Chapter 60

Test of Marital Understanding -- The Final Question

The five couples silently waited for the final question as the host turned his back to the rolling big screen, finished counting down from three, then loudly shouted "Stop!" After reading the question on the screen, the host laughed, "If the previous question was a pit that the gentlemen dug for themselves, then this question is an olive branch from the ladies. Alright, please have the five beautiful ladies write down the most touching thing their partner has done for them. Gentlemen, please try your best to think back and recall a time when you moved her."

Compared to the previous teasing and funny program, the answers to this question would undoubtedly be heartwarming.

The music turned soft and melodious. As Zhen Bao looked at the answer board, scenes of her time spent with Fu Ming Shi flashed through her mind. It seemed like he was always touching her, considerately helping her with her seatbelt, hiring a tutor to help her get into college, bringing her water during military training...

Which one was the most touching?

If she had to choose just one, Zhen Bao suddenly felt like she didn't have enough time.

The host walked among the couples, timely reminding them, "Everyone, don't worry. You have three minutes to think about this question. Rest assured, the 2 million grand prize is in your hands. Everyone is patiently waiting, right?"

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause.

Three minutes could be very long or very short. When all the couples had finished writing, the host asked them to turn around their answer boards and walk out in order of their numbers, with the first couple standing in the middle. The man would first tell the woman his answer, then the woman would say the moment she found most touching.

It was both a confession and a trip down memory lane.

In this kind of atmosphere, Zhen Bao forgot her nervousness about going on stage. Gripping her answer board, she secretly glanced at Fu Ming Shi.

Fu Ming Shi was also looking at her. Meeting her gaze, he gave her a faint smile, his bright black eyes more dazzling than all the lights in the gym.

Zhen Bao smiled and lowered her eyes. She felt Fu Ming Shi probably couldn't guess her answer, but even if they weren't in sync for this question, she was already very happy.

"The most touching moment for me was when I was four months pregnant with Tao Tao. You came home from work and showed me two baby outfits, asking if I liked them." The speaker was Li Zong's wife, a woman nearing forty, slightly plump, who dabbed at her eyes as she spoke.

Li Zong looked at his wife in surprise, not having guessed her answer.

The host asked Mrs. Li why such a small matter moved her so much. Choking back tears, Mrs. Li said, "He was busy with work. During my first three months of pregnancy, he never properly accompanied me. I thought he didn't like children, but then..."

She didn't finish her sentence before Li Zong came over and embraced his wife. The audience responded with applause.

Zhen Bao was also moved by Mrs. Li's words, watching her intently until the host called out the second couple. Only then did she realize it was her and Fu Ming Shi's turn to go on stage. Her cheeks flushed crimson instantly. Nervous, Zhen Bao wanted to lower her head but was afraid Fu Ming Shi's employees would laugh at her for seeming petty. So she silently psyched herself up: We're all pets...

"Mr. Fu, please go ahead." The host handed the microphone to Fu Ming Shi.

But instead of bluntly reading his answer like the two bosses before him, Fu Ming Shi took step by step towards Zhen Bao, shortening the distance between them from six steps to two. Then, facing the audience, he said, "The men have gone first so far, so let me switch it up with Zhen Bao. I want to hear her answer first."

"Great!" The audience was fully supportive.

Fu Ming Shi smiled and passed the microphone to Zhen Bao.

Zhen Bao grew even more nervous. Squeezing the microphone, not daring to look at Fu Ming Shi, she softly read off her answer board, "What...what touched me most...was when you came to the mountain to get me...and gave me a home."

Her voice grew lower and lower, but the last six words were amplified through the microphone, gentle as flowers blooming in one's heart, making people unconsciously soften and want to hug that girl who lived alone in a small mountain village before she met love.

But the audience was too far away to hug her. They could only look on enviously at the man named Fu Ming Shi as he stepped forward and lightly embraced his girl, bending down to kiss the top of her head. Applause rose in waves, each louder than the last. Still holding Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi tilted his head to smile at her. Foolish girl, she was crying as expected.

Only when the applause died down did Fu Ming Shi slowly let go of Zhen Bao.

Zhen Bao turned her head to wipe her eyes, then shyly smiled at him, her big eyes still wet.

Holding the microphone, Fu Ming Shi looked at Zhen Bao for a few seconds before turning to the employees below and joking, "First of all, those with the last digits 4 and 5 can give up hope. Zhen Bao and I didn't get this question right, but I really like her answer. So later, I'll personally hold a raffle among you. The prize will be...it can't overshadow the grand prize for the annual meeting, so it'll be the grand prize amount minus one yuan."

The two million grand prize, minus one yuan, that's 1,999,999!

As soon as Fu Ming Shi finished speaking, the audience members with last digits 4 and 5 stood up together, applauding and cheering. The atmosphere reached its peak for the annual meeting, and the applause lasted for a long time before gradually dying down.

Only then did Fu Ming Shi turn to Zhen Bao, speaking into the microphone, "What I'm about to say next will probably move you even more."

The tall, handsome man focused his gaze, his voice low and husky, seeming to confess his feelings yet also vaguely flirtatious. Zhen Bao's face turned red and her heartbeat quickened. Thump thump thump. She looked at Fu Ming Shi apprehensively, unable to guess what he would say next with such confidence.

Under her and the audience's anticipation, Fu Ming Shi suddenly took a half step back, then smiled at her. At first he was looking down at her with his smile, but his body became lower and lower. Zhen Bao blankly chased his handsome face, belatedly realizing that Fu Ming Shi was now down on one knee.

