#82: Proposal (4)

Elevator Balloons! Elevator Balloons! (Voice Cracking)

Yan Man’s performance tonight was a medley of songs.

Her partner was the familiar A Zhao, and the performance lasted seven minutes.

Amidst cheers, she stepped onto the stage, singing, and met A Zhao at the center.

Following the program’s flow, after finishing, she grabbed a handful of candy from a nearby box and tossed it into the audience.

The live audience eagerly reached out to grab them, creating an incredibly lively atmosphere.

From the moment Yan Man appeared, the show’s ratings began to rise.

With her actions, the barrage of comments exploded one after another.

[It feels like she’s throwing wedding candies hahaha!]

[You know what? It really does feel a bit like...]

[Is she hinting at something? Is Ye Lin’s segment next?!]

[Don’t overthink it. Knowing Ye Lin’s personality, how could he propose at a time like this?]

[This is unnecessary speculation. Do you know how much preparation goes into a New Year’s Eve proposal? How many rehearsals with the director’s team to ensure everything goes smoothly?]

...

Amidst the barrage of discussions, Yan Man and A Zhao prepared to exit the stage and head toward the elevator doors behind the stage.

The production team had incorporated some creativity this year, designing the lift as an elevator to give the audience a fresh visual experience.

They were also taking the elevator down.

Yan Man reached out and pressed the button on the right side of the elevator.

The stage lights dimmed entirely, leaving only the glow sticks and light boards waving below, resembling a sea of stars.

At this point, the camera should have moved away from this area. Yan Man put down the microphone, unable to hold back, and quietly chatted with A Zhao.

“Do you guys have any plans after this?”

“Nope, planning to head back to sleep. It’s almost midnight...” A Zhao said, “But I’m craving some late-night snacks. It’s okay to indulge a little on New Year’s Eve, right?”

Hearing this, Yan Man’s appetite was piqued. “Where are you guys planning to eat? I saw a place last time—”

Ding dong. The elevator doors opened.

Just as Yan Man was about to step in, she looked up and saw a light blue balloon floating out.

Then, like a chain reaction, as the elevator doors fully opened, countless balloons poured out, rising along the edges of the door and drifting toward the ceiling.

She was startled and tilted her head upward to look.

However, at this moment, the story unfolded in a way completely different from the script she had been given.

On the large screen in front of her, instead of the next program, a short video began to play.

Its content was very familiar to her.

From Floating Life, Old Years to Vampire , then from Vampire to Mermaid , Narcotics Cop , Fantasy Drama , Cherry Slush ...

A simple montage encompassing all their collaborative scenes together. Watching it made her brain tingle, and sweat began to seep uncontrollably from her palms.

Before her scattered thoughts could form a coherent idea, the spotlight above her head illuminated.

On the far-right screen, her own face appeared.

It wasn’t the first time she had seen something like this, but such moments usually occurred during award ceremonies or celebratory banquets. This was a packed New Year’s Eve gala, and no one had ever previewed this for her.

Yan Man blinked, seeing the person in the camera lens blink helplessly as well.

This strange mirror-like reaction sent a shiver down her spine.

She smiled faintly and asked casually, “What’s going on?”

No one answered her with words, but downstairs, the sea of light boards that should have been shining brightly suddenly dimmed in parts.

The lit-up portion transformed into a pixelated heart, made with her fan color.

[Proposal!! If this isn’t a proposal, I’ll wash my hair upside down!!]

[Already getting goosebumps...]

[Romanced before it even started... 555 manipulating the light boards? I’m seriously going to cry.]

[Elevator balloons!! Elevator balloons!! (Voice cracking)]

[Other people’s boyfriends never disappoint :) ]

Yan Man, struck by sudden intuition, turned to look at the other side.

Sure enough, after some of the light boards there dimmed, the pattern transformed into a small blue box.

On the main screen, the short video paused momentarily before resuming playback.

This time, it was Ye Lin holding the camera, likely filming himself.

Rarely did Yan Man experience moments of mental disconnection, but now she stood frozen, watching the content unfold.

Even at the edge of the frame, the man’s face remained flawlessly handsome.

He patted the hospital bed beneath him and asked, “Do you remember this place?”

She had assumed he would use the third person, but unexpectedly, even with so many viewers, he simply faced her as if chatting casually.

He said, “This is where we confirmed our relationship.”

[And also where they doi’d]

[@Floating Life, Old Years, hardcore fans love some hospital bed PDA]

[? What are you guys doing?]

[Hahahahahahaha Yan-Ye stans: Ruining the mood is our specialty.]

Next, he filmed several more scenes—the cabinet where they kept their trophies, the lazy sofa where they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend, the tattoo shop filled with memories, and the two cats that always seemed to be playing matchmaker.

The audience discovered many details within:

[Holy crap! So that tattoo on Ye Lin’s hand represents Manman!]

[That spot was originally a wound, the long-time fans all know about it. That’s why he always wore long sleeves to cover it, but after it healed, he stopped deliberately hiding it.]

[“You healed my wound.”]

As the video played on, he continued to say something, but Yan Man felt as if her ears were wrapped in a layer of mist—like she had momentarily sunk underwater. All she could hear was the bubbling sound of water, quietly boiling amidst the noise.

The heart in her chest seemed to beat with extraordinary intensity.

The elevator in front of her chimed again, pulling her back to reality from her daze.

The people beside her had already left. Instinctively, Yan Man took a step forward but unexpectedly bumped into someone’s shoulder.

A faint freesia scent mingled with a touch of crisp snow-like fragrance.

She looked up and saw Ye Lin.

Her thoughts tried to reconnect. She pointed at the screen and whispered softly, “...Aren’t you still in that video?”

He raised an eyebrow, not bothering to expose her misunderstanding.

