Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Proposing Marriage to the Yun FamilyYun Sisi quickly adjusted her expression and tone: "I just... I just can’t bear to see you upset, Brother Mu. After all, this is your birthday banquet, and it almost got ruined by my sister. Though she is my dear sister and someone I deeply respect, she shouldn’t act recklessly."

    Yun Sisi’s words dispelled Mu Chengzhu’s doubts; it turned out Yun Sisi was worried about him.

    In her heart, he mattered more than Yun Shifei.

    This realization put Mu Chengzhu in a good mood.

    He curved his lips into a bright smile: "Sisi, don’t be angry anymore. Getting upset over people like this isn’t worth it."

    Yun Sisi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

    Their eyes entangled under the moonlight. Though no words were exchanged, their feelings for each other were already laid bare.

    When Mu Chengzhu returned home, Mu Jiayu had already laid out all his birthday gifts.

    Yun Sisi’s gift was placed front and center, separated from the others.

    "Brother, I really want to see what gift Sisi gave you."

    Yun Sisi’s gift was small and wrapped in pink gift paper.

    Mu Chengzhu opened it, revealing a delicate cup.

    "Wow, it’s a cup!" Mu Jiayu’s eyes sparkled. "Brother, do you know what a cup symbolizes?"

    "It means ’a lifetime’! Looks like Sisi likes you too," Mu Jiayu said excitedly, then called to Chen Min, "Mom, we can go propose marriage to the Yun Family now. Let’s arrange for Sisi to get engaged to Brother. Otherwise, if such an excellent girl grows up, it’ll be a pity if someone else snatches her away."

    Chen Min chuckled and shook her head: "You silly girl. I’m certainly willing, but Uncle Yun definitely won’t agree. She’s just a young girl, with her studies still being the priority."

    Then, Chen Min turned to Mu Chengzhu: "Chengzhu, let’s wait a few more years. Once you both are in college, I’ll discuss the matter with your Uncle Yun."

    Mu Chengzhu’s face turned slightly red as he stared at the cup, lost in thought.

    "Just throw away the lucky bamboo that Yun Shifei gave. It was in her room before—seeing it gives bad luck." Mu Jiayu picked up the lucky bamboo that Yun Shifei gave Mu Chengzhu, brimming with distaste, ready to toss it outside.

    Chen Min immediately stopped her: "No matter what, it’s still that child’s sincere gesture—you can’t throw it away."

    "Mom, weren’t you watching today? She even humiliated Brother."

    What should have been clarification of a situation seemed like humiliation through Mu Jiayu’s eyes.

    Mu Jiayu was conflicted too.

    When Yun Shifei liked Mu Chengzhu, she thought Yun Shifei was shameless.

    When Yun Shifei didn’t like Mu Chengzhu, she believed Yun Shifei was humiliating him.

    Nothing seemed right.

    If Yun Shifei knew how Mu Jiayu thought, she’d probably be utterly speechless.

    "It wasn’t really humiliation. She must have been troubled by the rumors herself," Chen Min mused aloud.

    In the past, even Chen Min thought Yun Shifei liked Mu Chengzhu; her obvious attempts to curry favor were far too blatant.

    But today, she clearly realized Yun Shifei no longer liked her son.

    After all she’d experienced, Chen Min had an excellent eye for people.

    Though she’d previously disliked Yun Shifei, her crisp and clean clarification today unexpectedly earned her some admiration.

    With her mother’s remarks, Mu Jiayu had no choice but to accept Yun Shifei truly didn’t like her brother anymore.

    "Then what should we do with this plant?"

    Chen Min picked it up and placed it in an inconspicuous corner.

    "After all, it’s still alive. It just so happens our home is missing a bit of decoration."

    Another reason she chose to keep the plant was her love for florals and greens; their backyard was filled with various flowers she cultivated.

    Lucky bamboo, being an indoor plant, clearly wasn’t suitable for the outdoor elements.

