His warmth was heating her up. Butterflies furiously played merry-go-round in her stomach as she felt breathless. Lihua shuddered. "B-Bobo is just a child…"

"So he should address you as a sister."

The feeling of somebody else addressing by her only name didn't sit well with him. He didn't care that he was just a six-year-old child.

Her breath hitched. "R-right…"

With how Wei was sensually firing his questions at her poor, unprepared heart, she found her brainpower quickly depleting into nothingness.

"But you ignored me."

Can you please spare me, Boss? She sobbed. Now she thoroughly lamented of going along with Bobo the entire time.

"I-I didn't…"

"You did," Wei refused to budge.

"..."

Lihua bit on her lower lip and lowered her eyes. His gaze clouded as a certain familiar sensation rushed down all his blood to his little brother.

'Because you wanted to have sex with her.' Yang Mingshen's voice echoed in his ears.

But Wei had no clue about sex and the process. He read some articles, but he concluded that there was still a lot left for him to learn especially because it concerned their first time. And he also got a gist that it is painful for women. So he wanted to be fully prepared as he couldn't even imagine hurting her.

"I am sorry…I shouldn't have ignored you," Lihua grumbled her sincere apology. At her pitiful expression coupled with guilt, he softened and couldn't bully her anymore.

Wei smiled. He gently placed his lips on her forehead for a small peck. His lips lingered for a few seconds before that fleeting warmth faded away. Lihua looked at him, dumbstruck.

Am I dreaming?

But her disbelief was short-lived when Wei bent and softly kissed her lips too. It wasn't deep or passionate, but just a gentle, romantic kiss for assurance. "Okay."

Her mouth widened in a small O as she stared unblinkingly at him. Her mind couldn't wrap up with how Wei kissed her out of the blue. His kisses were so soft and tender that her eyes shone in tears. A warm feeling gushed in her heart that overwhelmed her with fuzziness that she never felt before. His gaze was so sincere and innocent that she couldn't tear her eyes away from it, nor question his intention.

"En…"

She could only accept his gesture and nod in a daze. Wei said, "That's good. Shall we continue?"

"H-huh? Continue what? Continue k-kissing?"

Wei blinked his eyes. " I meant decorating," then he seriously said, "But if you want then we can continue with the kissing too."

Lihua blushed hard and coughed. "I meant decorating only! Decorating!"

---

"Mom!" Shi Ruomei happily rushed to her mother's side, excitement overflowing her heart.

A beautiful lady in her mid-forties warmly smiled at her. "Ruomei, my dear," her eyes widened, looking at her daughter rushing in haste. "Slow down Ruomei. You will trip yourself," she gently chided her.

Shi Ruomei laughed and hugged her. "Who cares about a little tripping? Once you hear what I got to say, then you would be dancing just like me!"

Shi Cuifen shook her head. "You are the prestigious heiress of the Shi family. You are a noble lady, and you cannot act so careless. Remember right how the Jiang family is so strict with manners and etiquette? Don't forget that you will be their daughter-in-law one day."

"I know Mom and I am always careful! But today was just incredible, and I couldn't wait to share it with you!"

Shi Cuifen chuckled. "You are in a really good mood. What happened?"

Shi Ruomei blushed a little as she spoke, "I went to visit Wei at the office today and you wouldn't believe what I heard him say…"

"What did he say?" Shi Cuifen got curious.

"When I stepped in his office, I heard him murmur that he...he wants to have sex with me…"

Shi Cuifen widened her eyes in utter shock. She couldn't find the right words for a long time. "What? Ruomei, are you sure you heard it right? We know how Wei is."

"Yes, Mom! Even I was just as shocked," her cheeks heated up, "but it's true! He really expressed how he wants to…"

Shi Cuifen beamed. "That is such great news! I always feared that Wei wasn't that interested in this match and only agreed because of his family. But if what you say is true then...oh gosh! I am so happy for you!" She tearfully hugged her.

