The Home You Waited For

CHAPTER 10 - Promises in the Rain

CLASS was over, and the campus slowly emptied as students streamed toward the gate. Chenxi stood by the entrance, his backpack slung loosely over one shoulder, eyes quietly fixed on the building across the courtyard. A few moments later, Jia emerged from the library, a familiar sight with a book pressed against her chest. She had that unhurried grace he’d grown used to—always lingering among shelves of classic novels and timeless literature, as if she belonged more to those stories than to the noise of the real world.

As Jia stepped outside, it suddenly started raining heavily, so he immediately opened the umbrella he was carrying and quickly went to meet her before she got completely soaked by the rain.

“Come here,” he called to Jia as he raised the umbrella slightly to cover them both. The woman hesitated a bit.

"I'm okay." She spoke. “My jacket has a hood.”

Chenxi shook his head and gently pulled her arm to bring her closer to him. “Nope, you might get sick. Just stay by my side.”

Because he was taller, Jia's head was resting slightly on his shoulder as they walked along the narrow sidewalk. They didn't realize that their hands were almost touching under the umbrella. Now and then, Chenxi would accidentally grab Jia's hand until he finally clasped their hands together.

Jia looked at him, clearly surprised. “Chenxi...”

"Don't let go," he replied seriously, looking ahead at the road. “You might slip.”

Jia didn't answer, but she didn't let go of his hand either. They walked in silence, without saying a word, but they could feel the electricity that was flowing through their entire being from the touching of their palms in an inexplicable way.

Park near the lake – early evening

Chenxi suggested they stop for a while at a small park near the lake. They pass it every afternoon on their way home because it's close to their school. The drizzle is light now, and the lake water sparkles under the pale sky.

“Let's stay here for a moment,” Chenxi said while guiding her to a gazebo. He helped her sit on a wooden bench facing the lake before he sat down next to her. They looked at the water in silence, feeling the silence of the surroundings as if they were alone.

Jia was the first to break the silence. “It's really beautiful here. It's so peaceful.” She turned to Chenxi and saw him watching her. His gaze was soft yet intense. "What?" She asked him with a smile.

“Yes, you’re beautiful. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

Jia avoided eye contact, bit her lip, and was clearly trying to suppress a smile. "What have you been eating lately that you're such a sweet talker?"

“I'm not used to saying this to anyone,” Chenxi replied, slowly bringing her in front of him and looking at her in the eyes intently.

“But to you, I feel like I want to tell you everything I feel.”

Jia became even quieter and felt like her chest was going to burst from the strength of her heartbeat.

“JIA,” Chenxi’s voice was low and wary. “Do you… like me?”

Jia stared at him. Her cheeks were flushed, but she didn't look away. “Why do you ask?”

Chenxi gave a small, sheepish chuckle. “Because I think I like you. No—” He ran a hand through his hair, nervous now. “I do like you. And sometimes, when you look at me the way you do, I wonder if you feel the same.”

“I do,” she said, barely a whisper. “I do like you, Chenxi.”

Chenxi felt like his chest would burst with the joy he felt at Jia's confession that she liked him too. He didn't move for a second. He made sure it wasn't just a dream. Then a slow, boyish smile spread across his face – rare and completely unguarded.

Chenxi slowly leaned in, rested his forehead against hers and put his arm around her in a quiet, trembling closeness — a touch they felt more than saw. Their breaths mingled, warm and shallow, and for a moment, the world around them faded, time pausing between heartbeats.

“This is the happiest day of my life.” His voice was soft and warm.

“Me too.” Jia whispered back.

“Then promise me,” he whispered, his voice barely holding together, “that no matter what happens, even if we get angry or have misunderstandings, there will be no break-up or leaving.”

Jia paused – just for a heartbeat – then gently reached for his hand, her fingers slipping between his with quiet resolve. “I won't. Not unless you're the first one to let go.”

A faint, aching smile touched Chenxi’s lips. He gave her hand a soft, lingering squeeze, as if memorizing the feel of her — grounding himself in the certainty of her presence. The warmth of her touch melted the last traces of doubt in his chest, dissolving every shadow of jealousy he hadn’t said aloud.

For a long moment, they simply sat there in silence, their fingers still intertwined. The surroundings were quiet, but between them, the rhythm of their hearts beat in unison – steady and sure. Chenxi felt the warmth of Jia's hand in his palm — and in that fragile, beautiful stillness, it felt like the entire world had narrowed down to that single point of contact.

As if the rest of his life could begin there.

“CAN I?” Chenxi murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Huh?” Jia looked up at him, surprised, her eyes meeting his.

Chenxi reached out, his fingertips gently brushing against her cheek — soft, almost reverent. His brows lifted slightly, and though his touch was featherlight, the emotion behind it was impossible to miss.

