Chapter 47 Zhou Xubai's suggestion: Let's get engaged first, and have a small...

Zhou Xubai gently grasped Lin Yuwei's hand, his palm warm and dry, with an undeniable strength: "I know now may not be the best time to say these things, but there are some things I'm afraid I'll never have the courage to say them again if I don't say them now."

“Yuwei, I like you! It’s not a momentary impulse, but a decision I’ve made after spending so much time together and thinking it over carefully.” His gaze was intense, filled with an undeniable, almost burning affection: “I want to take care of you, I want you to no longer have to shoulder everything alone, I want to give you a future you can rely on with peace of mind.”

Lin Yuwei's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter, the force gentle yet firm.

“I know you’re worried about your mother’s health, and… perhaps you’re not quite ready to start a new relationship yet.” His tone shifted abruptly, becoming incredibly considerate and pragmatic, each word precisely addressing her concerns: “So, I have a suggestion that might put our minds at ease, and also put your mother’s mind at ease.”

He took a deep breath and unveiled his well-thought-out, determined plan: "Let's get engaged first, with a small, intimate ceremony, inviting only our closest family and friends. This will allow your aunt to see that you've found your soulmate and fulfill her greatest wish. As for the formal wedding, we can postpone it indefinitely, until you feel it's right—a year, two years, or even longer, it's all up to you. During this time, I will be by your side as your fiancé, helping you take care of your aunt and sharing everything. How does that sound...?"

His suggestion was so thoughtful, almost perfect, like a carefully constructed bridge that seemed to help her overcome all her current difficulties—her mother's expectations, her own confusion, and her uncertainty about the future. It offered a ready-made, socially accepted, and safe answer.

A gentle mountain breeze carried the faint, ethereal sound of distant bells. The atmosphere was serene and solemn, as if even the gods were listening intently, exerting an invisible pressure.

Looking into Zhou Xubai's sincere and eager eyes, Lin Yuwei recalled her mother's pale face and tearful expectation, and Zhou Xubai's auspicious fortune slip that said "a match made in heaven." Then she thought of her own fortune slip, which foretold uncertainty and an uncertain future... A great sense of exhaustion and a sense of compromise, such as "perhaps this is fate" and "perhaps this is for everyone's good," overwhelmed her last struggle like a tidal wave.

She lowered her eyes, avoiding his burning gaze, no longer daring to look at the clear picture of the future. After a long while, she nodded very slightly, her voice so soft it was almost blown away by the wind, carrying a sense of emptiness that had exhausted all her strength: "...Okay, let's do it your way."

A tremendous surprise and a sense of relief instantly flashed in Zhou Xubai's eyes, as if he had won a crucial battle. He carefully, as if handling a rare treasure, gently embraced her, his arms around her shoulders, with a tenderness that seemed to proclaim his arrival.

Lin Yuwei leaned on his shoulder, her gaze passing over his shoulder to look at the distant, undulating, silent mountains. But instead of the expected ease and relief, she felt as if another, heavier, and more unfamiliar stone had been placed on her, making her chest feel heavy and her breathing difficult.

But in this serene ancient temple, in Zhou Xubai's seemingly warm and reliable embrace, this heaviness and bewilderment were temporarily masked by a numb, fatalistic calm.

When Lin Yuwei and Zhou Xubai returned from Cangming Ancient Temple, the faint medicinal fragrance that lingered in their home seemed to have been somewhat diluted by an invisible joy. They found a good opportunity to roughly tell Lin Yulan about their engagement plans.

For Lin Yulan, who was suffering from illness, this good news was undoubtedly a life-giving spring, injecting into her nearly dried-up river of life. Miraculously, her pale cheeks regained their long-lost rosy hue, and her cloudy eyes shone brightly again.

For several days in a row, she was even able to take a slow walk in the garden with the help of the maid and feel the warmth of the sun. This change finally made Lin Yuwei's tense heartstrings relax a little. When she looked at Zhou Xubai, she could see the relief and peace of mind in his eyes.

Because Lin Yuwei and Zhou Xubai are the backbone of Shiguang Studio, they cannot be absent for too long. Seeing that her mother's condition has improved, Lin Yuwei proposed to return to work. Lin Yulan, who is also a career woman, naturally understands and not only does not stop them, but also urges them to prioritize their work and return to Mingchuan City as soon as possible.

As they parted, Lin Yulan held their hands, giving them detailed instructions on the engagement banquet, from the venue setup to the guest list, with meticulous care, as if she wanted to pour all her blessings and expectations into this ceremony.

They returned to Shiguang Studio, and life seemed to have entered a new phase. Although they were still busy, Zhou Xubai would always appear outside Lin Yuwei's office door on time after work to prepare for their engagement. Since the two had not publicly announced their relationship, their figures leaving side by side gradually became a regular sight in the studio. This regular coming and going quietly ignited the curiosity of their colleagues.

