The scenery on both sides kept receding as they passed through quiet alleys and faced the brisk wind until Li Shuchen held Qi Huan in his arms and arrived at a grove of birch trees.
Under the blue sky, the birch forest was pure and ethereal, with tall and straight trunks and branches yet to sprout leaves, bare and honest. Looking up, the sky was deep blue, and beneath their feet lay the pristine white snow. Standing amidst this forest of trees and snow, Qi Huan couldn't help but feel entranced.
While she admired the scenery, Li Shuchen admired her.
In Li Shuchen's eyes surged deep affection, his voice tender and warm, "Qi Huan."
A simple name, but when uttered by him, it sounded as melodious as the clinking of jade.
Qi Huan, a voice enthusiast, immediately withdrew her gaze, then smiled and looked at him, "Yes?"
Li Shuchen's eyes, like lustrous glass, brimmed with sincerity as he uttered each word, "My heart delights in you."
He adored her radiant smile, her optimistic attitude, her lively personality.
His earlier life was like a black and white ink painting, but since meeting her, it seemed as though red plum blossoms had bloomed on withered branches and lush greenery had spread across barren mountains, bright and vivid.
Li Shuchen's heart pounded like a drum, the first time in his life feeling so anxious, all for awaiting a girl's answer.
After a slight surprise, Qi Huan's eyes curved into a smile. Amidst the vast expanse of sky and earth, all the fetters of her past life vanished with his sincere confession.
Having experienced life and death and traversing time, her mindset had become much more open.
Li Shuchen was completely different from her biological father in her past life. If she were to impose her resentment towards her biological father onto all men, that would be a narrow-minded notion.
She opened her heart, followed her feelings, extended her right hand, and playfully replied, "Li Shuchen, congratulations, you've gained a super adorable girlfriend... I mean, you've won the heart of a girl."
The birch flower's meaning is a test of life and death. I believe that the heavens arranged for me to cross life and death to come here just to meet you. I really like you, Li Shuchen."
The bystander system immediately cheered within her consciousness, "Congratulations to the host and Li Shuchen, may your love endure forever. This system awards the host one thousand points as a gift for your first love."
"Thank you, and I wish you to find love soon too."
The system choked for a moment before saying, "Host, you should probably block me."
Lost in her thoughts, Qi Huan, Li Shuchen took her outstretched hand and pulled her into his embrace.
The wind blew through the branches, snowflakes fluttered down, gently landing on the heads and shoulders of the embracing couple under the trees, a sight so beautiful it resembled a painting.
Qi Huan let go of his hand, brushed off the snow, then tilted her head back, smiling mischievously like a little fox, "Li Shuchen, if you lower your head, I'll give you another birthday present."
With a slight tilt of his neck, Li Shuchen obediently leaned in.
Qi Huan swiftly hooked her hands around his neck, gave a gentle tug, and planted a kiss on his lips.
Their lips met, breaths mingled, and after a brief taste, she intended to pull away.
Sensing her intention, Li Shuchen immediately reached out, cupping the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
Instinctively grinding against her cherry lips, his tongue lightly tapping her teeth, conquering and plundering, intertwining and grinding.
Gradually gasping for air, Qi Huan pushed him away slightly, while Li Shuchen, still unwilling, withdrew a bit, resting his forehead against hers, intoxicated with affection, murmuring, "This birthday gift is wonderful."
Stepping back, she bent down to pick up the fallen scroll, stuffing it into his arms, Qi Huan spoke to Li Shuchen, "This birthday gift is even better, with the blessings of the people, may you be safe and joyful, blessed with longevity."
At that moment, her disobedient stomach growled a few times, hunger striking hard as iron.
Li Shuchen chuckled and gently touched her bun-like hair, walking side by side, they returned to the restaurant.
Inside the private room, Yan Qinghe lay lethargically on the table, toying with chopsticks, while Yan Wu dozed off.
Maintaining a posture for too long, Lu Yueming grew slightly impatient, her body unmoving but her eyes darting around, filled with joy upon seeing Qi Huan entering, "Ah Huan, you're finally back!" Lu Yueming jumped up and pulled out a purse from her waist, handing it over, "Last time, I had a conflict with the Lu family and broke quite a few teacups and dishes in your private room, this is compensation."
