Chapter 236: Dating
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Lily sighed for the nth time today...
She felt the winds scattering her hair as she rode with her boyfriend on his new motorbike; the city blurred behind them. Her arms wrapped around his midsection while her man was focused on driving.
He’s taking her out on a date.
She originally wanted to give him a tour of the Desolate City to prove that it’s truly unlike what its name suggests—not desolate at all, only on the edges—and while Ren was very receptive of it, she realized that he knew this city already.
He’s never been here before; it’s his first time here in person, but he knew the layout of the city in detail. Lily knew this because apparently, Ren made dinner reservations just for the two of them.
They just left from the amusement park, which Lily didn’t tell him about, but he apparently knew where it was. He also bought her the best and freshest batch of flowers earlier; he couldn’t have stumbled upon that store since it wasn’t anywhere near the way to the Heartveil family and the road one would take coming into the city.
All of this made it clear that Ren knew this city already and that Lily didn’t have to give him a tour at all, but he still accepted her invitation because he wanted to spend more time with her.
And oh, they’re official now, by the way.
They left Richard behind to plan for their wedding, apparently.
All his negativity about the mystery man that captured his baby girl’s heart and body had melted the moment he learned that it was Ren who did it.
He had all but wanted for them to get married right then and there. Honestly, it was embarrassing for Lily because her father looked a little too eager at the prospect.
Richard had pulled her to the side and whispered to her, with an urgent tone, that he’s looking forward to spoiling his grandchildren.
Children...he’s expecting more than—no, he wants more than one.
To save her from exasperation, Ren asked Richard for permission to take her out on a date, and her father eagerly gave them his blessings. Lily had practically dragged her boyfriend out of the family manor to escape the embarrassment.
Which brought them to the past couple of hours roaming the city, stopping at interesting places, having fun spending time with each other, and just riding their motorbikes.
Honestly? Lily could spend the rest of her life like this.
She felt so full, loved, and cared for—spoiled, actually.
Her boyfriend was very handsome and attentive, and he doesn’t hold back when it comes to making her happy. If something existed just to make her smile, he’d try to get it and give it to her.
Although this was, ’technically,’ only the second day since they met each other in person, Lily felt like Ren knew her forever and had her completely memorized.
She initially thought that their relationship would be slow, that they would spend time knowing each other better, that the first couple of months of their relationship would be awkward and rocky, but that wasn’t the case.
Even though it hasn’t been that long, not even a week, truly, she feels like their relationship would only turn sweeter.
She’s in awe at how he makes this all so easy.
Lily felt the motorbike slowing down. She looked around and recognized the place he wanted them to be.
He parked the bike on the side, and they got off. He placed the bike in his inventory and held out his hand toward her with a small smile on his face. She took it easily, and they walked side by side until they reached the beach.
The sky had turned orange, signaling the incoming dusk.
Both of them walked on the beach barefooted, talking about random things and taking turns telling each other stories of their youth.
Ren didn’t tell her everything; she knows this, and she doesn’t expect him to. She, on the other hand, had no qualms telling him everything because he already knew most of it.
He was, after all, the man who made it possible for her to take control of her life and her clan and gave her freedom.
They then watched the sunset near the camp they made; the atmosphere was cozy, light, and comfortable.
Lily was leaning on his shoulders with her arms around his waist while his arm was draped over hers. He was warm, as always, and made her feel safe and secured.
She sighed, again, and muttered, "I wish every day could be like this."
Lily felt the arm around her pull her closer, securing her.
"I wish it would, too."
’But it can’t be.’ That’s what’s left unsaid between them, and nobody has to mention it because they already know.
Before they’re lovers, they’re martial artists, first. And this world doesn’t tolerate inaction, laziness, and incompetence.
They can pause every now and then, but they can’t stop, because the moment they do, the world will punish them, and it wouldn’t hold back.
After a brief period of silence with them just watching the sun dip into the horizon, Ren asked her, "You didn’t receive much improvement from the physique tempering reward, have you?"
Lily shook her head to confirm it.
"I thought it would, and I managed to last for 15 minutes before it became too much for me. It wasn’t enough, apparently."
"No, I suppose it didn’t. But it did push your realm forward, saving you a couple of months, almost a year, of actual practice. You’re about almost ready for the 2nd Transformation."
"Yes, I am." She confirmed it.
She wasn’t even surprised that he could tell. In her eyes, Ren had her memorized completely.
"Call me when you’re ready. I’ll come and protect you."
"I know. I will," she answered.
Even if he didn’t tell her this, she would’ve asked anyway.
"We only have...maybe two or three months before another event happens, I think. We better use that time wisely."
Lily frowned and raised her head to look at him.
"What event?"
He gave her a side glance and a sigh.
"I’m not exactly sure what to call it yet," he told her, "but there’s a pattern in the recent events we experienced, you see."
"First, the event was localized to every city. All geniuses within the same city competed against each other to figure out who was the strongest. The finalists of that event then became the representatives of that city to fight the representatives of other cities within the same kingdom...do you see the pattern here?"
Lily blinked. Now that he laid it out like this, yeah, the pattern was there, and he’s making so much sense.
"So...the next is...Kingdom vs. Kingdom."
"If we are following the pattern, then yes, it is." Her boyfriend paused, and there was a frown on his face. "But I’ve been hearing some rumors lately, and I have a feeling that there will be an escalation soon."
"Because typically, the Martial Gods would’ve made an appearance during the awarding ceremony. They don’t have to be there in person; they could send a clone to attend on their behalf, and that would be valid. But they weren’t there."
"That means that they’re either being disrespectful to tradition or being occupied by something."
"My bet’s on the latter. Because as much as they dislike politicking, just like I do, they will attend anyway because not even they could escape that. Furthermore, last I check, there are two Martial Gods who returned. At least one of them could’ve sent a clone, but they didn’t."
"You mean to say that this peace we have right now is fragile?" Lily asked, now sounding worried and concerned, too.
"Maybe." Her boyfriend didn’t elaborate. "I’m only speculating at this point. Regardless, we can’t be lazy. Whatever comes next, I think it’ll be huge. The most we could do is to be as prepared as we can for it."
Lily nodded. She understands his concerns. Although she’s admittedly a little disconnected and largely unaware of the whole picture, she has a feeling that things aren’t as simple as they seem.
Her life’s experiences had taught her that. And now, she has a boyfriend who’s got eyes in places she can’t reach. Although it doesn’t allow him to know everything, it was more than enough to give him some advanced insight, which he could take advantage of.
"Oh!!"
Lily yelped when she was rudely ripped away from her musings after being swept off her feet.
"Ren!!" She exclaimed in surprise, then turned meek when she saw him giving her that look—that same, hungry, needy, and very possessive look that made her knees feel weak.
"We have a tent in a beach with no other souls in sight, in a place that is rather obscured and hidden from prying eyes," he whispered to her with a deep and silky voice.
"This tent’s got some noise cancellation, and it doesn’t broadcast shadows even if we leave the lights on."
He then pressed a firm and searing kiss on her lips before muttering, "I heard your father looking forward to having grandchildren? Well, I think we can start working on that. What do you say, hmm?"
Lily’s ears reddened, hiding her face on his chest, but she did nod a little to give her consent. And that was enough for Ren to do what he does best.
[A/N: 1500+ words omitted here, lol! ]