Chapter 19: Start of Winter
Cuiwu Street was always crowded, and with 9,999 roses displayed at the entrance of the flower shop, it became even more eye-catching. In no time, a large crowd gathered to watch the commotion.
No one knew who started it, but soon many voices began to chant:
“Together!! Together!!”
“This guy is so romantic and sincere! Say yes to him!! Say yes!!”
“Shen Zhuying, I really do like you. Out of all the women I’ve been with, you’re the only one who’s truly special. Be my girlfriend, I’ll treat you well.” The rich second-generation grew even more confident, mistaking the cheers for encouragement, and spoke with what he thought was heartfelt sincerity.
Shen Zhuying’s face was cold. “I’m married.”
“What?” His face froze for a moment. “Shen Zhuying, if you want to reject me, at least come up with a believable excuse, okay?”
“Believe it or not.” Shen Zhuying frowned and turned to leave.
“Wait, Shen Zhuying, do you really have to embarrass me like this?” His face stiffened, and he moved as if to grab her.
Xiao Chun and Xiao Tao immediately blocked his way, hands on their hips, glaring at him like tigers ready to pounce.
Seeing that she was about to leave, the rich young man flung the roses aside and shoved Xiao Chun and Xiao Tao hard. “Get lost! What are two mute girls doing blocking the way?”
Then his eyes fell on Shen Zhuying’s bare finger, and as if he had found proof, he raised his voice triumphantly,
“You don’t even have a ring, and you’re telling me you’re married? What a joke!”
“Are you sick in the head?” Shen Zhuying flared up instantly when she saw Xiao Chun and Xiao Tao being shoved.
“Whether I wear a ring or not has nothing to do with you. What are you getting all self-indulgent for out here?”
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Hands on her hips, she jabbed a finger at his nose and scolded,
“These flowers were done by me, my staff, and my husband working overnight. What exactly did you do that you’re pretending to be so affectionate?”
“If you were truly that sincere, why didn’t you arrange these 9,999 roses yourself? You made me work two nights straight, I even broke out with two pimples, and now you want me to agree to your courtship?”
“You look like a damn ball to me!”
“You…” The young man’s expression cracked.
“Why are you so fierce? You weren’t like this before. You used to smile so beautifully, so gently, speaking softly to me. Weren’t you trying to seduce me?”
“Seduce you? What about you is worth seducing?”
“You look like you qualify for welfare, your height is like Wu Dalang[mfn]Also known as Wu the Elder, is a major character in the classic Chinese novel The Plum in the Golden Vase, and a minor character in the Water Margin, another classic. In both novels, he is murdered by his adulterous wife Pan Jinlian. Wu Dalang is the elder brother of the hero Wu Song. Because he is short and ugly, he is nicknamed “Three-inch nail”. [/mfn] reincarnated, your head like it’s been kicked by a donkey. I’d have to be brain-dead to seduce you! If I ever smiled at you, it’s because I care for children with special needs! Is that answer satisfying enough for you?”
After rattling it all out in one breath, Shen Zhuying, under the worshipful gazes of Xiao Chun and Xiao Tao, turned on her heel and strode back into the shop without looking back.
Whether her words managed to wake the rich young man up was uncertain, but at least the onlookers finally understood the whole story.
The heckling died down, replaced by boos directed at the rich young man.
At the same time, Qi Zhou was mingling within the crowd, his tall frame standing out effortlessly.
He held a girl’s hand, smiling lazily as he sent Fu Sizhuo a video, followed by a voice message.
“Tsk, looks like the chance to play hero and save the beauty is gone.”
“Ah Zhuo, your wife’s combat power is pretty strong.”
——
About twenty minutes earlier, Fu Sizhuo had received a shopping link from Qi Zhou. Probably knowing Fu wouldn’t bother clicking it, Qi Zhou directly sent him a screenshot with a caption: Bro, I think this hat really suits you.
Fu Sizhuo had glanced at it during a spare moment—
a green hat.
“…”
He couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Until Qi Zhou sent him another photo.
