Two simple men’s rings were embedded in the black velvet cloth. They had a low-key, classic design that wasn’t too exaggerated, no problem to take to class or work. When he looked closely, he found that the relief patterns on the rings were antlers, a very thoughtful design.

Mu Nanqiao asked the question so easily, as if it was really just a gift. But Lu Qi was still trapped in his arms with his back pressed against his chest, and even through the thin winter jacket, he could feel his rapid heartbeat.

He was nervous, but Lu Qi was relaxed. Tilting his head slightly, he asked with a smile in his deer-like eyes: “Boss Mu, it needs to be made clear, are there any freebies that come with it?”

Mu Nanqiao, as the freebie, was amused by his cunning look. He lowered his head and kissed the side of his cheek that was blown by the cold wind: “There’s a freebie, a big, sleek fox who can run a household and make money. En, he can also warm the bed. Doesn’t that sound like a good deal?”

Lu Qi turned around and looked at him.

The fireworks in the sky were reflected in those beautiful fox eyes, like countless stars rising and falling. What remained unchanged was the figure he was gazing at.

Lu Qi knew what Mu Nanqiao was nervous about.

Looking back on the past year, time seemed to have accelerated. He had met a scumbag and received malicious messages from many people, and everything looked so dreadful. At this most terrible time, he met Mu Nanqiao.

The handsome and mysterious Mr. Fox.

He once hesitated over whether to accept this person he hadn’t known very long as his boyfriend or not. But later, he realized that he had already left traces in Mu Nanqiao’s life, and this person had been thinking about him for many years.

Mu Nanqiao’s psychiatrist had said that he may not have caught Lu Qi as a person, but as the beam of light from his boyhood. In other words, anyone who showed kindness to Mu Nanqiao at that time may have become this beam of light.

If he were a pedantic type of person, he might have struggled with this issue, but Lu Qi did not.

He didn’t need to think about what-ifs. The fact was, he was the one who appeared in that small window, pushed it open, and picked up the little fox covered in bruises.

The fireworks in the sky were coming to an end. In the midst of these grand, gorgeous fireworks, Lu Qi softly exhaled a misty breath.

“It’s okay…..” Mu Nanqiao spoke at this moment. “Baby, if you think our time together has been too short, I can ask next year…..”

“Short?” Lu Qi blinked and interrupted him gently, pointing at the brilliantly burning fireworks under the night sky. “Look, the fireworks actually burn for a very short time, but they’re very beautiful, ah. How many times in a lifetime can you see such beautiful fireworks?”

He stretched out his hand to Mu Nanqiao. His eyes were bright, and he raised his chin proudly. “Детка, be brave!”

For a moment, Mu Nanqiao had an illusion.

He seemed to have grabbed a stuffed marshmallow and kneaded it, causing the sweet syrup to flow out and fill up the holes in his body bit by bit, making the past that had trapped him feel like just a long dream.

The sun rose, and he awoke from his nightmare.

He had said the words “I love you” so many times that the turbulent emotions piled up in his chest were about to burst out, but he didn’t know what to say.

His love was deafening, but what came out of his mouth was: “Should I go down on one knee when proposing to make it more sincere?”

“Cough, no need…..” Lu Qi’s ears felt hot. “Don’t kneel to me during the New Year. If you kneel, I will have to give you lucky money…..”

Mu Nanqiao laughed softly. Under the dim light, his handsome face was incredibly gentle. He took Lu Qi’s cold fingertips and rubbed them twice. Taking the ring out of the small box, he put it on Lu Qi’s slender and beautiful finger.

He did so with such earnestness that his expression was almost pious. Finally, he bent down and placed a gentle kiss on Lu Qi’s fingertips.

“Thank you, Baby…..” He whispered: “Not just for agreeing to my proposal, but for much, much more…..”

“You’re welcome.” Lu Qi calmly and confidently picked up the other ring. Taking Mu Nanqiao’s hand, he said in a brisk and cheerful voice: “Boss Mu, please give me more advice in the future.”

The finger he put the ring on was also slender, and their ten fingers intertwined.

“But, wearing it on the middle finger?” Lu Qi raised their clasped hands and asked uncertainly: “So we’re engaged? Then should I call you…..fiancé?”

Mu Nanqiao was stunned for a moment by this word. He still couldn’t adapt to this sudden surprise, feeling as if he was floating in the clouds. Lu Qi, on the other hand, spoke it calmly and only blushed afterwards. 

He couldn’t help but take this little deer into his arms. Mu Nanqiao kissed his hair and asked with a teasing smile: “So you want to wear it on your ring finger? Baby, do you want to call me…..husband?”

The cool, light woody fragrance on his body was carried by the winter night wind to surround Lu Qi. It was initially a bit cold, but when he was hugged, it didn’t seem to matter anymore. But Lu Qi was a little unconvinced, and asked with a scoff: “Why don’t you call me that?”

“Okay, ah.” The big fox didn’t mind at all, and called out softly and hoarsely in Lu Qi’s ear: “Husband…..”

Lu Qi: ……

Not only was it not cold anymore, it was actually a little hot.

Seeing that ear turn red, Mu Nanqiao laughed out loud in triumph and embraced Lu Qi, shaking him from side to side. “Baby, the wedding ring should have a pigeon egg diamond, this is just for convenience…..”

Lu Qi thought about a big jeweled diamond ring and couldn’t help but sigh: “You and my dad sometimes have rather the same aesthetics…..”

As soon as he finished speaking, the balcony door opened a crack and a very happy cough sounded. 

“Ahem…..” Lin Chunhe was turned sideways so as not to look at the two shameless hooligans. He waved. “You two, don’t get too cold. Come in quickly, cough, Xiao Mu…..”

When the two of them entered the house, Lin Chunhe took out a very festive red velvet box from behind his back. There was also a gilded dragon and phoenix printed on it. He handed the box to Mu Nanqiao and coughed awkwardly.

“Cough, this daughter-in-law, ah, or is it son-in-law?” The old father really couldn’t find a suitable identity for this big fellow. In the end, he waved his hand resignedly and said, “Anyway, you’re a good boy, Xiao Mu. Me and your auntie like you very much. This is a New Year’s gift for you. Take a look, do you like it?”

Mu Nanqiao and Lu Qi looked down at the box together, then exchanged glances, and finally couldn’t help but smile at each other.

The big gold bracelet was late, but it had arrived.

(The End)

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Chapter Fifty-Five << Table of Contents >> Extra