Instead, he candidly admitted that he had indeed once had feelings for Chen Ying.

Yes, for six years. It wasn’t just a simple crush; in everyone else’s eyes, he had well and truly pursued Chen Ying for six years. And everyone knew it.

If he denied it now or directly pledged his loyalty to Lin Xi, it would only make people suspect his motives. And he did, in fact, have ulterior motives.

He was in love with Lin Xi and wanted to be with her forever. He wanted her to become his wife, the mother of his children... So many things, and every one of them had a purpose.

"To be attracted to beauty is only human nature. At the start, my feelings for her were just sympathy and a sense of shared hardship. It was only as we spent more time together that I discovered what it truly means to love someone. It’s an indescribable feeling, filled with emotion, impulse, responsibility, and anticipation.

"You feel a powerful impulse to forge a deep emotional connection, and you become curious about their every thought and feeling. You instinctively want to protect her, to care for her safety and her heart. You want to give her your all just to see her happy and content.

"At the same time, you treat everything between you with sincerity, respecting each other’s opinions and choices as you build your relationship together. You feel a sense of duty, a willingness to give anything for her. You proactively shoulder your responsibilities, wanting to create a happy and safe world for her.

"And you experience an immense sense of happiness and fulfillment. You feel loved and cherished, a feeling that stems from the deep love and trust you have for her. Simply having her in your life brings you joy and satisfaction because she becomes one of the most important people in the world to you. These are all things I only came to understand after meeting Xiao Xi."

Will he feel happiness and satisfaction from her love and trust? Lin Yinxue thought, recalling the unconditional faith Lin Xi expressed whenever she talked about Xue Yang. She understood instantly.

She smiled and asked, "Since that girl was your obsession, who knows if one day you’ll decide that what you can never have is the best and secretly go behind Xiao Xi’s back with her? I heard she’s working at Lin Corporation now."

Xue Yang smiled serenely. "She does work at Lin Corporation, but that has nothing to do with me. As for the obsession I mentioned, I let go of that a long time ago."

"Now that Xiao Xi likes you, I’ll begrudgingly accept you. But if you ever make her suffer in the future, then you’ll have to answer to me. I absolutely won’t let you off the hook. You should know that I mean what I say and I always follow through."

"I won’t give Aunt that chance."

"Very well. We shall see."

After hanging up, Lin Yinxue added Xue Yang on WeChat and sent him the procedure for the engagement ceremony. There was no unnecessary conversation, as if it were all a mere formality.

Xue Yang thanked her and opened the file.

It was cumbersome. Extremely cumbersome.

If he hadn’t had the procedure to review beforehand, he couldn’t guarantee the event would go off without a hitch. If anything went wrong, Lin Xi would be the most humiliated, followed by her family, and then his own. It could even lead to the engagement being canceled entirely.

Thinking of these possibilities, Xue Yang couldn’t help but frown.

It seems the road ahead won’t be easy. I’ll have to win them over one by one.

Fortunately, with the procedure in hand, Xue Yang was confident tomorrow’s engagement ceremony would proceed smoothly.

「...」

Time flew, and the day of the engagement ceremony arrived.

Sunlight streamed through exquisite glass windows, illuminating the entire venue. The Lin Family Villa was magnificently decorated, and its stained-glass windows cast a soft glow, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.

The guests entered in an orderly fashion.

Xue Yang’s family had been up early for professional styling, and they were all dressed in expensive clothes. The transformation was dramatic. They were completely unrecognizable as the country folk they once were. It had to be said that Lin Yinxue’s arrangements had given Xue Yang a great deal of face.

Grandma Xue didn’t attend due to her age.

Led by Xue Yuanming, the immediate family arrived at the venue. Xue Yang’s parents, however, entered with him.

"This is Xiao Xi’s home? It’s so big and luxurious!" Yang Zhaodi had been transformed into the very picture of a high-society matron, but the moment she spoke, her true origins were revealed. "I’ve never seen such a luxurious house before."

"Be quiet, and don’t gawk. Our behavior reflects on Xiao Yang now. Don’t embarrass him," Xue Yuanming chided in a low voice.

Yang Zhaodi fell silent, not daring to talk back. The others also kept their eyes lowered, not daring to stare around freely any longer. At that moment, the Xue Family achieved an unprecedented level of harmony.

After taking their designated seats, they waited for the engagement ceremony to officially begin.

A famous host from Dragon Country emceed the event. The moment he took the stage, the atmosphere in the venue reached a fever pitch. After a passionate opening monologue, it was time for the main event.

The stage was covered with a red carpet. The seats on either side were adorned with exquisite floral arrangements, releasing a faint, sweet fragrance. In the center of the stage, the young couple slowly walked toward each other under the watchful eyes of the guests.

This couple, Xue Yang and Lin Xi, were the protagonists of the day.

Xue Yang wore a custom-tailored black suit that fit him perfectly, highlighting his extraordinary taste. Lin Xi was draped in a white haute couture gown, its skirt as light as a cloud and its veil cascading like a waterfall, shimmering splendidly. The gown showcased her perfect figure flawlessly.

Today, she was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman there—so lovely, she seemed unreal.

If celestial fairies truly existed, everyone present was certain none could compare to the beautiful young woman before them.

As the couple exchanged their engagement rings, the ceremony reached its climax. Thunderous applause erupted as relatives and friends excitedly waved ribbons and balloons.

After exchanging rings, the couple shared a smile. In that moment, their love was captured for eternity.

In the crowd below, Zhong Hailan was sobbing uncontrollably at the sight. Xue Yuanqing sat beside her, and though he wasn’t crying, his eyes were also red.

After the ceremony ended, guests flocked to the banquet hall to enjoy fine wines and delicacies. In a corner of the hall, a long table was laden with exquisite pastries, desserts, fruits, and cold dishes—everything one could desire. Guests gathered around tables, chatting about the happy life that awaited the couple.

The entire venue was filled with an air of celebration and warmth. Every detail, from the floral decorations to the sumptuous food, revealed the host’s meticulous preparation and exuded blessings and love. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Xue Yang’s guess had been correct. Today’s engagement ceremony had indeed gone very smoothly.

He gazed at the impossibly beautiful woman before him, and a sudden impulse surged through his heart.

I have to hide her away. I can’t let anyone else see her beauty. She’s for my eyes only.

「...」