YUAN: "Hi, I'm fine. I came here because my parents wanted to meet me."
AYANA blinked in surprise.
AYANA: "Oh… where are your parents?"
(This guy never talks properly to anyone. He never even asks me how I'm doing…)
YUAN gestured toward the couple standing behind him.
YUAN: "Greet them. They're my parents."
AYANA's eyes widened.
AYANA: "Wait—what?! Your parents?! Those people… aren't they one of the five richest families in the country?!"
(All this time, I thought I was the richest in our school… but he's even wealthier than me! And he never told me…)
YUAN: "Why should I say it in school? If I did, everyone would pay attention to me. And I don't like that."
AYANA: "Oh… okay."
(Ugh, he's even more annoying than me.)
---
Suddenly, YUAN's grandfather stepped forward, his tone heavy with authority.
Grandfather: "We are here today because we want something from you."
AYANA: "Okay, Uncle. If it's possible, I'll do it."
YUAN stayed silent, but his eyes narrowed.
Grandfather: "We want AYANA and YUAN to get married."
The words hit AYANA like thunder.
AYANA: "Wh-what?! Did you just say… marriage?!"
YUAN: "I'm not interested in marrying anyone."
AYANA: "Yes, Uncle, YUAN is right! What on earth is happening?! Grandma, please say something!"
But her grandmother's eyes were stern.
Grandfather: "This was your grandmother's plan."
AYANA: "G-Grandma…?"
Grandmother: "AYANA, you're already eighteen. This is the right age for marriage. I married at this age, and you should too."
AYANA: "But I don't want to marry at this age!"
Grandmother (angrily): "Do you want the company, AYANA?"
AYANA: "Y-yes, Grandma…"
Grandmother: "Then you must marry YUAN."
YUAN: "I'm not even an adult yet. After one year, I will be."
AYANA froze.
AYANA: "Wait—you're not eighteen?! Then how are you in high school?!"
(I thought I was the youngest in class, but he's even younger than me! If we marry now, it could even be illegal!)
YUAN: "Well, since there's a problem, can I leave now?" (He turned to go.)
But his grandfather's voice stopped him cold.
Grandfather: "YUAN, do you remember the promise you made to me?"
YUAN's eyes darkened.
YUAN: "…Yes."
Grandfather: "Then fulfill that promise—by marrying AYANA."
AYANA's heart pounded.
(What promise? What is going on here? But I know YUAN… once he decides something, he never backs down.)
YUAN: "…Fine."
AYANA: "N-no, YUAN—!"
YUAN: "I have no choice."
And just like that, the decision was made. In the presence of both families, the ring ceremony was completed.
That day, YUAN became my fiancé.
---
AYANA: "YUAN, I want to tell you something."
YUAN: "I already know. You don't want anyone at school to know about our engagement, right?"
AYANA: "Y-yes…" (How did he know?!)
YUAN: "Fine. But I also have a request. Don't tell anyone about me either. And in school… don't come close to me. Just act like before."
AYANA: "…Okay. Don't worry."
---
The families weren't finished yet.
Grandfather: "Now that you're engaged, we want to give you a gift."
AYANA: "A gift?"
Father: "I recently built a luxury apartment near your school. I want to gift it to both of you."
AYANA: "Don't tell me… this is just because you want us to live together."
Grandfather (smiling): "Exactly. AYANA is a clever girl. Yes, we want you both to live separately. If YUAN stays with you, maybe he'll finally learn to develop emotions—something he has never done."
Grandfather: "So, YUAN, do you have a problem with that?"
YUAN: "If AYANA is fine with it, I don't care."
AYANA: "O-okay… but how will I go to school?"
Father: "I'll send a car every day."
AYANA: "Dad…"
Her father placed a key in her hand.
Father: "Take this key. Starting tomorrow, both of you will live in the apartment."
---