Chapter 256: Extra: Proposal, Heart Fluttering
Dongjiaomin Lane extends from the eastern road of Tiananmen Square all the way to Chongwenmen Inner Street, condensing the history and past of the Capital City, like a magnified hutong.
At this season, leaves fall from the trees lining the street, leaving behind gnarled branches that intertwine with the modern architecture, a blend of Chinese and Western styles, weaving a solemn yet warm atmosphere.
Strolling leisurely for a moment, Lian Li looked at the man beside her and raised her hand, patting him, “Stop for a moment.”
Jin Shi Yue slightly raised his brow bone and stood still.
Lian Li’s palm pressed against the top of her head, gesturing, and she frowned slightly, “Do you feel like you’ve gotten taller?”
Jin Shi Yue chuckled slowly, his arm encircling her waist, lifting her into the air, “You’re so small, you’re perfect as my girlfriend.”
He placed her back on the ground.
Lian Li looked up, “You’re just too tall.”
Jin Shi Yue leaned forward, reaching up to touch her head, and asked nonchalantly, “Where am I big?”
Lian Li’s ears immediately felt a little hot. She pursed her lips and reached out to remove his hand from her head.
“Your hands are big.”
Lian Li held Jin Shi Yue’s palm with her left hand, unfolding his long fingers one by one, then opened her right hand, covering it palm down.
“See, your hands are much bigger than mine.”
Jin Shi Yue lowered his gaze. Her hands were slender and fair, as beautiful as meticulously carved works of art.
Just as he was about to take her hand, Lian Li suddenly withdrew hers. At the same time, something hard and cold fell from Jin Shi Yue’s palm.
In the dim streetlights, Jin Shi Yue clearly saw what had appeared in his hand out of nowhere—
an exquisite ring.
“Jin Shi Yue, your girlfriend wants to get married.”
“In half a month, on my birthday, propose to me!” Lian Li tilted her face up, her eyes unblinking as she stared directly into Jin Shi Yue’s dark eyes, “This is your betrothal gift in advance.”
The moment she met him, fate had fallen into place.
Love is an instinct; it grows freely, and she could not resist it.
Thus, she began to learn to control it.
When liking completely turned into love, no amount of poverty, illness, or misfortune could make her leave him.
Jin Shi Yue was stunned. Something in his heart seemed to instantly expand, and then his breathing stopped.
Her words were like a meteor streaking across the sky, suddenly bursting into his chest, igniting countless sparks, burning his body, and even his soul, making him tremble with heat.
Jin Shi Yue’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, his eyes dark and unreadable as he looked at Lian Li.
The whole world blurred; only she was clear.
He remained silent for a long time.
Lian Li’s originally relaxed mood became tense. She urged, “Yes or no?”
Jin Shi Yue finally came back to his senses, lowered his head, rested his forehead against her shoulder, and laughed for a while, his shoulders trembling slightly, his eyes slightly reddened at the corners.
“Yes.”
February 1st, I will propose to you.
It was her birthday, yet she made his wish come true.
The wedding was already being planned.
He had originally planned to propose to her as soon as spring arrived, and then set the wedding date according to her wishes.
She made his dream come true ahead of time.
“Junior Sister is quite bold,” Jin Shi Yue said lazily, his long, raven-like eyelashes obscuring the emotions in his eyes, “She even forced a betrothal gift on me.”
Hearing this, Lian Li breathed a sigh of relief and told him, “I bought the ring with my bonus, using my own money.”
Jin Shi Yue raised an eyebrow, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t spend money on men?”
Lian Li replied, “I’ve only ever spent money on you, one man.”
The money for the ring was all earned through her own effort and strength.
Although Jin Shi Yue had given her a lot of money, enough for her to buy the most expensive ring in the world, Lian Li still wanted to use her own money to buy a pair of wedding rings with inlaid diamonds for them.
She used her past and present to gift their shared future.
Jin Shi Yue stood up straight. Lian Li reached out to take the ring, but he deftly dodged, and she missed.
“What, want to go back on your word?”
“No,” Lian Li explained, “I want to show you what’s engraved on the inside of the ring.”
Jin Shi Yue examined the inside of the ring and saw the engraved letters: LY.
LY.
It was Lian Li and Jin Shi Yue.
It was also love you.
The girl who ran away from him the moment she saw him that summer night now bestowed upon him a passionate and fearless love.
Unique and unwavering.
A warm current flowed continuously into Jin Shi Yue’s heart. He asked her in a slightly hoarse voice, “Wedding rings?”
“Mm,” Lian Li nodded, “The staff said that usually three rings are needed for a wedding: one engagement ring and two wedding rings, but you already gave me one, didn’t you?”
She raised her left hand, the ring on her middle finger shining brightly, “I have the engagement ring, so I bought a pair of wedding rings.”
Jin Shi Yue smiled, “That’s not an engagement ring.”
Lian Li didn’t understand, “Then why did you wear it on my middle finger?”
“To make those who don’t know any better stay away,” Jin Shi Yue said slowly, “Don’t approach my girlfriend.”
Falling in love with Lian Li was a simple matter.
Long-distance relationship, he had to be on guard, right?
