Chapter Seventy-Eight: A Dramatic Scene

"Xu Tong, are you out of your mind? You're going to confess to Tan Linlin?" Xiao Lin asked again, his face full of disbelief. He even reached out to feel Xu Tong's forehead, checking if he had a fever.

Although Xiao Lin knew that Tan Linlin and Xu Tong were childhood friends, growing up together in the mud, and there did seem to be something between them, he still couldn't believe it. He knew Xu Tong too well—if he were to confess, it would be as rare as the sun rising in the west.

As expected, Xiao Lin's guess was right. Xu Tong's next words made him roll his eyes.

"I'll tell you the truth—I'm going to mess with Tan Linlin. Right now, she's all riled up because of you and Wang Yuqing. Otherwise, she wouldn't have called us out for dinner so late. If someone were to confess to her romantically at this moment, what do you think she would do?" Xu Tong raised his nose and spoke to Xiao Lin in a low voice.

"Uh, well, knowing her, either she'll say yes or she'll give you a good beating. But I feel like the odds of her hitting you are higher," Xiao Lin considered carefully before answering.

"No, no, you don't get it. She'll definitely say yes. Then, once she agrees, I'll immediately tell her it was just a joke. And then—her reaction—just thinking about it excites me!" Xu Tong said, laughing triumphantly.

This guy... Xiao Lin shook his head. Xu Tong was really asking for trouble.

"Don't worry about the rest, just help me come up with some moving lines for the confession. Leave the rest to me. I know you're a talented guy," Xu Tong patted Xiao Lin on the shoulder, a sly grin on his face.

"Fine, fine. But whatever happens next has nothing to do with me," Xiao Lin warned. If Tan Linlin lost her temper, he didn't want to get dragged into it.

"Relax! We're tight, but remember to bring that money for me next week!"

Xiao Lin was speechless.

A few minutes later, Xiao Lin and Xu Tong finally walked into Private Room No. 2. At that moment, Tan Linlin was saying something to Wang Yuqing, and judging by Wang Yuqing's flushed cheeks, it was probably nothing pleasant. Wang Tao and Kang Yan sat together, chatting as well. The people at this dinner were the same as the last time they went to the karaoke—just their usual group of friends.

"What were you two doing out there? Whispering about something?" Lin Xudong asked as the pair entered.

"Nothing, just a little business," Xu Tong replied with an awkward smile, then took the seat next to Tan Linlin. This move surprised everyone but Xiao Lin—Xu Tong actually chose to sit beside Tan Linlin, something that was impossible in the past. Even Tan Linlin glanced at him in astonishment.

Xiao Lin went to sit next to Wang Yuqing. "Yuqing, what was Tan Linlin saying to you just now?"

"Nothing, really," Wang Yuqing replied, her gaze darting away.

This girl... Xiao Lin didn't press further.

"When are they bringing the food? I'm starving," Yuan Weiye complained, drumming his chopsticks on the plate in front of him. His antics made Liu Na, who sat beside him, move her chair a little farther away.

A few minutes later, the plump owner came in carrying a wooden tray with four cold dishes and four hot ones, carefully setting them on the table.

"There are a few more hearty dishes coming right up. Start eating, and let me know if you need anything," he said with a broad smile before leaving.

The table was soon filled with delicious, aromatic dishes that made everyone's mouth water. Yuan Weiye couldn't resist swallowing a mouthful of saliva and reached out with his chopsticks, only for Tan Linlin to smack his hand away with her own chopsticks.

"Where are your manners? We should drink first at a dinner like this. Wang Tao, pour everyone a beer, and get the sodas, too," she commanded.

Wang Tao quickly pulled out beers and sodas from under the table, handing a bottle of beer to each of the guys and sodas to the girls. Of course, a beer was placed in front of Tan Linlin.

"Come on, everyone, let's have a drink first—to celebrate Yuqing's successful marriage!" Tan Linlin bit off the beer cap with her back teeth, poured herself a full glass, and raised it.

Her boldness made Xu Tong shudder—just how strong were those teeth? The guys opened their beers with bottle openers, filled their glasses, and raised them as well, while the girls poured themselves sodas.

"No way, Yuqing, you have to drink beer for this toast," Tan Linlin protested when she saw Wang Yuqing pouring soda instead.

"I can't drink," Wang Yuqing pleaded, looking at Tan Linlin with puppy eyes.

"Nope," Tan Linlin insisted.

"It's fine, I'll drink for her. I'll take two," Xiao Lin offered chivalrously.

"Haha, I was waiting for you to say that. Cheers!" Tan Linlin downed her huge glass in one go, letting out a satisfied burp.

Everyone joined in. Xiao Lin drank two glasses in a row, his face unflushed and his heart calm, though the winter beer chilled him to the bone.

"Are you alright?" Wang Yuqing asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, a little beer is nothing. Come on, let's eat," Xiao Lin replied nonchalantly.

Everyone picked up their chopsticks and dug in. The food really was as delicious as it looked and smelled; within moments, the dishes on the table were devoured like a whirlwind. More dishes soon arrived. The group ate, drank, and joked with each other. Naturally, Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing became the main targets of everyone's teasing, making Wang Yuqing so embarrassed she wanted to crawl under the table. Wang Tao and the others took turns toasting Xiao Lin, making his stomach swell with beer.

As the meal went on, with drinks flowing and laughter filling the air, Xu Tong suddenly stood up abruptly, startling Tan Linlin.

"Xu Tong, what are you doing? You scared me!"

Here it comes, Xiao Lin thought to himself.

Xu Tong dropped to one knee with a thud. Since Tan Linlin was sitting, his face was level with hers. Xu Tong gazed at her with deep affection and said, "Tan Linlin, there's something I've been holding in for a long time. After seeing Xiao Lin confess to Wang Yuqing, I realized I can't keep it in anymore. I like you. I've liked you since we were kids. Even though you're sometimes a little silly, I find it adorable. Even though you're a bit chubby, to me you're my own Empress Yang. Even though you're a bit fierce, you're the one I care about most. I love you—not with flowery words but by making you laugh every day. I love you and will always be by your side, whether you hit me or scold me. You have your own sky, but let me be the cloud that colors your dreams. We've grown up together—why not walk into the future hand in hand? Linlin, will you say yes?"

"Whoa, whoa!" The group began to cheer, moved by Xu Tong's heartfelt confession—everyone except Xiao Lin, that is.

No one could have guessed what happened next. Hearing Xu Tong's confession, Tan Linlin was first stunned, then her eyes reddened, and finally tears began to flow. Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Xu Tong hard across the face, leaving a clear five-finger mark.

"You bastard! Why are you only confessing now? Do you know how many years I've waited for you? Waaaah!" After hitting him, Tan Linlin threw her arms around Xu Tong's neck and burst into tears, smearing snot and tears all over his clothes.

Everyone exchanged looks—was this how a tough girl accepted love? It was certainly impressive.

Xiao Lin was even more shocked. He knew Xu Tong had planned to prank Tan Linlin, but faced with this outcome, he doubted Xu Tong would go through with it. He was right—Xu Tong was stunned by the slap, and then, seeing Tan Linlin sobbing in his arms, something changed inside him. He'd never seen this side of her before. All he could think was, She likes me. She really likes me. Almost involuntarily, he hugged Tan Linlin back.

"I'm here now, aren't I? Don't cry," Xu Tong said, this time with utter sincerity.