Chapter 60 – The Proposal
“I’ll take you out for a walk,” Lu Heng said, pulling Lin Yan along.
Holding Lin Yan’s hand, Lu Heng led him into the bustling streets of a foreign land.
The pulse of this city was completely different from the East—its rhythm brisk, its colors vivid. The air was filled with the rich aroma of coffee and the lively energy created by unfamiliar languages intertwining.
Walking through a place so unlike his former life, Lin Yan felt a little excited. His eyes were wide as he looked left and right, everything appearing fresh and new to him.
Lu Heng felt the slight chill of Lin Yan’s fingertips in his palm and unconsciously tightened his grip, drawing him a little closer. A quiet, instinctive desire to protect him rose within his chest.
“Where do you want to go?” Lu Heng lowered his head. His voice sounded especially deep amid the surrounding noise, clear only to Lin Yan.
He was wearing a simple black shirt today, the collar slightly open. Without his usual seriousness, he seemed more relaxed—perfectly blending into the lazy afternoon atmosphere.
Lin Yan let himself be led, his gaze curiously sweeping over the dazzling shop windows along the street before finally settling on a small store filled with delicate handmade candies.
“Over there.”
His eyes curved into a smile as he pointed at the shop. “They look really tasty.”
The store was small, its colorful candies displayed like works of art. The elderly shop owner smiled and used a pair of tongs to pick up a purple candy coated in sugar, gesturing for Lin Yan to try it.
He accepted it carefully. The sweet-and-sour flavor that spread across his tongue made his eyes narrow in delight. Without thinking, he squeezed Lu Heng’s fingers, eager to share the novelty.
“It smells like flowers—so sweet.”
Lu Heng wasn’t particularly fond of sweets, but seeing Lin Yan’s childlike expression made something in his heart soften completely.
He took out his wallet and said in simple English to the shop owner, “Please wrap some for us.”
After a brief pause, he added, “One of every flavor.”
Then he turned his head slightly and said in a voice meant only for the two of them, “They’re all for you. But you’re sweeter.”
Lin Yan’s ears immediately warmed.
He pretended not to understand and turned away to look at the other candies, though the corners of his lips couldn’t help but lift. Lu Heng was still like this—always teasing him.
Even though they had already shared everything…
Lin Yan still found himself blushing at just a single sentence from him.
After leaving the candy shop, the two wandered aimlessly.
When they passed a street performer, the man was singing an old folk song with deep emotion, the guitar melody slow and lingering.
A small crowd had gathered around, and a faint sense of romance drifted through the air. Lu Heng stopped, and Lin Yan naturally leaned against his side.
Listening to the song, Lin Yan suddenly thought about everything he had now. Moments like this had been rare in his life before. He felt grateful for every turn fate had given him.
Unconsciously, he moved even closer to Lu Heng, as if Lu Heng were the only fixed point in this unfamiliar world.
Sensing his dependence, Lu Heng naturally wrapped an arm around his waist, drawing him halfway into his embrace.
He didn’t speak. He simply stood with Lin Yan, listening to the lingering melody. The golden light of the setting sun outlined the silhouettes of the two leaning together, stretching long across the ground.
At this moment, no words were needed. A quiet sense of intimacy flowed naturally between them.
As the music gradually faded, they arrived at an open square. Flocks of white pigeons fluttered up and down, pecking at the bread crumbs scattered by tourists.
Lin Yan’s playful side emerged. He ran to a nearby stall and bought a small bag of pigeon feed. Squatting down, he carefully poured the grains into his palm and held his hand out.
The bolder pigeons flapped their wings and flew over, landing on his arm. Their pecking made his palm itch, and he couldn’t help laughing out loud.
Lu Heng stood a few steps away, leaning against the edge of the fountain in the center of the square, his gaze never leaving him.
He watched as Lin Yan lit up with delight when the pigeons approached, then flinched slightly when they competed with one another. Under the sunlight, the smile on his face was pure and bright.
Lu Heng took out his phone and quietly captured the moment. Somewhere deep in his heart came a soft sigh—of contentment, and of an emotion he couldn’t quite put into words.
Warmth welled up inside him.
So this was it—where Lin Yan was, even the air felt different.
Lin Yan turned around and happened to catch the focused look Lu Heng hadn’t yet withdrawn.
He stood up, brushed the crumbs from his hands, and ran toward him.
“Lu Heng.”
It was the first time he had called him by his full name, his tone carrying a hint of mischief.
“Were you secretly taking pictures of me just now?”
Lu Heng calmly put his phone away and reached out to brush a tiny bit of down from Lin Yan’s hair.
“Openly and honestly.”
“Cough.” Lin Yan cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject, pointing not far away.
“There seems to be a small market over there. Want to go take a look?”
The market was crowded with stalls selling all kinds of handicrafts and trinkets.
