Preparation is certainly commendable, but sincerity often reveals itself in the most unprepared moments.
Jing Qichi had thought about proposing. He had even searched online for proposal images—fireworks, beaches, balloons, rings. He knew deep down there should be a ceremony, yet suddenly, out of nowhere, the words just tumbled out.
Completely unprepared, as if swept up in a moment of impulse, he made a request that would shape the rest of his life.
He absorbed every word Huan'er said, and when phrases like "decades" and "a lifetime" spilled forth, Jing Qichi lost control in an instant.
Time would prove the right or wrong of every choice.
But for a person, time is merely a few fleeting decades.
Jing Qichi had suddenly recalled a scene he witnessed one evening after work—an elderly man with silver hair stood at a bus stop, holding a shopping bag. He extended his weathered hand to his wife outside the bus. The grandmother seemed to have trouble with her legs, trembling slightly as she grasped his hand, yet she was smiling, as if to say, "You've grown old too, haven't you? Your strength isn't what it used to be."
To hold your hand, from this day forward, through joy and hardship—you are my lifelong honor and dream.
Without hesitation, he spoke those words and waited for a response.
Just then, the front door opened. The two mothers entered, chatting and laughing. Jing's Mother's voice carried from the living room, "Hah, Huan'er must have cleared the table. Did she go home already?"
"Probably," Chen Ma replied, pausing at the entryway. "I won't change shoes. Lao Liu's matter isn't urgent—it can wait another day or two."
"Li Na, what about Qi Chi—"
"Ah, I've watched Qi Chi grow up since he was little. You have to trust that the kids know what they're doing."
"Alright. If you and Chen Lei are willing to entrust Huan'er to him, I believe in it too."
"Ah, yesterday we talked about giving the kids some money to settle down over there, and her dad's face turned longer than a donkey's." Chen Ma chuckled. "Usually, he trains his daughter like a soldier, but now he finally realizes he can't bear to let her go."
"Don't worry about settling them down. I haven't touched a single cent of the compensation from Qi Chi's father. It's Lao Jing's wish—I want him to have no worries."
"Shijie, don't dwell on it."
"Right, I won't."
Huan'er heard the voices fade and exchanged a glance with Jing Qichi before calling out, "Mom, Aunt Lin, you're back?"
Suddenly, silence fell outside.
And this eerie, ghost-story-worthy quiet made Huan'er instantly realize—her quick-witted mother had definitely jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Sure enough, Qian Yisheng calmly reminded them, "You two, remember to take safety measures."
Huan'er rolled her eyes skyward. A gynecologist—her professional instincts kicked in without warning.
Just as she was about to stand up, Jing Qichi pulled her back into his arms. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he asked, "Hmm?"
He still hadn't heard an answer to his "Marry me."
Jing's Mother cleared her throat. "We'll... go out for a walk."
"No need," Huan'er replied. At the same time, she looped her arms around Jing Qichi's neck, standing by the bed as she lowered her voice to give the answer in her heart. "Yes."
Jing Qichi took a deep breath, then cupped her face and kissed her without restraint.
"Stop," Huan'er laughed, pushing him away. Knowing both mothers were just outside the door, she was half-embarrassed, half-evading, but in the end, she was no match for his strength. Barefoot, Jing Qichi stepped onto the floor and backed her against the wall, his deep kiss leaving her momentarily weak at the knees.The sound of conversation drifted in from outside again as the two mothers began discussing arrangements for Lao Liu's son's visit from Macau next month. His ex-wife had long since remarried, but the father and son maintained a good relationship, meeting twice a year during winter and summer vacations as per their routine. Though this meal hadn't settled any concrete matters, everyone knew in their hearts that things had progressed to a more intimate stage.
To let someone into your life means opening the door to everything about them.
Jing Qichi cradled Huan'er's head with one hand, his lips trailing down to kiss her neck. He'd been drinking, his breath carrying an intoxicating warmth, yet his touches remained restrained—light as a dragonfly skimming water. Unable to bear it, Huan'er raised her hand to cover his mouth, her face flushed as she whispered a single word in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's hum, "Ticklish."
Jing Qichi stopped, smiling at her.
