CHAPTER 42: A Proposal in Pain

The next day, Xuanye woke up early. She stretched her hands, looked at the time, and saw it was 7:30 a.m.

"Why did I wake up so early?" she mumbled, yawning again.

She stood up from her bed and looked at Nian, who was still sleeping peacefully. Xuanye smiled and went to freshen up. After a while, she came out and saw Nian still asleep. She walked towards her and tried to wake her up.

Nian opened her eyes halfway and looked at Xuanye, murmuring, "How did you freshen up so early?"

Xuanye slapped her hand gently and told her to get up. Nian blinked and nodded.

"Finish your breakfast. I'll go out for a walk," Xuanye said.

Nian looked at her and replied, "The exams are near, Xuanye. Why are you roaming around?"

Xuanye crossed her arms and said proudly, "You know I can study the night before the exam and still do well."

Nian shook her head in disbelief. "Fine, go. But come back early."

Xuanye nodded and gave a salute before leaving. Nian chuckled and went to freshen up.

Meanwhile, Xuanye walked through the road without even eating breakfast. Suddenly, her stomach started to hurt. She placed her hand on her stomach and frowned.

"Why now? My period ended last week…"

As she thought about it, the pain worsened. She tried to reach for her phone but found her pocket empty.

"Then it's over… Now I don't have money or my phone. How can I return?"

She turned around and spotted a bus stop nearby. Holding her stomach, she walked over and sat down quickly, trying to distract herself, but the pain was unbearable. Her body grew cold, and she began to sweat.

She looked around for help, but no one was there. She nearly cried.

At that moment, Minghao was traveling in a car with his manager.

"Minghao, today's practice is at 6 p.m.," his manager said.

Minghao nodded, looking out the window. As the signal turned red, the car stopped. He glanced at the street, and his face suddenly lit up — at the bus stop, he saw Xuanye.

"Hyung, stop the car," he said quickly.

The manager looked confused, but Minghao had already opened the door and stepped out, grabbing his mask. He walked swiftly toward her.

As Xuanye sat trembling in pain, nearly fainting, Minghao crouched beside her.

"Ye… Why are you here? You look pale!" he said in panic.

Xuanye blinked through her blurry vision and whispered, "Hao… it's you? Why are you here…? Don't stand near me." She weakly pushed him away, worried about paparazzi.

Minghao touched her hand. It was cold.

His eyes froze. "Ye, your hands… they're freezing."

Xuanye smiled faintly. "Just a stomach pain. I'll be fine…"

Without another word, Minghao gently lifted her in his arms.

The manager rushed to open the car door, shocked. Xuanye tried to protest, "Hao, what are you doing? What if someone notices you?"

"I don't care," Minghao said firmly. "I won't leave you like this because of a few rumors."

He placed her in the car and sat beside her. The manager quickly started driving again.

Xuanye looked at Minghao. "You're making me worry more, Hao… It's just a little pain."

Minghao held her hand. "Didn't I tell you? I don't care. You're more important."

She looked into his eyes. "It's because I care for you, Flutterhao," she said with a weak chuckle.

Minghao let out a soft sigh, then leaned her head against his shoulder. Xuanye froze in shy shock.

"I love you, Ye," he whispered.

Xuanye forgot all her pain in that moment. Her heart stopped for a second.

The car jolted to a sudden stop as the manager stepped on the brake. Minghao quickly held Xuanye tightly.

"Hyung! Drive properly!" he said, glaring.

The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tissue and continued driving.

Xuanye looked at Minghao, still stunned. "Why are you being so sentimental suddenly?"

Minghao pampered her head gently. "I'm telling the truth. I may be quiet, but when it comes to protecting the person I love… I'll be bold."

Xuanye blushed hard. "See… I gave you the perfect name. Flutterhao. You really made me forget my pain, even for a moment."

Minghao gave a faint smile. "Even when I don't say much, I can still bring you comfort. Will you give me a chance… to be your boyfriend?"

Xuanye's heart skipped again. She thought to herself:

You… why did you choose this moment to propose? Should I call this the worst day… or the happiest one?

She looked at him, covering her mouth with her hands, cheeks burning with blush.