C20 Proposal.

"You're all just green with envy over my Soaring Dragon Fitness Club diamond membership card, aren't you?" Hu Chuan said with a chuckle.

"This is a gift from my brother Hsiao Rann. He used up all his scholarship money to get you these earrings." Hu Chuan presented another gift.

Hsiao Rann was deeply moved, thinking, 'Hu Chuan must have anticipated that I might come empty-handed and discreetly prepared an extra gift. Knowing him, he'd never let me embarrass myself.'

"Hu Chuan, if this is a gift from Hsiao Rann, why are you the one giving it to Fong Rann? Are you trying to find an excuse to talk to her?" Lin Dong ribbed Hu Chuan. They weren't really concerned about who the gift was from; they just enjoyed razzing Hu Chuan.

"I actually do have a thing for Fong Rann. You're probably just jealous that I get to talk to her," Hu Chuan shot back. Everyone knew it was all in good fun, so no one took the banter to heart.

As Hu Chuan and Lin Dong bantered, Zhang Yan scurried over to Hsiao Rann.

"You gave Sister Rann her favorite earrings? I remember her saying how pricey they were, that she couldn't bring herself to spend so much. Looks like your scholarship is quite the hefty sum," Zhang Yan remarked to Hsiao Rann.

Upon hearing this, Hsiao Rann glanced at Hu Chuan and then at Fong Rann, realizing just how much Hu Chuan was smitten with her. He hadn't expected the usually carefree Hu Chuan to be so bashful around Fong Rann.

'I've got another one of Hu Chuan's secrets in the bag,' Hsiao Rann thought smugly, his smile turning sly.

"Hsiao Rann, why that sly grin? Are you plotting something naughty?" Zhang Yan interjected.

Caught off guard, Hsiao Rann wondered if his amusement over Hu Chuan's potential reaction to his discovery had made him look mischievous.

"Don't be ridiculous. I wasn't thinking anything of the sort," Hsiao Rann hastened to deny.

"Look! That's exactly how you smiled just now." Zhang Yan mimicked Hsiao Rann's grin.

Seeing her imitation, Hsiao Rann couldn't help but find Zhang Yan utterly adorable.

Lee Minyu had been keeping a watchful eye on Zhang Yan and naturally caught the exchange of laughter and conversation between her and Hsiao Rann.

"Why does this guy know Zhang Yan?" Lee Minyu wondered, puzzled. He was intimately familiar with Zhang Yan's personality and her circle of friends. Yet, he had never come across Hsiao Rann before. Moreover, Zhang Yan and Hsiao Rann seemed to be chatting and laughing as if they were old acquaintances, not like they had just met.

Unbeknownst to Lee Minyu, Hsiao Rann and Zhang Yan had indeed just met today. It was a stroke of fate that they had hit it off so well as friends.

"Hello, may I have your name?" Lee Minyu approached Hsiao Rann and Zhang Yan, directing his question to Hsiao Rann.

"Hello, I'm Hsiao Rann," came the prompt reply.

"Hsiao Rann," Lee Minyu repeated the name silently to himself, racking his brain but coming up blank on any recollection of who Hsiao Rann might be.

Despite his jealousy at seeing Zhang Yan so at ease with Hsiao Rann, Lee Minyu knew better than to confront Hsiao Rann outright. Any misstep could jeopardize his plans for the evening.

Zhang Yan was flawless in both appearance and personality, and Lee Minyu was particularly interested in her family background. It was common knowledge that she was the Zhang family's heir, and not being particularly business-savvy, it was likely that the family's enterprise would eventually be managed by her husband.

Therefore, marrying Zhang Yan meant securing not just a wonderful partner but also the reins of the Zhang family business. Lee Minyu's ambitions were clear: he aimed to win over a beautiful woman and gain control of a substantial enterprise.

He wasn't originally from Zhang Yan's social circle. When he first laid eyes on her two years ago, her beauty captivated him, and his desire to win her over only grew with time. Despite employing numerous strategies over the past two years, he had yet to win Zhang Yan's affection. Nonetheless, he believed he had established a reasonably good rapport with her—a belief that, in truth, was one-sided.

Today, he had meticulously planned this moment, all in hopes of winning over Zhang Yan.

Suddenly, the room's lights dimmed and music filled the air—Zhang Yan's favorite songs.

Lee Minyu was taken aback. Damn, who gave the signal to start? He hadn't even exchanged a few words with Zhang Yan yet!

But since the show had begun, it was time for him to get ready.

Several waiters wheeled in a procession of small carts. The first bore Zhang Yan's beloved dolls, the second was laden with 999 roses, and the third carried numerous small boxes.

