The crab festival ended. They had booked a nearby hotel in advance, so after finishing their meal, they said goodbye to everyone and prepared to head back to the hotel.

Wang Mian stopped her, saying she wanted Chen Die to come back home with her.

After everyone packed up their things, Chen Die was praised so much by the townspeople that she felt embarrassed.

When they arrived home, Wang Mian asked Chen Zhou Chang to go to his room first, then pulled Chen Die into her bedroom.

Chen Die stood by the door, watching her squat down and struggle to retrieve a box from the cabinet.

“This is for you,” Wang Mian pushed the box into her arms.

Chen Die lowered her eyes: “What is this?”

“It’s the dowry your father and I prepared for your future when we adopted you from the orphanage. I thought we wouldn’t have the chance to give it to you anymore.” Wang Mian said, “I see you and Wen Liang have been doing well together, and you’ll probably get married soon. You’re busy with work, so I’m giving this to you in advance.”

As she spoke, she scratched her head and smiled, “It’s not anything too valuable, just a small token.”

Chen Die was stunned for a moment, then opened it.

Inside lay a gold bracelet. The style was somewhat old-fashioned, but it rested perfectly on the black velvet. Despite so many years passing, it remained untarnished and new, clearly having been carefully preserved.

She swallowed emptily, reached out to touch the bracelet, and was at a loss for words.

“When are you and Wen Liang planning to get married?” Wang Mian asked.

“Ah, that should still be a ways off. I’m only 23, and I just started filming.”

Wang Mian nodded: “That’s true. People in big cities tend to marry later, right? It’s fine, just keep this for now.”

Chen Die hugged Wang Mian: “Thank you, Mom. We’ll call you when we get married.”

Chen Die and Wen Liang stayed at the hotel for one night. The next day, they specially bought a basket of crabs from the morning market and arranged to have them shipped to Yan City for Chen Shao. After saying goodbye to Wang Mian and Chen Jianping, they boarded their return flight.

By early November, “A Xiao” finished its domestic theatrical run with a final box office of over 2 billion yuan, and expanded to international theaters.

Following “Hairpin Flower” breaking 1.9 billion and “A Xiao” reaching 2 billion, Chen Die was pushed to new heights.

When a newcomer achieves such great results with their first two consecutive films, they often get labeled with divine status. Recently, titles like “Box Office Goddess” and “Ratings Guarantee” have been increasingly associated with Chen Die.

Chen Die was essentially a very laid-back person. After finishing “A Xiao,” quite a few scripts came looking for her, but they were all very entertainment-oriented content, so she didn’t accept them and gave herself a vacation.

After lying around at home for several days, Chen Die began to feel restless, and to make matters worse, Wen Liang still went to work punctually every day, so she had no one to play with.

However, by mid-November, something came up.

Chen Die’s high school was about to celebrate its 30th anniversary, and the school specifically contacted her to attend.

She hadn’t been in touch with her high school friends for a long time.

Back then, because of Chen Shuyuan, Chen Die didn’t have good relationships with the girls in her class. Her friends were mostly outgoing girls from other classes.

Chen Die didn’t hesitate much before agreeing.

Early that day, Wen Liang drove Chen Die to school.

Chen Die suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. It had been a long time since they’d done this. Back when she was in university, if Chen Die had early classes, Zhu Qicong would drive her to school first, and then go to the company with Wen Liang.

The car stopped at the high school gate.

The school anniversary was lively. Being an elite school, the vehicles coming and going could easily make up an extremely expensive car show.

Chen Die unbuckled her seatbelt: “I’m going in then.”

“Wait,” Wen Liang held her back.

Chen Die fell back into the seat, and Wen Liang immediately leaned over to kiss her, gently biting her lips, his hands cupping her face, his index finger tracing her ear, creating subtle intimate sounds.

Although they had been living together for so long and had done everything already.

But Wen Liang’s kiss still made Chen Die feel… so embarrassed.

Especially at the school entrance.

Even though the car windows were one-way glass.

Chen Die shrank back, her hand against Wen Liang’s chest, eyes open, pushing him away.

When Wen Liang finally let her go, she wiped her lips with a red face and softly accused, “Why did you suddenly kiss me?”

Wen Liang raised an eyebrow: “I kiss when I want to.”

“…”

Fine, you’re the boss.

