The Proposal
Xiuyan clutched my hand as we ran nonstop...
Until we finally stopped at a bustling crossroad.
The streets teemed with endless traffic; crowds surged like tides...
We were both panting hard, catching each other's disheveled looks, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Xiuyan was breathless, her face flushed with excitement. She shouted at me, "Li Wei! Let's get married! I want to marry you!!!"
I was over the moon, nodding frantically...
Suddenly, something hit me, and I hesitated. "But I'm practically broke right now. I can't give you a good life..."
Xiuyan cut me off without a second thought. "I don't care! I just want to marry you! If you turn into a beggar, I'll be your beggar wife—we'll wander the world together, braving wind and rain!"
In that moment, Xiuyan was more breathtakingly beautiful than ever, like a blooming white lotus radiating dazzling light...
Her fearless spirit swept me away. I nodded without thinking.
Xiuyan tilted her head proudly, smoothed her skirt, straightened her slender waist, and extended her jade-like hand. "Then what are you waiting for? Propose to me."
With people streaming by on the busy street, I felt a bit shy. "Right here?"
"I'm not scared. What about you? Don't tell me you don't want to." There was a teasing challenge in her pretty face.
"Of course I do..." I straightened my clothes and solemnly dropped to one knee, taking her soft, pale hand in mine...
I looked up at Xiuyan, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Jiang Xiuyan, will you marry this poor guy?"
She stared back with pure love, tears glistening in her eyes, her voice choked. "I will!"
I lowered my head and planted a gentle kiss on the back of her hand, sealing my vow of love.
The proposal was complete...
From that moment, Xiuyan was officially my fiancée.
I stood, scooped her up in excitement, and spun her around joyfully...
In that instant, I felt like the happiest man alive.
The world whirling around me gave the illusion that I was the universe's favorite—bestowing heaven's greatest gift upon me!
I let my joy explode, shouting to the world, "Jiang Xiuyan is mine!"
Xiuyan nestled against me like lovebirds, smiling happily and shyly in my arms...
I set her down and saw tears sparkling in her eyes...
"Brother, I've dreamed of this for a full ten years..." Xiuyan cupped my cheeks, murmuring tenderly.
I chuckled helplessly, flicking her cute nose. "You were dreaming of proposals at ten?"
……
Honk honk... A car horn blared behind us.
It shattered our private world of just the two of us...
Looking up, I realized a crowd had gathered around us at some point.
Some smiled with blessings; others marveled at Xiuyan's beauty, sighing in awe; some sneakily snapped photos with their phones...
"Need a ride, you two?" Wang Xianzhu poked his bruised, swollen face out the window from the roadside, squinting through his puffy eyes.
Seeing his panda-like face, Xiuyan giggled, and I held back a laugh.
I grabbed Xiuyan and hurried into the car...
I didn't want us gawked at like rare animals.
We settled in the back seat. Wang Xianzhu asked where to go...
I had no clue what came next, so the car just wandered aimlessly through the streets...
"Sis-in-law, weren't you scared jumping from that height?" Wang Xianzhu was still stuck on Xiuyan's dramatic leap.
"As long as I'm with Brother, nothing scares me."
"I always thought that kind of romance was just novel BS," Wang Xianzhu sighed. "Today I saw what it really means to throw yourself into love headfirst!"
Xiuyan's leap for love had clearly shaken him. The lecherous glint was gone from his eyes when he looked at her now—replaced by respect and admiration.
Xiuyan and I exchanged a smile...
Our undying, trusting love—Wang Xianzhu could never understand it.
"Wang Xianzhu, thank you," Xiuyan said sincerely, her tone warmer than ever toward him.
He looked flustered. "No problem, sis-in-law. Where to now? I've got an apartment in Guangzhou—wanna crash there?"
Xiuyan thought for a sec. "No thanks. Just drop us off at the curb soon. I didn't bring anything—I'll have Li Wei grab my stuff later."
I looked at her in surprise. "You're never going home again? Maybe wait till your mom's cooled off and talk it out? She's your real mom—surely no knot's too tight to untie." I paused, then added, "I believe sincerity can move mountains. If she doesn't like me, I'll kneel at her feet till she says yes to our marriage."
"Yeah, yeah..." Wang Xianzhu chimed in from the front.
Xiuyan shook her head gently, a mocking little laugh escaping. "Real mom... Hah. Even if you knelt till you dropped dead, she'd cheer. You don't get it—once I'm out, I'm gone for good." Then she pouted at me coquettishly. "Or were you lying about taking care of me forever?"
I hurried to reassure her. "No way that's fake—it's all from the heart! Alright, if you won't go back, we'll find a place to stay first." I turned to Wang Xianzhu. "How about a hotel? Xiuyan's barefoot—not good. I wanna buy her some shoes first."
