After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Marked the Cold Film Empress - Chapter 86

◎Proposal at the End of the World◎

Billions of light-years away, the universe pulsed with high-frequency energy, and in her chest, Yuan Lai’s heart throbbed in synchrony.

She took a deep breath to steady her racing heartbeat and looked at Song Qingxu with unwavering determination.

From beneath her clothes, she pulled out a small box she had prepared earlier that morning. Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she opened it, revealing a diamond ring custom-made for Song Qingxu.

The ring’s setting, shaped like a honeysuckle, held a perfectly cut diamond. Each facet reflected dazzling fire and brilliant light, shimmering with an almost blinding radiance.

During the journey, Yuan Lai had kept the ring close in her pocket. The cold box had absorbed her body heat, a rare warmth in this freezing, harsh night.

At the edge of the world, under the witness of the aurora, Yuan Lai raised the ring high with both hands, sank to one knee, and looked up at Song Qingxu beneath the cosmic wonder.

The breathtaking aurora, a sight most could only dream of, became little more than a backdrop to her. Nothing compared to the importance of Song Qingxu, whose presence captivated her gaze entirely.

Her heartbeat drummed like war drums, each pulse pounding within her chest.

Memories of every shared moment with Song Qingxu flashed through her mind, each frame precious enough to replay endlessly.

Now, she dared to hope for a longer, shared future.

“You.”

Yuan Lai’s voice trembled, choked with emotion.

“Will you marry me?”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, throat tight. She both longed for Song Qingxu’s answer and feared rejection.

The conflicting emotions hung over her like a sword, awaiting judgment.

To Yuan Lai, the tears glistening at the corners of Song Qingxu’s eyes shone brighter than the diamond in her hands.

Almost without hesitation, Song Qingxu extended her left hand toward Yuan Lai.

“I will.”

In that moment, it was as if millions of fireworks erupted before Yuan Lai’s eyes. Overwhelmed with joy, she felt dizzy as she slid the ring onto Song Qingxu’s ring finger.

Song Qingxu had said yes!

Auroras, starry skies—none of them compared to the subtle, beautiful smile playing on Song Qingxu’s lips.

Happiness and fortune had descended upon her all at once.

Yuan Lai rose, interlacing her fingers with Song Qingxu’s, the large diamond leaving slight impressions on her hand—but she didn’t care, taking it as a sweet burden.

It wasn’t just Yuan Lai’s heartbeat that raced. Even Song Qingxu, who appeared calm, felt her heart flutter uncontrollably.

The day had been full of surprises.

At first, she had marveled at the aurora, a miracle of the universe. Then, Yuan Lai pulled out the ring—she hadn’t expected a proposal here.

It was impossible not to be moved. Song Qingxu placed her free hand over her heart, feeling its rapid beating, proof of her own excitement.

Thump.

Her heartbeat resonated like a drum in her ears.

Thump, thump, thump.

Yuan Lai’s surprise wasn’t over yet.

Not far away, “tourists” pretending to chase the aurora ignited fireworks they had prepared earlier. One by one, colorful fireworks blossomed against the green glow of the aurora.

Smiles lit up every face, celebrating the spectacle and spreading joy to everyone present.

In this remote, usually desolate area, it was the first time such a lively scene had appeared.

The driver, absent for some time, emerged from an unseen corner, hiding a bouquet of flowers behind her back. Watching Song Qingxu’s gaze fixed on the fireworks, she tiptoed closer to Yuan Lai.

Holding her breath, she stealthily approached from behind and swiftly placed the flowers into Yuan Lai’s hands, which were clasped behind her back.

Mission accomplished, she quietly slipped away.

The fireworks above grew more intense, each one shooting skyward before bursting in a dazzling display.

After the explosions, countless sparks fell like a brief meteor shower, disappearing before touching the ground.

The final firework soared higher and longer than the rest. All the others faded from the night sky, but it continued its ascent.

Bang.

Its explosion was louder than ordinary fireworks, making Song Qingxu flinch.

Then, she witnessed an unforgettable sight.

A massive honeysuckle bloom opened in the calm night, filling the sky with its petals. Gradually, it dispersed into countless sparks, each one reforming into new blooms, creating an endless sea of flowers—a sky entirely devoted to honeysuckle.

Song Qingxu tilted her head, amazed by this spectacle arranged just for her. The flickering light danced across her cheeks, reflecting in her glistening eyes.

It was all dreamlike, too beautiful to be real. She half-wondered if she was dreaming.

But the tangible warmth of Yuan Lai’s hand told her it was all real.

Turning slightly, she noticed Yuan Lai wasn’t watching the fireworks.

The exploding bursts filled Song Qingxu’s eyes, but in Yuan Lai’s gaze, only she existed.

Catching Song Qingxu’s glance, Yuan Lai curved her lips into a gentle smile.

“Do you like it?”

“I do.”

It was impossible not to.

“Then these are for you!”

