Preparation is certainly praiseworthy, but true feelings often emerge in unprepared moments.

Jing Qi Ci had thought about proposing – he’d even searched for proposal photos online: fireworks, beaches, balloons, rings. He knew well there should be a ceremony, but suddenly, it just came out.

Completely unprepared, as if in a moment of impulse, he requested their entire future.

He had taken in every word Huan’er said, and when the words “decades” and “years” poured out, Jing Qi Ci lost control.

Time would prove whether all choices were right or wrong.

But for a person, time is just a few decades of life.

Jing Qi Ci suddenly recalled a scene he’d witnessed after work – at a bus stop, an elderly grandfather carrying shopping bags, extending his spotted hand to his wife outside the bus. The grandmother seemed to have trouble walking, trembling slightly as she took his hand, but she was smiling as if saying, “You’ve grown old too, not as strong as before.”

Taking your hand, sharing sweet and bitter from now on, you are my lifelong glory and dream.

He spoke without thinking, waiting for a response.

The front door opened at that moment, and the two mothers entered chatting and laughing. Jing Mom’s voice carried from the living room, “Ha, the table must have been cleared by Huan’er, has she gone back?”

“Probably.” Chen’s Mom stopped at the entrance. “I won’t change my shoes. No need to rush Old Liu’s matter, one or two days won’t make a difference.”

“Lina, about Qi Ci…”

“Hey, I’ve watched Qi Ci grow up since he was little. You need to trust the kids’ judgment.”

“Alright, if you and Chen Lei trust him with Huan’er, I believe it.”

“Ah, yesterday when we talked about giving the kids some money to set up a home there, her dad’s face got longer than a donkey’s.” Chen’s Mom snickered. “He usually trains his daughter like a soldier, now he knows what it’s like to miss her.”

“Don’t worry about their home setup. I haven’t touched a penny of Qi Ci’s father’s pension – it was Old Jing’s wish, I have to ensure he has no worries.”

“Sister, don’t think about it anymore.”

“Yes, I won’t think about it.”

Hearing the conversation end, Huan’er exchanged a glance with Jing Qi Ci and called out, “Mom, Aunt Lin, you’re back?”

Suddenly there was silence outside.

This silence, more terrifying than a ghost story, made Huan’er instantly realize – her quick-minded mother must have jumped to conclusions.

Sure enough, Dr. Qian calmly advised, “You two should use protection.”

Huan’er rolled her eyes skyward – the obstetrics department director’s occupational habits strike again.

Just as she was about to get up, Jing Qi Ci pulled her back into his arms, asking in a voice only they could hear, “Hmm?”

About that “marry me,” he still hadn’t heard an answer.

Jing’s Mom coughed lightly, “We’ll… go for a walk.”

“No need,” Huan’er responded while hooking her arms around Jing Qi Ci’s neck. Standing by the bed, she lowered her voice to give her heart’s answer, “Yes.”

Jing Qi Ci took a deep breath, then cupped her face and kissed her, forgetting everything else.

“Don’t.” Huan’er laughed and pushed him away, knowing the two mothers were just outside. Half shy and half evasive, she tried to escape, but ultimately couldn’t match his strength. Jing Qi Ci, barefoot on the floor, pressed her against the wall, his deep kiss making her weak-kneed.

Outside, conversation resumed, with the two mothers discussing arrangements for Old Liu’s son coming from Macau next month. His ex-wife had long since remarried, and father and son maintained a good relationship, meeting once each during summer and winter breaks as usual. Though this dinner hadn’t formally settled anything, everyone knew they had taken a step closer.

Letting someone into your life means opening the door to everything about them.

Jing Qi Ci protected Huan’er’s head with one hand while lowering his head to kiss her neck. Though he had been drinking and his breath carried an intoxicating scent, he seemed to be holding back, giving light butterfly kisses one after another. Huan’er couldn’t bear it and covered his mouth with her hand, blushing as she whispered, “Tickles.”

Jing Qi Ci stopped, looking at her with a smile.

“Conditions don’t permit.” Huan’er raised her eyebrows toward the door.

The mothers’ voices drifted in faintly.

He first glanced outside, then held her shoulders and took a deep breath.