"You got it—one word!" He spun the wheel smoothly.
In the car, Xiuyan and I relaxed, peering around...
"Isn't this a Panamera?" Xiuyan seemed car-savvy—unlike clueless me.
"Sis-in-law knows her rides?" Wang Xianzhu couldn't hide his bragging glee.
"I run into guys flashing luxury cars all the time. I hate that crap," Xiuyan said with clear disgust.
Wang Xianzhu backpedaled fast. "Uh... I'm not like that, sis-in-law. I'm super low-key usually. Don't believe me? Ask Wei-ge. At school, nobody but him knows I drive, and I even wear basic clothes."
I backed him up. "Yeah, he loves playing poor at school, hitting on girls everywhere." Truth was, he was low-key there.
Wang Xianzhu's face fell. "Wei-ge, skip the second half..."
Xiuyan, who'd heard his exploits before, eyed him puzzled. "With your family's money, girls should line up. Why harass 'em till they report you?" Then: "Everyone knows you're loaded—why cram onto the subway with us?"
After Su Wan beat him up today, Xiuyan was warming to Wang Xianzhu—this was the most she'd ever said to him.
He got dead serious. "Sis-in-law, I'm pure as they come—a total virgin. Saving my first for a girl who really likes me, like your love for Wei-ge. Don't want some gold-digger slapping a green hat on me later."
Xiuyan scoffed. "Yeah right—I don't buy it."
"For real! Trust me, sis-in-law!" Wang Xianzhu whined pitifully.
……
……
We bantered and laughed the whole way...
Halfway, we spotted a Ji Hotel and pulled over.
Check-in was a snag—no IDs. Xiuyan jumped barefoot from the third floor with nothing on her. I bolted from the dorm in a hot-headed rush, empty-handed.
Wang Xianzhu doubled back for his ID from the car and booked it in his name.
When paying, he reached for his wallet—I snatched the chance and paid first...
No way was Wang Xianzhu footing our hotel bill.
……
……
In the hotel room...
I dragged a stool to the shower door for Xiuyan to sit.
Kneeling, I held her dainty jade foot, gently rinsing it with the showerhead...
Xiuyan's feet were exquisite—soft curves, perfect contours, plump toes like a flawless lotus bloom.
In my palm, that handful felt silky-smooth, warm as flawless white jade.
My heart ached—her once spotless feet dirtied for my sake.
Like restoring a priceless treasure, I washed away every speck of grime, wiping tenderly.
Soon, her feet gleamed pristine again.
All the while, Xiuyan said nothing, just blushed and watched me softly...
Wang Xianzhu leaned on the sink, quietly taking it in...
Finally, I slipped slippers on her, helped her up, and led her to sit on the bed.
Wang Xianzhu trailed to the bedroom, blurting, "You two are drowning me in dog food—I'm dying of jealousy! I want a girlfriend like sis-in-law too!"
"Go find your own—stop orbiting my Xiuyan," I shot him a look.
……
"Wang Xianzhu, I want some alone time with Brother. Okay?" Xiuyan turned to him.
"Sure, sure—you chat. I'll be outside. Holler if you need me." For some reason, he was extra compliant with her today. He stepped out and shut the door gently.
"Brother, hold me..." Xiuyan reached out for a hug.
I sat on the bed, pulling her softly into my arms, onto my lap.
"Xiuyan, so you were Yan Xiujiang. You had me good." I laughed bitterly.
"Yeah. Now you get why I was mad at the foot of Gongga Snow Mountain, right?" She pouted, feigning anger. "You wouldn't listen—went sneaking off without me."
"My bad—forgive me..." I asked, stunned and curious. "...Wait, so you've known me before?"
Xiuyan smiled and nodded.
"When did we meet? I can't remember." I racked my brain—no trace of her.
A beauty like Xiuyan sticks forever after one glance. No way I'd forget. "I remember chatting with Yan Xiujiang on QQ back in junior high. Was that you?"
She gazed expectantly. "Figured out who I am yet?"
I pondered, flashing through every junior high girl I knew. No Xiuyan-level stunner.
Gave up, shaking her arm. "C'mon, Xiuyan, just tell me..."
"Hmph~ No way. It's my one secret from you. When you remember, I'll spill everything." She grinned mischievously, smug as a prankster.
No matter how I begged, she stayed tight-lipped.
……
"Brother, am I pretty?" Xiuyan wiggled on my lap, cooing sweetly as she tugged my neck.
"Gorgeous!" I said instantly.
"How gorgeous?" She cocked her head playfully.
