Dressed in a navy blue turtleneck and a sleek black jacket, Si Haoran stood before Song Meiqi, a bouquet of red roses held gently in his hands. The soft ambient light above caressed his striking features—the sculpted bridge of his nose, the sly curve of his eyes, and cherry lips that curved into an almost unreal smile.
Meiqi's dark eyes widened. Every line of his face stirred the ache she'd buried, her heart thudding with a jagged mix of anger and hurt, and her fingers dug into the fabric of her pants, knuckles whitening as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
"You… why are you here?" she asked, her lips trembling slightly, though her expression remained calm.
A soft chuckle escaped Haoran as he stepped closer, the corners of his lips curling into that familiar, teasing smile.
"There's no way I'd forget your birthday." he said softly, holding the bouquet out toward her. Meiqi's eyes fell on the flowers. Once, they would've made her heart leap; now, only a fleeting pain and regret crossed her face—too brief for Haoran to notice.
She accepted the flowers with a faint smile, but her eyes stayed unreadable and cold.
Not far away, Zheng Mengyao watched in silence, her hand curling into a fist as pain pulsed through her chest. Watching Haoran look at Meiqi that way burned—envy twisting beneath the guilt she tried to hide. She cared for Meiqi, she truly did, but a selfish part of her still wished his eyes would linger on her, just once.
The night sky caught the glint in her eyes before she blinked it away.
As Haoran led Meiqi toward the center of the room, the crowd subtly closed in—the few staff members aware of their secret relationship exchanging knowing smiles.
Above them, strings of fairy lights glowed with a gentle warmth, while pastel balloons drifted lazily in the night breeze. Nearby, a long table was laden with delicacies—braised meats, delicate dim sum, fresh fruit platters, and sweet pastries—highlighted by a frosted two-layer cake encircled with rose petals and flickering candles.
Beyond it all, the city skyline shimmered, and a soft wind teased through Meiqi's curls, carrying a faint scent of roses and something sweet.
Then, all at once, voices rose in unison, singing Happy Birthday. Lina, Si Yu, Xiuying, and Mengyao gathered close, their faces glowing in the candlelight as Meiqi blew out the flames. Cheers and applause followed, warm and bright, as she lowered her gaze shyly over the crowd.
Just then, the lights suddenly went out, confusion rippling through the crowd as darkness enveloped the room. Far off, the faint flicker of city lights wavered against the night.
"What's going on?!" Si Yu gasped, her body trembling as she held onto Mengyao's arm.
Mengyao shook her head, her face hidden in the darkness. "No idea."
Some of the staff members fumbled for their phones, hands shaking, hoping to use them as makeshift lights. Just as Manager Li found hers and raised it, a sharp beam cut through the darkness, revealing anxious expressions in flickers of light.
A large screen flared to life, spilling light across the rooftop. A video played, showing images and clips of Meiqi and Haoran—moments from when they were fifteen and seventeen. Laughter, shy glances, fleeting touches—each frame pulsed with memory, turning the room into a silent witness to a story that had quietly begun years ago.
The room fell silent, eyes glued to the screen. Some gasped; others pressed hands to their mouths. caught off guard by the memories unfolding.
At the middle of the crowd, Meiqi's fingers tightened around the bouquet, her chest heavy as years spent with him washed over her.
Then the video ended, leaving four bold words glowing on the screen: "Will you marry me?"
Everyone froze, stunned—not even Meiqi had expected this. Her heart skipped, breath caught, brows drawing together in confusion.
After all that's happened… he actually still wants to marry me? disbelief and pain tugging at her chest. A bitter laugh threatened to escape, but she swallowed it when she heard Haoran's voice.
"Little Qi… after thinking it over for a long time… I really feel that you're the only one for me." His voice was measured and warm, cutting through the silence.
Meiqi turned—and there he was.
He knelt on one knee, his left leg pressed against the floor, a white box cradled carefully in his hand. The crowd around them seemed to fade, swallowed by the glow spilling from the screen behind her.
Inside the box rested a ring shaped like a delicate flower, its diamond sparkling faintly, catching the light with every subtle movement.
Haoran's gaze met hers, soft and steady, glowing under the night sky. His lips curved into a nervous smile—sincere enough to melt hearts, though to Meiqi, it almost looked as if he were trying to make a fool out of her.
"Little Qi…" His voice quivered, tender and assured, warmth radiating as he knelt. "We've been through so much… and you've always been by my side."
A night breeze lifted a strand of Meiqi's hair as his fingers tightened on the box, the ring shimmering softly in the light. "I want to be by your side too, to protect you… and share my life with you."
He exhaled, letting the words hang.
"Will you… marry me?" His voice was calm, certain, carrying quiet confidence, as if her answer was already clear to him.