could ever complain about having too much good fortune? Even if one already has a lot, they can’t help but greedily wish for more.

But that day, she hadn’t mentioned a single thing concerning herself.

She must have been too lost in thought, because she only noticed when the hand on her knee grew warm in someone else’s grasp. She lowered her gaze to look.

Kian Keller’s hand was bandaged, the stark white gauze wrapped around and around the back of it.

Her brow furrowed slightly. She wanted to pull her hand away, but when she saw the bandage, she couldn’t bear to.

"I’m sorry."

Sensing she wasn’t struggling, Kian Keller apologized in a low voice.

The bus stopped at an intersection, his voice easily drowned out.

He thought Mia Grant hadn’t heard him, so he said it again.

Mia Grant didn’t say anything, turning to look out the window once more.

This time, she didn’t see the scenery outside. Instead, her gaze met the reflection of a pair of deep, inscrutable eyes.

As their eyes met, she could see the weariness he couldn’t hide.

He was always skilled at putting up a front, rarely letting his emotions show. But today, he was truly exhausted in body and mind, unable to hide the hint of fatigue that unconsciously surfaced in his eyes.

Mia Grant was exhausted, too.

Physically and mentally, she felt like a sponge, constantly being squeezed, as if to wring out every last drop of her worth.

She took a deep breath.

She pulled her gaze away, her eyes landing on the passengers who were boarding.

"Where are you going?"

The bus started moving. There were still five stops until the end of the line.

Kian Keller glanced at the route map overhead and said, "There’s a hotel near the stop two stops from here. I’ll take you there to rest. This route goes in the opposite direction of your home."

She wouldn’t be able to get home by bus from here. It would require several transfers and a long walk.

The cold wind howled in the dead of night, hardly suitable for such a trek.

Mia Grant fell silent again.

Kian Keller squeezed her hand. "This isn’t the right place to talk. We’ll talk when we get there."

"We don’t need to talk about anything."

"But I need to explain."

"And you don’t need to explain."

"I need to apologize."

"You don’t need to do that, either. You didn’t do anything wrong."

"Then what do I need to do?"

"Right now, you need to go back where you came from."

"I will. But only after you’ve calmed down."

This back-and-forth between them made the passengers up front perk up their ears and turn to look back.

Noticing the gossipy stares from the front, Mia Grant shut her mouth.

A kind-hearted passenger teased them good-naturedly, "It’s normal for a young couple to have disagreements. That’s just how it is. These little fights are just part of the fun of being together."

Mia Grant was speechless.

Kian Keller was a man of few words. He wasn’t rigid like Felix Sinclair; he simply disdained conversing with strangers.

But now, for whatever reason, he actually gave a slight nod in response.

It would have been better if he hadn’t responded. The moment he did, the well-meaning passenger launched into an even more enthusiastic lecture, even starting to impart their ultimate secrets for cheering up an angry wife.

Mia Grant was torn between anger and laughter, especially when she noticed Kian Keller listening with rapt attention. She silently closed her eyes. ’Out of sight, out of mind.’

"How long have you two been married?"

the kind-hearted person asked.

"Not married yet, but we’re getting engaged soon." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

One was bold enough to ask, and the other was bold enough to answer.

"Your girlfriend does look young. You’re already working, right? You have to treat her well. Be quick to admit you’re wrong, and make sure your attitude is sincere."

"When a woman resorts to crying, tantrums, and threats, a man has to respond by kneeling, kissing, and shedding a few tears."

"..."

Mia Grant, unable to take it anymore, snapped her eyes open.

The bus reached the stop. She stood up. "Get up, get up. I’m getting off."

Kian Keller snapped back to reality, gripping his cane as he stood and walked down the steps from the raised seating area.

The moment he was on the main floor, he immediately turned to help Mia Grant.

"Just worry about yourself."

Mia Grant brushed past him. The second the bus doors opened, she impatiently jumped off.

The bus pulled away into the distance.

Not far off, Zelo and his men were peeking out from their car.

"Are they done talking?"

"How come the atmosphere doesn’t seem very relaxed?"

The men didn’t dare to get any closer.

Kian Keller took Mia Grant’s hand. "This way. It’s close."

He led her toward the hotel.

Just as he’d said, the hotel was indeed close. They arrived in less than two minutes.

Almost as soon as they walked in, someone came to greet them. As if expecting them, the lobby manager personally escorted the two upstairs.

With an outsider present, Mia Grant didn’t want to make a scene, so she let him continue to hold her hand.

The door to the penthouse suite was pushed open, and the lobby manager closed it behind them with a grin.

The moment they were inside, Mia Grant forcefully wrenched her hand from Kian Keller’s and strode into the room.

Inside the living room, candlelight flickered. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyscrapers were a blaze of light. Inside, a carpet of roses covered the floor, looking as if they had sprung up from the ground itself, filling the entire room.

As if she had just stumbled upon a marriage proposal, Mia Grant froze.