Chen Mo browsed through the jewelry store, eyes scanning the displays, before giving a small nod to the shop assistant, Zhao Yanyu.
"I need a ring," he said plainly.
"Are you looking for a wedding ring, sir?" Zhao Yanyu asked politely, guiding him to a glass cabinet. "These are the latest designs in our collection. Each one is unique and carefully crafted."
Chen Mo studied the rings in the display case. Each had its own style, and he quietly imagined which one would suit Xiao Yu best.
She had never asked him for anything, but he wanted to give her something meaningful—a surprise, something unforgettable. The most significant gift he could think of was right here.
"This one," Chen Mo said, pointing.
"You have a good eye, sir. This is the Elegance edition from our Believe series. It's also our most exquisite design. The meaning behind it is 'silent trust,'" Zhao Yanyu explained enthusiastically as she carefully took out the ring and placed it before him.
Chen Mo picked it up and examined it closely.
Zhao Yanyu watched nervously. The man was wearing a mask and now holding the most expensive ring in the store. For a moment, she wondered if she should alert someone. Robberies by masked men had happened before.
"I'll take it," Chen Mo said simply, handing the ring back.
"Are you sure?" Zhao Yanyu asked, startled. "The price is 131,400 yuan. Just to confirm—this is the one you want?"
She was genuinely worried that he might not have realized the cost, and a mistaken purchase could become a problem.
"I'm sure." Chen Mo handed her his bank card.
When she saw the sleek, black VIP bank card, Zhao Yanyu's eyes widened. It was a high-level account reserved for elite customers. A card like this meant he was no ordinary buyer.
Just moments ago, she'd feared he might be a thief. Now, she realized how silly that had been.
"I'll process it immediately. Would you like to look at anything else—perhaps a matching necklace? It would be the perfect companion piece for a gift like this," she offered.
"No need for now," Chen Mo shook his head. "I'm in a bit of a rush. Please be quick."
"Of course," she said, hurrying off with the ring and his card to complete the transaction.
Five minutes later, Chen Mo slipped the small ring box into the pocket of his coat and left the jewelry store.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu and Li Ruoxi stood at the spot where they had split up with Chen Mo, each holding a few shopping bags and waiting patiently for his return.
"You know, your guy is so confusing," Li Ruoxi sighed. "He's smart enough to invent things that shake the whole world, but in the time you've been together, not even a single flower. I even tried to hint at it—he still didn't get it. Did his EQ get sacrificed for his IQ?"
Xiao Yu just laughed and shook her head. "Maybe he forgot. But that's what makes it sweet—I can still look forward to the day he remembers."
"No way," Li Ruoxi shook her head. "You should be expecting a ring, not a flower. I envy you. You've got a boyfriend who truly loves you. Me? I don't even want to go home this year. If I do, my aunties will be lining up with blind dates. And every time I hear, 'Oh, I know this nice young man,' I want to disappear. I didn't graduate last year just to get drowned in that nonsense this year."
Seeing how worked up Ruoxi was, Xiao Yu couldn't help laughing. "Then go on a blind date."
"Ha! I've gotten used to the single life," Ruoxi declared with mock arrogance. "Twenty years and still alive without a man!"
Xiao Yu shook her head, smiling.
Just then, they spotted Chen Mo hurrying back, and both waved him down.
"Where'd you go?" Xiao Yu asked.
"Ran into an old college friend. Ended up chatting a bit," Chen Mo said with a smile.
"Come on, let's go find some clothes for you," Xiao Yu said, tugging his arm as they headed to a nearby men's boutique.
By evening, the three of them finally left the shopping district.
As soon as they got home, Chen Mo took off his coat and draped it over the sofa.
Outside the villa, Wang Hai had been pacing restlessly. After hesitating for a long time, he finally gathered the courage to knock.
Chen Mo answered the door, surprised to see Wang Hai looking so unsettled.
"Boss, I'd like to request three days off," Wang Hai said seriously. "Tong Yu suddenly fell ill. I want to take care of her."
Chen Mo was slightly taken aback. It was rare for Wang Hai to show any emotion, let alone panic. Whoever this Tong Yu was, she clearly meant a lot to him.
"Go ahead," Chen Mo nodded without hesitation.
"Thank you, Boss." Wang Hai bowed respectfully, then left in a hurry.
Back in the study, Chen Mo walked over to his computer and asked, "Mo Nu, who is this Tong Yu? What's her connection to Wang Hai?"
For someone like Wang Hai to drop everything, this wasn't a casual acquaintance. Chen Mo needed to know more about the people around him.
"Information retrieved," Mo Nu responded quickly.
Three files popped up on the screen as her voice continued.
"Tong Yu is a member of the National Security Bureau. She has a twin sister named Tong Yan, who was part of a female special operations unit and also Wang Hai's fiancée. Tong Yan was killed in action during Operation Cobra."
"Operation Cobra?" Chen Mo's eyes narrowed.
That name rang a bell. After thinking for a moment, he remembered—it was in Wang Hai's personnel file. That same operation had left him seriously injured and led to his retirement.
"Yes. Would you like the full details of the operation?" Mo Nu asked.
"No need." Chen Mo shook his head. He wasn't interested in government secrets. At least not now. But it was clear that Wang Hai had more to his story than he let on.
Xiao Yu came out of the bathroom, drying her damp hair as she stepped into the living room.
It was quiet—Chen Mo had disappeared again, probably hiding away in his study doing research.
This wasn't the first time.
Sometimes she felt bad for him. Running such a massive company, constantly under pressure. That's why she always made sure not to add to his stress. She handled life's smaller things herself, just to make things easier for him.
Clink!
As she picked up Chen Mo's coat from the sofa, something small and solid fell out of the pocket.
A small purple box.
Xiao Yu froze, eyes widening with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
She stared at it for a moment, nervous, then slowly picked it up. The box was beautifully crafted, elegant with fine detailing on its surface. Her heart thudded in her chest.
She opened it gently.
Inside was a white diamond ring, sparkling quietly in the soft light.
Xiao Yu was stunned—surprised, moved, overwhelmed. She couldn't even describe the storm of emotions welling up inside her.
She reached out slowly, almost afraid it would vanish like a dream.
"Do you like it?" a familiar voice whispered from behind her as a pair of arms wrapped gently around her waist.
She nodded, tears already forming in her eyes. "I love it."
"I was saving it as a New Year's surprise," Chen Mo said softly, nuzzling beside her ear. "But now that you've found it, I guess I have to give it to you early."
He took the ring and held it up, his voice steady and sincere. "I love you. Will you marry me?"
Xiao Yu laughed through her tears and nodded. "Yes."
As the ring slid onto her finger, she turned and hugged him tightly.
"You big dummy," she sniffled. "You said you wouldn't make me cry—and now look at me. And... you didn't even bring flowers! What kind of proposal doesn't have flowers?"
Her voice cracked slightly.
"Then I'll just comfort you myself," Chen Mo said, smiling as he leaned in and kissed her deeply.
Five minutes later, Xiao Yu sat curled up on the living room sofa, a dazed smile on her face, eyes locked on the ring glinting on her hand. Chen Mo was behind her, gently drying her hair with a towel.
In that moment, she felt like the happiest woman in the world.