C13 Nuan Marry Me

Hearing what she said, Lee Xiao's face turned red and then white. She thought she had caught Jiang Nuan in a lie and wanted to use it as leverage. But to her surprise, Jiang Nuan was completely unfazed!

"What are you talking about, Nuan? You were out all night with Xiaoyou's dad, and Mr. Yan was worried sick!" Lee Xiao exclaimed, maintaining a facade of concern. Her voice was so loud, it probably echoed throughout the entire dojo.

Jiang Nuan looked at her, trying to keep an innocent expression, and couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, really? How do you know? Did you spend the whole night comforting my boyfriend because I wasn't home?" she teased, nodding thoughtfully. "That must have been tough on you!"

Standing nearby, Big White couldn't take it anymore. She pulled Jiang Nuan behind her and pointed at Lee Xiao, launching into a tirade. "I've met plenty of two-faced people, but you're the first to earn my genuine admiration. Mind if I ask, Lee Xiao, do your parents know about your antics with Zhao Yan in the ladies' room?"

Big White, being straightforward and unreserved, tore away the thin veil of decency Lee Xiao was trying to maintain. For a moment, Lee Xiao was at a loss for words.

Jiang Nuan felt a headache coming on as she listened to Da Bai's words. She frowned slightly and pulled Da Bai aside. "Come on, don't be mad. Look, I'm not even upset," she said, guiding Da Bai through the crowd and heading toward the lounge.

Inside the lounge, Da Bai was still fuming. "Why didn't you let me give her a piece of my mind? I can't stand her smug face!" she exclaimed, taking a few big gulps from her water bottle.

Watching her, Jiang Nuan couldn't help but chuckle. "What's the point? There were so many people around. Do you really want everyone to know my best friend betrayed me?" she said, lying down. "When Lee Xiao wanted to join our dojo, I went out of my way to help her, even made some enemies. Now that this has happened, I bet those people are the happiest."

Da Bai nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. As long as we know the truth, that's all that matters."

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the lounge. Jiang Nuan and Da Bai exchanged glances. Jiang Nuan was about to get up to see what was happening when the door opened, and someone walked in holding a large bouquet of roses.

"Nuan," said Zhao Yan.

The moment she saw him, Jiang Nuan felt a pang of anxiety. Three years is not a short time, and even though she discovered his deceit yesterday, she still...

"Nuan, we've been together for three years, and it's been over a year since we graduated. I think it's time I tell you what's in my heart." With that, Zhao Yan handed a bouquet to Jiang Nuan and pulled a blue velvet box from his pocket, dropping to one knee.

The people gathered outside the lounge door erupted into cheers at the sight, as if joining in the excitement was second nature.

"Nuan, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. In this life, the next, and the one after that, I want to be your other half. Together in life and in death, will you marry me?" His face lit up with a confident smile, as if expecting Jiang Nuan to burst into tears of joy.

"Marry him! Marry him!" The chant started from somewhere in the crowd outside the lounge, growing louder and more synchronized.

Jiang Nuan watched it all, feeling her heart, which had grown numb, begin to ache again. She had no doubt that if this had happened before yesterday, Zhao Yan's actions would have moved her to tears. But after what she witnessed yesterday, she saw right through him. After all, she'd caught him cheating more than once.

Thinking of this, Jiang Nuan couldn't help but laugh.