C17 You Want to Marry Me?

Lin Qingwan stepped out from the Gu family's sprawling villa, her silhouette framed by a black umbrella. She made her way to the nearby park, where she spotted a man standing in the downpour, his back to her, unshielded by an umbrella, his tall figure outlined against the curtain of rain.

He seemed to be waiting with a deliberate rhythm. Only when Lin Qingwan drew closer did he slowly turn around, revealing a strikingly handsome face, with sharp brows and eyes that held a tender, passionate gaze. In a sudden, romantic gesture, he dropped to one knee and extended a rose towards her, his voice warm and earnest, "Hello, Miss Lin. My name is Chen Zifeng."

Lin Qingwan offered a smile, yet she didn't take the flower, merely gazing down at him from her lofty stance.

Chen Zifeng was taken aback. The information he'd received painted a very different picture—Lin Qingwan was supposed to be a starstruck fool, rendered immobile at the mere sight of a male celebrity. He had been led to believe that offering her roses would have her swooning, let alone a mere glance.

He had initially been reluctant to partake in this charade, but the prospect of connecting with the Gu family, whose wealth rivaled nations, had quickly changed his mind. If he could win over the affection of their adopted daughter, the sky would be the limit for his career.

And Lin Qingwan wasn't just wealthy—she was breathtakingly beautiful, a fact that secretly thrilled him. If he could captivate this supposed simpleton, he might just find his way into the echelons of the elite.

Despite his status as a top-tier celebrity, he knew he was worlds apart from the true sons of affluence. A single misstep with the powerful could spell career suicide. This made the backing of the Gu family all the more desirable.

"Qingwan, don't you like me?" Chen Zifeng ran his fingers through his damp hair, his voice smooth as honey. "I've waited here for you, braving the rain, just to prove my sincerity. I know you once had feelings for a male star named Lin Xuan, who let you down and married someone else. But I'm not like him—I truly care for you, love you. If you're willing, I'd marry you right now and we'd never part."

Chen Zifeng was sure his heartfelt declaration would sway Lin Qingwan. Yet, to his dismay, she merely regarded him with a cool detachment, the corners of her lips curling into a subtle, mocking smile.

"Do you want to marry me?"

"Yes!" Chen Zifeng affirmed with a solemn nod, rising to present the roses to Lin Qingwan once more.

Lin Qingwan accepted the rose, prompting a smile from Chen Zifeng. However, his smile quickly became rigid.

With a hint of mockery, Lin Qingwan tossed the rose to the ground. "You think a bunch of cheap roses is enough to marry into the Gu family? Aren't you being a bit too optimistic?"

Chen Zifeng's face flushed with embarrassment. "Qingwan, my heart is still full of love for you. I'm convinced that with hard work, I can provide you with the best life possible."

"Your heart? How much is that worth?" Lin Qingwan's eyes dripped with irony. "Why would a Gu family heiress like me endure hardship with a minor celebrity like you? You think hard work alone can secure me the best life? You're nothing more than an actor trading on looks. No matter how high your box office earnings, it doesn't change the nature of your trade."

Lin Qingwan's words were laced with biting sarcasm, revealing her true colors as a spoiled heiress. She was addressing Chen Zifeng, but also ensuring the others in the pavilion heard her loud and clear.

Indeed, she had sensed someone approaching a short while ago. A quick glance confirmed it was Gu Mingfeng, Old Master Gu, and Gu Na, who was holding their umbrella.

It was obvious to Lin Qingwan that Gu Na had orchestrated this, hoping Old Master Gu and Gu Mingfeng would witness her being wooed, leading to their disappointment, or even disdain.

Yet, in that moment, Old Master Gu stroked his beard and nodded approvingly. "Qingwan has certainly grown up. She knows her place and won't be seduced by mere actors anymore."

Gu Mingfeng echoed the sentiment with a slow nod. Their elite circle didn't mind the arrogance in her words; they had the pedigree to back it up, unlike Lin Qingwan's previous starstruck pursuits.

Meanwhile, Gu Na's face contorted with displeasure. She had painstakingly arranged for Old Master Gu and Gu Mingfeng to come, expecting a spectacle, but instead, her plan backfired, inadvertently aiding Lin Qingwan in salvaging her reputation. The sting of the metaphorical slap left her slender palms clenched in frustration.

Chen Zifeng's face alternated between shades of red and pale as Lin Qingwan's words cut deep, leaving him seething with a mix of shame and rage. With a sudden, accusatory jab of his finger, he erupted at her, "Lin Qingwan, you've let me down! I thought you'd be like the rest of my fans, brimming with belief in me. But you—looking down on people like that, you've really shown your true colors. Well, keep your eyes peeled, because I'm on my way to becoming a world-class superstar. You'll be eating your words soon enough!"

No sooner had his declaration echoed in the air than a series of deliberate, heavy footsteps approached. A black umbrella unfurled over Lin Qingwan's head, and a voice, devoid of any warmth, announced, "There's no need for you to prove anything now. As of today, you're officially out of the entertainment industry."