After the children had ran off, their giggles fading into the distance, Jim gently took Tina's hand in his. His touch was warm and reassuring, a silent promise of the bond they now shared. "Let's go meet Miss Hsu," he said, his voice soft but filled with determination.
Tina nodded, her cheeks still tinged with a faint blush as they walked hand in hand toward the main building of the orphanage. The path was lined with vibrant flowers, their petals swaying gently in the breeze, as if nature itself was celebrating their newfound connection. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine and the distant laughter of children playing.
As they approached, they saw Miss Hsu, the elderly nun who had been like a mother to Tina, tending to the flower beds near the entrance. Her silver hair glinted in the sunlight, and her hands, though wrinkled with age, moved with practiced care as she nurtured the plants. She hummed a soft tune, one that Tina recognized from her childhood—a lullaby Miss Hsu used to sing to her when she couldn't sleep.
Miss Hsu looked up as they drew closer, her eyes lighting up with recognition. But when her gaze fell on their intertwined hands and the radiant glow on their faces, she gasped softly, her hands flying to her chest in joy. "Oh! Are you two together?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "That's wonderful!"
Tina's gaze dropped to the ground, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red. Despite being an orphan, Miss Hsu had always been like a mother to her—a constant source of love, guidance, and comfort. Introducing Jim to her felt like bringing home a boyfriend for the first time, and the weight of that moment made Tina feel both shy and incredibly grateful.
Jim, on the other hand, smiled warmly, his grip on Tina's hand tightening ever so slightly. He could sense the significance of this moment, not just for Tina but for Miss Hsu as well.
Miss Hsu stepped closer, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at Tina. "My dear," she said, her voice soft and filled with maternal affection, "you've finally found your happiness. I'm so happy for you."
Tina's heart swelled at her words, and she felt a lump form in her throat. Miss Hsu had always been her rock, the one person who believed in her even when she didn't believe in herself. To hear her approval meant more than Tina could put into words.
Jim, sensing Tina's emotions, gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He turned to Miss Hsu and smiled, his expression respectful and sincere. "Miss Hsu," he said, his voice steady, "I promise to cherish Tina and care for her always."
Miss Hsu's smile widened, and she nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and joy. "Mr. Chin," she said, her tone warm but firm, "I've seen how attentive you've been to Tina. It's clear that you care for her deeply. I'm so relieved to know she's in good hands."
Tina's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly wiped them away, though a soft smile played on her lips. Miss Hsu reached out and gently cupped Tina's face, her touch as familiar and comforting as it had been when Tina was just a little girl.
"My dear," Miss Hsu said, her voice trembling with emotion, "you've always been so strong, so resilient. But even the strongest hearts need someone to lean on. I'm glad you've found someone who will stand by your side and love you for who you are."
Tina couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Miss Hsu, holding her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "For everything."
Miss Hsu patted her back gently, her own tears spilling over. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, my child," she said softly. "And I have no doubt that Mr. Chin will give it to you."
Jim watched the exchange between Tina and Miss Hsu with a soft smile, his heart swelling with gratitude. He had always known how much the orphanage and Miss Hsu meant to Tina, but seeing their bond up close made him even more determined to protect and cherish her. As he stood there, a sudden movement caught his eye.
From behind Miss Hsu, a little boy peeked out, his small face scrunched into a glare directed squarely at Jim. The boy's eyes were sharp, almost protective, as if he were sizing Jim up. Tina noticed the child too and immediately bent down to greet him, her face lighting up with a warm smile.
"Oh, Xiao Liang!" she said, her voice soft and affectionate. "I haven't seen you in such a long time. You've grown so tall!"
Xiao Liang's expression brightened at Tina's words, and he stepped out from behind Miss Hsu, his earlier glare replaced by a cheerful grin. "Big sis Tina!" he called out, his voice filled with excitement.
But just as quickly as his smile appeared, it faded. His small shoulders slumped, and he looked down at the ground, his hands fidgeting nervously. After a moment of silence, he looked up at Tina, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination.
"Sis Tina," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "he said that he's going to marry you?"
Tina's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. She waved her hands frantically in denial, her voice rising an octave. "Ah, well, not yet! It's not like that—"
Before she could finish, Jim stepped forward, a playful grin on his face. He placed a hand on Tina's shoulder and leaned down to Xiao Liang's level. "Yes," he said, his tone teasing but gentle. "Sis Tina is going to marry me. Is that okay with you?"
