Chapter 57

Chapter 57

"D-dowry?"

Ruan Shuyang was about to protest that he had never accepted any dowry, but then he recalled the numerous gifts he had indeed received from Pei Siyue.

Were those all dowry?

…Pei Siyue hadn't mentioned it when he gave them, and now, suddenly, he was claiming they were dowry.

It felt like he had been duped, caught in a carefully laid trap.

The cunning Enigma was full of tricks, plotting against him from the very beginning. Compared to him, Ruan Shuyang felt incredibly naive.

"But, Brother, I'm not even twenty yet," he reminded. "I don't think we can get married."

"We can," Pei Siyue calmly stated. "The laws in the U.S. permit marriage at eighteen. I also possess substantial, enforceable assets in the U.S., so you needn't worry about the marriage lacking security."

Ruan Shuyang: "…?"

For some reason, even though he had contemplated marriage himself, when Pei Siyue actually brought it up, he was still filled with apprehension and uncertainty.

Perhaps it was because he had never witnessed a normal family dynamic growing up, leaving him unsure of what marriage truly entailed.

Marriage was a solemn commitment, ideally a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"I… I need to think about it," he said, burying his head like an ostrich. "Brother, please give me a few days to sort things out."

"Alright," Pei Siyue agreed, seemingly magnanimous, then added, "I'll give you until the day before our engagement."

…?

But their engagement was in just five days.

Such a short timeframe?

**

After his rut fully subsided, Pei Siyue paid Pei Siming a visit.

Since the incident, Pei Siming had been frequenting bars, drowning himself in alcohol, living in a haze, pondering what he had accomplished in his life and what it had all been for.

When Pei Siyue found Pei Siming, he merely cast a glance before instructing his bodyguards to pin Pei Siming to the ground, then doused him with two buckets of cold water to sober him up.

Drenched by the icy water, Pei Siming shivered violently from the cold and slowly regained consciousness. He saw Pei Siyue standing over him, his expression cold and disdainful.

Pei Siming had been living a chaotic life these past few days, his appearance disheveled, his eyes bloodshot. He looked utterly pathetic next to the elegantly composed and noble Pei Siyue.

He asked hoarsely, "You have everything now, you've taken everything from me. Why are you still here?"

Pei Siyue stared at Pei Siming for a moment, his brows furrowed, then suddenly raised his foot and kicked him.

Pei Siming's body slammed heavily against the wall, the pain making his vision blur and causing him to retch.

Pei Siyue coolly observed him and asked, "What did Lu Zheng ask you to do?"

It took Pei Siming a long time to recover. When he heard Pei Siyue's question, he let out a bitter laugh. "He asked me to tell him about the group's business."

Pei Siyue showed no visible reaction upon hearing this, only looking at Pei Siming and slowly saying, "You should know the police are investigating Lu Zheng. They just lack evidence."

Pei Siming was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood why Pei Siyue had come to him.

His laughter was manic and cold.

"Pei Siyue, you want to use me? You want me to risk my neck to find evidence of Lu Zheng's crimes?!"

"Your scheming is far too transparent!" Pei Siming stopped laughing and glared hatefully at Pei Siyue. "You want me to take the risk while you reap the rewards?"

"Dream on!"

Pei Siyue remained unmoved, coolly stating, "You're not doing this for me."

"You're making amends for your own sins."

After saying this, Pei Siyue turned and left. Whether Pei Siming would go or not was of no concern to him.

He already possessed evidence of Lu Zheng's crimes, but it wasn't enough, and the investigation was still ongoing. Without Pei Siming's involvement, it would merely take a bit longer.

Pei Siming scoffed at Pei Siyue's words. What sins did he have to atone for?

But he soon remembered that he was indeed guilty.

He was the one who brought Ruan Shuyang to Lu Zheng, essentially creating the biggest nightmare of Ruan Shuyang's life.

Pei Siming closed his eyes, slowly clenched his fists, then suddenly hunched over, his posture becoming very stooped.

