RMM – Chapter 86 I’ve Always Been Here

In the end, Duan Wei still left. She left the very next day.

After hanging up Duan Wei’s call, Su Ruo sat in a daze for a while before letting out a long sigh.

Who would’ve thought that someone as flamboyant and arrogant as Duan Wei would be left so bruised and battered by love that she would choose to flee in such a panic?

Then… what about herself?

To be honest, ever since her rebirth, it was as if fate had been particularly kind to her. Everything was going too smoothly—so much so that it started to feel unreal.

She knew she had long since fallen for Xi Yuechen. But how did such a domineering, emotionally oblivious, and wooden man worm his way into her heart?

Who could say? Su Ruo felt like everything had been preordained: an inexplicable rebirth, inexplicable changes… and inexplicably falling in love. Nothing made logical sense, yet everything had already happened.

Duan Wei had said she didn’t want anyone to see her off. She didn’t want others to witness her at her most wretched. She would wait until her glorious return—by then, she said, she would be an indomitable queen, and everyone could welcome her back at the airport.

Imagining Duan Wei waiting all alone at the airport, boarding the plane by herself, with no one to see her off… a quiet ache rose in Su Ruo’s heart. She hurt for Duan Wei’s stubbornness, and for her own confusion.

Life was full of uncertainties. Who knew what tomorrow might bring? Would Xi Yuechen… leave her too?

Panic surged in her heart. She had to see him—had to hear his voice. Only then could she suppress the overwhelming unease flooding her. She was afraid. Truly afraid.

Everything had come so suddenly. She was terrified that one day, she would wake up and find herself back at square one, with nothing left. She feared it had all just been a fleeting dream.

Without hesitation, Su Ruo called Xi Yuechen. Usually, his phone was turned off around this time. But miraculously, today it was on.

Xi Yuechen had just returned from the mess hall and was about to take a quick nap. In the few days since arriving here, he hadn’t cooked at home at all. On one hand, everything was still settling in—he had to understand his team members thoroughly and draft detailed training plans. It was exhausting. Besides sleeping and eating, his days were packed.

On the other hand, he simply had no motivation to cook. Back home, he’d do it for that little woman. But alone? He could just get by however.

Just as he lay down, the phone on his desk rang.

He got up, walked over, and glanced at the caller ID. His brows lifted in surprise.

“Hello?”

“Sir,” Su Ruo called on the other end, then fell silent.

“What’s wrong?” Something was off—her voice sounded strained.

“Duan Wei left. This morning. She didn’t tell anyone in advance. We only found out yesterday. And even then, she didn’t say where she was going. She must be really heartbroken.”

Her sudden explanation left Xi Yuechen a bit confused. He remembered Duan Wei—granddaughter of the Duan family—but what did her departure have to do with him?

Still, he knew Su Ruo wouldn’t randomly tell him something that had nothing to do with him. So he said nothing and waited for her to continue.

“The person Duan Wei liked married someone else. It shattered her, so she ran off to heal.”

Su Ruo’s voice grew quieter as she spoke, her emotional state visibly plummeting. “Life is strange. People come and go. Until the very end, you never really know what belongs to you. New things come into your life, but just the same, some things slip away quietly. No one knows what precious thing we might lose tomorrow… or how deeply we’ll be hurt.”

Now Xi Yuechen understood why she was suddenly so down. She was shaken by Duan Wei’s heartbreak.

He could clearly feel her uncertainty.

“You won’t lose anything,” Xi Yuechen said, his voice soft with comfort. A trace of tenderness crept into it. What exactly was this little woman so afraid of?

“I’ve always been here.” His words sounded like reassurance—but also like a promise. Laden with weight, they traveled straight to Su Ruo’s heart, instantly quelling her storm of anxiety. Her heart found an anchor, and the fog lifted.

“Mm. You better remember that,” she replied with a smile, her lips curving up naturally and her eyes forming crescents. “No taking it back later and complaining I’m clinging to you.”

She didn’t know what fate had in store for her after rebirth, but before she reached the final stop, she would grasp firmly everything she wished to hold onto.

Xi Yuechen responded with a soft “mm,” a smile tugging at his lips. There weren’t many things he truly wanted in this life, but there were a few he would never let go of—no one could take them from him.

The call ended on a warm note, finally blowing away the haze that had clouded Su Ruo’s heart.

Duan Wei, too, would definitely find the happiness she truly deserved. All the pain—just a prelude to a deeper, steadier joy. It was only a matter of time.

Wishing you well, Duan Wei. We’ll be waiting for your return.

