A One-of-a-Kind Shackle

Aemeath's breathing became rapid, and a blush, hotter than the blazing sun outside, rose visibly across her cheeks.

The single tuft of hair on its head that had just calmed down suddenly stood up again, trembling slightly in the air conditioning, as if announcing the turbulent waves in its owner's heart.

That small, cold metal ring on the ring finger, used to definitively confirm the identities of the two people...

For Aemeath, who had already surrendered her entire being, body, and even soul, that was by no means a "small thing."

On the television screen, the ending theme song of Plastic Memories was playing at its climax, the sad melody echoing in the empty living room.

The girl sitting on the sofa was so excited that she buried her face in the cushion that Lu Yan usually used.

She pressed her lower lip tightly together, trying to suppress the scream that was about to spill from her throat, but her golden eyes, peeking out from under the pillow, shone with a light more dazzling than the stars, and the corners of her mouth stretched into an uncontrollable arc.

"A-Yan..." A muffled voice came from inside the pillow, with a cloyingly sweet tremor.

Aemeath finally couldn't suppress a strange laugh, "Hehehe~~"

She finally understood why A-Yan hadn't been able to touch other parts of his body these past few days.

On this sweltering summer afternoon, she discovered a secret about the palm of her hand that was more beautiful than any sweet talk.

Lu Yan sat in the back seat of a ride-hailing car heading to the city center, the air conditioning blowing cold air.

He turned his head, looking at the street scene rushing past the window, his eyes revealing an undisguised tension and anticipation.

He subconsciously raised his right hand and gently rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.

There seemed to be a lingering trace of Aemeath's slender, soft left ring finger on it, just before she left.

Have I been touching her hand too Frequency these past few days?

Lu Yan muttered to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.

Although Aemeath is usually clingy, her intuition is frighteningly accurate in certain matters.

Just before she left the house, the single hair on the top of her head stood up straight...

Looking back on the past three days at home, he had used every skill he possessed to accurately measure the size of Aemeath's ring finger without disturbing her.

He would pretend to look at her nails while eating, and secretly compare them with a thin thread while she was asleep. Even just now, while watching anime, he couldn't help but circle them with his finger, repeatedly confirming the proportions he knew by heart.

Hopefully, I haven't been discovered.

Lu Yan sighed softly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

If it's revealed beforehand, then I won't be able to surprise her.

He knew Aemeath too well. For a girl who treasured even a casual promise from him, how could an ordinary ring be enough?

You must give her a truly unique surprise, a ring worthy of her deep love.

Half an hour later, the car stopped on a commercial street in the city center.

Lu Yan pushed open the car door and strode into the city's most luxurious high-end custom gold shop, braving the scorching 38-degree sun.

Pushing open the heavy glass door, a refreshing breeze carrying a subtle fragrance wafted out, instantly shutting out the cicadas' chirping and the heat outside.

The store is luxuriously decorated, and bright spotlights illuminate the neatly arranged jewelry in the display cases, making them sparkle.

It was afternoon, and there weren't many customers in the shop.

Lu Yan walked alone to the central circular counter, his gaze sweeping over the rows of expensive diamond rings and wedding bands.

Undeniably, these finished rings designed by renowned artists are indeed beautiful, and the diamond cutting is impeccable. However, looking at them, Lu Yan always felt that something was missing.

They're too standardized, like romance produced on an assembly line. They might be enough to witness love, but when used to Aemeath's hands, they always feel like something's missing.

"Hello sir, welcome." A saleswoman in a well-tailored business suit, with a sweet smile, approached with a professional yet friendly tone.

"How can I help you? Are you looking at engagement rings or wedding bands?"

Lu Yan withdrew his gaze, turned to the sales assistant, and said politely but firmly, "I'd like to make a pair of rings."

"Okay, sir. We have many new seasonal wedding rings from internationally renowned designers," the sales assistant said, putting on white cotton gloves as she prepared to show him the popular styles in the display case. "Would you prefer a simple, everyday style, or a more glamorous one with diamond accents?"