Yuan Lai, like a magician, conjured a large bouquet and presented it to Song Qingxu. The subtle fragrance of flowers dissolved the smoky scent of fireworks, teasing Song Qingxu’s senses.

She nudged the bouquet toward Song Qingxu and asked softly,

“You liked the fireworks, but do you like the flowers too?”

Pure white roses stretched quietly in the dead of night, their delicate petals still holding trembling droplets of water. Each blossom pressed tightly against the next, leaving no gaps.

A white silk ribbon of the same shade wound around the bouquet, tied into a neat bow at the front. The trailing ends brushed against Song Qingxu’s hand, leaving a cool, fleeting chill on her skin.

Song Qingxu was rendered speechless by the succession of surprises from Yuan Lai, only able to part her lips slightly in astonishment.

“Huh?”

Yuan Lai caught the delight shimmering in Song Qingxu’s eyes. Seeing her silent, she deliberately wore a pout of feigned disappointment to tease her.

“Don’t like it?”

The hand holding the flowers drooped in mock despair.

Before it could fall completely, Song Qingxu grabbed it urgently, her voice hurried:

“I like it—I really like it.”

“I love everything you give me!”

“I was just too surprised to answer right away.”

The silk ribbon was icy against the back of her hand, yet the palm she held was burning with heat. Song Qingxu felt as if she had plunged simultaneously into two worlds: one freezing, one blazing.

She reached to take the bouquet from Yuan Lai, but the other seemed to have forgotten to let go.

Song Qingxu was about to speak, but when their eyes met, she lost all words.

Her slightly parted lips were about to close when Yuan Lai leaned in, blocking them.

The laughter of others faded into the distance behind Song Qingxu, replaced entirely by Yuan Lai’s steady, close breathing.

As Yuan Lai drew nearer, each inhalation and exhalation became clearer. Their intertwined fingers slowly relaxed, leaving two red marks between Song Qingxu’s ring and middle fingers where the rings pressed.

She didn’t mind. Yuan Lai wrapped her arms around Song Qingxu’s waist, drawing her closer.

A feather-light kiss landed on the corner of her mouth. For the first time during a kiss, Song Qingxu’s eyes were open, and she saw the raging tide of love in Yuan Lai’s gaze.

Only today did Song Qingxu realize:

Yuan Lai’s love was this intense.

On the way back, exhausted Song Qingxu fell into a deep sleep. Yuan Lai let her rest against her shoulder, one hand carefully supporting her head to prevent it from hitting anything during the bumpy ride.

The return trip took longer than the journey there. Yuan Lai asked the driver to go slowly, wanting Song Qingxu to sleep well despite the uneven road.

The driver—also part-time flower delivery person—agreed immediately. The white bouquet sat on the passenger seat, and she stole glances at it as one would at a cherished child.

Today, both Yuan Lai and the flowers had earned their praise.

When they got out of the car, Yuan Lai handed the “heroes” a generous red envelope.

Song Qingxu had woken by then. After the driver left, she asked,

“Why a red envelope?”

Yuan Lai, holding the bouquet in one hand and her bag in the other, gave her a mischievous smile.

“It’s a secret!”

Both hands full, Yuan Lai couldn’t take Song Qingxu’s hand. Thinking quickly, she slung the bag over her shoulder to the same side, holding the bouquet in the other hand—leaving one hand free to hold Song Qingxu’s.

As they entered the hotel lobby, a server rushed over to help with their belongings.

This time, Yuan Lai shook her head.

“I’ve got it myself.”

At the hotel room door, Yuan Lai claimed her hands were too full and asked Song Qingxu to retrieve the room key from her jacket pocket.

After searching over the fabric for a while, Song Qingxu still couldn’t find it. Her voice carried rising anxiety:

“It’s really not here, did it fall outside?”

Yuan Lai’s expression remained calm.

“Oh, I remembered wrong,” she said, blinking serenely. “The key’s not in this pocket—it’s in my pants pocket.”

Song Qingxu first glared at her, then, half-believing, reached down.

Finally, she retrieved the room key.

Beep.

The door unlocked. Yuan Lai quietly stepped back, letting Song Qingxu go in first.

Walking ahead without caution, Song Qingxu switched on the lights—and the hidden surprise was suddenly revealed.

Petals carpeted the floor, countless flowers lined the sides, forming a trail all the way to the living room.

A monstrously extravagant bouquet occupied the center of the sofa and coffee table, dominating the room.

On either side were beautifully wrapped gifts—roughly twenty or more.

Heart-shaped balloons swayed gently, tied with thin ribbons, as if waving hello.

The person behind gently closed the door. Song Qingxu, stunned into a dreamlike state, finally realized the scene before her.

“I thought.”

She took a deep breath.

“I thought the surprises for today were over.”

Tears of emotion welled up in her eyes, crystal droplets hanging precariously at the corners, threatening to fall.

Yuan Lai drew her close, slowly kissing away each drop of moisture from the corners of her eyes.