FMTL~Chapter 166: A Happy Ending~Part 7

 Chapter 166: A Happy Ending~Part 7

After hanging up, Su Yicheng looked at his watch. It was almost 8 o'clock. An Ran hadn't eaten anything since noon. She kept saying she couldn't eat anything and wouldn't even touch the food he bought her. He figured she was going to give up by now, so he went outside the hospital to buy some food. After all, it wasn't like back home, where all the food was Western. Even porridge was hard to find. In the end, he could only buy a few sandwiches and a few bottles of milk to take back. When he reached Lin Xiaofen's ward, he pushed the door open and saw An Ran sitting in front of her bed. She held Lin Xiaofen's hand and gently placed it on her cheek. As she looked at her, a beautiful smile played on her face. Her expression was no longer the melancholy of a while ago; it was relaxed and natural.

Su Yicheng shared the sandwich with Mrs. Zhang. Mrs. Zhang had barely eaten anything today either. The three of them had been worried about Lin Xiaofen's surgery all day, but fortunately, the outcome was a good one.

When An Ran turned around, she met Su Yicheng's eyes, and they exchanged a smile.

Lin Xiaofen woke up the day after surgery. She was still very weak, but knowing she was fine, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

Secretary Zheng called on the fourth day after Su Yicheng arrived in New York. Because Su Yicheng had left so hastily, many matters hadn't been explained clearly, and many needed to be dealt with upon his return. Secretary Zheng also shared an important piece of information: the provincial government's disciplinary action against Su Yicheng for his recent misconduct had officially been announced, though details would be announced upon his return.

After two days of rest, Lin Xiaofen felt much more refreshed and her complexion improved. Her vision had cleared up, compared to the blurry first day after surgery. However, it would take some time for her physical strength to return to normal. Due to work commitments, Su Yicheng was unable to stay longer and had to return home. Worried that Mrs. Zhang wouldn't be able to handle the situation alone, he found a local caregiver. Because of the language barrier, he hired a Chinese-American caregiver to assist Mrs. Zhang in caring for Lin Xiaofen.

Knowing that Su Yicheng would be leaving on an early flight the next morning, Lin Xiaofen and Mrs. Zhang asked An Ran to accompany him on a sightseeing trip tonight. Naturally, they were reluctant to leave her again. Now that the caregiver and Mrs. Zhang were caring for their mother, they felt much more at ease. So, after dinner, An Ran asked Su Yicheng to take her on a tour of the world's most economically developed city.

An Ran had actually been to New York before, but it was for work and she was pressed for time, so she barely got to see the city properly and was already packing up to leave.

Su Yicheng wasn't exactly familiar with the city, but he'd been dragged here for a while by Ye Ziwen and the others while he was still a student. Back then, Ye Ziwen said he was there to learn about the city's architecture, while he and Zhou Han were there purely for fun. So, he was familiar with some of New York's famous sights and landmarks. But it seemed like he and An Ran were pressed for time now, leaving them no time for a stroll. Furthermore, considering An Ran's pregnancy, she'd be tired from walking for too long, so he decided to take her to Times Square, not far from the hospital and hotel.

Times Square was always crowded at night, with all kinds of people and skin tones. Su Yicheng held An Ran in his arms to protect her from the crowd.

Lin Xiaofen's surgery was a success, and An Ran had seemed much more relaxed these days, smiling more often.

Times Square was practically a place swamped by advertising. Huge billboards and large electronic screens covered almost every building's windows and doors, and the flashing neon lights of various advertisements were a bit dazzling.

The two walked aimlessly with the crowd. When they grew tired, they sat on a bench to rest. After resting, they continued walking and looking around.

On the street in Times Square, there was a painted piano. A homeless man was playing. The two stopped to listen. Although neither had a deep understanding of music, their kindness made them feel that the homeless man played very well. As if noticing their gaze, the homeless man turned and smiled at them. Of course, the two politely smiled back.

