The moment the band settled against her skin, the room erupted into applause, some enthusiastic, some in awe, others murmuring in hushed, shocked tones.
From the sidelines, Wu Lixi practically squealed, grabbing Ruoxi's arm. "Holy hell, that was the most beautiful yet dominant proposal ever."
Ruoxi, grinning, nodded. "Not a single ounce of hesitation. That's our ice king."
Wu Xiang let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "not exactly romantic but quite possessive."
Yufan, standing slightly apart, exhaled, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "It's about damn time."
Zihan's parents, Zhu Zixuan and Li Yan, approached them, their expressions unreadable at first.
Zixuan was the first to speak, his gaze shifting from Guo Min to the ring on her finger. Then, in a rare moment of warmth, he gave a single nod. "Welcome again to the family."
Li Yan, on the other hand, smiled—a slow, knowing smile. "You should have made him kneel, such a brat?"
Guo Min smirked, lifting her hand slightly to admire the ring. "I think making him say the words was satisfying enough."
Li Yan chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Still, it would have been a sight to see." She turned to her son. "Zihan, you've always been stubborn, but at least you chose well."
Zihan exhaled softly, slipping his arm around Guo Min's waist with effortless possession. "There was never another choice."
Wu Xiang let out a low whistle, nudging Yufan. "Looks like we've lost him."
Yufan huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "I'd say he's exactly where he wants to be."
Ruoxi and Wu Lixi rejoined the group then, both beaming with unrestrained excitement. Ruoxi grabbed Guo Min's hand, inspecting the ring with approval. "Damn, Min. This is a real power move."
Wu Lixi nodded enthusiastically. "And about time, too! Honestly, if he dragged this out any longer, I would've staged an intervention."
Zihan gave them a flat look. "Your patience is astounding."
Wu Lixi grinned. "Right? But we knew you'd get there eventually."
More guests came forward, offering congratulations, but amidst all the well-wishes and polite exchanges, Zihan remained close to Guo Min. His fingers traced idle circles against her lower back, a silent reminder of his claim.
Guo Min leaned in slightly, voice low enough for only him to hear. "Are you always this possessive, or is it just with me?"
His lips barely curved, his breath warm against her temple. "You already know the answer to that."
More guests approached, offering congratulations—some sincere, others forced, masking their shock at how effortlessly she had claimed a place at Zhu Zihan's side.
But as the applause died down and the music swelled once more, Zihan leaned closer to her, his lips brushing her ear.
"You're mine now, officially."
Guo Min tilted her head, her smirk playful, challenging. "I know that."
His fingers tightened slightly at her waist, his grip firm yet possessive. "Good," he murmured, his voice low, meant only for her. "Then act like it."
Guo Min arched a brow, amusement flickering in her gaze. "And how exactly should I act?"
Zihan's response was silent but unmistakable—the way his thumb brushed over her hip, the subtle tug that pulled her closer, the sharp gleam in his dark eyes. He didn't need to say it. She understood.
Ruoxi, watching them from the side, rolled her eyes. "God, you two are impossible."
Wu Lixi snickered. "Let them have their moment. He just practically declared war on anyone thinking they could mess with her."
Wu Xiang smirked, swirling his drink. "Not that they ever stood a chance."
Li Yan, standing beside her husband, shook her head fondly. "Well, if nothing else, this will be an interesting marriage."
As the evening wore on, the grand ballroom gradually emptied, the once-bustling space now filled with murmurs of farewell and quiet congratulations. Each departing guest received an elegant ivory invitation card, embossed with gold lettering—an official declaration of the upcoming wedding of Zhu Zihan and Guo Min.
Some left with genuine smiles, offering their best wishes, while others walked away with veiled expressions, clearly still reeling from the unexpected engagement. Regardless, the message was clear: this was happening, whether they approved or not.
Li Yan personally oversaw the distribution of the invitations, her smile warm yet knowing as she handed each card over. "We expect your presence," she said to every guest, her tone leaving little room for refusal.
Meanwhile, Zihan stood at Guo Min's side, his hand resting casually at the small of her back, a silent but unwavering claim. He exchanged nods with business partners and acquaintances, effortlessly handling the weight of his family's power.
Wu Xiang smirked as he watched the reactions of some of the guests. "I'd pay good money to see the faces of the people who thought they had a chance."
Yufan, standing beside him, let out a short laugh. "They'll recover. Eventually."
Ruoxi looped her arm through Guo Min's, grinning. "Well, I suppose I should start planning your bridal shower now."
Guo Min arched a brow. "You're that eager?"
"Obviously," Wu Lixi chimed in, smirking. "Now that we know you're stuck with Zihan for life, we might as well make it fun."
Zihan shot them both a sharp glance. "She's not 'stuck.' "
Ruoxi waved a hand dismissively. " Okay, okay."
Guo Min chuckled softly, shaking her head as Zihan exhaled in mild exasperation.
As the final guests trickled out, the grandeur of the night began to settle into something quiet. The ballroom, though still illuminated by golden chandeliers, felt smaller with just their closest circle remaining.
Zihan turned to Guo Min, his fingers brushing against hers. "Ready to leave?"
She met his gaze, the weight of the evening settling between them. The announcement, the ring, the unspoken promises—it was all real now.
A slow, confident smile curled on her lips. "Let's go."