Chen Die wiped her lips again, accidentally getting a lipstick mark on the back of her hand, then wiped it off with a wet tissue and reapplied her lipstick.

Wen Liang watched her movements: “What time should I pick you up?”

“I don’t know yet, I’ll text you when it’s about to end,” Chen Die said.

Wen Liang patted her head, instructing: “Be good.”

“…”

Chen Die tilted her head, looked at him sideways for a while, and couldn’t help smiling: “Why do you always think I’ll have many brothers around me? Am I that kind of person?”

Wen Liang snorted lightly: “Aren’t you?”

Chen Die put on her bag, suddenly leaned close and kissed Wen Liang’s cheek, making a crisp sound, and smiled sweetly: “Don’t worry, I’ll still love you when I come back.”

After saying this, she pushed open the car door and ran out.

She ran quite far, only stopping after entering the school gate, with a smile unconsciously spreading across her lips.

After slowing her steps, she couldn’t help but look back again. Wen Liang’s car was still parked there, with the passenger window rolled down.

Chen Die smiled and waved at him again before walking in.

Many years had passed since they last met. Those boys who used to lean on classroom windows whistling at pretty girls had all become presentable, dressed in suits, looking quite proper.

Chen Die followed the signs toward the auditorium. After walking a few steps, her shoulder was suddenly tapped from behind.

“Butterfly!!” a female voice called from behind.

She turned around and immediately recognized her: “Ququ!”

Qu Ying was Chen Die’s good friend from high school. She hadn’t changed much from before, still tall, thin, and beautiful.

“It is you! I thought someone as famous as you wouldn’t come this time!” Qu Ying said.

Chen Die smiled: “I haven’t been busy lately, so I thought I’d come back and take a look.”

“I just saw you with that CEO Wen. You two are so sweet! Just half a day apart and you’re still looking back every three steps. It’s making me sick with envy.”

“…”

Qu Ying was the same as before, an enthusiastic person who wouldn’t feel awkward despite years without contact. She linked arms with Chen Die as they walked and chatted.

The auditorium already had quite a few people.

As soon as Chen Die walked in, everyone turned to look at her.

She had been the school celebrity since her transfer, and now even more so—everyone recognized her.

The two found seats in the last row and sat down to chat.

“What have you been up to lately?” Chen Die asked her.

“Just eating, drinking, having fun, and traveling,” Qu Ying leaned back in her chair lazily. “I went abroad right after the college entrance exam, didn’t I? Now I’ve settled down there, only coming back occasionally. Not like you, who’s been so impressive, starring in two movies that are among the highest-grossing films in history.”

Chen Die: “I’ve been quite lucky, working with really great teams.”

“But, have you had any contact with that senior you had a crush on in high school?” Qu Ying suddenly asked.

Chen Die blinked: “Huh?”

“No way?” Qu Ying looked at her and laughed. “You’re completely infatuated with CEO Wen now, to the point where you don’t even remember your teenage crush?”

Chen Die thought back.

In the final exams of the first semester of their senior year, the social science courses had a lot of memorization. During the lunch break, Chen Die and Qu Ying took their history textbooks to the school building’s rooftop. They initially planned to study but soon started chatting instead.

Qu Ying asked her why she rejected the most popular boy in their grade so decisively when he confessed, not giving him any chance at all.

At that time, Chen Die was standing by the rooftop railing, the wind blowing her hair back. She said, “Because I already like someone.”

Qu Ying asked in surprise: “Who? Why don’t you pursue him?”

Chen Die shook her head, answering only her second question: “But I don’t even dare to tell him that I like him.”

“Come on, with that face of yours, all you need to do is stand in front of a guy and say ‘I’m Chen Die,’ and the next second he’d confess to you,” Qu Ying exaggerated.

She was being too dramatic, and Chen Die couldn’t help laughing: “He’s not that kind of person.”

“Who is it?” Qu Ying was dying of curiosity.

“…Not someone from our school,” Chen Die said vaguely.

“If not from our school, how did you meet him? A senior who already graduated?”

Chen Die couldn’t make up a person, and she was too embarrassed to say it was Wen Liang, so she just vaguely agreed.

Chen Die had almost forgotten about this, but surprisingly, Qu Ying still remembered it until now.

“That crush of mine was Wen Liang,” Chen Die could now admit frankly.

