Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Nyoi-Bo Studio

  “I’m not Shen Manting, either.”


  Shen Manting was crestfallen. “I’m already used to hearing all of you call me Manting, but the real Manting is gone. Am I still Manting?”


  Shen Luo’an sighed and glanced sideways at her.

  He held the steering wheel with one hand and grasped her hand with the other.

  He said softly while keeping his eyes on the road ahead of them, “What are you talking about? No matter who you used to be or who the real Shen Manting is, I accept you for who you are now. You’re Shen Manting. I decided to visit the orphanage simply out of curiosity.”


  “Honey, will you still be my husband?” Shen Manting asked wide-eyed, staring at him with a mix of doubt and hope in her eyes.

  Shen Luo’an suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion.

  He turned to face her and stared into her dark, clear eyes.

  He felt a lump in his throat. After a while, he whispered, “We’ll always be husband and wife, so long as you’re willing.”


  The dark cloud hovering over Shen Manting seemed to have lifted after hearing his assuring words, which cheered her up instantly.

  She beamed and looked down, fingering the hem of her skirt. “Of course I’m willing. Promise me we’ll be husband and wife forever,” she said brightly.

  Shen Luo’an gazed at her affectionately, then shifted his glance away.

  He felt a dull pain in his heart. His hands were trembling.

  As he stared at the bright sky overhead, he murmured in a low and vulnerable voice, as if he was talking to himself, “Let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow.”


  “Huh?” Shen Manting didn’t hear him clearly. “What did you say, honey?”


  When Shen Luo’an looked into her clear, innocent eyes, the courage he had managed to summon suddenly dissipated.

  He felt a dryness in his throat. “Never mind,” he muttered.

  It was already afternoon when they returned to the city.

  Shen Manting was hungry by then, so he took her for a meal. It was already three or four o’clock in the afternoon when they reached home.

  Shen Luo’an had not been to the laboratory for several days since Shen Manting awoke from her coma.

  Lao Wu had been calling him over and over again.

  Shen Luo’an couldn’t keep on defying Lao Wu, so he had to leave Shen Manting at home and go to work.

  As he was about to leave, Shen Manting seemed a little distressed. She called out to him, “Honey.”


  “Hmm?” Shen Luo’an turned back. “What’s the matter?”


  “When will you be coming home?”


  “I’ll be back in the evening,” Shen Luo’an replied softly and caressed her head. “I’ll try to come home earlier.”


  “All right……” Shen Manting looked disappointed. “Can I come with you?”


  “Just stay at home. You’ll be fine.” Shen Luo’an reassured her with a sympathetic gaze. “Take this time to keep your son company and bond with him. You’re his mother, after all.”


  “All right.” Shen Manting seemed to have finally calmed down. She tugged at his clothes and saw him to the door reluctantly, “Well…… you better come home early.”


  “All right.” Shen Luo’an released her hand and turned around to leave.

  He had only walked a few paces when he heard another cry from behind. “Honey!”


  Shen Luo’an turned around to see Shen Manting blushing as she ran toward him.

  Shen Manting stood on tiptoe and kissed him lovingly on the lips. “I’ll be waiting for you to come home.”


  Shen Luo’an felt his heart tingle. He couldn’t help holding her face close to his with one hand and kissed her back on the lips.

  His tongue made its way into her mouth and mingled with hers as he brought himself closer to her, lingering in their shared intimacy and wanting more.

  His intense kiss left Shen Manting bewildered as she had never experienced such burning passion before.

  She didn’t know where to position her hands. Before long, she felt the warmth of his palms moving up her waist.