TMLSG -Chapter 137 A Grand and Magnificent Proposal

Tang Zhen wanted to continue giving Ren Yanjing a sulky face, but he kept coaxing her. He even opened a video call and had Aunt Yu use her phone to coax “Zhenguai” to join in.

Zhenguai’s sweet, syrupy electronic voice said, “Zhenzhen, don’t be unhappy.”

Tang Zhen wasn’t unhappy.

She was just completing a mission.

Because Ren Yanjing and Zhenguai were coaxing her together, Tang Zhen couldn’t maintain her neutral expression at all. In the end, she gave up. After all, this mission only gave one life point—it wasn’t worth the struggle.

111 seemed to notice something.

Even though the cat’s sulky face was cute, Ren Yanjing seemed far more interested in seeing her truly happy.

After sending Tang Zhen home, Ren Yanjing asked, “Baby, when will you tell Auntie about our relationship?”

Their relationship? Liu Zong had always known about them anyway.

Tang Zhen counted on her fingers. “My mom already knows you’re my boyfriend. Haven’t you known that all along?”

Ren Yanjing turned and hugged her. “Baby, that’s not what I mean.”

Before Tang Zhen could react, 111 already understood instantly: 【I get it, Zhen—he means your pure-love cohabitation relationship!】

Tang Zhen: …

Ren Yanjing continued, “Aunt Yu misses you and keeps asking when you’ll come back.”

“The pink three-piece bedding set you picked out has already been washed and dried.”

Tang Zhen muttered, “We’ll talk later.” She guessed her mom wouldn’t agree right now.

Ren Yanjing had clearly considered the possibility of refusal. He leaned closer and said, “If Auntie doesn’t agree, we can get engaged first.” That way, it would be official.

111 screamed internally, 【Ahhhh—engaged? Engaged!】

【Zhen, the male lead actually wants to get engaged to you?!】

【This is way too fast!】

Hearing the words “get engaged,” Tang Zhen froze. “111, in this sweet novel I’m living in, do the male and female leads get engaged?”

111 replied confidently, 【No!】

【But the novel is still ongoing, so anything could happen. The male and female leads are set up as soulmates; engagement or no engagement doesn’t change their connection.】

After all, soulmates just need a resonance between their souls. Whether engaged or married isn’t important—the understanding between their souls is what matters.

Tang Zhen didn’t know whether to accept or refuse. Rationally, she should refuse—after all, she’s just a minor character, and Ren Yanjing is the male lead. But emotionally, she didn’t want to disappoint him.

While she hesitated, a new mission arrived.

Since the previous mission hadn’t been completed, this new mission’s reward was exchange points.

It had been a long time since two missions appeared simultaneously, and Tang Zhen hadn’t earned exchange points in a while.

【This new mission—Mission Thirty-Nine—was as follows: The male lead must give you a grand, extravagant proposal at your high school graduation. (Long-term mission)】

Seeing the number of exchange points, Tang Zhen was shocked.

“111, why is the reward so generous?”

111 explained, 【Zhen, this is a long-term mission. Your high school graduation is still several months away.】

【The male lead could break the promise anytime. While his character makes it unlikely, who knows if the plot will steer him back to the female lead?】

As long as Tang Zhen hasn’t obtained the female lead aura, the plot’s pull between the male and female leads remains active.

So whether this mission could be completed was uncertain.

【Besides, proposing now might be too rushed. Zhen, you’re the vain, shallow minor character—you deserve a proposal that’s extraordinary and unprecedented, isn’t that right?】

【Even if the male lead rushes, proposing now might still be okay, but if he has some preparation time, the future proposal could be dazzling.】

111 was already imagining the scene.

Tang Zhen didn’t think that far.

Although she didn’t know what the future held, the mission’s requirements were clear, and the date was set. She breathed a sigh of relief, knowing what to do.

Since there were many things she couldn’t figure out herself, she decided to follow the mission—it saved her the mental effort.

“Ren Yanjing,” Tang Zhen called softly.

“Hm?”

“I want a… very special proposal. When I graduate from high school.”

Ren Yanjing understood. He held her hand, gently rubbing her palm. “Okay. I’ll prepare carefully.”

111 went wild: 【Zhen, the character setting! Make it extra vain!】

“But…”

【Zhen, I beg you! Little Zhen, you’re the best! I really want to see a super spectacular proposal!】

Tang Zhen didn’t mind.

But 111 started whining again.

So she said, “It must be very special, very special—something no one has ever tried before.”

111: 【Yes! It must be unique! Only then will it satisfy the vanity of a minor character!】

Ren Yanjing: “Okay, I understand.”

How Ren Yanjing would plan this proposal, Tang Zhen and 111 didn’t know yet—but 111 was already looking forward to it.

This week was the international robotics competition semifinals.

Ren Yanjing didn’t miss it this time. He brought Tang Zhen and his team to the venue.

At the site, Tang Zhen saw Li Ran for the first time in a while.

During this time, Li Ran had seemingly disappeared from her and Ren Yanjing’s lives, never crossing paths again.

In that time, Li Ran had lost some weight, cut her hair to shoulder length, wore black-rimmed glasses, and had a serious expression.

Shen Quanli chuckled, “Captain, Zhenzhen, I specially brought the Poison-Tongue Bird today. If Li Ran isn’t sensible, I’ll have my bird give her a proper dose of poison!”

But before the bird could attack Li Ran, it first turned on Shen Quanli: “Useless! Useless!”

Shen Quanli: “Who are you calling useless?”

Poison-Tongue Bird: “You!”

