No? Can I read the mind of my mortal enemy?

This is for real—

"Don't laugh, you won't get past the second hurdle either."

She happened to see Pei Jingnian kneeling on one knee and staring at her, and she was a little confused about what was going on.

Kneeling on one knee?

What... what are we supposed to do now?

Why aren't you saying anything?

Then... then she kneels too?

Shi Qiao's mind went blank, and she bent one knee in a daze. Pei Jingnian quickly steadied her.

His previously tense expression relaxed considerably, and his cheek gently pressed against her cool palm.

He laughed without hiding it.

"Wife, you don't need to kneel to propose."

Shi Qiao nodded obediently, "Oh, so I don't need a proposal..."

"A proposal?!" She bit her tongue.

Pei Jingnian placed a kiss on her palm before slowly releasing it.

He slowly took out a black leather jewelry box with the "HW" logo embossed in silver.

The square box held in his hands made his already pale finger bones stand out even more.

However, what is even more clearly visible is the crimson stain that has quietly appeared on his knuckles at some point.

The same goes for the area behind the ears.

"After climbing the Wanhong Temple, I took it upon myself to make a decision for you in front of Mom, setting it for December 31st."

"At the time, I was too simplistic; I just wanted the date to be as close as possible."

"In order to possess you completely as quickly as possible, I resorted to trickery and took shortcuts."

"But I forgot to find out if you, like me, longed for our relationship to reach a new level."

"Because our relationship transitioned into a romantic one quickly and didn't last long, you need time to adjust."

"It was my oversight; I was too hasty."

His voice trembled slightly. Shi Qiao was used to seeing Pei Jingnian calm and composed in the face of anything, and this was the first time she had seen him so overly insecure.

"Moreover, I selfishly wanted to use this engagement party to tell everyone about our relationship, so that no one else could possibly covet you anymore."

"But all of this shouldn't be done so hastily."

He opened the jewelry box, and the full name of HARRY WINSTON slowly unfolded along with the box.

A 5.5-carat diamond ring stands in the center, the light shining on the FL solitaire diamond, which shimmers, while the rest of the ring band is adorned with smaller diamonds.

The pure D-color diamond is white and transparent, and looks like a beautiful multi-pointed star from a distance.

"It was a lucky coincidence."

Pei Jingnian looked up again and, after a long time, uttered Shi Qiao's full name, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he swallowed.

His low, husky voice made one's ears tingle.

"I know that perhaps the word 'marriage' is too far away and too early for us right now."

"Many people say that marriage is the tomb of love and a prison for each other."

"In a sense, I agree."

Shi Qiao was stunned, not understanding what Pei Jingnian was going to say.

He remained silent for another half minute, seemingly organizing his thoughts, his heavy breathing gradually becoming steady.

"But for me, the so-called 'grave' represents my willingness to love you until I turn to dust."

"And the so-called 'cage'..."

His hand was held again, his fingertips were excessively hot.

"I've never had any grand dreams. Over the years, all my dreams have been about you."

"Therefore, this 'cage' is the home I've dreamed of since I was a child."

"I wish you were not just a sister or girlfriend, but a wife—"

"Bound me forever, forever."

"And I, as your husband, want to be the source of your unbridled confidence forever."

His eyes hardened.

"Would you...give me this chance, Shi Qiao?"

Without any warning, a tear fell directly from Shi Qiao's eye and landed between Pei Jingnian's tightly clasped fingers.

She turned her head away, trying to hide her somewhat disheveled face and also trying to hold it in.

After all, she put on such beautiful makeup today, she can't let it get ruined.

But it was like a fishbone stuck in my throat, and I couldn't say anything.

She could only straighten her fingers a little.

Pei Jingnian stared at her finger, took off the diamond ring, and carefully put it on. The ring, which fit perfectly, looked even more beautiful on her hand.

He hooked his fingertips around her five fingers, leaned down and gently pecked the back of her hand, then reverently lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Honey, what's the answer?"

Shi Qiao could already feel the coldness on her ring finger, and she sobbed out:

"You clearly... clearly knew... my answer."

Pei Jingnian stood up, wrapped his arms around her, gently cupped her head which she was reluctant to lift, and slowly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingertips.

"I'm rather greedy."

He held the hand with the diamond ring to his lips and took a bite.

"I need my wife to tell me herself before I can confirm."

When she met his deep, dark eyes, tears blurred most of her vision.

"Bad guy."

She stood on tiptoe and kissed Pei Jingnian.

A fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

She released Pei Jingnian, her eyelashes wet with tears, a few strands clumped together. Her eyebrows curved, and the tears made her almond-shaped eyes even more beautiful, glistening with moisture.

"Is that enough for you to confirm?"

The scent of roses she had brought still lingered on Pei Jingnian's lips, stirring his reason. The pink blush that had only remained at the base of his ears slowly spread over, reddening the corners of his eyes.

"Perhaps...it's not enough."

He ran his fingers through her hair and bent down to press her down completely.

He kissed her urgently, biting her hiding tongue without reason, his lips sucking on hers until her whole body went numb.

The bouquet of sugar flowers was pressed between their chests, the wrapping paper wrinkled and making a constant creaking sound.

As their lips finally parted, Shi Qiao gasped, "The flower... is going to be crushed."

Pei Jingnian smiled and buried his head to bite into a budding rose, just the right size to enter his mouth.

"Then let's finish eating quickly."

He touched Shi Qiao's lips with the other side of the flower bud and gently pushed it in.

Their tongues intertwined, devouring rose petals.

The man's true purpose was not the flower; he aggressively pursued something sweeter and softer than the flower.

She was forced to retreat repeatedly, and the coat draped over her shoulders slipped to the ground as she raised her hand.

She didn't feel cold at all.

After eating the first flower, Shi Qiao no longer had the strength to stand up.

She leaned against Pei Jingnian's chest, barely able to stand upright with the help of his arm.

Pei Jingnian breathed heavily in her ear, glancing at her bare shoulders and neck. His lips parted slightly as he searched for her, but stopped just before touching her skin.

The lingering heat of his breath on Shi Qiao's shoulders and neck was enough to make her feel...

But Pei Jingnian changed his usual behavior, only giving a light, restrained peck, not daring to use force.

Stopped abruptly.

[We cannot continue; the engagement banquet is at noon.]

He shook his head slightly, snapping out of his daze, and took off his coat, completely covering Shi Qiao inside.

"I know you'll definitely want to be involved in the design, so the house will remain unfurnished for now. We can decorate it together later when we have more time."

"It's a bit chilly tonight, don't catch a cold, let's head back first..."

"Pei Jingnian, it's okay." Shi Qiao's eyes were a little blurry, and her lips were red and swollen.

Her cheeks grew hotter and hotter, and she dared not look directly at Pei Jingnian.

"Just once, it should be fine."

"I can get up the next day."