"Do you see that courtyard? When we grow old, we'll retire here. The front yard has a garden, and the backyard has a herb field. I've even had a swing installed in the garden. In the future, you'll sit on the swing, and I'll push you from behind."
Lance pointed to the courtyard, sharing his vision of their retirement life with Deanna.
Deanna was captivated by the picture he painted and teased him with a smile, "Will you still be able to push me then? You'll be an old man."
"Of course, I can. I exercise every day; I'll definitely be able to."
Lance pulled her into his arms and answered with a smile.
After some playful banter, the staff brought breakfast.
After eating, they disembarked from the boat and headed to the island.
As soon as they stepped off, Deanna felt the air around them become much fresher.
The sea breeze blew, causing the bamboo on both sides of the path to sway, and the green leaves rustled.
Deanna looked around and sighed, "This place is perfect for retirement."
Hearing this, Lance turned his head and looked at her with an incredibly gentle gaze.
They strolled leisurely and eventually reached the courtyard.
At the entrance, the butler, having received word of their arrival, came out with the servants to greet them.
"Mr. Mercer, Missus."
"This is Sam's brother and a professional butler. He joined us with Sam. I usually call him Gael."
Lance introduced the butler.
Deanna nodded politely and greeted him, "Gael."
"Yes, Missus. Please come inside and see if there's anything you'd like to change. Mr. Mercer had this place renovated recently. Most things were arranged according to your preferences, but I'm worried there might be something missing."
Gael warmly welcomed Deanna into the courtyard.
Deanna nodded and followed him through the gate, feeling a bit dazed.
For a moment, she felt as if she had traveled back to the Republic of China era.
The buildings in the courtyard were intricately carved and lifelike, very beautiful.
"This is so beautiful. When did you start preparing this?"
Deanna couldn't help but turn to Lance with a smile.
Lance gave her a gentle smile and said, "From the moment you agreed to be with me, I've been thinking about our future together every moment."
Hearing these heartfelt words, Deanna's heart fluttered again.
She looked at Lance with emotion, her lips moved as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
She suddenly realized that this man loved her more than she loved him and had done more for her.
Often, before she even thought of something or needed something, this man had already prepared it for her.
Thinking of this, Deanna felt a sudden surge of emotion.
She rushed forward and hugged Lance tightly, her voice hoarse as she murmured, "Why are you so good to me?"
Lance was momentarily stunned, not expecting such a reaction from Deanna.
"Because I only want to be good to you."
Coming back to his senses, Lance embraced Deanna and spoke the sweetest words.
Seeing this, Gael and the other servants tactfully dispersed, leaving space for the couple.
After a while, Deanna calmed down from her emotional state. Remembering her earlier boldness, she blushed and stepped out of Lance's arms. "Let's go see the herb field!"
She said this without looking at Lance, perhaps out of shyness, and chose a direction to walk in.
Lance noticed her shyness and reminded her with a smile, "You're going the wrong way; that's the garden."
"Uh... then let's go to the garden."
Deanna quickened her pace, her face growing hotter by the minute.
Inside her mind, she was screaming: Oh no, how embarrassing-
Lance watched Deanna walk away quickly, his eyes full of helplessness and affection. He then followed her.
In the garden, perhaps due to the island's climate, flowers were blooming in abundance and in perfect harmony.
In the center of the garden stood a large maple tree with a swing wrapped in green vines hanging from it.
Clearly, this was the swing Lance had mentioned earlier.
Deanna took one look at the scene before her and immediately fell in love with it. It was so poetic and picturesque.
At that moment, Lance walked up beside her and softly said, "Go ahead and sit on it."
Deanna nodded and walked over to the swing.
Once she was seated comfortably on the swing, Lance came up behind her and smiled. "Hold on tight; I'm going to start pushing."
As Lance's words fell, the swing began to move gently.
Deanna held onto the ropes tightly and watched the changing scenery at different heights, feeling that she could never get enough of it.
"Push me higher," she couldn't help but shout to Lance.
Lance naturally obliged her request and applied more force.
In no time, Deanna's clear, bell-like laughter echoed throughout the garden.
"It's so high... The view from up here is beautiful."
"Do you like it?" Lance asked from below.
Deanna nodded vigorously and shouted back, "I love it!"