The arrow was on the string but had to be withdrawn – some adjustment was needed.

“You’re not drunk?” Huan’er asked.

He shook his head with certainty.

“Completely clear-headed?”

Jing Qi Ci thought for a moment, then nodded.

“You’ll remember every word you said today, tomorrow?”

He nodded again.

“I’m going now, see you tomorrow.” Huan’er’s eyes curved like crescents as she stood on tiptoe to kiss the tip of his nose.

Chen’s Mom started calling, so Jing Qi Ci had to let go.

He didn’t go out to see them off. His fingertips still held her warmth, and Jing Qi Ci closed his palm.

Since Huan’er had answered “yes,” he hadn’t said a single word.

Many thoughts intertwined, but ultimately converged into one –

She will become my wife.

This promise was solemn and sacred. Rather than being silent, Jing Qi Ci had simply run out of words.

They had dated for a very long time, with many twists and turns. It seemed any wrong step at any point would have led to a different present. Yet looking back, it was perhaps the most ordinary love story in the world – misunderstandings, timidity, tentative moves, heart-fluttering moments, choosing each other again and again, embracing each other time after time.

Huan’er, thank you for appearing in my life.

And I will continue to love you, unreservedly, as always.

After staying home for a week, Huan’er returned to school.

After a discussion with Jing Qi Ci, they decided not to mention their news yet. Firstly, Old Liu’s son would stay for a month during summer break, naturally occupying Jing’s Mom’s attention – adding another matter would be distracting. Secondly, Huan’er’s return to academics would undoubtedly be busy, especially with her intention to stay at the university – everything needed to be focused on that goal. The third reason was raised by Jing Qi Ci – when Brother Zhou You and Sister Shanshan dropped their marriage registration bombshell without warning, the whole compound had nearly been blown away. They’d better take it slow.

Now the Zhou couple had settled in America, and their couple had become a family of three, but that didn’t prevent them from being a cautionary tale – in parents’ eyes, marriage was truly earth-shattering.

Two months later, Huan’er moved in with Jing Qi Ci.

The decision was sudden – discussed the night before, moving in with luggage the next day. She brought all four seasons’ worth of clothes, even the two large bottles of shower gel bought on sale were relocated to his bathroom.

Jing Qi Ci was caught off guard, running around the room like a headless fly. One moment throwing several days’ worth of dirty clothes into the washing machine, the next following behind her helping unpack, then changing clean sheets and pillowcases in the bedroom, then organizing documents and power cables on the dining table. He was truly puzzled – how did this girl just decide to come?

It was too sudden – there was only one pillow in the house. Fortunately, Huan’er brought complete toiletries; otherwise, they’d have had to buy toothbrushes downstairs.

A single man’s place was inevitably a bit rough.

Huan’er explained that coming early meant adapting to the environment early, more time together meant more progress. The real reason became apparent the moment she stepped in and found it amusing – a few days ago when Jing Qi Ci came to school to pick her up for dinner, they happened to meet a junior colleague’s female friend. Not knowing their relationship, the friend rushed to ask her companion as soon as she entered the office, “Do you know that handsome guy downstairs? Haven’t seen him before – quick, give me his contact info.”

Huan’er had been away for a year, during which Jing Qi Ci hadn’t visited the school, so naturally newcomers wouldn’t have seen him.

The junior colleague knew the situation and immediately cut off her friend’s hopes, “He has a girlfriend, they’re very much in love – just look but don’t touch.”

After saying this, she smiled at Huan’er standing nearby. With three people in the room, the revelation was quite awkward.

Huan’er didn’t stay to hear more, saying goodbye and leaving the office.

Her mood certainly wasn’t good, and as jealousy fermented, she impulsively decided to move in.

But ah, looking at the messy house and its confused owner spinning around her, she suddenly couldn’t stay angry – he was still himself. Jing Qi Ci deserved to be liked, and fortunately, she was the one he liked.

“I didn’t bring slippers.” Huan’er searched through her suitcase, making a sad face and sighing.

She had rushed out too quickly after all.

Jing Qi Ci immediately took off his shoes without a word, “Wear mine first.”

