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“Hmm? A Ring?”
“Hmm? A Ring?”
Night had fallen, clouds drifting lazily across the sky.
The evening breeze rushed through the half-open window, rustling the curtains noisily.
Yan Man’s eyelashes were damp, her gaze lowered.
The curtain brushed against her smooth shoulder faintly, leaving an itch that felt soft yet ambiguous.
Her hands propped herself up on the desk, her collarbone deeply indented, covered with a mist-like thinness.
The neglected table groaned under movement, like a half-tightened screw hanging precariously at the entrance; when pushed forward, the screw clicked back into place, but the sound lingered endlessly.
Outside the window, it seemed to start drizzling. She couldn’t tell if it was rain or not. As she tilted her head back, she felt fine droplets fall onto her nose, mingling with the wetness of his tongue, carrying the faint scent of rain-soaked leaves.
She couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
It seemed students were peeking over this way. Yan Man quickly leaned back, hiding behind the billowing curtains like rolling waves.
The reading voices outside continued unabated, even growing more intense. The warm yellow lights had somehow turned into harsh fluorescent ones. Suddenly, with a flash, she gripped his shirt tightly, her vision flooded with white light.
The rain seemed to intensify.
It continuously battered the leaves, as if close enough to hear right beside her ear. Yan Man extended her fingers, and a leaf, unable to hold any more water, slipped, pouring down a torrent.
Like electricity, it washed over her fingers.
________________________________________
Half an hour later, the rain finally began to subside.
She fully opened the window, inhaling the distinct smell of rain—faint grassy notes.
The neighboring school had ended its last class, and the street lamps in the alleyways lit up.
She leaned on the windowsill, eyes slightly closed, watching the bustling crowd below, lively and noisy.
A small puddle of rainwater was splashed apart by students’ footsteps.
She yawned, sitting motionless on the desk.
Not long after, a hand slid through the crook of her knee, and Ye Lin placed another hand on her waist.
He murmured lowly, “Shall I carry you?”
She wrinkled her nose as she finished yawning, then slowly replied, “You do have a bit of conscience left.”
Her arms draped around his neck as he lifted her while grabbing their bag. They finally exited the classroom and made their way to the stairwell.
The iron gate in front was already locked.
Yan Man couldn’t resist giving it a couple of tugs—it was securely fastened, as if fearful of anyone entering.
Ye Lin sat on the steps, placing her on his lap, and said, “Let me call Bi Tan.”
“No need,” Yan Man quickly responded. “I’ll get the school’s number from my friend.”
She had already thought this through earlier, so retrieving the number went smoothly. By the time she had the security guard’s number, Ye Lin was still adjusting her collar, straightening her skewed bow tie, and smoothing the sweat-dampened strands of hair at her nape.
Yan Man dialed the number, and the phone rang almost immediately nearby.
The security guard who had walked a few steps away returned, staring at her through the iron bars.
Grandpa Security Guard: “...”
Yan Man: “...”
The security guard gave them a strange look for a long while before finally asking, “Why are you two still in there?”
Yan Man answered honestly, “Well, that’s something you might need to explain.”
...
As the guard unlocked the gate, he said, “Didn’t you all just leave?”
“The person who left was my friend. The two of us are still inside.”
The old man smacked his forehead, realizing the mix-up. “I thought everyone had left.”
“But she’s been gone for a while now. For over an hour, why didn’t you say anything? I was nearby; I definitely would’ve heard if you called.”
“No sound at all. All I noticed were two stray cats that ran in, overturning chairs and making such a racket it almost sounded like the furniture was falling apart.”
Yan Man sniffed and nodded, agreeing somewhat:
“Indeed, those cats were wild.”
________________________________________
That night, Yan Man slept exceptionally well, though her dreams inevitably returned her to that place.
The neighboring new school was covered with ivy, the sounds of reading clear and bright, the lights illuminating everything.
In contrast was the dim classroom, the incessant dripping of rain, the creaking chairs, and the slightly cold blackboard behind her.
Occasionally, when she shifted, her protruding shoulder blades would bump against the edge of the blackboard, sending a shiver through her.
When she opened her eyes and woke up, certain sounds mixed with faint panting seemed to linger in her ears, refusing to fade completely.
Ye Lin had already left for his shoot today.
—A man’s stamina really was much greater than hers.
Thinking this, Yan Man let herself rest a little longer before picking up her phone to check messages.
Zhou Xuan had sent a video in their group chat.
The scene looked somewhat familiar, so Yan Man clicked on it.
The first thing that appeared was a glossy-coated Border Collie.
It panted, looking into the camera, its black-and-white fur suggesting it was often fed and thus quite friendly with whoever was filming.
Suddenly, a loud “thud” echoed as the camera hit the ground twice with a clatter.
The little Border Collie retreated a couple of steps, staring hesitantly at the lens.
Soon, three resounding knocks filled the frame, and the video ended.
Though she knew Zhou Xuan had probably used her phone to knock, watching it again still made her laugh.
Yan Man raised the corner of her lips, exited the video, and scrolled through the group chat.
Simon, who had woken up earlier, had already posted a question mark.
Zhou Xuan explained: [I said that if she and Ye Lin really got together, I’d kowtow three times to the neighborhood dogs.]
Simon: [Hahahahahahaha]
Clearing her throat, Yan Man typed casually: [Didn’t you say if we showed affection twice, you’d kowtow six times?]