It was all because of him.

He was guilty.

**

Pei Siyue took Ruan Shuyang to the cruise ship for the engagement a day early. The coldest part of winter had already passed, and though the salty, humid ocean air outside the ship felt chilly, it wasn't biting.

The cruise ship was brilliantly lit at night, quietly docked at the port like a magnificent palace floating on the sea.

Pei Siyue led Ruan Shuyang onto the cruise ship. At this time, the ship was still undergoing final preparations for its entertainment facilities. Ruan Shuyang saw the already decorated ceremony venue.

A rich red carpet wound from the ship's entrance to the engagement hall. The towering dome of the hall seemed to embrace the night sky, with crystal chandeliers hanging down, shedding brilliant light. White marble pillars were adorned with golden filigree, intertwining with the surrounding lights to form a warm glow.

This was the most luxurious engagement hall Ruan Shuyang had ever seen.

Pei Siyue noticed Ruan Shuyang's tiny nose beginning to turn red and knew the little omega was getting emotional and about to cry. He led him out of the hall and up to their room before asking, "Do you like it?"

Ruan Shuyang sniffled and nodded earnestly. "I like it very much."

Seeing the engagement venue, he suddenly felt a very real sense that he was going to be engaged to Pei Siyue.

Before, he only knew they were going to be engaged but didn't know what it would look like—it was like clouds in the sky, seen but beyond reach.

Now he could touch it.

He also remembered his past confusion.

He was gradually beginning to understand what he had been confused about.

"Brother," Ruan Shuyang said softly, standing in the room on the highest deck of the cruise ship, looking out at the boundless dark sea in the distance. "I've thought seriously about it. A lot of my confusion and fear come from not knowing what a normal, happy family looks like. I've never seen one."

Ruan Jianchuan was, by nature, a selfish alpha who loved no omega. Ruan Shuyang had grown up in neglect and disdain, never been to a classmate's house, never knowing what others' lives were like, so he didn't know what a normal, happy family should be.

Pei Siyue embraced Ruan Shuyang from behind, their reflections visible in the floor-to-ceiling window.

The distant sea was calm, dark, deep, and beautiful, with only the occasional flash of light from a navigation tower.

Pei Siyue spoke slowly behind Ruan Shuyang, "Softie, I... I don't really know either."

"Neither of us had a normal upbringing. We don't know what a normal family, a happy life, or loving parents should look like. But there's no standard answer to this. We can work on finding it together."

Ruan Shuyang gazed at the scenery outside the window and gently tightened his grip on Pei Siyue's hand resting on his waist.

Pei Siyue was right—there was no standard answer. They could spend their whole lives writing the answer together.

**

The next evening, guests began boarding the ship.

Airlifted flowers lined both sides of the red carpet. Their fragrance was fresh and elegant, somewhat reminiscent of lily of the valley, yet not entirely. Blended with the scent of champagne, it became sweetly intoxicating.

Many familiar faces were present at the engagement venue, including a scowling and reluctant Pei Yan and a smiling Wei Yuan, who was helping greet the guests.

Of course, the first meeting between these two had been pretty disastrous. Pei Yan had immediately turned cold and told Pei Siyue that he was out if Wei Yuan stayed.

Pei Siyue informed Pei Yan that he was welcome to leave if he wished—none of the guests there truly cared whether he was Pei Yan's son or not.

Being Pei Yan's son no longer held much importance to him. In others' eyes, he was Pei Siyue.

Hearing this, Pei Yan didn't actually leave, afraid that if he did, people would mistake Wei Yuan for Pei Siyue's father.

Pei Yan didn't look pleased to see Ruan Shuyang either, but after a cold glare from Pei Siyue, he went to sit alone in a corner and didn't say another word.

Ruan Shuyang watched and slowly smiled, thinking it was quite fitting for Pei Yan to be a mascot.

Later, wearing a white suit, he went to greet familiar friends, including Wen Yusheng and Yu Ling. Even Shen Bianyan had been invited by Pei Siyue.

