The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 266. Wedding (Part 2)

Chapter 266: 266. Wedding (Part 2)

In a street corner of Beijing, Xu Nuo and Andre were in a standoff.

Ever since the assassination attempt, Jin Enxi had been keeping tabs on Xu Nuo’s whereabouts, naturally noticing Allen, who came with Xu Nuo. The moment they saw Allen appear, Jin Enxi and others revealed an expression of unsurprise.

Two days before the wedding, Andre had made a call to Fu Hengyi to discuss the wedding’s security. This wedding had to proceed smoothly.

"Move aside," Xu Nuo said coldly, looking at Jin Enxi. If she had to say who she hated the most besides Shen Qinglan, it would be Jin Enxi—failing to kill Jin Enxi last time remained a regret in Xu Nuo’s heart.

Leaning against the wall, Jin Enxi appeared relaxed, but his body was in a defensive stance, "Hey, when old friends meet, we should have a good chat. Why the rush? How about we find a place to have a drink?"

Disgust flickered through Xu Nuo’s icy eyes as she stared at Jin Enxi, "I’m not here for you this time."

"Heh," Jin Enxi laughed with a cold gaze, "I know what you want to do, trying to ruin Qinglan’s wedding. Don’t even think about it. Tell Allen to stop dreaming about things out of his league like a toad lusting after a swan."

Xu Nuo’s hand twitched slightly, but Jin Enxi shook his head, "Xu Nuo, I’d advise you not to make a move. On this joyous occasion, it would be quite the mood killer to pull out certain objects. We are people who love peace—talking is enough. And even if it really came to blows, do you think you and this man could take on me and Andre?"

Andre had remained silent all this while, his gaze seemed to be on Xu Nuo, but he was constantly aware of the surroundings.

"Clap, clap, clap." The quiet alley suddenly reverberated with the sound of clapping as Allen’s figure emerged from around the corner, a faint smile on his lips, "Shiyi, it’s been years and you’re still as mischievous as ever."

Known as "Shiyi," Jin Enxi’s gaze shifted slightly, staring at Allen before bursting into laughter, "Instructor, it’s been so long, I’m genuinely delighted to see you’re still alive."

The smile on Allen’s face deepened, his eyes colder, "You’re indeed someone I taught. Even upon seeing your teacher, you remember to greet him nicely. Good job; my efforts weren’t wasted."

Jin Enxi smiled graciously, "Thanks for the compliment, Instructor." While he said that, he stood up straight, watching Allen with guarded eyes.

The smile faded from Allen’s face as he looked at Jin Enxi and Andre, "You betrayed me once, you think of betraying me a second time?"

Jin Enxi’s smile widened, "Instructor, that’s not quite right. We betrayed you, but we don’t plan on betraying you a second time because this time we’re already on opposite sides."

"Heh, Shiyi, you really have spent a lot of time with Xiaoqi. You didn’t pick up anything good, just her bad temper. Stand aside now; I can let bygones be bygones."

Those words would fool a child, did Allen really think they were as naive as five-year-olds?

Andre spoke solemnly, "Allen, we won’t let you ruin this wedding unless we die."

Allen chuckled, "You think I would care?"

"Of course you wouldn’t care, but Qinglan would. If we died, she would hate you for life. Oh, maybe you don’t care if she hates you for life. Or perhaps I should say, she would die with you," said Andre.

A flicker of anger appeared in Allen’s eyes, he truly didn’t care whether Shen Qinglan would hate him, but he did care about her life.

"Heh, not bad, you’ve all grown bold," Allen’s face broke into a smile again, waving his hand, several people stepped out from behind him, "I don’t have time to waste here on you. If you don’t step aside, don’t blame your instructor for being ruthless."

Andre and Jin Enxi watched the newcomers with wary expressions, ready to react at any moment.

Allen had no intention of killing them now either; they still had their uses.

Neither side was willing to back down, and a physical confrontation was inevitable. To avoid causing trouble, Andre and his men, as well as Allen’s people, unspokenly chose hand-to-hand combat. Although Andre and Jin Enxi were slightly more skilled, they were ultimately no match for their numerous opponents and gradually found themselves at a disadvantage.

Allen stood to one side and watched, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. Even if the cats he raised grew up, he could still trim their sharp claws.

But before Allen could subdue them, an unexpected change occurred. A group of people surrounded them, the dark barrels of Q guns aimed at them, causing those who were fighting to stop in their tracks instantly.

Andre took a clear look at the newcomers and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he immediately went to the side of the person who had arrived.

Allen stared at the person who appeared before him, his eyes a deep color, "Austin, are you sure you want to oppose me?"

Austin gave a slight smile, "Allen, I don’t want to oppose you, but I also don’t want you to disrupt this wedding."

