The Third Year After The Breakup, He Knelt and Begged to Get Back Together - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

What kind of ritual sense does Teacher Qi want…

Perhaps because he had been staring for too long, He Xian suddenly opened his eyes: “What is it now? Not sleeping at all—are you trying to become an immortal?”

Facing the questioning, an extremely bold idea flashed through Qi Mingfeng’s mind in a spark of inspiration.

He spoke in a low voice: “I was thinking about the engagement.”

“You’re the one who worries the most,” He Xian let out a performative sigh. “Fine, where do you want to hold the engagement ceremony? How do you want to do it?”

If he had a choice, Qi Mingfeng wouldn’t want to hold it at all.

He tried his best to steady his voice: “You have a busy work schedule. Why don’t you leave everything regarding the engagement ceremony to me?”

He Xian’s hand, which had been rubbing Qi Mingfeng’s waist, paused: “Leave it all to you?”

Qi Mingfeng: “Yes. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can find someone to help me.”

He Xian said casually: “What’s there to be uncomfortable about? It’s our engagement ceremony anyway; it’ll be whatever you make of it. But these things are tedious. I’ll find someone to act as your subordinate; they’ll all listen to you.”

Taking control of the engagement ceremony was the first step in Qi Mingfeng’s plan.

He Xian suspected nothing.

It was a very good start.

Plucking up his courage, he proactively took He Xian’s hand—the one wearing the ring. “Can we take this off for now? On the day of the engagement, we can put them on each other again.”

He Xian: “It’ll be soon enough if we take them off the morning of the engagement.”

Qi Mingfeng: “There’s no sense of ritual that way.”

“So you’re complaining that my proposal yesterday lacked a sense of ritual,” He Xian propped up his arm and turned sideways to look at him. “What kind of ritual sense does Teacher Qi want? Do I need to get down on one knee to propose to you?”

Qi Mingfeng hurriedly denied it: “No, no need. How would I dare? I didn’t mean it that way.”

He Xian gripped his hand back: “Isn’t that how everyone else proposes? You never thought about it?”

Qi Mingfeng actually had thought about it.

But that was a delusion from a long time ago.

A person, after all, has to live realistically.

He revealed a submissive smile: “There’s no need for us to be like everyone else.”

He wanted to gloss over it, but He Xian wouldn’t let it go: “Just say it—did you think about it or not?”

Qi Mingfeng pursed his lips; the words were hard to say.

One should keep delusions to oneself; letting others know—especially the object of the delusion—was just asking for humiliation.

But his hesitation had already betrayed him.

He Xian gave a “hmpf”: “You really did dare to think it.”

Qi Mingfeng didn’t know what to say, so he could only offer a placating smile.

If He Xian could see Qi Mingfeng’s expression at this moment, he would discover that the smile was bitter and strained.

But the moment he got his answer, he looked away, and consequently, saw nothing.

He Xian had never thought of kneeling to anyone, even on one knee; the person in this world who could make him kneel had yet to be born.

But if Qi Mingfeng insisted on learning from others about some “sense of ritual”…

Tsk, how troublesome.

Qi Mingfeng quickly adjusted his expression. At least by the time He Xian looked back at him, those meaningless emotions were properly tucked away.

He spoke first: “We’ll just read our vows and then put the rings on each other. That’ll be enough. Until then, the rings will stay with me, alright?”

Reluctantly, He Xian took off the ring and slid it onto Qi Mingfeng’s finger—the one already wearing a ring. The two metal bands made a light clinking sound. “Keep them safe. if you lose them, I’m not making a second set.”

Qi Mingfeng promised repeatedly: “I’ll definitely keep them safe.”

…

There was still some time before He Xian had to go to work. Qi Mingfeng was forced by He Xian to lie down and sleep for a while longer. After seeing him out the door at 8:30, Qi Mingfeng turned around and went straight to the workspace to go over his accounts.

After He Xian transferred the 600,000 to him, he had meticulously arranged every expenditure: repaying the hospital debt, setting aside Qi Huan’s treatment and living expenses, and paying off other debts.

Money flowed out like water. It was just as he had estimated; the money remaining in his hands was barely enough for Qi Huan’s subsequent recovery. It wasn’t realistic if he wanted to leave without a trace.

He had to get more money.

He also had to delay the timeline as much as possible to let Qi Huan’s health improve a bit more.

While Qi Mingfeng was racking his brains to perfect the plan, his phone rang.

The caller: Meng Ying.

Qi Mingfeng slid the screen to answer: “Hello, Assistant Meng. Did He Xian forget something?”

“Teacher Qi, President He didn’t forget anything,” Meng Ying answered the question formally before continuing, “President He has arranged for me to cooperate with you in preparing for the engagement ceremony. What would be the most convenient way for us to coordinate?”

Qi Mingfeng’s heart turned cold.

Meng Ying was He Xian’s most capable assistant. His ability went without saying, and he was exceptionally loyal to He Xian. If Meng Ying were involved, the difficulty of realizing his plan would skyrocket.