Tina's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she elbowed Jim lightly. "What are you talking about?" she hissed, her voice a mix of embarrassment and exasperation.
Jim chuckled, unfazed by her reaction. "You promised me, didn't you?" he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"I didn't promise to marry you!" Tina shot back, crossing her arms over her chest.
Jim leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "A promise to be my girlfriend is a promise to marry me," he said, his tone teasing but filled with affection.
Tina's eyes narrowed, and she glared at him. "Bullshit!" she retorted, though the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her true feelings.
Xiao Liang, who had been watching their exchange with wide eyes, suddenly burst into tears. His small hands clenched into fists, and he looked up at Tina, his voice trembling with emotion. "Sis Tina," he said, his words coming out in a rush, "if this man ever bullies you, I won't let him go when I grow up!"
With that, he turned and ran off, his small frame disappearing into the distance. Miss Hsu, who had been watching the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and concern, quickly called after him. "Xiao Liang, don't run so fast! Be careful!"
Tina and Jim stood in silence for a moment, watching as Miss Hsu chased after the crying child. The air between them was filled with a mix of emotions—amusement, tenderness, and a touch of guilt.
Jim broke the silence first, his voice light and teasing. "Oh, I find it too stressful to be with you," he said, a playful smirk on his face. "I can't handle so many little rivals."
Tina puffed up her cheeks and turned her head aside, her arms crossed over her chest. "Humph! I watched them grow up, of course they like me!"
Jim's smirk softened into a smile, and he reached out to gently tug on a strand of her hair. "I think it's better to marry you early," he said casually, though his eyes were filled with sincerity.
Tina's expression softened, and she looked down, her cheeks still tinged with pink. For a moment, she seemed conflicted, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. Finally, she sighed and looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just give me a little more time...."
Jim's smile widened, and he gently pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head. "Okay," he said, his voice warm and filled with understanding. "I'll wait for you, Tina. No matter how long it takes."
........................
At the Hospital: Wendy's Room
The door to Wendy's hospital room creaked open softly, and Paiming stepped inside, his footsteps light so as not to disturb her. He expected to find her resting in bed, but to his surprise, she was standing by the window, her silhouette framed by the pale moonlight streaming through the glass. The chilly night air brushed against her skin, and she seemed lost in thought, her fingers tracing patterns on the cool surface of the windowpane.
"Wendy," Paiming said, his voice gentle but tinged with concern. "Don't stand near the window. You'll catch a cold."
Wendy turned at the sound of his voice, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "Paiming, you're back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth and relief.
Before he could say another word, she rushed toward him, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. Paiming stumbled slightly at the force of her embrace but quickly steadied himself, his hands instinctively resting on her shoulders.
"I'm not afraid of the cold," Wendy said, her voice muffled against his chest. "Because I know you'll take care of me."
Paiming's heart ached at her words, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. He gently patted her back, his expression conflicted. "Wendy," he began, his voice soft but firm, "I can't stay with you forever."
Wendy's grip around him tightened, and for a moment, she didn't respond. When she finally pulled back, her eyes were downcast, and her smile had faded. "Paiming," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "I know you like Miss Tung. I don't force you to accept me. Just..."
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Don't leave me alone."
Paiming's chest tightened at her plea, and he struggled to find the right words. How could he tell her the truth without breaking her heart? For now, he forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I won't leave you," he said, his voice gentle. "But you should learn to be strong and take care of yourself. Okay?"
Wendy nodded, her smile returning, though it was tinged with sadness. "I will," she promised, her voice filled with determination.
Paiming guided her back to the bed, helping her settle under the blankets. He adjusted the pillows behind her, his movements careful and deliberate. "All right," he said, his tone soothing. "It's late now. Go to sleep."
Wendy's eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, her smile bright and genuine. "You too, Paiming," she said, her voice soft but filled with warmth. "Good night!"
"Good night," Paiming replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He stood there for a moment, watching as she snuggled deeper into the blankets, her eyes closing peacefully. But his expression was far from calm. Behind his back, his fingers tightened around a crumpled piece of paper—a medical report he had been hiding from her.
The report bore the words "Disease Diagnosis Report" at the top, followed by the patient's name: Paiming Siao. His heart weighed heavily as he glanced at Wendy one last time, her innocent smile a stark contrast to the storm raging inside him.
To be Continued :-