After dinner, Hu Lei left to take a bath while Zhong Feng cleaned up the utensils. The harmonious atmosphere in the house made Hu Lei's heart feel at peace. When Ah Feng was around, she did not feel that ever-present need to be alert. She smiled as she relaxed completely in the tub.

When she emerged from the bathroom, she was a little lightheaded. She loved taking really hot baths because the warmth seeped deep into her bones. But it seemed that she had overdone it. She stumbled a little groggily to the bed, wanting to sleep immediately.

However, before she could climb into the bed, Zhong Feng, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, pulled her by her waist. He placed on her on his lap and held her with one arm. Hu Lei blinked in confusion before her mind cleared up. She tilted her head in question.

"Ah Feng, what is it?" She asked while shifting her body to look at him.

Zhong Feng did not speak. Instead, he looked at her with a relentless intensity, as if memorising her very soul. Hu Lei felt that he was being strange. But she was also quite comfortable on his lap. Therefore, she only reddened a little and decided to remain in place.

"Hu Lei, are you happy with me?" He asked suddenly.

She looked at him in surprise. The question was unexpected, and for a moment, she thought wondered if he was serious. Then, she looked into his eyes and saw an unexpected shadow of insecurity. She felt her heart twist in pain in her chest when she saw that flicker of forlornness in him.

"I am happiest when I'm with you." She responded solemnly.

"If I set you free and you did not feel like you owe me anything, would you still stay with me?" He asked in a low voice.

His eyes had become a little cold with a sense of distant even though the arm around her waist tightened. Hu Lei wondered what would make him, a man who had everything, have this sense of dejection. However, she also felt indescribably angry.

She forcefully removed his hand from her waist. As soon as he released her, she stood up and faced him squarely. His face and eyes had become colder at her action. He radiated alienation and loneliness, but his hands were balled into fists, betraying his frustration.

Smack!

Hu Lei slapped his face resolutely. She did not use her full strength, but it was enough to turn his head and leave her handprint on his ethereally handsome face. He looked stunned by her action.

"If you ever say such things again, I will make you regret it." Her voice showed her anger, and her eyes glowed in the softly lit room.

Zhong Feng's expression did not change from its coldness. However, there was a complicated look in his eyes before he looked down.

"Will you leave me?" He asked with a slightly sneering tone.

Hu Lei slapped his other cheek.

"Let that be your final reminder." She looked at him with a threatening expression in her predatory eyes.

Zhong Feng touched his burning face in disbelief before smiling a little. He looked up at the violent little woman and saw the look of defiance and anger in her eyes. For some reason, he felt his heart become overwhelmed with warmth.

"I am sorry, Xiao Lei." He finally said, the ice on his face clearing up.

Hu Lei looked at him domineeringly for a while before her face crumbled. Her large eyes became watery, and before long, she was sobbing. Zhong Feng did not have a moment to register what was happening before she threw herself into his arms.

"I am sorry for hitting you, Ah Feng." She said amidst her sobs and hiccups.

When her tears subsided, she touched his face gently. And once again, she broke into sobs. Zhong Feng felt guilty when he saw her crying so hard. He rubbed her back lightly.

"It is my fault, Xiao Lei. I was in a strange mood, and I took it out on you. I will never do that again." He comforted.

The sudden feeling of desolation had struck him while he was cleaning up. He wondered why Hu Lei had put in so much effort for him. She had even started learning how to cook in spite of not being a person who did not seem to have a lot of attachment to food.

He had never been considered lovable even when he was a child. He knew that he was an awkward and cold person from the very beginning. Also, his highly introverted nature limited his social interactions. In addition, his stiff personality was not award-winning. People admired him, respected him and even feared him. But no one loved him.

When he thought about Hu Lei's dedication to him, he could not help wondering about it. And then, a little sinister voice reminded him that she was only staying with him because she felt indebted to him. He tried to silence the voice, but it had remained clear and loud.

Now, seeing the adorable girl crying so pitifully, he felt unimaginable regret for hurting her. He hugged her a little closer. It did not matter if she did not feel as he felt for her. She was willing to stay with him and let him love her. And that was enough.

Even though people often said that the one who falls first is the loser, he did not mind losing to her. He felt regret for ruining what had been a perfect evening. He should have just done what he intended to do from the beginning when he returned from his trip.

With this thought in mind, he lifted Hu Lei from himself with difficulty. She looked at him with reluctant rabbit eyes as if he was abandoning her. Once again, he chided himself for putting that look in her eyes. He stared at her with gentleness and petted her head.

"I will be back in twenty seconds." He smiled a little.

In twenty seconds, he returned and dropped onto one knee and looked at the tear-stained but beautiful face. He held out a small red box and opened it before her. Inside it, there was a delicate platinum ring inlaid with sparkling diamonds.

Its elegance and brilliance startled Hu Lei, and she looked at it spellbound. After all, she was a girl who liked beautiful things. However, she quickly came to her senses and turned her head.

"Do you think that this is the appropriate time to propose?" She looked at him folding her arm under her bosom.

"Hu Lei, you are mine, and I am always yours." He smiled a little looking at her expectantly.

"Was there a proposal somewhere in there?" She huffed and pouted, even as her heart shook with the declaration.

"It is not a proposal. We already belong to each other. This is just an affirmation of the fact. And I promised to bring you treasures." His lips curved into a beautiful smile as he brought the ring closer to her eyes, shaking it a little.

Hu Lei recalled that night she had been drunk. It was a long time ago. She could not believe that he remembered her stupid drunken rumblings. Her heart felt an indescribable sweetness like she was immersed in a sugary cloud

It is in this moment she truly felt and understood the feeling called love. She placed her hand over her chest and felt the beating of her heart. The rhythm felt different as if it was chanting his name.

"Xiao Lei?" the immortal-like man looked at her with nervousness, in spite of his domineering words.

Hu Lei felt a little shy because of her current intense feelings, but she fortified her heart.

"I shall reluctantly accept." She stretched her left hand to him with grace like a queen even though inside she was experiencing fireworks of a thousand colours.

Zhong Feng kissed that beautiful small hand softly before placing the ring on her finger with happiness and pride.