Chapter 237: Marriage "Ji Xiaoxue, we are engaged."
Seeing Shen Qingzhu's eyes full of surprise, as if he had never expected him to say that, Ji Mingxue's face suddenly turned red, and she clenched her palms, subconsciously starting to explain -
"I know, I know. Honey, you probably haven't thought about this. After all, we've been together for such a short time. We don't have the worries of lifelong marks like other AOs. We also hate that AOs have to get married because of the secular world's bad traditions."
"I also know that we are both too young and it is too early to think about getting married or engaged."
"I don't want to put pressure on you, nor do I want you to get engaged. I just want to ask you first..."
The more Ji Mingxue spoke, the softer her voice became, and the more depressed she looked.
This was the first time Shen Qingzhu saw Ji Mingxue so unconfident.
In the past, even when she was confessing her feelings to him and was unsure whether she would get his response, Ji Mingxue was always confident.
Now the anxiety is visibly evident.
Are you worried that he will refuse?
But to be fair, Shen Qingzhu really couldn't give him an answer right now, because -
"Ji Xiaoxue," Shen Qingzhu held the beautiful face that was more lovable because of shyness and uneasiness, and looked into Ji Mingxue's eyes seriously, "I want to know, are you acting on impulse?"
"Of course not!" Ji Mingxue said anxiously.
After meeting Shen Qingzhu's eyes and noticing the inquiry and seriousness in his eyes, Ji Mingxue bit her lip uncomfortably and whispered, "Actually, I've thought about this before, but even I feel that we've been in love for too short a time, and I'm afraid you'll think I'm too frivolous and hasty. After all, marriage and engagement are both major events in life, and our identities are very special, so there are too many things to consider and worry about. I'm also afraid of scaring you, so I haven't told you before."
Shen Qingzhu paused - marriage was indeed a big deal for him, and it was something he had never considered before.
To be precise, when Shen Qingzhu was still an Omega, the word "marriage" had never been in his life dictionary.
Because he doesn't trust any Alpha in this world, and he doesn't want to have any psychological or physical closeness or contact with any ABO.
Later, he traveled to this world, became an Alpha, and fell in love with Ji Mingxue, which was the biggest surprise in Shen Qingzhu's life.
But this cannot shake Shen Qingzhu's view on marriage.
In this day and age, most Betas, who make up the largest portion of the empire's population, will not choose to enter into marriage, because a long time ago, marriage was mostly a preparation for raising children.
With the maturity of in vitro reproductive technology, the reduction of child-rearing costs and the strong policy support for single people to raise children, nowadays in Beta, few people choose to get married just for the sake of raising children.
But for Omega, marriage seems to be a must in life.
Almost all Alphas in the Leman Empire are proud to have an Omega partner with a high genetic level.
According to the marriage statistics of the empire over the years, more than 75% of the newlyweds were AO combinations, and the remaining 25% were, in order from highest to lowest, BB, AB, BO, and an almost negligible OO.
As a former 3S-level Omega, Shen Qingzhu knew very well that most of the Alphas in the empire viewed Omegas as prey, playthings, and objects for them to show off. Very few Alphas would view Omegas as living people with flesh and blood and thoughts.
In order to get an Omega partner, Alphas will even use any means to forcibly mark the Omega, preferably to make the Omega pregnant, so that they can put pressure on the Omega and its family and force the Omega to marry them.
Because of this, Shen Qingzhu once hated Alpha deeply and was very wary of marriage itself, believing that it was a trap to imprison Omega in the name of legitimacy.
Of course, Shen Qingzhu also knew that there were still couples in this world who got married because of love, such as his two fathers and some Beta couples he had met.
But Shen Qingzhu has seen too many bad Alphas, and has seen too many bad marriages through his patients, so Shen Qingzhu knows very well that getting married is a very risky thing for an Omega.
Because of this, Shen Qingzhu had always been highly wary of marriage and never thought that she would enter into marriage with anyone.
Unless there is such a person in this world whom he can trust from the bottom of his heart and whom he truly loves to the core, and the other person is the same as him, Shen Qingzhu might consider this matter.
But Ji Mingxue happened to be that person.
Thinking of this, Shen Qingzhu couldn't help but sigh.
He lowered his eyes and looked at Ji Mingxue.
Given Ji Mingxue's personality, it is definitely impossible that she wants to get engaged because they had had sex and she needs him to be "responsible".
