CHAPTER 650: CHAPTER 650:TRUE FEELINGS

However, as the wedding day drew closer, Gu Jin began to feel something new...nervousness.

It was strange for her. She had always been calm and distant. But now, her hands would tremble slightly whenever she saw the wedding decorations being set up.

At first, she thought it was just anxiety about the plan. But soon she realized... she was afraid yet anticipated it very much.

Still, the closer the wedding came, the more stressed she became.

The grand hall was filled with flowers and golden curtains. Tailors brought in dresses, and the entire Gu Mansion buzzed with activity.

Gu Jin felt like the air itself was pressing down on her.

Seeing her growing tension, Gu Jichun said kindly,

"You’ve been too serious lately, Jin. Let’s go out and relax. Shopping will help you calm down."

Gu Jin hesitated but finally agreed. "All right," she said. "Maybe that will help."

The next morning, the two went to the city’s largest shopping mall.

The streets were filled with cars and people, and for a while, Gu Jin forgot her worries.

Gu Jichun smiled as they walked past rows of shining stores. "I really thought Jasmine and Gu Jihu would be the first to get married," she said playfully. "But now, it looks like I was wrong."

Gu Jin looked surprised. "Oh? How are they doing?"

Gu Jichun sighed softly. "Not well. Jasmine still hasn’t accepted your brother’s proposal."

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. "Why? Did something happen between them?"

Gu Jichun looked around to make sure no one was listening, then said quietly,

"Jasmine regained her memories and recalled how harshly her second brother had once rejected her. But even before that... she was furious about something else... actually second brother threatened her to date him."

Gu Jin’s eyes widened slightly. "He what?"

Gu Jichun nodded.

"He was desperate. He thought making her stay close to him would make her fall for him again. But it only made things worse. Jasmine spent three months staying distant from him. After that, she started ignoring him completely."

Gu Jin sighed. "That was foolish of him."

Gu Jichun nodded sadly.

"He regrets it now. He keeps trying to win her heart back. He goes to her workplace often, brings gifts, and does everything he can. But Jasmine has changed. She has started liking someone else."

Gu Jin looked surprised again. "Someone else?"

"Yes," Gu Jichun said. "And from the way things are going, they might end up together soon."

Gu Jin frowned slightly. "And how is my brother dealing with it?"

Gu Jichun’s face grew sad. "He pretends he’s fine. But I’ve seen him drinking alone many nights. Once, he even asked me if he should beg her to love him again."

Gu Jin fell silent. For a moment, she looked out the window of the mall, where sunlight glimmered on glass buildings.

"He shouldn’t beg," she said softly. "Love isn’t something you can force."

Gu Jichun nodded. "I told him the same thing. But he still loves her deeply."

Gu Jin thought for a while, then said, "If he truly loves her, he should let her go. Holding on will only hurt him."

Gu Jichun smiled faintly, then looked down at her hands and said quietly,

"You know, second brother said something funny yesterday. He told me that if Long Yifan could win you over, then he could also win Jasmine’s heart."

Gu Jin sighed deeply and rubbed her forehead. "He really said that?"

"Yes," Gu Jichun replied, smiling a little. "He said you were even colder than Jasmine once. So if Long Yifan could make you fall for him, then he can do the same."

Gu Jin groaned and covered her face with her hand. "Oh, that silly brother of mine."

She shook her head slowly. "He doesn’t understand. My case and Jasmine’s case are completely different."

Gu Jichun looked curious. "Different? How?"

Gu Jin looked away and spoke softly.

"If it wasn’t for the curse that tied me to Long Yifan, I might never have given him a chance. I might have ignored him forever. Back then, I didn’t want anyone near me. I had too many walls."

She sighed again and looked thoughtful.

"But because of the curse, we were forced to face each other again and again. That is why we got closer. It wasn’t something that happened easily."

Gu Jichun nodded slowly. "I see."

Gu Jin continued, her tone softer this time.