    Otherwise, Chen Min might have shifted it to the backyard.

    Mu Chengzhu furrowed his brow slightly, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

    He wondered if Yun Shifei gave this plant knowing his mother loved greenery, and intentionally chose it.

    For now, the plant sat in the corner, intermittently catching his eye, reminding him it was from her.

    If she had indeed been so thoughtful, he’d underestimated her.

    Nonetheless, since Yun Shifei said she no longer liked him, he’d believe her.

    He hoped she’d stop bothering him.

    Everyone wanted the matter to rest, except for one person who refused.

    After the birthday banquet, Yun Sisi seemed to lack energy.

    She had clearly done everything in her power to target Yun Shifei.

    But Yun Shifei seemed impervious, untouched by Sisi’s schemes, not suffering even the slightest loss.

    Moreover, she’d rekindled her friendship with Cheng Lie.

    Sisi hadn’t managed to become Cheng Lie’s friend herself.

    Whenever she thought of that day, of the boy’s cold, sinister gaze, Yun Sisi’s heart would tremble.

    Still, she wouldn’t give up.

    Yun Sisi refused to believe Cheng Lie truly disliked her.

    If Yun Shifei, that ugly nobody, could catch his eye, then someone as beautiful and accomplished as her should certainly be able to.

    Was it because she wasn’t captivating enough?

    Yun Sisi racked her brain and finally came up with an idea.

    When writing an essay, isn’t there a term called "scene setting"?

    She would make him feel the sensation of being the center of attention and, under the amplified atmosphere, finally fall for her.

    She chose Thursday, a day when the school schedule was relatively light.

    That day, she deliberately decided against tying up her hair, instead meticulously combing it down and wearing a pink checkered headband adorned with a bow.

    Her silky black hair cascaded over her shoulders like satin.

    Yun Sisi admired the pure beauty reflected in the mirror with satisfaction.

    This was precisely the effect she desired.

    Since school mandated uniforms, she’d make her statement through her hairstyle. sea??h thё N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    On ordinary school days, Yun Sisi would always tie up her hair; Xu Ya found it curious that she hadn’t this morning.

    "Sisi, you’re not tying up your hair today?"

    "Mom, I felt like trying out a new hairstyle."

    "Keeping your hair down—won’t it affect your studies?" Xu Ya frowned.

    "If my sister can manage, so can I," Yun Sisi replied.

    Quietly eating breakfast nearby, Yun Shifei inadvertently became a target.

    She had short-to-medium hair; tying it merely resulted in a tiny stub. Yun Sisi’s hair, on the other hand, nearly touched her waist—how could they compare?

    Xu Ya didn’t press further, letting it go. This daughter of hers had always been effortless to care for.

    After the second class ended, Yun Sisi gathered her courage and headed for Class Seven.

    She carried a box of chocolates in her hand.

    The chocolates were part of a recent family purchase by Xu Ya, still sealed until Yun Sisi secretly stashed them away.

    Since Xu Ya adored her and knew she loved snacks like chocolates, taking them wasn’t an issue.

    Additionally, someone had mentioned that Cheng Lie enjoyed sweets.

    Sitting in the very last row, Cheng Lie rarely attended class. Yun Sisi could have entered through the rear entrance to avoid drawing attention.

    But Yun Sisi intentionally entered through the front door to amplify the atmosphere.

    As soon as she stepped into Class Seven, chaos broke out.

    Students who didn’t pay much attention during lessons were unbearably loud during breaks.

    But the moment Yun Sisi walked in, it was as if someone hit a pause button—the noise abruptly ceased.

    Yun Sisi could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze fixed upon her.

    This was precisely the effect she aimed for.

    Being the school flower, Yun Sisi was already accustomed to commanding attention no matter where she went.

    Instead of feeling uneasy, she felt exhilarated.

    Yet outwardly, her face donned an innocent, puzzled expression, as if she were searching for someone.