Chapter 12: Forcing Her to Submit

The premiere reached its final crescendo with Lin Yichen and several other lead actors revealing juicy tidbits, but Xia Rusheng’s heart remained in turmoil. She stayed glued to the scene until the host announced the end of the interviews. Meanwhile, Xia Yu and Tan Li sat on pins and needles behind her. When the interview concluded, Xia Rusheng distinctly heard Xia Yu emit a dissatisfied huff, followed by the mother and daughter whispering conspiratorially.

“What’s going on with the young master of the Lin family? Didn’t we agree—”

“Shh—, Mom, lower your voice.” Xia Yu gestured for silence, then pointed toward Xia Rusheng in the front row.

“What are you two talking about?” Xia Rui, noticing their anxious whispering, could not help but ask.

Tan Li turned and wrapped her arm around Xia Rui’s, and due to the occasion, he did not pull away. She whispered something in his ear, and in an instant, Xia Rui’s face brightened with a warm smile. He even reached out to gently pat Tan Li’s hand.

A little while later, the new film began screening. The creators gradually stepped off the stage to watch the premiere alongside the guests. Lin Yichen sat directly beside Xia Rusheng, deliberately leaning his body toward her. With a burning tone, he said, “Miss Xia, patiently await the surprise I have prepared for you.”

Xia Rusheng met his provocative gaze, biting her lip to suppress a cold laugh. “Fine, I’ll wait!”

Though the film itself was far from dull, Xia Rusheng couldn’t focus. Her heart pounded with apprehension as she waited through the closing credits, yet Lin Yichen made no further moves.

“You’re just trying to scare me!”

Before she could finish her sentence, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue, drowning out her words. Lin Yichen rose from his seat to accept the crowd’s congratulations. Suddenly, the screen, which was supposed to display promotional posters, flickered to a photo of Lin Yichen kneeling in a proposal.

“Everyone, please quiet down. I have a few words to say.” Lin Yichen stepped onto the stage and took the microphone from the host. “Today is a special day. As you know, this film is releasing during the New Year holiday and Valentine’s Day simultaneously. It has taken considerable effort. During the interview earlier, I was hoping the host would ask me one question, but she never did. The question is: why did I make this film? And why did I choose this title? Host, please ask again.”

Laughter rippled through the room. The host obliged, repeating the question. Like a magician, Lin Yichen then produced a ring box, and Xia Rusheng’s heart clenched tightly.

She had a premonition: this proposal was aimed squarely at her. He intended to use the public spotlight to force her compliance. If she refused in front of everyone, it would be a slap to the Lin family’s face, and the matriarch and Xia Rui would never look upon her kindly again.

Tan Li and Xia Yu were utterly devious, and the matriarch made it clear that discussion was possible only to deny her any real chance to refuse.

“Actually, I made this film to fulfill a promise. A year and a half ago, I got engaged to my fiancée, Xia Xia. But on the day of our engagement, she was involved in a car accident on her way to the ceremony. I swore that no matter what happened to her, I would wait for her return and keep my promise to be with her for life. Though her appearance has changed due to treatment, thankfully, she can still stand before me.”

Lin Yichen spoke with deep emotion, choking up several times, but never seeming insincere. Yet Xia Rusheng knew the truth. Xia Xia had been forced into the engagement and had died in a tragic accident while fleeing the wedding.

After these words, Lin Yichen suddenly dropped to one knee onstage, holding the ring just as in the photo, loudly proposing.

“Xia Xia, will you marry me?”

A spotlight shone directly on Xia Rusheng, focusing all eyes on her. Seated in the center of the front row, most could see only her back. Out of others’ view, Xia Rusheng glared fiercely at Lin Yichen, but he remained undaunted, flashing another challenging smile.

Clutching her purse tightly, Xia Rusheng lifted her chin and boldly walked onto the stage.

“Ah—”

Just as she stood there, teeth clenched before Lin Yichen, every light in the venue suddenly went out. The cameras failed to capture her face before the entire press conference plunged into darkness.

A staff member wielding a flashlight hurried in, apologizing profusely to those inside: “We’re very sorry. The entire resort has lost power suddenly. We will investigate and repair the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for interrupting the event.”

After the apology, servers brought in numerous scented candles to calm the guests and continued to apologize repeatedly.

“Miss Xia, please this way.” Amid the darkness, Manager Yang’s voice appeared softly. Wearing gloves, he politely supported Xia Rusheng’s arm and swiftly escorted her out of the venue into an area unlit by candle flames.

“Manager Yang, was the blackout really just a coincidence?” The timing was too perfect, saving her from crisis and embarrassment. She found it hard to believe it was mere chance.

Using his flashlight, Manager Yang settled Xia Rusheng into a private lounge and switched on the backup lights. “It was a coincidence. The entire resort is without power. Please rest assured and wait here. We have already dispatched technicians to repair the problem.”

“When will the power be restored?” Xia Rusheng asked anxiously. In truth, she did not want the lights to come back immediately.

“Don’t worry, Miss Xia. Our staff will not interfere with your affairs. You only need to wait here calmly. I will notify you as soon as the power returns.”

After speaking, Manager Yang left. Yet the more Xia Rusheng thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Ever since arriving at the resort, strange things had been happening. This blackout seemed deliberately arranged to help her. Though Manager Yang denied it, she trusted her instincts more.

Xia Rusheng waited quietly in the lounge, but by midnight, the power was still out. Exhausted, she eventually fell asleep leaning against the sofa.

After midnight, the backup light dimmed further. Under the faint yellow glow, a tall man slowly entered. Dressed in a tailored suit, his back straight, his side profile sharp and clear—thick black eyebrows, deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and thin, tightly pressed lips—everything about him exuded an intense aura.

He crouched before Xia Rusheng, carefully studying every inch of her face. He felt both strange and familiar but dared not touch her, fearing to wake her. After a long while, he rose and quietly left the lounge as he had come.