Chapter Seven

On the way back to Platinum Tianfu, Xing Bei looked at the pink diamond on her right hand, gently took it off and put it back in the velvet box: "Lu Runxu, you should take this ring back. It's not appropriate for me to keep it here."

Lu Runxu glanced at it and said in a nonchalant tone, "If the old man gave it to you, just accept it. There's no reason to take back what's given away."

“But this is too expensive.” Xing Bei looked at the pile of things on the back seat through the rearview mirror. “Given our current relationship, it’s completely unnecessary.”

With her knowledge of jewelry, any piece she could pick out here would be a collectible; how could she dare to buy it?

Lu Runxu stared intently ahead, his dark pupils narrowing slightly. He chuckled softly, "These are their intentions; I can't make that decision."

Looking at her slightly furrowed brow through the rearview mirror, I knew she was stubborn and had her own set of principles to uphold.

After a few seconds of hesitation, he sighed helplessly, took Xing Bei's hand and said gently, "If all else fails, just keep it with you for now, and we'll discuss the property division later."

Xing Bei's gaze fell on the hand he was holding, and the warmth slowly flowed into her veins. She remained silent.

Despite what Lu Runxu said, she still felt it was inappropriate. She could accept it if it was delivered by Lu's mother for the time being, but she absolutely could not accept it if it was delivered by Lu's grandfather.

How could she not see the warmth of the family? They truly considered her a member of the Lu family. But the more they did so, the more heartbroken they would be when their lies were exposed.

--

It was almost ten o'clock when they returned to Platinum Mansion. Xing Bei put all the things she brought back from the old house on the sofa, and while Lu Runxu was washing up, she sorted out the gifts.

Upon seeing Lu Runxu come out of the room, she quickly carried a small pile of sorted items to him.

She stared at Lu Runxu very seriously, her peach blossom eyes filled with determination: "I've thought about it, and I appreciate Grandpa Lu's kindness, but I still can't accept these gifts, after all, our relationship is what it is."

Lu Runxu's expression was cold as he stared at her, a cold laugh escaping his thin lips. He made no attempt to take what was in her hand.

Whether it was Xing Bei's imagination or not, the air around her seemed to drop several degrees after she said those words.

She wasn't wrong. Her relationship with Lu Runxu was only temporary, and all these things were for the future Mrs. Lu. She had no right to accept them.

Lu Runxu didn't answer her question, and his blunt gaze made Xing Bei feel inexplicably flustered. She subconsciously pulled her outstretched hand back a little.

Although Lu Runxu doesn't usually smile much and has a cool and aloof temperament, his fox-like eyes always give people a sense of warmth. Now, his deep pupils seem to be covered with a thin layer of frost, making people feel a chill down their spines.

For a moment, Xing Bei doubted whether what she was doing was right or wrong.

Lu Runxu was handsome and refined, with his eyebrows lowered. The things in Xing Bei's arms were almost all left by his grandmother, which were intended as betrothal gifts for him to marry his future wife. Now, she was returning them to him to draw a clear line in their relationship.

He withdrew his gaze, gave her a brief, indifferent look, and without saying a word, turned and went back to his room, slamming the door shut.

Xing Bei shrugged, glanced at the things in her hands, and then looked at the tightly closed door.

Is he unhappy?

But why is he unhappy? Logically, shouldn't he be glad that he managed to keep the dowry he left for his future wife?

I really don't understand men's minds.

In the middle of the night, the lights of thousands of homes gradually went out, and a half-moon hung quietly in the night sky.

In the pitch-black room, Xing Bei tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. The cool moonlight from outside the window shone through the cracks onto the bedside table.

Xing Bei suddenly sat up in bed, clutching the blanket, grabbed a toy from the side, and started hitting it hard.

So annoying, so annoying.

What does Lu Runxu's anger have to do with her? The things she said were so considerate and thoughtful of him, yet he still got angry.

Besides, it's just that he didn't accept the gift, is it really necessary to slam the door so loudly?

