I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

The two worked in unison, keeping a close eye on Fang Ran and giving her no chance to bluff her way through.

Seeing their excited expressions, Fang Ran sighed helplessly, her tone becoming more serious:

"It's not that I intentionally wanted to hide it from you, it's just that this matter was decided so suddenly, it was only finalized in the last few days, I haven't even recovered myself, how could I possibly say such things in the group chat."

"A sudden decision?"

Shu Zi raised an eyebrow, completely unconvinced. "So you and He Yuzhuo hadn't made any moves at all before? When did you two start interacting? I've never heard of it!"

Qiao Yueke echoed in agreement:

"Exactly! We're together all the time. If you were involved with Yu Zhuo, how could we not have heard a thing?! Ranran, you have to explain everything completely, not a single detail can be left out!"

Unable to withstand their intense stares, Fang Ran had no choice but to tell the truth:

"It's a family marriage. The elders on both sides have long had this intention, but it hasn't been finalized yet. This time, we met at a gathering in our circle and settled the matter on the spot. I was just passively agreeing to it, and I didn't even have time to tell you."

"Got it? Do you think I don't know your personality? If you really don't want to, no one can force you, not even the King of Heaven himself!"

Shu Zi narrowed her eyes. "If you dare to say that you and He Yuzhuo had absolutely no connection before, let's see if I believe you!"

She leaned forward again, her tone slightly teasing: "Besides, is it really just a family arrangement? Don't you have any other feelings for He Yuzhuo?"

Qiao Yue immediately stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with gossip, having long forgotten her earlier questioning, and was focused on hearing what would happen next.

"Right now, we're just getting to know each other and seeing how things go. I don't have any other intentions... But you two, Gu Yan and Huo Fei, how dare you criticize me?"

"Hey! Don't change the subject!"

Shu Zi quickly brought the conversation back on track: "This is about your business, don't drag us into it! If there's anything else you haven't told us, tell us everything right now!"

Qiao Yue clenched her fists and nodded vigorously, echoing, "Say it!"

Fang Ran turned her face away and coughed lightly, her tone slightly uneasy: "There is indeed a tiny bit of that..."

Meanwhile, in the private room on the other side, Gu Yan pushed open the door and entered. He Yuzhuo was sitting on the sofa with a wine glass in his hand, and Huo Fei was sitting next to him.

"You've finally arrived. Where's Shu Zi?" He Yuzhuo looked up at Gu Yan and asked.

"I went to find Fang Ran." Gu Yan walked to the side and sat down, casually picking up a glass of warm water. He glanced at Huo Fei and said indifferently, "What are you doing here?"

Huo Fei rubbed his temples, his tone full of helplessness: "What else could it be? Your partner is coming all the way here, how could Qiao Yue not come?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, not particularly surprised, and simply nodded.

He then looked at He Yuzhuo: "Why didn't you mention the marriage alliance in advance?"

He Yuzhu chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing:

"I told you in advance, because I was afraid your little princess would get angry on the spot and come back to settle scores with me, saying that I stole her best friend. Only you can put up with Shuzi's temper."

"No wonder, she had just heard the news and rushed over to confront Fang Ran."

Gu Yan smiled slightly, recalling Shu Zi's appearance in the car just now.

Huo Fei, leaning back on the sofa, listened with great interest and interjected at the opportune moment: "I really didn't expect that Fang Ran, with her personality, would obediently nod and agree to the marriage."

In this circle, everyone knows that Shu Zi is spoiled and willful, while Fang Ran is even more stubborn and opinionated, and would never force herself to do something she doesn't want to do.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yan glanced at He Yuzhuo across from him and said calmly, "You'll have to ask him. Without some scheming, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

He Yuzhuo's lips curled slightly. He neither denied nor offered further explanation, but simply changed the subject, looking at Gu Yan with a hint of inquiry in his eyes:

"Let's not talk about us anymore. What happened between you and Shuzi on that variety show has gone viral in the industry, with all sorts of speculation flying around. Are you really planning to keep this a secret forever?"

"I won't hide it. Let's see what she thinks." Gu Yan's tone was calm, a faint tenderness spreading in his eyes. "I'll wait for her to figure things out."

Huo Fei clicked his tongue: "Spoiling her like this, you'll suffer later."

Gu Yan remained noncommittal.

The other side is a booth.

Fang Ran was caught in a pincer movement by Shu Zi and Qiao Yueke, and unable to escape, she finally relented:

"Okay... there is indeed a tiny bit of a problem."

Shu Zi immediately pressed, "How much is 'a tiny bit'?!"

Qiao Yueke stared intently at her: "Tell me quickly! When did it start? The party? Or even earlier?"

Feeling pressured by her gaze, Fang Ran had no choice but to confess in a low voice, "Just a few days ago..."

Shu Zi & Qiao Yueke: "A few days ago?!"

"Yeah, a few days ago, I drank too much, and he took me home."

Shu Zi raised an eyebrow: "So...?"

Fang Ran: "Okay, I'm going to sleep."

Shu Ziqiao could freeze, Shu Ziqiao could be shocked, Shu Ziqiao could scream!

"Sleeping?!"

Qiao Yue gasped, covering her mouth, her expression a mixture of disbelief, excitement, and shock:

"Just a few days ago?! And now the marriage is arranged?! Ranran, your efficiency... even a rocket couldn't keep up with you!"

Shu Zi leaned back abruptly, crossed her arms, and looked Fang Ran up and down, her eyes filled with newfound respect.

"Well done, Fang Xiaoran, you've got some big stuff going on quietly! Was it a drunken spree? Love at first sight? Or... something you've been planning all along?"

"What do you mean premeditated! It was an accident! A complete accident! I was at the party that day, and I drank a bit too much. He just happened to be going that way... Who knew what would happen next..."

"You just happened to be on your way and ended up in bed?" Shu Zi raised an eyebrow, her teasing tone almost overflowing. "That He Yuzhuo guy, he looks all respectable, but I didn't expect him to be so quick. But—"

She abruptly changed the subject, leaning forward, lowering her voice, and her eyes gleaming with gossip:

"What about the details? The process? How did you feel? Tell us! We're your best friends, it's our duty to help you make the best choice!"

Qiao Yueke leaned closer, nodding vigorously like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, yes! We must be strict! We must be very strict!"

Fang Ran felt her scalp tingle under the intense gazes of the two men, as if she were a fish being roasted over a fire.

She considered herself to have seen a lot, but being tortured like this was a first for her.

"No details!"

She explained rapidly, "We were both drunk that day, I blacked out! When I woke up in the morning... that's how it was! And since both families were already interested, we just went with the flow!"

"Fragments?"

Shu Zi squinted, clearly disbelieving. "Fang Xiaoran, do you think I don't know your alcohol tolerance? How much would it take to make you black out? Did He Yuzhuo force you to drink?"

Fang Ran simply gave up and went all out:

"Alright, alright, I admit it. I was in a bad mood that day, had a couple too many drinks, and then I got lustful. Okay?"