Lu Zhe never expected that Xia Xiaobing would actually use this move.
On the pristine white porcelain plate sat two small boxes, both open, each containing a ring. The woman's ring was set with a dazzling diamond. The man's ring, though without a diamond, was an exquisitely crafted platinum ring with geometric patterns.
Upon seeing the rings, he froze on the spot. Forget about remaining calm; his expression completely went blank, as if his brain had shut down.
Xia Xiaobing, no longer as composed as before, blushed and said softly, "Actually, I never liked diamonds before. They're just carbon, and diamonds are mass-produced. The high price of diamonds is just commercial marketing, pure hype."
Lu Zhe: "..."
Xia Xiaobing looked up at him. Her sister's phoenix eyes, which usually exuded a cold and aloof air, were now filled with tenderness and affection. Only at this moment did Lu Zhe realize that Xia Xiaobing was wearing makeup she had never worn before: eyeliner of varying thickness and light orange eyeshadow, which added a touch of allure.
She continued softly, "But I've been thinking these past few days about what would be the best thing to propose to you with. After much thought, I still think a diamond ring is the most suitable."
Lu Zhe swallowed hard: "These two diamonds seem to be quite big..."
Xia Xiaobing: "Yes, a two-carat diamond ring."
Lu Zhe stared at the diamond, lost in thought and remaining silent.
Xia Xiaobing immediately guessed his thoughts and said, "It's not expensive for me, less than 300,000."
Lu Zhe: "But I heard that diamond rings are for proposing marriage, bought by the man for the woman..."
Xia Xiaobing smiled and said, "The meaning of rituals is all given by people. I don't think it's necessary to care too much about it. As long as it expresses your feelings, that's enough. Besides, I think we need to face reality. The reality is that I ran a lifetime ahead of you and got involved earlier. Since that's the case, it's fine to wait here for you to catch up slowly."
Lu Zhe glanced at the pair of rings again and remained silent.
He certainly wanted to agree, but he was hesitant. After all, what if Xue Xiaodie and Tang Qi found out after they actually got married?
That would be a complete disaster.
But the girl has already bought the ring and placed it in front of you. Can you refuse at this point? If you really refuse, even if things aren't completely over between you and Xia Xiaobing, you don't know how much heartache you'll cause her or how much effort it will take to make amends.
Moreover, even if one were to refuse, what would be the reason?
However, just as Lu Zhe remained silent, Xia Xiaobing whispered, "I understand, you're still hesitant. We're both still very young, and you've been... well, probably because of your upbringing, so you're not too comfortable with marriage and don't really yearn for it."
"So what do you want?" As soon as he asked the question, Lu Zhe realized that his voice was so dry and hoarse, as if he hadn't drunk water for two days and two nights.
Xia Xiaobing smiled calmly: "The ring I bought isn't the size for our ring finger, it's for the middle finger."
"Middle finger?"
Lu Zhe immediately understood. A ring worn on the ring finger is a wedding ring, while one worn on the middle finger is an engagement ring.
Xia Xiaobing said softly, "If you think things are moving too fast, that's okay. We can stay engaged. There will be no legal formalities, and we won't tell anyone else. I just want to know that you belong to me."
Lu Zhe remained silent for a moment, then said in an extremely sincere tone, "I have always belonged to you."
Xia Xiaobing smiled and nodded: "That's good. I've accumulated enough capital during this time, both in terms of funds and technology, enough for me to lay the groundwork for the next ten years. I'll be very busy in the future, but no matter how busy I am, as long as I know you'll always be by my side, I won't be afraid anymore."
Lu Zhe also smiled: "With your wisdom and strength, would you be afraid?"
Xia Xiaobing's smile faded, and she said seriously, "Yes, I'm afraid that the unexpected butterfly effect will change the future I've experienced. I'm afraid that my own company or the company I've acquired will sideline me. I'm also afraid that those big companies and giants will react in advance and, just like in my previous life, hollow out my team, steal my clients, and bury my opportunities. But what I fear most is that you will leave me."
Lu Zhe: "I don't know how..."
Before he could finish speaking, the older woman pressed her index finger against his lips. Perhaps because autumn was deepening, her finger was also a little cold.
Xia Xiaobing continued, "I know anything is possible. The world is driven by one black swan event after another, and no one can predict what the future will hold. Rationally, I know you might leave me, you might change your mind, not to mention Tang Qi and Xue Xiaodie. Even if you cut off contact with them now, what about the future? Who can say for sure what the future holds?"
Lu Zhe was naturally a little nervous, and his heart was beating slightly faster, but he did not show any unease on the surface.
However, he didn't know how to respond at this moment, so he could only listen quietly.
Xia Xiaobing sighed again: "Actually, I've thought about it. If I were you, I might choose not to marry this woman named Xia Xiaobing. Because as long as we don't get married, I can go find Miss Tang anytime. The best option is to hone my skills and build connections with Xia Xiaobing, then go find Tang Qi and become the heir to a multi-billion dollar company as her son-in-law. Anyway, Tang Qi isn't interested in business, she's cute, honest, and easy to control, and she loves me very much. What could be better than that?"
Lu Zhe was speechless once again. He hadn't considered Xia Xiaobing's proposal at all. After all, Miss Tang was indeed important to him, but his basic principles as a straight man were also very important.
Moreover, he couldn't possibly be that calculating.
Xia Xiaobing, of course, had no way of knowing President Tang's orientation, and could only continue, "It was precisely because you understood this that you so resolutely cut off contact with Tang Qi, which surprised and delighted me. However, people are always greedy, and I am no exception."
“Greed is insatiable…” Lu Zhe gave a wry smile, “You’re too honest, aren’t you?”
Xia Xiaobing said self-deprecatingly, "There's nothing I can do. There are many things I can understand, but I'm unwilling to do them. For example, I know very well how to pretend to be weak and pitiful, but I can't do it. Maybe a girl like Xue Xiaodie would be more compatible."
Lu Zhe: "..."
Xia Xiaobing gently shook her head, bringing the topic back on track: "Alright, anyway, all I really want is a little ceremony. It doesn't need to be known by anyone else, and it won't cause you any extra trouble. It'll just make me feel at ease in the future. It's just a little ceremony like that."
Before he finished speaking, Lu Zhe had already picked up the two-carat diamond ring. He lifted Xia Xiaobing's left hand and put the ring on her slender, pale middle finger.
Then, he put the men's ring on the middle finger of his left hand, and when he looked up, he saw tears welling up in the beautiful eyes of the mature woman.
With tears in her eyes, Xia Xiaobing smiled and said, "Please guide me in the future, my dear."
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