Lian Li suddenly understood and was quiet for a while before she couldn’t help but laugh.
Jin Shi Yue cupped her face with his large hands, lowered his head to kiss her cherry lips, then put the ring in his pocket and extended his hand to her.
Lian Li still remembered the days when she used to walk through the alleys and streets of the Capital City.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter, whether it was a bright spring day or the depths of winter, she was always alone.
And now.
She took Jin Shi Yue’s outstretched hand.
Just like their first date in Shanghai, Lian Li didn’t want to walk after a while.
Jin Shi Yue bent down, and she climbed onto his broad, strong shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck, saying, “I love going on dates with you so much, I don’t have to walk.”
Jin Shi Yue carried her on his back, “You only like dating me?”
“I also like your red envelopes.”
Lian Li suddenly remembered what had just happened and immediately reminded him, “Don’t just remember to propose on my birthday and forget to send me a red envelope.”
“When have I ever forgotten?” Jin Shi Yue’s lips curved into a lazy smile.
Lian Li’s eyes curved like crescent moons, and she smiled, “That’s true.”
Not long ago, on New Year’s Day, he had sent her a New Year’s red envelope.
Jin Shi Yue slowed his pace, each step steady, as if wanting to hold onto this moment.
He continued to ask, “What else do you like about me?”
Lian Li’s lips curved into a sweet smile, “I like everything about you.”
Jin Shi Yue was slightly taken aback and stopped walking, turning his head.
Lian Li cupped his chin with her palm, tilted her head, leaned closer, and gently kissed his cheek, “I like you the most.”
Jin Shi Yue’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the smile on his lips grew wider, and even his eyes and brows revealed a smile.
He easily carried her on his back and continued walking down the street.
Unsure of where they were, familiar English songs drifted from the depths of an alley.
“Love is one big illusion, I should try to forget.”
【Love is one big illusion, I should try to forget）
“But there is something left in my head.”
【But there is something left in my head）
“You’re the one who set it up.”
【You’re the one who set it up）
…
Lian Li’s thick, long eyelashes fluttered. She tilted her head, carefully examining Jin Shi Yue.
Under the moonlight of the Capital City night, the man’s slightly messy hair naturally fell on his forehead. His sharp, three-dimensional handsome face exuded a cool, lazy aura. His eyes were deep, his nose bridge high, and his facial bone structure prominent, creating an aggressively handsome appearance.
Looking at him, her heart was filled only with softness and tranquility.
“Besides marrying me, do you have no other wishes?” Jin Shi Yue glanced at her, tilting his head.
Lian Li paused, “Birthday wishes?”
“Any wish,” Jin Shi Yue said.
She seemed to have no wishes, or rather, she never asked others to do anything for her. She would strive for what she wanted herself, without needing to rely on others. If she got it, it was her fortune; if she lost it, it was her fate. If she couldn’t get it, she wouldn’t beg.
Lian Li couldn’t figure it out, “Are you going to help me fulfill my wishes?”
“Mm,” Jin Shi Yue’s voice was somewhat cold, a subtle solemnity, “I can fulfill all your wishes.”
Lian Li buried her face in his shoulder and neck, her heart beating rapidly again because of this man.
She didn’t believe miracles would happen to her and had no wishes for herself.
For the past twenty-two birthdays, her wishes had all been for her mother. Even when releasing sky lanterns, she never thought of writing down her own desires.
Lian Li’s breathing suddenly became a little sore, and mist gathered in her eyes, forming a glistening sheen. She quickly blinked several times and deliberately said, “The beef noodles you make are terrible, can I not eat them?”
Jin Shi Yue was so amused he almost laughed. He playfully bounced her on his back.
Lian Li quickly hugged his neck tighter, “Be careful, your girlfriend is going to fall!”
“I’ll pick you up if you fall,” Jin Shi Yue said, but he held her steadily the entire time, giving her no chance to fall.
The moment love gained the upper hand, the one about to fall would never fall.
“Jin Shi Yue,” Lian Li said softly, hugging his neck, “We don’t get to see each other much each year. Are you wronged?”
Jin Shi Yue found it a bit amusing and retorted, “Do I look like I’m wronged?”
“No,” Lian Li said, “Eldest Young Master, you’re arrogant. You’re more likely to make others feel wronged.”
Jin Shi Yue looked straight ahead at the scenery. Hearing her words, the corners of his lips curved slightly upward.
Lian Li rested her head on his shoulders and pondered for a long time, then said softly, “I can’t think of any wishes to make right now.”
“No rush, take your time to think.”
Jin Shi Yue raised his eyebrows and smiled, looking at her with his dark eyes, and said slowly and earnestly, “I will always be by your side.”
Their feelings were not related to distance; it was a symbiosis, the most intimate interaction between soul and body.
Every word Lian Li spoke to him tonight, Jin Shi Yue remembered clearly.
In this vast and distant life, with eternal freedom, she rushed towards him with glory.
A lifetime of romance and a lifelong companionship were the echoes of their beating hearts.
–
End of the full text –
Author’s notes for the completed work could not be inserted and are in the related works section of the next chapter.
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