Chapter 249 Blank (The End)
At the dinner table, the three chatted about lighthearted topics.
When Ji's mother asked about Zhou Xubai's father's recent situation, Zhou Xubai answered patiently and also showed concern for her health.
Ji Wanqing occasionally chimed in with a few words, her heart overflowing with happiness as she watched the two most important people in her life get along so well.
After finishing the noodles, Zhou Xubai took the initiative to get up and clear the dishes, insisting on washing them.
This time, Ji's mother didn't stop him. Watching his busy figure in the kitchen, she whispered to her daughter.
"A man who's willing to cook can't be bad."
Ji Wanqing smiled, pursing her lips.
By the time Zhou Xubai came out of the kitchen, it was indeed quite late.
Mother Ji yawned and said.
"Alright, it's getting late. Xu Bai, don't bother looking for a hotel tonight. It's too much trouble. Anyway, the guest rooms are empty, and the blankets and sheets are clean. Just make do for one night."
This unexpected invitation to stay overnight caught both Zhou Xubai and Ji Wanqing off guard.
Zhou Xubai quickly realized that this was a sign that Ji's mother had completely accepted him, and he was grateful, so he immediately responded.
"Thank you, Auntie. I'll take my leave then."
"Don't bother us, just make yourself at home." Mother Ji waved her hand and then said to Ji Wanqing, "Go find Xu Bai a new set of toiletries and turn on the air conditioner in the guest room."
After making the arrangements, Ji's mother returned to her room, leaving the two young people alone.
They were left alone in the living room again.
Ji Wanqing looked at Zhou Xubai, and the two smiled at each other, both feeling a sense of relief and warmth.
"Looks like I've passed the parents' initial screening?" Zhou Xubai said in a low voice, with a hint of joking.
Ji Wanqing playfully punched him lightly, "Dream on! Go wash up, don't you have to catch an early flight tomorrow?"
She led Zhou Xubai to the guest room and prepared everything for him.
Standing at the door of the guest room, Zhou Xubai took her hand and placed a gentle goodnight kiss on her forehead.
Goodnight, Wanqing.
Goodnight, Xu Bai.
This night, there was no grand passion, but in a bowl of hot soup noodles, a word of invitation to stay the night, and a goodnight, I felt the most solid happiness and sense of belonging.
-
Time flies, and another summer has arrived.
The relationship between Zhou Xubai and Ji Wanqing deepened steadily and sweetly.
Those past misunderstandings and hurts have long been soothed by daily companionship and unwavering love.
Ji's mother became increasingly satisfied with her prospective son-in-law, and the house was often filled with laughter.
However, Zhou Xubai had a deeper plan brewing in his mind all along.
This plan is not only about their love, but also about their shared past, present and future.
It's Ji Wanqing's birthday again.
There was no grand party, no extravagant gifts; Zhou Xubai simply drove her to a place.
In front of an old but renovated office building near their alma mater, C University.
The building's exterior is modern and technologically advanced, and the brand-new logo shines brightly in the sunlight.
[Qingkong Interactive Entertainment]
This is the CP name that fans once gave them: Clear Sky.
"This is..." Ji Wanqing looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar place, somewhat puzzled.
This used to be the digital mall they frequented during their university years, but now it has become a fairly large company.
Zhou Xubai held her hand, his eyes sparkling with a mysterious and excited light.
"Let me show you... no, we are your birthday present."
He led her into the building, where the interior design was extremely modern, with gaming elements and human-centered office spaces visible everywhere.
When the employees saw Zhou Xubai, they greeted him respectfully, while curiously observing Ji Wanqing.
Everyone knew that this was their future president's wife, but this was the first time they had seen her.
When they reached the company's core R&D area, Zhou Xubai stopped, pointed to a huge display board covered by a curtain, and said to Ji Wanqing.
“Pull it open.”
Ji Wanqing's heart started racing for no reason; she seemed to have a premonition of something.
She reached out and gently pulled down the curtain.
The curtain slid down, revealing the full view of the display board.
The project name, "Under the Clear Sky," is clearly written above.
What shocked Ji Wanqing the most was the line of eye-catching text below the project introduction.
[Project Co-founder & Chief Inspiration Architect: Ji Wanqing]
Her name was prominently listed alongside Zhou Xubai's.
"What... what's going on?" Ji Wanqing covered her mouth, looking at Zhou Xubai in disbelief.
Zhou Xubai looked at her tenderly and began to speak slowly.
"Wanqing, do you remember when we first reunited, you complained to me that there were very few games on the market that were truly from a female perspective, with both a deep storyline and excellent gameplay? You said that if you had the opportunity, you would like to participate in the production of such a game."
He paused, looking around at the place where he had poured so much of his heart and soul.
“From then on, I started planning. Qingkong Interactive Entertainment is our company, and Qingkongxiaxia is our first child. This chief inspiration architect is not a nominal position. Over the past year, our planning team has made detailed records and analyses of many of the ideas you mentioned in your live streams regarding game mechanics, plot development, and character creation. Many of the best ideas have been incorporated into the core design of this game.”
He took her hand and led her to a computer that already had the closed beta version of Under the Clear Sky installed.
"Why don't you give it a try? This place has your shadow in it, and it has our shared dream."
Ji Wanqing sat in front of the computer, her fingers trembling as she gripped the mouse.
When she entered the game, saw the familiar theme, felt the smooth controls, and experienced the story branches she had casually described during her live streams, tears finally streamed down her face.
This is not expensive jewelry, nor a romantic trip, but rather a collection of her dreams, her words, and her passions that he treasured and crafted for her by hand.
He brought her into his business empire, not as a sheltered partner, but as an equal and vital partner.
“Zhou Xubai…” she choked up, unable to utter a complete sentence.
Zhou Xubai knelt on one knee, took out a velvet box from his pocket, and opened it.
Inside is not a traditional diamond ring, but a ring with an extremely unique design.
A deep blue sapphire is set on a platinum base, surrounded by tiny diamonds, and the two people's initials are engraved on the inside of the ring.
“Wanqing.” He looked up at her, his gaze devout and ardent. “I’ve filled the years of emptiness with a clear sky. I don’t just want you to be my wife, but also to be my life partner, the co-builder of all my dreams. Marry me, and let’s explore our infinitely possible future together.”
There were no onlookers cheering, no deliberately romantic setups, just the two of them and this space that held their dreams and love for each other.
This proposal was unique, entirely belonging to Zhou Xubai and Ji Wanqing.
Ji Wanqing looked at the ring, at the man in front of her who cared about everything about her and responded to her in the most shocking way, nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face but smiling broadly.
"Okay! I do! Not just to be your wife, but also to be your lifelong partner!"
Zhou Xubai excitedly put the ring on her ring finger; the size was a perfect fit.
He stood up, pulled her into a tight embrace, and kissed her deeply amidst the game's grand background music.
This kiss is a promise, and also the beginning of a new chapter.
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