Xuan Yang returned to Jingbei from her business trip on New Year's Eve. Normally, she should have been spending the evening with family, but this year also marked the 80th birthday of Mr. Gu, the patriarch of the Gu family. On New Year's Eve, the Gu family hosted a banquet at Jinchen Hotel, inviting all the major families in the circle. On the Zhou side, the old master and madam were abroad on vacation. Zhou Lihai was on a business trip out of town, so the main branch could only send Zhou Dang to represent them. Naturally, Xuan Yang had to accompany him as his plus-one. This would be their first public appearance together as a couple in the circle, and Zhou Dang took it seriously. He had arranged for a professional team to come to the house early to dress and make up Xuan Yang. In addition, Shen Li had specifically flown to Milan two days earlier to pick up the custom wedding rings Zhou Dang had commissioned from a famous designer. Early in the morning, Shen Li rushed over from the airport. He barely made it in time, completing Zhou Dang's task. Zhou Dang took the rings and went to find Xuan Yang. At that time, Xuan Yang was in her room getting her makeup done, surrounded by four or five stylists. She didn't even have time to look at her phone. "Mrs. Zhou, since your gown is in a sea-blue tone, I've created a cool, calm look for you. Do you like it?" Xuan Yang sat upright with grace, and even without any extra movements, she still epitomized the ideal of a refined lady. Zhou Dang watched from a distance and suddenly understood why she had earned the title 'Jingbei's Top Socialite' when she was only seventeen or eighteen. The gentle, quiet, and sensitive eldest Miss Xuan was undoubtedly a rare treasure. Fortunately, that treasure now belonged to him. Xuan Yang was satisfied with the makeup. To be honest, she didn't have high demands for these things. Although it sounded a bit narcissistic, she was blessed with good looks. Even without any adornment, she was still fresh and moving. So makeup and styling were just the icing on the cake. As Xie Xinglan had once praised her, it was just a formality to show respect. "Wife," Zhou Dang's voice came. Xuan Yang looked at him along with the stylists. The man in a suit walked in and asked the staff, "All done?" The stylist nodded and glanced at the gown on the mannequin behind them. "Just need to change into the dress." Zhou Dang nodded and asked them to step out. With that part done, the team left and waited in the car downstairs. They would follow her all day, serving only Xuan Yang. After dismissing the others, Zhou Dang glanced at the door, which someone had closed, and a slight curve appeared on his lips. He silently decided to have Shen Li give them extra big bonuses when settling the bill later. "You needed something?" Xuan Yang sat before the vanity mirror, regal and aloof, like a cold princess from a fairy tale. Zhou Dang eagerly approached, knelt on one knee beside her, and carefully took her hand. "You look really beautiful today." His non-answer made Xuan Yang a little helpless, but she was used to it. Zhou Dang loved to compliment her; he never held back in that regard. Anyway, after he finished complimenting her, he would always get to the point. "I'm not saying you weren't beautiful before. I mean, today you look strikingly different." The man's sweet talk came effortlessly. Although Xuan Yang was used to it, her ears still reddened, and she couldn't bring herself to keep looking at him. Her tone was uneasy. "Are you done? Let's talk business." Zhou Dang's broad hand cupped the back of her neck, and he kissed her reverently. It was so sudden that Xuan Yang was startled. Before she could push him away, the wedding ring on her left ring finger was removed, along with the lipstick on her lips, taken by Zhou Dang. Confused, Xuan Yang forgot to ask why he was kissing her. "Aren't we wearing rings today?" she asked. Zhou Dang smiled, released her neck, and pulled a sea-blue ring box from his pants pocket. He opened it in front of her. A pair of wedding rings, inspired by ocean waves, lay quietly in the box, nestled on a velvet cushion, elegantly understated and exquisite. They were beautiful and uniquely styled. Especially the woman's ring, with its wave-like pattern on the band, holding a vivid blue fancy blue diamond—delicate, unique, yet luxurious and rare. It was stunning at first glance. Xuan Yang fell in love with it immediately, captivated by the serene blue luster and the fire refracted from the facets. "What's this?" she asked softly, not understanding. Zhou Dang smiled, took out the woman's ring, pulled her hand, and skillfully slid the one-of-a-kind ring onto her ring finger. He said gently, "I told you before that those wedding rings were just temporary. I had another pair custom-made. These are the finished product." Xuan Yang lowered her eyes to the blue diamond. The intricate wave design seemed to carry a special meaning, bearing the extremely rare blue diamond, symbolizing the eternal 'ripples'—a reference to their names. Xuan Yang was surprised by her own interpretation. Zhou Dang hadn't explained the design concept at all, but just looking at them, that thought crossed her mind—like ripples in a sea of love, like a gentle, endless stream. Beneath the understated elegance lay deep affection and brilliance. "Don't you like it?" Zhou Dang held her hand and squeezed it nervously. Xuan Yang finally snapped back to reality and took a breath. "I like it." Although she had liked the previous rings too, this one was special. It was a symbol of the feelings that had blossomed from their marriage. So Xuan Yang liked it even more. Zhou Dang sighed. "Wife, you could show it a bit more clearly." He had been really nervous just now, afraid she wouldn't like the design. Xuan Yang laughed, somewhat puzzled. "Isn't telling you directly enough?" How much clearer could she be? She didn't understand. She felt she had honestly told him her feelings. Zhou Dang was a little frustrated. He felt that with such a gentle and rational Xuan Yang beside him, he seemed like a lovesick fool, always pestering her for something intangible. Even after getting a positive answer, he still wasn't satisfied. He wanted to crawl into her heart and see if she was truly happy. That feeling was really torturous. Xuan Yang had no idea what was going on in his head. She just took the equally wave-designed man's ring from the box and slipped it onto Zhou Dang's finger. "Mr. Zhou, you need to trust your partner. When I say I like it, I mean it." Zhou Dang was amused by her slightly assertive tone. He couldn't help but hold her hand and kiss her again. "My fault." Xuan Yang playfully slapped his shoulder. "You really are something!" Always so improper!
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