Chapter 68 Valentine's Day Part 2: Doing things lovers should do.

Xing Lan was stunned for a moment, and before she could react, the popcorn that had gone cold in her arms was replaced with a beautifully arranged bouquet of flowers.

It was obvious that Li Baidong hadn't gone to the restroom at all; instead, he had secretly gone to the flower shop on the second floor of the mall to pick up the bouquet he had ordered in advance.

He looked at Xing Lan with a bright and gentle smile, his voice filled with cheerful laughter.

Happy Valentine's Day, baby.

The bouquet was large and heavy; when held in his arms, it resembled a beautifully decorated stone pier, round and large. Xing Lan didn't count carefully, but after a quick glance, he estimated there were several hundred flowers.

At the very center of the flower, there was a small, square wooden box that emitted a distinctive woody fragrance and stood out among the large cluster of flowers.

Xing Lan quickly noticed the box.

He reached out and took it from the center of the flower. After getting it, he turned his head and casually asked Li Baidong next to him, "What is this?"

Li Baidong smiled and kept everyone in suspense: "You'll find out when you open it."

Xing Lan opened the box with one hand, and upon closer inspection, found it to be empty. There was nothing inside, not even a small piece of paper; it was completely bare.

He frowned, looked at Li Baidong again, his gaze filled with even deeper doubt than before.

Could it be that Li Baidong gave him some precious cold air from Siberia?

Although it's outrageous, it actually seems like something he's capable of doing. If that's the case, he might want to punch him.

Li Baidong blinked, took a soft breath, and pretended to think with a hiss. He then smiled and said to Xing Lan, "Maybe it's because... well, only smart kids can see what's inside?"

Xing Lan: "..."

He remained silent, giving Li Baidong a slight glare.

If the flowers in his arms weren't too heavy and he didn't have a free hand, he really wanted to raise his hand and give him a good beating.

Xing Lan was unwilling to give up. She lifted the small box and shook it near her ear twice. Looking at Li Baidong, she said with great certainty, "It's empty inside. There's nothing in it." It was definitely not because he wasn't smart enough.

Li Baidong smiled again. He coughed lightly to calm himself down, then suddenly straightened his face and said seriously, "I remember now. It's an ancient little magic box that can only be opened by saying the incantation."

Xing Lan was skeptical: "...What kind of spell?"

Li Baidong pointed to his cheek, his eyes full of cunning: "Give me a kiss, and I'll tell you the spell."

Xing Lan looked around. Although it was a bit late, the mall was still crowded because it was the weekend and a holiday. Behind them, the lights were bright and the atmosphere was lively, with music and the chatter of the crowd mingling together in a chaotic cacophony.

Li Baidong stared at him, watching Xing Lan hesitate for only a second or two before quickly pressing his lips to Xing Lan's and kissing his cheek. Xing Lan's lips were soft, slightly cool, and felt like smooth jade.

They're incredibly well-behaved.

Li Baidong squinted his eyes contentedly and finally generously taught him the so-called "spell".

He leaned down and whispered a few words in Xing Lan's ear. Xing Lan listened, somewhat incredulous, her eyes widening slightly.

He paused for a moment, then, as if waking from a dream, abruptly looked up at Li Baidong, licking his back teeth with his tongue: "What are you doing? Are you playing me?"

Li Baidong straightened his back, his expression very upright: "No, brother, why would I play a trick on you? I love you the most."

Xing Lan was not swayed by his sweet talk and continued to firmly accuse him: "This spell is clearly something you made up yourself."

"No way, I didn't make that up." Li Baidong said, not even believing himself, and couldn't help but turn his head away and chuckle. He just kept putting on a brave face and pretending to be innocent. "I really didn't make that up, that's how it is."

Xing Lan straightened her face.

He had been holding this large bouquet of flowers for a while, and before he knew it, his arms were getting a little sore.

Taking the opportunity, Li Baidong urged him from the side, whispering in his ear, "Brother, hurry up and recite the incantation, then we can go home."