"Zhen Bao, are you willing to marry me?"

Setting down the microphone, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao's hand and asked in his natural voice, gazing steadily at her.

On the drive to bring her to the capital, he had already started seeing her as his fiancée, and had continued addressing her that way. Now that they were truly in love, their engaged status naturally came about, but Fu Ming Shi remembered he had never formally proposed.

He had originally planned to wait until her graduation, but tonight, circumstances had unexpectedly been just right. Seizing the moment, Fu Ming Shi threw plans aside and simply proposed on impulse.

Applause erupted from below once more. Yet in Zhen Bao's eyes, there was only the kneeling man. She knew Fu Ming Shi liked her a lot, knew he would definitely marry her, and even felt they were already engaged and didn't need to go through this formal ritual.

But Fu Ming Shi looked so handsome proposing. She couldn't help the blossoming of joy in her heart. The word "happy" was like fireworks welcoming the new year, lit by him before competing to bloom in her heart, brilliant and magnificent.

Just as Zhen Bao was dizzy with delight, unsure of how to respond, she suddenly felt a great force on her hand. Before she could react, Fu Ming Shi had already pulled her into his arms, hugging her fiercely yet kissing her gently, just a light touch. And as he drew back, he whispered low in her ear, "We'll continue this when we get home."

Zhen Bao's face flushed red. She couldn't help wanting to hide behind Fu Ming Shi.

Fu Ming Shi put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the side, leaving the center open for the next two couples.

After five touching moments, the long-awaited lottery finally arrived.

The first was the company raffle. A tall, thin young employee won the grand prize. The second time, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao's hand as they went on stage for her to draw a ticket. At the moment of the reveal, Zhen Bao seemed to hear Jia Xiao Yu's excited scream, but Jia Xiao Yu's luck wasn't great. The winner was a refined, scholarly uncle.

With that, the Shèngshì Group's annual meeting came to a successful close. The senior executives still had a banquet, so Zhen Bao continued accompanying Fu Ming Shi at the reception. It was past 10pm when the two finally left the hotel.

The nightscape of the imperial capital was splendid and bustling. The driver was in front driving the car while the two of them sat in the back. Fu Ming Shi had been drinking and his palm felt fiery hot. Zhen Bao looked at their clasped hands and secretly turned her head, only to meet Fu Ming Shi's increasingly bright black eyes.

Zhen Bao quickly avoided his gaze. Fu Ming Shi squeezed her hand and continued enduring.

The car stopped in front of the villa. Zhen Bao wanted to get off but Fu Ming Shi still didn't allow her to move. He walked around to get her himself. Zhen Bao smiled secretly - this man must be drunk. Otherwise there was no need to show off like this for the reporters. Fu Ming Shi was usually happy for them to get off the car separately. Who was he trying to act like a gentleman for?

However, when the car door opened from the outside and she saw Fu Ming Shi's gentlemanly manner, Zhen Bao still felt sweet inside.

Just as she was savoring the sweet feeling, she was suddenly picked up by Fu Ming Shi in a princess carry.

Zhen Bao was startled for a moment before stabilizing herself. She asked him uneasily, "Can you walk steadily?"

She was worried he was drunk and it would be dangerous climbing the stairs.

"Don't underestimate me," Fu Ming Shi said while grabbing her butt.

A gentleman one second and a rogue the next. His actions and gaze were full of roguishness.

Yet it made one feel strangely stirred.

Zhen Bao blushed and leaned against Fu Ming Shi's shoulder. As Fu Ming Shi approached the stairs, she still couldn't help but advise him, "Walk slowly."

Fu Ming Shi gave a low hmm in response.

Zhen Bao was on tenterhooks, counting his steps one by one. Fu Ming Shi's pace was about the same as usual. After climbing the first and second floor, they reached the middle of the third floor. Zhen Bao finally felt assured, but Fu Ming Shi suddenly staggered, scaring Zhen Bao so much that she hugged his neck tightly, breaking out in cold sweat!

From above her head came the man's delighted laughter.

Still feeling the lingering fear, Zhen Bao pinched his chest in anger. That was not how to play a trick on someone!

"That's what you get for not believing me," Fu Ming Shi said in a teaching tone after taking the final step and walking forward a few more steps.

She was his most precious treasure. Even if he fell, he would not let her get hurt.

After entering the room, Zhen Bao wanted to turn on the lights but Fu Ming Shi turned around instead, skillfully changing their position until he was face to face with Zhen Bao, pressing her against the wall. The room was pitch black and he reeked of alcohol, but Zhen Bao liked Fu Ming Shi's scent right now. As his lips pressed against hers, she held his face and tangled her lips and tongue with his.

"Happy?" After the long kiss ended, Fu Ming Shi asked, pressing his forehead against hers.

Zhen Bao nodded. "Mm."

"Too bad I didn't prepare a ring or roses," Fu Ming Shi said a little regretfully. Acting on impulse was never good.

Zhen Bao smiled and put her arms around his neck, saying gently, "Having you is enough."

She didn't need a ring or roses. For the proposal, what she wanted most was him.

"You've learned to sweet talk now," Fu Ming Shi said. Switching to hold her with one arm, his right hand slowly moved towards her dress zipper, abruptly changing the topic, "I remember you seemed to have gotten a question wrong tonight?"

Zhen Bao's body tensed up, not knowing if it was because of his tone of settling past scores after autumn or because of where his hand was stroking.

"What do you think your punishment should be?"

In the dark room, the man whispered this in her ear happily yet huskily.

Author's note: Hehe, little vixens, tell me, how should I punish you!