The wedding ring gleamed on Lin Zhixia’s ring finger.

Jiang Yubai embraced her again.

He lowered his head to kiss her, with only one thought in his heart: I love her—this phrase by itself was simple, common, and ordinary, but he couldn’t find more concise or powerful alternative words at the moment. He tried to appear rational, but he was already ecstatic, and gradually, he could no longer control himself, kissing her with increasing fervor.

Lin Zhixia felt half her bones turn soft. She unconsciously fell backward, and Jiang Yubai wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her and carrying her to a single bed inside the spacecraft cabin.

Lin Zhixia lay on the bed, both hands clutching his shirt, creating messy creases, making the charm of the school uniform even more apparent—it represented warm middle school memories, while also tempting her to break through all restraints.

She became somewhat entranced.

The cabin ceiling had a skylight facing the boundless, deep night sky, scattered starlight twinkling, the moon distant and unreachable. Lin Zhixia’s gaze passed through the window, drifting further and further away. Jiang Yubai kissed her cheek: “What are you thinking about?”

She answered: “I’m thinking…”

“Hmm?” he responded.

Jiang Yubai prepared himself mentally to receive Lin Zhixia’s sweet words.

However, Lin Zhixia said, “I might start saying things you won’t understand again.”

Jiang Yubai gripped her wrists, pinning her hands on either side of the bed. This was the first time he had restrained her in such a way, and she found it novel and interesting, focusing more intently on his gaze.

He said, “You can say whatever you want. Even if I don’t understand, I’ll try my best to listen. You are my…”

“Wife,” Lin Zhixia finished.

He smiled and kissed her forehead again.

A sweet fragrance permeated the air as they immersed themselves in the joy of mutual affection. Lin Zhixia couldn’t help asking softly: “Besides ‘Xiaxia,’ do you have other names for me? I want to hear… nice words.”

What counted as nice words?

Jiang Yubai lay beside her, and at this moment, the narrow single bed became a nest of intertwined passion. He lifted her skirt, feeling upward, cherishing every inch of her skin.

Lin Zhixia felt utterly comfortable. She leaned against him tightly, letting out a contented sigh, all the pressures of life dissolved by his kisses and caresses. He lowered his head near her ear and called “Xiaxia,” to which she lazily responded: “I’m here.”

Jiang Yubai paused.

Lin Zhixia coaxed: “Touch me more.”

Jiang Yubai not only fulfilled her request but also tried several different endearments—”baby,” “wife,” “darling”—he tried them all, while Lin Zhixia buried her face in his chest, laughing nonstop.

Jiang Yubai held her waist tightly as she raised her head to kiss his chin, reciprocating with: “Baby, husband, darling…”

For the first time, she told him: “I love you.”

Before, she had only said “you’re so good,” “you’re so gentle,” “I like you so much,” “I want to be with you forever,” but she rarely used the word “love.”

With just this single word, she pried open a part of Jiang Yubai’s heart, filling it with sweetness, then stitching it closed with delicate emotional threads. His arms gradually tightened, pulling her forcefully toward himself, as deep and light kisses fell on her body. She subtly asked him: “Shall we go to the bedroom?”

Before Jiang Yubai could answer, Lin Zhixia jumped off the bed, not even wearing slippers, and ran directly toward the master bedroom.

She ran and laughed: “If you catch me, I’ll…”

What would she do?

She didn’t say.

Jiang Yubai left the spacecraft.

Wherever Lin Zhixia was, that’s where his heart belonged.

*

After eleven o’clock at night, the bedroom was completely dark.

The blanket and pillows had fallen to the floor, and no one picked them up. The sealed room was filled with the lingering scent of passion. Lin Zhixia, seemingly dazed, said: “I have no strength left…”

She spoke softly: “You’re so amazing… I surrender.”

Jiang Yubai had been holding her in a relaxed posture. However, after hearing her words, the muscles in his arms tensed rigidly. Lin Zhixia was puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Yubai instructed her: “Say it again.”

Lin Zhixia was somewhat confused but complied. She even declared with her full name: “Jiang Yubai, you’re amazing, I surrender.”

Jiang Yubai suddenly gripped her waist, his hand strength so intense it hurt her. Lin Zhixia first complained: “You’re hurting me.” Then, she pried open his arms, rolled to the corner of the bed, and no longer cooperated with any of his actions.

Lin Zhixia honestly said, “I’m really tired.”

Jiang Yubai got up and put on his clothes.

Lin Zhixia thought he might be a bit unhappy.

However, Jiang Yubai quickly returned. He brought a clean, soft new blanket from the cabinet, gently covering her, even tucking in the corners. He lay down behind her, completely subduing the aggressiveness and possessiveness from minutes before, coaxing her with a gentle voice: “Do you want me to hold you while you sleep?”

Lin Zhixia thought for a moment.

She rolled into his arms.

“Good night, I’ll see you in my dreams.” Her voice grew increasingly soft.

He said, “Good night, Xiaxia.”

*

At around eight o’clock the next morning, Lin Zhixia slowly awoke. She went to the bathroom and took a shower, then picked up the wedding ring, holding it up to the morning sunlight to examine it carefully.

Last night, she hadn’t had time to study the ring.

Now, she discovered that the craftsmanship of the ring was exquisite. The band was set with a circle of small diamonds, highlighting a brilliant diamond in the center, and she found her name engraved on the band.

Lin Zhixia put on the ring and walked out of the bedroom to find Jiang Yubai.

As she approached the study, she heard him on the phone.

Jiang Yubai was having a video call with his parents.

He honestly told his family that last night he had proposed to Lin Zhixia, she agreed to get engaged, and he was very happy. From now on, Lin Zhixia would be his fiancée.

Jiang Yubai spoke at length, describing Lin Zhixia’s many virtues.

He observed his mother’s expression and saw nothing unusual. He picked up his water glass and had just taken a sip when his uncle interrupted: “Great, wonderful! Xiao Jiang, when are you and Xiao Lin having the wedding? If you want your uncle to play music at your wedding, that can be arranged. My orchestra has friends who play the violin quite well…”

Before his uncle finished, his father turned and gave him a look, causing his uncle to step back and fall silent.

His father asked: “You’re both certain?”

Jiang Yubai said, “Of course.”

His father seemed to have anticipated this. After thinking for a moment, he asked again: “Have you resolved the Jiangke Software Company issue?”

“I’m meeting with them today, the problem will be solved soon,” Jiang Yubai replied.

His father nodded slightly: “Good, I trust your ability.”

His mother was not in the frame. Her voice came from beside his father: “Your father and I would like to meet your fiancée’s parents. We’ll be family from now on, and proper etiquette should be observed.”