The most lively designer, Xiaoyu, couldn't contain her curiosity. While Zhou Xubai was out and Lin Yuwei was working overtime alone, she leaned over and whispered gossip, "Sister Weiwei, are you and President Zhou getting closer to getting married? Everyone's been speculating about it! They say you two have been inseparable lately, and President Zhou's eyes are practically dripping with sweetness when he looks at you!"

Lin Yuwei paused slightly in her paintbrush hand, looking up to meet Xiaoyu's bright, inquisitive gaze. She simply smiled calmly, her tone understated: "Go home and rest, don't overthink it. If there's really good news," she paused again, her lips curving into a gentler smile, "I'll definitely treat everyone to dinner, what's the rush?" She skillfully changed the subject, but a vague sense of emptiness washed over her.

Soon, the custom-made gown for the engagement party was finished. Zhou Xubai made an appointment with the bridal shop to try it on that evening. When it was time to leave work, Zhou Xubai went to the parking lot early to get his car and parked it in the usual spot where he waited for Lin Yuwei to get in. He tapped the steering wheel lightly with his fingertips, glanced at the time, and looked towards the building exit. The crowd was thinning out, but he still couldn't see Lin Yuwei.

More than half an hour had passed since he was supposed to leave work. He took out his phone and dialed Lin Yuwei's number. It rang several times before being answered, and the background noise still carried the sounds of the studio's lingering activity.

"Hello? Xu Bai." Her voice came through, still somewhat focused on work: "Weiwei, I'm downstairs, are you still busy?" Zhou Xu Bai's voice was gentle, without a hint of urging.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Lin Yuwei's soft exclamation, tinged with obvious realization and apology: "Ah! I'm sorry, Xu Bai! I... I completely forgot today is the day for trying on wedding dresses! I started drawing as soon as the patterns were laid out... I'll be right down!"

Hearing the slightly hurried sounds of her packing, Zhou Xubai's tone remained tolerant: "No rush, take your time, I'll wait for you."

About fifteen minutes later, Lin Yuwei appeared at the door, jogged in, opened the car door and got in. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from jogging, and her breathing was a little uneven: "I'm really sorry, have you been waiting for a long time?"

"It's alright." Zhou Xubai smiled, leaned over to tidy her messy hair, and then started the car: "Work is more important."

The upscale wedding salon was hidden on a quiet street lined with trees. The interior was softly lit, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance and the scent of brand-new clothes. As Zhou Xubai and Lin Yuwei entered the store, the wedding dress designer immediately and solemnly brought out the main dress and presented it to them.

Looking at the pure white gauze dress, Lin Yuwei was momentarily lost in thought, because the dress was indeed an extremely beautiful design. It was not complicated and piled up, but rather used smooth cuts and delicate lace to outline a graceful and lively silhouette. The sketch that Zhou Xubai had shown her had now become a tangible reality, making its beauty even more amazing.

"Give it a try," Zhou Xubai said, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The dressing room was unusually quiet, with only the rustling of fabric. The stylist carefully helped Lin Yuwei put on her wedding dress, adjusting every detail. The lighting in the dressing room was soft, and a huge floor-length mirror reflected Lin Yuwei's slender figure in her wedding gown. Lin Yuwei looked at herself in the mirror; the pure white gauze dress enveloped her like clouds, making her black hair appear even darker and her skin even whiter. But she only felt that the bride in the mirror was beautiful yet unfamiliar.

The wedding dress designer was carefully adjusting the angle of her veil, her mouth full of praise. Her gaze wandered aimlessly, finally landing on a mannequin in the corner wearing a sharp suit. The mannequin had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and a tall and straight figure. The cold material outlined a very masculine profile. This glance was like a pebble thrown into a lake, suddenly creating chaotic ripples. That profile inexplicably reminded her of Gu Qingyan.

If he were standing here, what kind of gaze would he give her as she wore her wedding dress? Would it be one of amazement, silence, or that complex expression with a hint of mockery that she was once familiar with? This thought, like a fine thorn, unexpectedly pierced the softest part of her heart, bringing a clear and sharp pain.

She took a deep breath, as if to dispel the tightness in her chest, and quickly lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing all emotions. Her fingertips gripped the intricate layers of her skirt, forcing herself to immediately extinguish this absurd and inappropriate thought.

When she looked up again, she saw her slightly pale face in the mirror and tried her best to slowly curve a perfect smile that she had practiced countless times. Just then, the curtain was gently pulled open to both sides by the wedding dress designer.

Zhou Xubai was sitting on the velvet sofa next to him. The moment he looked up at the sound, he was completely captivated by the exquisite beauty before him. He subconsciously stood up, and his breath caught in his throat for a moment.

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Author's Note: Xiao Gu, your wife is really going to be gone.