"Jasmine doesn’t have such a bond with Gu Jihu. She’s free. So she won’t stay if she doesn’t want to. Forcing her will only push her away more. But my brother doesn’t understand that. He keeps comparing his situation to Long Yifan’s, and he’s just setting himself up for failure."

She shook her head sadly. "I really need to talk to him soon. Maybe I can help him understand before he hurts himself more."

Gu Jichun looked at her and smiled a little. "You’re truly a good sister!"

Gu Jin smiled weakly. "I just don’t want him to destroy himself over love."

She was about to say something more when Gu Jichun suddenly grabbed her hand excitedly.

"Wait! There’s a new store on the ground floor. It’s really amazing! Let’s go check it out."

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. "A new store?"

"Yes!" Gu Jichun said quickly, her tone full of excitement. "You’ll love it. Come on!"

Gu Jin hesitated but nodded. "Fine, let’s go."

They went down to the ground floor together. The moment Gu Jin stepped off the escalator, she froze.

The entire area was decorated beautifully. Red and white balloons floated everywhere. Heart-shaped balloons filled the air, and a giant net hung from the ceiling, holding even more. In the center stood a decorated stage covered in flowers.

Gu Jin blinked in surprise. "What is this...?"

Before she could finish, the net above suddenly opened. Hundreds of heart-shaped balloons floated down slowly, filling the mall with color. Soft music started to play.

Then Gu Jin saw him.

Long Yifan stood on the stage, wearing a white suit. His eyes were warm, and he was holding a small box in his hand.

The crowd that had gathered started cheering when they saw Gu Jin.

Gu Jin froze completely. Before she could react, Gu Jichun gently pushed her forward. "Go on," she whispered with a big smile. "Go to him."

Gu Jin stumbled forward, still stunned. Now she understood why Jichun had been so eager to dress her up that morning, why she made her wear makeup and a fancy dress.

"It was all planned..." she whispered under her breath.

When she reached the stage, Gu Jichun gave her an encouraging look before stepping back into the crowd.

Long Yifan smiled warmly as Gu Jin stood before him. Slowly, he knelt down on one knee and opened the box. Inside was a shining silver ring.

The entire mall went silent. Everyone was watching.

Long Yifan looked up at her and spoke in a soft but steady voice. "Gu Jin, I know I made you wait for this moment for a long time."

Gu Jin’s eyes widened slightly.

Long Yifan continued,

"But I wanted to say this in front of everyone. I love you. I have loved you since the day you grabbed my collar and told me you liked me. From that moment until now, you have been the only one in my heart."

The crowd gasped and murmured in excitement.

Gu Jin’s lips parted slightly, her heart pounding.

Long Yifan smiled and continued.

"Every moment I spent with you, even when you pushed me away, I cherished it. My only wish has always been to stand beside you. Now, that wish is coming true."

He lifted the ring slightly and asked, "Gu Jin, will you marry me? I promise to love you for eternity and even beyond it."

The mall became silent again, waiting for her answer.

Gu Jin froze. Her eyes softened, and for a moment, her heart felt warm. She wanted to say yes. She truly did. But suddenly, she heard a familiar voice in her mind.

It was Long Yifan’s voice, speaking using telepathy.

"Jin," he said in her head, "this proposal is real. But you must act cold. Lady Ling’s spies are watching. If they see you showing emotion, they’ll know everything."

The warmth in her heart was suddenly replaced with cold realization. She clenched her hands tightly, trying to calm herself.

"I understand," she replied softly in her mind.

Outwardly, she stayed silent. Her face was calm, emotionless.

The crowd began to whisper nervously. "Why isn’t she answering?" someone said. "Is she going to reject him?"

Long Yifan stayed still, waiting patiently even as tension filled the air.

Then suddenly, Gu Jin heard another voice in her mind. A cold yet soft voice.

It was Lady Ling.

"My dear," the voice said. "It would be better if you accept. Don’t make things harder for yourself."

Gu Jin’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly scanned the area and saw Lady Ling standing at the far end of the crowd, smiling kindly, pretending to be just another spectator.