The sedan moved steadily along the dark road, headlights carving a path through the night. Inside the car, silence stretched between them, filled only with the hum of the engine.
They were heading back to the restaurant.
Mianmian's fingers brushed against the ring on her hand, the diamond catching faint glimmers of passing streetlights. Her heart was full, but at the same time heavy.
She turned slightly toward Yanchen, her lips pressing together before she finally spoke.
"Yanchen…" Her voice was soft, careful. "I want to marry you. Truly, I do. But… can we keep it between us for now? Just for a while. Later, we'll have a big wedding, something worthy of the promise we just made."
Her hand tightened against her lap. She bit her lip, stealing a glance at him. "I know it sounds strange. I'm afraid you'll think I'm not proud of us. But it isn't that. It's just… there are things I need to settle first, things I can't ignore. Until then, I don't want others to know. Not yet."
