Chapter 1050: A Promise Before Those Who Rest
Chapter 1050: A Promise Before Those Who Rest
The streets of City Z slowly passed beyond the car windows as Lu Tian drove through the familiar city.
Afternoon had begun surrendering to evening, and the golden sunlight cast long shadows across the roads. Pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks, while small shops prepared to close for the day.
Inside the car, a comfortable silence lingered between the couple.
Yue Ling sat in the passenger seat, her bluish-green eyes following the scenery outside.
Every street seemed to hold a memory.
A familiar intersection.
An old café.
A narrow road she had once traveled countless times.
Some places had changed over the years, with newer buildings replacing the old ones. Others remained exactly as she remembered, almost as though time had forgotten to touch them.
She recognized a small bakery on the corner of a street.
Her lips curved faintly.
She remembered stopping there with her parents when she was little. Her mother would always buy her something sweet, while her father pretended to complain that she was being spoiled.
But he would be the first to sneak another pastry into her hands when her mother wasn’t looking.
The memory warmed her heart.
And an ache she had long learned to live with.
Lu Tian glanced at her.
He noticed the faint smile that appeared and disappeared on her face.
He didn’t interrupt her thoughts.
Instead, he quietly continued driving.
After some time, the bustling streets gradually gave way to a smaller town nestled at the foot of the mountains.
The buildings here were older, their rooftops dusted with snow. Small family-owned businesses lined the narrow streets, and the pace of life seemed slower than in the city.
Yue Ling straightened slightly when she noticed a familiar storefront.
"Tian."
"Hmm?"
"Can we stop here?"
Lu Tian followed her gaze.
A small flower shop stood between a bakery and an old bookstore.
"Of course."
He pulled into a parking space near the entrance.
Yue Ling unfastened her seat belt.
"I won’t be long."
Lu Tian turned off the engine.
"I’ll come with you."
She smiled.
Together, they stepped out into the cool mountain air.
A small bell chimed as they entered the flower shop.
The interior was warm, filled with the delicate fragrance of fresh flowers.
Buckets of roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, and lilies lined the walls.
Several arrangements sat near the front window, their colors bright against the pale winter scenery outside.
An elderly florist looked up from behind the counter.
"Welcome."
Yue Ling returned the greeting with a polite smile.
"Hello."
Her eyes moved across the flowers before settling on a display near the back.
White lilies.
Beside them were several bundles of white gladioli.
She approached the display.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Then she reached out and gently touched one of the gladioli blossoms.
Lu Tian stopped beside her.
"These?"
Yue Ling nodded.
"White gladioli for my grandparents."
Her gaze shifted toward the lilies.
"And white lilies for my parents."
Lu Tian looked at the flowers.
Both were beautiful in their simplicity.
"Would you like me to carry them?"
She smiled softly.
"After we pay."
He nodded.
The florist carefully arranged the flowers into two separate bouquets, wrapping them in simple white paper and securing each with a ribbon.
Yue Ling thanked the woman.
Lu Tian paid before she could reach for her wallet.
When she looked at him, he merely took the bouquets from the counter.
"Shall we?"
Yue Ling smiled.
"Let’s go."
Outside, the air had grown colder.
Lu Tian opened the passenger door and waited until she was seated before carefully placing the bouquets within her reach.
Then he returned to the driver’s seat.
Soon, they were leaving the small town behind.
The road began winding upward into the mountains.
Tall trees stood on either side, their branches carrying patches of snow.
Beyond the guardrails, the valley stretched into the distance beneath the fading afternoon sunlight.
Yue Ling grew quieter as they climbed. Her hands rested over the bouquets.
Occasionally, her fingers brushed against the delicate petals.
Lu Tian noticed.
He reached across the center console and gently covered her hand with his.
Yue Ling turned toward him.
He gave her a reassuring smile.
She returned it.
Neither spoke.
They didn’t need to.
After several minutes of driving, a secluded burial ground came into view.
The cemetery rested along the mountainside, surrounded by tall evergreens and carefully maintained stone pathways.
Its entrance was simple and dignified.
Beyond it, rows of headstones rose along the terraced slopes, each overlooking the quiet valley below.
Lu Tian drove into the parking area and brought the car to a stop.
He turned off the engine.
For a moment, neither moved.
Yue Ling stared at the bouquets resting in her lap.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the white wrapping paper.
She had imagined this visit many times.
Yet now that she was finally here, a strange heaviness settled in her chest.
Lu Tian turned toward her.
"Are you alright?"
His voice was gentle.
Yue Ling lowered her eyes.
Then slowly nodded.
"Yeah."
She took a breath before lifting her head.
"Are you ready?"
Lu Tian smiled.
He reached for her hand and held it warmly between his hands.
"It would be my honor to meet them."
Yue Ling looked at him.
A smile appeared on her lips, carrying both happiness and sadness.
