Chapter 11: The Eleventh Dimension 1/2

When Song Fuzhi heard the words “wedding ring,” he was momentarily stunned.

In Song Fuzhi’s view, a wedding ring was one of the essential things for marriage, like a main quest that must be completed in a game. He just didn’t expect Shi Zhang to attach so much importance to the wedding ring.

He was only asking about Shi Zhang’s intentions, and he truly didn’t expect the other party to immediately consider customizing a wedding ring, even planning to make an appointment later.

Professor Shi’s decisiveness was too strong—no wonder he could publish so many papers at such a young age.

Worried that this proactive giant might go and pressure the designer, Song Fuzhi reminded him, “It’s a weekend evening now; the designers should be off work.”

Shi Zhang paused. “Yes, let’s talk about it on Monday.”

They had almost finished their desserts. Song Fuzhi thought for a moment and asked, “Professor Shi, do you want to reconsider… about marrying me for real?”

“Have you considered it?” Shi Zhang asked in return.

Song Fuzhi nodded, affirming straightforwardly, “Professor Shi is outstanding and excellent in every aspect.”

He couldn’t understand why Shi Zhang agreed so quickly. Shi Zhang seemed like someone who would carefully consider things and not make impulsive decisions.

“But my work at the school is busy, and I may not have much time at home,” Song Fuzhi said. “And I don’t earn much; compared to Professor Shi, it may not be impressive.”

“Professor Song has a house and a car, and the conditions are good,” Shi Zhang said. “Moreover, after marriage, our money will be together, enough for us to live a good life.”

“As for the intensity of work, I may be busier than Professor Song,” Shi Zhang said with a slightly embarrassed smile. “Having our own careers is good; we don’t need to stick together every day.”

This aligned completely with Song Fuzhi’s thoughts.

Independence and individual pursuits were the best.

Shi Zhang gently put down the silver fork, his eyelashes drooping and his tone sounding composed, “I agreed to marry you not on a whim. I’ve considered it for a long time before today.”

Song Fuzhi nodded, putting his mind at ease.

It was easy to understand. Song Fuzhi had been contemplating the suitability of their marriage since their first blind date. A meticulous and steady person like Professor Shi had probably been thinking about it since then.

Moreover, people of their age group pursued marriage through blind dates, so considering it from the beginning was not surprising.

After finishing their meal, the guests at the nearby table also stood up.

Several businessmen dressed in suits shook hands, saying, “Pleasure doing business.”

For a moment, Song Fuzhi also wanted to extend his hand to Shi Zhang and say, “Pleasure doing business.”

Marriage was a kind of collaboration, like a company that required joint management.

Song Fuzhi felt like he had found a good partner.

Both of them had been drinking, so they each arranged for a designated driver. They stood together on the roadside, a distance between them.

The evening breeze cleared their minds. Song Fuzhi remembered what Shi Zhang said and spoke: “Professor Shi, when you mentioned making a reservation for the wedding ring design during dinner, were you planning to find a designer specifically?”

In fact, Shi Zhang had spoken without control earlier. When Song Fuzhi talked about marriage and his first thought was to order a beautiful wedding ring and propose to him, Shi Zhang realized that Song Fuzhi probably didn’t need a proposal.

They hadn’t known each other for long, lacked emotional foundation, and a proposal would seem out of place.

What Song Fuzhi wanted was a marriage that was “suitable,” not based on “liking,” and Shi Zhang understood that.

Shi Zhang sought Song Fuzhi’s opinion: “What does Professor Song think?”

Song Fuzhi pondered for a moment and objectively stated, “Customizing a ring usually takes one or two months, and the design fee and cost are not cheap. I don’t have any special requirements for the wedding ring, so I can accept a ready-made one. But if Mr. Shi prefers a customized one, I’m willing to do it together with you.”

This clear and logical statement completely calmed Shi Zhang. He smiled faintly. “Let’s buy a ready-made ring, and later, we can go shopping when we have time.”

Song Fuzhi’s designated driver arrived. He got into the car, lowered the window, and looked up at Shi Zhang.

“Goodbye, Professor Shi.”

Coincidentally, a car honked loudly as it passed by, covering Song Fuzhi’s voice, and Shi Zhang didn’t hear his farewell clearly.

Shi Zhang approached a bit, bending down slightly. “What did Professor Song say?”

Song Fuzhi hesitated for a moment.

From this upward-looking angle, he could see Shi Zhang’s straight nose bridge, sharp jawline, and dark, dense eyelashes gently falling.

Song Fuzhi usually preferred to keep his distance from people, but now he unconsciously leaned towards the car window, almost reaching Shi Zhang’s ear.

“I said, goodnight, Professor Shi,” Song Fuzhi said.

Shi Zhang’s breath momentarily sank. He straightened up without showing any emotions, increased the distance, and his gaze became indifferent.

“Uh, get home safely,” Shi Zhang said.

As Song Fuzhi raised the car window to leave, Shi Zhang suddenly added, “Professor Song, your perfume smells good.”

Song Fuzhi smiled and nodded gently. “Thank you.”

Although they had confirmed a lifelong commitment that evening, they hardly contacted each other in the following days.

Once back at school, Song Fuzhi was busy with the unruly teenagers in their adolescence. There were numerous trivial matters every day, making Song Fuzhi exhausted.

On Thursday, without his evening self-study class, Song Fuzhi finally had time to catch his breath. He leisurely had dinner in the cafeteria and suddenly remembered the agreement to get married.

It was Song Fuzhi’s first time dealing with marriage. It seemed simple at first glance, but he hadn’t explored what preparations and procedures were required.

He took out his phone, searched for “marriage process,” and absentmindedly looked at it while eating.

The part about “pre-marital property notarization” caught his attention. Song Fuzhi had initially scrolled past it but came back to it and read it carefully.

In simple terms, it was a certificate issued by a notary office stating the assets and debts each person had before marriage. This prevented unnecessary disputes after marriage or divorce and provided legal protection for the marriage.

Song Fuzhi paused on this section for a few minutes, then opened WeChat and sent a message to Shi Zhang: “Professor Shi, when are you free to go look at the rings?”

Shi Zhang replied instantly: “Anytime during the weekend, whenever is convenient for you.”

In a good mood today, Song Fuzhi teased him a bit more: “You replied so quickly. I thought Professor Shi might have forgotten about this.”

 This time, several minutes passed before Shi Zhang responded.

Song Fuzhi was still wondering whether the professor didn’t like jokes when Shi Zhang sent a message, “Is Professor Song available to take a call now?”

Song Fuzhi raised an eyebrow and replied, “Yes.”

Shortly after, Shi Zhang’s call appeared on the screen, and Song Fuzhi answered.

“Professor Song?”