-013- I Married My Wife on My Own Merit.
Zhou Dang, as he slid the ring onto Xuan Yang's finger, held her jade-like wrist half-supported, half-grasped in his cool, slender fingers.
Xuan Yang's hand rested like a finely carved piece of jade in his palm, letting him have his way.
So much so that even after the ring was on, he was reluctant to let go.
Zhou Dang studied it intently for a while, unconsciously rubbing his thumb across her prominent wrist bone, satisfied with how it looked: "It really suits you."
The rubbing tickled a bit, and Xuan Yang instinctively wanted to pull away, but he held her firmly, preventing her from escaping.
She finally steadied herself, looking down at Zhou Dang's bony, long fingers entwined around her wrist like vines.
Zhou Dang's hands were also fair, with neatly trimmed nails, quite beautiful.
But the natural light blush at his knuckle joints, and the way his cool fingertips clung to her wrist like suction cups, was oddly sensual.
Xuan Yang thought of some indescribable scenes from adult comics Xie Xinglan had once shown her, and her breath caught. It took a while to calm her racing heart.
"You really didn't have to spend so much," she finally said, focusing on the small yet exquisite ring. Though the design was simple, without an ostentatious diamond, the small diamonds set in the band were clearly expensive.
"Just bought it on a whim, didn't cost much," Zhou Dang said lightly.
Xuan Yang was skeptical.
The ring suited her taste perfectly—the rose gold band was soft in tone, enhancing the diamond's fire.
And it fit her finger precisely, not like something bought casually.
She glanced at Shen Li in the driver's seat, thinking Zhou Dang probably hadn't handled such trivial matters himself.
She gradually calmed down.
A moment later, her slender fingers reversed their grip, turning his hand over and holding out her other hand: "Give it to me."
Zhou Dang was startled, keeping his composure: "What?"
Xuan Yang studied him carefully, seeing his calm demeanor, and wondered if she'd guessed wrong. "Isn't this a couple's ring set?"
A crack appeared on Zhou Dang's stoic face, his averted gaze giving him away. "How did you know?"
Muttering softly, he pulled a men's ring from his pocket and gently placed it in Xuan Yang's palm.
Then he looked up, fixing his eyes on her, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, his voice husky and soft: "Will you put it on for me?"
Xuan Yang looked at the ring in her palm and hummed in affirmation, not even lifting her eyes: "Left ring finger, right?"
She usually didn't like wearing jewelry and had no knowledge of ring symbolism.
She only vaguely remembered that the international convention was to wear a wedding ring on the left ring finger.
Medically, a blood vessel from the left ring finger connects to the heart.
So it symbolizes the couple's hearts being connected, each considering the other as important as their own heart.
This couple's ring set should be from some French high-end jewelry brand's limited series.
The price was probably over seven figures, which for Xuan Yang was truly a valuable item.
After sliding the men's ring onto Zhou Dang's left ring finger, the intangible weight on her own hand eased.
"Your hands are beautiful, they make the ring look even better," Xuan Yang complimented him in return, reciprocating as if it were ingrained in her nature.
Zhou Dang's thick eyelashes lowered slightly, his gaze tender enough to squeeze water, joy coloring his brows.
He deliberately brought his hand close to hers, comparing them, the couple's rings on their fingers gleaming, symbolizing "closely bound, a lifetime together."
Shen Li sat in the driver's seat, holding his breath, afraid to make a sound.
He feared accidentally ruining the sweet atmosphere in the back.
Fortunately, Xuan Yang was ready to leave. "I'm home. You should head back too. The old master is waiting for you."
With that, she withdrew her hand and turned to open the car door.
Zhou Dang was still savoring the moment, but Shen Li in the driver's seat had already reacted, hurrying out to hold the door for Xuan Yang.
He shielded her head with his hand, even more respectful than when he had seen her in: "Mrs. Zhou, mind your head."
Xuan Yang paused in her movement, then smiled at him warmly and politely: "Thank you."
Finally, she got out.
The evening after the rain, the sky was leaden gray, still overcast.
Zhou Dang rolled down the window and called out to Xuan Yang, who was heading into the villa. "If you have any ideas about the wedding, tell me anytime."
Xuan Yang acknowledged, then after a moment's thought, waved at him. "Text me when you get home."
Zhou Dang's lips curved, his smile deepening. "Okay."
After that, Xuan Yang turned and left again without looking back.
Zhou Dang watched her until her figure completely disappeared. Only then did Shen Li, back in the driver's seat, glance at the man in the rearview mirror—who had finally averted his gaze—and silently start the engine.
The black Maybach drove past the asphalt road in front of the Xuan Family Villa, everything observed by Xuan Yao from the second-floor terrace.
Half an hour earlier, Xuan Yao had come out of the second-floor piano room to get some air and stretch on the terrace.