You're sick, you're sick.

Xing Bei hugged the doll and wailed silently. She should have known better than to say something; she really brought this on herself.

--

The next morning, the sunlight gently enveloped the camellias on the windowsill, and dewdrops gathered along the edges of the leaves.

Xing Bei got up early to wash up, looked at the tightly closed wooden door of the room opposite, and gently shook her head.

She should honestly think about how to appease this man who is angry with her, since she will have to rely on him for food in the future.

Just as the clock in the living room struck eight, Lu Runxu put on his coat and came out of his room. Passing by Xing Bei's room, he glanced at it casually; the room had already been tidied up.

Why did she go to the company so early today?

Did he scare her yesterday? Or was he too impatient?

His gaze swept over the neatly arranged gift boxes on the living room table. He raised his hand and gently pinched the bridge of his nose. His slightly open eyes seemed to be swept by a cold wind. The gentle image he usually maintained was completely gone at this moment, leaving only his original indifference.

Xing Bei sat at her workstation all morning, frequently lost in thought and glancing at her phone. Even when her colleagues called her several times, it took her a long time to respond.

Finally, it was time to get off work. She quickly packed up and went back to Platinum Mansion. The house was dark, so it seemed that Lu Runxu had not returned yet.

She put her bag on the sofa and turned around to see the things she had placed on the table last night, still untouched in their original spot.

Turning her gaze away, Xing Bei went to the bar and mixed herself a glass of low-alcohol fruit wine, while also taking care of the work she hadn't finished that day.

Distracted, Xing Bei realized it was already ten o'clock. Looking at the clock on the wall, she saw that Lu Runxu, who usually got off work at seven, still hadn't returned.

Xing Bei picked up her phone, intending to ask him if he was coming back tonight, but the words she was about to say kept getting stuck in the chat box, with her typing and deleting repeatedly.

Just as she was about to turn off her phone in frustration, a message suddenly popped up in the chat window, and she immediately opened the page.

Lu Runxu: [I have to work overtime tonight, you go to sleep first.]

When Xing Bei saw the message, she was instantly overwhelmed with emotion.

Miss Camellia: [Understood.]

*

Late Spring Tavern.

In the elegant and antique-style room, Lu Runxu sat on a yellow chrysanthemum wooden chair, his legs casually alternating, his well-tailored black suit highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

His white shirt was slightly unbuttoned, and the brilliant lights shone on him, adding a touch of nonchalance to his cool and aloof face. His long, slender, pale fingers tapped idly on the edge of his phone.

His handsome features, once so refined and elegant, now showed a hint of agitation. His face remained as cold as ever, as if nothing in the world could move him.

Sitting next to him, Mu Rong, dressed in a white suit and with a hot woman in her arms, laughed and teased, "Hey Xu, you've finally married your long-awaited white moonlight, so why are you still looking so gloomy?"

Shang Yichen, who was standing to the side with a calm expression, also looked over: "When are you going to introduce us to your white moonlight?"

Lu Runxu glanced at them coldly, picked up the brightly colored wine glass on the table, and took a small sip: "Why should I show my wife to you?"

Mu Rong released the beauty in his arms and put his arm around his shoulder: "A-Xu, don't be so petty."

Lu Runxu pushed him away with disdain, a cold smile curving his thin lips: "You should think about your situation. You're about to get engaged to Miss Su, and you still dare to go out and mess around. Aren't you afraid that the old man will make you kneel in the ancestral hall?"

Mu Rong smiled and pulled the beauty back into his arms: "Ah Xu, it's no fun to expose her shortcomings like this."

"Besides, Su Yunchun and I are in an arranged marriage; we're just living together as partners, so she can't control me," Mu Rong said, her eyes full of smugness.

Shang Yichen looked up and smiled: "That's not necessarily true. What if you regret it one day? By then, it will be too late to win her back."

Mu Rong shook her head firmly: "Impossible. We grew up together and know each other too well. Besides, Su Yunchun is not my type."