Although Ji Mingxue has transformed into an Omega, she is extremely proud at heart. Like Shen Qingzhu, she believes that they are equal in this relationship, so saying "responsible" is an insult to Ji Mingxue.
Ji Mingxue didn't need him to be "responsible" either.
But Ji Mingxue also said that the proposal was not a spur of the moment decision.
Shen Qingzhu pressed his forehead against hers and said seriously, "Ji Xiaoxue, what does marriage mean to you?"
Ji Mingxue was stunned for a moment. Seeing Shen Qingzhu's deep eyes, he was prepared to be rejected, but he didn't expect Shen Qingzhu to suddenly ask such a question.
Ji Mingxue immediately realized that this question was very important because it would directly affect whether Shen Qingzhu would agree to his proposal.
The unhappy look suddenly became solemn and dignified. Ji Mingxue subconsciously straightened his back, sat upright, and began to organize his words.
Shen Qingzhu lowered his eyes to look at his empty palm, then looked at Ji Xiaoxue's serious expression as if she was going to the battlefield. Somehow, he suddenly felt like laughing.
But he finally held back, and felt much more relaxed, waiting calmly for Ji Xiaoxue's answer.
Ji Mingxue didn't let him wait too long.
Ji Mingxue had thought carefully about the answer to this question many times.
He began to answer carefully, "For me, marriage is a very important and significant matter."
"Because of my special status as the crown prince of the empire, my marriage, in addition to my own feelings, is also related to many people and even the entire empire."
"So," he looked into Shen Qingzhu's eyes seriously, "I have really thought about it many times, and I didn't propose to you on impulse."
Shen Qingzhu looked into his eyes and said, "I believe you."
Ji Mingxue then relaxed her brows slightly, a faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips, and she said shyly, "Of course, the premise of all this is that I really, really, really like you."
"If it wasn't because I loved you, I would never marry anyone even if I ascended the throne and became the new king in the future."
His attitude is very firm.
Shen Qingzhu could see that Ji Mingxue was very serious.
"I believe you." He said softly.
Ji Mingxue continued, "You asked me before, what marriage means to me."
“The first answer that comes to my mind is responsibility.”
“Once we become a couple, we are responsible for each other’s lives.”
Shen Qingzhu's eyebrows moved slightly, and Ji Mingxue said solemnly, "Baby, you know that my identity means that I will bear extremely heavy power and responsibility throughout my life."
"Too much power can corrupt people's hearts. In order to prevent me from making mistakes in the future, I need my partner to always watch over me and remind and correct me in time when I make mistakes."
"As for my lover, I will provide him with everything I have, including but not limited to dignity, security, power, status and everything I can give."
"Of course, I know you don't value these."
"But I still hope that if we can really get married in the future, you can accept them with peace of mind."
Feeling the seriousness and solemnity between the lines of his words, Shen Qingzhu became more focused and gradually straightened his back.
Ji Mingxue continued carefully, "Besides that, we must also be responsible for each other's health. After all, only with a healthy body can we accompany each other for a longer time."
Shen Qingzhu nodded slightly, he also agreed with this point.
Ji Mingxue said slowly, "Besides responsibility, marriage also means that I will have a family who can support each other, and a comrade who I can trust with my back."
"I can trust him absolutely and show all my sides to him without restraint, whether happy or angry, sad or painful, childish or mature, without worrying about being laughed at or betrayed by him."
"We can also offer each other an arm of support when we are at our lowest, and share in each other's glory when we are at our highest."
At this point, Ji Mingxue suddenly paused and smiled sheepishly, "Do you think I'm too naive and idealistic when I say this? Because such a person and such a marriage are too rare and too precious."
Especially since Ji Mingxue was born in the most treacherous power field.
“But I still think I’m lucky.”
He lowered his eyes and slowly held Shen Qingzhu's hand, "Because I met you."
"You made me realize that there really is an ideal lover in this world."
"I want to be with you forever."
As he said this, his bright golden eyes looked at Shen Qingzhu almost devoutly, his heart full of joy and desire almost overflowing, making Shen Qingzhu's heart hot.
With her heart pounding, Shen Qingzhu couldn't help but kiss his soft lips. Ji Mingxue also put her arms around his shoulders and closed her eyes to deepen the kiss.