After all, getting approval and love from the Mafia King mattered a lot too. Even if it was his family's decision, there was no point if he, as her future husband, wouldn't love or respect her. For a happy marriage, the husband's acceptance was just as necessary.

Shi Ruomei hugged her back. "Yes, Mom. I still think it's my dream, but I cannot deny what I heard."

Shi Cuifen nodded.

"Mom what should I do now? I mean now that I know his intentions, I cannot just…" she bit her lip, feeling shy.

Her mother giggled. "Ah look at my daughter getting shy. You are right. We cannot sit still now that Wei had expressed his desire. Until now we only formally announced the news that you two are going to get engaged, but I think this is the right time for moving ahead with the actual ceremony."

Shi Ruomei brightened. "Really Mom!?"

"Of course," she coughed. "I understand that you as young people would want to go ahead with *cough* taking things further. I am not against it or being old-fashioned, but we just cannot permit you without proper ceremonies in place. Once you get engaged and officially become his fiance then…"

Shi Ruomei hugged her even harder. "Ah, Mom! You are the best!" When she thought of her engagement with Wei, the thrill and excitement just doubled in her heart. She was waiting for this for a long time and finally, it would happen soon.

Shi Cuifen smiled. "I will talk to your father about it. Once he discusses this with the Jiang family members, we will go ahead with your engagement."

---

While Shi Ruomei rejoiced at the news of her official engagement, a certain pitiful woman was a target of Fu Renshu's tyrannical study session.

"Wrong answer!" Fu Renshu smacked the folded magazine on her head. "I just taught you how to solve this problem and what logic to use. Then why are you repeating your mistake?"

Meng Ya sobbed and regretted her decision that she accepted his offer to teach her. She thought that he would mark some super important questions for the test and that she would need to study only those, but who knew that he would grill the entire syllabus into her without any mercy.

"I-I am trying…"

"Trying will get you nowhere!" He smacked her again.

"Stop smacking me!"

"Then stop making such silly mistakes!"

Meng Ya's fingers were already dead by solving back-to-back problems. Then her little brain cells left over were now slowly beginning to fade away into oblivion too.

"I am tired," she cried.

"You will not stop moving your hands until you get the right answer!" He glared at her and his tall figure loomed upon her in a threatening stance.

At her plight, Fu Renshu was thoroughly enjoying her pathetic state.

Hah! This feels nice. Weren't you running your annoying mouth? I have totally shut you up now, he smirked.

Of course, he diligently helped her study to help her pass, but who said that he couldn't be cruel in his methods? Her near-death condition made him roll in laughter.

His phone rang with a call, and he sternly said, "I will be back. Don't you dare stop moving your hand. My eyes are always on you," he squinted his eyes. "And when I come back, I want the answer. Right answer to be more specific."

Meng Ya rained curses as he left. She banged her fist on the table. "That evil man! How could I fall into his trap? He definitely did this to trouble me! He must be enjoying himself. Just you wait!"

At the backside, as Fu Renshu saw the caller's name, he straightened up in attention.

A call from the Jiang family's main residence?

That meant it was definitely something important.

"Fu Renshu here."

There was a brief period of silence on the other end. "He has some nerve not picking up my call."

Fu Renshu stiffened. It was none other than the Old Madam of the Jiang family. Her authoritarian voice was deadly calm, but he didn't miss the silent storm lurking beneath her supposedly passive countenance. She wasn't a figure to be messed with.

It didn't take him a second to guess that the Old Madam was talking about Wei. She must have called him, but he didn't answer. So she approached his assistant, looking for answers.

He was thinking hard to salvage the situation. "Old Madam. The Boss might be resting," his voice was slightly strained with anxiety.

"Is that an excuse for not picking MY call?" She questioned back, making him sweat. "I am sure he hasn't forgotten my position in the family."

*****

A/N - Oh oh. Things are not looking good for our couple >.> How would this engagement announcement affect Wei and Lihua?