Chapter 122 You’re More Precious Than Diamonds

Chapter 122: You Are More Precious Than Diamonds

The childish Shen Shiyan gave Shen Ci a grand confession, on the first snowy day of winter in Cloud City.

It was sunny when they were setting up, but it started snowing before long.

The not-so-cold air was filled with the romantic fragrance of roses. The diamond ring on Shen Ci's ring finger shimmered faintly in the early winter’s drifting snowflakes.

“Is this a confession or a proposal?” Shen Ci asked, looking at the ring through spread fingers, a smile tugging at his lips as snow landed on his hair.

“A confession.” Shen Shiyan lowered his head to adjust the scarf around Shen Ci. “The proposal ring will be better than this.”

“Not too big a diamond, right?” Shen Ci chuckled, pulling Shen Shiyan’s hand—also adorned with a ring—into an interlocked grip. “This is just right.”

“No diamond can match you.” Shen Shiyan looked down, gently brushing the soft snowflakes from Shen Ci’s hair. “You are infinitely more precious and brilliant than any diamond.”

Shen Ci’s light-colored pupils reflected Shen Shiyan, and his smile deepened.

“Winter is more... than before,” Shen Ci began his heartfelt sentiment, but stopped halfway—

“Mengying! How dare you throw that at me!”

“Damn! You’ve got some strength!”

“...”

Not far away, Song Xianghan, who had just gotten her marriage certificate abroad, was chasing Gao Mengying, holding a loosely packed snowball. As she passed Qi Zizhu, she casually dropped some snow down the collar of President Qi’s coat.

The group was in chaos. To the right, Shen Sicheng was attempting to wrestle Chen Bufan in the snow, while Song Qiuchi filmed with her phone, laughing so hard she could barely stand.

“... more beautiful,” Shen Ci finished the rest of his sentence.

“Wanna compete?” Shen Shiyan put Shen Ci’s hand into his own coat pocket, his eyes tender.

“Alright, big brother.” Shen Ci licked his lips, eager, casting a slightly warning glance at Shen Shiyan. “I’m definitely not losing this year.”

His eyes said—If you dare win, you’re dead.

Shen Shiyan’s shoulders shook with a silent laugh.

Shen Ci pressed his lips together, shot him a glare, and dragged him toward the brawl. The fresh snow had barely taken two footprints before Shen Ci was lifted off his feet by the man behind him.

The snow fell heavier. Shen Ci looked through thousands of snowflakes at Shen Shiyan’s face, stunned.

He was still smiling, eyes slightly curved, radiant and captivating. Shen Ci felt as though this moment was like the months of heavy rain and snowstorms that had nearly overwhelmed Cloud City, suddenly clearing completely.

Shen Ci pulled Shen Shiyan’s neck down and kissed him.

“Say it again,” Shen Ci said, his lips cold yet soft. “Say what you said during the confession.”

They were less than ten steps from their close friends. Shen Shiyan stopped, turned with Shen Ci in his arms, and deepened the kiss.

“Shen Ci.” Shen Shiyan pulled back, his breath slightly uneven. “I love you. Until the world’s end, I love you.”

Because of those words, Shen Ci felt too shy to take advantage of Shen Shiyan. Their two-on-two snowball fight turned into a chaotic free-for-all, turning one childish person into a group of them.

In the afternoon, the group gathered for a meal at Cloud Pavilion. Shen Shiyan brewed a pot of ginger soup to ward off the cold, and everyone held a cup as they gathered to discuss how to decorate the wedding venue for Song Xianghan and Gao Mengying.

The wedding date was set for eight days later. Gao Mengying didn’t like crowded places and had few relatives, so Song Xianghan agreed to hold a small, intimate wedding with only close friends and family.

The chosen day was auspicious, and even the weather cooperated—light auspicious snow fell around five in the afternoon, but by nine the sky was clear.

However, the original plan for Song Qiuchi to present the rings was changed, and the task was given to Tuanzi instead.

Tuanzi, the clever cat rescued by the group, was also included in the bridal party. As a reward for completing the task, she received a deluxe pack of cat treats.

Two bouquets were prepared. Gao Mengying kept one for herself, and the other she planned to place at Zhong Yurong’s grave.

She had gotten along well with Zhong Yurong, but they hadn’t had the chance to become closer friends.