Qi Huan waved her hand, politely refusing, "Mr. Lu has already compensated."
"He is him, I am me, just take it!" Shoving the purse into her hand, Lu Yueming then shifted her gaze to Li Shuchen, "Yesterday, when Xiu Wen and the others took leave, I found out today is your birthday. Since you are their master, let me give you a pony, it's tied up in the backyard... I'll have the servants bring a matching carriage in a few days. If you don't need it usually, you can let Xiu Wen... and Yan Wu, Yan Qinghe, and the others go to the Lu Mansion by carriage."
"Thank you." Li Shuchen nodded faintly.
After they finished speaking, Yan Qinghe finally interjected, not in the best mood, "Shu, where did you go? I'm starving, can we eat now?"
"I'll call the waiter." Qi Huan freed her hand from Li Shuchen's grasp, turned around, and went downstairs to instruct the kitchen to prepare the meal.
Previously, they were standing close, and nobody noticed the intertwined hands under the loose sleeves. As she turned around, Yan Qinghe, with keen eyes, finally noticed.
"Shu, I thought you hated physical contact with people the most? How come you're holding hands with Ah Huan?"
Li Shuchen raised his hand and looked at it, his lips curling slightly, "Ah Huan is not just anyone."
..."
Everyone was stunned.
What did they miss?
They were just looking out the window for a moment, and when they turned back, Li Shuchen was gone, only to return with such explosive news.
Lu Yueming was even more bewildered. By the time she came over, the two had already left. Using the phrase Ah Huan had mentioned to her before: "The meal was not even touched, but they already got a mouthful of dog food?"
As Qi Huan stepped back into the private room, Lu Yueming immediately approached, gossiping, "Ah Huan, so you and Young Master Li are engaged?"
"?"
Qi Huan's face was full of question marks as she turned to Li Shuchen. "Engagement?"
"Not yet, but soon," he replied.
...
At the banquet, as everyone enjoyed the delicacies, their gazes couldn't help but flicker towards them.
Li Shuchen picked up a public chopstick, picked up a mouthful of sour and spicy cabbage, rinsed off the grease in warm water, and then put it in Qi Huan's bowl.
These vegetarian dishes were also stir-fried with lard. Qi Huan hadn't mentioned vegetable oil yet, so she placed an extra bowl of hot water on the table to rinse off the grease.
Regardless of its effectiveness, at least it was her intention. Since she had already taken advantage of someone else's daughter, there was no harm in observing filial piety for Qi's parents.
Across the table, Lu Yueming nudged Xiu Wen with her elbow and whispered, "Xiu Wen, could you help me get a piece of sweet and sour spare ribs? I can't reach."
As soon as she finished speaking, a piece of spare rib flew into her bowl.
Looking up, the enthusiastic Yan Qinghe put down his chopsticks and grinned, "No problem, I'm close by."
Lu Yueming grumpily picked up the spare rib and took a big bite, saying nothing more.
After lunch, the waiter quickly cleaned up the dishes and brought in a new pot of tea before leaving.
Xiu Wen looked at his master, whose eyes seemed glued to Qi Huan, feeling worried. He tentatively asked, "Your Highness, should we inform the other side about your engagement with Miss Qi?"
After all, His Majesty was still alive, and His Highness had no right to decide on his own marriage.
Li Shuchen lazily raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and indifferently refused, "No need."
Then he looked at Qi Huan again and said softly, "I'll be with you every step of the way, don't worry."
Qi Huan nodded. Since they had decided to be together, she wouldn't look back. Besides, she believed in Li Shuchen.
Their eyes met, and they shared a knowing smile.
Meanwhile, Yan Qinghe had eaten too much fried food during lunch and his mouth felt too salty. It took two cups of tea to make it better. He looked enviously at Li Shuchen.
Another birthday celebration.
Another scarf.
Another book of blessings from the people.
Another girl he admired.
And him? He had none of those.
So, he stood up, patted himself, and reminded everyone, "Attention! Attention! There's someone here who's just a day younger than Li Shuchen. My birthday is tomorrow, so let's see what you all do."