Everyone except Hsiao Rann and Zhang Yan was in on the surprise, anticipating the day's highlight.

Hsiao Rann's initial shock quickly gave way to realization of what was unfolding.

Zhang Yan, however, remained puzzled.

"When I first laid eyes on you, you were the epitome of purity, beauty, and charm—like an angel descending from the heavens. That moment marked a turning point in my world."

The voice belonged to Lee Minyu, pre-recorded for this occasion. A projector on the fourth cart began playing a video of Lee Minyu and Zhang Yan's first encounter. Although the actors on screen weren't the real Lee Minyu and Zhang Yan, the setting and storyline were identical.

Zhang Yan watched the projected video with a mix of confusion and curiosity, mistaking the scene for a film. She was intrigued by the unfolding story.

"Do you remember our ride on the Ferris wheel? Your adorable enthusiasm is etched in my memory, as clear as day."

The video showed the actress joyfully gesturing towards something outside the window, while the actor behind her gazed at her with deep affection.

"I've been to this place before," Zhang Yan murmured, her eyes following the video.

"And the water park trip—do you recall? You nearly drowned; can you imagine how frantic I was?"

On screen, the actress appeared to struggle with swimming, getting swept into deep water and flailing helplessly. The actor, upon noticing her, swam furiously to her aid. Only when the lifeguard pulled her to safety did he finally relax.

Indeed, Zhang Yan had experienced a near-drowning. But at the time, Lee Minyu had been preoccupied, frolicking with other girls. It was only after being informed of Zhang Yan's plight that he had rushed to her rescue.

"Do you realize? Whenever you were alone—reading a book, shopping, or savoring a meal—I was right there with you."

In the video, the male lead shadowed the female protagonist as she walked down the street, observed her from a corner as she read in the library, and sat at the table behind her while she dined.

"Do you know how much I wanted to embrace you when you cried? To give you someone to lean on?"

The scene shifted to show the female lead, seemingly hurt and crying in a park, while the male lead watched on from behind a tree, his expression one of sorrow.

The series of poignant moments played out, their sentimental dialogue filling the room. The audience watched in silence, captivated, as Zhang Yan fixed her gaze on the screen. It was then she recognized the familiarity of the scenes, though she had never imagined herself as the heroine.

"Yan, marry me. I will guard and cherish you for a lifetime. I promise you a life straight out of a fairytale, filled with endless joy," Lee Minyu declared, advancing toward Zhang Yan with a bouquet of roses in hand.

As Lee Minyu approached, it dawned on Zhang Yan that she was indeed the woman in the video.

Lee Minyu had professed his love to Zhang Yan on multiple occasions. If he hadn't been so persistent, she might not have grown to resent him. The more he persisted, the less she felt for him.

Lee Minyu believed his gestures were the epitome of romance, the kind every girl dreams of.

Sadly, he was mistaken. He convinced himself that Zhang Yan's reluctance was due to shyness.

The truth was, Zhang Yan's rejections were not out of shyness but a genuine dislike for Lee Minyu. His romantic overtures only served to deepen her aversion.

Had it not been for her cousin and Sister Rann's friendship with Lee Minyu, Zhang Yan would have dismissed him long ago.

Take this instance—Lee Minyu thought his actions were the height of romance, yet Zhang Yan found them utterly repellant.

Lee Minyu stood before Zhang Yan, roses in hand. He extended the bouquet to her and professed, "Yan, from the moment I met you, I was smitten. You've graced my dreams countless times, bringing smiles to my mornings. I long to make those sweet dreams our reality. I will make you the happiest bride there is. Yan, please, marry me."

At that moment, the crowd started to root for Lee Minyu.

"Marry him!" Zhang Yu led the charge, his voice cutting through the air. The rest chimed in, a chorus of encouragement.

It seemed, just like in a TV drama, that Zhang Yan would say yes to Lee Minyu's proposal. But instead of acknowledging Lee Minyu, Zhang Yan turned her attention to Hsiao Rann, leaving everyone around them completely gobsmacked.

She said, "Brother Hsiao, let's go out and have some fun. It's so dull around here."

Suddenly, all eyes were on Hsiao Rann.

Internally, Hsiao Rann panicked, "Oh my god! Lee Minyu must absolutely loathe me now!"

Hu Chuan stared at Hsiao Rann, dumbfounded, while Hsiao Rann returned Zhang Yan's gaze, equally astonished.

Lee Minyu was floored. He had been so sure Zhang Yan would accept his marriage proposal. The last thing he expected was for her to want to slip away with Hsiao Rann.