Chapter 12: Proposal

Since the night she confessed everything to Yan Mo, Shu Xin felt as if a weight that had long pressed on her heart had finally lifted.

Anyone who suddenly transmigrated into a world on the brink of an apocalypse would face immense pressure, and Shu Xin was no exception. All this time, she had no one to share her burden with, keeping her guard up at all times.

But now, she had someone she could trust wholeheartedly, someone who shared her secrets. Even the air she breathed felt fresher as she walked down the street.

However, she noticed that Yan Mo had become busier lately. Since school hadn’t gone on break yet, their time together was already limited, and now it was nearly nonexistent—reduced to nightly phone calls or video chats.

There were times during their video calls when Shu Xin could see the dark circles under Yan Mo’s eyes.

Shu Xin had also taken Yan Mo to see the house she had prepared for the initial phase of the impending disaster. Yan Mo then arranged for some modifications to the interior.

He directly connected the two apartments above and below, transforming them into a duplex. The walls and floors were reinforced with insulation materials, and two rooms were torn down to create a gym, ensuring they could maintain their physical fitness indoors during the catastrophe.

Several rooms were converted into storage spaces. Yan Mo planned to invite two other people to live with them. To conceal Shu Xin’s spatial ability, they needed a reasonable explanation for their supplies, so stocking up in advance was necessary.

Shu Xin had no objections to having more people around. A lively household would be a nice change, and who knows, they might even have enough players for a game of mahjong.

The modifications to the house were seamless from the outside—no one would be able to detect anything unusual.

After discussing their plans, they decided to apply for a leave of absence from school next semester. In the time they had left, they wanted to travel across the country, appreciating the beauty of the world before everything changed—leaving behind memories to cherish in the future.

Yan Mo then suggested they go abroad to get married. In their home country, they were still under the legal marriage age, and who knew when society would return to order after the apocalypse?

By the time civilization was rebuilt, marriage registration offices would hardly be a priority. While they still had the chance, Yan Mo wanted Shu Xin to be legally tied to him, sharing the same household registration.

Without telling her, Yan Mo had a wedding dress custom-made for her and personally designed a pair of wedding rings—preparing a surprise that would come at just the right moment.

Once Shu Xin finished her final exam, they boarded a flight to the northernmost region of the country, officially beginning their journey of gathering supplies.

Yan Mo had meticulously planned their entire itinerary in advance. Shu Xin had only one responsibility—dress up beautifully, bring the Polaroid camera and plenty of film, and follow his lead.

Now that they no longer had to return to school, they had all the time in the world.

At every stop, Yan Mo made sure they indulged in the local delicacies, visited famous landmarks, and enjoyed all the fun experiences the city had to offer.

On their last day in each location, they would retrieve supplies stored in a warehouse that Yan Mo had arranged long ago before moving on to the next city.

Shu Xin didn’t need to worry about anything. She simply followed her boyfriend, enjoying good food and sightseeing while still stockpiling resources—a life that was nothing short of a dream come true.

If not for the impending apocalypse, she would have gladly spent a lifetime living like this.

They traveled all over the country, and by the time they reached the end of their journey, it was late May. The weather was growing hotter.

Their final stop was to obtain their marriage certificate abroad.

Before boarding the plane, Shu Xin had no idea what kind of surprise Yan Mo had in store for her.

When Yan Mo gently covered her eyes with a black cloth, she hesitated for only a second before relaxing completely.

“Why are you covering my eyes all of a sudden? Did you prepare a surprise for me? What is it?”

Tilting her head slightly, she asked in anticipation.

“If I told you now, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it? Stand up and follow me slowly.”

Yan Mo held her hand, guiding her step by step toward the room he had prepared in advance.

The moment the blindfold was removed, the sight before her took her breath away—a moment she would never forget.

“Wow! This wedding dress is beautiful! When did you prepare this? I had no idea!”

Shu Xin walked forward quickly, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the wedding dress displayed in the center of the room. The delight and admiration in her expression were so evident that Yan Mo didn’t even need to ask.

Every girl dreams of having a wedding dress of her own. It has nothing to do with wealth or status—it is simply the purest and most beautiful wish of childhood.

She had often imagined what kind of wedding dress she would have in the future. But at this moment, seeing this dress, her vision finally took shape.

No other wedding dress could ever match her heart’s desires so perfectly.

“If you like it, hurry and try it on. You’ll be wearing this for our marriage certificate photo later.”

“What about you?”

“Of course, I need to change too. I can’t have my princess outshining me, can I?” Yan Mo playfully pinched her cheek and called someone in to help her change.

When the door opened again, Yan Mo was instantly captivated. His gaze gleamed like a traveler finally reaching the stars.

The intricately woven lace at the waist accentuated her delicate figure, while rose embroidery and lace appliqués blended seamlessly, creating an ethereal beauty. Tiny crystal embellishments scattered across the skirt shimmered like a sky full of stars.

Elegance, allure, and a celestial charm intertwined harmoniously on her.

“My princess,” Yan Mo said as he approached her, his emotions completely unguarded for the first time. He knelt on one knee and held out a ring before her.

“Will you marry your most loyal knight?”

His sudden gesture caught Shu Xin off guard. It was a moment so overwhelming that words failed her—no description could truly capture even a fraction of her emotions.

Tears welled up in her eyes, silently trailing down her cheeks. She covered her mouth with a trembling hand, trying to contain her expression.

She could no longer form a coherent sentence. All she could do was nod vigorously in response.

Yan Mo smiled as he carefully slipped the ring onto her finger. Rising to his feet, he gently wiped away her tears and pulled her into his embrace, cherishing her as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

“A wedding ceremony may not be possible, but I will give you everything else. No regrets, no missing pieces. Time was short, so I designed the rings myself—I hope you like them.”

“I love them. I will treasure them always. What about yours? Let me put it on you.”

Resting against his shoulder, Shu Xin steadied her emotions before taking the other ring from the box and sliding it onto Yan Mo’s finger.

Their hands, now adorned with matching rings, clasped tightly together—just like the two souls they belonged to, forever intertwined.