After chatting for a few words, he told Meng Ying to come directly to He Xian’s house.

In the past, Qi Mingfeng would have gone with Meng Ying to a more private tea room near the neighborhood; a highly private place like a home wasn’t suitable for discussing work.

But he had already started treating being with He Xian as a job. He Xian’s house, naturally, was not his home either.

About thirty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

Meng Ying, carrying a bag, bowed slightly to him and said politely: “Teacher Qi.”

Qi Mingfeng let him in: “Don’t be so formal. Sit down first. Would you like something to drink?”

Meng Ying: “Water is fine, thank you, Teacher Qi.”

Qi Mingfeng brought over two glasses of plain water and sat down opposite Meng Ying.

On the surface, he was cheerful as he tested the waters unobtrusively: “I thought He Xian would just find any capable person. Why did he send a confidant like you?”

Meng Ying smiled along: “This proves how much importance President He attaches to his engagement to Teacher Qi.”

Qi Mingfeng: “Did he mention any specific requirements to you?”

“Yes. President He said it must be lively, grand, and fast,” Meng Ying took a notebook out of his bag, looking like he was ready to take meeting minutes at any moment. “And you, Teacher Qi? Do you have any ideas or requirements?”

Qi Mingfeng’s hand tightened around the water glass: “How fast is ‘fast’?”

Meng Ying: “According to President He’s intention, it’s best if it’s within these next two weeks.”

Qi Mingfeng said in shock: “These two weeks?!”

Generally, engagement ceremonies take months of preparation, let alone for someone as high-ranking as the head of the He Group. Preparing for a year would be perfectly reasonable. What could be prepared in two weeks? Find a fast-food joint and book a group meal?

Meng Ying said empathetically: “The time is a bit tight, but I will do my best to cooperate with you, Teacher Qi, to complete it.”

Qi Mingfeng lowered his eyes.

If one said He Xian valued it, he only gave two weeks. If one said He Xian didn’t value it, he sent Meng Ying to help.

Qi Mingfeng became even more convinced of his thoughts from this morning: the engagement was just an expensive gift from He Xian, a whim—or perhaps not even a whim.

In any case, an engagement wasn’t a marriage; one could regret it at any time. Even if one married, one could divorce. With He Xian’s capital, there would always be people lining up no matter how many times he divorced.

But for him, this was devastating.

Two weeks was truly too tight.

Qi Huan’s body might not even be fully recovered, let alone having to choose a place to live after leaving and saving up initial living expenses.

Though he knew the hope was slim, Qi Mingfeng still asked stubbornly: “Can the time be extended a bit longer?”

“Teacher Qi, you know that once President He decides something… how about you give him a call and ask?” Meng Ying checked the time. “There are still thirty minutes until his next meeting.”

Qi Mingfeng called He Xian. It was answered quickly.

“What is it?” Judging by He Xian’s tone, he seemed to be in a good mood.

Qi Mingfeng said coaxingly: “Two weeks for preparation isn’t quite enough. Can we loosen it up a bit?”

The sound of a fountain pen leisurely tapping on a desk came from He Xian’s side: “Two weeks isn’t enough? Are you trying to get engaged on the moon?”

Qi Mingfeng: “It is your engagement ceremony, after all. Two weeks is really too hasty.”

He Xian: “That’s why I assigned Meng Ying to you. Don’t worry—hotels, venues, photography, every person and item you need will be given a green light.”

Qi Mingfeng was momentarily speechless.

When his answer didn’t come, the tapping on the phone stopped. He Xian’s tone became subtle: “What’s wrong? Haven’t you always been anxious to go public? Suddenly you’re not in a hurry anymore?”

Qi Mingfeng was very familiar with this tone of He Xian’s.

It was a precursor to anger.

He knew there was no negotiating on the timing. His heart sank, but he still patiently went through the motions: “I’m just afraid being too hasty will affect your reputation.”

Only then did He Xian’s tone warm up again. He said haughtily: “My reputation doesn’t need to be embellished by an engagement ceremony. Just go ahead and do it; it will be whatever you make it.”

After hanging up the phone, Qi Mingfeng couldn’t help but sigh.

Meng Ying seemed to have expected this. He waited patiently for the sigh to end before speaking: “Teacher Qi, time is pressing. You see…”

“I understand,” Qi Mingfeng made up his mind. “I plan to hold the engagement ceremony abroad. There is a small island in Country F; I’ve been there once and liked it very much.”

Meng Ying tapped the keyboard rapidly: “Alright, Teacher Qi. I will prepare the documents for Country F for you. Do I need to prepare them for your brother as well?”

Qi Mingfeng spoke calmly: “No need. Let him handle his own affairs.”

Meng Ying: “Do you have any ideas for the style of the engagement ceremony?”

Qi Mingfeng: “Not for now.”

Meng Ying: “I have a portfolio here of several designers’ works. Teacher Qi, would you like to take a look to find some inspiration?”