Lu Runxu had no interest in listening to Mu Rong recount his romantic history. He picked up his phone, stood up, and left, saying, "It's getting late. I have things to take care of. You guys have fun."

Shang Yichen smiled and looked up, his gentle eyes like a pool of spring water: "Be careful on the road, and remember to bring your sister-in-law next time."

In late spring, he originally planned to spend the night at the company, but when the driver was halfway there, he suddenly changed his mind and stood downstairs at Platinum Mansion for a long time before going up.

After pushing open the door, he didn't turn on the light and went straight to Xing Bei's room.

The room was pitch black, with only a faint ray of moonlight filtering in from outside.

He hesitated for a moment, then gently pushed open the door. Seeing the person sleeping soundly on the bed, he smiled and sighed softly, then walked over to her bedside and slowly squatted down.

Her delicate and beautiful face was pressed against the fluffy doll, like a docile little lamb. Her eyelashes were thick and long, very pretty, quite different from her daytime appearance.

Xing Bei often wears heavy makeup, looking incredibly beautiful, like a proud snow plum blossom in winter.

He watched her quietly for a while, her even breathing echoing in his ears, and before leaving, he gently placed a kiss on her forehead.

Time passed slowly, and Xing Bei only opened her eyes when she heard the sound of the lock clicking shut.

The cool moonlight shone on the gauze window, and the neon lights outside flickered. Platinum Mansion is located in the best part of the city center, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city's prosperity from any room.

In the dim and quiet room, Xing Bei could clearly feel her heart beating powerfully, as if it were about to break through her bones, and that wonderful feeling kept swirling in her mind.

After that night, Lu Runxu didn't return to Platinum Heaven Mansion for almost a week, and every night he would report to her what he was doing.

She's been busy at work lately, and even her rest time has been taken on business trips, so she's put the matter of how to appease Lu Runxu out of her mind.

Upon returning from her business trip, Xing Bei went straight to her room, threw her suitcase at the door, collapsed onto the sofa, and fell asleep almost immediately.

These past few days, the pressure of work, coupled with emotional distress, has left her feeling extremely exhausted. She has an indescribable feeling towards Lu Runxu.

To say she likes him seems like there's no evidence to prove it, but to say she doesn't like him means she's constantly thinking about him.

When Lu Runxu returned from the company, he saw someone lying asleep on the sofa as soon as he entered the house. He shook his head helplessly, picked her up, and carried her to the room.

Winter has already arrived, yet they're still so carefree; they really aren't afraid of catching a cold.

While asleep, Xing Bei smelled a familiar sandalwood scent and subconsciously rubbed against Lu Runxu's cool and aloof eyebrows, his eyes lowered, and a beautiful curve appeared at the corner of his eye.

Lu Runxu gently placed her on the bed and tried to pull his hand away from her embrace, but Xing Bei hugged him tighter and tighter, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, and she muttered softly, "Don't go."

Her soft, sweet voice seemed to carry a hint of coquetry. The person standing by the bed smiled faintly and moved her a little closer. Lu Runxu leaned against the bed and let her hug him.

As dusk settled, the lights of countless homes outside the window illuminated a peaceful and warm scene.

Years ago, he had also fantasized about such a scene: one of the lights in every home, and the person he loved by his side.

Unfortunately, he could only possess it briefly, like a fleeting dream; once he woke up, it was all gone.

Xing Bei woke up groggily, half-opening her eyes as she searched for her phone, fumbling around haphazardly without finding it.

She struggled to open her eyes; it was pitch black, with only the faint light from outside the window filtering in.

Didn't she remember collapsing onto the sofa as soon as she got back?

She glanced to the side and found a man beside her. He had a straight nose and cool eyes. He sat there quietly like a painting. No wonder he had been trained in etiquette since childhood. Even when he was asleep, his posture was upright.

She carefully examined Lu Runxu's profile when suddenly the man in front of her opened his eyes. Xing Bei met his indifferent gaze and subconsciously avoided his eyes.