She knew he meant every word.
"Then let’s go."
Lu Tian stepped out first.
He walked around the car and opened her door.
Yue Ling accepted his hand as she climbed out, taking the bouquet of white lilies while Lu Tian carried the gladioli.
The mountain air was crisp and still.
Only the faint rustling of branches disturbed the silence.
Ahead of them, a long set of stone stairs led toward the upper levels of the cemetery.
Yue Ling looked up then began walking.
Lu Tian remained beside her.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone.
They passed several headstones along the way.
Some were decorated with fresh flowers.
Others held photographs, incense holders, or small offerings left behind by visiting family members.
Yue Ling walked slowly, her eyes occasionally drifting toward the familiar surroundings.
She remembered coming here years ago.
Sometimes with flowers.
Sometimes with nothing but the words she wished she could say.
There had been days when she stood before the graves and spoke for hours.
Others when she couldn’t bring herself to speak at all.
And on other days, when the grief became too overwhelming to bear, she could do nothing but kneel before their graves and cry until she had no tears left to shed.
As they climbed higher, the surrounding trees gradually opened to reveal a wide view of the mountains.
The sunlight stretched across the valley, bathing the distant slopes in gold.
Finally, Yue Ling slowed.
Lu Tian followed her gaze.
Near the back of the upper terrace stood two headstones side by side.
Their polished surfaces were clean, their surroundings carefully maintained.
One belonged to Yue Ling’s paternal grandparents.
The other belonged to her parents.
Yue Ling stopped.
For several seconds, she didn’t move.
Her eyes settled on the familiar photographs embedded in the stone.
Faces she knew better than her own.
Faces she could no longer see except through memories and photographs.
Her grandparents.
Her father.
Her mother.
A faint tremor passed through her lips.
’I’m here.’
She slowly approached the graves.
Lu Tian followed quietly, giving her the space she needed.
Yue Ling accepted the white gladioli from him.
She knelt near her grandparents’ headstone and carefully placed the bouquet before it.
Her fingers lingered against the wrapping paper.
Then she moved toward her parents’ headstone.
The white lilies rested gently against the polished stone.
She adjusted the bouquet until it sat neatly.
Only then did she take a small step back.
Her eyes moved from one photograph to another.
The familiar faces smiled back at her.
Yue Ling inhaled deeply.
Then slowly lowered herself onto her knees.
She placed her palms against the cold ground.
Bending forward, she rested her forehead against the backs of her hands.
She bowed deeply.
Once.
Then again.
When she straightened, she remained kneeling.
Her eyes were already moist.
"Harabeoji... Halmeoni..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Eomma. Appa."
She paused.
The words she had prepared during the drive suddenly seemed inadequate.
A long silence passed.
Then she lowered her head.
"I’m sorry for being an unfilial child."
The confession came quietly.
Yet the weight behind it was unmistakable.
"I should have visited you more."
Her fingers curled against her knees.
"I know it’s been a long time."
She tried to smile.
"I kept telling myself I would come when I had fewer things to worry about. But somehow, there was always something that needed my attention."
Her eyes glistened.
"Things that never seemed to end."
She looked toward her parents’ photograph.
"I suppose that’s a poor excuse, isn’t it?"
A small, sorrowful laugh escaped her.
"I can almost hear eomma scolding me."
The memory came so clearly that she could almost imagine her mother’s voice.
Gentle.
Warm.
Pretending to be stern whenever Yue Ling neglected herself.
Then she remembered her father’s laughter.
The way he would always defend her, even when she was clearly in the wrong.
And her grandparents.
The familiar warmth of their home.
The way her grandmother would fuss over her clothes whenever the weather turned cold.
The way her grandfather would quietly slip treats into her hands.
For a moment, those memories felt close enough to touch.
Yue Ling blinked. A tear gathered at the corner of her eye. She forced it back.
"I’m doing well."
Her voice grew steadier.
"I want you to know that."
She looked between the two headstones.
"I’ve been working hard. I’ve been taking care of myself, and I’ve been trying to live every day in a way that would make you proud."
She smiled faintly.
"I don’t know if I’ve become the woman you imagined I would be."
Her gaze softened.
"But I hope I haven’t disappointed you."
A cool breeze passed through the terrace.
The ribbons around the bouquets fluttered gently.
Yue Ling continued speaking.
She told them about Imperial.
About the businesses she managed.
About how much Ji Jingxu had grown, how Grandfather Ji was doing, and his health.
She spoke of the responsibilities that had accumulated over the years, occasionally laughing at herself when she described how little time she had left to rest.
She told them about Inu.
About the trouble he caused.
About the people who surrounded her.
Little things.
Ordinary things.
The kind of stories she would have shared over dinner if they were still alive.
Lu Tian stood quietly beside her. He listened without interrupting.
He had seen many sides of Yue Ling.
