New Beginning and Future

Chapter 77: Lantern Light and Guarded Hearts

Summary: As reunion chaos gives way to silk, ceremony, and celebration, old bonds deepen and new vows take center stage beneath lantern-lit skies. Between teasing threats, quiet admiration, and the unmistakable weight of watchful devotion, one thing becomes clear, whether at the base or at a wedding altar, she is never unprotected, and he has never needed permission to make that known.

Notes:

⚠️ Author's Note: Wedding and oh wedding.

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-Five

By the time they finally made their way to the base the following afternoon after a full night of sleep at the condo, the familiar building rose into view with its usual hum of energy, and before Sicheng had even finished parking the Maserati, Yao had already unbuckled her seatbelt with singular focus shining in her eyes, because there were priorities, and the team was not at the top of that list.

The moment the doors opened and they stepped inside, familiar voices echoed from the lounge area, chairs scraping, someone laughing far too loudly, but Yao did not slow, did not greet, did not even glance in their direction as she marched straight past them with determined purpose.

"Hey—" Rui began.

She waved vaguely without stopping. "Later." And then she disappeared down the hall toward the rooms where her fur babies had been temporarily relocated for easier care during their absence. A split second later, two indignant but excited feline cries rang out, followed by the unmistakable sound of Yao's voice softening into complete adoration. "Da Bing, Xiao Cong, mama is back," she cooed shamelessly. "Did you miss me or did you betray me and love Rui more."

Sicheng stepped fully into the lounge area at that point, calm and composed as always, setting down the travel bag near the couch while the others stared down the hallway in open amusement.

"She did not even look at us," Pang muttered.

"You are not fluffy," Ming replied dryly from where he was leaning against the table.

Sicheng inclined his head once toward them. "We arrived late last night."

"And did not come here," Yue pointed out immediately.

"I did not want chaos," Sicheng answered evenly.

"That sounds like you," Lao Mao snorted.

Before further commentary could begin, Yao reemerged from the hallway with Da Bing tucked securely in one arm and Xiao Cong draped over her shoulder like a spoiled scarf, both felines looking utterly pleased with themselves.

Yue blinked once.

Then twice.

"Wait," he said slowly. "What happened to you?"

Yao paused mid-step, narrowing her eyes faintly. "What do you mean what happened to me?"

Lao K leaned back in his chair, studying her with a thoughtful tilt of his head. "You got tanned."

Yue leaned forward dramatically. "Not just tanned."

"Sun-kissed," Lao K corrected smoothly.

Yue gestured at her as if presenting evidence in court. "Look at her."

Yao rolled her eyes. "It is called sunlight."

"No," Yue continued, ignoring her. "She looks like a Roman goddess."