ETR | Chapter 112

Even though Qin Lou rarely participated in such events, he had heard a bit about them. He knew about some of the common little tricks used at parties to liven up the atmosphere.

In the darkness, everyone present had to find someone to kiss, even if it was a stranger. Maybe after the kiss, they wouldn't be strangers anymore. In the unseen, everyone became bold, daring to do things they wouldn't normally do, and emotions they couldn't express in the daylight found an outlet.

The person he most wanted to kiss was now in his arms.

Not a stranger, he had been thinking about this person for a long time, even in his dreams, though he didn't even know their name now.

Qin Lou instinctively lowered his head, following his heart. He held the person in his arms, their breaths mingling, but just before the final distance closed, he hesitated.

Would he think he was too casual?

But in the current situation, he didn't know how to explain the dreams he had to the other person. It was their first meeting, and he hadn't even asked for their name.

On the other hand, he was so close now that he didn't want to leave easily. In that moment of stalemate, time passed, and a minute in the dark wasn't long.

Just before the lights came on, Qin Lou remained frozen, not daring to move. But he clearly felt the person in his arms slightly rise on tiptoe, lightly touching his lips.

Qin Lou: !!!

Just that touch, it was like his heart was suddenly set on fire.

When the lights came on, Xiao Xueman slightly lowered his eyes, as if he hadn't done anything just now. He even took a small step back, not standing so close to Qin Lou.

Qin Lou still held his hand, speaking up, "You just... we..."

Xiao Xueman lowered his head, unable to explain what had just happened. It was a subconscious act done in a moment of heat. Now that Qin Lou brought it up, his face uncontrollably flushed red, as if he might run away to cover up the embarrassment and inexplicability of his actions.

Qin Lou saw this and quickly changed his tone, "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

Xiao Xueman was obviously taken aback.

"Love at first sight? Qin Lou, is this really the first time you've seen me?"

He thought Qin Lou should have already seen some of his information, which would be easy for the Qin family to find. Before he came to the Imperial Star, General Qin had scolded his rebellious son over the communicator, so Xiao Xueman thought there was no possibility of love at first sight.

He didn't realize that Qin Lou, in his resistance, hadn't looked at any of that information at all, completely unaware of what he had missed.

His question left Qin Lou stunned and embarrassed.

Was it someone he knew? But he couldn't remember, he really had no impression. Maybe they met when he was very young, and the memory was too vague? But the other person seemed to know him, even calling his name directly.

Such an important person, could he forget?

"I..." Qin Lou was anxious, just about to explain something, when Xiao Xueman was suddenly pulled by someone who appeared out of nowhere.

It was the senior who had brought Xiao Xueman.

"Xueman, I finally found you, I'm really sorry," the senior said, panting. "There are too many people here, and I got caught up with friends and couldn't get away. It's too chaotic today, maybe we should leave first?"

He tried to pull Xiao Xueman away but couldn't, and upon closer inspection, he saw Qin Lou holding tightly onto Xiao Xueman's hand, not letting him go, which left the senior stunned on the spot.

"You, you, why are you here?" He naturally recognized this face, stammering for a long time, afraid that Xiao Xueman, unfamiliar with the place, might offend someone he couldn't afford to, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Xueman?

Qin Lou's attention was caught by the name, and he started to remember.

Because of the fierce arguments with his father, the name of the other party in the marriage contract had been mentioned by General Qin a few times. Qin Lou, in his anger, hadn't paid attention, but now it was starting to come back to him.

...No way?

So the old man at home was right, a wife falling from the sky should make him laugh in his sleep, and he dared to refuse?

Qin Lou: I admit I was wrong, very wrong, wives are great.

Xiao Xueman was also a bit helpless, realizing that Qin Lou seemed completely unaware of his information.

He told the senior to wait a moment, then pulled Qin Lou to a slightly quieter place to formally introduce himself.

"My name is Xiao Xueman, from the West Tower Star System, just got accepted this year," he said. "Also, due to a marriage contract set by our fathers, I am your fiancé."

As Xiao Xueman said this, his eyes narrowed slightly, no longer nervous or shy, with a hint of teasing on his face.

"I heard from General Qin that you were very against it, and I also heard what you said to your friends just now," he said. "Young Master Qin doesn't fancy me, so maybe we should..."

"You heard wrong," Qin Lou quickly interrupted, absolutely not letting those words be said, denying it outright with a straight face. "I didn't oppose it, my dad misunderstood, you really heard wrong just now, that's not what I meant, and those weren't my friends, just some random people."

"Also, Xiao Xueman, I fell in love with you at first sight, and I think this marriage contract is great, really great. We're not young anymore, we should get married soon, I'll book the venue now. It's a bit late today, how about tomorrow morning?"

Unfortunately, the Imperial Star's legal age for marriage is twenty, so even though Qin Lou had a change of heart, getting married on the spot was impossible. Even the very eager General Qin wasn't prepared for a wedding tomorrow.

He probably didn't expect his stubborn son to change his tune so quickly after meeting the person.

Xiao Xueman didn't actually agree either.

They were truly in love at first sight, but Xiao Xueman couldn't quite explain the impulse in his heart. In the end, he didn't really know Qin Lou, and they needed time to get to know each other, not rush into things.

Qin Lou's proposal failed, but he wasn't discouraged. He insisted on personally escorting Xiao Xueman back to his temporary lodging.

The senior, who had accompanied him, was also sent back by Qin Lou. During the journey, the poor senior didn't dare to breathe loudly, his mind in a daze.

What was going on? The ordinary kid who came with him from the remote West Tower Star System suddenly became Qin Lou's fiancé? What happened in between?

He always thought it was a joke or a dream. After all, Xiao Xueman had never been to the Imperial Star, and Qin Lou had never been to the West Tower Star. These two shouldn't have any connection, but he watched them get so close, even without speaking, their eye contact was like a couple who had been together for a long time. The senior felt even he and his girlfriend weren't that lovey-dovey.

Qin Lou had no interest in what he was thinking. After sending this third wheel away, he was reluctant on the way to send Xiao Xueman back to the hotel, wanting to take him home directly.

"The room at home is all set up, just for you. It's big and comfortable, with a garden view right outside the window. It's much better than here, why not move in?" Qin Lou's tone was completely coaxing.

That was prepared by General Qin in advance, right next to Qin Lou's room. At the time, he had argued with his father over it, but now he just wanted to sincerely apologize to his farsighted dad.

He had to admit, the older the ginger, the spicier it is, and his vision was spot on.

This marriage contract, truly delightful.