Mu Yiran had seen too many diamonds before, and she recognized it at a glance as the Pink Star worth 400 million that was auctioned in N City, Liguo two months ago.

The ring was the perfect size for her; it didn't feel tight at all, just heavy.

Shi Youxi held her left hand, his fingertips repeatedly caressing her ring finger, then slowly lowered his head to kiss it. As he looked up at her, he said, "It's locked."

Mu Yiran opened her mouth: "You... why did you prepare this?"

This engagement came out of nowhere. She left on a whim, and the household registration book was all Mu Yiran could offer. She didn't expect Shi Youxi to have prepared a ring as well.

Shi Youxi answered irrelevantly, "I was afraid you'd change your mind when I left, so I didn't have time to take it. Now I've finally brought it." He held Mu Yiran's hand and turned it around.

"We'll take a few more photos of the ring later and have the photographer Photoshop it in."

"?"

Mu Yiran said absurdly, "Is that the point?"

“Yes, how can a photo that’s going to be released be without a ring?” Shi Youxi made no attempt to hide his plan. Sure enough, her hand, which was clasped in his, tried to pull away, but Shi Youxi wouldn’t let her escape, threatening her calmly:

"If you dare to take it off, I'll lock you in the bed."

Mu Yiran: "......"

On the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau, Shi Youxi almost turned the car around to get the ring many times, but when he saw Mu Yiran staring blankly out the window, he inexplicably gave up the idea.

Shi Youxi knew she hated being bound by those cold devices, so when he learned all about Mu Yiran, he decided that locking her up alone was useless; only when both of them were locked together would it work.

He opened the cage, allowing Mu Yiran to willingly walk in.

“You had many chances to back out before we got the marriage certificate, but you didn’t. We got the certificate and got married. Once you put this ring on, don’t even think about taking it off.”

Shi Youxi stared intently at Mu Yiran, calling her by her name for the first time:

"I do want to keep you locked up, but if it's for a lifetime, perhaps a ring would look better. Mu Yiran, from now on, don't even think about leaving my side. I've said it before, when I find you, I won't let you go again."

"Never in this lifetime."

"......."

Mu Yiran didn't meet his gaze. She stared at the shimmering pink diamond until its reflection turned red in her eyes. Then, she suddenly asked Shi Youxi:

"Shi Youxi, have you ever thought... that maybe what you feel for me isn't love, but just that you're too used to me being with you, so you want me to stay by your side?"

He even imprisoned her and tried to force Mu Yiran to get pregnant.

"You have no idea what it's like to love someone. When you meet someone who truly moves you, you might be the one who regrets it first."

Shi Youxi interrupted her, "Then do you know what it's like to love someone?"

"..."

Mu Yiran hesitated and didn't speak. Before leaving, she thought she would give herself some time to think things through, but even now, Mu Yiran was still unsure whether her feelings for Shi Youxi could support what is called love. She hadn't figured it out, and she also felt that Shi Youxi hadn't figured it out either.

Shi Youxi looked at her knowingly, "You see, even I don't know what love is, so what right do I have to criticize my feelings for you?"

"You said I don't know what it's like to love someone. Maybe so, but if loving someone means wanting to be with her all the time, seeing her when you open your eyes and seeing her when you close them, no matter how beautiful or ordinary she is, no matter how noble or lowly she is, even if being with her inevitably brings sadness and pain, I still want to stay with her to the very end."

"If this is what loving someone is like, then I'm certain that I love your sister," Shi Youxi said frankly and sincerely.

"You're saying I'm just used to you being with me?" Shi Youxi's tone was laced with sarcasm. "How long have you been with me? A year? Or two?"

"..."

"The total time you've spent with me doesn't even add up to a year! Yet I've waited for you from age 10 to 23. Haven't you ever wondered why, sister? There are so many people who could be with me, why you of all people!"

"I don't love you because I need you."

"It's because I love you."

"Because I love you, that's why I need you."

Shi Youxi lightly pecked Mu Yiran's mole on the tip of her nose. Seeing that Mu Yiran did not dodge, he lowered his head and walked upwards until he reached her moist eyes.

"If you don't believe me, give me another chance. We have time, so you can come and judge us."

Shi Youxi has a lifetime to let Mu Yiran judge his feelings for her.