Allen glanced at the men Austin had brought with him. They were bodyguards from a famous security company in country Y, mostly retired special forces soldiers. Needless to say, their skills were exceptional, and so naturally, their fees were extremely high. Hiring just one would cost a significant amount of money, and Austin had brought so many at once, which must have cost a fortune.

Austin actually didn’t know Allen originally. He had only overheard Andre mention him once and had inquired about him, learning about Allen’s identity. Knowing that Shen Qinglan’s big wedding was coming up, he had called Andre and learned that Allen was very likely to appear, which is why he had hired so many people.

Allen was a persistent person. Seeing these men, he had no intention of giving up; once again, a fight broke out. But this time, the people Austin had brought focused their attention on Allen, attacking him alone. Allen had been injured before, especially his legs, and was practically disabled now. Xu Nuo, in an effort to protect Allen, suffered multiple hits. The others Allen had brought didn’t fare any better, and in the end, Xu Nuo had no choice but to take Allen and leave the place first.

Before leaving, Allen glared at Austin fiercely.

"Austin, thank you for today," said Andre sincerely.

Austin smiled slightly, "I didn’t do much."

Allen has set his sights on you, Andre said worriedly as he looked at him.

"I am, after all, from the royal family of country Y. Allen won’t dare do much to me for now," Austin said nonchalantly.

But Andre didn’t share that view. Allen was always a man hell-bent on revenge, "You still need to watch out for your safety. This is also my fault for dragging you into this. If An knows about this, she will definitely blame me."

"Don’t worry about it. I’ll be careful with Allen. An’s wedding is about to start; let’s head out," Austin said.

Andre nodded, his gaze lingering in the direction Allen had left, suppressing the deep unease in his heart.

"Master, are you alright?" Xu Nuo, seeing that Allen’s face was pale, asked with concern. During the recent scuffle, they had sustained no minor injuries, and Xu Nuo’s body was also covered in wounds.

Allen’s eyes were dark and menacing, "Take some men and bring Shen Qinglan back to me." He absolutely could not let Shen Qinglan marry that man.

"Master, you’re injured, we should retreat first."

"I must have her brought back today," Allen insisted, looking at Xu Nuo. "If you won’t go, then leave me and don’t ever come back."

Xu Nuo cast his gaze down, "I understand, I’ll head out right now."

But the outcome was disappointing. The area around the wedding hotel was secretly guarded, and they were discovered as soon as they approached. It was difficult even to get inside, let alone take Shen Qinglan away.

Left with no other choice, Xu Nuo could only return first.

***********

The bridal sedan chair arrived at the hotel entrance, which had been decorated in a style evoking ancient charm. A red carpet ran through the middle, with guests seated on both sides.

The curtain of the sedan was drawn back, and Fu Hengyi’s large hand extended in front of Shen Qinglan. A gentle smile reflected in her eyes as she placed her hand in his.

Graceful traditional music began to play, and Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi slowly walked into the lobby. The tassels hanging down from the phoenix crown on Shen Qinglan’s head partially obscured her face, and she could hear the soft gasps of the audience.

Yu Xiaoxuan and Fang Tong followed behind Shen Qinglan, each holding a lantern.

The wedding witness was Old Master Zhou Haoming. Today, Old Sir Shen, Old Sir Fu, and Old Master Zhou were all dressed in Tang suits.

The Shen and Fu family elders sat at the head of the room, their eyes filled with contentment and smiles as they watched the couple walk hand in hand.

On the audience seats on both sides, no one spoke, everyone quietly watched the couple at the center. Austin and Andre had entered at some point and found a spot near the entrance to sit down.

Old Master Zhou began to speak in a measured tone, his voice strong and resonant, "The great Chinese legacy is long and profound, with its rites and rituals, and a prosperous peace reigns. A time of glory spans both ancient and modern, with the phoenix flying high and the dragon soaring. Today, friends gather joyfully in this splendid hall, as the union endures through generations... The auspicious time has come, the newlyweds bow to heaven and earth! First, a bow to the parents who raised me."

Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi knelt on the prearranged cushions, performing the kneeling ceremony towards the elders seated at the head. Both elders had smiles on their faces, their eyes conveying blessings to the couple.

"Then, a bow to my parents who taught me in heart."

Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi turned around to kneel towards Shen Qian and Chu Yunrong. Shen Qian’s eyes flashed with tears as he watched his daughter kneeling before him.

...

Below the stage, Austin quietly watched the woman dressed in red with a faint smile, a touch of melancholy flashing through his eyes. Andre glanced at him, then sighed softly as he withdrew his gaze.

After the ceremony, Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were escorted to their hotel room, which had been prepared upstairs.

Shen Qinglan sat on the bed, unable to resist stretching her limbs. Fu Hengyi came over and helped her remove the phoenix crown from her head. Shen Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing her neck, "I suddenly have a lot of sympathy for ancient women, wearing several pounds of gold on their heads, and for an entire day at that."