Lin Yan stopped in front of a booth selling vintage jewelry and picked up a pair of uniquely designed silver earrings, examining them carefully.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a pair of cat-shaped rings beside them—matching couple rings. The distinctive design immediately caught his attention.
He wanted them… but didn’t dare say it out loud.
Lu Heng had only mentioned marriage yesterday. If he bought the rings now, wouldn’t that mean he was agreeing?
No, no. Lin Yan shook his head repeatedly.
He wasn’t ready to agree yet.
He couldn’t let Lu Heng trick him into going back so easily.
Lu Heng had never been particularly interested in accessories like these, but his gaze lingered on the pair of cat couple rings in front of Lin Yan.
When Lin Yan eventually walked away, Lu Heng stepped forward instead and decided to buy them.
He imagined how the ring would look on Lin Yan’s slender, fair fingers.
Why not… propose to him?
The thought kept surfacing in his mind. Ever since being with Lin Yan, it hadn’t faded—instead, it had only grown stronger.
Taking advantage of a moment when Lin Yan wasn’t paying attention, he stepped away briefly and made a phone call to Lu Yan, quietly planning a few things.
Perhaps life really does have moments when decisions can be made all at once. Lu Heng had always believed that everything needed careful planning before it could begin.
But right now, all he needed was a single thought—one idea was enough, as long as it was for that person.
Calling from overseas, Lu Yan hadn’t blocked him. After hearing what he had in mind, Lu Yan didn’t hesitate at all and immediately began making arrangements.
“Do you like this?”
After hanging up, Lu Heng returned to Lin Yan’s side, his gaze falling on the bracelet in Lin Yan’s hand.
Lin Yan had shifted his attention to a small cat bracelet placed nearby. The silver bracelet looked exquisite. The cat’s eyes were two blue gemstones, vivid and three-dimensional. Under the lights, they appeared even more perfect—like a lively little cat greeting him with its eyes. At the end dangled a tiny cat tail charm.
It was striking at first glance.
“It’s okay,” Lin Yan said, setting the bracelet down. “I just think it’s special.”
But Lu Heng had already signaled to the vendor and bought the pair of bracelets.
Then, without giving Lin Yan a chance to object, he took his hand and slipped the newly purchased bracelet onto his wrist. The size was perfect. The gemstone shimmered faintly against his skin.
“This is…” Lin Yan looked at the gift on his wrist in surprise.
“An apology,” Lu Heng said calmly, though his eyes were deep and serious. “For the last time you got hurt. You were talked about because of me.”
Even though he knew it had been an accident, the matter still weighed on him. If it weren’t for him, Lin Yan would never have suffered such undeserved trouble.
Lin Yan touched the cool gemstone, yet warmth spread quietly through his chest. He lifted his face, his smile especially bright in the sunset.
“Then… thank you, boyfriend.”
Lu Heng didn’t reply, but he understood perfectly. He looked at Lin Yan gently, the smile at the corner of his lips never fading, his heart once again coated in a layer of sweetness.
That title—boyfriend—would soon change.
After leaving the market, the evening breeze grew cool.
Noticing Lin Yan unconsciously hugging his arms, Lu Heng took off his light jacket and draped it over his shoulders. The jacket still carried his body heat and the familiar, clean scent of his shower gel, wrapping Lin Yan completely within it.
This kind of silent consideration was far more moving than any sweet words.
“Hungry?” he asked. “I heard there’s a restaurant nearby where you can see the entire city’s night view.”
Along the way, Lu Heng kept lowering his head to reply to messages on his phone.
Lin Yan found it strange and asked casually, “Who is it?”
“Work stuff,” Lu Heng replied at once, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He couldn’t let Lin Yan grow suspicious.
As long as he knew what he needed to do, that was enough.
“Oh.” Lin Yan sounded a little displeased.
After all, when your boyfriend’s attention keeps drifting away, it’s hard not to feel a bit unhappy.
But his boyfriend was the one who made the final decisions at the company. Being busy with endless work was normal.
Still, a faint sense of sadness rose within him—had his possessiveness already grown so strong that he felt unhappy just because his boyfriend was replying to other people’s messages?
He reminded himself in his heart that he couldn’t think this way. He needed to be understanding and tolerant of his boyfriend.
The restaurant was located on the upper floor of an old building. The atmosphere was elegant, and the view exceptional. Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the brilliantly lit city below could be seen, like scattered stars.
The dishes were served quickly, beautifully plated. Out of habit, Lu Heng carefully cut up the parts he thought tasted best, then naturally switched plates with Lin Yan.
The movements were smooth—as if he had done this countless times before.
Watching him place the deboned fish into his bowl, Lin Yan was suddenly reminded of long ago, when his mother used to do the same.
The last time he had visited his mother, Lu Heng hadn’t yet been his boyfriend.
