After The Marriage Proposal Was Rejected, I Became Her Brother-in-Law - Chapter 1: Will You Marry Me?:

Chapter 1: Will You Marry Me?:

Magic Capital, in a private room at a Chinese restaurant.

“Come on, Xiao Xue, have some cake,” Ye Fan said, placing a slice of birthday cake on a small plate and handing it to his girlfriend, Lin Ruoxue, who sat to his left. It was her birthday.

“Thank you,” Lin Ruoxue replied, gracefully accepting the cake. She wore a white dress and a birthday hat, delicately eating with a small spoon.

“Uncle Lin, Aunt Zhang.” Ye Fan said, as he served two more pieces of cake to his girlfriend’s parents.

“Xiao Fan, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” Zhang Ting said, slightly hesitant. “We could’ve celebrated at home. This dinner must have cost you a fortune.”

Lin Shan, Ruoxue’s father, nodded in agreement. “You’ve only just graduated. You should save money where you can. When you marry Xiao Xue, you’ll need it.”

Ye Fan smiled warmly. “Uncle Lin, Aunt Zhang, some things are worth spending on. Money is earned to be used, and I’m confident I can give Xiao Xue the life she deserves.”

“Haha, you’ve got ambition, and I like that,” Lin Shan replied with a laugh.

Ye Fan then turned to Ruoxue’s sister, Lin Ruowei, who was seated to his right. “Here’s your cake, Sister Weiwei.”

“Thank you,” Lin Ruowei said with a polite smile, her business attire neat and elegant.

Just then, Lin Ruoxue let out a quiet gasp. She had uncovered something within her slice of cake—a platinum diamond ring. Though the diamond was small, it was unmistakably a ring.

Lin Ruoxue immediately knew what was coming, and her heart raced.

As expected, Ye Fan got down on one knee, holding her gaze with tenderness. “Xiao Xue, will you marry me?”

They had been together since their first year of college. He was the campus hottie, and she was the campus belle. Everyone saw them as the perfect couple. Their love continued for four years of long-distance, and they had rarely argued. Now that they had graduated and started their lives together, Ye Fan was ready to fulfill his promise to marry her after graduation.

Lin’s parents were momentarily stunned by the unexpected proposal. But soon after, they exchanged smiles, filled with pride and satisfaction. Ye Fan was already like a son to them. Despite not being from Jiang Cheng and having modest family circumstances, his character had shone through. Over the past four years, he had proven himself reliable and kind. They felt at ease knowing their daughter would be with someone like him.

But Lin Ruoxue’s expression wasn’t one of joy. As she stared at Ye Fan, her eyes clouded with a mix of happiness and hesitation.

Ye Fan’s heart sank. He knew her well enough to read her thoughts with just a glance.

“Xiao Xue, why are you hesitating?” Zhang Ting said impatiently. “Just say yes and let Xiao Fan stand up.”

“Xiao Fan, I…” Lin Ruoxue’s voice trembled. Her hesitation had turned to sorrow and guilt. “Let’s break up.”

Though her words shocked everyone, Ye Fan wasn’t entirely surprised.

“Xiao Xue, I’ve sensed this coming for a while now, but I kept hoping I was wrong,” he said quietly, a bitter smile forming. “I guess I’ve just been fooling myself.”

Over the past few weeks, he had noticed the growing distance between them. Their conversations had dwindled, and the connection they once had seemed to be fading.

“I’m sorry,” Lin Ruoxue said, her voice soft but firm. “Ever since we left school, I’ve realized that life in the real world is different. You can’t give me the life I want anymore.”

Her tone shifted, carrying a hint of affection. “I’ll always cherish the memories we made together, but… I can’t continue this.”

Lin’s parents were stunned, struggling to process what had just happened. Their daughter had rejected Ye Fan’s proposal?

“Xiao Xue!” Lin Shan finally snapped, his face red with anger. “Have you forgotten what Xiao Fan did for our family?”

Three years ago, during summer vacation, Lin Shan had been in a terrible car accident and spent two months in the hospital. With his wife too frail to care for him, it was Ye Fan who stayed by his bedside, tending to his every need—even the most unpleasant ones.

Not many sons would do that for their father, let alone a future son-in-law. And after the accident, when Lin Shan could no longer work, the family fell on hard times. Ye Fan worked tirelessly, sending money to help support them, especially Ruoxue, who was still in college.

Lin Shan had long considered Ye Fan a part of the family. And now, his daughter was rejecting him? It felt like an act of ingratitude.

Lin Ruowei, who had remained quiet, looked at her sister in disbelief.

“Dad, I know how good Ye Fan has been to us,” Lin Ruoxue said, her voice steady but firm. “But I can’t base my entire future on that. I’ll repay him for everything, with interest.”

“You ungrateful…” Lin Shan’s face darkened, trembling with fury.

At that moment, Ye Fan felt as though he barely recognized the woman he had loved for four years.

“Uncle Lin, Aunt Zhang, enjoy your meal. I’ll be going now,” he said, rising to his feet. Without another word, he turned and left the room.

“Xiao Fan…” Lin’s parents tried to call him back, but they couldn’t find the words.

“Wait, Xiao Fan!” Lin Ruowei suddenly called out.

Ye Fan stopped and turned to her, confused. “Sister Weiwei?”

Lin Ruowei ignored his question and looked directly at her sister. “Xiao Xue, are you really sure you don’t want to marry Ye Fan?”

“Sister, please stop. I’ve made my decision.” Lin Ruoxue said, her voice firm.

Lin Ruowei smiled faintly. “I’m not trying to convince you otherwise. I just wanted to be certain.”

Then, she turned to Ye Fan, her smile softening. “Ye Fan, if Xiao Xue doesn’t want to marry you… I will. Would you marry me?”