Qu Ying: “Huh?”

She smiled: “From beginning to end, it was only him.”

The principal’s speech for the school anniversary ended in the auditorium, and everyone gathered to take photos. Chen Die became the main target, with many familiar and unfamiliar faces coming to take pictures with her.

“Butterfly!” Fang Jiamao called from among a group of guys, all former classmates from the same grade. “Come over for a photo!”

“Sure,” Chen Die responded.

Fang Jiamao gave his phone to someone else to take the picture.

With Chen Die’s current popularity, even chance encounters on the street could cause a stir, let alone returning to her high school for the anniversary. In particular, her fan forum was full of candid photos.

Her photo with Fang Jiamao and the group of boys was also posted, with fans giving it a new title:

“Chen Die and Her Former Pursuers.”

Chen Die: “…”

If narrow-minded Wen Liang saw this, he’d probably get upset again.

Chen Die sat in a corner chair, scrolling through her fan forum. She had to admit, her fans’ photo editing skills were incredible—they could make every candid shot look like she was a fairy, despite poor lighting and awkward angles.

As she was looking, a woman about her age approached her: “Chen Die.”

She looked up, not recognizing the face, with no impression: “Yes, what is it?”

“I’m here to apologize. I used to bully you along with Chen Shuyuan. I know she’s in prison now, but I still wanted to personally say sorry to you.”

Qu Ying sitting nearby also looked up.

Chen Die was caught off guard, waving her hand awkwardly: “Ah, it’s fine, that’s all in the past.”

After the person left, Qu Ying raised her chin and asked: “Who was that?”

Chen Die: “…I don’t remember either.”

“…” Qu Ying rolled her eyes. “But what was she talking about just now? Chen Shuyuan is in prison?”

She had been abroad for a long time, her social circle had completely changed, and she wasn’t very familiar with what had happened in Yan City.

“Yes, it was quite serious.”

Chen Die only briefly told her about the incident without going into details.

By dusk, the school anniversary activities ended, and everyone made plans to continue the party elsewhere. Acquaintances and strangers kept urging Chen Die to join them.

Chen Die wasn’t that foolish—going to entertainment venues with a group of unfamiliar people would lead to negative headlines.

But as former classmates, it was hard to refuse their enthusiastic invitations. Chen Die’s refusal wasn’t forceful enough, which encouraged the group to keep insisting.

Until Qu Ying whistled and gestured towards the road.

Chen Die looked over and saw that Wen Liang’s car had arrived.

Qu Ying helped her out, teasing: “Her man is here—who has time to eat with you guys?”

Everyone attending was from a prominent families, and they all recognized Wen Liang. Seeing him arrive, they naturally didn’t dare to pressure Chen Die further and awkwardly smiled.

Wen Liang closed the car door, walked over, and put his arm around Chen Die’s shoulder.

Some who had work connections with Wen Liang greeted him.

Wen Liang nodded in acknowledgment, then looked down at Chen Die and asked: “Ready to go home?”

“Yes.”

No one dared to stop them until they got in the car, and everyone said “goodbye.”

The contrast was too stark.

Chen Die felt she had been disrespected.

She threw her bag into the back seat. Under the passenger seat was a pair of slippers, specially prepared for Chen Die, since only she could sit in Wen Liang’s passenger seat.

She took off her high heels, put on the slippers, and felt her entire leg was liberated.

The car drove back to the West Suburbs villa.

Wen Liang immediately started finding fault, throwing his phone onto Chen Die’s lap, displaying a photo—precisely the photo of Chen Die with those boys from earlier.

This one even had the words “Chen Die and Her Former Pursuers” directly edited onto it.

She couldn’t help laughing: “Wait, you’re browsing my fan forum?”

“No, I’ve been busy all day. Chen Shao sent this to me.”

“Since when did you two get so close?” Chen Die asked.

Wen Liang gave her a cold look, not answering her question.

“You believe what he sends you? He’s just trying to get back at me over the shares issue. I should just give him the equity stakes, but he’s petty,” Chen Die paused, then added, “Just like you.”

She couldn’t be bothered to explain those completely innocent photos.

She raised her chin, boasting: “Now you know, both in the past and present, people who like me could form a long queue.”

Wen Liang nodded: “Yes, didn’t you used to bring a school bag full of love letters to show me?”