Shen Quanli snorted. “Fine, we’ll see. In the second round of the semifinals, Future will definitely take first place!”

Meanwhile, Li Ran seemed to have completely let go. Throughout the competition, she didn’t make eye contact with anyone from Future, let alone speak to them.

Seeing them was like seeing strangers; her gaze was indifferent, her expression unfamiliar.

Li Ran was clearly pretending not to know them, so Shen Quanli didn’t feel comfortable letting the Poison-Tongue Bird attack her.

Today’s competition tested the robots’ agility. Each robot had to complete at least five high-difficulty moves within ten seconds.

Whoever executed the most difficult moves most accurately and with the most fluidity would be the winner.

Shen Quanli rubbed his hands in anticipation, eager to see the results.

The first to perform was Sugar.

Sugar executed a punch every second—each move standard, without mistakes—but somewhat ordinary, lacking flair.

Shen Quanli muttered, “No way… Sugar only knows how to be a boxer?”

That was such a limited skill set!

Unlike their Robert, who could perform as a street dancer, singer, boxer, and even other professional roles!

The second team to perform was one Tang Zhen hadn’t seen before.

This team’s robot was roughly designed; its movements were far from graceful.

The next team’s robot was also unfamiliar to Tang Zhen.

Even so, she felt it couldn’t compare to Robert.

After watching two robots perform their ten-second routines, the next to appear was Robert!

Tang Zhen couldn’t help but clap immediately.

The Poison-Tongue Bird cooperated, flapping its mechanical wings. “Applaud! Everyone, applaud!”

Robert’s routine today was a ten-second figure skating segment: jumps, spins—professional moves.

Even though it was on stage, it seemed as if it were gliding on ice, dancing freely. Within ten seconds, move followed move, leaving the audience breathless—the time seemed to fly by!

Tang Zhen was astonished. “Robert is too versatile!”

No, it wasn’t just Robert who was versatile—it was the entire Future team!

She couldn’t help but say, “This idea is so amazing.”

Zhang Mian said, “That was the captain’s plan.”

Tang Zhen looked up at Ren Yanjing and couldn’t resist praising him: “Ren Yanjing, you really know how to plan things. You’re so clever.”

Ren Yanjing’s lips curved slightly, and he gave a small “hm.”

Congratulations to Robert—he gained a new profession: figure skater!

After Robert’s flawless ten-second routine, the competition became predictable, though later rounds still continued.

After Robert performed, the next robot was Confession Letter.

Confession Letter performed a fast-paced Eight-Section Brocade routine.

Its moves were precise, but with Robert’s performance setting the bar, it ended up in second place.

After the semifinals, the organizers invited the young teams to a banquet.

The banquet served two purposes: it allowed the teams to mingle and get to know each other, and it gave the organizers a chance to show face.

One organizer went on stage to give a few encouraging words, then raised a glass, saying to the contestants, “Today’s semifinals were wonderful. I look forward to seeing even more impressive performances in the semifinals!”

Five teams had been eliminated today. Eight teams remained, each with seven or eight members—a significant number of people.

Contestants held glasses filled with champagne and raised them toward the stage.

The organizer smiled and said, “Let’s toast!”

The contestants enthusiastically responded, “Cheers!”

The atmosphere was lively. Tang Zhen took a small sip of champagne. Earlier, Ren Yanjing had deliberately clinked glasses with her.

“Cheers, baby.”

“Cheers, A-Jing.”

Tang Zhen didn’t particularly like alcohol, so she just sipped lightly.

Ren Yanjing, usually unfazed by even a thousand drinks, seemed tipsy after just a small glass of champagne. His eyes were dreamy—he was genuinely drunk.

Shen Quanli panicked. He grabbed Ren Yanjing’s glass, intending to inspect it later.

He hadn’t gotten drunk at all today—how could the captain be drunk? Was someone spiking the drink?

Zhang Mian was equally on edge, holding Ren Yanjing’s arm tightly, afraid someone might take advantage.

Tang Zhen got nervous watching Shen Quanli and Zhang Mian. “111, was Ren Yanjing’s drink spiked?”

111 checked and said, 【No, Zhen. It’s the same champagne everyone else had.】

Tang Zhen recalled that everyone picked glasses randomly—so the champagne was indeed fine.

“111, then why is Ren Yanjing so drunk?”

111 hesitated and didn’t answer.

Earlier, senior 666 had told it: the hardest part of reaching 100% mission progress is the final step. The male lead must always, without fail, choose the minor character—no, now the extra.

Every time, the male lead must make the right choice.

Right now, the male lead, who usually wouldn’t get drunk from a bottle, was tipsy from a small glass of champagne. What might happen to a drunk male lead?

Mistake someone? Enter the wrong room? Something else?

But—

111 reassured her: 【Zhen, don’t worry. Zhang Mian and Shen Quanli care about his… safety just as much as he does, so you can relax!】

While Tang Zhen and 111 were talking, the Fate team happened to walk by. Seeing Ren Yanjing’s flushed face and half-closed eyes, the deputy captain of Fate glanced at Li Ran casually, then approached and asked, “Ren Yanjing, what’s wrong? Is he drunk?”

Zhang Mian and Shen Quanli said in unison, “No!”

Their reaction was a bit extreme, startling the Fate deputy captain.

“But he looks a bit drunk…”

The Poison-Tongue Bird yelled, “Annoying! Are you annoying or not?!”

“I said no, so no!”

The Poison-Tongue Bird’s attack was strong.

Shen Quanli finally relaxed.

His Poison-Tongue Bird was finally attacking the right target!