Chapter 2: Will You Marry Me?

Su Yan stood frozen in the middle of the city square, gripping his cardboard sign like it was his last lifeline. His heart pounded as the newest mission flashed before his eyes.

[Next Mission: Propose to a random stranger in a public setting. (Reward: ¥2,000)]

He wanted to scream.

This system wasn’t about making money—it was about making him a public embarrassment! First, it made him beg for shoe-licking rights. Then, it forced him to announce to the world that he had no dignity. And now... a fake marriage proposal?!

"System, can we negotiate?" he whispered through gritted teeth.

[No.]

"...I was afraid of that."

He looked around. The square was bustling with people—office workers, students, elderly folks enjoying their afternoon strolls. He needed to pick someone who wouldn't punch him, call security, or laugh in his face.

A well-dressed woman in her twenties walked by, talking on her phone. Too serious. She’d probably sue me for harassment.

A buff man with tattoos and a gym bag passed next. Absolutely not. If I propose to him, I’ll wake up in a hospital bed.

His eyes landed on a girl sitting on a bench, scrolling through her phone. She looked... normal. Casual jeans, a hoodie, sneakers. Harmless.

She’s the one.

Su Yan took a deep breath, wiped his sweaty hands on his pants, and approached.

"Excuse me, miss," he said, his voice cracking slightly.

The girl looked up, blinking in confusion. "Uh, yeah?"

He took a deep breath, dropped to one knee, and—

"Will you marry me?"

Silence.

The girl's expression froze. The people around them stopped walking. Conversations died down. A man with a cup of bubble tea choked on his drink.

Su Yan could feel the weight of a hundred judgmental stares pressing down on him.

The girl opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again. "W-What?"

"Marry me!" he repeated, holding up an imaginary ring. "Please! I—I have no money, and this is my only hope!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Wait, is he proposing because he’s broke?!"

"Damn, that’s next-level desperation!"

"Bro really just admitted he's poor in his proposal."

Su Yan wanted to crawl into a hole.

The girl was now looking at him like he was an alien.

"...Is this a prank?"

"No!" he blurted.

She narrowed her eyes. "Then why do you look like you want to die?"

Before he could answer, a deep voice boomed from behind him.

"HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING TO MY GIRLFRIEND?!"

Su Yan’s soul nearly left his body.

He turned his head slowly. Standing there was a towering man with the build of a bodyguard and the glare of a man ready to commit violence.

Su Yan shot to his feet. "W-Wait! It’s not what it looks like!"

The guy cracked his knuckles. "Oh? So you didn’t just publicly propose to my girlfriend?"

"...Okay, maybe it is what it looks like."

"Then prepare to die!"

The man lunged.

Su Yan bolted.

"AAAAAAAAAAH!"

He sprinted through the square, dodging pedestrians as the angry boyfriend chased him like a raging bull.

The system beeped in his head.

[Mission Complete! ¥2,000 added to balance.]

Su Yan nearly wept. At least he wasn’t suffering for free.

But then—

[Next Mission: Sneak into a five-star hotel and enjoy their free breakfast buffet. (Reward: ¥3,000)]

His legs nearly gave out.

"This damn system is going to get me arrested!"

And so, with an empty stomach and a heavier heart, Su Yan's nightmare continued.

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