I floundered. "Uh... extremely extremely extremely gorgeous!" Three extremelys for emphasis.
She pouted, unsatisfied. "Am I the prettiest girl in your heart?"
"Yeah! You're the most beautiful, perfect woman in the world—no one tops you!" I meant it—no beauty in real life, online, or TV rivaled her.
She softened a bit. "Brother, happy with me as your bride?"
I nodded hard. "Absolutely. Marrying you? Nothing better." A perfect woman like her marrying me? Divine blessing after lifetimes of good karma.
Her sultry whisper tickled my ear. "Brother, let's marry ASAP, okay~?" Her ears flushed as she murmured, "...That way you won't need my stockings every day, or make me read those dirty novels..."
Under the light, her delicate ears glowed translucent. I could see faint blue veins—art in themselves.
Suddenly seductive like a sprite, she tempted, "Brother~ Once we're hitched, I'm all yours. Any position you want, I'll obey..."
She added a cheesy line from porn: "...Play with me however after marriage~"
Then she nipped my earlobe...
Bam! My heart hammered like it'd been smashed.
Damn—her teasing ignited my lust, stiffening me instantly.
I crushed her close, dying to shove her down, strip her, caress her body, claim her softness.
But Wang Xianzhu might barge in anytime. I barely reined myself in.
Once calm, her words about stockings and erotica hit me—my face paled, guilt crashing like a wave.
Xiuyan still didn't know my sins...
Her love was so profound, selfless—hiding it gnawed at my conscience.
I wanted to confess, repent!
But feared she'd never forgive.
With our wedding imminent, my retreats against Wang Xianzhu's antics, the secret deeds behind her back—I hated myself, itching for a self-slap.
Xiuyan eagerly plotted the wedding, like she couldn't wait a day.
Counting on fingers: apartment rental, gown, rings, guests.
Everything simple—no banquet, no favors.
First: rent a place. Married meant off-campus for me.
Rent money loomed—borrow from Wang Xianzhu again?
She saw my worry. "No borrowing from him. I've got savings."
I felt uneasy.
"We're marrying—mine's yours. No yours or mine."
……
"All my stuff's back home—remember to grab it." She added, "If she won't open the door, say unless she wants me dead out here."
"Your auntie wouldn't go that far—you're mother and daughter..." I couldn't fathom their rift.
Xiuyan smirked bitterly. "Who knows..." She tensed suddenly. "Oh, and tell her about the wedding. I'll visit her these next couple days."
"I'll tell Mom tonight we're getting married." Mom knew Xiuyan, but I kept it light—no more money handouts.
Xiuyan's face clouded with worry. "Wonder if Auntie will like me..."
I grinned. "Impossible not to. Mom frets I'm no catch, always pushing me to find a girl. She'd wake up grinning if she knew I landed someone as stunning as you."
"Flatterer..." Her pale hand brushed her hair, shyly blushing.
Xiuyan picked bridesmaids—her bestie could stand in.
Asked my best man pick.
"Lots of acquaintances, but only Wang Xianzhu's real close."
Any other wedding guests?
I shook my head.
Keep it intimate—just nearest and dearest.
Your mom and dad?
She shook her head, eyes dimming. "Mom... no. Dad... passed years ago."
Softly sharing: "After Dad died, Mom treated me awful. Grew up alone, no friends... until..." She looked at me.
I hugged her. "I get it. Dad died when I was little too..." A fuzzy memory surfaced. "But I was luckier—had a friend then. We comforted each other."
Xiuyan tilted her head, expression enigmatic, smiling. "Tell me about that friend?"
"You wanna hear?"
"Mmm!" She nodded eagerly.
"Alright... been a decade..." I dredged up memories.
A boy in a baseball cap materialized in my mind. I began slowly: "Ten years ago, I was thirteen. He was ten..."
……
……
Back then, we hadn't left the city yet...
Dad had just passed. Nights, I couldn't sleep—eyes shut, Dad haunted me. I'd sob till the sheets soaked...
Remembering Dad jogging Pearl River nights, cheering me on—I'd cry harder.
One night, I snuck out to the riverbank.
Strolling, missing Dad...
Passing the river park, under the lighthouse's flickering beam, I saw a baseball-capped boy sobbing heartbrokenly by the water.
He wailed, "Daddy, Daddy, come back! I miss you so much! Mommy doesn't want me!"
Seeing him mirrored every night I hid under covers crying...
I approached to comfort him...
After ages, he still bawled. Got me crying too.
We out-sobbed each other...
Finally, we hugged and wept together...
Shouting at the endless waves: "Daddy, come back! We miss you so much!!"
As if the merciless river would return him.
After, our grief eased a bit...
We held each other, consoling, encouraging, promising to be strong—no more tears...