He chose today, her birthday, as the date for registering their marriage, so that Mu Yiran would remember this day and that every year thereafter would be their wedding anniversary.

The day that Shi Youxi truly appeared in Mu Yiran's life was on her birthday.

This time, Shi Youxi accompanied her to make a wish and blow out the candles.

The light that Mu Yiran ignited in his lonely life, Shi Youxi will use to illuminate Mu Yiran's entire world.

…

Because of the man's words, Mu Yiran was suddenly startled. By the time she came to her senses, she was already sitting in front of the cake.

There were two cakes, one for Mo Mumu and the other prepared by Shi Youxi.

It was the first time Shi Youxi had celebrated her birthday, and he was extremely excited, going to great lengths to celebrate in various ways.

Mu Yiran was completely charmed by him, and Shi Youxi even took her on a tour of the entire villa, from the living room to the billiards room in the basement, to the outdoor swimming pool, and finally back to her room to take a shower.

Mu Yiran was exhausted but couldn't sleep. Shi Youxi wouldn't let her sleep and forced her to call him "husband."

If Mu Yiran is unwilling, then let's change it and force her to call me "wife".

Only when Mu Yiran couldn't take it anymore and cried out did Shi Youxi shut his mouth and praise her:

"My husband is so awesome."

"......"

A ridiculous night.

When Mu Yiran woke up, the midday sun was shining brightly. After two days of such torment, her body felt like it had been dismembered, and she was staring blankly at the ceiling.

The hanging chain seemed to have been removed, leaving only a half-ring hook.

Was it demolished by Shi Youxi?

He seems to have really changed.

He has become like a "normal person".

Why didn't he remove the hooks too, and just pretend to show them to her? Was he thinking he could put the chains back on later?

After spacing out for a while, her phone rang. She reached for it and was somewhat surprised to see who was calling.

"Hey, Uncle Cheng."

Li Bingcheng's refined voice came softly, "Ranran, are you home now? Are you free? I'd like to see you."

Mu Yiran sat up, took a breath, and quickly said, "I'm free! But I'm outside! I'll come find you!"

Lee Byung-seung remained silent for a moment, then said, "Alright... there's something I'd like to tell you."

“...”

Not knowing why Li Bingcheng would suddenly contact her, Mu Yiran immediately climbed out of bed, grimacing as she tidied herself up. Since he and Mo Mumu found Mu Yiran in London, their relationship had become more intimate, and Mu Yiran had gradually come to regard him as one of her only two elders.

Lee Byung-sung stayed with her in China for a long time during her treatment, and only recently returned to the UK to handle company matters. How come he's back so soon?

Unexpectedly, Shi Youxi was not at the villa. The people at the villa told her that Shi Youxi had gone to handle official business. Mu Yiran also saw the WeChat message the man sent her, which only reported his schedule, told her not to forget to eat when she woke up, and told Mu Yiran to call if she needed anything.

This way of getting along was unprecedented. Mu Yiran felt awkward and unfamiliar, but she still finished her meal before going out.

The staff from Shimen escorted her to Li Bingcheng's branch office in Haishi, where the secretary respectfully led her to the chairman's office.

Mu Yiran pushed open the door and entered: "Uncle Cheng, I'm here!"

Lee Byung-seung was looking at documents when he heard the voice. He looked up, and his sharp gaze softened instantly. "Ranran, have you eaten?"

"I've already eaten. You didn't wait for me without eating, did you? I didn't eat enough at lunch, so let's eat now—"

"I've already eaten."

Li Bingcheng smiled and pulled her to sit on the sofa. He had someone bring over small cakes and drinks. After Mu Yiran took a few sips, she asked him, "Uncle Cheng, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Li Bingcheng looked at her thoughtfully for a few seconds before slowly asking, "Ranran, what did you do yesterday?"

Mu Yiran was stunned for a moment, then goosebumps instantly rose on her skin, "I—"

Lee Byung-seung: "Did he go to get a marriage certificate with someone?"

"Is that person... Shi Youxi of Shiye?"

Mu Yiran opened her mouth blankly: "..."

It's over.

The elders found out about the whirlwind marriage.

...

...

My daughter is extremely insecure and has an avoidant personality. She prefers to give to others because she can control it, and she craves but feels insecure about the affection others want to give.