Xing Lan gave him a cold look, took a step forward, and made a move to throw the boring empty box into the trash can.

Li Baidong didn't say anything, just pouted and followed him expectantly.

After a while, Xing Lan stopped.

He took a deep breath, mentally prepared himself, glanced around to make sure no one was looking their way, and then whispered quickly and quietly to the square box—

“I love Li Baidong, he is the only husband I will ever have in my life.”

Because the voice was fast and low, and it was like chanting some kind of spell.

After reciting this extremely embarrassing phrase, it was obvious that it was a so-called "spell" that Li Baidong had made up himself. He opened it with great anticipation, only to find that the square box was still empty, completely empty, without even a speck of dust.

Xing Lan gritted her teeth and smiled slightly, glancing subtly at Li Baidong beside her.

Although he didn't physically assault him, he stomped hard on his newly bought sneakers without any mercy.

Caught off guard, Li Baidong suddenly let out a howl, his brows furrowing like a dog whose tail had been stepped on.

Xing Lan felt deceived. He was such a rational, composed, and experienced adult who could always maintain a certain level of clarity, yet he was easily fooled by a naive kid four years younger than him.

He ignored Li Baidong and walked quickly outside, carrying the flowers.

Ignoring his still-aching foot, Li Baidong quickly chased after him, grabbed his arm from behind, and explained, "The magic box might be broken. Let me fix it for you."

"Repair?" Xing Lan stopped and looked at him arrogantly, then casually tossed the square box back to him. "Here you go, I don't want it anymore."

Li Baidong took the small box, fiddled with it for a bit for some reason, then looked up at Xing Lan with bright, pleading eyes: "Brother, I've fixed it. Say it again, it'll definitely work this time."

Xing Lan pursed her lips, and although she was not very willing, she reluctantly repeated the sentence in the cold wind.

With a crisp "ding," the small box in Li Baidong's hand was suddenly opened again.

Xing Lan glanced at the box with little hope, only to find a round ring lying quietly inside.

It was a silver ring with cat ears, which gleamed with a flawless white silver light under the dim lights at the entrance of the mall.

The ring is small and exquisite, with subtle signs of handcrafting. It is adorned with three very small colored gemstones, each exceptionally beautiful, with a clear, translucent luster and dazzling brilliance—clearly carefully selected.

In addition to trendy brand stores, this newly opened shopping mall also has a well-equipped handicraft shop where you can make your own silver rings under the guidance of the staff.

Before today, Li Baidong had actually come to this mall alone several times, spending a long time clumsily making this silver ring little by little, and personally engraving the initials of his and Xing Lan's names on the ring.

The final product wasn't perfect. If you look closely, you can see a tiny, shallow pit, and the direction of the engraving is slightly off from what I expected.

It is naturally not as exquisite as a finished ring meticulously crafted by professional workers, but it retains the texture of Li Baidong's fingertips and the warmth of his palm when Li Baidong made it.

Li Baidong gently took Xing Lan's hand, looked into his eyes, and carefully helped him put on the ring.

Without asking Xing Lan, he took it upon himself to slip the ring onto Xing Lan's ring finger.

The size is perfect, with no deviation whatsoever.

Xing Lan's hands were slender and delicate, fair and smooth as scallions, naturally suited to wearing jewelry. The silver ring on his hand shimmered with tiny sparkles in the darkness, captivating all who looked at it.

Li Baidong unconsciously moved closer to Xing Lan, wrapped one arm around his waist, licked his lips, and leaned down to ask him affectionately, "Does it look good?"

Xing Lan is strict with himself and has a high aesthetic sense regarding the objects around him.

He looked at the slightly rough ring on his hand, frowned slightly, glanced at Li Baidong, and said indifferently, "It's alright, but the handwriting is a bit ugly."

The light in Li Baidong's eyes dimmed for a moment, but he still asked, unwilling to give up, "Then do you like it?"

Xing Lan's gaze slowly shifted from the ring to Li Baidong's face beside her.

