"Manager Song, have you seen Miao?" Kan asked as they returned to the hotel where they were staying.
"Uh... she said she was going for a walk by the beach," Manager Song replied.
Kan glanced out the window. It was already night, and worry immediately crept into his heart. What if something happens to her?
"I'll go find her," he said before quickly rushing outside.
"W-Wait!" Manager Song called after him, but Kan had already disappeared.
Kan searched the area, scanning every corner of the beach. After several minutes, he finally spotted a familiar figure sitting alone by the shore. He let out a relieved sigh and slowly walked toward her.
.
.
Miao wiped away her tears.
The memories came flooding back once again.
She remembered the pain she had felt when she and Vlad broke up.
She had believed that burying herself in work would help her forget him, but the ache in her heart refused to disappear.
Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.
"H-Huhuhu... why won't you stop crying?" she whispered to herself between sobs.
She suddenly froze when someone silently held out a handkerchief.
"K-Kan?"
He sat beside her without saying a word.
"I've been looking for you," he said softly.
"S-Sorry for making you worry," she accepted the handkerchief and wiped her tears.
Kan looked at her with concern. "You're crying? I thought you had already moved on."
Instead of answering, Miao broke down even harder.
"Waaah... it still hurts... huhuhu..."
Kan sighed before gently pulling her into his arms.
"You're ugly when you cry."
The teasing words only made her cry even harder as she buried her face against his chest.
He gently stroked her back.
"Sshh... there are so many men who would treasure someone like you. Don't waste your tears on the man who chose to hurt you."
Little by little, Miao calmed herself and wiped away her tears again.
Kan carefully brushed the strands of hair away from her face.
"This is the first time I've ever seen you cry," he said quietly. "I'm not used to seeing you like this. The Miao I know is always strong."
He smiled gently.
"So... please smile."
He looked into her eyes.
"Because seeing you cry... really breaks my heart."
Miao stared at him in shock. "B-Breaks your... heart?"
Kan smiled before turning his gaze toward the endless sea.
"You know... I've never really cared about any girl before. I never took any of my ex-girlfriends seriously," he chuckled softly. "The truth is... I was still waiting for the woman who would truly be the one for me. I didn't know how I'd recognize her when she finally appeared," he paused for a moment. "Then Xing Ran came into my life. My attention shifted to her, and I completely forgot about finding the right person."
Miao remained silent, listening carefully.
Kan smiled to himself. "But then... one day... A certain woman came into my life and completely turned it upside down. At first, I ignored her... and I ignored the strange feelings she made me feel. But as time passed... I found myself missing her whenever she wasn't around. And whenever she was with me... I couldn't stop teasing her."
Miao's heart began pounding.
"I-Is she a model too?" she asked quietly.
Kan laughed and gently shook his head. "No."
His smile only grew warmer.
"I wanted to confess to her, but I never knew how," he glanced at her. "Then today... I saw her crying. And in that moment... I realized I wanted to protect her. I don't ever want to see her hurting again. I just want her to smile."
Miao's heartbeat became louder in her ears. "K-Kan..."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Miao... Can I be the one to protect you?"
She froze.
Kan let out a small, helpless smile. "I've tried to ignore these feelings because they confuse me. I wanted them to disappear... But no matter how hard I tried... I couldn't."
Miao bit her lower lip. "M-Maybe you're just drunk... You don't know what you're saying."
Kan immediately shook his head.
"I'm not drunk," he took a deep breath. "Miao... I like you. Believe me or not... I really like you. I know your heart is still hurting because of your past. But... Why don't we try to start over together? I want to make you happy. I want to give you all the love he failed to give you. I'll protect you."
Tears filled Miao's eyes once again.
"K-Kan..."
Kan smiled nervously. "This may sound crazy... but... Can I kiss you?"
Without waiting for another word, he slowly leaned closer and gently pressed his lips against hers.
Miao slowly closed her eyes.
Am I... falling in love with Kan too?
Is it finally time for me to move on?
To leave Vlad in the past... and begin a new chapter?
Her trembling hands slowly reached around Kan's back as she returned his kiss.
A gentle smile appeared on Kan's lips as he rested his forehead against hers.
"I'll stay by your side forever, my love so sweet," he whispered.