Read Chapter 28: — NO MORE HIDING

Yonghe found Mufeng painting beside the canal on a windy afternoon.

"You've been avoiding one subject for years," she said.

"Portraits?"

"Marriage."

His brush stopped.

She laughed. "Look at you. The fearless Li Mufeng defeated by one noun."

"I was preparing a strategically elegant response."

"You were panicking."

"Also true."

Their relationship had survived suspicion, attempted murder, professional jealousy, family secrets and Mufeng's habit of turning jokes into armour. The next step frightened him precisely because it was ordinary.

There would be no kidnappers to defeat, no board vote, no public scandal.

Only a choice repeated in daily life.

"My father expects a ridiculous number of grandchildren," he said.

"Your father can negotiate with biology himself."

"I told him that."

"Good."

Mufeng put down the brush.

"Yonghe."

She waited.

"I don't want to promise that life with me will be peaceful. Evidence suggests otherwise."

"Strong opening."

"But I can promise I will stop deciding for you what you can handle. I will tell you when I'm afraid. I will not investigate you as a criminal unless absolutely necessary. And I will never discount my paintings in your gallery."

She stared at him.

"Is this a proposal?"

"It's a draft."

"Rejected."

He looked genuinely alarmed.

She kissed him.

"Revise and resubmit."

For once, Mufeng was speechless.