Chapter 34: Proposal Plan

Chapter 34: The Proposal Plan

"Phase One: Xiaoyao's Probing"

For three consecutive days, Xiaoyao "ran into" Zero in the break room, "accidentally" spilling coffee on his shirt each time.

Day One—

"Senior, my shirt's wet." Xiaoyao tugged at his collar. "Can I borrow a jacket?"

Zero glanced at him, tossed his tactical jacket to him: "Next time, bring your own."

Day Two—

"Senior, my hand slipped." Xiaoyao held up an empty cup, coffee dripping down his collarbone into his shirt.

Zero paused for two seconds, pulled out a tissue, pressing it against his chest: "Wipe it off."

Day Three—

"Senior..."

"Shut up." Zero grabbed his chin, roughly wiped the coffee off with a rag. "If you pull this stunt again, I'll tie you to the training room pillar."

Xiaoyao blinked: "...What kind of tie?"

Zero's ears went bright red, and he turned and left.

---

Xiaoyao stood at the whiteboard in the conference room, wrote the title solemnly: "How to Get Zero to Say Yes to a Proposal."

Participants:

- Alice (Medical Department, in charge of providing "scientific evidence").

- Xiao Huang (Tech Department, in charge of equipment support).

- A Nian (Combat Department, in charge of intimidation).

- Vivian (Logistics Department, in charge of venue setup).

- Wu Ling'er (Intelligence Department, in charge of information disruption).

- Ma Mianren (Participating under duress, in charge of approving the budget).

- Cafeteria Auntie (Emotional consultant, provides cheesy pick-up lines).

Plan Name: "Celestial Breath Capture Plan"

---

[1. Alice's "Scientific Assist"]

Alice adjusted her glasses: "According to my research, when adrenaline spikes in humans, the brain's judgment drops by 70%."

Xiaoyao: "So?"

Alice: "Create a 'hero rescuing a damsel in distress' scenario, so Zero agrees in a moment of emotional vulnerability."

Xiao Huang raised his hand: "I can control drones to simulate an attack!"

Alice: "...You guys should try other plans."

[2. Xiao Huang's "Technical Support"]

Xiao Huang brought up a hologram: "I can set up a holographic romantic scene in the training room, stars, candlelight, rose petal rain..."

Vivian interrupted: "Zero would activate 'Celestial Breath' and smash all the equipment."

Xiao Huang: "...How about a low-key one?"

Wu Ling'er smiled: "Why not hack Zero's communicator and loop 'Today I Wanna Marry You' 24/7?"

Xiaoyao: "...I'd get killed before that happens."

[3. A Nian's "Intimidation"]

A Nian folded his arms: "Simplest way: put a knife to Zero's neck and ask, 'Marry or not.'"

The whole room went silent.

Xiaoyao: "...Next."

[4. Vivian's "Venue Setup"]

Vivian unfolded the design blueprint: "I suggest proposing on the helicopter during the return leg of the mission. High altitude, he can't escape."

Ma Mianren: "Who's responsible if the helicopter crashes?"

Vivian: "...Then how about the cafeteria? I can arrange the tables into a heart shape."

Cafeteria Auntie interjected, munching on sunflower seeds: "Just put a sedative in his coffee, and when he wakes up, he'll find a ring on his finger."

Xiaoyao: "...We are a legitimate company."

[5. Wu Ling'er's "Intelligence Interference"]

Wu Ling'er waved her phone: "I can forge a 'Mandatory Marriage Decree from the Company,' tricking Zero into thinking the organization requires you two to marry."

Xiaoyao: "He'd go straight to Ma Mianren to confirm, and then I'm done for."

Wu Ling'er: "...Then pretend you've been captured by a Pseudohuman. Have Zero come save you, then drop to one knee and ask, 'Marry me to unlock the rescue sequence.'"

Xiaoyao facepalmed: "...Next."

[6. Ma Mianren's "Forced Approval"]

Ma Mianren sighed: "Can't you just be direct?"

Xiaoyao: "Like?"

Ma Mianren: "Pin him against the wall, kiss him, then ask, 'Marry or not.'"

Silence again across the room.

Xiaoyao: "...Boss, have you been watching some weird stuff lately?"

[7. Cafeteria Auntie's "Cheesy Pick-Up Lines"]

Cafeteria Auntie slammed the table: "Listen to me! Walk over with your tray, look into his eyes affectionately, and say—'Senior, do you know the difference between you and candy? Candy is sweet, but you are mine.'"

Xiaoyao: "...Will that work?"

Cafeteria Lady: “Or ‘Senior, I suspect your blood type is sugar cube type—otherwise, how could you be this sweet?’”

Xiaoyao: “...Don’t you have anything more hardcore?”

Cafeteria Lady: “‘Marry me, or today’s meal will be all desserts—the cloyingly sweet kind.’”

Xiaoyao: “...Forget it.”

---

“Phase Four: Official Execution”

After intense discussion, the final plan was as follows—

“1. Mission Preliminaries”

Xiaoyao and Zero were dispatched to “recover important supplies”—in reality, a proposal venue Vivian had prearranged at the target location.

“2. Accidental ‘Danger’”

Wu Ling’er remotely controlled several training pseudohumans to simulate an attack, while Xiaoyao “bravely” stepped in front of Zero (though the pseudohumans’ attacks couldn’t even pop a balloon).

“3. Romantic Ending”

As Zero frowned and examined Xiaoyao’s “injuries,” Xiao Huang triggered the holographic projection—stars, candlelight, and rose petals raining down simultaneously.

“4. Ultimate Question”

Xiaoyao dropped to one knee and produced a ring: “Senior, let’s get married.”

---

“Phase Five: When Reality Diverged from the Plan”

What actually happened:

1. The moment the pseudohumans appeared, Zero activated “Celestial Breath” and obliterated them all in three seconds.

2. Just as the holographic projection began, Zero drew a dagger and stabbed the projector, destroying it instantly.

3. The rose petal rain system malfunctioned—every petal landed squarely on Xiaoyao’s face.

4. When Xiaoyao knelt, Zero turned and walked away, muttering, “Boring.”

Plan B activated:

Xiaoyao lunged forward, seized Zero’s wrist, and pinned him against the wall.

“Zero.” His voice was uncharacteristically grave. “I’m not joking.”

Zero tilted his head, eyes flickering with something unreadable.

Xiaoyao took a deep breath. “I’m done playing these mind games.” He held up the ring. “Marry me—or…”

“Or?”

“Or I’ll marry you.”

Zero fell silent for three seconds—then suddenly reached out, snatched the ring, and slid it onto his own finger. “…Depends on how you perform.”

---

“Phase Six: Company-wide Celebration”

That night, the Supernatural Company cafeteria transformed into a temporary celebration venue.

- Xiao Huang compiled and edited the full footage into a mashup video titled *The Domineering Captain Falls in Love*.

- Xiaoyao got drunk and insisted on performing a stunt—smashing a large stone on his chest.

- Vivian arranged the tables into the Chinese character for “double happiness” (囍) and handed out red envelopes to everyone—each containing cafeteria coupons.

- Wu Ling’er secretly spiked Zero’s coffee with alcohol; after drinking it, Zero hoisted Xiaoyao over his shoulder and carried him off.

- Ma Mianren stared blankly at the expense report, his hooves sunk deep into the floor.

Finally—

In the dormitory, Zero leaned against the headboard, gazing at the ring on his finger, and murmured lightly: “How long did you spend planning this?”

Xiaoyao hugged him from behind. “I’ve been planning it every single moment.”

Zero chuckled softly, turned, and pinned him down. “…Idiot.”