“Fortunately, we made it in time.”
In the moonlight as soft as silver threads, a silver-gray car came to a stop outside Julan Manor, surrounded by lush greenery and murmuring springs.
Lin Zhiyu lightly pressed the brake and checked the time on the dashboard.
Eight eleven.
Just in time.
“Oh, thank you so much, Zhiyu. If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have made it.”
Professor Bai, sitting in the passenger seat, opened the door with a smile, but as she stepped out, she paused with a small wince.
“Zhiyu, could you help me with something else?”
“Of course.”
Lin Zhiyu’s patience was unwavering. He respected Professor Bai deeply and replied with a warm, gentle smile. “Please, Professor Bai, just let me know.”
“Just come out of the car with me first.”
Professor Bai stepped out, holding the large bag she’d brought from the lab. Lin Zhiyu offered to carry it, but she declined, smiling as she led him toward the large, semi-arched French-style entrance of Julan Manor, covered with lush vines and blossoms.
The greenery was dotted with white flowers, and beyond lay a vast, open green lawn…
The soothing sound of flowing water mingled with the faint rustling of insects.
The evening breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and wood, while countless glimmering lights, like scattered starlight, sparkled through the dense grass. The scene was so beautiful that Lin Zhiyu couldn’t help but pause to admire it.
“This is a lovely arrangement, Professor Bai. Your relative must love his girlfriend very much.”
Lin Zhiyu smiled, genuinely moved.
Professor Bai smiled back. “He loves her deeply, but… you’re not exactly his girlfriend.”
Lin Zhiyu blinked, momentarily stunned.
Before he could fully process her words, Professor Bai handed him a tablet wrapped as an invitation.
The screen lit up, displaying elegant cursive text that appeared to float and twirl:
“Will you help us become the happiest couple in the world?”
Two little animated figures, dressed in suits, popped up from the edges of the screen, each carrying a choice decorated with flowers: one read “Yes,” the other “No.”
Even the animated scene radiated joy and warmth, and Lin Zhiyu couldn’t help but smile. “Do you want me to help you?”
“Yes,” Professor Bai nodded, returning his smile.
Lin Zhiyu tapped “Yes.”
“Ding—ding ding ding, ding ding ding, ding ding ding ding…”
In an instant, the entire manor lit up like day, a majestic and romantic “Wedding March” ringing through the night, spreading from one corner to the other.
The grass, dotted with starlike lights, became even more brilliant. Crystal-like robots emerged from the grass, each holding white roses glistening with dewdrops. Tiny lights floated in the air, forming a shimmering pathway leading from Lin Zhiyu’s feet through the grass and trees, all the way to the center of the lawn.
Bright fireworks erupted in the deep blue sky, illuminating extra-large, glowing blue letters that spelled out the initials X and L.
Lin Zhiyu stood frozen, speechless, his heart pounding wildly. He had an inkling of what was happening but felt almost unable to believe it. A rosy hue crept up his ears, and his pulse quickened.
As he glanced at Professor Bai for reassurance, he noticed a familiar figure stepping out from behind the rockery next to the lawn.
Was that Xie Youzhou, in a suit, holding flowers?
Lin Zhiyu’s eyes suddenly misted with emotion, and a laugh escaped him, but he couldn’t find any words.
Professor Bai gave him a gentle nudge, her voice warm with affection. “Go on, hurry.”
Blushing deeply, Lin Zhiyu understood now—Professor Bai’s “relative” was proposing to him. So, it was that rascal Xie Youzhou behind all this? How could that brat rope Professor Bai into his proposal scheme? It was so embarrassing…
Yet Lin Zhiyu’s heart surged with joy, and he moved forward, meeting the one approaching him.
Xie Youzhou was far more nervous than Lin Zhiyu. With his hair styled, makeup applied, and dressed in a tailored silver-gray suit from an Italian designer, he looked even taller, more handsome, and exuded a certain dignified charm. His strong figure held a bouquet of white roses and sunflowers, and his hand gripped a ring box, damp with sweat.
Come on, Xie Youzhou, he chanted internally. Nothing to fear!
He tried to project his voice but found it shaking.
“Gege…”
“Gege!”
Xie Youzhou hurried forward, closing the distance and pulling Lin Zhiyu tightly into his arms. Lin Zhiyu’s eyes misted as he was embraced.
He heard Xie Youzhou’s voice trembling softly in his ear.
“Gege, will… will you marry me? Will you say yes?”
“Of course…yes.”
With tears in his eyes, Lin Zhiyu wrapped his arms around Xie Youzhou.
Xie Youzhou’s entire body shook with overwhelming joy and excitement, unable to contain his emotions as he held Lin Zhiyu close, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“Ohhhhh!”
A group of friends and family poured out from the manor behind them, cheering and clapping.
“Kiss, kiss, kiss!”
“Pick him up and kiss him! Mr. Xie, show us your strength—pick up Professor Lin and kiss him!”
“Ahhh, Mr. Xie is incredible!”
“Professor Lin is shy, look! His ears are red, hahahaha…”
Joyful laughter echoed across the lawn. Father Lin and Mother Xie stood at a distance, smiling as they watched the two clasp hands.
Father Lin wiped at his eyes, his expression warm with pride.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he answered quietly, “Hello?”
“Dad! I’m almost there. Where is everyone? Did my brother say yes to that little rascal?”
Hearing “little rascal,” Father Lin stifled a laugh.
“Just come inside, and you’ll see for yourself.”
In the middle of the brightly lit lawn, the two embraced, their breaths mingling, creating a charged, warm atmosphere that felt almost surreal.
Xie Youzhou gazed intently at Lin Zhiyu, pulling him even closer. His voice, filled with happiness yet tinged with lingering nerves, whispered, “Honestly…I was so scared you’d turn me down.”
Lin Zhiyu, his own eyes wet, brushed a hand gently over Xie Youzhou’s head, his voice soft and full of affection.
“You silly boy…”
How could that ever happen?
Even if I were to refuse the whole world…
I could never refuse you.
