140: Chapter 140 Night by the Lake

In late May 2013, in China's Yunnan Province, many places were ablaze with blooming azaleas. The vast expanses of pink-purple and crimson were truly captivating.

Liu Zijun and Choi Sulli had traveled from Seoul to Kunming, then to Nanzhao, and Lijiang. From there, they drove a rented car along winding mountain roads.

Along the way, Liu Zijun held Choi Sulli's hand. Finally, on the evening of their third day away from Seoul, they arrived at Lugu Lake.

This girl said she liked flowers, so Liu Zijun brought her here.

As the car approached the lakeshore, Lugu Lake, which was not heavily developed at that time, retained much of its pristine appearance.

The deep blue water resembled an uncut sapphire, reflecting the distant green mountains and low-hanging clouds. Mosuo villages dotted the shore, nestled against the hills and water. Smoke curled up from the wooden houses, intertwining with the mountain mist.

Azaleas bloomed vibrantly by the roadside, filling the air with floral fragrance and the crisp scent of the lake.

Choi Sulli opened the sunroof, stood up, spread her arms, and shouted, "Oppa, this place is so beautiful!"

Seeing her delight, Liu Zijun gently brought the car to a stop. Choi Sulli immediately slipped her hand from his and ran to the lakeshore, crouching down.

The water was crystal clear, allowing a clear view of small fish swimming and smooth pebbles at the bottom.

She reached out and lightly touched the water's surface. The cool sensation made her giggle softly.

Liu Zijun followed behind, watching her joyful figure, his eyes filled with tenderness.

After the turmoil caused by Cui's Mother's scene at the company, although this girl appeared calm on the surface, he had seen the fragility lingering in her eyes.

Bringing her out here was precisely to help her completely shed that heaviness.

"Slow down, be careful not to slip."

Seeing Choi Sulli get up and start running, he quickened his pace, catching up and gently supporting her waist.

If the members of the God Hunter Organization saw him like this, so gentle, they'd be utterly shocked.

Choi Sulli turned her head, her cheeks still faintly flushed, her eyes sparkling.

"Oppa, look how clear the water is! It's much cleaner than the Han River. You can even see the fish clearly."

She pointed to a school of silvery-white fish at the bottom, her tone full of childlike curiosity.

Liu Zijun crouched beside her, picked up a flat stone, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it skipping across the water's surface a dozen times, creating rippling circles.

"This place isn't heavily developed. It retains its original, natural state."

"I haven't been here before either. I just heard people say that Lugu Lake is a tear left by a god—clean and pure, just like our Sulli."

Choi Sulli watched the ripples where the stone sank and couldn't help but clap her hands.

"Oppa, you're amazing! I want to try too!"

She imitated Liu Zijun, picking up a stone. But after several attempts, the stone sank as soon as it touched the water, making her pout in frustration.

Liu Zijun couldn't help but chuckle. He took her hand, guiding her to adjust her posture.

"Keep your wrist steady, apply force gently, like this..."

His palm was warm, enveloping her small hand. Choi Sulli's face instantly lit up with happiness.

When the stone flew from their joined hands, it actually skipped twice.

She excitedly hugged Liu Zijun's arm, resting her head on his shoulder, her voice soft and sweet. "Wow! I did it! Oppa, look!"

"This place is even better than I imagined. No reporters, not many people recognize me, no arguments. Just mountains, water, and Oppa."

Liu Zijun ruffled her short hair. The faint floral scent from her hair wafted to his nose.

"We can come here whenever we want in the future, okay?

"When you're on break, when the group's schedule ends, we'll come here for a few days. We won't have to think about anything, just live like ordinary people."

Choi Sulli looked up, a trace of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Really? But Oppa, you have so much to do, and you need to spend time with Yejin Unnie and Yoona Unnie too."

Liu Zijun interrupted her, his gaze firm. "No matter how busy, I'll make time for all of you. We'll come together then.

"Sulli, I told you before, I'd take you to see the world. I wasn't just saying that.

"You have to believe that you deserve all the beautiful things. This scenery, this peace—you've earned it."

The setting sun gradually sank behind the distant mountains, dyeing the lake water a tangerine hue.

Liu Zijun had booked a homestay by the lake in advance—a small Mosuo-style wooden building where opening the door revealed a view of the lake.

The landlady was an enthusiastic Mosuo woman who brought them steaming hot tea.

She smiled and said in slightly broken Mandarin, "This is the most beautiful time at Lugu Lake. Tomorrow, you can take a pig-trough boat and circle around the Lige Peninsula. You'll get a clearer view of the azaleas."

Choi Sulli took a sip of butter tea. The warm liquid slid down her throat with a faint milky aroma. She replied in her increasingly proficient Chinese, "Thank you, landlady! We'll go tomorrow."

Hearing her accent, the landlady said, "Oh, are you foreign friends?"

Liu Zijun smiled. "I'm Chinese, and my girlfriend is from The Peninsula."

But Choi Sulli laughed and said, "In the future, I'll be a Chinese daughter-in-law!"

This made the landlady laugh heartily. She quickly praised, "Excellent! Such a pretty young lady, perfect for our handsome Chinese man!"

After the landlady left, Choi Sulli turned to Liu Zijun, her eyes full of anticipation.

"Oppa, let's go on the boat first thing tomorrow, okay? I want to try rowing it myself."

Liu Zijun picked up a piece of grilled milk fan for her and said, "Whatever you say."

"Hey, eat slowly, don't burn yourself. It's sweet."

After dinner, following the landlady's recommendation, they went to the bonfire party at Lugu Lake.

Watching the distinctive ethnic performances, Choi Sulli seemed to truly forget all her troubles, happily jumping, bouncing, and laughing.

It wasn't until the party ended that they returned to the homestay.

After washing up, Choi Sulli was in her pajamas. Liu Zijun draped a blanket over her, as the nights by Lugu Lake were still slightly cool.

At this moment, Lugu Lake was exceptionally quiet. There was no city noise, only the soft sound of water lapping the shore and the occasional distant bark of a dog.

The two sat together in the hanging basket on the homestay's balcony. Looking up, they could see a sky full of stars, densely packed across the dark blue expanse, dazzlingly bright.

Choi Sulli nestled entirely in Liu Zijun's arms, playing with an azalea she had secretly picked during the day. She whispered, "Oppa, do you think after my mother gets the money, she'll really stop bothering me?"

Liu Zijun tightened his arms, holding her closer.

"She will. The agreement is signed. She took the money, so naturally, she won't come to upset you anymore. Even if she goes back on her word, I won't let her hurt you ever again."

Choi Sulli's voice was soft, carrying a hint of relief.

"Actually, I've come to understand now. Before, I always tried to please her, hoping for a little maternal love. But in the end, I realized some things can't be earned no matter how hard you try."

"Now, with Oppa by my side, with Yoona Unnie, Yejin Unnie, and Older Sister Victoria Song and the others, I'm already very happy."

Liu Zijun lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Silly girl, you should have realized long ago that people who truly love you won't make you suffer."

Choi Sulli looked up, met his gentle gaze, and initiated a kiss on his lips.

The kiss was light, exceptionally tender in the quiet night.

"Oppa, thank you."

"Thank you for spending so much money, thank you for bringing me here, thank you for never giving up on me."

Liu Zijun wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye and said, "Silly, why thank me? Meeting you, being able to stay by your side—that's my good fortune too."