“…”

Hearing him mention this, Chen Die instantly lost the confidence to argue further.

Wen Liang spoke with casual indifference: “Too bad you’re still just one person.”

He reached over: “Come, let me touch.”

Chen Die: “?”

What kind of beast are you?

During Chen Die’s break, Ye Chuqing was extremely busy.

With the year-end awards selection approaching, Ye Chuqing, as the chair of the film industry conference, spent everyday screening and scoring with a group of middle-aged men and women, reviewing all film and television works from the past year.

Chen Die’s achievements this year naturally qualified her for nominations.

When Fang Ruan received the nomination invitation, she was so excited that she spent a good while sharing her insights as a manager over the years, and finally succeeded in making herself cry.

Chen Die didn’t have the heart to tell her that she had known about her nomination several days earlier.

Having a friend who was a conference chair made it easy to find out the nominees.

In late December, after a month-long evaluation by various film and drama critics, the Baihua International Film and Television Festival officially opened in Yan City, becoming a major year-end gala for the entertainment industry.

Chen Die was picked up early for makeup and to change into her gown.

That evening, both sides of the red carpet were crowded with photographers carrying “long guns and cannons.” The entire venue was filled with high-frequency shutter sounds, and flashing lights made the red carpet as bright as day.

December in Yan City was already very cold, with snow falling just yesterday, yet female stars walked the red carpet wearing only thin dresses.

Fang Ruan gave Chen Die final reminders to pay attention to the cameras and watch her step, to avoid slipping or falling.

Chen Die nodded, opened the car door, and got out.

The photographers below erupted with overlapping shouts of “Chen Die is here!”

They all surged forward, the frequency of shutter sounds increasing.

Chen Die wore a floor-length gown, lightly lifting her skirt as she walked slowly forward, waving at the cameras in greeting.

She suddenly remembered her first time walking such a photographer-lined red carpet, which was with the “Hairpin Flower” crew. At that time, she had her position stolen by Wang Yunxi who entered with Qi Cheng.

Now, the scene was completely different.

Chen Die walked the red carpet, turned at the front, took another set of photos, and then entered.

Inside, the warm air rushed at her, and she finally felt less cold. Outside, her face had almost frozen while smiling.

She patted her face and walked further inside. Fang Ruan had already entered through the staff entrance on the other side and draped a coat over Chen Die.

Wen Liang was also attending tonight, representing the Wen Yuan Group, and was already seated in the front row.

Chen Die spotted him from afar, but not wanting to draw attention by going over with so many people around, she found her seat and sat down. Those already seated nearby were unfamiliar to her as she hadn’t worked with them, so she took out her phone to message Ye Chuqing.

[Chen Die: Where are you?]

[Ye Chuqing: Backstage. You’re in?]

[Chen Die: Yes, just got to my seat.]

[Ye Chuqing: Then come find me! The official start is still a while away.]

Sitting alone was a bit boring for Chen Die, and cameras kept sliding over on tracks to film close-ups of her face, so she got up to find Ye Chuqing.

The film festival venue was very large, with staff bustling back and forth making final preparations. Chen Die walked around in circles and got confused, unable to find the backstage entrance.

[Chen Die: How do I get backstage?]

After waiting for quite a while with no reply from Ye Chuqing, Chen Die called her directly.

The call connected, but when Chen Die said “hello” several times, there was no response, just some scattered sounds like people whispering, unclear.

Chen Die frowned slightly and said “hello” again.

Then someone on the other end spoke: “What?”

“…”

It was Chen Shao’s voice.

Chen Die was stunned for a moment, then asked: “Why are you holding the Conference Chair’s phone?”

“Never mind. Hanging up,” Chen Shao said coldly.

“Hey, hey, hey—” Chen Die stopped him. “What’s going on? Is she okay? How can you, a man, just take someone else’s phone and tell me not to mind?”

Just as she finished speaking, Chen Die heard Ye Chuqing’s voice outside the phone: “Chen Shao, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

At the same time, Chen Die turned to look behind her.

Above was a small green light, leading to an emergency exit. The sound seemed to have come from there.

Chen Die hesitated for two seconds, then pushed the door open and walked in.

It was pitch black, with only the small green light extending a line through the darkness.

In the darkness were two people, Chen Shao and Ye Chuqing, seemingly embracing. They both turned to look at her simultaneously.