The fearless leader.
The capable businesswoman.
The woman who could face danger without allowing the slightest fear to show.
But here, before the resting place of her family, she was simply a granddaughter.
A daughter.
Someone who missed the people she loved.
And he wished, more than anything, that he could give her even one more moment with them.
After a while, Yue Ling grew quiet.
She looked toward Lu Tian.
A gentle smile touched her lips.
"There’s someone I want you to meet."
Lu Tian’s expression softened.
Yue Ling turned back toward the headstones.
"Harabeoji, halmeoni, eomma, appa..."
She reached for Lu Tian’s hand.
He immediately took it.
"This is Lu Tian."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"He’s my..."
She paused and smiled.
"The man I’ve chosen to spend the rest of my life with."
Her fingers tightened around his.
"We’re getting married soon."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I wish you could be there."
She paused, swallowing the ache in her throat. Her gaze lingered on her parents’ photograph.
"I wish you could see how happy I am."
The words came out softer than she had intended.
Lu Tian gently squeezed her hand.
Yue Ling looked down.
Then smiled through her tears.
"I wanted to bring him here before the wedding."
She looked toward her family again.
"I wanted you to know the man who has become my world."
Lu Tian slowly lowered himself beside her.
Yue Ling turned toward him.
He gave her a small smile before placing both palms against the ground.
Then, with solemn respect, he bowed deeply.
Just as she had.
Once.
Then a second time.
When he straightened, he remained on his knees beside her.
For a moment, he studied the photographs.
Then he spoke.
His voice was deep and respectful.
"My name is Lu Tian."
Yue Ling’s eyes widened slightly at the way he addressed them.
Lu Tian continued.
"I regret that I never had the opportunity to meet you while you were alive."
He lowered his gaze briefly.
"But I am grateful to you."
Yue Ling looked at him.
"Thank you for raising and loving the woman who has become the most important person in my life."
His expression remained solemn.
"I know that no words of mine can replace the years you should have had with her."
He paused.
"But I want you to know that she will never have to face the rest of her life alone."
Yue Ling felt her throat tighten.
Lu Tian reached for her hand again.
"I promise to take care of her."
His fingers gently enclosed hers.
"To stand beside her in happiness and hardship. To protect her when she needs protection, and to respect her strength when she chooses to stand on her own."
His voice deepened.
"I will love her, cherish her, and treat her with the kindness and respect she deserves."
Yue Ling lowered her head.
Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
Lu Tian looked toward the photographs.
"I cannot promise that life will never bring her sorrow."
He spoke slowly, each word deliberate.
"But I can promise that she will never have to carry that sorrow by herself."
He tightened his hold on her hand.
"As long as I live, I will do everything within my power to keep her safe and happy."
Then he bowed his head.
"You have my word."
The mountainside remained silent.
Only the wind moved through the trees.
Yue Ling stared at her husband.
She had known he loved her.
He showed her every day.
In his patience.
In his quiet gestures.
In the way he always seemed to know when she needed someone beside her.
But hearing him make those promises before her family touched a place in her heart she hadn’t realized was still aching.
She leaned toward him.
"Tian..."
Lu Tian turned.
She smiled through her tears.
"Thank you."
He reached up and gently wiped a tear from her cheek.
"You don’t have to thank me."
His voice softened.
"They’re my family too."
Yue Ling’s lips trembled.
Then she leaned against his shoulder.
Lu Tian wrapped an arm around her.
For a while, they remained kneeling together.
No words.
No hurry.
Just two people sitting before those who had once filled Yue Ling’s world with love.
The sun had begun its slow descent when Yue Ling finally lifted her head.
She looked toward the headstones one last time.
"I wish I could stay longer with you but..."
Her voice was quieter now.
"...I have to go."
She paused.
"There’s someone else waiting for me."
Lu Tian glanced at her.
He understood.
Yue Ling lowered her eyes.
"I’ll come again."
A faint smile appeared.
"And next time, I’ll tell you more."
She gently touched the edge of her parents’ headstone.
"Please don’t worry about me."
Her eyes moved over the familiar photographs.
"I’m happy."
This time, the words came without hesitation.
She looked at Lu Tian.
"Truly happy."
He smiled at her.
Yue Ling turned back toward her family.
"So please... rest peacefully."
She bowed once more.
Lu Tian followed her gesture, lowering his head respectfully.
"Thank you for allowing me to visit," he said quietly.
"I’ll take good care of her."
He paused.
"We’ll come again."
The couple slowly rose.
Lu Tian brushed a little dust from Yue Ling’s coat before taking her hand.
She gave the graves one final look then turned away.
Together, they began descending the stone steps.
The mountain air had grown cooler.
Shadows stretched across the pathway as the last rays of afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees.
Yue Ling walked beside Lu Tian, her hand resting comfortably in his.
