Preparation is certainly praiseworthy, but true feelings often emerge in unprepared moments.
Jing Qi Ci had thought about proposing – he’d even searched for proposal photos online: fireworks, beaches, balloons, rings. He knew well there should be a ceremony, but suddenly, it just came out.
Completely unprepared, as if in a moment of impulse, he requested their entire future.
He had taken in every word Huan’er said, and when the words “decades” and “years” poured out, Jing Qi Ci lost control.
Time would prove whether all choices were right or wrong.
But for a person, time is just a few decades of life.
Jing Qi Ci suddenly recalled a scene he’d witnessed after work – at a bus stop, an elderly grandfather carrying shopping bags, extending his spotted hand to his wife outside the bus. The grandmother seemed to have trouble walking, trembling slightly as she took his hand, but she was smiling as if saying, “You’ve grown old too, not as strong as before.”
Taking your hand, sharing sweet and bitter from now on, you are my lifelong glory and dream.
He spoke without thinking, waiting for a response.
The front door opened at that moment, and the two mothers entered chatting and laughing. Jing Mom’s voice carried from the living room, “Ha, the table must have been cleared by Huan’er, has she gone back?”
“Probably.” Chen’s Mom stopped at the entrance. “I won’t change my shoes. No need to rush Old Liu’s matter, one or two days won’t make a difference.”
“Lina, about Qi Ci…”
“Hey, I’ve watched Qi Ci grow up since he was little. You need to trust the kids’ judgment.”
“Alright, if you and Chen Lei trust him with Huan’er, I believe it.”
“Ah, yesterday when we talked about giving the kids some money to set up a home there, her dad’s face got longer than a donkey’s.” Chen’s Mom snickered. “He usually trains his daughter like a soldier, now he knows what it’s like to miss her.”
“Don’t worry about their home setup. I haven’t touched a penny of Qi Ci’s father’s pension – it was Old Jing’s wish, I have to ensure he has no worries.”
“Sister, don’t think about it anymore.”
“Yes, I won’t think about it.”
Hearing the conversation end, Huan’er exchanged a glance with Jing Qi Ci and called out, “Mom, Aunt Lin, you’re back?”
Suddenly there was silence outside.
This silence, more terrifying than a ghost story, made Huan’er instantly realize – her quick-minded mother must have jumped to conclusions.
Sure enough, Dr. Qian calmly advised, “You two should use protection.”
Huan’er rolled her eyes skyward – the obstetrics department director’s occupational habits strike again.
Just as she was about to get up, Jing Qi Ci pulled her back into his arms, asking in a voice only they could hear, “Hmm?”
About that “marry me,” he still hadn’t heard an answer.
Jing’s Mom coughed lightly, “We’ll… go for a walk.”
“No need,” Huan’er responded while hooking her arms around Jing Qi Ci’s neck. Standing by the bed, she lowered her voice to give her heart’s answer, “Yes.”
Jing Qi Ci took a deep breath, then cupped her face and kissed her, forgetting everything else.
“Don’t.” Huan’er laughed and pushed him away, knowing the two mothers were just outside. Half shy and half evasive, she tried to escape, but ultimately couldn’t match his strength. Jing Qi Ci, barefoot on the floor, pressed her against the wall, his deep kiss making her weak-kneed.
Outside, conversation resumed, with the two mothers discussing arrangements for Old Liu’s son coming from Macau next month. His ex-wife had long since remarried, and father and son maintained a good relationship, meeting once each during summer and winter breaks as usual. Though this dinner hadn’t formally settled anything, everyone knew they had taken a step closer.
Letting someone into your life means opening the door to everything about them.
Jing Qi Ci protected Huan’er’s head with one hand while lowering his head to kiss her neck. Though he had been drinking and his breath carried an intoxicating scent, he seemed to be holding back, giving light butterfly kisses one after another. Huan’er couldn’t bear it and covered his mouth with her hand, blushing as she whispered, “Tickles.”
Jing Qi Ci stopped, looking at her with a smile.
“Conditions don’t permit.” Huan’er raised her eyebrows toward the door.
The mothers’ voices drifted in faintly.
He first glanced outside, then held her shoulders and took a deep breath.
The arrow was on the string but had to be withdrawn – some adjustment was needed.
“You’re not drunk?” Huan’er asked.
He shook his head with certainty.
“Completely clear-headed?”
Jing Qi Ci thought for a moment, then nodded.
“You’ll remember every word you said today, tomorrow?”
He nodded again.
“I’m going now, see you tomorrow.” Huan’er’s eyes curved like crescents as she stood on tiptoe to kiss the tip of his nose.
Chen’s Mom started calling, so Jing Qi Ci had to let go.
He didn’t go out to see them off. His fingertips still held her warmth, and Jing Qi Ci closed his palm.
Since Huan’er had answered “yes,” he hadn’t said a single word.
Many thoughts intertwined, but ultimately converged into one –
She will become my wife.
This promise was solemn and sacred. Rather than being silent, Jing Qi Ci had simply run out of words.