Lan Lan explained her sudden inspiration to Lin Mei and Feng Feng, who both looked on with admiration. As expected of her, she could turn something as simple as a proposal into such a creative spectacle. It was indeed fresh and unconventional, but…
"Can Mai Xuan Feng cooperate?" Lin Mei couldn't help but worry. While the plan was creative, it was also quite risky. A single misstep could turn it into a farce, a scare with no joy.
Feng Feng shared Lin Mei's concern. "Aren't you afraid your dog will act up?"
"She's very smart," Lan Lan said, completely unconcerned. She had immense confidence in Mai Xuan Feng's intelligence. Her worry wasn't that the dog wouldn't cooperate due to not understanding commands, but rather that she might not cooperate because she felt her "boyfriend was being stolen."
Keeping Mai Xuan Feng felt like having a rival at home.
Lan Lan only had a nascent idea; the specific execution plan was yet to be finalized, requiring more time for planning.
Coincidentally, Liang Yu Feng had been busy lately, which also gave her and Mai Xuan Feng time to rehearse. A proposal would, of course, require flowers. As for the ring, Lan Lan hadn't bought one yet; there would be time to order it when they were truly ready to get married.
Golden retrievers were highly intelligent, and Mai Xuan Feng, being a genetically screened golden retriever, learned things very efficiently. Within a few days, Lan Lan had taught her to fetch flowers and spin in circles, and also how to carry things.
With this task, her days off became fulfilling.
One day, while taking Mai Xuan Feng for a bath at the pet store, Lan Lan ran into Jiang Rong. Jiang Rong had brought her two dogs. Lan Lan had heard her mention before that she owned many dogs. Today, Jiang Rong had brought an Alaskan Malamute and a Shetland Sheepdog. Both dogs' coats were gleaming, a testament to how well Jiang Rong cared for them.
Due to Mai Xuan Feng, Lan Lan and Jiang Rong had been in contact privately quite a bit. Although they didn't meet often, they would message each other every few days. Upon meeting, Jiang Rong started chatting with her about Mai Xuan Feng.
After a few pleasantries, Jiang Rong subtly inquired about Gu Song. "Have you seen Gu Song recently? What's he been busy with?"
Lan Lan then remembered that Jiang Rong had shown significant interest in Gu Song before. Had she truly developed feelings for him?
Having known Gu Song for several years, Lan Lan understood him well. As a friend, he was quite good, but if they were to develop a romantic relationship, Jiang Rong would surely be the one at a disadvantage.
Recalling Liang Yu Feng's attitude, Lan Lan decided to mind her own business and advised Jiang Rong, "You and Gu Song are not a good match."
"Why are you discouraging me like my brother?" Jiang Rong pouted playfully at Lan Lan. "But isn't that what relationships are about? Compatibility isn't the only standard. I know what kind of person he is, but that doesn't stop me from liking him. Even if I get hurt in this relationship, I'm willing to bear it, just like you and my brother."
"Before, the Xu family opposed you, and Auntie also opposed you, yet you didn't break up. You should understand me."
Jiang Rong's words had some merit. Lan Lan had intended to continue persuading her, but seeing her so immersed, she knew that no matter how much she said, it would be futile.
Jiang Rong was already invested. Opposition from others would only make her more "determined." However, the young girl was too naive and truly no match for Gu Song. Lan Lan then asked, "Have you confessed to him yet?"
Jiang Rong replied, "Not yet. I'm not confident now. I need him to have some feelings for me first before I say anything, otherwise, I'll be rejected."
Lan Lan nodded approvingly. It seemed Jiang Rong wasn't as impulsive as she thought. "Do you see him often?"
Jiang Rong shook her head. She was telling Lan Lan all this to ask for her help. She wasn't very familiar with Gu Song. Recently, she had been frequenting his club for meals. Gu Song, due to his relationship with Liang Yu Feng, would exchange pleasantries with her, but that was all. They didn't have much private contact, and Jiang Rong didn't have many opportunities to ask him out for a meal alone.
Asking Liang Yu Feng for help was out of the question, so she had to try and persuade Lan Lan. "So, can you help me ask him out?"
Lan Lan: "..." If she really did that, wouldn't Liang Yu Feng fight with her?
"Sister-in-law, please help me." Jiang Rong was very good at acting cute. The address "Sister-in-law" successfully softened Lan Lan's resolve. After a moment of thought, Lan Lan told Jiang Rong, "I can help you, but you need to be clear-headed. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Of course, I understand!" Jiang Rong exclaimed. "I won't be a sycophant, definitely not like Brother Yu Feng!" Lan Lan's words caught in her throat. When Jiang Rong called Liang Yu Feng a sycophant, she felt as if she had been subtly insulted.
As they chatted, Mai Xuan Feng had finished her bath. Lan Lan promised Jiang Rong she would help her ask Gu Song out sometime and even gave Jiang Rong Gu Song's WeChat contact.
When it came to romance, Lan Lan was an experiential learner. Instead of repeatedly telling Jiang Rong that she and Gu Song weren't a good match, it was better to let her try it herself. Based on her understanding of Gu Song, he likely didn't like girls like Jiang Rong. After a few rejections, Jiang Rong would probably let go.
Lan Lan spent over half a month preparing and finally got everything ready for the proposal.
Coincidentally, Liang Yu Feng had finished his work and had time to stay at home on the weekend. He hadn't cooked for Lan Lan in a while, so on Saturday, Liang Yu Feng woke up early and went to the kitchen to busy himself.
As for Lan Lan, she woke up after he left the bedroom and began preparing the surprise proposal for him.
She retrieved the flowers and candy from the guest room and placed them on the bed. Then, she put up the photos she had prepared on the wall. The idea of putting up photos came later. Although a bit cliché, it greatly enhanced the atmosphere.
Because she had rehearsed countless times before, she proceeded with ease. In just half an hour, everything needed for the proposal was ready.
Seeing the items, Mai Xuan Feng seemed to sense that something big was about to happen. Her tail wagged incessantly. She looked at the flowers and candy beside her, her eyes shining, eager to complete her task.
Lan Lan was greatly pleased by Mai Xuan Feng's enthusiasm. She patted the dog's head and gave her a small piece of dried meat, thinking she hadn't doted on her in vain. "Go on, call him up."
Mai Xuan Feng barked, indicating she understood the instruction, and ran downstairs. For a well-educated student, this was a simple task.
As Liang Yu Feng was preparing to make coffee, he suddenly heard Mai Xuan Feng's footsteps. He stopped and turned, seeing Mai Xuan Feng clinging to his pant leg, whimpering and looking towards the door.
Liang Yu Feng understood her meaning immediately. "Do you want me to go out?"
Mai Xuan Feng barked and pawed at the floor. Liang Yu Feng had no choice but to stop what he was doing and go out with her.
He thought she had encountered some difficulty with a toy, but to his surprise, she led him directly to the bedroom upstairs.
The bedroom door was closed. Mai Xuan Feng nudged it with her paw and looked up at Liang Yu Feng.
This was his cue to open the door.