SW - 75

Lu Chi’s family had moved into a new house.

Wang Ziyan had sold the villa and used the money to buy a smaller one. With no elderly family members living with them, it was more than enough space for two people, especially since Lu Chi rarely stayed at home.

She knew about Tang Yin and Lu Chi’s relationship and remembered their previous meetings—once during their encounter and another time at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

This time, knowing they were returning together, she specifically took leave to stay at home.

A son would eventually get married, and she had thought about this countless times—from the past until now—the thoughts finally settling on that photo sent back to her.

To be fair, she was grateful to Tang Yin.

The home’s interior had shifted from cold tones to warm ones, making it much more comfortable to look at. She sat upright on the sofa, waiting for them to return.

Tang Yin and Lu Chi stopped at the entrance.

She felt a bit nervous and whispered, “Do you think your mom will dislike me?”

Lu Chi replied, “No, she won’t.”

Tang Yin let out a sigh of relief but still felt anxious. After all, she was the one who had “stolen” her son away. They had depended on each other for so long—who knew if Wang Ziyan harbored any resentment?

The two entered together.

Lu Chi pulled her along and called, “Mom.”

Tang Yin put on her best polite demeanor: “Hello, Auntie. I’m Tang Yin.”

Wang Ziyan set down her teacup and said gently, “Sit down. Why are you standing? Lu Chi, go make some tea.”

She had always been beautiful, and after the divorce, her life became worry-free. The harshness in her eyes softened, making her appear much younger.

With just a glance, Tang Yin could see how much better Wang Ziyan looked compared to before.

Wang Ziyan initiated the conversation: “So you’re Tang Yin. I met you in high school. When I asked Lu Chi about you, he only said you were classmates. I never expected him to hide this from me.”

She found this girl quite agreeable, and her family situation wasn’t complicated either.

Tang Yin was momentarily stunned, then recovered and replied, “We really were just classmates back then… I hadn’t even won him over yet…”

They only confirmed their relationship after graduating from high school. Given Lu Chi’s personality at the time, calling her a classmate was entirely accurate.

Wang Ziyan sipped her tea and spoke slowly: “I’ve watched him grow up since he was little. I can tell his emotions just by looking at him. Who spends all day staring at an ordinary classmate?”

Just then, Lu Chi returned with a tray of tea. Hearing this, his ears instantly turned red.

Tang Yin couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. He had once acted so composed, but now his mother had exposed him—it turned out he had been fixated on her for a long time.

Lu Chi softly called out, “Mom.”

After a pause, Wang Ziyan smiled and said, “Why are you calling me? What I said is true. Tang Yin, I know about that time in your third year of high school. It must have left a bad impression on you. I wasn’t in my right mind then. If there was anything inappropriate, I apologize.”

Tang Yin shook her head: “Auntie, you’re being too serious.”

Back then, the incident hadn’t affected her much. She only felt sorry for Lu Chi. After learning the truth, she realized it didn’t matter.

In the end, she was also a victim.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ziyan nodded: “You two have been dating for a long time, right? Have you decided when to settle things?”

She had already come to terms with it. Her son was grown up, and he would marry, have children, and she could spend her days taking care of grandchildren or dancing by herself—it all sounded wonderful.

It was far more relaxing than worrying endlessly about everything like she used to.

Tang Yin glanced at Lu Chi. He placed his hand over hers and said earnestly, “We want to get our marriage certificate first.”

Wang Ziyan didn’t say anything but stood up and went upstairs.

“What is your mom doing?” Tang Yin asked nervously. “Is she going to bring something to kick us out?”

Lu Chi: “….” His mind raced.

Not long after, she came back downstairs holding a brown booklet and said, “This is the household registration book. As long as you two agree, I won’t oppose it.”

Tang Yin’s eyes widened in surprise.

She had been thinking about sneaking the household registration book… She never expected Wang Ziyan to hand it over directly. It seemed she was quite satisfied with her.

Tang Yin’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

Dinner was prepared by Lu Chi. He busied himself in the kitchen while Wang Ziyan sat with Tang Yin in the living room, calmly recounting a story.

It was her own story from the past.

Both families approved of this union, so they all sat together at the table.

The Tang family was extremely satisfied with Lu Chi, such an outstanding individual. Aside from Tang Yun muttering under his breath, Jiang Qiuhuan and Tang Youwei raised no objections.

Now that Wang Ziyan lived alone, Jiang Qiuhuan and Tang Youwei went directly to her house, saving her the trouble of traveling.

