Lin Ze pulled himself from his thoughts, looked at Yuhi Shinku and Yuhi Aoi, and sat up straight with a solemn expression.
"Uncle Shinku, Aunt Aoi."
Yuhi Shinku and Yuhi Aoi exchanged a glance, then set down their teacups and looked seriously at Lin Ze.
Lin Ze said earnestly:
"I hope you'll let Kurenai marry me."
"I'll spend my life loving and protecting her, and never let her suffer the slightest hurt."
"No matter what happens in the future, I'll stay by her side, take her to see the sights she wants to see, and walk the paths she wants to walk."
Lin Ze's voice was calm, yet more earnest than ever before.
Kurenai Yuhi raised her head, tears already shimmering in her eyes.
Yuhi Shinku watched Lin Ze in silence for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. He turned toward Yuhi Aoi beside him, and she smiled and nodded too.
Yuhi Shinku looked back at Lin Ze and said earnestly:
"Lin Ze, we're entrusting Kurenai to you from now on."
"Ever since she was little, you've been her favorite person. Every time you went on a mission, she worried herself sick and ran to the village entrance every day to wait for you."
"Now that you're finally going to be together, her mother and I can rest easy."
Yuhi Aoi also spoke gently:
"Lin Ze, Kurenai can be willful sometimes, and stubborn too. Please be patient with her."
"But if she really does something wrong, you don't have to spoil her too much..."
"Mom!"
Kurenai Yuhi interrupted, her face flushed, but her eyes grew even redder.
Lin Ze took Kurenai Yuhi's hand and nodded solemnly:
"I will."
Kurenai Yuhi finally lost control, and tears spilled from her eyes.
She turned and threw herself into Lin Ze's arms, clutching his