Chapter 1602

Ivy stared at them with wide eyes, feeling stunned. As she tasted the cake, it somehow lost its sweetness. The evening banquet featured over a dozen lounges, and Chandler purposefully took a longer path to reach the most secluded one. He opened the door and stepped inside. As he turned to close the door, he was shocked to see Helen standing before him. The familiarity of Kaylee's features hit him like a sudden wave. At that moment, there were no barriers between them. But unlike the dramatic reunions he had imagined, there were no frantic words or tight embraces. The impulsiveness of youth had given way to maturity. They simply gazed at each other, tears brimming in their eyes. Years of longing condensed into a silent connection, their emotions expressed through a shared glance. The moment felt like it stretched into eternity. Finally, Helen broke the stillness. She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist, holding him gently. This time, she took the initiative. Chandler pulled her in tightly, afraid that if he loosened his grip, she might disappear. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you. I love you so much." "I know," Helen replied, her tears spilling over as she nodded. "I'm back now, and I won't leave again. We'll never be apart for the rest of our lives." Indeed, what he had longed for had finally come home. They clung to each other, channeling years of unspoken desire, determined not to part for even an instant. "…I finally don't have to worry about you leaving me anymore," Chandler said with a playful grin, as if he had found his youthful self again. However, Helen could sense the unspoken hurt in his words. She gently pulled away from his embrace, cradling his face in her hands. Rising onto her tiptoes, she pressed a tender kiss to his lips. Chandler basked in the joy of their reunion. It was only when she pulled away that realization struck him, his eyes shining with surprise. "Is that enough?" Helen teased, a playful smile lighting up her face. "Not quite," Chandler replied, pretending to hesitate. "Okay, how about this?" she said, leaning in for a brief kiss. "Still not enough." "Then what about this?" she teased, brushing her lips against the corner of his. Chandler's gaze intensified as he cradled the back of her head, pulling her in for a deep, passionate kiss. Helen matched his fervor, allowing him to express his emotions through the kiss. Even when she was nearly breathless, Chandler held on, unwilling to pull away. Suddenly, the sounds of firecrackers and confetti cannons burst outside. Reluctantly, Chandler broke the kiss, turning to find the source of the commotion. "Did you plan this?" Helen asked, her voice laced with exasperation. Chandler lowered his gaze, deep in thought. With a helpless sigh, he replied, "It must be your best friend." "My best friend?" Helen echoed, clearly taken aback. "You'll see once you step outside," Chandler said. Although she felt slightly disoriented, Helen realized how much time they had spent together and decided to go out first. As she made her way out, the lively sounds of vuvuzelas, trumpets, and various traditional Grand Cathay instruments enveloped her, filling the air with an exhilarating energy.