When their lips parted, both of them had unsteady breathing.
Shen Qingzhu pecked his wet lips lightly, her warm voice slightly hoarse, "Thank you for being so frank."
Originally, Shen Qingzhu just wanted to hear Ji Mingxue's opinion on marriage, but he didn't expect Ji Mingxue to open her whole heart to him so nakedly and without reservation.
He seems to have always been like this.
Although he is a very cautious person, he is always so frank when facing Shen Qingzhu, as if he doesn't worry about being hurt at all.
But it must be said that it was precisely because Ji Mingxue was always so unreserved that Shen Qingzhu was able to fully understand all his thoughts.
What made Shen Qingzhu feel fortunate and happy was that Ji Mingxue's view on marriage was exactly the same as his.
It was like a miracle—
Obviously, they had different backgrounds, had completely different childhood experiences, and were not even originally from the same world, but they still met each other in the vast universe, whose souls were so consistent.
This miraculous encounter made Shen Qingzhu dizzy and made him doubt for the first time whether fate really existed in this world.
Shen Qingzhu has never been a weak person.
Ever since he lost his fathers at a young age, he knew that he was his only solid supporter in this world.
So even in his original world, when he was still an Omega, he never thought of relying on anyone, and only thought of ways to make himself stronger.
During the Chinese New Year this year, he talked about marriage issues with his father's projection.
At that time, Shen Qingzhu asked Shen Xian why he married Ether in the first place.
Shen Xian said that as long as you are not afraid of divorce, you can enter into a marriage.
But at that time, Shen Xian did not tell Shen Qingzhu what his ideal lover looked like.
Shen Qingzhu originally thought that she had never really considered marriage and a partner.
But it turned out that as early as in his original world, when he saw the bad marriages and partners of his patients, Shen Qingzhu had already had a long thought about who he would form a partner with one day and what his ideal partner would be like.
It was just that those thoughts had been hidden deep in his mind until he met Ji Mingxue in this world. It was only at this moment that they finally took on the clearest form.
Ji Mingxue's appearance.
When he suddenly realized all this, Shen Qingzhu felt a great joy in his heart.
He couldn't help but kiss Ji Mingxue's lips a few more times, his emerald eyes almost curved into two clear crescent moons, and whispered, "What should I do? I seem to be as childish as you."
"Because my standards for choosing a partner are surprisingly consistent with yours, and I'm also so idealistic."
Ji Mingxue's eyes lit up and she held his cheeks, "So you agreed to my proposal?!"
Shen Qingzhu got so excited that he almost agreed.
But at the critical moment, he suddenly remembered a very crucial question.
Because of Ji Xiaoxue's heartfelt confession just now, Shen Qingzhu was almost bypassed by him.
He bit Ji Mingxue's plump lower lip and chuckled, "Answer me a question first."
Ji Mingxue snorted, "Again?"
But he was actually a little curious about what Shen Qingzhu wanted to ask, "Go ahead."
Shen Qingzhu then said in a gentle voice, "I admit that we are each other's ideal type. If nothing unexpected happens, we may really get married in the future and become each other's partners."
Ji Mingxue raised the corners of her lips happily.
Shen Qingzhu changed the subject, "But like you said, we have only been in love for a year, and we are still very young. Logically, we would not consider marriage so soon."
"So, Ji Xiaoxue, can you tell me why you suddenly proposed to me at this time, when you were about to go to the battlefield?"
Ji Mingxue was suddenly stuck. She didn't expect that Shen Qingzhu had noticed this matter.
But he still wanted to struggle, so he just blinked and said, "Didn't I say that it was to make each other feel more at ease?"
Shen Qingzhu pinched his chin and shook it gently, then smiled and said, "Tell the truth."
Ji Mingxue knew that this matter could not be concealed.
Finally, he could only sigh deeply and whispered, "I was actually thinking that if we get engaged and let everyone know that you are my fiancé, then even if I'm not around, those guys who look down on others won't dare to look down on you anymore."
"Also, if we get engaged and I'm not around, if there's an emergency, the Ji family will be able to legitimately protect you."
Shen Qingzhu was slightly startled, and suddenly realized something, "Are you bothered by the attitude of those nobles towards me at the banquet a few days ago?"
Ji Mingxue pursed her lips, "I don't like the way they look at you."