Shen Bianyan, who had been chauffeured directly from the airport, exclaimed that he'd stepped into a world of luxury and extravagance, witnessing the lives of the rich and famous.

Seeing Ruan Shuyang in a white suit with light makeup—not the heavy makeup from rumors—he remarked that it was like seeing a little prince straight out of a manga: clean, beautiful, and radiating gentleness.

Wen Yusheng handed him a gift and said with a smile, "Congratulations on your engagement."

Yu Ling gave him two gifts, explaining that one was from Chi Ye, who was abroad competing for the country and couldn't make it.

Looking at the gift box from Chi Ye, Ruan Shuyang suddenly realized something but didn't say it aloud. He simply asked Yu Ling to convey his thanks.

When no one else was paying attention, Wen Yusheng also handed him a ring box.

The ring Ruan Shuyang had designed was so intricate that the factory had to make several samples, and it was only finished that day. Wen Yusheng had brought it with her when she came to the ceremony.

Ruan Shuyang slipped the ring into his suit pocket and said with a smile, "Thank you, Senior Wen."

The engagement ceremony soon began.

Pei Siyue and Ruan Shuyang walked arm in arm up to the stage.

On the stage, when the host announced the exchange of engagement rings, Pei Siyue held Ruan Shuyang's hand and slowly knelt on one knee.

Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue in surprise and whispered, "Brother?"

Pei Siyue took a ring box from his suit pocket. Inside was a ruby ring, its large gemstone glittering brilliantly, with exceptionally high color saturation and clarity. Like the ruby on Ruan Shuyang's necklace, it had been cut from the same raw stone.

Pei Siyue knelt on one knee, his back straight.

The tall, elegant Enigma looked up at Ruan Shuyang and said in a deep, steady voice, "Softie, marry me."

Ruan Shuyang realized that Pei Siyue wasn't talking about the engagement but a real marriage.

Moments with Pei Siyue flashed through his mind.

It had been half a year since last July.

Half a year wasn't long—for many, it might not be enough to truly know someone. But Ruan Shuyang felt he could walk through life with Pei Siyue forever.

These six months had been the happiest and most joyful time of his life.

He was willing to trust Pei Siyue and move forward together.

He reached out and took Pei Siyue's hand, saying softly, "Brother, I do."

The venue had fallen silent at some point, and Ruan Shuyang's "I do," amplified by the microphone, echoed through the hall. The engagement banquet broke into cheers and excitement.

Pei Siyue stood up and placed the ring on Ruan Shuyang's finger, feeling as though he had finally secured this little omega.

He whispered in Ruan Shuyang's ear, "We're flying to the United States tomorrow."

He admitted he was being pretty sneaky, pulling another stunt, betting that Ruan Shuyang wouldn't refuse him in public, which was why he chose to propose in front of everyone.

He knew that although Ruan Shuyang talked about engagement and marriage, he was actually pretty unsure about both and hadn't truly made up his mind—it was just something he'd been taught to believe he should do.

So, he helped the little omega decide.

When the host announced the kiss, Pei Siyue leaned down and kissed Ruan Shuyang. The kiss lasted a long time, tender and lingering, until the audience started cheering and whistling.

After the engagement banquet, a dazzling fireworks show lit up the harbor sky.

Colorful fireworks exploded in the air, and halfway through the show, three words specially designed by the fireworks designer appeared: "Marry Me."

At the same time, the words "Marry Me" appeared on the giant screen of the tallest office building across the port.

The display was grand and spectacular, with the enormous screen displaying those three words until the fireworks show ended.

Many residents near the harbor came out to witness the spectacular proposal celebration, taking photos and uploading them online, asking which rich person was behind this.

Even idol dramas couldn't compare to how romantic this rich person was.

This proposal could even be listed as one of the most romantic events of the year. Rich people really know how to have fun.

