Seeing Gong Beibei approaching him in that attire, under everyone's gaze, Zhan Beijue's brow immediately furrowed.
What was she trying to do?
Was she going crazy?
Was she trying to force a marriage by wearing a wedding dress in public?
Gong Beibei must have lost her mind!
He didn't like her, and he wouldn't marry her just because of public pressure. Doing this would only lead to humiliation.
She didn't understand Zhan Beijue's character at all!
Gong Beibei was clearly prepared.
The moment she stood up, sentimental background music suddenly filled the entire event venue.
As she walked, she gazed at Zhan Beijue with deep affection.
The reporters quickly adjusted their cameras, slinging them over their shoulders, and crowded in front of her.
"Hello, miss. May I ask your name?"
"Why are you dressed like this on such an important occasion today? What are you planning to do?"
"Was this planned by you alone, or did you coordinate with someone to give everyone a surprise?"
Gong Beibei calmly answered everyone's questions as she walked.
"My name is Gong Beibei, and I'm here today to propose to Mr. Zhan Beijue."
"Although we didn't plan this in advance, we grew up together. I believe he is ready for this moment."
"Is the lady going to propose to Mr. Zhan in public? How many years have you known each other?"
"Everyone will know in a moment. Thank you for your attention, and please make sure to capture my good side."
On stage, Zhan Beijue, under the astonished gazes of everyone, shot an angry look at his mother.
He resolutely dropped his speech and turned to leave.
His mother stood up and grabbed his hand.
"A'jue, don't be willful! So many people are watching, so much media is here. Words can kill. Do you want Beibei to die?"
"So, you two planned this in advance? Was it all your arrangement? I didn't want her to die, Mom, you're the one harming her!"
Mother: "I don't care. It's come to this. If you dare to take a step out today, we'll sever our mother-son relationship!"
"A mother like you who disrespects her son, I don't need you!"
Zhan Beijue continued to push towards the audience, but some reporters again surrounded him.
"Mr. Zhan, are you going down to greet your fiancée? We heard you were married once before. After so many years, are you finally clear about your feelings?"
"Tell us about your childhood sweetheart story with your fiancée!"
Dozens of people blocked him, shoving microphones in his face. Zhan Beijue, displeased, pushed them aside, trying to get out, while refusing to answer.
Mrs. Zhan rushed down the stage first to meet Gong Beibei.
The future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law held hands affectionately. Facing the numerous media, Mrs. Zhan answered on behalf of Zhan Beijue.
"They were childhood sweethearts, growing up together under the watchful eyes of all of us elders."
"Beibei is the most suitable daughter-in-law in my eyes. I believe their union is the only correct answer in this world."
"Thank you for your concern. We will invite everyone when the wedding is held."
The news of Zhan Beijue being publicly proposed to at a grand event quickly hit the front pages of major news media.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nanfang was completely unaware, discussing work with her editor at a coffee shop.
"Miss Rabbit and Mr. Tiger" was a huge hit with readers upon its release.
Not only did it have high online click-through rates, but the published book also sold very well, even selling the copyright for a staggering 3 million yuan at the same time.
The editor was very fond of Jiang Nanfang and strongly recommended her to meet Xu Yanchuan.
Xu Yanchuan wanted to adapt the comic into a movie but couldn't find a suitable screenwriter.
As readers had been particularly fond of authors adapting their own works in recent years, he arranged this meeting.
However, Jiang Nanfang was not interested in screenwriting.
It was laborious, and if the outcome wasn't ideal, she would be heavily criticized by readers.
The remuneration wasn't high either, which didn't align with her work style at all.
Xu Yanchuan tried his best to persuade her.
"We can sign a contract and control the timeline within your acceptable range. The price is also negotiable. As long as the adaptation quality is up to par, I can even offer you a share of the box office."
Jiang Nanfang wasn't short of money and was completely unmoved by Xu Yanchuan's offer.
In fact, the deeper reason was that she had a bad first impression of Xu Yanchuan and didn't want to cooperate with someone like him.
Yet, Xu Yanchuan persisted.
As they left the coffee shop, Jiang Nanfang went to hail a taxi on the roadside, with Xu Yanchuan following closely.
"Miss Jiang, please give me a chance. Tell me, what exactly are you not satisfied with? As long as you say it, I'll change it."
"This is the first work I've set my sights on since returning to start my business. You can't just disrupt my plans like this."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Xu. I have no complaints. I'm simply not interested in this job. Please stop talking. I will not cooperate with you, no matter what."
"Is it because of what happened in Germany that you've decided I'm a bad person and won't even give me a chance to talk more?"
Jiang Nanfang didn't answer.
Xu Yanchuan pleaded, "I'm really not a bad person! What can I do to prove it to you?"
"Tell me, as long as you can say it, I'll do it for you, won't I?"
Jiang Nanfang had no intention of talking to him and just wanted to get away quickly.
She didn't manage to hail a taxi, but a cleaner on the roadside caught her attention.
Someone had maliciously poured a pile of greasy food on the ground. The old and emaciated cleaner was kneeling on the ground, picking up the garbage bit by bit with his hands.
Jiang Nanfang pointed at the cleaner and said to him.
"Since you keep saying you're a good person, then go and clean up the garbage on the ground for this uncle. As long as you clean it up, I'll believe you once."
This woman was too bizarre. She actually asked him to pick up garbage from the ground?
But thinking that a few simple actions might resolve the script issue, Xu Yanchuan gritted his teeth and endured it.
"Alright. Wait."
Without a word, he walked up to the cleaner, knelt beside him, and with his well-defined hands, scooped up the dirt and threw it into the garbage truck, handful after handful.
After picking up all the dirt, the cleaner poured some water on the ground, and he then swept the ground a few times with a broom.
"It's clean now. Can we talk?"
An hour later, the two of them arrived at Xu Yanchuan's studio.
As everything was just starting, Xu Yanchuan wanted to reserve most of the funds for the subsequent film shooting, so the place was very basic.
The studio wasn't large, and he even ate and slept there, with a bed and bedding.
Seeing that he had some resilience and was willing to work hard, Jiang Nanfang thought that if she needed to work in Nancheng in the future, she signed a screenwriter contract with him.
Afterward, they sat together to discuss the direction of the story adaptation.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yanchuan was rigorous and professional when working, and also humorous and engaging. Jiang Nanfang found herself quite enjoying talking with him.
They chatted from ten in the morning until almost one in the afternoon when Gong Beibei suddenly arrived with two bottles of wine.
She had a spare key.
As she opened the door and saw Xu Yanchuan and Jiang Nanfang sitting face-to-face, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.