Extreme Pampering
Chapter 178: Proposal.

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Proposal.

Pei Yu tended to be indifferent to his own affairs, which might have been why he mistakenly thought that the only significant event recently was Qin Xiaoran’s upcoming wedding.

But before Qin Xiaoran’s wedding, it was actually his 28th birthday.

It was not until Qin Fang called him noisily to ask what gift he wanted that Pei Yu realized his own birthday was approaching. Something crossed his mind, and he didn’t pay much attention to Qin Fang’s question, responding indifferently, "Anything."

He then made a phone call to have someone pick up something he had ordered a few months ago.

Qin Fang was annoyed at being hung up on and went straight to Shen Zhiyi’s phone to complain.

"So are we still having this get-together or not?" He remembered how Pei Yu previously celebrated his birthday by casually having a meal with them; sometimes he’d skip the meal entirely, busy with his own matters. Qin Fang felt that it would probably be the same this time.

"We’re doing it," Shen Zhiyi had been preparing for this occasion for a long time, "I’ve booked a place. You guys just need to come."

"Is Brother Pei going?" Qin Fang, knowing Pei Yu did not enjoy lively occasions, especially when he was the center of attention, hesitated.

Shen Zhiyi smiled, "If I accompany him, how could he not go?"

That made sense, so Qin Fang asked another question, "Who else are you planning to invite?"

Shen Zhiyi said, "Just a few of us, no outsiders."

It was a very private gathering, where only the important people needed to attend, and it was best if the less important ones were absent.

"Okay," Qin Fang took on the task, "I’ll let everyone know. You just need to bring Brother Pei."

He quickly followed up with another question, "What gift are you preparing for Brother Pei? I need a reference to avoid duplicating."

Shen Zhiyi held back a laugh, "You won’t duplicate it."

Qin Fang would remain unaware of what she had prepared until the end.

However, Pei Yu did give them a clue.

"Prepare two?"

Qin Xiaoran stopped petting the cat in surprise, "Why prepare two gifts? Has Brother Pei Yu ever missed a birthday?"

"He has had birthdays when he didn’t celebrate," Qin Fang said, legs crossed, "But we’ve never failed to send birthday gifts, it’s not because of that."

Qin Xiaoran then flipped through the calendar, "That day isn’t any special holiday either."

What was the second gift for?

None of them understood, but they all earnestly prepared two gifts each and sent them to Huating bright and early on Pei Yu’s birthday.

There were more gifts than expected, which puzzled Shen Zhiyi, but she didn’t think too much of it.

That evening, everyone went to the hotel private room Shen Zhiyi had booked well in advance, and Pei Yu arrived a bit later due to some matters he had to attend to.

He paced slowly as the sliding door opened.

Inside the brightly lit private room, his dark and cool eyes stood out vividly, his lips slightly pursed, and for some reason, his expression seemed more intense than usual. Though attired in his usual formal wear, he seemed to be particularly meticulous in his appearance that day.

To Shen Zhiyi, however, all these details made Pei Yu seem exceptionally handsome that evening, stirring her heart.

Pei Yu disliked elaborate ceremonies, and everyone present knew that, so there were no flamboyant arrangements, and the cake was quickly brought in.

After lighting the candles, Shen Zhiyi gently reminded him, "Make a wish."

Pei Yu looked at her, his eyes a bit deep, "You make the wish for me."

Thinking he was too embarrassed to do it, Shen Zhiyi agreed. She earnestly made the wish for Pei Yu and then closed her eyes to blow out the candle.

When the candle was extinguished, Shen Zhiyi opened her eyes to see Pei Yu kneeling on one knee before her.

She was suddenly struck dumb.

The room became extremely quiet in an instant. The appearance of this scene was beyond everyone’s expectations, but they all understood what it meant and did not make a sound to disturb them.

"Pei Yu..." Shen Zhiyi stared at him blankly, appearing surprised and perhaps also bewildered, with other meanings possibly mixed in. However, at this moment, Pei Yu was no longer able to calmly analyze them.

He moistened his dry lips, and a simple action of retrieving something took him several seconds.

"Zhizhi," Pei Yu said, lifting his face slightly, his tone somewhat low, "I hadn’t planned to do this so soon, but I thought today would be an appropriate time."

Since it was his birthday, Pei Yu hoped that perhaps Shen Zhiyi could be generous and let bygones be bygones, fulfilling this wish of his.

Shen Zhiyi looked at the ring box in his hand. Within it were two simply designed silver rings. Her heart skipped a beat, pulling at her chest, causing a faint pain, and she couldn’t speak for a moment.

Pei Yu took one of the silver rings and softly said, "This is made from that little silver lock of yours. It used to keep you safe, and from now on, it will witness our marriage."

He paused, as if trying to find more eloquent words to make "marrying Pei Yu" seem more enticing, so that Shen Zhiyi could not refuse, but this was difficult for him. He could never be slick with words or skillfully coax Shen Zhiyi.

"Zhizhi," Pei Yu took Shen Zhiyi’s hand and imprinted a kiss on her ring finger, "Will you marry me?"

He lowered his gaze, smiling gently, and said, "I love you."

At this moment, no one present doubted his words. They all believed that Pei Yu indeed loved Shen Zhiyi deeply.

In matters of love, the Pei Family’s reputation was poor, and Pei Yu didn’t seem to have any assurance to offer for himself. Therefore, despite having come this far, he still felt insecure and did not hold much hope. Shen Zhiyi could refuse him without any reason.

Pei Yu cast his eyes down, feeling Shen Zhiyi’s fingers twitch. They withdrew from his hand, and for a moment, his throat tightened. He tried to smile, but the smile wouldn’t come.

Perhaps the timing was still not right. Maybe he should give Shen Zhiyi more time...

"Pei Yu."

Suddenly, Shen Zhiyi called his name. Pei Yu looked up to see her purse her lips, revealing a soft smile.

She said, "You’re too impatient. I haven’t given you your birthday present yet."

Shen Zhiyi was also very nervous. Her eyelashes trembled as she took Pei Yu’s hand and slid the cool, smooth jade ring onto the root of his ring finger.

She whispered softly, "I know you wouldn’t refuse."

So there’s no need to ask.

The jade ring wasn’t exquisite. The face of the ring was etched with the pattern of cherry blossoms. It was something Shen Zhiyi had worked on for many days, which Pei Yu thought would be a gift for Qin Xiaoran.

But in truth, it was prepared by Shen Zhiyi for him.

"I’m sorry I don’t remember the past you," Shen Zhiyi bent her lips into a smile, explaining the meaning of the jade ring, "Let our first meeting accompany us for the rest of our lives."

That year, under the blossoming cherry trees, Pei Yu had to cover his face due to severe allergies completely. He detested the cherry blossoms that made him suffer, but then he turned around and saw the young girl emerging from the forest.

That was their first encounter.