That night's engagement ceremony was surprisingly romantic and perfect—so perfect that Ruan Shuyang lay in bed later, his head still full of that kiss, those fireworks, and that giant screen.

So, an engagement could be such a happy thing after all.

While Pei Siyue was showering, Ruan Shuyang scrolled through posts online endlessly, seeing screenshots and fireworks from bystanders' perspectives. His heart felt as sweet as honey.

Pei Siyue had done all this without telling him. In comparison, his own preparations seemed simple—only two rings, which he hadn't even had a chance to give.

He looked at the large ruby ring on his finger, looking at it over and over. Usually low-key, he finally couldn't resist low-key showing off.

He took a photo of the ruby ring and posted it.

When Pei Siyue came out of the shower, he saw Ruan Shuyang lying on the bed, looking at his phone and laughing. "What are you looking at?" he asked.

"Looking at photos from our engagement tonight," Ruan Shuyang said, pointing at the images on his phone. "Looks like people are guessing which wealthy person proposed."

Pei Siyue looked at the photos and asked, "Should I just use 'Softie' next time?"

"No," Ruan Shuyang said. With his social anxiety, using his real name would be way too embarrassing—he wouldn't be able to handle it.

Even though his name wasn't written this time, Ruan Shuyang still felt his face burning, unsure how to face everyone's gaze, yet he also felt incredibly happy.

He turned off the screen, put away his phone, hugged Pei Siyue's waist, and nuzzled against him, saying in a gentle voice, "Brother, you're so romantic."

Pei Siyue gently patted Ruan Shuyang's back, as if comforting a child, "Does Ruan Ruan think it's romantic?"

"Mhm." Ruan Shuyang lowered his head, somewhat embarrassed, but still replied, "It's really romantic."

Pei Siyue lifted his chin and leaned in to kiss him: "As long as you like it."

After the kiss ended, he was turned over onto the bed, and the mark was soon imprinted.

He was swept into the tide of passion, wanting to say something, wanting to mention the ring, but as soon as he opened his mouth, only sobbing sounds came out.

Pei Siyue was bad, such a tease.

He could handle himself, but he had to involve him too.

By the time it was finally over, he had completely lost his strength, as if he would fall asleep the next second.

But he was still thinking about the ring, forcing his eyes open to take the ring box from under the pillow, open it, and slip it onto Pei Siyue's finger with one hand.

"Brother, an engagement gift."

Pei Siyue looked at the intricately crafted high-temperature enamel ring on his finger, a blooming rose, different in beauty from the ruby ring—more retro, more Chinese-style.

Ruan Shuyang was already exhausted; by the time his finger was held and the other ring was slipped on, he had already fallen asleep.

Pei Siyue gently kissed Ruan Shuyang's finger and whispered, "Thank you, Ruan Ruan."

I've already received the best engagement gift.

That night, the cruise ship offered a variety of entertainment activities, lasting all night long, with no one sober by the end.

When he woke up the next morning, Ruan Shuyang realized they were already at the airport.

Recalling what happened yesterday, he asked, "Are we going to the U.S.?"

"Mhm." Pei Siyue nodded. "To get married."

Ruan Shuyang looked at the two rings on his finger and smiled. "Okay."

If the future meant moving forward with Pei Siyue, then he would no longer fear or feel confused about marriage.

A happy life is something you create yourself; there's never a standard answer.

Pei Siyue had arranged the marriage in advance. After they arrived in the U.S., they drove straight to the registration office and left as a married couple.

After stepping out, Ruan Shuyang looked up at the clear blue sky, still in disbelief.

Today seemed no different from any other day—the sky was clear and bright, people around them came and went, voices and footsteps blending into the familiar rhythm of daily life.

Being married didn't seem any different from before.

Ruan Shuyang smiled and called out to Pei Siyue beside him, "Brother."

Pei Siyue raised an eyebrow but didn't mind him not saying "husband." He simply took Ruan Shuyang's hand and said, "Let me take you somewhere."