Fu Hengyi chuckled lightly, massaging her neck, "If you’re tired, you could take a nap here first."

Shen Qinglan shook her head, "What wedding banquet has ever seen the bride absent, with only the groom present?"

"Can your body take it?"

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly, holding Fu Hengyi’s hand, looking up at him, "Fu Hengyi, I am not a porcelain doll."

"Mmh, I know," Fu Hengyi said with a smile. Just then, Fu Jingtong walked in with a tray in her hands.

"Qinglan, come and eat something. You and Hengyi will be busy during the banquet later, and you won’t have time to eat. You can’t be starving now."

After all the activity, Shen Qinglan indeed felt hungry. She sat down and looked at the food Fu Jingtong brought over, "Thank you, Aunt."

Fu Jingtong beamed, "No need to thank me, just eat. And you too, Hengyi, go ahead and eat."

Fu Hengyi had not eaten; he waited until Shen Qinglan had finished her meal and then quickly ate up the leftovers she had left behind. Shen Qinglan watched him eat silently, her gaze filled with tenderness.

After the meal, a stylist and makeup artist came in to help Shen Qinglan change into her gown; the outfit she was currently wearing was certainly not convenient.

Once they had changed, Fu Hengyi and Shen Qinglan went downstairs. The entire second-floor banquet hall of the hotel had been booked by the Shen and Fu families. There were fifty tables set up, and even the media present had a table reserved specifically for them.

Fang Tong and Yu Xiaoxuan also changed into their dresses; they were Shen Qinglan’s bridesmaids and were tasked with blocking drinks for her today. Han Yi, seeing Yu Xiaoxuan, tried to speak with her multiple times, but Yu Xiaoxuan ignored him completely, turning instead to chat cheerfully with others, leaving Han Yi grinding his teeth in frustration.

This wedding banquet brought together many guests, not just relatives and friends of both families, but high-level executives from Shen Junyu’s company and even some important national leaders had made an appearance. After all, Old Sir Shen and Old Sir Fu had made significant contributions to the country; the marriage of their grandchildren was an event these figures felt compelled to honor.

Yu Xiaoxuan couldn’t help but inwardly sigh with emotion upon seeing some of these bigwigs she’d only ever seen on TV, tugging at Fang Tong’s sleeve and whispering, "Fang Tong, have you ever seen so many top leaders all at once?"

Fang Tong nodded, "I have, on TV."

Yu Xiaoxuan rolled her eyes.

Shen Qinglan, overhearing their quiet murmuring, spoke softly, "There’s no need to be nervous; they are just guests here today." As she was speaking, a middle-aged man came over with a smile, "Hengyi, congratulations."

Fu Hengyi’s wine glass lightly clinked against that of the newcomer, smiling slightly, "Director Liu, thank you."

The man known as Director Liu looked at Shen Qinglan with a smile brimming with appreciation, "We really have Miss Shen, ah no, Mrs. Fu now, to thank for that last case. If not for you, the case wouldn’t have been solved so quickly."

A hint of confusion flickered in Shen Qinglan’s eyes, and Fu Hengyi whispered in her ear, "Amusement park, child trafficking." Shen Qinglan immediately understood and smiled slightly, "It’s nothing, any citizen would’ve intervened in such a situation."

Director Liu’s eyes were full of praise as he lauded her, "If everyone were like Mrs. Fu, our society would be so much more stable."

Shen Qinglan smiled but remained silent.

Fu Hengyi led Shen Qinglan to the foremost table to toast. Those seated there were either intimately associated with the Shen and Fu families or held distinguished positions.

Shen Qinglan’s wine glass was filled with water, while Fu Hengyi’s contained actual liquor. At this time, bridesmaids like Yu Xiaoxuan and groomsmen like Han Yi couldn’t conveniently drink for them, so after a few tables, Fu Hengyi began to feel a bit uncomfortable.

Taking advantage of a moment when others weren’t looking, Shen Qinglan reached out to support Fu Hengyi and asked softly, "Fu Hengyi, are you alright?"

Fu Hengyi shook his head with a smile, "It’s nothing, just a bit of a headache. I’m going to step out to the restroom."

After Fu Hengyi left, Shen Qinglan followed, still somewhat concerned, but as soon as she stepped out of the banquet hall, she ran into Austin. It seemed like Austin had been waiting for her.

"Austin." Shen Qinglan was a bit surprised to see him.

Austin smiled gently, "An, congratulations."

"Thank you."

Austin’s gaze fell on Shen Qinglan’s face, filled deep with longing. Smiling, he handed her a box, "This is a wedding gift from my father. He told me to invite you to visit him when you have the time; he misses you."

Shen Qinglan accepted the gift, "Please thank the Duke for me."

Austin nodded, "I will." He looked at Shen Qinglan, "An, may I hug you?"

