Chapter One: The Proposal

A melodious and persistent phone ring sliced through the air like a sorcerous charm, rousing Yan Xuan from a deep sleep. The ringtone was his girlfriend’s favorite song—once his as well. Now, its sound only made his nerves tense by reflex.

Groggy, Yan Xuan sat up, shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, and reached for his phone.

“Hello, Manman…”

“Yan Xuan, do you even remember what day it is?” A woman’s voice, thick with discontent, came from the other end. “What am I to you, really?”

His mind blanked for a moment. He hurriedly glanced at his phone—damn, it was already ten o’clock, and today was important! He had been working late for days, and only managed to swap shifts for this day off, all for this significant occasion.

March fourteenth, White Day, was also his girlfriend Zhou Man’s birthday. He had chosen this day to propose to the woman he’d been with for years.

He believed that any romance not aimed at marriage was just playing around, and Yan Xuan was no such rogue. He’d always regarded Zhou Man as his other half. A proposal didn’t mean they had to marry immediately, but it would reassure her heart—a promise for the future.

He would continue to work hard, save money for a home and a car, and build a better life for the two of them.

“Manman, please don’t be angry. It’s my fault, but I promise I have a surprise for you today!” Yan Xuan quickly tried to appease her.

“A surprise?” Zhou Man hesitated, suspicion in her voice.

“I promise, it’ll be a surprise!”

But from the background, voices could be heard grumbling, clearly indicating Zhou Man wasn’t alone.

Yan Xuan couldn’t help but smile wryly.

It was probably her close friend Liu Peina complaining about him again. Not surprising—on Zhou Man’s birthday, her best friend was bound to be there. Yet Liu Peina had always been cold toward him, and he could only hope she wouldn’t cause trouble on this important day.

“Hurry up, then. We’re at the steakhouse on Binhai Road—” Zhou Man paused. “And make sure you tidy up before you come. Don’t embarrass yourself like last time.”

“Don’t worry!” Yan Xuan couldn’t help but laugh—his girlfriend’s concern for him was obvious.

Binhai Road was the closest shopping district to his rented apartment, a twenty-minute taxi ride at most, giving him more time to prepare. Though the place was pricey, he was ready to spend what it took for today’s proposal.

He hung up, taking out the light-colored suit he’d bought especially for this day—he’d hesitated a long time before buying it, but it was essential. He needed to look his best.

He showered quickly, blow-dried his hair carefully, and changed into the new clothes. From his nightstand, he took out the ring box and practiced his speech.

The trip wasn’t far, but a minor mishap on the way, plus a stop to buy a bouquet of red roses, delayed him a little.

No proposal could be complete without flowers.

The steakhouse Zhou Man had chosen was expensive enough that there weren’t many diners. As soon as Yan Xuan entered, he spotted Zhou Man and her two friends—three attractive young women who naturally drew attention.

While they were distracted, Yan Xuan caught a waiter and whispered a few instructions. The waiter smiled and took the bouquet.

Yan Xuan straightened his jacket and strode toward their table.

“Well, look who’s here!” one of the girls called out, raising her brows with a hint of surprise, though her tone was mostly disdain.

Her name was Liu Peina, one of Zhou Man’s best friends—strikingly beautiful and well-built, yet always Yan Xuan’s harshest critic.

In Liu Peina’s eyes, her gorgeous friend deserved far better than a “pauper” like Yan Xuan; she should, like Liu Peina herself, snag a wealthy boyfriend. She’d tried many times to persuade Zhou Man to look elsewhere, but Zhou Man only ever smiled and shook her head.

As Liu Peina spoke, the other two girls turned. The fair and lovely one was Zhou Man, Yan Xuan’s girlfriend; beside her sat Bai Jing, Liu Peina’s other close friend.

Catching Yan Xuan’s eye, Bai Jing winked at him, making him smile.

Bai Jing was petite and quiet, with a noticeable birthmark on her face that she usually hid with her long hair. Unlike Liu Peina, Bai Jing supported their relationship. In her opinion, a steady, reliable boyfriend was far better than a playboy with money—after all, they were all just ordinary people.

Yan Xuan had already told Bai Jing about his proposal plans, and she’d promised her support.

He greeted the three and sat beside Zhou Man.

“What took you so long?” Zhou Man complained coldly, even moving closer to Bai Jing as Yan Xuan sat down beside her.

“Yeah, you finally made it,” Liu Peina added mockingly. “I thought you were going to call and say you had to work late again.”

“There was just a minor hitch on the way,” Yan Xuan replied seriously. “Today’s Manman’s birthday. How could I possibly work late?”

“So where’s her birthday gift? Don’t tell me it’s some cheap trinket again. Manman is the prettiest girl in our company’s sales department—she has so many admirers,” Liu Peina scoffed again.

“I—” Yan Xuan had barely opened his mouth when two more people entered. They spotted their table and strode over.

Yan Xuan had met one of them before: Liu Peina’s wealthy boyfriend. The other was a stranger.

After greeting Liu Peina, the two men sat down. The one who’d come with Liu Peina’s boyfriend fixed his gaze on Zhou Man.

“Manman, I heard it’s your birthday,” he said, presenting a small gift. “A little something to wish you a happy birthday.”

He opened the box to reveal a bracelet shaped like a screw.

Before Yan Xuan could react, Liu Peina exclaimed dramatically, “A Cartier bracelet! That’s worth tens of thousands! Manman, Sun here really knows how to spend on you.”

Zhou Man’s eyes widened in disbelief. Soon her cheeks flushed as she looked at Sun, stammering, “This… this isn’t appropriate. Such an expensive gift—I’m not… your girlfriend.”

“It’s nothing, just a small token between friends. Besides, you could be my girlfriend,” Sun replied with a faint, enigmatic smile.