CHAPTER 302: CHAPTER 299: PLAYING THE ROMANCE GAME

Gu Jingyu closed the manager’s office door, her face slightly embarrassed, and said, "My fiancé just suddenly messaged me, asking me to invite a few close friends to gather for a pre-wedding dinner. But I don’t have many friends, so... Wanwan, are you free to join us?"

Lin Wanwan pondered for a moment, realizing she had nothing planned, and replied, "Sure, now that I think about it, I’ve never met your fiancé before. You go ahead and work, I’ll wait for you after work."

"Okay! Sorry, Wanwan, for inviting you so abruptly and disrupting your plans."

"No worries, I’m free anyway." Once Lin Wanwan made a decision, she wouldn’t dwell on it further.

At five thirty, when it was time to clock out, and everyone had left, Lin Wanwan and Gu Jingyu turned off the lights and locked the door before heading to the basement to get the car.

Lin Wanwan asked, "Where are we meeting for dinner? And how many people are invited?"

Gu Jingyu checked her phone and said, "It’s at Times Square, very close. How about we don’t drive and just walk over?"

Lin Wanwan, hearing it was at nearby Times Square, naturally agreed, "Sure. Walking will actually take less time than parking."

She felt a bit puzzled, given Gu Jingyu’s fiancé’s modest salary, how could he afford a dinner at Times Square?

In that area, every restaurant has a minimum per-person charge of two to three hundred, and the nicer ones go over five hundred.

Was he planning to spend a month’s salary treating everyone?

"Your fiancé’s going all out, treating everyone there," Lin Wanwan joked.

Gu Jingyu blushed slightly and said, "Who knows what he’s up to!"

The distance from the Times Building to Times Square was minimal, just through a commercial pedestrian street that connected the office building clusters, luxury apartments, and five-star hotels.

It was just strange that Gu Jingyu’s fiancé had given the location as the square, not a specific restaurant, and when she messaged him, he still hadn’t replied.

Lin Wanwan suggested, "Why don’t you call him? The square is so big, where would we find him."

Not only is Times Square large inside, but the area around the music fountain is also vast. This is a major commercial area that combines shopping, leisure, culture, and entertainment. Without clear directions, it would be hard to find anyone.

Gu Jingyu called her fiancé, then led Lin Wanwan through the crowd toward the music fountain.

That circle was full of jewelry and luxury brands, sparkling and magnificent, exuding the vibe of a grand metropolis.

Just from the bustling scene in the square, this city had the imposing presence of an international metropolis.

Lin Wanwan, pulled along by Gu Jingyu, suddenly stopped as they stumbled upon a large crowd watching intently, unclear about the commotion in the middle.

Gu Jingyu had already dumbly put down her phone, just as the sound of an electric guitar pierced through the crowd into their ears.

After a catchy intro, a magnetic voice began singing, "The blooming flowers of spring take away the sorrows of winter

The breeze carries a romantic atmosphere

Every love song suddenly becomes meaningful

And at this moment, I suddenly see you..."

In the direction of the singing, a few people began pushing through the crowd.

As the crowd parted, Lin Wanwan followed the melody with her eyes, seeing a heart made of rose petals and candles laid out on the open ground before the fountain.

At the heart’s end, a handsome young man in a white shirt was playing the guitar and singing passionately.

Lin Wanwan suddenly understood and turned to look at Gu Jingyu beside her.

Sure enough, Gu Jingyu was already covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling with tears.

Ha! Men! They really know how to play these flamboyant romantic tricks!

Seeing this guy for the first time, Lin Wanwan finally understood why Gu Jingyu chose him.

Such a handsome lad, despite any flaws, as long as he delivers romantic surprises and sweet words from time to time, could easily make any girl swoon!

Suddenly, a song came to Lin Wanwan’s mind:

"Even though I know loving a guy like this

May not mean much

But I will be the one you care for the most..."

She sighed deeply, applauding the world of romantic entanglements, silently mourning the ignorant lovers playing with fire.

One willingly throws a punch, and the other willingly takes it; each has their own beautiful future.

Twenty-three-year-old Gu Jingyu has only been in society for two and a half years and still harbors romantic fantasies.

Once she’s seen enough of the world, it might not be as easy to woo her. Then no amount of dowry or property might suffice!

Marriage shouldn’t be rushed! She hasn’t seen through the world yet, and the gamble is too big; who’s to be certain of a win?

As the song ended, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, and countless phone cameras lit up.

The young man walked through the lights towards Gu Jingyu, step by step, a faintly cynical look in his eyes, even at this proposal scene, nonchalantly sauntering over.

When he reached them, just as the fountain’s spray burst behind him, he knelt on one knee, hair slightly tossed, opening a ring box: "Xiaoyu, marry me!"

It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

His handsome face was as flamboyant as the proposal scene, unabashed and indifferent to opinions, even slightly arrogant.

Gu Jingyu, overwhelmed with tears, nodded.

The young man stood up, assertively took Gu Jingyu’s hand, and slipped a thick plain ring on her finger.

The handsome man and the beautiful woman, at this moment, they were a divine couple in the eyes of the onlookers.

Gu Jingyu playfully pounded his chest with a clenched fist, laughing and crying as she covered her face: "You didn’t say anything! I didn’t do any makeup! I didn’t do my makeup properly today! Plus, I didn’t even wash my hair! Ugh, I hate you! I wasn’t made up!"

"Whether you wear makeup or not, you are the most beautiful, what does it matter?" The young man nonchalantly arched an eyebrow, "Not surprised?"

"What surprise, it’s more like a shock, okay!"

The young man pulled the pouting Gu Jingyu into his arms for a moment, chuckling, "If you’re not surprised, then why are you crying like a cat?"

At one of life’s most important moments, not being well-dressed or dolled up—such regret may be something the young man couldn’t fully comprehend.

Lin Wanwan empathized a little, thinking if she personally hadn’t washed her hair or applied makeup at such a time, she’d probably also be upset.

With the proposal successful, the crowd’s enthusiasm dwindled, and they started to disperse. The security guards, who had also been watching the scene, quietly observed everyone blowing candles and clearing up.

After packing everything up, Gu Jingyu, holding Lin Wanwan’s arm, introduced her to the young man, "Star, let me introduce you. This is my childhood friend, Lin Wanwan. Wanwan, this is my fiancé, Liang Xingchi."

Liang Xingchi raised his eyes, his aloof gaze showing no emotion as he looked at Lin Wanwan, "Hello, nice to meet you."

Lin Wanwan nodded, "Hello, nice to meet you."

"Let’s go to dinner, not here, but at the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the Times Building." The young and stylish Liang Xingchi threw out another sentence.

That place is a Western restaurant aimed at young white-collar workers, very romantic, with floor-to-ceiling windows and slowly revolving tables, overlooking the lights of the entire city. The average price per person is just fifty yuan, making it a good spot for dating and dining.

The group then redirected their destination to the Times Building.