After a while, she spoke.
"You know..."
Lu Tian turned slightly.
"Hmm?"
"My grandparents would have loved you."
A nostalgic smile touched her lips.
"My halmeoni would probably have insisted on feeding you until you couldn’t move."
Lu Tian chuckled.
"That sounds familiar."
Yue Ling laughed.
"And my harabeoji would’ve asked you so many questions."
"About what?"
"Everything."
She smiled.
"Your work. Your family. Your plans for the future."
Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.
"An interrogation?"
"A very thorough one."
He chuckled.
"I would’ve welcomed it."
Yue Ling looked toward the path ahead.
"My appa would’ve been harder to impress."
"Oh?"
She nodded.
"He was very protective."
Lu Tian smiled faintly.
"I can understand that."
"He would’ve pretended not to like you at first."
"Pretended?"
Yue Ling laughed.
"Definitely."
She glanced at him.
"But my eomma would’ve seen right through him."
Her smile slowly softened.
"She would’ve loved you too."
For a moment, her gaze grew distant.
"I wish you could’ve met them."
Lu Tian slowed his steps.
He turned toward her.
"So do I."
Yue Ling looked up.
He smiled gently.
"I would’ve been happy to meet the people who raised you."
His thumb brushed across the back of her hand.
"To sit with them. Listen to their stories. Learn what you were like when you were little."
Yue Ling laughed softly.
"You might hear some embarrassing things."
"I’d enjoy every single one."
"Tian."
He chuckled then his expression softened.
"But even though I never had the chance to meet them, that doesn’t mean I can’t love them."
Yue Ling stopped walking.
Lu Tian turned fully toward her.
"They’re your family."
He gently lifted her hand.
"And because they’re your family, they’re mine too."
Her eyes immediately grew moist.
He continued.
"I don’t need to have known them personally to be grateful for them."
His gaze held hers.
"Without them, there would be no you."
Yue Ling stared at him.
A warmth spread through her chest, easing the lingering sadness of their visit.
Lu Tian smiled.
"So I’ll honor them with you."
He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Whenever you want to come here, I’ll come with you."
Her lips trembled.
"Even if it’s often?"
"Even if it’s every week."
Yue Ling laughed through her tears.
"That’s a lot of traveling."
"I have a jet."
She burst into laughter.
Lu Tian smiled, pleased to see her expression brighten.
She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He immediately embraced her.
"Thank you," she whispered against his chest.
Lu Tian kissed the top of her head.
"For what?"
"For loving every part of me."
He held her a little tighter.
"That’s what a husband is supposed to do."
Yue Ling closed her eyes.
For a moment, she allowed herself to simply remain in his arms.
The grief was still there.
It always would be.
But it no longer felt quite as lonely.
After a while, she lifted her head.
"We should go."
Lu Tian nodded.
"Alright."
He took her hand again.
Together, they continued down the remaining steps.
By the time they reached the parking area, the sky had begun changing colors.
Pale blue faded into soft shades of orange and pink.
Beyond the mountains, the sun was slowly approaching the horizon.
Lu Tian opened the passenger door.
Yue Ling paused before climbing inside.
She turned toward the cemetery one last time.
The upper terraces were partially hidden behind the trees.
From where she stood, she could no longer see the two headstones.
But she knew exactly where they were.
Her lips curved into a faint smile.
’I’ll come again.’
Then she settled into the car.
Lu Tian closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.
The engine started with a low hum.
As they drove down the winding mountain road, Yue Ling watched the fading sunlight through the window.
Her thoughts were quieter now.
She had said what she needed to say.
She had introduced Lu Tian to the people who had loved her first.
And although they could no longer answer her, she felt strangely comforted.
As though a burden she had carried for years had finally become a little lighter.
Lu Tian glanced toward her.
"Where to next?"
Yue Ling remained silent for a moment.
Her eyes followed the sun as it slowly disappeared behind the mountains.
Then she turned toward him.
"We still have one last stop to make."
Lu Tian looked at her.
He didn’t ask where.
He already knew.
There was one more person waiting for her in City Z.
Someone whose memory had remained in her heart for years.
Someone she had once imagined spending her entire life beside.
Lee Shin.
Lu Tian reached for Yue Ling’s hand.
She accepted it.
He gently squeezed her fingers before returning his attention to the road.
"Then let’s go see him."
Yue Ling looked at her husband.
Her eyes softened.
"Okay."
The car continued down the mountainside, carrying them toward the final resting place of a man whose love had once been her entire world.
Neither of them knew that the truth surrounding his death was already beginning to unravel far away in Imperial.
Nor did they know that the face of the man they were about to visit had been deliberately recreated by someone still living.
For now, there was only the quiet road ahead.
The fading sunlight.
And a woman preparing to stand before the grave of the man she had once promised to marry—with the man she had now chosen to spend the rest of her life with.