On her wedding day, the bride chose to share her luck with Zhong Yurong, wishing her a lifetime of happiness, peace, and smooth sailing in her next life.

Shen Sicheng, who had been foolishly waiting to catch the bouquet, was sulky for a while but quickly perked up, ordering a huge bouquet of green bamboo to give to Qi Zizhu.

“...” Qi Zizhu stared at the enormous bouquet, almost as tall as herself, for a long time. “You know I’m very career-focused, and I don’t need a man’s support...”

“I do.” Shen Sicheng genuinely admired Qi Zizhu’s drive. “I need your support. I can marry into your family.”

“...” Qi Zizhu couldn’t help but laugh.

After the excitement, there was always a touch of melancholy. Back home, Shen Ci couldn’t bear to take off the custom white suit that Song Xianghan had tailored for him. He sat silently on the edge of the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Shiyan sat beside the somewhat downcast Shen Ci, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

Shen Ci sighed, lying down on the bed, resting his head on Shen Shiyan’s lap.

“Nothing.” Shen Ci closed his eyes. “I’m happy for Sister Xianghan and Sister Mengying. After so many years of love, they’ve finally tied the knot. It’s a bit emotional.”

Shen Shiyan gently adjusted Shen Ci’s head to make him more comfortable, his hand resting on Shen Ci’s neck, occasionally stroking it soothingly.

“Big brother, I dreamed of Mom. She wrote us a letter, saying she’s in another world, only twenty-four, a big lawyer, and she even has a suitor now. Do you think dreams are real?”

Shen Shiyan stroked his hair, his voice soft: “They are.”

“Mm. I’m happy for Mom... Big brother, when we get married, let’s make the venue even smaller. That way, when we leave, there’ll be less sadness.”

Shen Shiyan hummed softly, listening as Shen Ci continued muttering.

“Tomorrow, I want to take flowers to Mom. Will you come with me?”

“Today, Tuanzi walked so straight on the red carpet. I thought we’d need a can of tuna or something to lure her.”

“What flowers should we buy? The other day, I saw hydrangeas—they’re beautiful. But I also kind of want to send sunflowers. It’s winter, and I hope Mom can feel warm.”

Shen Shiyan’s thumb traced Shen Ci’s jawline, rubbing it gently. “Buy both.”

“Okay.” Shen Ci’s mood lifted slightly, his thoughts drifting. “Big brother, I need to take my road test soon. If I practice on your car and crash it, will you be mad?”

“No.” Shen Shiyan chuckled softly, remembering that Shen Ci had passed his parking test after two attempts. “I won’t be mad as long as you’re not hurt.”

In fact, Shen Ci hadn’t planned on getting a driver’s license all these years. Back in Ethos, Shen Sicheng, under Shen Shiyan’s guidance, had arranged for a bodyguard who also served as Shen Ci’s driver, taking him everywhere.

But recently, Song Qiuchi showed off her racing license to Shen Ci and even demonstrated a drift, making Shen Ci’s fingers itch.

“Too bad I’m as untalented at driving as I am at math. Humans really are annoying—can’t everyone just max out all their skill points?”

“People have to have differences.” Shen Shiyan looked down at Shen Ci’s long, straight eyelashes, continuing softly, “But you are the most talented little kid in this world.”

“You’re going to make me blindly arrogant,” Shen Ci said, rubbing his face against Shen Shiyan’s leg.

Big brother, don’t always coddle me... I suddenly remembered, is Tuanzi’s gift bag still in the trunk?

Tuanzi’s getting fatter. Don’t all kittens put on a little weight in winter?

Never mind, we’ll go down and get it after dinner. Your legs are so warm.

It’s strange. When I first put on the ring, it felt strange and uncomfortable, but in just a few days I’ve gotten used to it...

...

Shen Shiyan listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two, until Shen Ci’s voice trailed off as he fell asleep, breathing in the familiar faint scent of Shen Shiyan.

Shen Shiyan reached for the blanket beside him and carefully covered him with it, a faint smile always lingering at the corners of his lips.

Love and happiness would make his beloved’s chatter grow more frequent.

Shen Shiyan gently stroked the top of his head.

He would give Shen Ci even more love,

until Shen Ci felt that being arrogantly bold was nothing to be embarrassed about,

but just a perfectly normal little thing—having his beloved behind him, giving him the confidence and courage to be that way.