At a fork in the path, there were two choices, left or right.
Lu Xi had intended to go left, but she still turned to Xie Yizhao out of courtesy. “Which way?”
He looked at her first, then at the right path. “How about this. You take the left, I take the right. Let’s meet at the exit and see who gets there first.”
Lu Xi narrowed her eyes slightly. “Sure, I’ll accept the challenge. But I’ll definitely get there first.”
With that, she turned left without hesitation.
Xie Yizhao, however, remained where he was, watching her figure disappear around the next corner. Only then did he let out a quiet chuckle and head to the right.
Luckily, Lu Xi was happy enough tonight that she didn’t notice his nervousness.
Yes, he was nervous.
He had never attempted something so uncertain before. And Lu Xi herself was full of uncertainties, like a mystery waiting to be unraveled.
He had never seriously talked to her about her disappearance, but deep down, he had a wild yet oddly convincing suspicion.
Over time, he had subtly tested his guess. Lu Xi never denied it. She only looked at him with those innocent almond eyes and promised she wouldn’t leave again.
He knew she wouldn’t lie to him.
But his heart was still filled with uncertainties. For the first time, he felt so lacking in security.
And today, that feeling had peaked.
He could feel how intense things had become between him and Lu Xi lately. If he proposed, she probably wouldn’t refuse. He wanted to find the perfect moment—a romantic one, where he felt completely in control.
Lu Xi had no idea that this place had been ready for her a month ago.
But he had been delaying.
For the past month, he had visited frequently under the pretense of working late. Like an obsessive perfectionist, he scrutinized every little detail, hoping that when she finally saw it, she would love everything about it.
Yet, he still hadn’t decided on the right moment to propose.
Dinner had been perfect earlier, but he had still hesitated.
Maybe it was the fear of being so close to his goal. So close that he kept subconsciously pushing it back.
Wandering through the maze, Xie Yizhao felt as if his heart was lost within it too. He couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.
He had been through rock bottom. Now, in the eyes of the world, he was standing at the top. But only in front of her could he return to his true self and realize that, in the end, he was just an ordinary man.
A man who would agonize over her, hesitate because of her, and go to great lengths just to make her happy.
On the other side, Lu Xi was taking selfies while searching for the exit.
She wasn’t in a hurry at all.
For someone who loved taking pictures, how could she pass up such a perfect backdrop?
But after striking 108 different poses and snapping countless shots, she suddenly felt that something was off.
It was still easier to have someone else take pictures for her.
Too bad Xie Yizhao wasn’t here.
She suddenly regretted agreeing to split up with him earlier.
Checking the time, she realized it had been almost twenty minutes since they had separated.
Lu Xi frowned slightly. She was happy and worried at the same time. He was so smart, had he already found the exit?
“Xie Yizhao?” she called out, but there was no response. No sound of footsteps either.
A sense of urgency crept in. She put away her phone and started seriously searching for the way out.
When it came to mazes, Lu Xi had plenty of experience. The key was to stay calm. As long as it wasn’t a deliberately complex, trap-filled maze, patience would get you out eventually. It was only a matter of time.
But patience was precisely what she lacked right now.
At first, she had been focused on beating Xie Yizhao.
But as she walked, an unexpected hope started to form. What if she ran into him at the next turn?
Yet, every time she reached an intersection, her anticipation was met with disappointment.
And that disappointment kept building, spreading, turning into something deeper.
She suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to see Xie Yizhao, right now.
Even though night had fallen and she was alone, she wasn’t scared.
Despite everything she had been through, Lu Xi never really believed in ghosts or spirits. She just suddenly felt incredibly bored and lonely. She wanted to be with Xie Yizhao.
She picked up her pace, now jogging, while paying close attention to her surroundings.
She didn’t know how many turns she had taken before she finally heard faint footsteps nearby.
“Xie Yizhao?” she called again.
She didn’t realize that the footsteps came from behind her, about to turn right.
“Xiao Xi—”
A deep, magnetic voice suddenly called out from behind.
Lu Xi froze mid-step and turned around.
Xie Yizhao stood not far behind her, just a dozen steps away.
There was a faint smile on his face, his eyes deep and gentle. “I heard you calling my name.”
Lu Xi bit her lip. The moment she saw Xie Yizhao, a wave of inexplicable grievance washed over her, and she couldn’t help but run toward him.
Xie Yizhao was momentarily stunned.
The scene reminded him of their wedding day, when she had run toward him in her wedding dress.
She wasn’t in a wedding dress now, but she was just as beautiful, radiant, her eyes so pure they stirred a fierce desire to protect her.
But this time, he reacted faster.
Before she could throw herself into his arms, he took a step forward and caught her precisely.
Lu Xi pouted. “I called you so many times!”
Xie Yizhao stroked her head affectionately. “I’m sorry, my fault. I shouldn’t have had this place designed so big.”
Lu Xi immediately caught the key detail. “You had it designed? You own this place?”
He smiled. “Right now, it’s mine. But tomorrow, it’ll be yours.”
Lu Xi froze, staring at him in confusion.
Xie Yizhao cleared his throat and explained, “I bought this land years ago. You once said you wanted your own hot spring resort. Well, here it is.”
