Chapter 91: I Want to Kiss You, Qiao Xiaozhen

The pink afterglow was like the delicate petals of flowers at first light, and as the sun sank slowly into the horizon, its blush deepened into a richer hue, as if lifted from a poem or painting.

The sea of flowers surged in the wind, and against that dazzling, romantic backdrop, there was only one reflection left in Qiao Zhen’s eyes.

Qin Yichi carefully cupped her face, bowed his head, and, as though holding a treasure beyond price, asked whether she would be willing to be with him.

Qiao Zhen’s eyes were so red it was frightening. She could hardly believe what she was hearing or seeing.

So many beautiful balloons, roses, love letters, and gifts. Such a fervent, grand confession.

It needed an immense amount of patience and affection.

No one had ever told her such things before, had ever said she was a unique princess, a kind and lovely little rabbit, a radiant pearl...

So she was not a speck of dust, after all.

So she, too, was someone worthy of secret longing, of being cherished, of being held in the palm of a hand and loved tenderly.

The tears she had been holding back the entire way finally burst loose, falling patter after patter down her cheeks until her little face was completely flushed red.

Honestly... why did he have to be so tender and sincere? She really felt as though she might cry herself to death...

Qiao Zhen could not speak at all, only nodding hard, harder and harder, to show that she was willing, very willing.

She liked him to death too.

She liked him so much. She wanted to cling to him.

She wanted to cling to her boyfriend!!

Qiao Zhen buried her face in his chest, wrapped her arms around his waist of her own accord, and held him tightly as she choked out brokenly, “I... I want to be with you.”

The words had barely fallen when Qin Yichi’s throat moved slightly. Holding her more tightly with one arm, he soothed her softly, “Mm. We’ll be together forever.”

Together for a lifetime.

Never to part, through all eternity.

His silent, years-long crush had finally glimpsed the light of day...

Beneath the gentle glow of dusk, the two of them embraced in a way that was both tender and intimate, while the balloons and flowers swaying in the wind around them seemed to celebrate and cheer for them as well.

Together with nature, they formed a harmonious and romantic oil painting.

And yet—

Not far away, behind a tree, several heads peered out furtively.

Zhang Ning’s eyes shone with stars as she clapped without stopping. “Sister Zhenzhen and Brother Chi are really together!!”

The boys jostled one another, hiding behind the tree and sneaking glances, exclaiming in admiration:

“I knew it would work! Those two are absolutely perfect for each other! I saw ages ago that they liked each other!”

“Our world-weary, cool, and impossible Great Demon King Qin Yichi has finally been successfully married off—scatter the flowers~”

“Ugh, watching this is making my hopeless romantic brain act up again... If they don’t get married, it’ll be hard to clean up the mess.”

“I want the honor seat!!!”

On the other side, Qin Yichi was not oblivious to this bunch of idiots.

He kept patting Qiao Zhen’s back to comfort her, and only after finally coaxing her into feeling better did he take her hand.

“Let’s go home, girlfriend.”

He waved to the boys, signaling them to help carry the gifts, as well as the balloons and roses they could not manage on their own.

The boys grinned with bared teeth. “Heh-heh, you did say if it worked out you’d treat us to spicy crayfish.”

Zhang Ning held up a little rabbit balloon while drooling. “Wow, I want some too.”

At this moment, Qin Yichi’s heart and eyes were entirely filled with his girlfriend, and he merely nodded at their words.

Eat, eat—go on, you greedy little pests.

Hearing there would be crayfish, the whole group immediately set to work, cheerful and obedient. “Congratulations, Qiao Mei and Brother Chi—may you live happily ever after.”

Niu Yifeng looked moved to tears and shouted, “Be happy, Qiao Mei! If Brother Chi ever bullies you, remember to tell us!”

Qin Yichi shot him a glare, and the other man immediately hunched his shoulders and fled after the group.

Qiao Zhen kept her head down, not forgetting to tell the long-awaited strategists the result of the confession, summarizing it roughly.

The dorm chat exploded at once:

Chen Meixiang: “Oh my god, ahhh! Such a man actually exists? Peak science fiction! I don’t believe it! [sunglasses tears]”

Yun Yue: “It’s clearly mutual pursuit. I told you he was your fated one—you two were made for each other, a perfect match!”

Sheng Lulu: “I want to date someone like this in this lifetime! I want to date someone like this in this lifetime! I want to date someone like this in this lifetime! [furious][angry]”

After replying, Qiao Zhen put down her phone and frowned at the great pile of balloons and roses before her.

After thinking it over, she realized there truly was no room for them at home, so she decided to give the balloons and roses to passersby, hoping to pass on happiness and beauty.

Naturally, Qin Yichi listened to her. All the way back, he carried the large bundle of balloons while Qiao Zhen held the roses, and the two walked side by side.

Passing a park, they happened upon many children.

Especially the little girls, who received the cute balloons and lovely roses and became so delighted they nearly bounced in place, their voices sweet as honey:

“Thank you, big brother and big sister. Wishing you happiness forever and ever~”

“Sister, you’re even prettier than this bouquet of pink roses!!”

They also met a sanitation worker auntie on the street. When she received the red roses, her eyes were full of disbelief.

After a brief explanation, her eyes grew slightly wet. “Thank you, little girl.”

An elderly couple with white hair walked toward them hand in hand, and when they received the balloons, they looked as delighted as children...

Gradually, the sky darkened, and soon the balloons and roses were all given away.

They had received smiles and blessings from many strangers.

Qiao Zhen was a little tired—tired from crying before, and tired from walking.

But with the evening breeze brushing past, the corners of her lips still curved in a gentle smile, and she closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

Suddenly, Qin Yichi crouched in front of her, the tips of his ears slightly red. “Up you get. Your boyfriend will carry you home.”

Qiao Zhen’s face warmed at his words, and her body moved before her brain could catch up, climbing onto his back and wrapping her arms around his neck, wanting to cling to him every moment of the day.

So warm.

So comfortable.

So likeable.

They crossed the quiet path, where streetlamps cast a tender, lingering glow and stretched their shadows longer and longer.

All that remained was the steady beat of each other’s hearts.

Qiao Zhen still could not quite believe it, still felt insecure: Qin Yichi had really ended up with her.

Resting her head on his right shoulder, she called to him as she always did, but this time she did not use his full name. Instead, she said:

“Boyfriend.”

Qin Yichi’s ears went soft with pleasure, and his mouth curled upward as though hooked by a line. “Mm?”

Qiao Zhen called again in an even sweeter voice, “Boyfriend~”

Qin Yichi’s smile rose higher without him noticing. “Mm.”

Like a little animal, Qiao Zhen rubbed affectionately against him, her voice growing sweeter and sweeter. “Who is my boyfriend?”

“I am.” Qin Yichi answered at once, full of confidence.

The corners of his mouth were already nearly aligned with the sun, and though he tried to hold back his victorious smile, he could not suppress it at all.

He was secretly thrilled, thrilled to the point of flying.

Only in the dim stairwell did Qin Yichi finally set her down, his gaze deep and dark. “Qiao Xiaozhen.”

“Mm?” Qiao Zhen lifted her head innocently, looking at him in the faint light.

The next second, the man bent down and cupped her face. His palm was scorching hot, his voice hoarse and bewitching, each word pronounced slowly and deliberately.

“I want to kiss you.”

The air filled uncontrollably with a tender, intoxicating tension, while the world around them remained utterly quiet and still.

He asked, “Will you kiss me?”