Chapter 64: Rings
Shi He’s dark eyes lowered slightly, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon the scene before him. His distinctly knuckled fingers gripped his hem tightly, his dark, heavy stare shifting from the cake to that exquisite, porcelain-white face.
Behind the flickering, dancing candlelight was his Ruan Zhimian.
These were meant for him, they belonged only to him, and Ruan Zhimian was his too.
Ruan Zhimian called out once more, “Shi He, hurry and make a wish.”
The Alpha finally moved. He stepped closer and dropped to one knee on the carpet. Lowering his head gently, he clasped his hands together, his black hair falling softly. He looked exceptionally obedient.
Ten seconds later, he opened his eyes, blew out the candles one by one, and took the small mantou cake from Ruan Zhimian’s hands. “I’ve made my wish.”
It had been many, many years since he last celebrated his birthday.
For the first nine years, his birthday was nothing more than a meaningless performance. For the eleven years that followed, his birthday had become a forbidden topic.
There was an exquisite strawberry cream cake, as well as an almond salted cream cake.
And a mantou small cake.
Ruan Zhimian had ordered several different kinds, thinking there would surely be one that Shi He could eat.
Since they were celebrating a birthday, they absolutely had to eat cake.
The mantou cake Ruan Zhimian was holding was placed onto the table by Shi He. The Alpha reached out, pulling the beauty kneeling on the soft cushion into his embrace, face-to-face. His fingers pressed against the soft, snow-like skin of the boy’s knees.
“Baby, when did you prepare all this?”
“Yesterday.”
Ruan Zhimian tilted his pure, softly obedient dark eyes up, resting his chin on Shi He’s shoulder. His ears were flushed bright red. He had exerted quite a bit of effort putting on the dress and hair extensions earlier, and had even practiced in secret a few times.
A delayed wave of shyness washed over him as he asked in a soft, sweet voice, “Do I… look weird?”
“No, very beautiful.”
Shi He lowered his head, pressing a kiss to his brow. “I like it very much.”
The pink and white dress featured layers upon layers of tulle and lace, a complex and extraordinarily exquisite design that puffed out naturally without the need for any structural support, making him look exactly like a little pink cake.
On the small sofa to the back right, the black and white kittens popped their heads up, letting out low meows.
Ruan Zhimian’s ears turned even redder, the flush spreading down his neck. He buried himself entirely in Shi He’s embrace, asking meekly, “Aren’t… aren’t you going to eat the cake?”
“I am.”
Shi He braced his arms and lifted Ruan Zhimian up. The hem of the dress fluttered, and the beige mid-calf socks swayed gently. A voice murmured right against his ear, “I only want you, this little cake.”
Ruan Zhimian blinked his eyelashes several times in rapid succession before Shi He’s meaning finally registered.
“I… I’m not a cake…”
The bedroom door clicked shut, and the two little kittens let out tiny meows.
The black cat climbed down first, followed closely by the white cat stepping carefully over the black cat’s back. One after the other, they trotted over to the bedroom door and stacked themselves into a ‘cat pile.’
It wasn’t until noon the following day that Ruan Zhimian was carried out by Shi He to eat. His eyes were drooping and listless, his chin resting weakly on his arm. “You’re too much.”
“I only put it on for you to look at, not for you to…”
This Alpha was exceptionally manipulative, asking in a low voice, “Is that not allowed?”
Ruan Zhimian couldn’t find the words to continue, nor could he win an argument against him. He expressed his anger through action, turning his head and biting down on Shi He’s finger. “I’m going to go find A-Yu today. I’m not playing with you.”
The Alpha lowered his eyes, gazing at the faint little teeth marks on his fingertip, a surge of heat blooming beneath the skin.
“I’ll drop you off.”
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Ruan Zhimian arrived at Teng Yu’s club. For the past two days, it was the weekend, and Teng Yu always loved to hang out where the action was.
The manager at the entrance personally escorted Ruan Zhimian inside.
As soon as he walked in, he saw Teng Yu frowning, deep in conversation with someone. “Cousin, I’m not getting involved in your affairs.”
The manager knocked on the door. Teng Yu immediately stood up and pulled Ruan Zhimian inside. “Mianmian, why did you come looking for me all of a sudden?”
Ruan Zhimian was dressed in a beige high-necked athletic tracksuit today. His hair was even pinned back with the little cat hairclip Shi He had given him.
He looked incredibly soft and squishy, like a literal marshmallow.
He took off his backpack and sat down obediently. “I need your help with something.”
However, he felt like he had seen this person somewhere before.
Two days ago, at the entrance of the Shi residence, the one involved with his brother.
Due to his stomach pain at the time, Ruan Zhimian had been bent over and hadn’t gotten a clear look.
Teng Yu introduced them. “This is my cousin. He just arrived from Hong Kong.”
Jiang Yanzhi’s features skewed toward being sharp and striking; every single aspect was exquisite, the kind of face that left an unforgettable impression, giving off a completely opposite vibe compared to Ruan Zhimian.
He extended a hand, his tone warm. “Hello, I am Jiang Yanzhi.”
“Hello, I’m Ruan Zhimian.”
Jiang Yanzhi’s eyes curved slightly. “He’s mentioned you to me many times.”
They both knew exactly who ‘he’ was: Ruan Xubai.
“You guys chat, I’ll take my leave first.”
“A-Yu, think it over carefully before you give me your answer.”
Once Jiang Yanzhi left, Ruan Zhimian pulled a document folder from his backpack. “In three days, please give this to Shi He for me.”
“Are you leaving?”
Ruan Zhimian found it hard to muster a smile. “Yes.”
Teng Yu could tell that Ruan Zhimian’s decision didn’t stem from his own true desires, much like Jiang Yanzhi back then. He took the folder and placed it in his drawer. “I will.”
The only thing he could do was offer his support.
On the afternoon of the second to last day, Ruan Zhimian took a trip to the shopping mall.
When he emerged, there was an extra small box in his pocket. He had the driver take him to Shi Corp, waiting in the underground garage for Shi He to finish his meeting.
At six o’clock in the evening, the impeccably dressed, aloof Alpha stepped out of the elevator. Two assistants followed closely behind, discussing work matters.
“Shi He.”
Even from a distance, he immediately spotted Ruan Zhimian standing by the car, waving at him.
Ruan Zhimian ran over and threw his arms around Shi He. “Let’s go eat.”
President Shi, who had just been preparing to work overtime to review proposals, turned around and told his two assistants, “Push those back. We’re off the clock.”
He casually and naturally took his Mianmian’s hand. “What do you want to eat?”
“I made a reservation. Let’s drive there.”
That very night, Ruan Zhimian, who usually slept very deeply, opened his eyes. He had very, very little time left, and he had barely slept over the past few days.
Ruan Zhimian pulled open the drawer of the nightstand and took out the small red box.
Inside the box lay a pair of simple matching rings.
He lowered his head, his fingertips trembling slightly.
He slid one onto Shi He’s finger first, and then put the other one on himself.
…
Shi He, I wanted to stay by your side for a long, long time.
“I just don’t have the time anymore.”
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