Li Baidong's eyes were as bright as ever, full of anticipation like a puppy's, and all he could see was the reflection of himself holding the flowers.

His long blond hair fell to his forehead, fluttering gently in the breeze, which made his striking features—his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes—appear even more handsome and unparalleled, stirring Xing Lan's heart.

After a long pause, Xing Lan stared at him and nodded.

"Um."

"like."

He liked it very much, no matter how ugly it was.

He raised his hand and, acquiescingly and as a reward, touched Li Baidong's face.

Li Baidong narrowed his eyes, then couldn't resist leaning in to kiss him. He stretched his neck out so long that Xing Lan almost lost his balance and was about to fall backward while holding the bouquet, but Li Baidong reached out and caught him.

Under the cover of night, illuminated by the streetlights, two tall shadows clung together, resembling both an intimate couple and two children with a particularly close relationship.

The scene is incredibly youthful and beautiful.

-

Although the flowers were a gift from Li Baidong to Xing Lan, he carried them himself on the way home, struggling and bearing the burden. Xing Lan complained that they were too heavy and refused to carry them, instead choosing a single dark blue rose and leisurely walking ahead, swinging her wrist with ease.

But he still liked that ring very much and always wore it on his hand without taking it off.

Back in his apartment, he placed the small box he used to hold his rings on the bedside table, next to a bedside lamp he had used for a long time.

Before Xing Lan entered the bathroom, she saw Li Baidong organizing the clothes he had just bought that day in the bedroom, categorizing them one by one in an orderly manner.

However, when he came out of the shower, he was suddenly grabbed by a pair of strong hands.

Li Baidong had tidied the bedroom spotlessly without anyone noticing, and then swept Xing Lan, who had just finished showering, up in his arms. Xing Lan was caught off guard; her body was still steaming, and clear water droplets dripped down her neck, dampening Li Baidong's pajamas.

"...What are you doing?"

"It's Valentine's Day today." Li Baidong chuckled, lowering his face and gradually moving closer to him. His hot breath brushed against his ear, and his rising tone carried an undisguised ambiguity. "Of course, we should do some things that lovers should do."

Xing Lan understood the unspoken meaning in his words. She lowered her eyes, did not refuse, and obediently reached out to hug his neck tightly.

Li Baidong carried Xing Lan all the way to the bedroom, placed him on the bed, and then leaned over to him, pressing his knees against the soft mattress, and passionately kissed his lips.

As they were kissing, Li Baidong suddenly pulled out a white, fluffy thing from somewhere.

Xing Lan looked closely and realized it was the strange sweater he had given her during dinner that night.

What are you going to do with this?

Li Baidong made no attempt to hide his feelings, looking at him with a direct and eager gaze, and licked his lips: "Didn't you want to know how to wear this outfit? I'll teach you and help you put it on."

"No." Xing Lan frowned and coldly turned her face away.

"They haven't been washed. Wear them yourself if you want." He glanced at Li Baidong lazily, his expression clearly showing disgust.

Although Li Baidong was a little disappointed, he was still very understanding. He smiled and leaned closer, saying, "Then wear it next time."

"Don't wear it next time either." Xing Lan didn't think for a second and glanced at him.

It wasn't that he disliked the gift Li Baidong gave him, but he simply couldn't imagine himself wearing such strange clothes naked, especially in a place like a bed.

Just thinking about the scene made him blush. Unless he was crazy, no matter how much Li Baidong begged, he would never kiss him while wearing such clothes, let alone...

"Okay." Li Baidong lowered his eyes with a hint of grievance, but his interest remained undiminished. Instead, looking at Xing Lan, who was lying on the bed with her chin tilted back and a cold and aloof expression, he felt his body temperature rise a few degrees.

He placed his hands on either side of Xing Lan and gently kissed him.

Xing Lan raised her face slightly, half-closed her eyes, and opened her lips to meet his. The quiet room was immediately filled with the sound of splashing water.

As they could clearly hear each other's heartbeats, the night outside the window was gradually deepening.