Before Lin Yu could react, Lu Ziqing grabbed his wrist and pulled him onto the stage.
The guests below were surprised to see Lin Yu up there as well.
But after a moment’s thought, it made sense.
At important banquets, it was common to invite prestigious elders or company executives to add to the event’s grandeur and show respect.
As the highest-ranking manager and director in the company, it was understandable for Lin Yu to be invited on stage at a time like this.
Lu Ziqing took the microphone from the host, looked at the colleagues in the audience, and smiled slightly.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming to my 24th birthday banquet.”
“When I was fourteen, I saw a crown called ‘Pearl Tears’ in a fashion magazine. It belonged to a world-famous British princess. The radiant pearls set within diamond arches were exquisitely brilliant, and I was instantly captivated.”
“For years after that, I worked hard toward my goal—I wanted to design the most beautiful jewelry in the world and become a jewelry designer.”
“But due to a twist of fate, I ended up here, drawing exhibition design sketches that I don’t even enjoy.”
A slight stir arose among the guests.
Lu Ziqing ignored it and continued calmly.
“Pursuing a dream requires extraordinary courage—I only truly understood this after becoming an adult. Because before a dream is realized, even those closest to you may mock your naivety and foolishness, urging you to follow the conventional path instead.”
“I must admit, for a long time, I was lost. I longed to fulfill my dream, but I was also afraid that if I truly took the leap and failed, I would have to face the harsh reality that I might not have the talent for it after all.”
“So I avoided it. I lay low. Sometimes I chased my dream, sometimes I fantasized about it, and sometimes I gave up on myself.”
“Then, I met someone incredible. He isn’t omnipotent, but he never fears failure. To be honest, without him, our company would have collapsed long ago.”
“I gradually realized that the only thing holding me back was my own mindset.”
Some people in the audience subtly turned their gazes toward Lin Yu.
“Recently, I took a small step—I finally did something I had been thinking about for a long time but never dared to try.”
“Fortunately, in the year I turn twenty-four, I finally fulfilled my fourteen-year-old dream.”
“Not long ago, I entered the EPA International Jewelry Design Competition and won first place in the hand-drawn design category.”
The crowd stirred.
Although the company specialized in exhibition design, it was still part of the design industry, so many employees were familiar with various competitions.
The EPA was the most prestigious jewelry design competition, hosted by an old French jewelry house that had long collaborated with European royalty. Each year, many luxury brands would use EPA award-winning designs for their exclusive limited collections.
Winning this award meant overnight fame and an overwhelming influx of design invitations.
“I want to thank everyone for your support all this time. But I think while I’m still young, I should take the leap and chase my dream.”
“I will be leaving the company soon to start my own design studio. The world is small—we will surely meet again.”
Lu Ziqing turned off the microphone.
The stage was some distance away from the audience.
Lu Ziqing lowered his voice to speak only to Lin Yu.
“As I was speaking just now, I realized…I might have been a bit impulsive today.”
“I was so focused on taking responsibility, on making sure you understood my feelings, that I didn’t consider the possibility that you might not want this.”
Lin Yu had been tense ever since he stepped onto the stage.
His body was stiff, his movements awkward, like a malfunctioning robot.
“If this is making you uncomfortable…just shake your head, and I won’t say anything,” Lu Ziqing said. “I won’t do anything that makes you uneasy.”
Lin Yu really wanted to shake his head.
Not because he was unwilling, not because he was embarrassed.
He just felt that today was Lu Ziqing’s birthday banquet—he shouldn’t steal the spotlight.
But.
But.
He was too nervous, and his brain short-circuited again.
His eyes followed Lu Ziqing’s lips moving, his mind told him to react, but his body refused to cooperate.
Lu Ziqing’s eyes crinkled with joy. “Then, I’ll say it.”
He cleared his throat and turned the microphone back on.
“One more thing—while working at this company, I fell for someone. I want to give him my award-winning design as a gift.”
Lu Ziqing took a small black box from his pocket.
Inside was a dazzling turquoise ring.
Two delicate wings of scattered diamonds wrapped around the turquoise, as if a fairy had brought the gift of the forest to its beloved.
“This design was inspired by Edward Robert Hughes’ painting Midsummer Eve. I want to dedicate it to my beloved—”
At that very moment, the banquet hall suddenly went dark.
The microphone went silent.
A crackling sound of static filled the air—it seemed the power had gone out.
Lu Ziqing: “…”
At the same time, a strange noise came from the dressing room in the corner of the banquet hall.
…..
Ten minutes earlier.
While everyone was focused on the stage, a shadow quietly slipped into the banquet hall.
Xie Shaoyang.
He had secretly followed Lin Yu by car to this place.
After Lin Yu accused him of two-timing in front of Qin Zhi, Qin Zhi was so furious that she burst into tears, slapped him on the spot, and left in a taxi.
Xie Shaoyang was fuming and wanted to beat Lin Yu up. Even if he couldn’t, he at least wanted to make him pay, so he quietly followed him to this hotel.
He wasn’t sure what kind of event Lin Yu was attending. Seeing the banquet hall filled with people, he hesitated to approach and hid in the restroom instead.
When no one was paying attention, he sneaked in.
The banquet hall had no vacant seats, so he tucked himself away in a corner, sitting next to the buffet counter.