He went barefoot to the bathroom to get a mop, returning to find Huan’er hadn’t changed shoes and was looking at him intently, “Are you disgusted?”

“Not at all.” Huan’er obediently changed into them, feeling warmth in her heart.

The floor was inlaid with marble, autumn had arrived, and the temperature had dropped significantly these days. Jing Qi Ci walked barefoot on the floor and began cleaning, from bedroom to living room. He gave her his slippers because he feared she’d catch cold, and grabbed the mop first because he worried she’d step on the wet floor trying to help – he had become the one who understood her better.

A voice message came on his phone, and Jing Qi Ci played it on the speaker: “I bought tickets for the 2nd, arriving in the evening. Send me your address, I’ll come straight there.”

It was Qiu Yang.

Jing Qi Ci told Huan’er, “Our dormmate Zhao Wei is getting married during National Day. Qiu Yang was planning to stay here.”

Without waiting for Huan’er’s response, he directly sent back a voice message, “Not convenient, stay at a hotel.”

Unexpectedly, Qiu Yang called directly, his explosive voice clear through the speaker, “What’s not convenient about it? Are you hiding a beauty or storing gold in there, changing plans just like that?”

Jing Qi Ci smiled crookedly, “Your sister-in-law is here.”

“My sister-in… ” Qiu Yang realized and exclaimed “Damn!” “Huan’er moved in? Are you two making babies?”

Huan’er leaned closer to the microphone at this point, “Mm-hmm, planning to make a clever young man just like you.”

“This is outrageous!” Qiu Yang shouted, “Not enough to flaunt your love, now you’re ganging up to tease me.”

Huan’er giggled, then asked, “How have you been lately, Yang Yang?”

“Same as usual. Busy, eating and drinking with clients following the boss around. I keep getting acne lately.” Qiu Yang’s tone turned serious, “Why don’t you research some oil-balancing medicine when you have time? Don’t spend too much energy, just a little research. Pills or powder form is fine, something that regulates from within – I’ll be your guinea pig.”

Jing Qi Ci cut in, “You could fix it from the root by eating less oil.”

“Get lost.” Qiu Yang retorted, his tone suddenly turning soft and cute, “I’m too lazy to book a hotel, the couch is fine, please take me in for one night. We can go together then.”

“You come, I’ll go back to the dorm…” Huan’er was halfway through when Jing Qi Ci pinched her face and took the phone with his other hand, “Not convenient, especially not at night.” Guessing what Qiu Yang would say, he immediately added, “Literal meaning, exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Fine, just wait until I have someone – I’ll pay it all back!” Qiu Yang grumbled and hung up.

Huan’er spread her hands at Jing Qi Ci, “Lost a brother.”

The man nodded seriously, “Having one like him in the future would be quite nice.”

“Oh my.” Huan’er felt embarrassed and changed the subject, pointing at the refrigerator, “Do you have food? I’ll cook dinner.”

“I think…” Jing Qi Ci followed her to the refrigerator. Huan’er opened it and looked up and down, and he smiled while scratching his eyebrow, “Actually not at all.”

Apart from two apples and three bottles of beer, it was empty.

Huan’er closed the door and suggested, “Should we go to the supermarket?”

“No. This isn’t like the dorm – you’ll need to transfer buses to get to school tomorrow. Let’s order takeout, you should rest early today.”

Huan’er teased him, “Who taught you to be so thoughtful?”

“It’s not…”

“Let’s go, the supermarket isn’t far, and cooking won’t take long.”

“Just… let’s not go.”

“I’m not tired.”

“It’s not that,” Jing Qi Ci hemmed and hawed, his peripheral vision catching the clock on the wall, “Later… there’s a game…”

Huan’er pressed her lips together – ah, she’d thought too much.

“I’m also worried you’re tired, moving that big suitcase and cleaning up for so long.” Jing Qi Ci stepped back a few paces, somehow finding the remote control on the tea table and accurately pressing the power button. As the sports channel began broadcasting pre-game commentary, he still looked at her pleadingly, “National football team – if we don’t watch, how will they ever win a championship?”

Often, he made her laugh despite herself.

She just couldn’t stay angry – what could she do?