His gaze held hers, warm and unguarded, with the kind of quiet longing that made her heart stumble.

“Can I?” he asked again, this time more softly, as if he were asking not just for permission… but for a piece of her heart.

Jia didn’t answer right away.

She didn’t need to.

Instead, she leaned ever so slightly into his touch — her cheek pressing into his palm, her eyes fluttering closed for half a second before meeting his gaze again.

That was all it took.

Chenxi moved closer, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips, the trembling pause between them stretching like the space between seconds. He was still waiting — even now, even here — giving her time, giving her the chance to say no.

But she didn’t.

And so, he kissed her.

Gently. Slowly. Like a promise unfolding.

It wasn’t rushed or perfect — just real. A soft press of lips filled with quiet emotion, the kind that made Jia's chest tighten and her fingers curl gently into the fabric of his sleeve.

When they pulled away, their foreheads remained touching, breaths mingling in the small space between them.

Jia smiled, eyes still closed.

“You didn’t have to ask,” she whispered.

Chenxi chuckled softly, thumb brushing her cheek. “I wanted to.”

CHENXI and Jia stayed in each other’s arms for several minutes, lost in the sweetness and warmth of their first kiss. The steady rhythm of their hearts seemed to echo in the quiet around them, blending with the stillness of the moment. They couldn’t stop smiling — even as their lips parted, the feeling lingered between them like sunlight after rain.

When their hearts finally began to settle, their eyes met — full of affection, wonder, and unspoken promises. Then, as if on cue, they both laughed softly, realizing neither of them wanted to let go just yet.

“Are we going home now, or should I take you to our place?” Chenxi asked Jia playfully, kissing the top of her head at the same time. He nuzzled her hair. “Hmm?”

Jia laughed and released her embrace with him, and they stood up together. “You're being so fickle, Lu Chenxi. Come on, let's go home,” she said and extended a hand.

Chenxi smiled as he accepted Jia's hand. They walked hand-in-hand out of the park. They walked slowly, as if they didn't want that night to end. Jia could feel the warmth of Chenxi's palm, which was holding her tightly as if someone would take her away at any moment. It seemed to want to convey that he would never let go of her.

“JIA," Chenxi called softly to her as they walked along the side of the road. “Earlier... I thought it was all just a dream when you said you liked me too. And our first kiss.”

“It's not a dream, Chenxi.” She said with a smile.

“I’m just so happy,” he said, his voice light but trembling with sincerity. “I feel like I want to scream and scream—” he laughed, glancing at her with boyish glee, “—I want to shout to the whole world that we’re together.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Jia shook her head in disbelief. “Don't you dare. Someone might see you and think you're losing your mind.”

He burst out laughing, causing them to stop in front of a streetlight because Jia had also caught his laughter. He turned to her and carefully adjusted her jacket.

“Can I hold your hands when we're at school?” It was a serious question, but with a hint of endearment.

Jia raised an eyebrow but nodded. “That's fine, as long as we don't get caught by our teachers, especially Principal Wen.” She said jokingly and they both laughed again.

AS they neared Jia’s house, Chenxi gradually slowed his pace, as if reluctant to part from her. Every step felt heavier than the last, though neither of them said a word. He knew—oh, he was certain—that the moment they said goodbye, he would miss this, miss her, immediately.

When they stopped in front of the gate, Chenxi didn’t want to let go of Jia’s hand. He gently caressed the back of her hand using his thumb and carefully studied her beautiful face.

“Good night, Chenxi.” Jia whispered and gently squeezed his hand.

“Good night,” he replied, the smile never leaving his lips. Before Jia could fully enter, he first hugged her and kissed her forehead deeply. “Dream of me, my Jia.”

She just smiled. “Be careful on your way home. Text me when you get home.”

He nodded. “You're my home now.” He couldn't help but laugh when she rolled her eyes at what he said. “Go inside your house now. Your parents might be looking for you.”

Jia waved to him one last time before stepping through the gate. Chenxi lingered for a moment, watching her disappear inside, committing the image of her smile to memory. Only then did he turn and walk home, carrying with him the warmth and joy of their first night as an official couple. Small drops of drizzle brushed against his shoulders, but he didn’t mind—they seemed to fall in time with the rhythm of his heartbeat, like a private song only he could hear.

THAT night, as Jia lay in her bed, her phone buzzed.

Chenxi: I'm home. Will eat dinner later. Have you had dinner yet?

Jia: Yes, I just finished. Glad you arrived home safe.

Chenxi: Good night, my Jia. And thank you for liking me back.

Jia: Sleep well, Chenxi. And don’t forget — you started this. 😉

Chenxi: I know… and I’m so glad I did.

Jia: …Me too.Chenxi: Then let’s never end it.

THEY smiled, each carrying the quiet certainty that after tonight, the world — and the way they saw each other — would never be the same.