“I can clone myself,” he said.

[? Hahahahahaha]

[Nima, one dares to ask, the other dares to answer.]

[Suddenly reminded me of that sense of happiness when every little thing or silly comment gets a response. No matter what small or dumb thing you say, he’ll reply seriously T-T]

[@Nüwa, when will mass production of Ye Lin begin? I can save up to buy one.]

[Nüwa: Thank you for the invite. My peak masterpiece is one-of-a-kind, limited to just one.]

Yan Man let out a soft “Oh” and didn’t speak, seemingly waiting for him to continue.

The man reached out and snapped his fingers in front of her.

She stared intently at his fingertips, afraid of missing anything. But a few seconds later, he tilted her chin slightly to the side.

His voice was low, tinged with amusement: “You’re looking at the wrong thing.”

[F*cking dammit, I’m dying from shipping them!!!]

Yan Man turned her gaze in the direction he indicated. A light fixture descended from above, opening its lid. Amidst entwined roses and white tea flowers lay an open ring box.

Inside, the pink engagement ring rested quietly, its translucent and bright hue shimmering under the lights. The grandeur of the moment made her heart tremble uncontrollably, and tears began to well up in her eyes unintentionally.

Yan Man reached out, picked up a rose, examined it from side to side, and then asked:

“Were those roses you sent before?”

After a pause, she started to clarify further, intending to specify details like after wrapping up a variety show and leaving them at the hotel reception—

But he had already nodded, taking the ring out.

Unconsciously, there was laughter in his voice.

“I thought it was already pretty obvious.”

[What! You even sent flowers?! How many surprises are there that I don’t know about.jpg]

Yan Man pointed to his palm and then asked, “So now, are you proposing to me?”

“Yes,” he knelt on one knee, calmly lifting his head to ask, “I wonder, would I have the honor?”

She thought about how much he must have rehearsed for today, filmed countless materials, and completed many tasks secretly without her noticing—

He had never thought that since she would agree anyway, he could afford to be careless or half-hearted.

At this moment, on the left side of the audience seats, the light board formed by the small box transformed into a line of text after he took out the ring—

It read: Say yes to him.

Yan Man laughed through her tears, her nose red as she teased him: “Are you trying to give me subtle hints?”

But before he could respond, she extended her hand, gently wiggling her fingers, and said, “Well then, alright. Consider yourself incredibly lucky.”

The ring slid smoothly onto her finger, fitting perfectly. Ye Lin stood up and kissed away a tear from her cheek.

He murmured softly: “Consider it my greatest honor.”

At this moment, the host emerged from behind the scenes, wearing an indescribable auntie-like smile: “Alright, congratulations to the newly engaged couple—no, congratulations to our beloved Yan-Ye couple!”

“We hope you carry everyone’s blessings and expectations and continue to walk together forever, bringing more wonderful works to everyone and allowing more people to still believe in love.”

“So, next, we’ll give them some time to compose themselves. The new performance will start shortly.”

“While waiting, let’s play an interlude… Sorry, I meant to say Spring Voices Waltz , performed by the Summer Dance Troupe!”

[Host: Oh my god, I just realized I wasn’t hosting a wedding??]

[Haha stocked up on laughs. He looks like a wedding officiant today.]

[Why didn’t anyone say Ye Lin wouldn’t propose at this moment? Hmmmm?]

[Ye Lin, a plain old expert at slapping faces, isn’t he.]

Yan Man walked into the elevator with him. As the camera focused on them, she waved goodbye to the audience.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, she looked up and saw the balloons lighting up at the top, flickering like stars drifting among clouds.

Next was Ye Lin’s solo performance, so she couldn’t appear. But when the final act ended, she made a brief appearance in the elevator with him to complete the New Year countdown together.

Cheers erupted from the crowd below, flashes went off continuously, ribbons floated in the venue, and fans blew overhead.

The balloons were blown down too. Yan Man noticed a little girl at the edge of the stage reaching out to grab one. She walked over, held the balloon string, and handed it to the girl.

This became the final scene of the New Year’s celebration. Fan photographers captured the moment as Yan Man bent down to hand the balloon to the little girl, with Ye Lin standing behind her watching. Her smile lingered as she supported herself on one knee and handed the balloon to the child.

The trending topic exploded with discussions:

[Too cute! When will Manman have a baby?]

[When will you give Ye Lin a love rival (not really)?]

[It’s 1 AM now, broadcast live for us! I want to see them going at it tonight.]

[?]

[None of you are wearing pants, not a single pair, huh!!!]

________________________________________

That night, when they returned home, it was already very late.

But after such a big event, no one could possibly fall asleep. The pre-sleep routine was perfect for some entertaining yet educational bedtime activities.

However, today he seemed to be deliberately stalling, taking his sweet time to get to the main point, which left Yan Man with a stuffy nose. Resting her chin on the crook of his neck, she softly urged him: “...Hurry up, will you?”

Finally, as if he had been waiting for this moment, he spoke in a low, deliberate tone: “What did you call me?”

“...”

This move felt oddly familiar, but she still answered instinctively: “Baby?”

“Nope.”

Realization dawned on her, and she pursed her lips before mumbling two words clumsily.

Ye Lin leaned closer intentionally, waiting for her to prepare herself through her congested nose, only to pull back slightly at the last moment.

Yan Man: “...”

Yan Man: ???

He said: “I can’t hear you.”

“Husband, husband, husband,” she pounded her fists against him in frustration. “Husband! Did you hear that?!”

“I heard it.” He reached out, nudged her chin, and continued, “What did you just say?”

Her eyes began to well up with tears:

“Hurry up...”

Ye Lin lowered his head to touch the tip of her nose, coaxing her gently, his voice low:

“Mm, say it all together. Once.”