It was early in the morning on the first day of the lunar year. It snowed the night before and standing on the lawn, the wind felt like blades on the cheeks.
The snow on the lawn had melted, but the mud had frozen up. It made one shudder just to think of the freezing sensation of kneeling on the ground.
Looking at the man, who had gone down on one knee, Xia Ning shifted her gaze to the diamond ring in the box he was holding. She recognized that diamond. The stone alone was worth hundreds of millions. It was proof enough of his sincerity.
If she was given a diamond ring like this five years ago, she would probably die from joy.
However, she had witnessed life and death and seen through love during those five years. Only then did she realize that things like this were mere worldly possessions. A marriage proposal was no more than a ritual and the so-called romance was nothing compared to the cruel reality.
Looking at the woman in front of him, Qiao Yu frowned a little, for even though her eyes were on him, her mind was somewhere else. To be more precise, she was absent-minded.
Did she not want to marry him?!
That idea made Qiao Yu’s heart sink. He knew what he did had hurt her badly and was afraid that the scar might stay there forever.
The proposal had arrived late, but he meant it this time.
“Xia Ning, marry me!” Looking at her, Qiao Yu repeated. His pupils contracted and his extended arm was trembling slightly. Yes, he was nervous. He was scared that he might be rejected.
Xia Ning came back to herself. Looking at the man kneeling down in front of her, something flickered in her eyes.
She suddenly frowned and said in a displeased tone. “That’s not very romantic, your proposal.”
Not very romantic?! Qiao Yu stared at Xia Ning in bewilderment, clearly surprised by that almost childish statement.
He had thought that the proposal was romantic enough. Even Mu Zichen had praised him after he told that guy his plan, but he had never anticipated that Xia Ning would be displeased.
“All you have is a ring. There are no flowers, no balloons, no audience, and no loudspeakers. I’m not going to say yes just like this!” Xia Ning snorted.
Hearing that, Qiao Yu saw light. Ever since he started to know her better, he began to learn what women wanted as well. Maybe all the girls in the world wanted a happy, romantic proposal that came with flowers, a ring, and even all the envy in the world.
Rising to his feet, Qiao Yu put the ring away, then said to Xia Ning in a low voice. “I didn’t do it properly this time. It doesn’t count.”
Xia Ning bit her lip, then said grumpily, “Next time you want to propose, can you give me a heads up? It’s really freaking me out!”
“I just wanted to surprised you.” Qiao Yu went up to Xia Ning with a slight frown. “But it seems that you weren’t pleasantly surprised.”
Xia Ning’s eyes flickered and she couldn’t meet his gaze, fearing that he might see through her. Keeping her head lowered, Xia Ning then saw his knee. The trouser leg had been soaked by the icy water.
Reaching out, she put a hand over his knee, then asked in a low voice. “Aren’t you cold?” The cold sensation on her fingertip made her cringe.
“Not at all!” said Qiao Yu. His hands landed on her shoulders and he pulled her into his arms. He then said in her ear. “Dear wife, Happy Chinese New Year!”
Leaning against his chest, Xia Ning closed her eyes. In fact, this was already a very romantic marriage proposal by her standard and she was happy. Pursing her lips, she said in a muffled voice. “Happy Chinese New Year. Enoch has a lot of red packets and I want some, too!”
Holding Xia Ning in his arms, Qiao Yu kissed her on the ear. There was an affectionate look in his eyes when he whispered, “Aren’t I the best New Year’s gift?”