Chapter 148: Chapter 148 - 148 148 I Love You Do You Believe Me

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: I Love You, Do You Believe Me? Chapter 148: Chapter 148: I Love You, Do You Believe Me? “Stay away from me,” Fu Han said, pressing her hands against He Xing’s chest, her face as red as a ripe apple, and her words were as soft as a mosquito’s hum.

He Xing’s forehead was against Fu Han’s, and he whispered, “Xiaohan, do you know how much I love you?”

Fu Han visibly shuddered; this was the first time He Xing had spoken the word “love.” To say she wasn’t moved would be a lie; in fact, she was deeply touched.

They had grown up together since they were young, as if everything had naturally fallen into place: the second button from a school uniform, the additional seat on the mountain bike, a shoulder to carry another’s backpack…

They had been through all the experiences of adolescence together, each witnessing the other grow up; He Xing, from a naughty boy into a graceful young man, and Fu Han, from a snotty-nosed tag-along into a stunning beauty.

They hadn’t even spoken of “love,” nor had they said “like,” yet a marriage contract had already been cast upon them, and naturally, Fu Han was so happy she couldn’t sleep at night.

He Xing’s reaction was as calm as ever; according to Fu Han’s understanding, his lack of objection was tantamount to agreement, so she never asked He Xing whether he actually liked her.

“Xiaohan, are you listening to me?” He Xing’s hand caressed Fu Han’s cheek, which seemed smaller compared with his hand.

“Ah, I… sorry, could you say that again?” Fu Han’s face grew hot with embarrassment; she couldn’t believe she had become distracted in the middle of He Xing’s confession. No one would believe her if she told them.

“I can say it as many times as you want,” He Xing chuckled, lifting Fu Han’s chin slightly to make her look at him. “Xiaohan, when I say I love you, do you believe me?”

A voice inside her head told her to keep calm; but the voice was weak and was quickly engulfed by a tidal wave of emotion. She nodded almost instinctively, and, worried that He Xing might doubt her, she quickly added, “I believe, I really do.”

A smile gradually appeared on He Xing’s face, eventually revealing his dimples and sparkling eyes. “Then, would you like to resume our marriage contract?” he asked.

Fu Han’s muddled mind suddenly cleared as if struck by lightning, and she regained her senses. She took two steps back and removed He Xing’s hand from her cheek, “I can’t answer that question right now.”

“When can you answer me?” He Xing, usually known for his composure, showed a hint of panic and even a touch of fear in his eyes. Worried that he had seemed too eager, he hastily reassured her, “Xiaohan, you don’t have to rush your answer, I’ll wait for you.”

Fu Han nodded, feeling inexplicably heavy-hearted.

He Xing cupped Fu Han’s cheeks and gently kissed her forehead, “Wait here for me, I’ll be right back.”

Then he ran off, leaving Fu Han completely confused. In a whirlwind, He Xing returned with an exquisite jewelry box in his hand.

“Xiaohan, this is the Valentine’s Day gift I prepared especially for you. I couldn’t wait until then to give it to you,” he said as he presented the jewelry box to her.

“What is it?” Fu Han asked, opening the jewelry box to find a necklace inside. The silver chain was shaped like lotus roots, and the pendant was a budding lotus flower, with a fully grown diamond the size of an adult’s thumb at its center.

The lotus flower’s petals were layered intricately, each with a tiny pink diamond at the tip, while a yellow diamond the size of an adult’s thumbnail adorned the center, its light yellow color soft and delicate.

The lotus flower was exquisitely crafted, lifelike, as if it were a real lotus waiting to bloom in a pond; probably the most expensive lotus she had ever seen.

She glanced at her wrist, still adorned with the bracelet Su Cheng had given her: a half-opened lotus, also thoughtfully chosen.

He Xing followed her gaze to the bracelet, his expression stiffening for a moment before returning to normal. “Xiaohan, may I help you put on the necklace?” he asked.

“Sure,” she replied obediently, turning around and standing still.

He Xing tenderly placed the necklace on Fu Han, then, holding her shoulders, he turned her toward himself to admire the piece. He smiled, “It looks beautiful.”

Fu Han blushed, unable to speak.

…

New Year’s Eve is a festive holiday with ritual significance, starting with ancestor worship, followed by the family reunion dinner.

As dusk fell, the dinner began in the festively decorated dining room, with a table full of food that appealed to all the senses.

The He Family’s cook had never let Fu Han down, and this was the same cook they had had for three years; Fu Han was used to it and enjoyed the meal very much.

He Xing ate a lot that evening, but all his attention was on Fu Han, mainly because he kept piling food onto her plate.

Finally, Fu Han, patting her round belly, waved her hand continuously, “Stop, I can’t eat anymore, really, I’m full.”

Bai Wei, sitting next to her and laughing so hard her teeth were showing, teased, “He Xing, I’m not full yet, why aren’t you serving me any food?”

Fu Han’s face turned beet red, and she cleared her throat, saying nothing, wishing she could sew Bai Wei’s unruly mouth shut.

Grandfather He tapped Bai Wei’s head with his chopsticks, “You’re always up to some mischief. What do you want to eat? Let Grandpa get it for you.”

“Sure,” Bai Wei said, rubbing her head and giggling, “Grandpa, you’re so partial. Fu Han isn’t even married into the family yet, and you’re already taking her side.”

The comment was meant as a joke, but Grandfather He’s face turned serious. He looked earnestly at Fu Han, “I like Xiaohan not because she will be my granddaughter-in-law, but because she’s a girl worth liking. In my heart, she has been my granddaughter for a long time.”

Fu Han could feel that Grandfather He’s words were heartfelt. She was moved and her eyes welled up with emotion as she said, “Grandpa, in my heart, you’re the only family I have in this world.”

He Xing, with one arm around Grandfather He and the other around Fu Han, brought their heads together, resembling a true family.

New Year’s Eve wasn’t just for the reunion dinner; there were also firecrackers and staying up late.

Old Zhou had bought a lot of cold fireworks because firecrackers were banned. Although they lacked the exuberant flare of traditional fireworks, they added a festive touch.

Bai Wei, celebrating New Year’s in China for the first time, had a blast playing with the cold fireworks and chasing Fu Han around.

Her silver bell-like laughter echoed through the yard, illuminated by colorful lights and small lanterns. Though they were only four, the once quiet courtyard of the He family was filled with warmth and buzz.

He Xing took pictures with Fu Han’s camera, here and there, and ultimately, the camera was filled with images of smiling faces: Fu Han’s, Bai Wei’s, and Grandfather He’s. Smiles were indeed the most precious memories.