The next morning, Xiang woke up to find Zhou Ye sleeping peacefully in his arms.
He gently traced the outline of her face and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
When Ye stirred awake, he leaned in and kissed her.
She smiled sleepily and kissed him back, their foreheads resting together as they cuddled under the warm morning light.
After a few minutes of quiet warmth, they got up to make breakfast—laughing, teasing, and stealing kisses in between.
As Xiang got ready to leave, he turned at the door, gave her a soft peck on the lips, and walked out shyly—almost like a schoolgirl escaping after confessing her crush.
Zhou Ye stood in the doorway, stunned and smiling, her heart fluttering.
She grabbed her phone and messaged her friends:
> Ye: "Where are you guys?"
They replied:
> "We're almost there! Any progress??"
She smiled and replied in a low voice:
> "Just come to my house first."
Moments later, they burst through the door and circled around her.
> "Tell us what happened last night!" Xin asked eagerly.
> "I... I can't believe it," Ye said with a small smile.
"He proposed to me. And he gave me a black ring."
> "A BLACK RING??" they all gasped at once.
She laughed softly and explained:
> "It was his father's ring—the one he used to propose to Xiang's mother.
He told me it's the most precious thing he owns."
Her friends were moved.
Ling's eyes glistened with emotion.
> "That's so romantic…"
But Xin frowned gently.
> "Then why do you look... a little sad, Ye?"
Ye lowered her eyes.
> "Because he doesn't know about what happened three years ago...
Should I tell him? Or just let it be?"
The room fell quiet.
Then Ling spoke up.
> "Ye, if you feel comfortable and ready, you can tell him.
But if it still hurts too much, maybe it's okay to leave it behind.
What matters is that he loves you now.
He fell for you, just like you once fell for him at first sight.
Fate brought you back together."
Xin nodded.
> "You deserve to be happy. Don't let the past steal that from you."
They pulled her into a group hug, their warmth surrounding her like a cocoon.
Zhou Ye smiled through misty eyes.
Maybe... just maybe,
It was finally time to stop aching over the past
And start cherishing the present.
On the other hand…
Xiang walked into the office like a happy child who had just received his favorite toy.
The moment he stepped into the room, Gu threw a surprise celebration.
A balloon popped overhead, showering him with rose petals, and a big banner read:
> "CONGRATULATIONS MY SON, YOU'VE MADE PROGRESS!"
(complete with a blowing kiss emoji)
Xiang laughed and hugged Gu, whispering:
> "Thanks."
Gu blinked in surprise.
> "Why are you acting like me? Don't try to steal my spotlight!"
Xiang grinned.
> "I'm just in a good mood. Don't ruin it."
He flopped into his chair, rested his chin on his hand, and began replaying the proposal in his mind with a dreamy smile.
Gu squinted at him and muttered,
"Can you act normal? It's like the Earth suddenly started rotating backward."
Still smiling, Xiang threw him a flying kiss—just like Gu would.
Gu shuddered and rushed out of the room, muttering,
> "Now he's even stealing my signature move…"
Meanwhile, Zhou Ye reached the office.
Xiang was already waiting for her at the reception desk.
She raised an eyebrow.
> "Why are you standing here, Xiang?"
He replied shyly,
> "I was waiting for my girlfriend."
"It still feels like a dream."
She looked down and mumbled,
> "Oh…"
Then added softly,
> "Let's go to the office."
They walked toward the lift.
As they waited in silence, Xiang glanced sideways at her.
Something felt off. She looked distant. Quiet.
Was she disappointed by the proposal?
Did I do something wrong?
But he shook the thought away.
Maybe I'm overthinking.
Inside the lift, he hesitated before finally reaching out to hold her hand.
His palms were slightly trembling—but when she didn't pull away, he relaxed.
She even gave him a small smile.
That made his heart flutter.
---
When they reached the fifth floor, Xiang asked hesitantly:
> "Ye… should we tell our colleagues?"
She gently pulled her hand away and said:
> "No… not now. Let's wait a few more days. Is that okay?"
He nodded, though his heart sank a little.
> "Okay."
She walked ahead quietly, her steps heavy.
Xiang watched her—confused and a little hurt—then turned and walked toward his cabin.
Zhou Ye sat at her desk, her eyes fixed on the monitor but her thoughts far away.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unmoving.
Was it all real? she wondered.
Or am I still dreaming?