Zhou Xuan: [...?]
Zhou Xuan: [Are you even human??!?]
After a few more exchanges, Zhou Xuan’s debt repayment session for the day concluded—
After a full three days of rest, Yan Man’s pleasant vacation officially came to an end.
________________________________________
The first job after the mini-holiday was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a brand’s opening.
The event was relatively simple, and after taking a few photos, she was able to leave smoothly.
On the way back, they passed by the neighborhood where Zhou Xuan currently lived. Zhou Xuan got out of the car, saying she had forgotten her power bank.
Yan Man followed her out. As they exited the building, they encountered a very familiar little Border Collie.
The Border Collie panted and wagged its tail, looking clever but hesitant to approach.
Yan Man asked, “Why isn’t it coming over?”
Zhou Xuan thought for a moment, then replied seriously, “Maybe it got scared when I kowtowed three times yesterday.”
“...”
Back in the car, they drove for a while. Yan Man, engrossed in selecting scripts, finally looked up halfway through and glanced out the window, noticing the route seemed unfamiliar.
“Where are we going?” she asked. “Don’t we have no schedule afterward?”
“We’re free,” Zhou Xuan said. “Ye Lin is at the department store for an event. I’ll drop you off to see him.”
Yan Man nodded, not thinking much of it, and praised, “You’re being so thoughtful today, even arranging for us to meet.”
She had no idea this was all prearranged. After getting out of the car, she took the elevator directly to the first floor.
Ye Lin’s event had likely ended some time ago. Most of the fans had already left, and security personnel were controlling the number of people at the entrance. The spacious first floor made his height particularly noticeable.
Yan Man spotted him immediately and jogged over, stopping beside him.
Just as she was about to speak, her attention was drawn to something in the display case.
“Hmm? A ring?”
Ye Lin, fully embodying his acting skills, nodded and said, “Mm, Bi Tan plans to propose to his girlfriend.”
Yan Man was startled and turned to look at him. “Really? He has a girlfriend? How did I not know?”
Bi Tan, who was single to the point of forgetting what women looked like: “...”
“They’ve been together for a long time,” Ye Lin said calmly. “Help him choose one?”
“Sure,” Yan Man asked. “What’s the budget?”
“...”
After a pause, the man said, “No limit.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Managers are making this much money now?”
At this, Bi Tan quickly interjected, hinting, “What? A raise?”
Ye Lin nodded, and Bi Tan quietly withdrew, hiding his contributions.
Yan Man lowered her head and began selecting. “How about this pink diamond one? It looks pretty nice.”
Ye Lin followed her gaze. “A pink diamond for an engagement ring?”
“For the proposal, then buy something else for the wedding,” she said. “After all, you only get married once.”
Pausing briefly, Yan Man turned to confirm with Bi Tan, “You’re planning to get married once, right?”
“...”
After selecting the ring, the two of them finally got back in the car to return.
While Yan Man showered in the bathroom, the man sat deep in thought for a long while before finally opening his phone and sending his request.
A week later, the design draft for the ring was sent over.
[According to your request, this design was completed by the most professional teacher on our team. It incorporates elements of vines and leaves. At the top of the ring sits a camellia flower, its many petals enfolding an IF-grade purity pink diamond. The diamond is classified as fancy vivid in color, the highest quality pink diamond we’ve encountered in recent years.]
[Here are the design drafts and images of the diamond. Please take a look to confirm if they meet your expectations.]
Ye Lin opened the image and examined it closely for a while. The sound of running water from the bathroom filled the room as he finally replied: [It’s fine.]
[Great, then we’ll begin production. Next, please provide us with the finger size data to ensure the ring fits properly.]
Ye Lin: [I’ll measure it tonight.]
He needed the data to be accurate but couldn’t let her notice. The practical operation proved challenging. Sitting on the edge of the bed, the man pondered deeply.
Yan Man walked into the room to find him with his head bowed, neither reading nor watching TV, his wrist resting on his knee, his eyelids half-lowered.
She asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” he patted the edge of the bed. “Let’s sleep.”
Though curious, she didn’t press further, pulling back the covers and lying down flat, her hand resting beside the blanket.
Before closing her eyes, she felt his meaningful gaze.
Yan Man lifted her hand, turning it over and examining it. “What’s wrong? Is there something on my hand?”
“...No.”
Ye Lin took her hand and tucked it under the blanket.
Her fingers inadvertently brushed past the hem of his shirt and the edge of his pants before being placed at her side.
Yan Man pursed her lips and slowly closed her eyes.
About ten minutes later, Ye Lin turned off the light, and the room fell silent.
Only the faint rustling of a cat running outside could be heard.
After a long while without hearing any sound from her, he murmured softly, “Are you asleep?”
No response.
He repeated the question, this time reaching for her palm, still no reaction.
Ye Lin extended his finger, hooking her palm, and slowly flattened it along the lines. Her hand was soft, almost boneless.
The man slid his finger to the base of her fingers, gently massaging them.
He turned to his side and reached out with his other hand, intending to compare and estimate the size.
However, just as he grasped her wrist, Yan Man opened her eyes.
Her gaze was sharp, showing no signs of having been asleep.
“...”
Yan Man had been waiting for this moment. She pulled back the covers, her gaze falling on his hand wrapped around her wrist, seemingly with ulterior motives.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, seeing through everything:
“Did you plan to use my hand... while I was asleep?”
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