"Also," he whispered, "if we get engaged, we can stand side by side openly no matter where we are or what occasion we are in the future."
"I want everyone to know that you are my most cherished lover and an equal to me."
"I want them to respect you as much as they respect me."
Although in Ji Mingxue's heart, Shen Qingzhu, who is both beautiful and talented, deserves respect from everyone.
But he also knew that for some dignitaries in the empire who were proud of their bloodline, even if Shen Qingzhu was a 3S-level Alpha, the object they coveted and wanted to win over, they would never really take Shen Qingzhu seriously or respect him just because of his commoner background.
It's no use trying to reason with such people.
Only when you use a higher status and greater power to trample them under your feet, will they open their eyes and take you seriously.
Ji Mingxue actually knew that Shen Qingzhu didn’t care what those people thought of him, but Ji Mingxue did.
Originally, he didn't want to propose to Shen Qingzhu so soon, after all, there was a long time to come. But now the whole empire knows that he is in love with Shen Qingzhu. If he is not there at that time, even if the Academy Star is safe, Ji Mingxue cannot guarantee 100% that no one will cause trouble for Shen Qingzhu.
But if they got engaged and Shen Qingzhu became the future crown prince, those who wanted to cause trouble for Shen Qingzhu would have to think carefully about whether they could withstand the wrath of Ji Mingxue and the Ji family.
Shen Qingzhu will be much safer.
Ji Mingxue originally didn't want to tell Shen Qingzhu all this, because, just as Ji Mingxue worried when they first fell in love, his identity as the prince would undoubtedly cause trouble for Shen Qingzhu.
He was also worried that Shen Qingzhu would think he was making a big deal out of nothing.
So at the end Ji Mingxue added a few more words, "By then the whole empire will know that you are my fiancé. Even Aidan, if he wants to hook up with you, he will have to consider whether it will affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries!"
"Also, if anything happens to me on the front line, as my fiancé, you can temporarily help take charge of the situation in my name..."
Before Ji Mingxue could finish her words, Shen Qingzhu suddenly covered her mouth.
"Don't set a flag." Shen Qingzhu tapped his head lightly.
Ji Mingxue chuckled, "Do you still believe this?"
"I didn't believe it at first," Shen Qingzhu gently rubbed his cheek, "but don't tell me."
Noticing the cherishment and seriousness in his eyes, Ji Mingxue felt warm in her heart and said "OK" obediently.
After saying that, Ji Mingxue threw herself into Shen Qingzhu's arms again, hugged his neck, and said with a smile, "Then I'll tell you everything, baby, do you agree~?"
Things have come to this, how could Shen Qingzhu not agree?
Originally, he couldn't consider anyone else except Ji Xiaoxue.
But just as he opened his mouth to answer, Ji Mingxue suddenly covered his lips, "Wait, don't say anything yet."
Shen Qingzhu blinked in confusion.
Ji Mingxue took a deep breath and said seriously, "Baby, I have to make it clear to you. Once you get engaged to me, everyone will regard us as one."
"By then, everyone will look upon you as the crown prince and even make demands of you, and you will also have additional responsibilities that belong to the royal family."
It was rare to see Ji Xiaoxue being so cautious, Shen Qingzhu was almost amused by him, and said calmly, "So you want me not to agree?"
Ji Mingxue immediately shook her head like a rattle and pursed her lips and said, "I just want you to think it over carefully."
"I don't want you to regret it."
"Because once we get engaged, it will be a bit troublesome to break up."
It's more than just a little troublesome. Just thinking about it, Shen Qingzhu can foresee that the entire empire's star network will probably explode by then.
But, "Don't underestimate me."
He gently pinched Ji Mingxue's nose.
"Since I dare to fall in love with you, I have naturally prepared myself mentally."
And to be honest, whether in the original world or the current world, because of his 3S-level gene level and the research in his hands, Shen Qingzhu has never been a low-key person and has long been accustomed to bloody storms.
Since he dared to promise Ji Mingxue, he naturally deserves the reputation and responsibility.
Ji Mingxue simply loved the pride and confidence in Shen Qingzhu that she rarely showed openly.
Just like now.
It is so sharp and sparkling that it makes your heart beat faster.
"...So?" He asked again subconsciously.
This time Shen Qingzhu finally gave the answer he wanted to hear.
"Ji Xiaoxue, we are engaged."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