How did he suddenly wake up?

That was so embarrassing.

Lu Runxu raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. His cold, fox-like eyes revealed a hint of languor. He coughed lightly and said slowly, "I'll go cook. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

His clear, cool voice, deep and slightly magnetic, slowly entered Xing Bei's ears. Lu Runxu spoke at a steady pace, with utmost gentleness.

Xing Bei glanced to her side discreetly and said, "I'm craving sweet and sour pork and mushroom and tofu soup."

"Okay." Lu Runxu looked at her, a faint smile curving his thin lips.

Taking advantage of this time, Xing Bei went to the bathroom to take a bath and relax. Xing Bei lay in the white porcelain bathtub, playing with the floating bubbles with her slender, fair hands.

A few drops of water clung to her long eyelashes, her peach blossom eyes were half-closed, and her damp hair was half-draped over her shoulder. She looked as beautiful as a mermaid.

Xing Bei finally came out of the bathroom after dawdling for a full hour and a half. Lu Runxu brought out the mushroom and tofu soup and set it aside. He took off his apron and walked towards the sofa, gently taking the hair dryer from Xing Bei's hand.

Xing Bei paused for a moment, but did not refuse. The two remained silent. Lu Runxu's movements were very gentle, and she looked at Lu Runxu's figure through the glass.

They really do look like a married couple.

After drying her hair, Lu Runxu hugged her from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and rubbed against her neck, the faint fruity scent of the shower gel filling her nostrils.

Xing Bei was taken aback by his sudden outburst, her body stiffened and she dared not move, her hands clenched slightly at her sides.

Neither of them spoke first. After some time, Lu Runxu broke the silence, his deep voice carrying a barely perceptible plea: "Mingzhu, we don't need to be so calculating between us. I don't like it this way."

Xing Bei met those dark, inky eyes, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

During this time, she also seriously thought about their relationship. Perhaps their fate was already sealed from that first glance in the coffee shop.

Even if Lu Runxu doesn't actively seek her out for collaboration, she will eventually fall in love with him over time.

The reason she was upset was that she hadn't realized this was a sign of liking someone. From the initial attraction to liking someone now, Xing Bei hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

"Lu Runxu".

"Um."

The warm breath brushed against her neck, and Xing Bei shrank back, glancing at him sideways. Lu Runxu rested his chin on her shoulder, his fox-like eyes staring at her with a wronged expression.

Xing Bei looked at him for a few seconds, then smiled and reached out to touch his face: "Let's eat."

Lu Runxu understood that she meant she agreed, and rubbed her hand against his: "Okay."

After dinner, Xing Bei lay half-reclined on the sofa, her fingertip hovering over the account management section. She paused for a long time before finally clicking on the account she hadn't opened in a long time.

Before the account could even react, countless messages popped up on the page. Xing Bei watched quietly, and at the very top of the message list was the user 'Yunbian Pearl'.

Xing Bei's fingers trembled as she clicked on the account. Seeing the messages that had been left for her just two days ago, she completely broke down.

The person beside her noticed something was wrong and asked softly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xing Bei logged out of the account, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and shook her head with a smile: "It's nothing, I'm just a little full."

Despite the obvious lie, Lu Runxu did not expose her.

Light snow began to fall outside the window sometime earlier.

Xing Bei suddenly noticed white snowflakes drifting on the glass outside the window, and she abruptly stood up from the sofa.

Although it snows every year in Chanjing, she still gets excited like a child every time the first snow falls.

"Lu Runxu, it looks like it's snowing outside!" She excitedly tugged at Lu's sleeve.

He followed Xing Bei's gaze and asked, "Want to go down and play for a while?"

"Okay, okay!"

Xing Bei excitedly ran to the door to put on her shoes. Lu Runxu saw her acting like a child, lowered his head and chuckled, then slowly followed behind her with his coat.

