Chapter 55: Will You Marry Me?

  Cheng Zhiyi and Xu Shaoyan strolled hand in hand along the Purple Bamboo Path, surrounded by falling leaves. The autumn wind brushed against their faces, carrying a chill that rose from their feet to deep within their hearts.

  Unconsciously, Cheng Zhiyi's thoughts drifted back to the past – when she and Lin Zhixuan were together. She couldn't help but wonder if Xu Shaoyan was hiding something from her.

  Xu Shaoyan, sensing her unease, gently pulled her closer. "I promise you, I won't let anything happen to us," he whispered in her ear. "Before anything happens, I'll do my best to resolve it... I won't allow any obstacles on our path to love."

  His words were laced with a hint of sadness and urgency, making Cheng Zhiyi's heart skip a beat. She looked up at him, searching for answers. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

  Xu Shaoyan smiled reassuringly. "Nothing's wrong... Let's just say I have some unfinished business to attend to."

  Cheng Zhiyi's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't press the issue further. Instead, she changed the subject. "So, where are we going tomorrow night?"

  Xu Shaoyan chuckled. "Somewhere high-end and classy... You should dress up for the occasion."

  Cheng Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to wear a low-cut evening gown?"

  Xu Shaoyan's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Just wear something nice, like you usually do."

  As they continued their stroll, Cheng Zhiyi couldn't shake off the feeling that Xu Shaoyan was hiding something from her. But for now, she decided to let it go and enjoy the moment.

  The next evening, Xu Shaoyan arrived at Cheng Zhiyi's workplace in a sleek black car – not the flashy Rolls-Royce Phantom he usually drove. He smiled sheepishly as he handed her into the passenger seat.

  "I promised I wouldn't embarrass you this time," he said with a grin.

  Cheng Zhiyi playfully rolled her eyes. "You're still a bit of a show-off, aren't you?"

  Xu Shaoyan chuckled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Maybe just a little."

  As they drove off into the night, Cheng Zhiyi couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for them – and whether Xu Shaoyan's secrets would eventually come to light.