Chapter 169: A Woman's Heart is Ruthless

That afternoon, the hotel staff helped to escort the guests to the airport according to their travel schedules. Some employees cleaned the venue, while others went to the Golden Beach to prepare for the evening's beachside fireworks display.

Fortunately, Qin Mengqiu was busy working at the front desk during the day, so she didn't have time to go to the garden or beach, saving everyone a lot of trouble.

...

Night, 8:02 PM.

Qin Mengqiu changed out of her uniform and gently massaged her sore calves. She was playing on her phone when a junior staff member excitedly approached her.

"Xiaoqiu, there are fireworks on the beach tonight! Let's go watch!"

"Fireworks?" Qin Mengqiu was surprised. "Is there a program?"

The junior staff member, realizing she was referring to Ruiky's wedding, quickly nodded and pulled Qin Mengqiu along.

"They say it's beautiful! Let's go quickly or we'll miss it."

As they walked to the garden, Qin Mengqiu suddenly stopped in her tracks. The green grass was covered with a pink rose petal path, and the trees beside it were decorated with golden fairy lights and hanging moon and star sequins, along with bells tied with ribbons gently ringing in the breeze.

Alongside the petal path, there were "Happy Birthday" signs flashing, and Bai Cheng, Tian Qingning, An Xia, and others stood on either side, each holding a flower.

Seeing Qin Mengqiu approaching, Bai Cheng happily stepped forward, handed her a flower, and warmly said, "Xiaoqiu, happy birthday!"

Qin Mengqiu, stunned, accepted the flower, staring blankly at everything before her, her mind in a whirl.

"What is this?" She turned to the junior staff member, only to be met with a big hug.

"Xiaoqiu, happy birthday!" The junior staff member kissed her cheek and handed her a small plush toy. "This is a special birthday celebration for you. Follow the petal path; there's a surprise ahead."

Qin Mengqiu's hands trembled slightly as she held the flowers. Could it be the boss? In the whole hotel, only Chen Jianhai had the resources for something like this.

"Go on, someone is waiting for you," urged the junior staff member.

"Mm." Qin Mengqiu took a deep breath, filled with anticipation, and walked step by step towards the beach on the soft rose petals.

"Happy birthday, Xiaoqiu!"

"May you always be happy!"

"Happy birthday, Xiaoqiu!"

"Thank you..." Qin Mengqiu started by thanking each person sweetly, but as she walked further and gathered more flowers, her eyes grew moist, her nose reddened, and her throat choked with emotion.

She held back her tears, fearing that speaking would make her cry, so she silently accepted the flowers, bowing in gratitude.

"Xiaoqiu, happy birthday." Lu Bin handed her a flower and carefully observed her tear-streaked face, noticing her pure and delicate appearance.

No wonder Zhu Tingting was so infatuated with her. As Qin Mengqiu walked past, Lu Bin quickly sent a message.

"She's here. Start!"

On the other side of the Golden Beach, Chen Jianhai glanced at his phone and said to Zhu Tingting, "She's here! Play!"

...

"The one who used to be in the small compartment of my backpack,"

"Accompanying me through every journey across the seas,"

"The invisible scarecrow,"

"Guarding my innocence,"

"I once thought love could make the future just for one person,"

...

The soft sound of the guitar came from the beach. Qin Mengqiu, holding a large bouquet, walked along the pink rose petal path.

At the end of the path, where the beach met the ocean, golden lights shone brightly, illuminating the Golden Beach as if it were daylight. Chen Jianhai and the staff held sparklers, forming a huge heart shape with the lights.

Zhu Tingting sat among the sparklers, softly singing. Qin Mengqiu, with teary eyes, looked at the setup, feeling both touched and happy. She covered her mouth and let out a small laugh, her eyes filled with joy.

But tears fell one by one.

...

At the end of the song, Zhu Tingting, holding his guitar, looked at the tearful Qin Mengqiu, feeling both nervous and anxious. His fingers pressed tightly on the strings, and after taking a deep breath, he spoke seriously,

"Xiaoqiu, happy birthday."

Amidst the sparklers and lights, Zhu Tingting mustered his courage and knelt on one knee.

"Xiaoqiu, will you be my girlfriend?"

...

"Say yes!"

"Say yes!"

"Agree!"

The crowd began to cheer, and everyone's eyes were on Qin Mengqiu and Zhu Tingting, eagerly waiting for her answer. The kitchen had even prepared a celebratory cake with kissing figurines on top, ready for everyone to share in the joy once she said yes.

Chen Jianhai gestured with his hand, motioning for silence, and the crowd instantly quieted down.

"I'm sorry..."

A soft voice came from Qin Mengqiu's mouth. Zhu Tingting froze, looking confused, as if he had misheard. He tilted his head, seeking confirmation.

Qin Mengqiu took a deep breath and, meeting Zhu Tingting's bewildered gaze, resolutely said, "I only see you as a good friend."

The light in Zhu Tingting's eyes went out.

...

Chen Jianhai stood nearby, dumbfounded. She refused? Impossible! He thought Zhu Tingting and Qin Mengqiu were practically a couple already, just needing to make it official.

Not just Chen Jianhai, even the junior staff member was puzzled, a big question mark on their face.

After a while, Zhu Tingting stood up, walked to Qin Mengqiu, and gently wiped her tears.

"Why are you crying? A good friend can still celebrate your birthday."

Qin Mengqiu looked up at him with red eyes. Zhu Tingting's fingers, rough with calluses, were gentle and didn't hurt.

"Don't cry on such a happy day," he said softly.

"Knife, bring the cake!" Chen Jianhai, sensing the awkwardness, quickly shouted.

The pastry chef, ready and waiting, pushed a three-tiered cake towards them. The cake had two small figurines kissing, which now seemed ironically mocking to both Qin Mengqiu and Zhu Tingting.

The pastry chef skillfully cut two pieces and handed them to them. Qin Mengqiu took a small bite.

It tasted sweet but left a bitter aftertaste. Zhu Tingting stared blankly at the kissing figurines, looking lost.

After a brief moment of silence, Chen Jianhai walked up, took the cake knife, and mumbled, "Why is no one eating the cream?" He then cut the figurines into his plate, took a big bite, and said, "It's actually pretty good."