"No," Lu Yan shook his head, his deep eyes revealing the earnestness unique to an artist, "I want it custom-made. Completely according to my design."

The sales assistant paused for a moment, then her smile widened, "Of course, sir. Our shop has the city's top goldsmiths and jewelry engravers, absolutely capable of meeting your customization needs. Do you have any specific design ideas in mind?"

Lu Yan didn't speak, but instead reached into his bag and took out a hard-cover sketchbook.

This is the culmination of his hard work, painstakingly sketched out stroke by stroke, in his studio on the second floor the day before yesterday.

He opened his sketchbook and showed a page to the saleswoman. "I brought the sketch with me. I've already marked the specific finger size, proportions, and the pattern that needs to be engraved."

The sales assistant leaned closer for a look, and a look of amazement flashed in her eyes.

This is not just a casual sketch drawn by an ordinary customer, but a manuscript comparable to a 3D model.

On the paper, there are not only front views, side views, and top views, but even the light and shadow boundaries and the texture of the metal are vividly expressed with delicate sketching techniques.

In the very center of the manuscript are two rings of different sizes.

Instead of diamonds, the front of the ring features a cleverly embossed design with a lifelike circle of forget-me-nots.

Every detail of the petals, every curve of the vines, exudes a vibrant, gentle beauty and tenderness.

The enlarged detail in the lower right corner of the sketchbook clearly shows the inner wall of the ring.

Above is an exquisitely crafted openwork heart, and in the very center of the heart, two names are tightly encircled in elegant cursive script:

Lu Yan & Aemeath.

"This... this is so beautiful!" the sales assistant exclaimed sincerely.

She looked up at Lu Yan with a hint of admiration in her eyes. "Sir, are you a professional jewelry designer? The level of completion and artistry in this sketch is even better than many design directors."

"I am not a jewelry designer,"

Lu Yan smiled slightly, the image of the girl waiting for him at home appearing in his mind, his eyes so tender they could melt water. "I'm just an illustrator. But... she's my personal muse. I want to etch our memories onto her."

Forget-me-not.

These are the seeds they planted together in the soil of the yard after they moved into that little courtyard.

The flower language of forget-me-nots is "eternal love, never forgetting each other's true feelings".

As long as there is sunlight and water, and as long as there is soil for them to take root, they will grow vigorously.

Now, the forget-me-nots in the courtyard are in full bloom, and he wants to capture this eternity on her fingertips.

Although the initial idea was to get some Tunneler parts from Aemeath to make a pair of rings, Aemeath would probably guess something if she did, and whether this world could even manufacture such things was another question. (PS: Aemeath's hair clip and leg rings are probably made from Tunneler parts; they change color when fully charged.)

"Sir, your fiancée must be very happy."

The sales assistant sighed, then turned her gaze back to the manuscript, carefully examining its size and details.

"Sir, your design is exquisite, and the structure is very reasonable. What material do you plan to use to make these rings?"

Lu Yan hesitated slightly. As an artist who only knew how to express his inspiration with a paintbrush on a digital tablet, he was a complete novice when it came to jewelry materials.

"I don't know much about these things," Lu Yan said honestly to the sales assistant. "I don't know what kind of gold is suitable for making this kind of wedding ring with intricate carvings. You're a professional, could you give me some advice?"

The sales assistant nodded knowingly and immediately switched to professional mode, patiently explaining to him, "Sir, since the core of your design is forget-me-not and eternity, I strongly recommend that you use Pt950 platinum as the main material for the ring."

Platinum?

"Yes," the sales assistant pointed to a pair of plain platinum bracelets in the display case. "Platinum is known as the metal of love. It is extremely stable and will not fade or discolor due to sweat or chemicals, no matter how many years you wear it."

Its pure, rare, and enduring qualities symbolize pure, unwavering love.

