#60: Proposal

Lu Zhou took Shen Yihuan to a shop with strong local ethnic characteristics. Deeper inside, there was a sparkling counter displaying rings and necklaces.

“You...” Shen Yihuan was stunned.

Lu Zhou took her hand and walked in: “Which one do you like?”

Shen Yihuan used to genuinely love shiny things. She got her ears pierced in high school and secretly wore studs, hidden by her long hair. Occasionally, when she tucked her hair behind her ear, dazzling diamond earrings would be revealed.

She used to spend lavishly, buying whatever she liked. Her home was piled with things, but after several moves, they all got lost somewhere.

There was a period when she couldn’t afford such things after falling on hard times, and later, she just wasn’t as interested in buying them anymore.

“Aren’t you leaving for your mission tomorrow?” Shen Yihuan stood still.

“So I have to tie you down first.”

Shen Yihuan’s eyes curved into a smile: “I won’t run away.”

“Just take a look,” Lu Zhou pulled her over.

The saleslady, seeing them, probably knew they were serious buyers and warmly asked what they needed.

Shen Yihuan initially thought the rings in this shop would be quite cheap, but then she glanced at the price tags on some of them and realized they were anything but. They were even more expensive than those in branded stores outside, yet their designs were exceptionally beautiful, intricately and uniquely cut.

Shen Yihuan gasped and said to the sales assistant, “We’ll just look around ourselves.”

Then she pulled Lu Zhou, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear, “I think the rings here are so expensive.”

Lu Zhou put an arm around her shoulder. Hearing her words, he idly plucked her earlobe, his lips curving, “I can afford it.”

“But it’s so expensive.”

“The rings here are all one-of-a-kind designs. The diamond cutters here are the most skilled. Commander Lu had rings custom-made here when he proposed to your aunt.”

Shen Yihuan was stunned.

Lu Zhou said: “If you don’t like it here, we can look somewhere else.”

“No, I like it very much,” Shen Yihuan immediately said.

She leaned over the counter, examining them closely. Those few years in her youth hadn’t been wasted; although Shen Yihuan hadn’t truly studied them, she could generally distinguish good from bad with a glance.

She had discerning taste. The one that caught her eye first, when she saw its price, made her hesitate.

It was too damn expensive.

Why did a proposal have to involve this thing? Although it was beautiful...

“Don’t save money for me,” Lu Zhou said in her ear, “Anyway, I’m giving you the card.”

Shen Yihuan replied casually, her gaze still fixed on the counter: “Then I should save even more.”

Lu Zhou chuckled softly.

Finally, she chose a diamond ring with a simple design but exquisite and beautiful cut. Shen Yihuan’s taste was indeed good; it was the most beautiful one in that price range.

“This one,” she tapped it with her fingertip.

The saleslady immediately took it out for her.

Lu Zhou held it in his hand, turning it around: “You like this one?”

The young girl’s eyes were bright, genuinely happy, more dazzling than the diamond itself. Her cheeks were flushed, and she nodded.

Lu Zhou looked at her, unable to resist wanting to see her even happier.

He finally understood the feeling of “lighting the beacons for a concubine.”

Lu Zhou handed the diamond ring back to the saleslady, then looked around himself. He understood Shen Yihuan’s aesthetic and taste; she didn’t like overly flashy things, preferring simple yet exquisite designs.

Lu Zhou’s gaze fixed on a diamond ring in the center.

It was twice as large and more than twice the price.

Its expense was obvious at a glance; Shen Yihuan had instantly fallen for this one when she first saw it.

“This one is so expensive!” Shen Yihuan grabbed his hand, whispering in his ear.

Lu Zhou simply asked, “Do you like it?”

“I like it, but...”

Before she finished speaking, Lu Zhou had already handed the ring to the saleslady to have it wrapped.

Shen Yihuan knew that because of their difficult work, their salaries were higher than ordinary soldiers, and their benefits were better. Lu Zhou had completed many missions and earned many battle merits, so his bonuses were substantial.

But even so, he had only been a captain for a few years; buying a ring like this wasn’t something he could just casually buy without a thought.

“Lu Zhou, I don’t think we need such an expensive diamond ring. I rarely wear jewelry now.”

Lu Zhou’s index finger played with her hair, his gaze on the velvet box being packaged, clearly showing how much she liked it.

Shen Yihuan’s eyes were beautiful, he looked at them in a trance, carelessly: “Hm?”

“What a waste of money. Didn’t you say not to waste it?”

“You’re different,” Lu Zhou said. “I just want to waste all my money on you.”

Shen Yihuan was about to say more, but Lu Zhou chuckled softly in her ear, his voice deep: “Why are you so sensible now?”

