139: E-sports genius forced love 9

Wen Ci took a deep breath, turned around, and tried to keep her voice from trembling, "Lu Chen, at least... can we wait until you're an adult? And your parents definitely wouldn't approve of you dating so early..."

Before she finished, she regretted it.

Lu Chen's body visibly stiffened, and a flicker of an emotion she couldn't decipher crossed his eyes, which were always fixed on her.

The last rays of the setting sun streamed through a gap in the curtains, casting dappled light and shadow on his face, making his expression seem particularly vulnerable at that moment.

Unexpectedly, Lu Chen simply listened quietly, then lowered his eyelashes and let out a soft chuckle.

The laugh was faint, but it made Wen Ci's heart clench.

"I don't have parents," he said in a calm tone, his long fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of his phone. "I'm an orphan, I grew up in an orphanage."

Wen Ci's eyes widened abruptly.

The wind outside the window suddenly picked up, making the curtains rustle loudly.

The outside world only knew him as the e-sports world's genius prodigy, the "Lu Shen" revered by countless fans, but no one knew that this dazzling young man didn't even have a real home.

Her throat suddenly tightened, and her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.

No wonder he was always unwilling to talk about his family, no wonder he reacted so uniquely to the word "home"...

"I'm sorry, I didn't know..." Wen Ci's voice choked, and her eyes instantly welled up.

Lu Chen, however, shook his head, a gentle curve forming on his lips. "No need to apologize." He paused, then suddenly leaned closer, unlocked his phone screen, and held it out to her. "I researched all night last night."

Wen Ci looked down, her breath catching in her throat.

The browser history clearly showed:

"Can men marry at 18?"

"What do you need to prepare for marriage?"

"How to manage finances after marriage?"

"How to make your girlfriend feel secure?"

And even, "How do e-sports players balance training and family after marriage?"

Wen Ci's eyes were wide, her mind blank, and her cheeks flushed at a visible rate. "This... is this really so urgent?"

"I've thought it through," Lu Chen's voice was deep and firm, each word spoken seriously. "If we get married, all the money will be managed by you."

Wen Ci: "...Huh?" Her eyelashes trembled violently; she couldn't keep up with his jumping thoughts.

"I don't have parents, so there won't be any mother-in-law conflicts," Lu Chen continued, his gaze as focused as if he were explaining an important tactical plan.

Wen Ci: "...Wait?"

"No relatives either, so no one will bother you," he added, his tone calm, but his slightly reddened ear tips betrayed his nervousness.

Wen Ci: "..." She opened her mouth, but no sound came out, only feeling her heart about to burst from her chest.

"It's just that training hours might be a bit long, but I'll try my best to adjust," he paused, then added, "If you don't like it, I can reduce my streaming time."

At this point, his voice suddenly dropped a few octaves, "It's just... I might earn a little less money, and I'm worried it won't be enough for you then."

Wen Ci was completely stunned. The birdsong outside the window suddenly became exceptionally clear, and the sunlight cast their overlapping shadows on the floor.

She had only... only casually mentioned "wait until you're an adult," and he had already planned out their married life?

And he was actually already starting to worry about money?

"Lu Chen..." Her voice trembled, feeling something warm welling up in her eyes. "You, you're thinking too far ahead..."

The young man tilted his head, his eyes innocent and pure. "Far?" He extended his long fingers, gently pinching her fingertips, his voice low and hoarse, "Ci Ci, everything I have is yours."

The warmth of his palm spread through her fingertips, making Wen Ci shiver.

Lu Chen's hand was much larger than hers, able to completely envelop hers, and his fingertips had a thin layer of calluses, marks left by long-term training.

These hands were invincible on the field, but at this moment, they were carefully cradling hers.

"So," he leaned in slightly, his gaze burning as he looked into her eyes, "when will you marry me?"

Wen Ci: "..."

Help! How could he say such things with such a cold, ascetic face!

Her face instantly flushed, her fingers unconsciously curled, and her heart pounded as if it would explode, even the tips of her ears were hot and red.

Lu Chen, however, seemed to feel it wasn't enough, suddenly leaning closer, his nose almost touching hers.

Wen Ci could smell the faint scent of mint on him, mixed with the smell of sunshine, and as their breaths mingled, he whispered,

"Or, I'll marry you."

Wen Ci: "..."

She was completely speechless, feeling all the blood in her body boiling.

This "Lu Shen," who was aloof, distant, and arrogant in the eyes of outsiders, was now like a stubborn child, earnestly planning their future, and even... had thought about post-marital property distribution.

Her eyes suddenly felt hot. It turned out he wasn't playing on his phone all afternoon, but researching,

"How to make her feel at ease."

A tear slipped uncontrollably. Wen Ci took a deep breath, then suddenly reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest.

Lu Chen's chest was wider than she had imagined, and his heartbeat, fast and heavy, came through the thin fabric.

Lu Chen's body stiffened, then relaxed, his palm gently stroking the back of her head as he asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

"...Lu Chen," she mumbled, her voice muffled from being buried in his chest, "You're such an idiot."

He chuckled softly, his chest vibrating slightly, "Mm, your idiot."

Wen Ci looked up, glaring at him with red eyes, "Who gave you permission to think so much on your own!"

Lu Chen looked at her reddened eyes, his own darkening slightly.

The setting sun had already dipped below the horizon outside the window; the room grew dim, but his eyes were incredibly bright.

He raised his hand, his thumb gently brushing her cheek, wiping away the tear, his voice hoarse, "Ci Ci, then... do you approve?"

Wen Ci's heart skipped a beat. This fool... She bit her lip, then suddenly grabbed his collar, tilted her head back, and gave him a fierce kiss on the lips before quickly pulling away, red-faced and fiercely saying,

"Approved! But, but you have to wait until you're an adult!"

Lu Chen's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he suddenly cupped the back of her neck, lowering his head to kiss her.

The kiss was gentle; his lips were a little cool, but quickly grew hot.

When they separated, he rested his forehead against hers, his voice low and hoarse, "Ci Ci, I will wait for that day."

The sunlight had completely vanished, leaving only the dim twilight in the room and the sound of their intertwined breaths.

Until he became an adult, until he rightfully became hers.

This day, Lu Chen felt it was the happiest day of his life.

But thinking about building a new family with Wen Ci in the future made him feel even happier.

It turned out that every day since Wen Ci entered his world, he was happier than the day before.