Once the adults gathered, the younger generation had little to say.

Throughout the discussion, Tang Yin and Lu Chi listened as the elders meticulously planned every detail of the wedding. Only afterward did they remember the two protagonists.

Since Lu Chi hadn’t graduated yet, the wedding was scheduled for the following year.

By then, Tang Yin would have graduated and started working. Considering the current mindset of young people, the elders decided to give them an extra year to enjoy themselves before tying the knot.

Tang Yin and Lu Chi listened impassively throughout.

After dinner, the three adults gathered again. Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, Tang Yin and Lu Chi excused themselves early, leaving the elders to their discussions.

By the time they left Lu Chi’s house, it was already afternoon.

The sun had come out, and the heat began to rise, far more oppressive than the mugginess of the previous day.

Suddenly, Tang Yin said, “Lu Chi, let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

Lu Chi turned to look at her, his words unspoken, but she interrupted him: “I brought the household registration book.”

Tang Yin grinned mischievously, pulling it out of her bag and waving it at him. Under the sunlight, she glowed radiantly, her skin delicate and smooth.

Lu Chi’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he responded, “Alright.”

The Civil Affairs Bureau was open today. They arrived not too late, and there were hardly any people—just the staff sitting idly.

When they held the freshly printed marriage certificates in their hands, both were momentarily stunned.

Tang Yin snapped out of it first. She grabbed Lu Chi’s collar and kissed him fiercely, then declared, “From now on, you belong to me.”

Lu Chi didn’t push her away. Later, he simply said, “You’ve said that many times before.”

Tang Yin replied, “But today, it’s official.”

Thinking back to the first time she saw Lu Chi, she marveled at how quickly time had flown. Back then, she spent every day plotting how to win him over, and now he was finally hers.

She turned her head and saw Lu Chi frowning, causing her heart to skip a beat.

As if sensing her concern, Lu Chi gently held her hand, took a deep breath, and said with a furrowed brow, “I think… I forgot to propose.”

Tang Yin said, “… Then it’s not too late to do it now.”

Lu Chi thought for a moment and said, “Wait inside… I’ll be right back.”

Tang Yin didn’t know what he was planning but obediently nodded and went into a nearby milk tea shop. She took a photo of the marriage certificate and posted it on her social media, scrolling through the responses as she waited for Lu Chi to return.

She rarely updated her social media, but she had many friends—former high school classmates, university roommates, and a few colleagues from her internship.

Yu Chun: Wow, Sister Yin looks so beautiful!

Tang Ming: Wow, getting married already? Where’s the candy? Candy!

Lu Ye: Risking being blocked to send my blessings. Lu Chi actually waited until now—impressive, impressive.

The last message was from Su Kexi, whom she had recently interned with. Su Kexi sent a direct message: “Yin Yin descended from heaven. Send me a red envelope.”

Tang Yin sent her a 0.1 yuan red envelope and closed the chat window.

Soon, her phone vibrated again. She opened it to see a message from her mother: “You little brat, when did you sneak away with the household registration book?”

Tang Yin replied: “This morning while you were still asleep.”

There was no further response from the other side—probably because she had gone to scold Tang Yin’s father.

Tang Yin happily scrolled through her social media and group chats, almost forgetting where Lu Chi had gone. When she finally remembered, she realized she and the shop owner were the only ones left in the milk tea shop.

Lu Chi rushed in, his disheveled hair revealing his recent activity.

Tang Yin put away her phone and stood up, asking somewhat unhappily, “Where did you go? Why did it take so long?”

Lu Chi didn’t speak. His lips pressed into a thin line as he silently pulled a small box from his pocket, opened it gently, and turned it toward her.

Tang Yin immediately recognized what it was. Before she could say anything, Lu Chi had already spoken: “Marry me.”

No extra words.

Meeting his sparkling gaze, it felt as though everything around them faded into insignificance.

Tang Yin’s face broke into a radiant smile, as confident as she had been back then when facing his reserved, shy self. “Yes.”

She took the ring herself, slipped it onto her finger, and spread her fingers.

The size fit perfectly—it might have been rushed, but it was carefully chosen.

Tang Yin said, “I’ve never been unwilling.”

The milk tea shop owner, a young girl, gave them two pink milk teas and congratulated them.

Seeing a successful proposal in her shop made her happy too.

As they left the milk tea shop, Tang Yin and Lu Chi ran into a familiar face.

