Chapter 86 Fu Liang's Attack
At noon on Christmas Eve, Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin sat across from each other in an elegant coffee shop just off campus.
"Why are your eyes so red?"
"Did you not get any rest last night?"
"You didn't go back to the dormitory again, did you?"
Looking at the dark circles under Liu Shang's eyes, Jiang Ruolin couldn't help but frown. At the same time, she felt a faint sense of dissatisfaction and anger.
During Liu Shang's busiest period, even she, his girlfriend, could barely see him. The longest they had gone without meeting was an entire week. Liu Shang hadn't even been returning to his dorm at night.
Seeing her expression, Liu Shang smiled gently and reached across the table to take her small, soft hand in his. He gave it a little squeeze, then affectionately pinched her nose.
"Alright, you're right. It was my fault before for not making more time to spend with you."
"But things will be better from now on, I promise."
Disarmed by Liu Shang's intimate gesture, Jiang Ruolin pouted and gave a playful huff, but her other hand gripped his tightly as she leaned her cheek against it.
At this, Liu Shang smiled and continued, "As for why my eyes are so red…"
"I really didn't sleep well last night. That guy Fu Liang forced us to blow up balloons all night long."
"My cheeks are still sore!"
"What?"
"Forced to blow up balloons?"
"Why on earth were you guys up all night blowing up balloons instead of sleeping?" Jiang Ruolin asked, a mixture of surprise and amusement on her face.
The thought of several grown men sitting on their dorm room floor in the middle of the night, sleeplessly blowing up balloons, struck her as inexplicably funny.
At the mention of it, Liu Shang's face was a mask of helpless bitterness.
"Oh, don't even ask."
"That kid Fu Liang is going all out. He's dead set on launching his final offensive on Wang Yin tonight, on Christmas Eve."
"So now we have flowers, candles, and a mountain of balloons."
"I got off easy. Zheng Shiwei and Cheng Meng have had it even worse lately!"
When she heard Wang Yin's name, Jiang Ruolin's brow furrowed.
To the average student, Wang Yin was beautiful and popular, always seen in luxurious clothes. But from the perspective of people within their social circle, Wang Yin wasn't even on the periphery; at best, she was the type of girl a rich kid might hang out with for a short time. Her reputation was truly terrible.
"Fu Liang and Wang Yin… are they really a good match?"
Liu Shang smiled and spread his hands. "We've tried to talk him out of it countless times, but the guy is completely determined."
"There's nothing we can do. It might be for the best to let him hit a wall and get over her completely. Better a short, sharp pain than a long, drawn-out one."
"However, it does mean our plans for tonight have to be cancelled."
"Before I left, Fu Liang reminded me a dozen times that we all have to be there tonight to help fill out the scene."
"He even specifically asked me to bring you along, saying your presence would make the event more popular."
"He thinks that with a bigger crowd, his chances of success will be much higher."
"Ah? Is that so…"
"He really expected you to give up a romantic evening just for the two of us?"
Seeing her playful, coquettish expression, Liu Shang felt his mouth go dry. His eyes lit up, and his fingers twitched.
Noticing his reaction, Jiang Ruolin smiled like a little fox who had just gotten her way.
***
As night fell and the campus lights began to glow, Fu Liang and the others had already set everything up downstairs from Wang Yin's dormitory.
A large heart had been formed out of candles. In the center sat a teddy bear holding a jewelry box that contained a platinum ring. That ring alone had cost Fu Liang several months of his living allowance—three to four thousand yuan.
Nearby stood Fu Liang, dressed in a silver suit that made him look like a wedding emcee. He held a large bouquet of roses in his left hand and a small megaphone in his right.
Just then, Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin approached, holding hands and looking on with curiosity.
"I have to ask, Fu Liang, where did you get a megaphone?"
"Seriously, isn't this a little over the top?"
"For some reason, I feel like this kind of ceremony is better when it's more natural."
Seeing them arrive, Fu Liang greeted Jiang Ruolin first, then shot Liu Shang a dismissive look.
"I'm just worried I'll get nervous with too many people watching and won't be able to say what I want to say."
"So I went off-campus and picked this up."
"It makes things simple. I pre-recorded what I want to say, so all I have to do is press play."
"Besides, do you really think everyone is like you, able to naturally win over a beautiful girl like your girlfriend with just your charm?"
"I have to go all out this time and create the most romantic atmosphere possible, so Wang Yin won't be able to refuse me!"
Hearing Fu Liang's words, Jiang Ruolin glanced at Liu Shang with a smile.
"Hmph! Look at Fu Liang, and then look at you."
"I'm really starting to regret falling for you so easily!"
As they were joking, a girl who had been arranged to "keep an eye on" Wang Yin sent a signal that she was bringing her downstairs.
Receiving the cue, everyone hastily lit the candles.
Soon, the entire heart was flickering, and today's protagonist, Wang Yin, arrived on the scene, accompanied by her best friend.
Under the night sky, the heart of candlelight looked exceptionally warm and romantic.
In truth, with Wang Yin's extensive network of contacts, there was no way she didn't already know about the grand gesture Fu Liang was planning. Even if her friend hadn't invited her, she would have shown up on her own initiative to give Fu Liang the chance to pursue her.
In her heart, Wang Yin felt nothing for Fu Liang and had no intention of accepting the advances of a poor boy like him. All she wanted was the vanity of this public display, to enhance her own image and appear more sought-after. She hoped that by increasing her popularity, she could eventually catch the eye of a truly wealthy suitor.
Upon arriving, Wang Yin's best friend tactfully disappeared into the night, leaving the stage to Wang Yin and Fu Liang.
With practiced skill, Wang Yin put on an expression of utter shock and surprise.
"Wow, who put all these candles and this bear here? It's so beautiful."
"Fu Liang, what are you doing here?"
At this moment, Fu Liang, who had rehearsed this scene countless times in his mind, stepped forward confidently. He knelt on one knee and presented the huge bouquet of roses with his left hand.
"Wang Yin, don't be surprised. Everything here tonight was prepared just for you."
"This bouquet of roses is also for you."
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