CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 330: IF I DON’T HOLD YOU IN MY SLEEP AT NIGHT, I WILL SUFFER FROM INSOMNIA 1

Si Mingjing laughed and said, "Although I know you must have set a trap for me, I still want it!"

It wasn’t the gift itself she wanted, but the intention behind it.

The gentle glow of the Luminous Pearl cast upon him, outlining his handsome features. Inside his suit, the top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his collarbones that stirred her heart. She itched to know what gift he had for her.

"You said it yourself. Remember your words," Mo Yinhe said, his ploy successful. His eyes and brows were alight with amusement as he gestured for her to open it.

Si Mingjing opened the small velvet box, expecting a necklace. The moment she did, a dazzling light flared, and she froze.

It was so beautiful—a diamond ring!

So radiant, so clear, so beautiful. It shone so brilliantly that she couldn’t resist.

She remembered her master telling her that each diamond ring was unique and rare, just as each love story is new and distinct. The nobility and luxury weren’t just in the ring itself, but in a man’s unique sincerity towards the woman he loves, representing an eternal pursuit and fidelity in love.

The pear-shaped diamond embedded in the ring was like a lover’s eyes, gazing at her with depth and affection.

Si Mingjing held the small velvet box with both hands. It suddenly felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, and she couldn’t move at all.

An unexpected warmth surged through her heart, spreading throughout her body.

Si Mingjing suddenly looked up, her breath catching. "What is this?"

Mo Yinhe took the diamond ring from the box. Then, he suddenly knelt on one knee. Taking her hand, he looked up at her, his gaze earnest. "Mingjing, you said you wanted it. I’ll take that as a yes to my proposal."

He slid the ring onto her ring finger, then lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand. "Now that I’ve snared you, you’re not allowed to run away in this lifetime. You must stay by my side forever."

Si Mingjing looked at the man kneeling before her. His hair was meticulously groomed, elegant yet noble. The starlight scattered around him, casting a faint glow that made him seem like the most captivating king in the world, inexplicably stirring her heart.

Her eyes warmed, and she withdrew her hand. "You really did set a trap for me."

Mo Yinhe laughed triumphantly. "Now that you’ve accepted it, you’re not allowed to regret it."

"I’m not regretting it."

Si Mingjing looked down at the glittering diamond ring on her finger and murmured softly, "I still can’t be sure that I’m your ’baby.’ I’m afraid that one day, if your true ’baby’ appears, I’ll become the most humiliated woman in the world. My mother made the wrong choice in her marriage, and it led to our family’s ruin. So, I’m very cautious about marriage, Mo Yinhe. I can’t accept your proposal just yet."

She loved the diamond ring, but she was also terrifyingly rational.

Mo Yinhe knew this. That was why he hadn’t said, "Mingjing, marry me." Instead, he’d set a trap and pushed the ring directly onto her finger.

Mo Yinhe stopped her as she tried to remove the ring. "Mingjing," he said, "you don’t know how many lifetimes of romantic fortune I must have hoarded to finally hold your hand in this one. Don’t reject me so easily. If you’re uncertain, I can wait. I’ve proposed now. If, one day, you’re willing to marry me, we’ll have our wedding then. If you’re never willing, then I’ll be your fiancé for life. I’ll never let you enter into marriage feeling unsure. How does that sound?"

Si Mingjing’s eyes welled up; his words had deeply moved her.

Still, this man’s words of love were quite exaggerated.

She muttered, "Oh? Then how many lifetimes of romantic fortune have you clutched? Three lifetimes?"

Mo Yinhe, still kneeling before her, took her hand. "A hundred lifetimes, I’d say."

Si Mingjing couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re exaggerating."

Mo Yinhe laughed too, his eyes sincere and gentle. "Mingjing, I won’t force you to marry me right now. How about being my fiancée first?"

Si Mingjing pursed her lips, her heart fluttering.

Mo Yinhe continued softly, his eyes filled with emotion, "Mingjing, I can’t let you stay by my side without an official title. People would gossip, and a woman’s reputation is important. Don’t reject me. More importantly, don’t reject the Demon King in your heart. He truly wants to cherish you openly."

Si Mingjing’s eyes reddened. She tried to conceal her deep emotions, but couldn’t. Her thick lashes fluttered as she pulled him to his feet, her voice choked with emotion. "Okay."

Her heart wasn’t made of stone; she couldn’t keep rejecting him.

Mo Yinhe was overjoyed. He rose to his feet, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her deeply.

"Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t force you," Mo Yinhe said earnestly, his forehead resting against hers. "If I wanted to coerce you, you would have already become a delicate beauty in my palm back in A Country. Mingjing, I can’t bear to pressure you, and I can’t bear for you to feel even the slightest resentment. You believe me, don’t you?"

Si Mingjing nodded. "Don’t say any more."

If he continued, she would be completely lost.

She could no longer maintain her rationality. Her heart bubbled with an exhilaration and joy that threatened to send all her caution and reserve soaring into the heavens.

Mo Yinhe kissed her again. His pleasure was evident in the corners of his eyes, the arch of his brows, and his every movement, all radiating the joy of someone who had found a priceless treasure.

Si Mingjing was infected by his emotions, ripples stirring in her heart as she let him hold her tight.

Later on, he took her on a tour of the palace.

He was as familiar with it as if it were his own backyard, introducing her to every building and explaining the love represented by each relief carving.

It seemed every structure could prompt an extensive discourse from him, filled with anecdotes.

He’s just making this up, Si Mingjing thought. "How would you know what little schemes the City Lord had in mind when designing this palace if you’re not a worm in his belly?"

Mo Yinhe kissed her earlobe. "Mingjing, I suggest that after you leave, you find out the City Lord’s name. I have to leave first for a bit. We’ll go our separate ways—you return the way you came, and I’ll use a different exit. Once I’m done here, I’ll head straight back to Xingguang Island. I miss you."

Si Mingjing was astonished. "You’re not leaving with me? And there’s another exit?"

"Even a sly rabbit has three burrows. What’s so strange about another exit?" Mo Yinhe tenderly brushed her hair. "I snuck in, so it’s not convenient to be seen. Be good. Head back to Xingguang Island immediately after this. If I can’t hold you tonight, I’ll suffer from insomnia."

Si Mingjing’s ears turned red, and she kicked his leg. "Be serious!"

"Why should I be serious with my own fiancée?"

Mo Yinhe was unconcerned. He had even more brazen things he wanted to say. If a man doesn’t play the rogue with his own woman, who else is he supposed to?

He leaned close to her ear, his voice both teasing and infuriating. "Mingjing, there isn’t a moment I don’t think about sleeping with you."

Having said that, and fearing her backlash, he quickly put some distance between them. He waved, then strode off with long, graceful steps. "I’m off!"