She quickly finished her milk tea, tossed the cup into a nearby trash bin, and even drank Lu Chi’s as well.

Approaching them was Su Xun, fresh from a basketball game, walking alongside a group of boys with their arms slung over each other’s shoulders. Spotting Tang Yin and Lu Chi, they greeted her politely: “Sister Yin.”

Su Xun followed up: “Sister Yin, Lu Chi, what are you doing here? I heard you were in the capital. Are you on vacation already?”

Jiashui Private School had publicly praised their achievements on the day the results were announced and boasted about it again after their university admissions. Practically everyone here knew they had gone to S University—the best university in the country, ranked globally as well.

Tang Yin glanced at Lu Chi and smiled, saying, “We just returned from the capital and are staying home for a couple of days before heading back. How are you doing?”

Hearing this, Su Xun smiled, sweat still glistening on his face, giving him a sunny and rugged appearance: “Life’s pretty good right now. I’ve been on vacation for half a month, playing basketball with these guys.”

His grades had been decent, and he performed well in the college entrance exam, securing a spot at a good university in the north. Due to the weather, he hadn’t adjusted to the southern climate.

Lu Chi remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.

After chatting for a while, Su Xun offered, “It’s been so long since we last met. There’s a milk tea shop nearby—let’s grab a drink?”

Lu Chi coughed lightly.

Instantly, all eyes turned to him.

Tang Yin chuckled softly, tracing circles on his palm with her fingers. She said to Su Xun, “You’re all sweaty. Go home and shower. Next time, we’ll organize a class reunion.”

They had just come out of that milk tea shop, and she had already drunk several cups. Drinking more would mean frequent bathroom trips.

Su Xun sensed something amiss. His gaze suddenly landed on her hand, and he quickly changed his tone: “Alright, next time.”

The group crossed the street.

One boy asked, “Is she the Sister Yin you guys always talk about? She’s quite pretty. But why did you suddenly change your mind?”

Su Xun chuckled and said, “Her husband wasn’t happy.”

The boys were stunned: “Husband?”

Su Xun explained: “I just noticed the ring on Tang Yin’s finger. Either Lu Chi has already proposed, or they’re already married—I’m not sure which finger it’s on, but it’s clear they’re committed. I wouldn’t dare disturb them. I still remember what happened back then.”

Seeing their curiosity, someone nearby hooked an arm around Su Xun and vividly recounted the sensational events that rocked Jiashui Private School.

That incident had left a deep impression on their three years of high school—a memory they would never forget.

The boys stared, mouths agape, incredulous at his words: “That… That guy who looks like a pretty boy… so bold?”

Su Xun turned his head and snorted: “Surprised? There’s more you don’t know.”

Such possessiveness was a first for him, yet Tang Yin always indulged him. The two truly were a perfect match.

Under the setting sun, the youths carrying basketballs gradually walked away.

Tang Yin poked Lu Chi: “They’re gone.”

Lu Chi parted his lips but said nothing.

After a long while, he lowered his head slightly. His exquisite features bathed in golden light, shimmering brilliantly, dazzling beyond compare.

He encircled her wrist with gentle strength, neither too forceful nor too light, and said in a low voice: “Don’t like it.”

Tang Yin reached up to pinch his nose, tilted her head, and lightly brushed her lips against his. Then, locking eyes with him, she whispered, “You should know by now that my heart belongs only to you.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew her hair up, creating a barrier between them, blurring their view.

Tang Yin blinked, and a heavy kiss landed on her lips.

Lu Chi’s right hand cradled the back of her head, his slender fingers hidden beneath her thick black hair, peeking out between strands.

The taste of rich, sweet milk tea lingered between their lips, sticky and sweet.

Tang Yin clutched his clothes, tilting her head back slightly, and involuntarily parted her lips. Lu Chi’s movements were intense and dominant, as if branding her with his mark.

After a long while, he pulled away, his hand resting on her slender waist, his head nestled against her neck. The faint scent of freshness lingered around his nose as he whispered, “We’re already married.”

Therefore, she could only look at him.

Enchanted by his voice, Tang Yin nestled into his embrace. It wasn’t until much later that her heartbeat returned to normal. Suddenly, she said, “As you wish.”

Just like those sleepless nights he had caused her back then.

The asphalt road at dusk remained busy with cars coming and going.

Along the roadside stood rows of French plane trees. Their leaves rustled together in the wind, illuminated by the setting sun, casting an extraordinary glow.

The ring hanging from her finger shimmered brightly, dazzling and eye-catching.