Next afternoon...
Couldn't resist—snuck to the river again...
Park again: him alone under the lighthouse, moping.
I sat, racking my brain with fairy tales till he cheered...
Dusk: sun stuck at sea's mouth, about to dip.
He pleaded, "Brother~ I hate night coming. Darkness brings Dad-missing sadness..."
To cheer him, I scouted—found an abandoned playground's rickety rowboat.
Hands on hips, I pointed to a faint island at sea mouth. "Row there! Island's got a stone tower—top sees sun forever..."
We shoved it in with effort, one oar each. Spun in circles...
Finally straight-lined—then leaks!
Terrified, we rowed to island. Hit shore, sank—we plunged in...
I surfaced, no sign. Dove, found sinking him, hauled him up with all I had...
Swam okay but gulped seawater. Clinging rocks, strength gone, fading...
He shivered up, tiny body yanking me ashore bit by bit...
Island at last—we coughed, laughed gleefully...
Climbed tower. Sea wind froze our soaked bodies—huddled for warmth...
Top: watched sun sink steady into sea...
Held on as stars rose from earth, wheeled through night, fell to sea...
Starlit sky, just two kids clinging for warmth...
We embraced, thrilled as sun rose fiery from land—like phoenix reborn, igniting new life.
Golden rays steamed the sea, banishing night's sorrow, warming us.
Starved and chilled till noon ferry—we snuck aboard home.
Thus, best friends...
Asked his name.
"Yan Yan."
"I'm Li Wei—older, so call me Brother."
"Why always that baseball cap?"
"Birthday gift from Dad. Then he never came back..."
His sadness bummed me too...
So daily adventures...
Wooden statue games, stories, faces, laughs...
Amusement parks, tree climbs, swims, romps...
Stole garden roses—chased by owner...
Days: shoulder-to-shoulder by river, sunbathing, breeze-kissed...
Nights: lighthouse, inner warmth chasing cold grief...
Spring: hand-in-hand through flower streets, flaming kapok boulevards to lavender bauhinia lanes...
Rainy: rain boots, shared umbrella, splashing puddles like ponds...
Autumn: hill park, hunting perfect bookmark leaves in sun...
Daily tail—capped, "Brother!" everywhere...
……
Insecure, he'd ask before home: "Brother, see you tomorrow?"
Daily meetups planned...
Always together, companions.
Wounded pups healing each other...
Brought him home—loved Mom's cooking, "Mom flavor."
Puberty hitting, I eyed street girls curiously.
"Brother, what kinda girl you like?"
I bragged: "Someday, Brother'll snag world's prettiest! Sings enchanting songs, dances beautifully—oh, plays piano too!"
……
I drew Xiuyan close lovingly. "Never thought kid boasts came true—got world's most beautiful woman. Masters song, dance, piano—and soon my wife."
She gazed emotionally. "And then... what happened?"
……
After a year of play, we were inseparable.
Treats? Saved for each other.
Shared everything daily...
Till one day...
Street meetup, waiting.
He cap-on, spotted me, dashed joyfully across...
Mid-road: black sedan swerved straight at him...
No think—charged, shoved him clear...
His cap flew skyward...
I soared too...
Crashed—agony everywhere...
Blackout: him holding me, sobbing, "Brother don't die..."
……
Doctors said...
Hospital: he clung vise-like—nurses couldn't pry.
……
Coma haze: hall quarrel,
Child voice: "Mommy, just one last goodbye to Brother, please..."
Door creak:
Dark: child voice: "Brother, I'll become............ Wait for me—grow up slow!"
Post-discharge, lighthouse searches—gone...
Hospital bills plus no Dad income—Mom moved us away...
Left: waited lighthouse all night.
Never saw again...
Time blurred cap-boy Yan Yan...
……
……
I smiled. "That's it... Never saw him after. Ward voice probably hallucination—Mom said he left post-op, never returned."
Looked at Xiuyan—tears streaming. I wiped frantically. "Why cry?"
"Too beautiful—moved me. Hits home... If I'd had a friend like you as a kid..." She dabbed tears, stroking my cheek with soft pale hand. "Brother~ You've always been so kind..."
"Now someone's calling me Brother daily." I teased.
She paused, asked: "Brother, never thought to find him? Maybe waiting somewhere."
Shook head. "...Too long—probably gone."
"Some fates are destined. Maybe unknowingly, he's been in your life—watching silently, waiting for you to notice." Her tone held pent emotion, like a volcano ready to erupt.
Xiuyan—so kind, stories melting her into fantasies.
Hugging her soft body, I laughed. "Hope so. Someday I'll pop up—scare him silly, haha..."
She smiled softly...
……
……