Chen Die: “…”

Sorry to intrude.

Ye Chuqing cleared her throat, grabbed her phone back, pushed Chen Shao away, and pulled Chen Die out.

“Wait…” Chen Die was completely confused, being pulled by Ye Chuqing while looking back at Chen Shao, really not understanding what was going on between these two.

Ye Chuqing pulled her backstage, poured Chen Die a glass of water, sat across from her at the makeup table, and said: “What do you want to know?”

Chen Die thought for a moment and asked quite tactfully, “Should I change how I address you?”

“…”

Chen Die raised an eyebrow: “Sister-in-law?”

“We’re not at that stage yet.”

Chen Die smiled: “Not yet? When will you be?”

“No, that’s not it.” Ye Chuqing didn’t know how to explain, picked up the glass of water she’d poured for Chen Die and drank it all, then paused before apologizing, “I’m sorry, I… slept with your brother.”

“…What?”

This was too explosive. Chen Die couldn’t process it for a moment, swallowing emptily, “When did this happen?”

“It was at the birthday party that night. Damn.” Ye Chuqing frowned. “I drank too much that day.”

“…And then?”

Ye Chuqing shrugged, spreading her hands: “And then that’s what happened. The next morning, your brother and I were quite polite to each other. He said he would take responsibility, I said it wasn’t necessary.”

“Then just now, was my brother forcing you to accept his responsibility?”

“Pretty much.” Ye Chuqing was very understanding. “But I can’t take advantage like that. Last time was my fault for sleeping with him. How can I let someone commit their entire life because of it, right?”

“…I guess so, right?”

After hearing about the emotional entanglement of these two verbal sparring partners, Chen Die felt completely overwhelmed.

So much so that when the film festival officially began, Chen Die couldn’t focus her attention. She zoned out for a while until she received a message from Ye Chuqing.

[Chen Die: Chen Shao might seem unreliable, but old Mr. Chen is already planning to give him the company. In the future, you can insult him and spend his money, which isn’t bad at all.]

Ye Chuqing sat in the center of the jury panel, not looking at her phone.

Chen Die put her phone away, and leaned back in her chair, her mind full of this matter.

On the big screen above, they had started playing clips of all the excellent film and television works from the year. Both of Chen Die’s films were listed, and all the cameras in the venue were connected to the live broadcast.

After the clips ended, the formal awards ceremony began.

The first award was for new talent.

The screen began showing works by recently debuted actors from the year, including Chen Die’s cut from “Hairpin Flower.”

Almost as soon as Chen Die’s footage appeared, everyone turned their eyes toward her—among all newcomers, Chen Die was a phenomenon.

The host held up a card: “So, who will win our New Talent Award? Next, let’s welcome—our leading actress from ‘Hairpin Flower,’ Chen Die!!”

The applause from below was deafening.

Chen Die rose, lifting her gown, as cameras slid over to film her.

She walked onto the stage amid applause, accepted the trophy from the host, and gave her acceptance speech.

At this point, the live broadcast comments were:

“Ahhhhhhhhh go for it Die jie!!!”

“Those legs are truly beyond words, sister’s legs aren’t just legs, they’re like spring waters by the Seine!”

“This camera is so inconsiderate, let me see CEO Wen’s expression now!!!”

After finishing her speech, from getting on stage to leaving, Chen Die didn’t dare look in Wen Liang’s direction, only seeing in her peripheral vision that he was applauding her.

Off the stage, back to her seat.

The actor sitting next to Chen Die initiated a conversation with her. After chatting for a while, Chen Die finally relaxed from her nervous state.

Having already received an award, Chen Die put herself in the position of an observer, applauding along with the host’s announcements.

Feng Zhi also won the Best Director award, and during his acceptance speech, he thanked Chen Die, Qi Cheng, and all the “Hairpin Flower” crew members again.

The film festival had progressed for two hours, reaching the highlight of the evening, the Best Actress and Best Actor awards.

The host on stage built up suspense.

“I still don’t know who this year’s Best Actress will be!” she said.

As she spoke, she opened the card, half-cupped her hand to look, and made a surprised expression. “Wow, this year’s Best Actress is truly strong, well-deserved yet unexpected!”

“Now, let’s welcome the birth of our Baihua International Film Festival’s Best Actress with the most enthusiastic applause!”

