Suddenly, Long Yifan turned his head towards Mr. and Mrs. Gu. His eyes were firm though they were still wet.

"Uncle, Aunt," he said with determination, "please arrange our engagement right away. We cannot delay anymore."

Gu Jin's eyes widened. She pulled her hand slightly but he didn't let go. Her heart skipped as she looked towards her parents, hoping they would laugh and decline.

But to her shock, Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu both nodded.

Mrs. Gu said softly, "Yes, Yifan is right. The engagement should not wait."

Mr. Gu's voice was serious. "It is for the best."

Gu Jin froze. "What? You agree?"

Her eyes widened at Long Yifan, who looked back at her with hope burning in his gaze.

Before she could protest further, the door opened and Gu Jihu entered. Behind him came Gu Ji. Both of them rushed inside.

When they saw her awake, their faces lit up with joy.

"Sister!" Jihu exclaimed. He hurried to her side and hugged her carefully, afraid to hurt her weak body.

Gu Jishi followed and held her arm tightly. "Jin'er, thank heavens you are awake. I missed you so much."

Gu Jin looked at the two of them, still stunned. Her voice was a little hoarse. "What is going on here? Mother and Father are planning to get me engaged to Long Yifan… and you two, are you not going to say anything?"

Her red eyes stared especially at Jihu, waiting for him to stop this madness.

But this time, Jihu did not shake his head. Instead, he sighed softly and said, "Sister, I agree with them. It would be better for you to get engaged with Yifan now."

Gu Jin's heart trembled. She felt confused, yet deep inside, a small spark of warmth flickered.

She told herself it was ridiculous, yet she could not deny she felt a strange joy at the thought of being tied to Long Yifan.

It was a contradiction, but she allowed herself to feel it, even if only for a moment.

Still, she frowned. "Why? Why is everyone so sure? I do not understand."

At this point, Mr. Gu stepped forward. He gently held his daughter's hand and looked straight into her eyes.

"Jin'er," he said slowly, "you know of the curse that binds the Gu family and the Long family. When the curse grows too strong, the body starts to show terrible reactions. Your coma was not just an accident. It was because of this curse."

Gu Jin's heart skipped. "The curse…?"

Mr. Gu nodded gravely. "Last year, just after you fell into a coma, Yifan's father died."

Gu Jin's breath caught. "What? He died?"

Mr. Gu's face darkened.

"Yes. He was perfectly healthy, strong as ever. But one morning, he was found dead in his room. His body had dried completely, like all the blood had vanished, but there were no wounds and no poison. At first, many suspected his wife. But later, it was clear. This was the curse of the Long and Gu bloodline."

Gu Jin's lips trembled. "Curse of not staying with the one he was supposed to be with…"

Mr. Gu tightened his grip on her hand.

"Exactly. That curse killed him. And the same curse nearly killed you. Your soul left your body and wandered to different places. It took one year before you returned. Next time, it may not be one year. It may be ten years, or even a hundred. You might not return at all."

Gu Jin's eyes shook.

Mr. Gu's voice was heavy with worry. "That is why we cannot delay. You and Yifan must be engaged and later married to stabilize the curse. Only then will both of you be safe."

The room fell silent.

Gu Jin's mind was in chaos. Engagement. Marriage. Safety. Curse. She wanted to deny it, but everyone's eyes were serious, filled with fear and hope.

She looked at Long Yifan, who was still gripping her hand. His eyes were red, his voice soft but steady.

"Jin'er, this time I will not let go. No matter what you say, I will not allow you to leave me again."

Gu Jin sat there silently as she watched her family. Her parents, her siblings, even Long Yifan... everyone was talking about the engagement, planning it as if it was already set in stone. She wanted to interrupt, to tell them to stop and ask why no one was asking her opinion.

But no one listened. Their voices were filled with worry and fear.

Her one-year coma had left them all shaken, and now they were clinging to the only solution they could think of.

Gu Jin's lips trembled. She felt stunned and speechless. For a moment, she didn't even know how to respond.

Her heart whispered, Maybe… it will be better to just go along with it.

She thought back to her short return to the mafia world. She had gone back full of longing, but when she was there, she had only felt regret. She had missed her family here. She had missed Long Yifan. She had missed the warmth.

This time, she decided not to resist. Maybe it would be better to follow the tradition and stay with Long Yifan.

She whispered in her heart, If it is only for a moment… I want to feel this warmth.

One by one, her family members left the room. Her mother still kept glancing back with teary eyes, and her father patted her shoulder before walking out. Jihu and Ji looked back again and again before stepping outside as well.

It was clear they had already decided.

They wanted her and Long Yifan to stay together.

Long Yifan, however, did not leave.

He stayed by her side, his eyes fixed on her as if she would disappear the moment he looked away.

Her siblings had opened their mouths to speak, but Mr. Gu had shaken his head and gestured for them to leave. "Let them be," he said firmly.

After all, they remembered something important.

The priest they had consulted with last year had warned them. He had said that Gu Jin might never wake up from her coma. The only faint chance was if Long Yifan stayed by her side.

So they had allowed him to remain in the Gu Mansion.

Every day, he had sat by her bed, speaking to her even though she could not hear, holding her hand even though she never responded.

Eleven long months passed that way.

Then, on the twelfth month, as if responding to his presence, Gu Jin had finally opened her eyes.

The Gu family no longer doubted it. Long Yifan was the key to keeping their daughter alive.

That was why they had chosen not to mistreat him.

And when Long Yifan promised that once he and Gu Jin were married, he would not take her away from the Gu Mansion, they had been overjoyed. Their daughter could remain at home, safe and surrounded by family.

To them, Long Yifan was no longer a burden or a threat. He was the best choice for a son-in-law.

The door closed behind the last family member.

Only the two of them remained.

The room was quiet now.

Long Yifan leaned forward, his eyes soft and full of longing. He reached out and held Gu Jin's hand carefully, almost like she was a fragile porcelain doll.

Gu Jin blinked at him and spoke calmly. "You can let go of my hand now."

She tried to pull back, but this time Long Yifan did not release her. He held on tightly and shook his head.

His eyes locked with hers. His voice was serious.

"Jin'er, you don't need to put any pressure on your head. From now on, stop thinking about heavy matters. Forget about tense things."

Gu Jin frowned slightly. "What do you mean by that?"

Long Yifan squeezed her hand, his gaze never wavering.

"In the future, if you encounter any problem, it's fine to leave it to me. I will solve it for you." His voice shook, but it was steady with determination.

"If you ever feel alone, come to me. I will stay by your side. If you are in danger, just call me. No matter where you are, I will come to save you."

Gu Jin stared at him in shock. Her chest tightened strangely.

She could not understand why his words touched her so deeply.

But in that moment, she felt something she had not felt in a long time.

Warmth.

A soft ripple spread through her heart. The numbness she had built up over the years cracked a little. It was such a simple promise, but it made her feel… safe.

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.

The warmth filled her for a moment, spreading from her heart to her whole body.

But then, just as suddenly, it vanished.

Gu Jin blinked and pressed her lips together.

She looked at Long Yifan in astonishment. 'Why… why do his words make me feel this way?'

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she nodded softly.

"Alright."

Her voice was calm, but inside, her heart was still trembling.

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