After the song ended, the homeless man continued his wandering journey. Someone else came forward to play music. It was a woman dressed very sexy. As she played, she turned and smiled at her boyfriend, who nodded and danced to the street dance beside her with great emotion. This combination attracted many people's attention, and many tourists rushed to take pictures.

After the song ended, the two left to the applause and cheers of the crowd. An Ran and Su Yicheng also continued their journey.

Watching the double-decker bus pass by on the street, An Ran screamed with excitement. Like a child, she pulled Su Yicheng's hand and said she wanted to try riding it. Su Yicheng just patted her head affectionately.

The two of them actually got on the double-decker bus. An Ran insisted on sitting on the top, while Su Yicheng was worried about the narrow stairs. Plus, An Ran had just recovered from a cold, and the night wind was strong.

But An Ran only playfully stuck out her tongue at him, saying he'd keep her safe while he was around, and that if she got cold, he'd hold her tightly in his arms. Even if the weather was freezing, as long as he had her warmth, she wouldn't be afraid.

Since she'd already been complimenting him so highly, what else could Su Yicheng say? He could only smile and agree.

When they boarded the bus, the upper deck was already filled with a group of romantic French couples. They looked to be in their fifties, but they were still lovingly hugging each other, snapping photos of the bustling streets along the way with their instant cameras.

An Ran and Su Yicheng sat at the back of the bus. Truly worried that she might get cold, Su Yicheng pulled An Ran into his arms. An Ran obediently hugged his slender waist, her face brimming with happiness.

The bus wasn't moving fast, giving them plenty of time to see the surrounding streets clearly. An Ran seemed a little excited, pointing happily here and there. Her smile remained on her face all night.

"An Ran," Su Yicheng whispered softly.

"Hmm?" An Ran turned her head, the smile still on her face.

Su Yicheng seemed a little moved. He cupped her face and kissed her directly on the lips.

An Ran was startled for a moment, then came to her senses. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling as she embraced him. Slowly closing her eyes, she thought, if only I had a camera at this moment, the picture would be beautiful.

The two kissed for a long moment before parting, foreheads pressed together, smiling at each other. They heard a click behind them, and turned to see the middle-aged French couple smiling at them. The man came forward, handed them two photos, and told them in French-accented English that his wife had asked him to take them because she thought the picture was beautiful.

An Ran liked the photos very much and turned to the woman with a smile and a nod.

The lady also came over, and the four of them sat in the same row. After chatting, they learned that the lady had a terminal illness and had only a few days left. She and her husband had decided to retrace their steps. An Ran was somewhat shocked by the news, but even more so, felt a pity for them. The lady seemed to see An Ran's emotions, took her hand, shook her head, and said that she felt very happy now. She had no regrets having the person she loved by her side along the way.

The lady also said that New York was their last stop, and they would plan their wedding after returning. Although they had been in love for over 30 years, they eloped because her parents disapproved. Their marriage had not been blessed by their family and friends, but she knew she had been very happy. So, even at the end of her life, they wanted to hold a wedding ceremony to let the world see their happiness and receive all the belated blessings.

Even after they separated, on the way back, An Ran still felt a little sentimental as she recalled the story of the lady and her husband.

Sensing her emotions, Su Yicheng reached out and squeezed her hand, smiling at her, saying, "They're very happy."

An Ran looked at him, understanding his meaning, and nodded with a smile, "Yes, they're very happy."

Passing by a bridal shop, An Ran couldn't help but stop and stare at the pristine white wedding dress displayed in the window. She couldn't help but stare at it for a moment, mesmerized. After a moment, she slowly spoke, "That lady will look stunning in that wedding dress."

Su Yicheng looked at her, then at the wedding dress. Remembering that he seemed to have an important ceremony for someone, he secretly formed an idea.

An Ran didn't sleep well that night in Su Yicheng's arms. She was still a little awake at one or two in the morning. One reason was that they were about to leave. Judging from Lin Xiaofen's recovery, they would have to stay here for at least another half a month. Another reason was that she couldn't help but think of the French couple she had met on the double-decker bus the night before. She hoped they would have a romantic and well-wishful wedding when they returned home, and that the woman would live out her final journey happily.