They went to New York's most famous commercial square. Pei Siyue parked the car and led him to stand in the square, watching as the time arrived. "Ruan Ruan, look at the big screen."

In an instant, all the advertisements on every screen he could see disappeared, replaced by a striking line of text—

Marry me, Ruan Ruan

In this foreign country where few knew them, Pei Siyue displayed his name for all to see, making everyone a witness.

Ruan Shuyang covered his mouth, looking back and forth at every screen displaying the same message.

He heard people around him discussing, some asking what the last two Chinese characters meant, others who understood Chinese asking who "Ruan Ruan" was.

All these voices slowly faded away, and his eyes were only on Pei Siyue.

Pei Siyue stood beside him, looking down at him all the while.

The enigma beside him was as coolly handsome as when they first met—tall and straight, the kind of person who would catch anyone's attention in a crowd.

He wrapped his arms around Pei Siyue's waist, stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips, and whispered, "Brother, I love it so much."

They kissed on the streets of New York, in front of countless screens displaying "Marry me, Ruan Ruan."

Countless people witnessed their romance.

The days after getting married weren't much different from usual.

Pei Siyue was very busy. Besides handling their marriage procedures, he also had to deal with business matters for Ruiji Group here in the U.S. He left early and returned late every day. Ruan Shuyang drove himself around to explore, and occasionally, when timing allowed, he chatted with friends back home.

Wen Yusheng reached out to gossip, asking if the "Marry me, Ruan Ruan" on New York's square was Pei Siyue's doing for him. Ruan Shuyang said yes.

Wen Yusheng: "Wow, I never would've guessed before—our President Pei is actually so romantic."

"Or maybe our Ruan Ruan knows how to handle his husband, making President Pei willingly do so much for you."

Ruan Shuyang was teased so much he almost buried his head under the covers, and he couldn't help but tease back: "If Wen Yusheng wants, I think Yu Ling would be willing to do the same for you."

Everything seemed no different from before, until late January, nearing the Chinese New Year, when they took a private jet to the resort island Pei Siyue had mentioned before.

Before going, Ruan Shuyang thought it was a small resort island near the Mediterranean. Only after arriving did he realize it was actually a private island Pei Siyue had bought. The entire island had a villa and all necessary facilities, but only the two of them were there.

When they got off the plane, Ruan Shuyang suddenly got scared and wanted to run away.

But the plane had already left and wouldn't return for ten days.

Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue standing beside him, his heartbeat growing faster and faster.

Pei Siyue, however, remained calm and asked unhurriedly, "What is Ruan Ruan nervous about?"

Ruan Shuyang felt like crying. "Brother, I... I'm still young."

Pei Siyue looked him up and down and said ambiguously, "Mm, not very big."

Ruan Shuyang: "..."

He couldn't help feeling there was some insinuation in those words.

He asked without much hope, "Is there anyone else on the island?"

"No," Pei Siyue's words dashed his hopes outright. "The plane will come back for us in ten days. If Ruan Ruan wants to leave during this time, I can take you by boat."

As he spoke, Pei Siyue slowly peeled off the gland patch from his own neck and Ruan Shuyang's.

The scent of lily of the valley began to drift through the air, like a gentle summer breeze and drizzle, soothingly enveloped in a soft rain.

He was carried by Pei Siyue into the villa.

The island's climate was as warm as spring. Ruan Shuyang was laid on the bed, the soreness in the small of his back slowly spreading.

A familiar heat surged through his body. Unconsciously, he clenched his legs together and, with flushed fingertips, gripped Pei Siyue's clothes, pleading softly, "Brother, I feel so uncomfortable."

Pei Siyue seemed in no hurry, restraining himself as he gently stroked Ruan Shuyang's flushed, fair cheek and asked quietly, "Does Ruan Ruan want it?"

Ruan Shuyang, very dependent on Pei Siyue's pheromones, was neither fully conscious nor able to endure much. He answered, ashamed, "I want it."

"Then call me husband."