Lu Xi pulled away from his embrace, thinking she must have misheard.
A hot spring resort… just for her?
She vaguely remembered mentioning it before…
Lu Xi loved soaking in hot springs but hated crowded places. She had a bit of a cleanliness obsession. Whenever she stayed at a hotel or a resort, she never used the bathtub, no matter how luxurious the place was. The same went for swimming pools.
She had once casually mentioned wanting a hotel that only served her, or at least a private hot spring just for her use.
She had mentioned it.
But did this man have to be so outrageously extravagant, gifting her an entire brand-new hot spring resort?
Lu Xi was completely stunned.
Xie Yizhao paused briefly before clarifying, “Actually, calling it a resort isn’t quite right. After all, it only serves you. Of course, I also had different-sized hot spring pools set up, so you can bring your friends along if you like.”
She nodded, her expression slightly dazed.
Xie Yizhao found her reaction adorable. He reached out to pinch her cheek and smiled. “So, can I come along in the future, CEO Lu?”
Lu Xi’s heart fluttered at his teasing. She tried hard to suppress her excitement, but the corners of her lips still lifted.
She replied with deliberate nonchalance, “Hmm… we’ll see. Depends on how you behave.”
After saying that, she watched his reaction with a playful smile, only to catch a flicker of dark emotion in his eyes.
Then, right in front of her, he slowly knelt on one knee.
Lu Xi : ?
“You… what are you doing?” she asked, a little flustered.
Xie Yizhao pulled out a ring he had long prepared.
Even now, he still felt nervous. But just a moment ago, when Lu Xi had thrown herself into his arms, he had felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. In that instant, he was certain, there would never be a better time than now.
Because he didn’t want to wait even a second longer.
He opened the ring box. Inside was a flawless pink diamond ring, one that looked stunningly familiar to Lu Xi.
Xie Yizhao gazed at her, his eyes filled with deep, complex emotions.
His voice wavered slightly with emotion as he spoke. “Xiao Xi, I’ve always owed you a proper proposal. I’ve never actually asked you… if you truly want to marry me.”
Lu Xi froze. Her mind spun, her fingertips tingling slightly.
Everything that had happened today suddenly clicked into place. The way Xie Heng had shown up at her office, all the odd little actions throughout the day, leading up to this very moment.
So this was the surprise Xie Yizhao had planned?
Lu Xi had a habit. When she felt like crying, she would instinctively hold back her tears. She blinked rapidly and asked, “And if I say no? What will you do then?”
Xie Yizhao answered without hesitation, “I’ll ask again next time.”
“And if I still say no?”
“Then the time after that.” His response was firm, as if he had thought it through countless times.
Lu Xi’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Then, she let out a soft chuckle.
That was such a typical Xie Yizhao answer.
But the moment she smiled, the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over.
How strange…
Why did this man always have to make her cry?
Lu Xi pouted and urged him, “Get up already.”
“I won’t. You haven’t said yes or no yet, so I’m not moving.” For once, Xie Yizhao was being stubborn, his intense gaze fixed on her.
Lu Xi teased, “You’re already a father, and you’re still acting like a child?”
Even as she said it, she smiled. Then, with bright, tear-filled eyes, she stretched out her hand like a proud little peacock. “Put it on for me. If I like it, I’ll say yes.”
Xie Yizhao laughed softly. “Yes, Wifey.”
He carefully picked up the ring and slipped it onto her finger.
The ring was breathtaking.
The perfect cut and brilliant fire of the pink diamond shimmered even in the dim lighting. Lu Xi lifted her hand and admired it for a few seconds, feeling a little vain.
This was a ring that made her heart race.
It was far more meaningful than the one that had once adorned her ring finger before she traveled through time. That one had long since disappeared.
And the man kneeling before her, this handsome, devoted man, stirred her heart even more.
He had waited for her, alone, all these years.
Lu Xi wiped the corners of her eyes. “Alright, I’ve said yes. Now get up.”
Xie Yizhao murmured, “My leg’s numb. Help me up.”
Lu Xi : … She didn’t believe him for a second. This old fox was definitely up to something.
She knew it was a trap. But faced with his pleading gaze, she still couldn’t bring herself to refuse him. She reached out and gently pulled him up.
And sure enough, the moment he got to his feet, he suddenly pulled her into his arms. Before she could react, he tightened his grip and stepped backward until her back pressed against a fence. She let out a startled gasp.
“It’s going to fall over!” she clung to him in panic.
Xie Yizhao reassured her, “No, it’s reinforced.”
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on her face before he lowered his head and placed a tender kiss—starting from her eyelids, down to the bridge of her nose, and finally landing on her lips.
Tonight felt different from any other night.
Lu Xi’s heart pounded wildly, and she could hear his heartbeat, syncing with hers.
After a long moment, breathless, she pushed him away.
Leaning against his shoulder, she mumbled, “Didn’t you say there’s a hot spring? CEO Xie, hurry up and take me there.”
Xie Yizhao let out a low chuckle, utterly content. He whispered, “So, CEO Lu, are you going home tonight?”
Lu Xi’s lips curled up mischievously. “Nope. Let the little cub hold down the fort on his own.”
why am i the only one here? everybody has to read this dog food AAAAA PEAK FLIRTING