Cui Ciyou clearly saw the moisture in Roxy's eyes gather in an instant.
In that instant, it formed into crystal-clear tears.
They circled stubbornly, obstinately in her eyes, reflecting the warm, dancing light of the fireplace.
Roxy held her breath, as though she sensed what was coming.
Her whole body went taut with overwhelming nervousness and anticipation.
Cui Ciyou raised his other hand and gently stroked Roxy's cheek, burning hot with excitement and embarrassment.
His thumb tenderly wiped away a tear just before it could fall.
Then Cui Ciyou gazed at Roxy.
At her blue eyes, as deep as though they held an entire ocean, yet now filled with uncertainty and anticipation.
Drawing on all the courage and sincerity he had gathered over two lifetimes, Cui Ciyou spoke clearly, one word at a time:
"Roxy Migurdia..."
"Please..."
"-Please date me with marriage in mind. Please... go out with me... with 'Cui Ciyou.'"
"..."
"Will you?"
Cui Ciyou whispered that final question.
Yet it carried an unmistakable certainty and... a trace of nervousness even he had not noticed.
His words faded.
At that moment, it was as though every sound had been stripped from the world.
Leaving it in a vacuum.
The sound of the flames dancing in the fireplace;
Aisha's sleepy murmurs in the next room;
The night wind howling outside the window...
Everything, absolutely everything, seemed to fall away at that moment, becoming distant and unreal.
Roxy froze completely.
As though she had been struck by the highest-tier petrification spell.
Her already large blue eyes widened into perfect circles, her pupils contracting slightly.
Those blue eyes clearly reflected Cui Ciyou's face, so close to hers and filled with sincerity.
Roxy's lips parted slightly, as though she wanted to breathe but had forgotten how.
Her entire chest filled with an