A firework, flying horizontally, zipped past and then bloomed mid-air, immediately igniting a giant heart.
The entire heart began to shoot out dazzling fireworks, centered around Lin Xingwan and the others. Small clusters of fireworks also bloomed around them.
All the fireworks were shaped like hearts as they burst.
Beneath the fireworks, several figures appeared.
Zhou Jinbai's grandmother, Grandma Lu, Grandma Bai, Liu Mengqin, Liu Mengqin's son Congcong, and two tall, handsome men were playing with pink bubble guns, having a blast.
Everyone held sparklers, waving them around. A stream of heart-shaped fireworks shot into the sky, exploding into countless hearts, as if the entire sky had been illuminated.
"So beautiful," Lin Xingwan was mesmerized.
Zhou Jinbai lifted Lin Xingwan's hand to his lips and kissed it lightly. "I've always been clumsy with words, unable to express myself fully. But I wanted to give you a romantic beginning. I like you. I intended to tell you later, but my heart couldn't wait.
From the first time we met, it gave me a thumping hint. If I didn't stop it, it would have promised you all these stars. I was afraid of scaring you. Some say love at first sight isn't true love; it's seeing a stream and falling for it because you haven't seen the ocean. I don't want to argue.
But I packed my bags and ventured into the world. I saw stars and waves. I fell in love with moonlight and sunsets. I saw countless faces, and I suppose I've seen the ocean. Yet, my heart didn't want me to fall for the giant waves. It made me cross the vast sea to return to your side. I think we should be together. Be Zhou Jinbai's girlfriend, Lin Xingwan."
Zhou Jinbai produced a bouquet of pink flowers from behind him and presented it to Lin Xingwan.
This time, Lin Xingwan was so surprised she covered her mouth.
She feared she would scream, so she pinched her thigh with her other hand. Was this a dream?
She was stunned, but her reddened eyes had already betrayed her emotions.
"Together, together, together!"
"Wanwan, just say yes to my grandson. If he ever bullies you, I'll beat him up with you."
"Kiss, kiss, kiss!"
The people around them started egging them on. Lin Xingwan looked at the man before her with almost adoring eyes.
Accepting blessings witnessed by friends and family was a scene she hadn't dared to imagine since her mother's death.
But this man was piecing back together everything she had lost.
She felt valued, cherished, and doted upon. This was something she had never experienced with Gu Shaoting or the Lin family.
No words could describe the feeling of being filled with immense happiness at this moment. She spoke the words she hadn't finished saying, "Zhou Jinbai, I want to kiss you. I really do."
Lin Xingwan didn't give Zhou Jinbai a chance to speak. She tiptoed and initiated the kiss, her lips meeting his.
The brilliant fireworks around them bloomed even more spectacularly, as if celebrating the sweet couple.
Bai Xiao and Lu Shiyan cheered and whistled.
"Ten years ago, my pain came from studying; five years ago, my pain came from the hospital; now, my pain comes from someone surnamed Zhou!" Lu Shiyan vented his anger on the bubble gun, pressing it frantically.
Originally, no one around him was in a relationship. But as more people around him started dating, his grandmother also felt it was time for him to find someone.
Bai Xiao, however, frowned in thought. "I always thought Jinbai was a straight arrow. I didn't expect him to be so… flamboyant."
The three elderly ladies were busy taking photos and videos.
The passionate kiss ended. Lin Xingwan's cheeks grew even redder. "Didn't we already get our marriage certificate?"
"What matters isn't the certificate, but the ceremony, being remembered, being loved. I love you. I want you to understand my feelings for you, and I want to express my own heart."
Zhou Jinbai pinched Lin Xingwan's nose. Looking at her teary eyes, she resembled a cute little rabbit.
Everyone else walked over to Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai. Lin Xingwan tried to break free from his embrace, but he held her waist firmly.
"Congratulations, congratulations," Bai Xiao clapped Zhou Jinbai's back forcefully. Though smiling, his strength almost made Zhou Jinbai cough.
Having gone through a failed marriage, Bai Xiao hadn't considered finding someone new for years. But now that his brother was in love, it felt worse than death.
This romantic blow, he was jealous.
"Such a passionate love, it's hard to end without marriage," Lu Shiyan adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his high nose bridge. As soon as he spoke, he received a rap on the head.
"Such a good person, why do you have such a mouth!" Grandma Lu glared at Lu Shiyan with disappointment. If her grandson were mute, she might already have several great-grandchildren.
Lu Shiyan immediately made a zipping motion with his lips. He was just a bit glib, yet he got beaten by his grandmother every day.
"Who are these two?" Lin Xingwan asked, looking at the two men before her, each with their own distinct charm in appearance and demeanor.
"This is Bai Xiao, Grandma Bai's grandson. He works at the police station."
"This is Lu Shiyan, Grandma Lu's grandson. He works at the hospital."
Zhou Jinbai introduced them one by one. Lin Xingwan then politely said, "Hello, Bai Xiao, Lu Shiyan."
"Sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law."
Bai Xiao and Lu Shiyan spoke in unison, making Lin Xingwan blush even more.
She turned her gaze to Liu Mengqin and asked, "Sister Qin, why are you and Congcong here too?"
"You're finding a partner. How could I miss such an important occasion?" Liu Mengqin retorted. Seeing Lin Xingwan looking like a happy young woman, she leaned in mysteriously and whispered, "Actually, your man called me. He told me he was going to confess to you tonight, so I came to set up the scene."
"So, the 'desperate Sinniang' took time off specifically for me to find happiness?" Lin Xingwan had known Liu Mengqin for so long, and she wouldn't take leave unless Congcong was sick.
Mortgage, car payments, and the child's various expenses were like three mountains pressing down on her. Liu Mengqin wished she could work twenty-five hours a day.
"No, I resigned. You're no longer at Huanyu Company, so there's no point for me to stay. I've disliked Gu Shaoting for a long time." Liu Mengqin's face was full of disgust. "And after you left, many veterans at the company also resigned."
"Have you found a job yet?" Lin Xingwan asked again.
"Not yet. I'll rest for a while. I haven't had a break in a long time."
"I've taken over Dingfeng Entertainment now. I wonder if I can hire Sister Qin to continue as my assistant?"
"I'd be delighted!" Liu Mengqin agreed without hesitation.
"But Dingfeng Entertainment is in a very bad state right now..."
"Don't say 'but.' Let's just do it!" Sister Qin interrupted Lin Xingwan. She believed the woman before her would definitely bring Dingfeng Entertainment back from the brink.
"Alright, there's one more thing to do today."
Zhou Jinbai cupped Lin Xingwan's face with both hands, guiding her to look in a certain direction.