In the picture, Shen Zhuying stood in the middle of a massive heart-shaped rose display, her hair tousled, her figure looking a bit disheveled.
Kneeling before her was a man.
An obvious proposal scene.
Fu Sizhuo’s expression turned cold. He quickly pieced together the situation.
He messaged Qi Zhou: Keep an eye on her, don’t let her be harassed. I’m on my way.
By the time Fu Sizhuo arrived, the rich young man, unable to endure the mocking and judgment of the onlookers, had already left.
Most of the crowd had dispersed as well, leaving only a pile of crushed, messy roses stacked at the entrance.
Qi Zhou sat inside the flower shop with two cups of coffee. When he saw Fu Sizhuo stride in with a stormy face, he arched a brow, amused.
“Well, well, the busy man finally has free time?”
Fu Sizhuo ignored him entirely and went straight into the inner room.
Qi Zhou glanced at the woman sitting across from him and drawled, “Baby, wasn’t he a bit rude?”
Her voice was cool and clear, like flowing water:
“It’s fine as long as you stop running your filthy mouth.”
“….”
——
When Fu Sizhuo walked in, Shen Zhuying was holding a cup of tea, a blanket draped over her legs, leisurely counting the newly blooming roses outside the window.
The moment she saw him, her expression was surprised.
“What are you doing here?”
Fu Sizhuo came closer, crouched in front of her, and carefully examined her twice before asking,
“You weren’t frightened?”
“No.” Shen Zhuying shook her head. After a few seconds of silence, she added a little sheepishly,
“I scolded him really harshly.”
“Harshly?” Fu Sizhuo thought of the video Qi Zhou had sent him and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Of course harshly. I called him…”
Shen Zhuying thought of the words she had hurled earlier. For some reason, she suddenly felt too embarrassed to repeat them in front of Fu Sizhuo.
She pressed her lips together and could only emphasize, “Anyway, it was really fierce.”
“Not fierce enough,” Fu Sizhuo said. “If something like this happens again, you can be even fiercer.”
“Fu Sizhuo, how did you know about this?” At that moment, he was half-squatting in front of her, and for the first time, Shen Zhuying looked down at him from above. She found it amusing, so she stared at him without blinking, casually tossing him a question.
“Qi Zhou happened to pass by and sent it to me.” Fu Sizhuo’s lips curved into a half-smile, yet the emotions flickering in his amber eyes were unreadable.
His voice lowered, with a tone half teasing, half serious: “Mrs. Fu, you’re quite popular.”
“Well…” Shen Zhuying guiltily shifted her gaze. “After all, I’m young and beautiful. Having a few suitors is only normal.”
“Of course, Mrs. Fu is young and beautiful. But…” Fu Sizhuo tilted his head up at her, his Adam’s apple moving in a sharp, sensual line as he suddenly smiled.
“No matter what suitors there are, they all have to step aside.”
From his suit pocket, he pulled out a red velvet box. When he opened it, two rings lay inside, gleaming brilliantly.
“Mrs. Fu, what do you think?”
Shen Zhuying froze on the spot. After a long while, she finally found her voice. “You… when did you start preparing this?”
Fu Sizhuo thought for a moment. “Probably… the day our families had dinner together?”
“Oh, that early?”
Shen Zhuying lowered her lashes, her smile blossoming with joy.
She reached out to hold his hand, interlacing her fingers tightly with his.
That day?
That day was the first time they held hands.
Fu Sizhuo had memorized her size. But these rings were an exceptionally intricate and unique custom design, which took a long time to make. He had only received them about a week ago.
Originally, he had planned to choose a more fitting day.
But today… Fu Sizhuo recalled that photo he had seen.
His brows lowered slightly as he gently stroked Shen Zhuying’s bare left ring finger.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the sun hung red and full in the sky, trees casting graceful, swaying shadows, their silhouettes falling across the warm-colored carpet, interlaced as though the two of them were kissing.
Fu Sizhuo took the lady’s ring from the velvet box, the diamond sparkling with dazzling brilliance.
And today was the Start of Winter.
Of course, it was the right time.
