Fiancee

As the final notes of the dance faded, Guo Min felt the tension in the air shift. The silent battle between Zhu Zihan and Yang Yufan had not gone unnoticed—by her or by the guests. But before she could say anything, Zihan released a breath, adjusted his cufflinks, and strode toward the stage with effortless confidence.

The murmurs in the crowd grew as Zhu Zihan, the powerful and enigmatic CEO of Zhu Empire, took his place under the dazzling chandeliers. A hush fell over the banquet hall as he took the microphone, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room before settling on his father, Zhu Zixuan.

"Good evening, everyone," Zihan's voice was smooth, controlled—commanding attention with minimal effort. "Tonight, we are gathered here to celebrate the birthday of my father, a man whose strength and wisdom have shaped not only this family but an empire."

A round of applause followed, but Zihan's focus remained unwavering. His fingers lightly tapped against the microphone as his expression darkened with something unreadable.

"But as we celebrate the past, we must also look to the future," he continued. "And I think it is time for me to take the next step."

Whispers rippled through the crowd. People leaned in, eyes widening with anticipation.

Guo Min, still standing next to Yufan, narrowed her gaze. She could feel Yufan stiffen beside her.

Zihan's expression blank, his eyes locked onto Guo Min's as he spoke his next words.

"My engagement has been decided."

The entire hall froze.

Gasps echoed, and then the murmuring turned into a low buzz of excitement. Women who had been eyeing him all night looked crushed. Some families exchanged looks, silently wondering who had won the prize that was Zhu Zihan.

Guo Min's heart thudded in her chest, but she kept her face emotionless.

Zihan finally looked at his father, who nodded approvingly.

"My fiancée," Zihan said slowly, deliberately, "is none other than—"

"Zhu Zihan."

A sharp voice interrupted him.

Yufan.

All eyes snapped toward him, standing just a few steps away from Guo Min, his expression unreadable but his body radiating tension.

Guo Min exhaled slowly, her fingers curling into her dress as she prepared herself for what was about to unfold.

Zihan tilted his head slightly, his gaze dark. "Yes, Yufan?"

The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words, the air electric between the two men.

Yufan's voice was steady, but his jaw was clenched. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

A dangerous smirk tugged at Zihan's lips. "Are you asking for my sake, or for hers?"

Yufan's expression didn't change, but Guo Min could feel the storm brewing beneath the surface.

She exhaled quietly, her own emotions a tangled mess as she looked between them.

A thick silence settled over the banquet hall, the tension between the two men palpable. Some guests held their breath, sensing that something significant was unfolding before their eyes.

Guo Min felt the weight of a hundred gazes on her, yet she remained composed, her sharp eyes flickering between Yufan and Zihan.

Zihan let out a slow, deliberate chuckle. "Why the hesitation, Yufan? Do you object?" His tone was smooth, but the challenge in his eyes was unmistakable.

Yufan's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "I just want to be sure that this isn't another one of your calculated moves, Zihan. Guo Min isn't a business acquisition for you to claim at will."

A murmur ran through the crowd. Some of the guests exchanged glances, intrigued by the subtle yet intense confrontation between the two powerful men.

Zihan arched a brow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "And what if it is? What if I want her in my life—not as a deal, but as something far more permanent?" His gaze flickered toward Guo Min, dark and unreadable. "Would that be a problem for you?"

Yufan took a step forward, his eyes burning with something raw and unspoken. "It would be a problem if she had no say in it."

Guo Min, who had been silent all this while, exhaled softly before stepping between them. Her voice, cool and unwavering, sliced through the tension.

"Enough."

Both men turned to her, their eyes locked onto hers as if waiting for her decision.

She tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "If you're both done staking claims over me like I'm a trophy, I'd like to remind you that I belong to no one."

A dangerous smirk tugged at Zihan's lips, while Yufan's expression remained tense, his eyes flickering with a hint of something deeper.

Guo Min turned to Zihan, her gaze sharp. "You talk about permanence, but we both know this arrangement wasn't my choice. If you expect me to play the role of a docile fiancée, you're mistaken."

Zihan's eyed her. "Oh, I never expected docility from you, Guo Min. In fact, I'd be disappointed if you were anything less than the fierce woman I know you to be."

Guo Min narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Then, she turned to Yufan, her voice softer but firm. "And you. I appreciate your concern, but I don't need a knight in shining armor. I've survived worse."

Yufan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But that doesn't mean you have to go through this alone."

The weight of his words lingered in the air, but before Guo Min could respond, Zihan took her hand in his, his grip firm yet unyielding.

"Then let's make this interesting," Zihan murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "If you don't want to be my fiancée, prove it. Walk away now."

Guo Min's breath hitched.

Zihan was daring her. Testing her.

A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes.

The ballroom was silent, save for the faint hum of murmured speculation from the guests. The weight of Zihan's challenge pressed down on Guo Min, his words hanging between them like an unspoken dare.

Prove it. Walk away now.