An Hour Ago…
Headline: "EXCLUSIVE: 'October Couple' Actor Hanyu & Idol Meng Li Spotted on Secret Late-Night Date!"
Despite a 13-year age gap, the couple looked completely at ease—laughing, chatting, and stealing private moments away from prying eyes.
As one of the industry's most sought-after actors, Hanyu's name alone was enough to set the internet ablaze. Echo's post on their Weixun account spread like wildfire, its headline flashing across countless screens. Within minutes, it had climbed to the top of the hot search list.
Comment sections overflowed—some cheering and sending hearts, others frowning with disapproval, and a restless few demanding answers from their agencies.
And just like that, Echo established their "October Couple"—exactly the way they'd teased.
…
However, as night stretched on and screens burned with the "October Couple" frenzy, H.City pulsed with life elsewhere.
The hum of chatter, busy footsteps, and soft background music made GL Mall buzz with activity. Ceiling lights spilled into every corner, so bright the night sky beyond the walls was barely visible, their reflections shimmering on polished floors. Shoppers moved through the corridors—some carrying designer bags, others pausing at elaborate window displays—while the blended scent of coffee, pastries, and new leather goods hung warmly in the air.
A man dressed in all black, his face hidden beneath a mask and cap, stepped into the Plush Pop store—a place known for its shelves of toys and soft plushies. Its vibrant colours stood in sharp contrast to his dark outfit, making him seem even more out of place. Yet he paid no attention, moving down the aisles with quiet purpose, scanning the rows until his gaze stopped.
A brown-and-beige stuffed dog.
His eyes glinted—he'd found it.
Moments later, he stepped out of the store, one hand buried in his pocket, the other clutching a small paper bag. He strolled down the corridor until a quiet coffee shop caught his eye and slid into a seat by the window. From the bag, he gently lifted the stuffed dog and set it on the table before him, as if placing a fragile treasure. Then, without breaking his gaze, he slipped his phone from his pocket, dialled a number, and pressed it to his ear.
"Right now… you've probably seen Echo's post about that celebrity couple, haven't you?" His voice cut through the mask, sharp and cold.
"These past years, Echo has always led the game—fastest, biggest scoops."
His fingers brushed the soft fur of the stuffed toy. His eyes were sharp, unreadable.
"Tell you what… I'll give you a shot to beat Echo's clicks." He paused, letting the words hang. Fingers froze mid-motion.
"But… you release the news tonight. No excuses."
The call ended. He slipped the phone back into his pocket with a controlled motion, his hand lingering on the small paper bag for a moment before returning to brush the stuffed dog's fur.
Under the warm glow of the coffee shop lights, his eyes flickered, recalling the moment he had stepped out of the North Wing Stadium and saw Echo's post.
"It's okay… My Meiqi. I won't let him hurt you any longer."
His voice was quiet, almost a whisper, yet it carried an unshakable resolve. Slowly, his gaze hardened, sharp and unyielding, as if nothing could stand in its way.
…
Elsewhere in H.City, atop a rooftop bar bathed in the glow of city lights, Si Haoran knelt before Song Meiqi, the skyline and stars wrapping them in the magic of the night.
"Will you… marry me?" Haoran asked, calm and certain.
For a heartbeat, the rooftop seemed to hold its breath—everyone caught off guard, unaware that only Haoran and his manager had planned this private moment. Then the crowd began to cheer:
"Marry him! Marry him!" Laughter and applause rippled across the rooftop, mingling with the twinkling city lights.
Meiqi's eyes fell on the ring, the diamond catching the light. She had dreamed of this moment—him on one knee, their future together… until he had shattered that dream.
One hand clenched at her side, the other gripping the bouquet of red roses, she fought to steady her trembling breath. Her gaze drifted to Haoran, pain and disbelief flickering in her eyes as the photos she had seen replayed in her mind, each image twisting like a knife in her chest. Her heart throbbed painfully, and a tear slid down her cheek, catching the light.
To Haoran, it was proof she was moved. His smile deepened, warm and patient, eyes fixed on hers, every quiet second stretching into eternity as he waited for the answer he already hoped for.
"Marry him! Marry him!" The cheers continued, spilling into the night.
Meanwhile, Zheng Mengyao clenched her jaw, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes as she watched the man she loved kneel before another woman. She looked away, pressing her gaze to the floor, trying to hide the ache twisting her chest. And in that moment, a cruel part of her wished Meiqi would say no—wished to snatch the happiness that had once seemed so impossibly hers.
Then, a voice cut through the celebration, cold and sharp, slicing through the laughter like a blade:
"No."
Mengyao's gaze wavered. Her chest tightened, breath catching in her throat. Slowly, her head turned toward Meiqi, eyes searching—confused, uncertain, trembling with disbelief.
"No… I'm not going to marry you, Haoran."
The words hung in the air, sharp and undeniable. This time, there was no mistaking it—it was Little Qi.