Yu Qian carefully examined the ring in her hand. The design was incredibly simple, featuring wave-like patterns filled with tiny diamonds. The band itself was thin, even more delicate than a typical ring.

“Litte Fish, wanting to marry you isn’t some impulsive decision.” In fact, ever since he had understood his own feelings, he had constantly envisioned a future with Yu Qian.

Jiang Zheng gazed absentmindedly at the window sill opposite him, picturing Yu Qian’s expression at that moment in his mind.

“This isn’t the first ring. Open the little red pouch on your phone charm and take a look.”

What?!

Yu Qian was startled by Jiang Zheng’s words. She quickly untied the phone strap and held the small red lucky pouch, trying in vain to open it. Growing anxious, she grabbed a pair of scissors and carefully snipped it open.

As she cut it open, she slowly removed the cotton stuffing inside, and halfway through, she indeed saw a ring.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Yu Qian suddenly recalled that she had almost lost this ring when she fell into the water. Moreover, she barely paid attention to her phone most of the time. What if someone had stolen it? The thought sent a chill down her spine. She made a mental note to settle this account with Jiang Zheng later.

She carefully compared the two rings. They looked almost identical, except for some minor differences in the wave patterns.

Yu Qian’s emotions were incredibly complicated at that moment. Holding the ring between her fingers, she stood by the window and murmured in a soft voice, “Why did you give me two rings?”

Jiang Zheng chuckled lightly. “Actually, there’s one more, but that one will have to wait until we get married.”

Yu Qian: “……” Did he buy these rings wholesale?

“You haven’t noticed, have you? Those two rings can be combined. Want to try putting them on?”

There was a subtle hint of temptation in Jiang Zheng’s voice.

Yu Qian swallowed nervously. In the end, she followed her heart, set down her phone, picked up one ring…… and then picked up her phone again.

“Jiang Zheng…… I can’t put it on.”

This was the true definition of heaven turning into hell in an instant. Yu Qian gripped the ring, her expression full of despair. “You bought the wrong size!”

Jiang Zheng: “……”

The smile on Jiang Zheng’s face disappeared, replaced by shock and disbelief.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. The ring can still be resized. I didn’t have a chance to measure your hand before, so I just guessed the size based on feeling.” He hadn’t expected to misjudge so badly.

Feeling a tightness in his scalp, Jiang Zheng quickly tried to comfort Yu Qian.

Hearing his flustered explanation, Yu Qian burst into laughter. She carefully placed the two rings together and noticed that there was indeed an irregular gap in the middle. She couldn’t help but wonder what the third ring would look like.

“So you’ve been plotting against me for this long, huh?” Yu Qian’s voice carried a hint of smugness. She clearly remembered that Jiang Zheng had given her this phone charm last year during the Lunar New Year.

“Mm.” Jiang Zheng didn’t deny it. “I’ve long since locked myself to you.”

Without even considering a future without her, he had secretly prepared the rings while she remained completely unaware.

Yu Qian stood there, clutching the rings in her hand, foolishly chatting with Jiang Zheng over the phone.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before a sudden impulse struck her. “Jiang Zheng, can you come downstairs for a moment?”

After receiving his confirmation, Yu Qian finally ended the call, put on her coat, and quietly opened the door. She stuck her head out to check the surroundings.

The house was silent, with only the wall lamp casting a dim glow.

Yu Qian tiptoed down the stairs. Just as she was about to head out, a ghostly voice came from behind, “Going out this late?”

Yu Qian nearly jumped out of her skin. Trembling, she turned around and saw Bai Qiming standing outside the kitchen, holding a glass of milk, his figure eerily ghost-like.

“B-brother Ming, I’m just stepping out for a bit. I’ll be right back.” Yu Qian lowered her voice, feeling a little guilty as she explained.

Bai Qiming’s expression darkened when he saw that she was clearly going to meet Jiang Zheng. “It’s late, and it’s cold outside. Whatever you have to say can wait until tomorrow.”

Meeting up this late at night? Nothing good could come from it. Why was he still stuck in a one-sided crush while these two were openly flirting? He refused to accept this injustice!

Yu Qian found Bai Qiming’s behavior unusual, but she didn’t dare to raise her voice. If she woke her mother up, she’d be doomed.

While she continued to placate Bai Qiming with words, she quietly seized her opportunity. The moment he tilted his head back to drink his milk, she bolted out the door.

Bai Qiming watched her bouncing away and let out a cold snort. Do they think they can really be together? Not so fast.

As soon as she stepped outside, Yu Qian shivered from the cold.

Jiang Zheng was already waiting at the Bai family’s gate. When Yu Qian ran over, they exchanged a mischievous smile, like a pair of lovers sneaking around.

“It’s freezing. Why did you ask me to come down?” Jiang Zheng lowered his gaze, his eyes filled with the sight of Yu Qian curled up from the cold.

“I just really wanted to do something.” Yu Qian said, standing so close that from afar, they looked like they were embracing.

“What?” Jiang Zheng’s throat felt dry as he instinctively lowered his head.

Yu Qian answered with action.

She suddenly stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Jiang Zheng’s neck, and kissed the lips that had made her both love and hate him.

Jiang Zheng’s pupils trembled violently. He stared unblinking at the face so close to his. Their breaths intertwined.

Yu Qian shut her eyes, not daring to see Jiang Zheng’s reaction. Feeling the coolness of his lips, she tentatively licked his lower lip.

That tiny movement completely ignited Jiang Zheng. His gaze turned scorching, his hands tightened around Yu Qian’s waist, and he took control, deepening the kiss.

By the time he finally let go, Yu Qian was utterly dazed. She was pressed tightly against him, panting heavily, and only now did she realize that those novels weren’t lying— getting kissed to the point of weak knees was real.

Jiang Zheng never expected such a wonderful surprise tonight. He forced himself not to look at Yu Qian again, or else he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from wanting more.

The two of them remained silent, quietly embracing in front of the Bai family’s gate. Snow blanketed the ground, and the dim glow of the streetlights flickered around them.

This was the first time Jiang Zheng had fully embraced Yu Qian like this. The feeling was so perfect that he didn’t want to let go.

But when he felt Yu Qian trembling, he took a deep breath and said, “Go inside before you catch a cold.”

Yu Qian buried her face in his chest for a moment before murmuring, “Mm.”

Then, she pushed him away and ran back inside with her head lowered.

Jiang Zheng stood in place, watching her retreating figure with a smile. Raising a hand to his lips, he couldn’t help but press them together, trying to hold onto the lingering sensation.

Yu Qian, heart pounding, slipped inside and scanned the room. Spotting an empty glass on the table, she let out a breath of relief. Bai Qiming was gone. Otherwise, she would have died of embarrassment on the spot.

She gently shut the door, tiptoed back to her room, and rushed into the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, she splashed cold water onto her burning face.