The word “sensible” was one she had heard repeatedly after Shen Fu’s accident. Her mother had told her again and again that she should be sensible in front of Shi Zhenping, sensible in front of Shi Jin, and sensible to many people.

She leaned closer into Lu Zhou’s embrace, her voice trailing off almost imperceptibly: “Isn’t it good to be sensible?”

“You can be whatever you want with me. The last thing you need is to be sensible,” Lu Zhou paused, then added, “From now on, with me here, you don’t have to force yourself to be sensible anywhere you go.”

Everyone else wanted her to be sensible, but only Lu Zhou didn’t.

Everyone else wanted to see her obedient, but only Lu Zhou didn’t.

He wanted her to be happy, to be unrestrained, to become the Shen Yihuan she once was, even if that Shen Yihuan was the one who hurt him the most.

The shop assistant, after carefully packaging the diamond ring, came over and saw the beautiful woman sitting there, sobbing, tears flowing down her face. The man was kneeling in front of her, his eyes gentle, comforting her repeatedly.

Her heart skipped a beat; she thought such a large sale might not go through today.

Lu Zhou had already handed her his card.

He paid by card and carried the exquisitely packaged diamond ring back.

Shen Yihuan had already begun to feel a lump in her throat, not just because of Lu Zhou’s words, but also because he was leaving for a life-and-death mission tomorrow. She had held back for most of the day but couldn’t anymore.

Once the tears started, they wouldn’t stop.

Lu Zhou was no longer in the mood to browse and took Shen Yihuan straight home.

Though called a home, Lu Zhou had only slept in this house once, last night.

If Shen Yihuan hadn’t been brought here after being discharged, he wouldn’t have come.

...

Before entering the door, Shen Yihuan even specially wiped away her tears, but as soon as she entered, Madam Commander still noticed at first glance.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen?”

“...” Shen Yihuan rubbed her eyes again, her voice still hoarse with unshed sobs, “Nothing.”

Lu Zhou gently patted her head: “You go upstairs first.”

Watching her walk upstairs and enter the bedroom, Madam Commander then asked Lu Zhou: “What happened to her?”

Lu Zhou said: “It’s nothing, don’t worry. I’ll take some fruit up to her to coax her.”

Madam Commander helped cut a fruit platter, all newly bought fruits this morning, from Xinjiang, whose scent made one crave them.

Madam Commander looked at Lu Zhou’s back as he ran upstairs with the fruit platter, sighing with admiration.

When she married into the Lu family, Lu Zhou was less than ten years old. This child had always been a reclusive character, not easy to get close to. She had originally thought Lu Zhou was like this with everyone.

She never expected that even a hero would eventually fall for a beautiful woman.

________________________________________

Lu Youju didn’t return until before dinner.

He couldn’t remember the last time they had all eaten dinner together like this.

Lu Zhou said: “Commander Lu, I plan to submit my marriage report once this mission is over. After approval, I’ll register our marriage and marry Shen Yihuan.”

Shen Yihuan, who was chewing her food, paused with her chopsticks.

The other two at the table simultaneously lifted their heads in sync.

Lu Zhou’s tone was purely informative, with no intention of discussion.

Although Commander Lu and Madam Commander had never intended to object, Commander Lu had indeed disliked Shen Yihuan at first, and it was quite uncomfortable for him after Shen Yihuan challenged him when he went to find Lu Zhou. But he understood in his heart that she was the one who was good for Lu Zhou, and Madam Commander had liked her from the first sight.

Lu Youju looked at him for a moment: “Alright, I’ll contact your school to issue the marriage recommendation letter.”

Madam Commander interjected: “Hey, wait, you two father and son have made your decision, but have you asked my daughter if she’s willing?”

It was entirely the attitude of protecting her own daughter.

Shen Yihuan blushed, glanced at Lu Zhou, and said, “Yes, I am willing. We’ve already bought the ring.”

After dinner, Shen Yihuan followed Madam Commander into the kitchen to wash dishes.

Although she offered to help, Madam Commander didn’t let her actually do anything, only symbolically giving her a few chopsticks to rinse under water.

In Beijing, there was an aunt specifically hired for cooking and washing dishes, so Madam Commander didn’t have to touch these things. But now, temporarily staying here, she inevitably had to do it herself.

In the years she had been married to Lu Youju, even though Lu Youju was a complete male chauvinist and they often bickered, she had indeed lived a very good life.

Madam Commander put the washed dishes into the cupboard and tore off two pieces of paper to wipe her hands.

She said to Shen Yihuan: “Wait for me here for a moment.”

She walked out of the kitchen, and within two minutes, she returned, holding a red velvet box. She opened it for Shen Yihuan, revealing a jade bangle inside, translucent throughout. Its immense value was immediately apparent.

Shen Yihuan was startled, looking blankly at Madam Commander.

