Three months later, Kai Ying took a week off.
That alone was shocking.
Xiao Lan noticed first.
"You submitted leave," she said carefully. "Seven days."
Kai Ying nodded. "Yes."
Tian Rong, who happened to be sitting on Xiao Lan's desk for no reason at all, leaned forward. "Are you dying again?"
Kai Ying ignored her.
Le Xin looked at the itinerary Kai Ying had sent earlier that morning and raised an eyebrow. "Beach?"
"Yes," Kai Ying said. "You said once you liked the sound of waves."
Le Xin blinked. "…I did."
"I remembered," Kai Ying simply replied.
Tian Rong gasped dramatically. "She remembered feelings. Growth!"
Xiao Lan sighed. "Please don't embarrass her before we even leave."
The hotel was beautiful.
White walls, open balconies, sunlight spilling everywhere. The sea stretched endlessly beyond the glass, blue and calm, like it had been waiting.
Tian Rong ran ahead the moment they arrived.
"Oh my god," she shouted, already barefoot. "I'm never going back to work."
Xiao Lan followed more slowly, carrying the bags Tian Rong had abandoned.
"You said you'd help," Xiao Lan said flatly.
"I'm helping emotionally," Tian Rong replied, grinning. "Look how happy I am."
Xiao Lan shook her head—but didn't stop her.
Kai Ying watched them with quiet amusement before turning to Le Xin.
"You okay?" she asked.
Le Xin nodded, taking in the view. "You planned all of this?"
"Yes."
"For all of us?"
Kai Ying paused. "I wanted… balance."
Le Xin smiled. "You've learned."
Kai Ying met her gaze. "I'm still learning."
That evening, Tian Rong dragged Xiao Lan to the beach almost immediately.
"Come on," Tian Rong said, tugging her hand. "Sunset."
Xiao Lan hesitated. "We just arrived."
"So?" Tian Rong replied. "Time doesn't wait."
She pulled again.
Xiao Lan followed.
From the balcony, Le Xin watched them walk along the shore—Tian Rong talking animatedly, Xiao Lan listening,
occasionally nudged closer.
"They're good for each other," Le Xin said softly.
Kai Ying nodded. "Yes."
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
Anticipatory.
"Kai Ying," Le Xin said, turning. "You've been strange all day."
Kai Ying adjusted her glasses. "…Have I?"
"Yes," Le Xin replied. "You're calm. Too calm."
Kai Ying exhaled. "Come with me."
She led Le Xin down to the private stretch of beach behind the hotel. The sun was low, painting the water gold. The wind was gentle.
Kai Ying stopped.
She turned.
And for the first time since Le Xin had known her, Kai Ying looked… nervous.
"I've spent my life preparing for everything," Kai Ying said quietly. "Contingencies. Risks. Failures."
Le Xin felt her chest tighten.
"But loving you," Kai Ying continued, "was the first thing I couldn't control."
She reached into her pocket.
Le Xin's breath caught.
"I tried to protect you," Kai Ying said. "Tried to hold on too tightly. Tried to pretend I didn't need you."
She knelt.
Right there, barefoot in the sand.
"I don't want a life where I'm alone by choice," Kai Ying said, voice steady despite the way her hands trembled. "I want a life where I choose you—every day—even when it scares me."
She opened the box.
Inside was a simple ring. Elegant. Thoughtful. Very Kai Ying.
"Chen Le Xin," Kai Ying said, looking up at her, eyes soft and unguarded, "will you marry me?"
Le Xin stared at her.
For a second.
Then laughed through tears.
"You didn't even let fate interrupt," Le Xin said.
Kai Ying smiled faintly. "I stopped waiting."
Le Xin knelt too, hands framing Kai Ying's face.
"Yes," she said. "Of course yes."
Kai Ying exhaled like she'd been holding her breath for months.
She slid the ring on Le Xin's finger.
Le Xin pulled her into a kiss—slow, sure, full of everything they'd survived.
From down the beach:
"WAIT—IS THAT A PROPOSAL?" Tian Rong yelled.
"YES," Le Xin yelled back, laughing.
"Oh my god!" Tian Rong screamed. "SHE DID IT!"
Xiao Lan stood beside her, stunned.
Tian Rong grabbed Xiao Lan's face. "I told you this trip was suspicious."
Xiao Lan replied quietly, "Congratulations."
Later that night, they celebrated with food, laughter, and the sound of waves outside their windows.
Kai Ying sat beside Le Xin on the balcony, fingers intertwined.
"No more almosts," Kai Ying said softly.
Le Xin leaned into her. "No more running."
Inside, Tian Rong was already planning a wedding she wasn't invited to plan.
Xiao Lan watched her fondly.
And for the first time, fate didn't interfere.
It stepped aside.
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Thank you for reading my novel