Chapter 148: To win a steadfast heart, and never part till hair turns white.

"Yes! Indeed, it is drawn with such realism and likeness, even more lifelike than a bronze mirror. But we must wash that cat face of yours clean first!"

Although Li Rui found the drawing technique wonderfully novel and vivid, he felt that discussing this was not the priority; helping her wash the ink off her face came first.

Sometimes, one truly had to admire Zhang Xiaolan. She remained so optimistic about everything, living such a carefree and joyful life. Occasionally, she would tease him, and seeing her hearty laughter made him happy as well.

"How on earth is my face like a cat's?" Zhang Xiaolan pouted in protest. Not being one for eloquent words, Li Rui simply smiled at her spoiled coquetting.

Zhang Xiaolan relished Li Rui's meticulous and tender care. As she watched him take the handkerchief to wipe her face, she was reminded of her childhood when her parents used to dote on her just like this.

Catching sight of Li Rui's back as he walked over to rinse the handkerchief, she quietly tiptoed behind him, gently wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her cheek against his warm, broad spine, and whispered softly, "To be cared for and pampered by such a considerate man like Brother Li, I feel so blessed!"

These were Zhang Xiaolan's true feelings. Ever since she time-traveled to this era and met him as if by some destined fate, it felt like her greatest stroke of luck.

"Heh! With Lanlan by my side, I feel equally blessed and fortunate." Hearing Zhang Xiaolan's words, Li Rui turned around and pulled her into his embrace, speaking straight from the depths of his soul.

"We will always be this happy together, won't we?"

Zhang Xiaolan felt as though everything she had experienced was like a dream. She wondered if this romance was merely an illusion, for it felt so surreal, so extraordinary, and so trans-dimensional.

"Yes!" Hearing such words caused a sudden, inexplicable tightening in Li Rui's chest. He held Zhang Xiaolan even tighter, as if fearing she might vanish from his arms if he were the least bit careless.

"Here, Brother Li is both my family and my lover."

Zhang Xiaolan said this with deep emotion, feeling that she was growing increasingly dependent on Li Rui. He was like family, yet even more than family—perhaps this was the power of love!

"Mm! I am Lanlan's family and her lover."

A smile graced Li Rui's face. Hearing Zhang Xiaolan regard him as both family and lover made him immensely happy, bringing a profound sense of peace and reassurance to his heart.

"Brother Li, there is a single sentence that describes my mood right now. Do... do you want to hear it?"

As she spoke, a rare shyness flushed over Zhang Xiaolan, revealing that tender, delicate womanly side of hers that was seldom seen.

"What sentence?" Li Rui gently released her, looked straight into her eyes, and asked with utmost seriousness. He was genuinely eager to hear what she wanted to tell him.

"To find one single-hearted person, and never part until our hair turns white."

After pausing for a few seconds to gather her thoughts under Li Rui's expectant gaze, Zhang Xiaolan spoke the words slowly and clearly.

This was a line quoted from Zhuo Wenjun's poem *White Hair Lament*, representing the most sublime yearning in a woman's heart, especially in an era like this where marriages were strictly dictated by the orders of parents.

"Lanlan, the two of us shall undoubtedly live out our days just like this. *Never part until our hair turns white*—this vow, we shall forever engrave in our hearts."

Such a sincere confession deeply moved Li Rui. Without hesitation, he pulled Zhang Xiaolan back into a tight embrace, as if wishing to melt her into his very heart and soul.

Right now, a surge of fierce impulse rose within Li Rui. He would exhaust every possible means to protect her. He cherished this destined bond beyond measure—not for anyone else's sake, but solely because of Zhang Xiaolan.

"Don't just talk about it; you must put it into action, you know!"

Though she was being held so tightly by Li Rui that she was almost out of breath, Zhang Xiaolan felt utterly blissful and couldn't resist playfully 'admonishing' him with a smile.