Madam Commander smiled and asked, “Is it pretty?”

“It’s beautiful.”

She took the bangle out of the box, grabbed Shen Yihuan’s hand, and was about to slide it on.

Shen Yihuan quickly pressed down on her hand: “Auntie, I really can’t accept this.”

“This was originally given by my mother-in-law to Lu Zhou’s biological mother. Later, when she unexpectedly passed away, it came into my possession. I felt rather awkward wearing it out, but now that it’s with you, I feel at ease.”

Madam Commander slipped the jade bangle onto Shen Yihuan’s wrist. “It’s beautiful.”

“...Thank you.” Shen Yihuan lowered her head, gently turning the bangle on her wrist. After a long moment, she finally uttered the last word, “Mom.”

Madam Commander was completely stunned.

She had always been quite carefree throughout her life, her only regret being not having a child of her own.

She looked up at Shen Yihuan, her lips slowly curving into a smile, her acknowledgment thick with emotion.

________________________________________

When Shen Yihuan left the kitchen, Lu Youju was talking to Lu Zhou.

Lu Youju had his back to her. She signaled to Lu Zhou that she was going upstairs first.

Lu Youju saw Lu Zhou nod, glanced behind him, and then said, “Be sure to stay safe on this mission.”

Lu Zhou hummed in affirmation.

“When you return, once the marriage report is approved, you can prepare for the wedding. Don’t make the girl wait too long,” Lu Youju glanced towards the kitchen. “If you make her wait, your aunt won’t let you off the hook.”

Lu Zhou hummed again with a smile.

He went upstairs and pushed open the door, but didn’t see Shen Yihuan.

Lu Zhou frowned slightly: “Shen Yihuan?”

He heard a response: “Here.”

The door to the balcony was wide open. He walked out. Shen Yihuan was sitting on a hanging chair, her toes lightly hooked onto a pair of slippers, revealing an ankle so slender it looked like it could break with a snap.

Lu Zhou glanced at it, then went back into the bedroom and took out a blanket.

“Aren’t you cold?” He covered Shen Yihuan with the blanket.

“A little.”

Lu Zhou sat beside her: “What are you looking at?”

Shen Yihuan tilted her chin: “Counting lanterns.”

From here, one could see the busiest part of the small town not far away. It was almost Lunar New Year, and intricate lines were strung across the sky, adorned with lanterns of various colors and styles.

A string of them, like a mass of fire, illuminated half the sky.

The beautiful person couldn’t tear her eyes away.

Lu Zhou smiled: “How many have you counted?”

“Can’t count, too many.”

Lu Zhou took the keys from his pocket and placed them on the table, along with that ugly pink doll.

Shen Yihuan watched him. Lu Zhou then took out his wallet from his pocket, opened it, pulled out a card, and handed it to Shen Yihuan.

“My salary card. I said I’d give it to you in exchange for that doll.”

Shen Yihuan had just taken it.

Suddenly, a loud boom echoed from the distant sky. Fireworks shot up, bursting in the air, one after another, instantly illuminating the dark night.

The young girl turned her head to the sky, her fair, slender neck stretching into a graceful curve.

She watched the illuminated night sky, and Lu Zhou watched her.

She was truly beautiful, neither pure nor seductive, pretty yet spirited. The light of the fireworks illuminated her eyes, hiding shimmering starlight.

In this vast wilderness and simple small town, even the fireworks had a unique charm.

The diamond ring he had bought was still in Lu Zhou’s pocket due to Shen Yihuan’s sudden crying fit.

He suddenly knelt on one knee and took out the ring.

As another firework soared into the sky, he said: “Shen Yihuan, will you marry me?”

A human heart has only so much space. Many people constantly move old inhabitants out so that new ones don’t feel crowded when they move in, allowing the heart to feel more comfortable.

But Lu Zhou was not like that.

Shen Yihuan had been his obsession since she was 16. In his heart, there was no room for anyone else; it was empty for her alone.

And those three missed years, at this moment, completely melted like ice in fire, everything was silently released.

________________________________________

The next day.

Shen Yihuan woke up early and saw the ring on her ring finger.

Her alarm rang, and Lu Zhou got up to wash. When he went downstairs, He Min drove his off-road vehicle to the door to pick him up.

Lu Zhou hugged Shen Yihuan and said, “I’m leaving.”

“Okay.” Shen Yihuan hugged him back, then released him.

After Lu Zhou got in the car, he took one last look at Shen Yihuan through the window. The young girl’s eyes were bright, smiling and waving goodbye to him, the corners of her eyes and brows curved just like in high school.

The car continued forward until it finally disappeared from sight.

Only then did her previously curved lips relax. She rubbed her eyes, her lips slowly drooping, revealing a hint of pitiable, undisguised sorrow.