"Conditions don't permit," Huan'er said, tilting her chin toward the door.
The mothers' murmuring voices floated in faintly.
He glanced outside first, then placed his hands on her shoulders, taking a deep breath.
An arrow nocked but withdrawn—some adjustment was necessary.
"You're not too drunk, are you?" Huan'er asked.
He shook his head firmly.
"Completely sober?"
Jing Qichi thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Will you remember every word said today when tomorrow comes?"
He nodded again.
"Let's go. See you tomorrow." Huan'er's eyes curved like crescent moons as she stood on tiptoe to kiss the tip of his nose.
Chen Ma started calling for her, forcing Jing Qichi to let go.
He didn't walk her out. His fingertips still carried her warmth as he closed his palm.
In truth, since Huan'er had said "yes," he hadn't spoken a single word.
Countless thoughts intertwined, yet ultimately converged into one—
She will become my wife.
This promise was solemn and sacred. Rather than silence, Jing Qichi was simply at a loss for words.
They'd walked a long road in love—twisting, turning—where any misstep at any juncture might have led them somewhere entirely different. Yet looking back, theirs seemed the most ordinary love story: misunderstandings, hesitations, tentative steps, heart-fluttering moments, choice after choice, embrace after embrace.
Huan'er, thank you for appearing in my life.
And I, as always, will love you without reservation.
After spending a week at home, Huan'er returned to campus.
Having discussed it with Jing Qichi, they decided to keep their news quiet for now. First, Lao Liu's son would be staying for the summer break, and Jing's Mother would naturally focus her attention there—adding another matter might distract her. Second, Huan'er's return to academic life promised to be hectic, especially with her intention to stay on campus requiring concerted effort toward that goal. The third reason came from Jing Qichi himself: "When Brother Zhou You and Sister Shanshan unexpectedly dropped the marriage registration bombshell, the entire Family Compound nearly exploded. Let's take it easy."
Now the young Zhou couple had settled in America, their duo having grown into a family of three—but that didn't stop them from serving as cautionary examples. In their parents' eyes, marriage truly was the most monumental of matters.
Two months later, Huan'er moved in with Jing Qichi.
The decision came suddenly—mentioned one evening, executed the next day with luggage in hand. She brought all her seasonal clothes, even transferring two large bottles of shower gel bought on sale into his bathroom.Jing Qichi was caught off guard, flitting around the room like a headless fly. One moment he was tossing days' worth of dirty laundry into the washing machine, the next he was trailing behind her to help pack. Then he dashed to the bedroom to change the sheets and pillowcases, only to rush back and organize the documents and power cords scattered across the dining table. He couldn't fathom—how had this girl arrived so suddenly?
It was all too abrupt. There was only one pillow in the house, but thankfully Huan'er had brought her own toiletries. Otherwise, they'd have had to make a last-minute trip downstairs just to buy a toothbrush.
A bachelor's home was bound to be a little rough around the edges.
Huan'er had told him she came early to settle in and adjust, to smooth things out and make progress. But the real reason struck her as amusing the moment she stepped inside—a few days prior, Jing Qichi had picked her up from school for a planned dinner together. Coincidentally, a labmate's girlfriend had dropped by for a visit. Unaware of their relationship, the girl had eagerly asked her friend the moment she entered the office, "Who's that super handsome guy downstairs? I've never seen him before—got his contact info? Hook me up!"
Huan'er had been away for a year, and Jing Qichi hadn't visited the campus during that time, so of course strangers wouldn't recognize him.
Her labmate, knowing full well the situation, immediately shut it down. "He's taken, head over heels for his girlfriend. Just admire from afar."
After saying this, she shot Huan'er an awkward smile. With all three of them in the same room, the bluntness made things painfully obvious.
Huan'er didn't stick around to hear more, excusing herself and leaving the office.
Of course, her mood wasn't great. The jealousy simmered, and in a fit of impulsiveness, she decided to move in.
But now, looking at the messy apartment and its bewildered owner circling her like a lost puppy, her irritation melted away—he was still the same Jing Qichi, someone worth loving, and she was lucky to be the one he loved.
"I didn't bring slippers," Huan'er sighed, rummaging through her suitcase with a pout.
