Although Su Zhan had promised to bring Coulson back, no one had expected him to do it so quickly. He had simply said he was stepping out, and by the time he returned, Coulson was already with him. Coulson looked a little worse for wear, but his injuries were minor and would heal with some simple treatment. The real damage was psychological, but in any case, Coulson was home and safe. Everyone was relieved.
Coulson also learned that Michael was still alive, and he immediately set about investigating Michael's whereabouts. Unfortunately, there was no news.
As the team settled down from the tension, Skye quietly approached Su Zhan. Her voice was gentle. "Are you going back to the base?"
Su Zhan nodded. "There's nothing else I need to do here. I'll head back and focus on building the base as soon as possible. But before I go, there's something I want to do."
Skye tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What is it?"
He smiled. "I have dinner plans—with a beautiful woman. I just checked, and there's a restaurant nearby with great reviews. I don't know if the beauty will agree, but I'd like to invite her to a candlelight dinner. Will you come with me?"
Skye's face lit up, her laughter bright and unrestrained. "I think she'll definitely say yes. And if… there's something more after the candlelight dinner, I think she'll be willing for that too!"
Su Zhan grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist and lowering his voice. "Is that a hint?"
Skye shook her head, tracing a circle on his chest with her finger. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "No, dear, that's not a hint. That's a promise."
He laughed softly. "Well, if there's no 'other activity' after dinner, then I'd be missing the point, wouldn't I?" Whether it was her touch or the anticipation, Su Zhan felt a tickle of excitement. He realized that, although Skye was his girlfriend—and the one he'd been with the longest and most deeply—he'd always tried to restrain himself, not wanting to rush things. But now, it seemed, some things were better embraced than delayed.
What's that saying? If you have a flower, fold it while you can.
As they left together, Skye looked around in surprise. "Wait, this isn't a restaurant… is it?"
They had stopped in front of a high-end clothing boutique, its windows filled with elegant dresses and stylish evening wear.
Su Zhan smiled. "Of course not. Can't you see the sign? It's a clothing store."
Skye laughed. "I know it's a clothing store, but why are we here?"
He took her hand, leading her inside. "We're here to buy you a dress. You always look beautiful, but for a candlelight dinner, you should wear something truly special. Besides… there are after-dinner activities to consider."
Skye's eyes widened as she realized his meaning. She squeezed his hand, both anxious and happy. "So, to make tonight unforgettable, are we going to pick out the perfect dress?"
"Exactly," Su Zhan replied, his smile softening. "Let's make this a memory you'll never forget."
Inside, the boutique was filled with elegant dresses. The staff greeted them warmly, offering professional suggestions without even a hint of condescension about their casual attire.
Skye picked up a red evening gown, holding it up for Su Zhan's opinion. "What do you think of this one?"
He studied her thoughtfully. "It's beautiful, but I don't think red suits your temperament. Black or purple would be even better."
Skye's face glowed with happiness at his answer. He wasn't just flattering her—he truly understood her. For a woman, finding a man who really sees her is a rare kind of joy.
Su Zhan found a black, form-fitting evening dress with delicate accents. "How about this one?"
Skye's eyes sparkled as she took it. "I love it. I'll go try it on."
She disappeared into the fitting room. Su Zhan waited, anticipation building. After nearly five minutes, he heard her voice, soft and a little nervous. "Dear… Could you come in and help me?"
He smiled and stepped inside. The fitting room was small, and Skye stood with her back to him, her bare skin exposed, struggling with the zipper.
"Let me help," Su Zhan said gently. As he pulled the zipper up, Skye drew in a sharp breath.
"Is it too tight?" he asked, concerned.
"No… not really," she replied, turning to face him. In that moment, Su Zhan understood. The dress hugged her curves perfectly—especially her upper body.
He couldn't help but laugh softly. "I think the designer never imagined someone with a figure like yours would wear this dress. If you're uncomfortable, you can change."
Skye shook her head, her cheeks pink. "It's not uncomfortable. It's beautiful, and I love it. Don't you?"
"I love it," Su Zhan replied, his gaze warm and sincere.
"Then this is the one," Skye declared.
"Good choice. I think there's a matching shawl outside. It'll be perfect for the evening—and you can take it off later, when it's just us," Su Zhan teased.
Skye laughed, her happiness infectious. They purchased the dress and shawl, and Skye wore them out of the store, her arm linked with Su Zhan's.
As they walked to the restaurant, Skye was radiant. Heads turned as they passed, but she only had eyes for Su Zhan. Her happiness was obvious, and Su Zhan's heart swelled with pride and affection.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Skye looked around in surprise. "Why is it so empty?"
Su Zhan grinned. "I reserved the whole place for us. Every woman should have a fantasy like this, right? As your boyfriend, it's my duty to give you a perfect date."
Skye's eyes shimmered with emotion. She hugged his arm tightly, her voice soft. "Thank you. This really is perfect."
Candlelight flickered across their faces as they sat together, sharing laughter, memories, and dreams for the future. For one night, there was no world-saving, no missions, no secrets—just the two of them, lost in each other.
And as the evening deepened, Su Zhan knew that, whatever challenges tomorrow might bring, tonight belonged to them alone—a perfect date, a perfect memory, and the promise of many more to come.