Su Ruo made a decision—but didn’t tell Xi Yuechen.

She was going to D Province to see him.

After the call, the yearning in her heart surged uncontrollably. The impulse followed right after.

If he knew, Xi Yuechen would definitely try to stop her. So she’d go first, quietly. Whether it turned out to be a pleasant surprise or a shock… well, that wasn’t her problem.

This kind of impulse had never existed in Su Ruo’s otherwise cautious and orderly life. But now, the thrill and freshness of it all sprouted wildly in her heart, constantly tempting her.

So what if he scolded her once she got there? So what if he had told her not to come before? A wife visiting her husband stationed at the border—wasn’t that perfectly natural?

Having made up her mind, Su Ruo couldn’t sit still. She got up and went downstairs to find Shen Liang.

Shen Liang hadn’t had much to do lately. She stayed at home tending to flowers, cooking, occasionally shopping or visiting a salon with friends. Life was comfortable. Even the sadness from her son’s departure had eased.

“Mom, watering flowers again?” Su Ruo walked over and took the watering can from Shen Liang, carefully watering the plants herself. She teased, “You’re really living like a hermit now.”

Su Ruo had always enjoyed gardening. Though the plants she’d raised before weren’t as fancy as these, she had some experience. A couple tries and she’d get the hang of it. She looked like a natural doing it.

Oh, right—she hadn’t been to Jingyue Mingdu for days now. The flowers she left there must be withering by now without care. What a pity.

Shen Liang gave up the watering can and sat on a recliner nearby, smiling as she watched Su Ruo’s practiced movements.

She gently massaged her sore back. Ah… in the blink of an eye, she was old. Even something this simple made her back ache. Aging really crept up fast.

Seeing the regret on Su Ruo’s face, she asked, “What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”

“I’ve got some flowers at Jingyue Mingdu. Haven’t checked on them in days… not sure how they’re doing.” Su Ruo sighed with a smile.

Shen Liang chuckled. “That’s it? I thought it was something serious. I’ll buy you new ones when the time comes. Or you can take a few pots from here—there are plenty.”

“Mom, you dare say that? These are Dad’s precious babies. He’d definitely raise hell if you moved them.”

She was joking, but it was true. Everyone knew that Minister Xi’s favorite pastimes were chess and gardening. Over the years, he had collected many rare and precious flowers. If Shen Liang dared gift them—even to his son’s home—he’d be furious.

Clearly realizing this, Shen Liang huffed. “Fine, I’ll just buy you better ones. Make him jealous.”

Su Ruo burst into laughter. Her mother-in-law sounded just like a child—but the underlying bond between her and her husband was enviable. A lifetime of companionship, unwavering and loyal—that was the rarest kind of love.

But then, Su Ruo remembered why she had come downstairs.

She fell into brief thought, choosing her words carefully.

“Mom, I want to tell you something.” She set down the watering can and looked at Shen Liang.

“Hm? What is it?” Shen Liang was still admiring the flowers, answering absentmindedly.

“Uh… I was thinking… could I go to D Province for a few days?” Su Ruo asked hesitantly.

“Sure, you’re free anyway—wait… D Province?” Shen Liang suddenly turned toward her, like she’d just processed the key detail.

“Yeah… I figured since I’m free, and Sir just got there, I should go check in on him.” Su Ruo smiled sheepishly. Is this too clingy…?

“Really? That’s great news! Of course you can!” To Shen Liang, this was wonderful. More time together was good for their relationship—and good for certain other matters. She was 100% in favor. If D Province weren’t so far and harsh, she would’ve sent Su Ruo to live there with him full-time.

“Really? But… what about Dad?” Su Ruo asked cautiously. If her father-in-law said no, it’d be hard to proceed.

“Your dad? Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him. What’s there to refuse? It’s not like you’re moving there permanently. As for the military compound, you’ll need to explain a little.”

Shen Liang thought it over—her husband probably wouldn’t object. And if he did, she’d find a way. She had to support this rare burst of initiative in Su Ruo.

“That? No problem. I’ll ask Dad about Sir’s unit in advance.” Su Ruo didn’t see it as a big issue. Her dad was the tricky one, but she figured she could persuade him too.

“That’s good, that’s good. Yuechen just got there—it’ll be great if you visit. I’ll feel more at ease too.” Shen Liang sighed. When will my son finally settle down? Watching him drift like this breaks my heart…

While Su Ruo was happily preparing her trip to D Province… Xi Yuechen suddenly received a new order.

What would this unexpected change bring?