Summary: Among ancient streets frozen in time, curiosity replaces competition and wonder quiets everything else. As history unfolds beneath open skies and long drives blur into reflection, the weight of the past meets the certainty of the future, proving that some foundations are built not from stone, but from quiet vows kept without ever being spoken aloud.
Notes:
⚠️ Author's Note: And our girl will never change whom she is.
Disclaimer: The Muse would like to remind everyone we do not own FIYS nor the beloved characters nor any dialogue from either the show nor the book...the Muse is very sad and not pleased with this continued reminder that they do not own them and never will!
Chapter Seventy-One
Two days later, the Roman countryside stretched wide and sun-drenched beyond the windshield as they drove toward Pompeii, the road winding gently through olive groves and distant hills that shimmered beneath the late-morning light, and Yao had her legs tucked slightly beneath her in the passenger seat, sunglasses sliding down her nose as she peered at the passing scenery with quiet fascination.
Sicheng drove with one hand resting loosely on the wheel, the other occasionally adjusting the navigation, calm and composed as always, though there was a subtle shift in him that morning, an almost mischievous patience, as he glanced toward her. "You wanted to learn," he said evenly.
She looked at him over the edge of her sunglasses. "I always want to learn."
He hummed faintly in acknowledgment. "Repeat after me," he instructed calmly.
She straightened slightly in her seat, mock-serious. "Professore," she replied.
He ignored that. "Amore."
She tested it once under her breath. "Amore."
The pronunciation was nearly perfect.
He glanced at her. "Again."
She turned toward him fully this time, voice softer, more deliberate. "Amore."
His jaw flexed almost imperceptibly. "Good," he said.
"What does it mean," she asked lightly, though she clearly already knew.
"My love."
She smiled faintly at that. "Next," she demanded.
He exhaled quietly and continued. "Tesoro."
She repeated it immediately. "Tesoro."
"Sweetheart," he translated.
She leaned her head back against the seat, eyes glinting.
"Marito," he added next.
She blinked once. "Marito," she echoed smoothly.
"Husband."
Her lips curved slowly. "Mio Marito," she tried experimentally.
He swallowed. "My husband," he confirmed.
She tilted her head slightly, testing the sound of it again, softer now. "Mio Marito."
The way it rolled from her lips, natural, unforced, warm, hit him harder than he anticipated. He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel.
She noticed. "Darling," she said next, switching languages with ease, "what is darling?"
He hesitated half a second before answering. "Caro."
She repeated it. "Caro." Then she turned toward him fully, her voice dropping slightly as she tested it in context. "Mio Caro." His jaw tightened. She watched him carefully, noticing the subtle shift in his breathing, the way his shoulders squared just a fraction. "You are reacting," she observed innocently.
YOU ARE READING
New Beginning and Future
FanfictionSummary: Tong Yao meets everyone in a different way. Trying to escape Jian Yang, Jinyang shoves her behind Ming Shen and Sicheng with the others in the elevator as they had all boarded to hide from Jian Yang.
