With everyone gathered in the Lin family living room, I figured it was time to rip off the Band-Aid. Why wait for my secret to get out in the most embarrassing way possible? At this point, the family tree was already more dramatic than a soap opera—what’s one more plot twist?
I took a deep breath and tried to look calm. “Since everyone’s here, I have an announcement too.”
All eyes turned to me. I nearly wilted under the pressure, but I soldiered on. “I… like Jiang Yue.”
Everyone: “!”
I laced my fingers tightly with Jiang Yue’s. She didn’t look nervous at all in front of the elders, just gave a polite, CEO-level nod, like she was closing a business deal instead of coming out. No wonder she could go toe-to-toe with my brother.
Uncle: “…”
Dad: “…”
My brother, Lin Xincheng, actually spit out his tea, staring at us like we’d just announced we were moving to Mars. Zhou Yichen looked delighted, like he’d just been handed front-row tickets to the family drama of the year. My two cousins, Lin Anzhou and Lin Anlin, who had just come out themselves, suddenly looked like their world had been turned upside down again.
Surprise! Plot twist! Did you think you two were the only ones who could shake up the Lin family’s “heir” situation?
I shot Mom a hopeful smile. “Mom, you always said you liked Jiang Yue, right? Looks like we’ll be family after all!”
Mom: “…”
She gave me a look that said, “Congratulations, you played yourself.”
The next day, my parents scheduled a round of blind dates for me—every single one with a man. I was not amused.
By the time I’d scared off my tenth suitor, I was ready to file a complaint with the universe. “Why is it that when my brother and cousins come out, Dad and Uncle just sigh and accept it, but when I do, I get sent on a dating marathon?!”
My brother didn’t even look up from his paperwork. “Because you don’t have enough leverage to fight back against Mom and Dad.”
Ouch. Right in the feels.
Zhou Yichen, ever the mischief-maker, propped his chin on his hand and grinned. “Little sister-in-law, want me to give you a company? If you can make it a top-ten business in the country, I guarantee your parents won’t be able to boss you around anymore.”
Me: “…”
If I had that kind of talent, I’d have stolen my brother’s job years ago!
Zhou Yichen added, “But don’t worry. If Jiang Yue can’t handle this, I’d be worried about leaving you in her care. You’re so naïve, you’d probably help someone count money after being sold.”
I slumped over my phone and sent Jiang Yue a voice message, “Jiang Yue, when are you coming to rescue me? I miss you so much… sob sob…”
The moment she arrived, I dove into her arms and poured out my woes. “Jiang Yue, do you know how many clueless guys I met today? One insisted I had to give him a son, another wanted me to become a full-time housewife, and another said I had to take care of his parents and learn to cook…”
Jiang Yue hugged me tight, “You don’t have to go on any more blind dates. I’ve already handled it.”
My brother shot her a suspicious look. “That fast?”
Jiang Yue replied coolly, “We’ll be family soon, brother.”
For once, my always-composed brother lost his cool. “Who the heck is your brother?!”
Jiang Yue just turned to Zhou Yichen and called out, “Sister-in-law.”
Zhou Yichen didn’t care what anyone called him—as long as people knew he and my brother were a couple, he was happy. “I think the Zhou and Jiang families should collaborate on a project…”
My brother: “…”
Jiang Yue never told me what she did to get my parents’ approval, and my brother—who probably knew—kept his mouth shut. Their attitude was basically, “Let Xinyu be carefree and happy, we’ll handle the rest.”
A few days later, while Jiang Yue and I were out on a date, we saw my cousin Lin Anzhou dragging a young man out. The young man was yelling, “Lin Anzhou! You have no sense of honor!”
Lin Anzhou paused, his gaze cold behind his gold-rimmed glasses. “Xie Yancheng, my patience is limited.”
I nudged Jiang Yue, “Are they…?”
Jiang Yue, who always seemed to know everything, whispered, “Xie Yancheng probably went clubbing again. Don’t worry, a good scolding will fix him. If not, two will.”
I stared at her. “Jiang Yue, you’ve gotten so… savage.”
I’d heard that if you kiss your beloved at the top of a Ferris wheel, you’ll never be separated. I’d never ridden one with Jiang Yue, so I decided to fix that.
The amusement park was full of couples, and soon it was our turn. Sitting in the little glass cabin with Jiang Yue across from me, I felt both nervous and excited.
The city lights blurred below us as night fell, turning everything into a sea of sparkling jewels. It was beautiful—almost unreal.
Just as we neared the top, Jiang Yue reached over, slipped her arm around my shoulders, and gently lifted my chin. She kissed me—warm, soft, and sure.
Her eyes, always so cool and unreadable, sparkled with laughter as she looked at me. I could see my reflection in her gaze, framed by moonlight.
In that tiny cabin, we were the only two people in the world.
I rested my head on her shoulder and whispered, “Jiang Yue, do you have any wishes?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Of course. To be with you forever.”
I pulled a small box from my pocket, opened it, and slipped a ring onto her finger as she stared at me in surprise.
Looking into her eyes, I smiled, “Jiang Yue, I love you. For the rest of my life, please take care of me, Miss Jiang.”
The sun set in a blaze of orange, the night breeze was filled with love—and so was my heart.
—The End—
Chapter 05
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