Chapter 168: Choosing a High-Profile Proposal

Ye Yingtang's sudden change in attitude caught Ye Zehong somewhat off guard.

He tightened his grip on his phone and offered a cold, detached smile, his sharp eyebrows furrowing deeply. "Do you really think everyone must obey your arrangements and let you manipulate them at will?"

Ye Yingtang chuckled softly. "Who was it that swore they would never marry anyone other than Lu Yao in this lifetime? Now that I consent to your marriage, are you unwilling to take responsibility for your own words?"

Ye Yingtang understood Ye Zehong far too well; he knew precisely what words to use to keep Ye Zehong in check.

After a few moments of silence, Ye Zehong replied calmly, "Of course I intend to marry Lu Yao, but I—"

"Enough with the 'buts'," Ye Yingtang interrupted, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window and looking down at the bustling CBD of the capital. He said firmly, "I will have someone arrange the proposal venue, and I guarantee the scale will be unmatched. Tonight, your only job is to dress sharply, prepare a heartfelt confession, and make Lu Yao move to tears. At the same time, I will arrange a public relations team to officially announce your marriage to the public!"

"Must you force my hand like this?" Ye Zehong asked with utter helplessness.

Whom he loved and when he chose to propose had nothing to do with Ye Yingtang. Ye Yingtang's actions made his love and marriage feel entirely arranged.

"I am only giving you two choices," Ye Yingtang said, his tone turning displeased. "One, choose to appear at the proposal venue, and our corporation will make the official announcement. Two, I will immediately have someone publish all the photographs of your past clandestine relationship online, and then control the public narrative to paint Lu Yao as the third party who caused you to break off your engagement with Qiao Wan'er."

"You are even using my marriage to threaten me!"

"You have a choice, so it's not a threat."

"..."

Ye Zehong was left speechless and silently hung up the phone.

The next second, a new text message came in.

[If you don't answer, I will take it as your consent.]

[I will arrange for Lu Yao's appearance. I hope you won't let Lu Yao and everyone else down.]

Ye Zehong put his phone away and rubbed his face in frustration. He picked it up again, pulled up Lu Yao's phone number, but hesitated just as his thumb hovered over the call button.

He truly wanted to marry Lu Yao and spend the rest of his life with her. But... Lu Yao had just confided in him about her ancient family and informed him that she would eventually have to leave the capital.

If he chose to make such a high-profile proposal at a time like this, she certainly wouldn't agree. When that happened, Ye Yingtang's scheming would inevitably fall through. Perhaps that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

With this thought in mind, Ye Zehong put his phone away once more, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

...

Ye Yingtang's subordinates were exceptionally efficient. By five o'clock in the afternoon, they had already set up the proposal venue in the open space right in front of the main entrance of the Ye Corporation building.

Furthermore, the HR department had issued a notice: all employees of the Ye Corporation were required to work overtime until nine o'clock in the evening, with overtime pay set at three times their daily wage. Special instructions were given that before the official announcement was released, no one was permitted to share any related information unauthorized, or they would be dismissed on the spot.

Combining the proposal venue downstairs with the triple-pay overtime, people began to speculate wildly about who the male and female protagonists of this proposal would be. The most popular guess for the male lead was Ye Zehong, and for the female lead, Lu Yao.

As the heavily favored female lead, Lu Yao was currently buried in her work at the law firm. Suddenly, a group of strangers barged into the office and stopped right in front of her desk.

The woman leading them, sporting a high ponytail, flashed Lu Yao a professional smile before immediately having her subordinates grab Lu Yao by the arms and haul her away.

A wave of panic washed over Lu Yao as she began to struggle. "Who are you people? What are you doing to me?!"