Next time, he would definitely introduce Lu Heng to her properly.
He shook his head, brushing away the brief daze, and focused again on the person in front of him.
Lu Heng gently brushed his chin against the top of Lin Yan’s head, his voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible laughter.
“Eat slowly.”
The words were soft, yet they fell like a pebble into a still lake, sending ripples through Lin Yan’s heart.
Elegant music played throughout the restaurant. Only then did Lin Yan realize—there still hadn’t been many customers since they arrived. He glanced around.
It seemed there were only the two of them.
Had the place been specially reserved just for their date?
Accompanied by the flowing melody, Lin Yan ate happily. Watching the person across from him, he even found himself savoring the meal more than usual.
When the song ended, his thoughts were pulled back. Then the music changed—this new style was completely different from the previous one.
This song… was one Lin Yan loved very much.
It was the theme song from a drama he had watched.
The strong rhythm of the drums made goosebumps rise instantly along his skin. The lights shifted to blue, the romance beyond words. The entire scene felt dreamlike, almost unreal.
Then, a bright spotlight suddenly fell on him.
He looked at the person across from him in confusion.
Lu Heng set down his cutlery, stood up, and walked toward him.
Several people approached, gathering around them. They stood behind Lu Heng and handed him a bouquet of flowers—along with a small red box.
That box…
Could it be what Lin Yan was thinking?
A ring?
He felt bewildered, yet his heart already seemed to know the answer. His pulse quickened, adrenaline surging. In that instant, tears welled up in his eyes.
The next second, the man beside him suddenly went down on one knee, holding the box in his hands.
“Lin Yan—will you spend your whole life with me?”
Lin Yan covered his mouth in shock.
Even though he already knew the answer in his heart, hearing Lu Heng say those words still left him overwhelmed—surprised, moved, and utterly delighted.
These words—Lu Heng spoke them with more emotion than anything he had ever said before. The moment they left his lips, his eyes reddened as well.
Lin Yan had thought that when Lu Heng mentioned marriage before, it was just something said lightly, a passing remark.
He never expected that Lu Heng had been planning it all along.
He lowered his head to look at the ring in the box. It felt strangely familiar.
Wasn’t this the little cat ring he had stared at for a long time in the shop?
So he had bought it together with the bracelet—at some point he hadn’t even noticed.
Only now did Lin Yan realize that, without his knowing, Lu Heng had been quietly watching from behind—remembering his preferences, noticing where his gaze lingered, and silently preparing everything for him.
Warmth surged through his chest.
To be loved by someone like this—how fortunate that must be.
Lin Yan didn’t answer. With tears glistening in his eyes, he slowly reached out his hand.
Lu Heng smiled softly and tilted his head slightly, thinking that the people nearby were making Lin Yan shy, preventing him from responding right away.
But he wanted to hear Lin Yan’s answer too badly.
So he lifted his other hand, turned his head, and motioned for everyone around them to leave.
With the music gone, the space between the two seemed to shrink. In the sudden quiet, it felt as though they could hear each other’s heartbeats.
Lu Heng tilted his head, a smile he couldn’t suppress breaking across his face. He took Lin Yan’s hand, picked up the ring, and gently slipped it onto Lin Yan’s ring finger.
He had never imagined his life would include a moment like this. His hand trembled as fiercely as his heart—yet even while shaking, he placed the ring perfectly at the base of Lin Yan’s finger.
Then Lu Heng looked up at him.
With just one glance—no words needed—the two of them smiled at each other.
Lin Yan still covered his mouth as tears slipped down uncontrollably. Ever since being with Lu Heng, every tear he shed had been for happiness.
From the box, Lin Yan took out the other ring.
He was just about to place it onto Lu Heng’s hand, onto the same finger.
With these two small rings—identical in design—they would face the world together, declaring to everyone that they were each other’s destined person.
Their hands still entwined, Lu Heng stood and cupped Lin Yan’s face, leaning in to kiss him—
But before his lips could reach him, something seemed to burrow beneath the skin at his neck.
His body suddenly went weak.
The next second, Lu Heng collapsed into Lin Yan’s lap.
And slowly… he turned into a small cat.
Lin Yan panicked.
He looked around frantically—left, right—there was no one nearby. He quickly took off the jacket Lu Heng had draped over his shoulders.
Why had Lu Heng suddenly turned into a cat?
Hadn’t he already learned how to control it?
Why was this happening?
Lin Yan’s hands trembled violently. Just moments ago, they had been holding his lover—now all he could do was cradle a curled-up kitten in his arms.
He picked up his phone and called Ding Yue. His voice shook badly.
“A–Auntie…”
On the other end, Ding Yue immediately sensed something was wrong. Her brows knit together as anxiety rose.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Yan?”
“Lu Heng… he—he suddenly collapsed… and t–turned into a cat.”