“She is also our Best New Talent award winner!—Ms. Chen Die!”

In the moment she heard her name, Chen Die was still applauding for the soon-to-be Best Actress. When the camera swept over, it captured her with an official smile and clapping, and then the smile gradually froze, looking confused and shocked.

The host on stage invited her again.

Only then did Chen Die stand up abruptly, almost tripping over her gown.

She was in a daze the whole way to the stage, with joy not yet having time to be transmitted through her nerves. Her mind was full of “Who am I,” “Where am I,” “What am I doing,” and also—I only prepared one acceptance speech!?

The host gestured for Chen Die to walk to the center of the stage and asked: “I just saw you looked quite surprised. Didn’t expect to win the Best Actress award?”

Chen Die was still a bit dazed and answered honestly: “For such an impressive award, I fantasized about it before coming, but I didn’t expect to receive it. And since I already got the New Talent award, I wasn’t thinking about myself.”

“So, at such a young age of 23, how do you feel about receiving this award? Do you have any acceptance speech?”

Chen Die held the Best Actress trophy, gripping the microphone, looking at the audience, her heart pounding.

She truly felt nervousness reaching the bottom of her heart, as well as a bit of fear that she might not deserve this honor, so she instinctively looked towards Wen Liang.

Wen Liang was sitting in the front row, his gaze deep as he looked at her.

Chen Die suddenly felt at ease.

Holding the microphone, she improvised an acceptance speech, word by word.

Very happy.

Very grateful to everyone.

Will continue to work hard in the future, to always deserve this award.

All words from the bottom of her heart.

After finishing, Chen Die handed the microphone back to the host and was about to leave from one side of the stage.

However, the host suddenly noticed Wen Liang standing up from his seat and walking towards the stage. The host quickly called out: “Chen Die, please wait a moment.”

Chen Die turned her head and saw Wen Liang coming up from the other side of the stage.

“…”

I’m already nervous enough!!

What big thing are you going to do now!!

I want to get off the stage!!

Wen Liang took the microphone from the host. He never gets nervous anywhere and calmly said to the audience: “Sorry to take up a bit of your time.”

The man stood on the award stage in a well-tailored, impeccable suit.

Chen Die was too nervous now. If she had observed, she would have noticed that this suit was the one she bought for him with her first earnings, before they broke up.

The light from above fell on his broad shoulders, making his angular face even more defined and sculpted.

Chen Die watched as he reached into his pocket and took out a box.

Not unfamiliar—Wen Liang had given her one before, as jewelry.

A ring box.

But what about this one now?

Surely he wouldn’t come on stage just to give jewelry.

Chen Die’s heart was beating so fast it felt like it would pound out of her chest. Her breathing was also labored as she stared at him.

Wen Liang toyed with the ring box between his fingers, tilting his chin up, his jawline smooth and decisive.

He said: “I was originally planning to give this to you after the ceremony, but suddenly thought that giving it to you now would be quite nice, too, everyone’s Best Actress.”

He paused, then laughed and added, “My princess.”

Chen Die was stunned, speechless.

Then, she watched wide-eyed as Wen Liang stepped back with his left leg, lowered himself, and knelt on one knee in front of everyone, in front of her.

Chen Die covered her mouth, instantly teary-eyed.

She had fantasized before about how Wen Liang would propose.

He definitely wouldn’t kneel. His proposal would surely be arrogant, a bit childish, and a bit naughty, asking her if the ring was beautiful if she wanted it. Even if she refused, it wouldn’t count.

But now, Wen Liang was on one knee, looking up at her, his gaze silent yet determined.

At 16, when she first saw him, the first word that popped into her mind was—”deity.”

Now her deity was looking up at her in front of everyone.

Wen Liang flicked open the ring box with his finger, the diamond reflecting brilliant light under the lamps.

He said lazily: “I looked at marriage vows a few days ago, and they all seem to be ‘for better or worse, in sickness and in health.'”

“I’m in good health, and if you’re with me, you’ll never be poor.”

“So, do you want to spend a future with me that will only have prosperity and health?”

Wen Liang paused, his Adam’s apple moving up and down, the nervousness in his heart a bit difficult to conceal.

He paused, raised the ring in his hand, and asked softly: “So, princess, do you want to marry me?”