Upon hearing "Never to be forgotten," Lu Yan's heart stirred slightly.

Yes, he and Aemeath had long since transcended the limitations of lifespan; they had an endless amount of time to love each other.

Nothing is more fitting as a testament to their journey through life and death than platinum, which never fades.

The sales assistant added, "Furthermore, your design features a very exquisite forget-me-not vine relief."

"If we use Pt950 platinum as the base, and then use 18K rose gold for two-tone embellishment on the floral vines and the heart-shaped inner wall, it will not only make the flowers more three-dimensional and vivid, but the warm pinkish tone of rose gold will also make the whole ring look more romantic and lively."

Pink.

The image of Aemeath's long, silky pink hair immediately appeared in Lu Yan's mind.

"Okay, we'll do it your way. Platinum base, rose gold accents." Lu Yan made the decision almost without hesitation. "How long will it take to make these rings? I'm in a hurry."

The sales assistant glanced at her watch, smiled, and replied, "Sir, you're in luck today. Our chief goldsmith, who has thirty years of experience, happens to be here today."

"Your manuscript is accurate to the millimeter, saving a lot of time on pre-casting calculations. If we arrange expedited production now, the design isn't too complex, and it can be completed in about three hours."

Three hours...

Lu Yan silently calculated in his mind.

It's 3:30 PM now, and it will be 6:30 PM in three hours.

When he returned home with the ring, it was just as dusk was falling, and the evening glow would fill their little courtyard.

Everything is just right.

"Okay, I won't leave. I'll wait here until it's finished." Lu Yan nodded, took out his bank card from his wallet and handed it over. "Please tell the technician to be extra careful, especially with the names on the inner walls."

"Rest assured, we will definitely present you with the most perfect work."

For the next three hours, Lu Yan was invited to the store's VIP room.

The air conditioning inside was still strong, and the air was filled with the delicate aroma of tea.

Lu Yan leaned back on the soft leather sofa, holding a cup of tea that had gone cold, but his gaze never left the wall clock.

As the second hand ticked away, his heartbeat quickened.

My mind started replaying every little detail since we met on an uncontrollable loop.

From that first encounter, Aemeath, dressed in her warrior's battle suit, squatted at his doorstep, wearily calling his name.

She then used her identity as Venus to try and keep him as a mistress, buying the detached house that belonged only to the two of them.

Then there was the scene where she cried because of the pot of salty and bitter fish soup.

Finally, on that night when he had a fever of 42 degrees Celsius, he awakened golden eyes just like hers, and completely broke free from the shackles of lifespan.

Lu Yan took a deep breath and sank his back into the sofa.

He used to be an extremely insecure person, afraid of being abandoned.

It was Aemeath, with her almost obsessive, passionate love that could burn the world, who melted the ice in his heart little by little, forcibly pulling him out of that isolated shell.

"I wonder what Aemeath is doing at home right now?" Lu Yan chuckled foolishly.

Watching anime? Playing with Wuthering Waves? Or walking around the house in that pink nightgown, complaining about why he hasn't come home yet?

Or perhaps... her clever little brain, combined with his unusual behavior of taking measurements these past few days, has already guessed what he came out to buy?

If she really guessed it, then by now, that iconic ahoge (cowlick) would probably be sticking up to the sky.

Thinking of this, Lu Yan felt a strong urge to rush home immediately.

He couldn't wait to see her put on the ring, and he couldn't wait to hear her call him "husband" in that soft, sweet voice, rightfully and legitimately.

Time ticked by, and the sunlight outside the window gradually changed from a blinding, pale white to a soft orange-red.

With a click, the door to the VIP room was gently pushed open.

The sales assistant walked in, carrying a dark blue velvet tray in both hands, her face beaming with joy.

"Mr. Lu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

She carefully placed the tray on the coffee table, where two exquisite deep-sea blue velvet ring boxes lay quietly.

"The craftsman has finished making and polishing everything. Please take a look."