Next to him was a strange man, bundled up in a thick black down jacket, with heavy theatrical makeup on his face, looking like he had just stepped off an opera stage.
Xie Shaoyang couldn’t help but steal a few glances.
The man glared at him. “What are you looking at? Annoying.”
Xie Shaoyang: “I wasn’t looking at you.”
The man: “Who are you? Why are you sitting here?”
Xie Shaoyang brushed him off. “I’m Lin Yu’s friend.”
“Assistant Lin?” The man tilted his head, thinking. “Today is Ziging gege’s and my birthday. What’s Assistant Lin doing bringing his friend in here? So inappropriate.”
Xie Shaoyang: “…Who’s Ziging?”
“That guy on stage.” The man pointed. “His name is Lu Ziqing,” he said, half proud, half shy. “He’s going to confess to me tonight. But I can’t seem too eager, so I’m waiting here for him to come take my hand and lead me on stage.”
Xie Shaoyang had no idea what the man was talking about, but his gut told him this guy wasn’t quite right in the head.
He looked toward the stage.
Then his eyes widened in shock.
The man up there… wasn’t that Lin Yu’s legally wedded husband?!
The same guy who nearly fought him at the hospital last time when they released their pheromones at each other.
And why was Lin Yu on stage too?
The two stood side by side, looking ridiculously close.
Xie Shaoyang blurted out, “What do you mean, confess to you? That Lu Ziqing is already married to Lin Yu.”
The man waved dismissively. “You don’t get it. Their marriage is fake. Zi Qing gege’s true love is me.”
Xie Shaoyang looked at the young, handsome man on stage, and memories of being humiliated by Lu Ziqing came rushing back. He sneered, “What a clown.”
Even though he hated Lin Yu for ruining his engagement, a part of him still had some complicated feelings.
Originally, Lin Yu had been his first choice for marriage.
Sure, his family background was lacking, but he had solid credentials, made good money, lived a clean life, and had that well-behaved, gentle look—exactly the kind of stay-at-home omega that would be easy to control.
If Lin Yu hadn’t said he was already married and firmly cut ties, he would’ve made his move.
The man’s eyes widened. “Who are you talking about?”
“Lu Ziqing,” Xie Shaoyang said bluntly. “That ill-mannered little brat, arrogant beyond belief, with a face like a damn monkey—”
Before he could finish, the man lunged at him, scratching his face with sharp nails.
Xie Shaoyang was caught off guard, but after being scratched a few times, his anger flared up too.
The two started throwing punches and kicks, brawling like street thugs.
Somehow, in the chaos, one of them kicked open a side door, and they tumbled into an electrical room.
The man shrieked, “Don’t you dare insult my gege!”
Xie Shaoyang, his face nearly torn up, yelled back, “Are you insane?! Why do you care if I insult him?!”
A flurry of wild moves—Tiger Claw meets Crane’s Wing.
A punch for a kick, a scratch for a shove.
And then, someone hit the wrong switch.
Suddenly, the entire banquet hall plunged into darkness.
The speakers went silent.
Dead silence.
……
In the darkness, the crowd below erupted into chaos.
Lu Ziqing stood on stage, holding a ring, staring silently at Lin Yu.
How awkward.
He wanted to curse so badly.
After all the planning, all the buildup, trying to create a romantic confession for Lin Yu—
And at the last second, everything went to hell.
He deeply regretted not praying to the gods before leaving home.
Lin Yu finally regained control over his body.
He stretched his neck and asked, “Are you feeling awkward right now?”
Lu Ziqing: “…”
Lu Ziqing forced a smile. “Baby, could you not roast me at a time like this?”
“I’m not roasting you.” Though his face was unreadable in the dark, Lin Yu’s voice was sincere. “I just think… love doesn’t need an audience. As long as we know how we feel, that’s enough.”
“A public confession or a quiet life together—either way is fine.”
“I understand your feelings, and you understand mine. That’s all that matters.”
Lu Ziqing looked at the faint outline of Lin Yu’s face in the darkness. “…Do you really think that?”
“Mm.” Lin Yu’s voice was soft. “Don’t be frustrated or regretful. I’m happy today.”
They smiled at each other in the dark.
Lu Ziqing took Lin Yu’s hand and, in the pitch-black room, slipped the ring onto his finger.
Lin Yu felt the band around his middle finger, his heart pounding.
“You know, I’ve never kissed in front of this many people before,” Lu Ziqing said in a low voice. “…Should we give it a try?”
Lin Yu’s face instantly heated up. “Uh, isn’t that a bit…”
“No one can see us anyway,” Lu Ziqing coaxed. “Just once, okay? Just a little one.”
Lin Yu had no way to refuse him.
Lu Ziqing’s lips curled slightly as he leaned down, closing in on Lin Yu’s face.
Lin Yu’s body went rigid in an instant.
…
A warm breath brushed against him.
A sweet, citrusy scent—just like a real orange, bringing a sense of joy.
As their lips met, Lin Yu’s whole neck stiffened.
It was both embarrassment and nervousness.
Even if no one could see them, this was still too—
The next second, from the corner of the banquet hall, came a faint click.
The banquet hall became as bright as daylight.
[mfn]
[Author’s Note]
I’ve died of secondhand embarrassment, guys.
[/mfn]