She really had left in a hurry.
Without hesitation, Jing Qichi kicked off his own shoes. "Wear mine for now."
Barefoot, he went to fetch the mop from the bathroom. When he returned and saw Huan'er still hadn't changed, he frowned. "Do you dislike me?""
"Of course not." Huan'er obediently slipped them on, warmth blooming in her chest.
The floor was marble, and autumn had arrived with a biting chill in recent days. Yet Jing Qichi padded around barefoot, cleaning from the bedroom to the living room. He'd given her his slippers to keep her from catching cold, then rushed to grab the mop so she wouldn't have to walk on the dirty floor—he'd become the one who understood her needs best.
A voice message popped up on his phone, and Jing Qichi played it aloud: "I got tickets for the second. Arriving in the evening. Send me your address—I'll head straight over."
It was Qiu Yang.
Jing Qichi explained to Huan'er, "Zhao Wei from our dorm is getting married on National Day. Qiu Yang originally said he'd crash at my place."
Without waiting for her response, he replied via voice message, "Not convenient. Get a hotel."
Unexpectedly, Qiu Yang called immediately, his indignant voice crystal clear through the speaker: "What do you mean 'not convenient'? You hiding a mistress or a gold vault in there? Backing out just like that?"
Jing Qichi smirked. "Your sister-in-law's here."
"My sis—" Qiu Yang processed this and let out a loud "Damn!" "Huan'er moved in? You two trying to make a baby or something?"
Huan'er leaned toward the phone. "Yep, planning to make a clever little guy just like you."
"Unbelievable!" Qiu Yang wailed. "First you torture me with your lovey-dovey crap, now you team up to mess with me?"
Huan'er giggled before asking, "How've you been, Yangyang?""Same old, same old. Busy, following the boss around to meet clients and indulging in endless feasts. My face keeps breaking out lately," Qiu Yang said earnestly. "Why don't you look into some oil-balancing medicine when you're free? Nothing too time-consuming, just a little research. Powders or pills, anything that regulates from within. I'll be your guinea pig."
Jing Qichi cut in, "Eat less greasy food and you'll solve the problem at its root."
"Buzz off," Qiu Yang retorted, then suddenly switched to a whiny tone, "I can't be bothered booking a hotel. Even your couch would do—let me crash for one night? We can go together tomorrow."
"Come over then. I'll go back to the dorm—" Huan'er's words were cut short as Jing Qichi pinched her cheek and snatched the phone with his other hand. "Not convenient. Especially not at night." Anticipating Qiu Yang's response, he added before hanging up, "Exactly what you're thinking—literally."
"Fine! Just wait till I get a girlfriend—payback's coming!" Qiu Yang grumbled before ending the call.
Huan'er spread her hands at Jing Qichi. "There goes our friendship."
The man nodded solemnly. "Having a kid like him in the future wouldn't be too bad, actually."
"Oh, stop." Blushing, Huan'er changed the subject by pointing at the fridge. "Any groceries? I'll cook tonight."
"Uh..." Jing Qichi followed her to the fridge. Huan'er opened it and checked inside, while he scratched his brow sheepishly. "Actually... completely empty."
Aside from two apples and three beers, it was bare.
Closing the door, Huan'er suggested, "Grocery run?"
"Nah. It's not like the dorm—you'd have to transfer buses to get to campus tomorrow morning. Let's just order in. You should rest early."
Huan'er teased, "Who taught you to be so considerate?"
"Well, not exactly..."
"Come on, the store's not far. Cooking won't take long."
"Just... let's not."
"I'm not tired."
"It's not that," Jing Qichi stammered, his eyes darting to the wall clock. "Later... there's a match..."
Huan'er pursed her lips. Hah, overthinking much?
"I just don't want you exhausted, dragging that huge suitcase over and tidying up all day." Jing Qichi retreated, fumbling for the remote on the coffee table and expertly hitting the power button. Even as the sports channel's pre-game commentary blared, he kept an ingratiating smile fixed on her. "National team soccer. If you don't watch, if I don't watch, when will they ever win?"
Often, he'd make her laugh in exasperation.
Just couldn't stay mad at him—what could she do?
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