The blind boss's nanny

As the fireworks faded, the manor was once again enveloped in the tranquil night.

Lu Tingzhao turned his head to look at Lin Xiaoman, who was still gazing at the sky, and asked softly:

"Xiaoman, do you remember the wish you made at this time last year?"

Lin Xiaoman certainly remembered. Her wish back then was very specific:

Heal his eyes and preserve Sunshine Home.

Now, whether by chance or by the grace of fate, everything has come true. In fact, it has far exceeded her expectations; she now has her own career and a solid foundation.

Upon reflection, if she hadn't clung to those ephemeral emotions and hadn't demanded a perfect "being loved," her life's bucket list would seem to have... hardly any regrets.

Thinking of this, the annoyance brought on by Zhuang Guangyao seemed to dissipate along with the fireworks.

Perhaps, she is simply a person with a very good mindset.

"Yes, I remember."

She responded with a calm voice.

Lu Tingzhao's gaze fell on her profile:

"Then why don't you ask me what I wished for last year, or this year?"

Lin Xiaoman awkwardly shifted her gaze, staring at the bare tree branches in the distance, her tone somewhat stiff:

"I don't want to know. People like you always dream of acquiring companies, taking over land, doubling the market value... It's too extraordinary, it puts pressure on me."

Upon hearing this, Lu Tingzhao chuckled softly.

"No, you can grant my wish."

Lin Xiaoman's heart skipped a beat. Before she could fully grasp the meaning behind those words, she caught a glimpse of Lu Tingzhao's hand reaching into his coat pocket again...

She knew that gesture all too well! He had pulled out the diamond ring in the same way last time by the lake!

"etc!"

She instinctively lunged forward and grabbed his hand tightly.

"Lu Tingzhao! Don't you dare take out a ring again! Don't you dare propose again! I'm warning you!"

Lu Tingzhao was stunned for a moment when she pressed his hand down, and then the smile in his eyes almost overflowed.

"Who said I was going to take out a ring?"

His tone was innocent.

"Lin Xiaoman, your thoughts are dangerous! Why do you always want me to propose?"

Lin Xiaoman choked, her cheeks burning, only then realizing that she had overreacted and practically confessed. She immediately withdrew her hand, stubbornly arguing:

"I'm doing this as a precaution!"

Lu Tingzhao slowly took his hand out of his pocket, and in his palm was only a small red lucky bag.

"I want to take this."

He shook the little lucky bag, suppressing a laugh.

"Chocolate Coins"

He deliberately sighed.

"It seems someone is looking forward to the ring?"

Lu Tingzhao quickly stuffed the small lucky bag into her palm before she could retract it.

When Lin Xiaoman opened it, there was indeed a chocolate wrapped in gold foil.

She tried to peel off the wrapping paper, but her fingertips slipped several times. The foil was unusually flexible and wouldn't budge.

Just then, she finally realized that the weight was wrong.

This is a solid gold coin.

Lin Xiaoman couldn't help but laugh out loud; this was much happier than receiving a diamond ring.

Lu Tingzhao watched her quietly the whole time. He watched her go from confusion to defiance, and then to a sudden, knowing laugh. When she laughed, the distant lights reflected in her eyes, and the tension she had felt in the apartment finally dissipated.

He slowly loosened his grip on the velvet box, which was tucked tightly in his pocket.

"Xiaoman, I hope that next year, the year after, and every year thereafter, we can stand here side by side, just like today, watching the fireworks."

Lin Xiaoman put away the gold coins.

"Your wish sounds more stressful than acquiring a company."

Being with you always makes me feel like I've signed a contract to sell myself into servitude. Your mindset is hard to change; you're always thinking about planning, arranging, and... controlling.

Lu Tingzhao responded immediately.

"I will change."

Seeing Lin Xiaoman's disbelieving look, Lu Tingzhao quickly said:

"I will no longer try to use the marriage proposal to cover up the fact that I pretended to be blind and lied to you. I want to pursue you again, Xiaoman."

Lin Xiaoman tilted her head and deliberately drew out her words:

Can I say 'no' or refuse?

Lu Tingzhao's lips visibly drooped slightly, and his face darkened, but he still managed to squeeze out two words:

"……Can."

His expression of extreme displeasure yet forced restraint gave Lin Xiaoman immense satisfaction. She stepped forward, reached out, and took his fist, which was hanging by his side.

Cool fingertips nestled into his palm.

"Just kidding."

She looked up, a smile playing in her eyes.

"It's getting cold, shall we go back?"

Lu Tingzhao froze completely.

He looked down at his hand, which she was holding, then looked up at her smiling face.

Overwhelmed with surprise and disbelief, he was speechless for a moment, only instinctively taking her hand back to confirm that this was not a hallucination.

In the days that followed, they ate together every day, took walks side by side in the garden in the afternoon, and strolled by the lake with Yuanbao and Yuanman in the evening.

Except for the fact that everyone goes back to their rooms at night, everything seems to have returned to the way it was before.

This peaceful daily life brought Lu Tingzhao a sense of peace and contentment. He carefully maintained this hard-won harmony, afraid that the slightest transgression would disturb the perfect moment.

Until one late night.

Lu Tingzhao pushed open Lin Xiaoman's door.

He kissed her lips, his kiss lingering and deepening, whispering in her ear:

"Xiaoman... I miss you so much."

The long-lost intimacy ignited like wildfire. In a moment of confusion and passion, his hand slipped inside her clothes, his palm burning hot.

Just as everything was about to get out of control, Lin Xiaoman suddenly chuckled and reached out to touch his chest.

"Lu Tingzhao,"

Her voice was filled with emotion.

"Your brother... did he give you a lot of 'good stuff'? I saw it in the hidden compartment of your wardrobe."

Lu Tingzhao paused, the lust in his eyes replaced by a hint of embarrassment. He hadn't expected her to see it.

That was a "prop" that Lu Tingzhou forced on him, which he then casually tossed into a corner.

He composed himself, his Adam's apple bobbing, and tentatively asked, his voice even hoarser than before:

"Xiaoman...would you like to give it a try?"

Lin Xiaoman, beneath him, seemed to shyly nod slightly in the dim moonlight.

Lu Tingzhao's heart trembled violently, and he felt a surge of heat coursing through his body, a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

He handed the box to her, his breathing still a little unsteady.

Lin Xiaoman sat up, took the box, and opened it. The contents were the same as what she had seen in the car last time. Then she looked at him, her eyes sparkling.

"Lie down."

Lu Tingzhao lay down as instructed, his heart pounding like a drum, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

Lin Xiaoman leaned down and covered his eyes, plunging the world into darkness, leaving only her breath and fragrance so close to his.