This year's first snowfall was two days earlier than last year, and it was also heavier. The fluttering snowflakes danced in the cold wind, swirling and turning in the air before finally settling gently on the frosted leaves.

Xing Bei reached out and caught the snowflakes, which melted instantly in her hand. A few snowflakes landed on her eyelashes, making her blink like a snow fairy.

Lu Runxu stood to the side and secretly took out his phone from his pocket to take a picture of the scene. Looking at the bright and lively girl in the picture, her delicate and beautiful eyebrows and eyes showed a gentle look, and her thin lips always had a faint smile.

The heating was on at home, and she was in a hurry to leave, wearing only a thin beige knitted sweater. Her face and nose were already red from the cold. When she saw that Lu Runxu had brought clothes, she hunched her shoulders and ran to Lu Runxu's side.

"Mingzhu" (明珠).

Xing Bei put on her coat and looked at him when she heard the sound. She saw Lu Runxu gently take her hand and take out a light gray velvet box from his pocket with his other hand.

Xing Bei was completely stunned for a moment. As the velvet box slowly opened, a beautiful and gorgeous diamond ring lay inside.

Xing Bei's eyes lit up; this diamond ring was exactly the type she liked.

Small diamonds are scattered along the band, quietly supporting the four-carat teardrop-shaped main stone in the center, which sparkles under the streetlights, like stars falling from the sky onto your fingertip.

Xing Bei looked at the exquisite and sparkling diamond ring on his hand: "This is so beautiful."

Lu Runxu slowly took it out and gently put it on Xing Bei's right hand.

Xing Bei looked up and saw that the man's cool and aloof features seemed to have melted into a pool of spring water, his clear and moist eyes staring at her intently.

Lu Runxu held her hand, his tone casual: "Mrs. Lu, are you satisfied?"

Xing Bei's gaze had long since left the diamond ring. Meeting those deep eyes, her heart pounded harder and harder, and she felt as if she had a fever.

Lu Runxu looked down at the incredibly beautiful girl in front of him, his eyes filled with tenderness. He cupped Xing Bei's face and gently kissed her cheek.

"Happy marriage, Mrs. Lu."

Xing Bei stared blankly at the person in front of her. Perhaps because she was mesmerized by the exquisite diamond ring, she felt that her mind was completely blank tonight.

Lu Runxu looked up at the snowflakes dancing in the sky and couldn't help but recall a legend—

It is said that if you kiss your loved one on the first snow, you will stay together until you grow old.

It's ridiculous that he would believe such things.

Xing Bei looked up and caught a fleeting, melancholy smile on his lips. She then looked down at the exquisite yet understated diamond ring on her hand.

Is it because he wasn't satisfied with just a kiss on the cheek?

She was willing to go all out because of the diamond ring.

Xing Bei's slender hand gripped the man's sleeve tightly. She stood on tiptoe to kiss him, and a faint fruity scent wafted over her. For the first time, Lu Runxu's mind was completely blank.

Because of her height, Xing Bei lightly touched her lips. Lu Runxu quietly looked at the person in front of him. The little girl seemed a little shy, with her head down, only revealing a pair of pink ears.

A hint of surprise flashed across Lu Runxu's eyes: "I didn't expect Mrs. Lu to be so proactive today. It seems that I can give Mrs. Lu more jewelry in the future."

Hearing his teasing, Xing Bei lowered her head even further.

That scoundrel is really hypocritical, getting the benefit while pretending to be innocent.

Lu Runxu gently lifted the chin of the person in front of him with his slender fingers, his thumb lightly brushing across her bright red lips: "Mrs. Lu, I am rather greedy."

The next moment, a cold touch assaulted Xing Bei's nerves, gradually followed by a warm sensation. The hand that had been resting on her chin had somehow slipped down to her neck, supporting the back of her head.

Slow to react, Xing Bei could only tilt her head back and endure his burning kiss, her nostrils filled with the minty scent of Lu Runxu.

It's both sobering and irresistibly captivating.