He paused, his handsome face wearing a cool expression, though it mostly conveyed indulgence and doting affection for her.

Julia Bluen sometimes wondered if Glades Horne would help her fetch a ladder if she wanted to tear the sky open. In every action she took, he was supportive and silently tolerant.

Every night when she bathed, he would fuss over her like a mother hen, getting her clothes ready and filling the bath. After she finished and emerged with wet hair, he'd bring the hairdryer to dry it for her. Her hair wasn't much longer than his, and a quick towel rub would mostly dry it. Still, he worried she might catch a cold from any residual dampness and wouldn't rest until he had thoroughly dried it. Otherwise, he felt as if he wasn't taking good enough care of her.

As his wife, she had never done any of these things for him.

Her feelings for him deepened. Especially after learning that she was truly the one he loved, she began to invest her entire heart.

There should be equality between husband and wife. She didn't want to always be the one being cared for; she wanted to care for him too.

Julia Bluen walked to the wardrobe, opened it, and rummaged inside. She picked out a black long-sleeved shirt for Glades Horne, along with a black casual jacket. Although she loved seeing him in white, she knew he actually preferred black, so she also chose black trousers for him. After selecting his outfit, she turned to him and said, "It's only about eight. It's still early, and the nightlife is just beginning. Let's go shopping later."

Glades Horne's eyes and brows curved faintly as he nodded.

Julia Bluen then found an outfit for herself. Her clothes looked quite ordinary, not designed to attract attention, though their quality was exceptionally good.

Having gathered the clothes for them both to change into, Julia Bluen headed towards the main bathroom. Glades Horne's room featured a bathroom within a bathroom. The décor of this main bathroom was luxurious and tasteful. A TV was embedded in the wall opposite the bathtub, and a wine rack stood nearby, allowing one to watch TV while soaking or leisurely enjoy a glass of wine. The smaller, inner bathroom was situated further inside. Its door was camouflaged to match the wall color; when closed, it blended so seamlessly that one might mistake it for just another wall, unaware of the bathroom hidden behind it. This smaller bathroom was comparatively narrower and more simply designed, with a natural feel and few lavish ornaments.

The weather had suddenly changed. The pitch-black sky no longer showed the pure, bright moon, and the stars seemed to have fled to some other celestial realm. Nothing but darkness filled the sky.

The light rain continued to fall. Because it wasn't heavy, it didn't dampen people's enthusiasm for venturing out at night.

The wind blew gently, not strongly, but it carried a chill unique to winter, making one shiver upon stepping outside.

However, for those with cars, the cold wind was at least somewhat avoidable.

The couple descended the stairs and noticed Mila Anderson and others were still playing cards. They didn't disturb them, simply took an umbrella and made their way outside. The old lady was no longer in the hall; she had probably gone to her room to rest. She usually went to bed early, typically before nine o'clock—older folks, after all, need more rest.

Upon exiting the Main House, two of Glades Horne's Bodyguards appeared.

It was as if Glades Horne had installed sensors on them, alerting them the moment he stepped out.

"Young Master, Young Madam," the Bodyguards greeted respectfully.

Glades Horne glanced at them and commanded in a deep voice, "Julia and I are going for a walk. You don't need to follow us."

The two Bodyguards exchanged glances and halted.

Glades Horne wasn't worried about encountering any trouble while they were out; besides, he knew the invisible Bodyguards protecting Julia Bluen were always present.

A black Mercedes carried the couple away from the Horne family's villa.

While Glades Horne and his wife were in the mood to stroll the streets under an umbrella in the light rain and cold wind, Marcel Horne, far away in Tibet and battered by the intense cold, could only sit in his single dormitory, frantically longing for Ruby Bluen.

The nights in Tibet seemed darker and more oppressive than those in T City.

The wind in T City merely carried a hint of coolness, while the wind in Tibet was fierce and piercing, its cold sharp enough to cut to the bone.

Marcel Horne was still in his military uniform, still wearing the thick military coat that Ruby Bluen had worn for a while. The night had just begun, and he couldn't fall asleep yet.