Shen Qinglan locked eyes with Austin, unable to utter the word "no" and nodded.

Austin gently embraced Shen Qinglan, "An, you must be happy." His voice shook slightly, and Shen Qinglan’s heart quivered. She reached out to hug him back, patting his back, "Austin, you will definitely find your own happiness too."

Austin released her quickly, glancing over her shoulder, "Your husband is here, it seems I’ve caused you a bit of trouble."

Shen Qinglan turned around and saw Fu Hengyi, who was staring at her with a smile on his lips. He walked over and wrapped his arms around Shen Qinglan’s waist, "Qinglan, is this your friend?"

Shen Qinglan smiled, "Yes, this is Austin, an old friend of mine. He is the son of the Duke of Kent from Country Y."

Fu Hengyi reached out to shake Austin’s hand, "Hello, Mr. Austin. Thank you for attending my wedding with Qinglan. Would you like to come in for a drink?" Though his words were polite, his grip was firm.

Austin, trying to withdraw his hand but finding the man’s grasp tight, smiled subtly, "No, thank you. I’m just here to present a wedding gift on behalf of my father. I must leave shortly. Perhaps another time, I could invite you and An to visit us in Country Y."

Fu Hengyi let go of Austin’s hand, smiling like a gentleman, "Certainly."

Austin glanced at Shen Qinglan, said nothing, and left.

Shen Qinglan looked at Fu Hengyi, her brows raised slightly, "Jealous?" Don’t think I didn’t notice your little move just now.

"Yeah, jealous," Fu Hengyi readily admitted, pulling Shen Qinglan close, he pecked her lips gently, and sighed, "Having a wife who is too charming isn’t good either, too many admirers, and you can’t get rid of them all."

Shen Qinglan laughed, "If people found out that Commander Fu is such a jealous man, your grand image would be ruined."

"I don’t care about appearing grand in other people’s hearts, as long as I am grand in your heart," Fu Hengyi said lightly.

Shen Qinglan smiled faintly, rising on tiptoes to touch his chin, "In my heart, you are always grand. Ranked first."

Mr. Fu was quite pleased with Miss Shen’s words, immediately feeling contented. But later, when a certain little one was born and he saw Miss Shen leave him countless times to rush to that little one, Mr. Fu deeply doubted the sincerity of Miss Shen’s words today.

**********

On the other side, Han Yi could no longer bear Yu Xiaoxuan’s indifference and pulled her into a corner, "Yu Xiaoxuan, what do I have to do for you to forgive me?"

Yu Xiaoxuan looked steadily at Han Yi, arching an eyebrow, "This is Qinglan’s wedding banquet. Can’t this wait until it’s over?"

Han Yi gritted his teeth, "No, we need to settle this now." If he waited until the wedding banquet was over, would he be able to find her at all?

Yu Xiaoxuan shrugged, "Alright then, let’s talk."

"Xiaoxuan, have you seen the recording I gave you?"

"I have."

"Then you should know that what I said was true. I have nothing to do with that woman, and I haven’t done anything to wrong you."

Yu Xiaoxuan nodded, "Yes, I know."

Han Yi’s eyes lit up, "Then why haven’t you been paying attention to me?"

Yu Xiaoxuan looked up into his eyes, "Han Yi, let me ask you, why did you go to the bar to drown your sorrows that night?"

Han Yi was at a loss for words, how could he explain that he had gone to drink his sorrows away because Yu Xiaoxuan didn’t celebrate his birthday, making him seem like a man pining away in seclusion? Han Yi would rather die than say such a thing.

"That day, I encountered some issues at work and wasn’t in a good mood, so I dragged Jiang Chenxi to Charming Color, and the next thing I knew, I was drunk," Han Yi said.

Yu Xiaoxuan stared steadily at Han Yi, and after a long while, she sighed softly, "Han Yi, it’s not that I don’t trust you."

"Then if you believe there’s nothing between that woman and me, why haven’t you been paying attention to me?" Han Yi couldn’t understand.

Yu Xiaoxuan hesitated, thinking about the words Shen Qinglan had said to her, and then spoke up, "Han Yi, I just feel that I don’t trust you enough, not as much as you love and trust me."

Han Yi felt a sense of relief in his heart, realizing it was because of this. He chuckled softly, "Yu Xiaoxuan, you are a fool. Love is never about equivalence; as long as you love me and I love you, that’s enough. What does it matter who gives a little more or less? If you don’t trust me enough now, it’s because of my past mistakes, my fault, and not something you can be blamed for. But from now on, please trust me just as I trust you." His expression was serious as he looked at Yu Xiaoxuan and spoke candidly.

Yu Xiaoxuan didn’t know what she was feeling inside, but at this moment, looking at Han Yi, she felt a bittersweet ache in her heart. Han Yi hugged her, "Yu Xiaoxuan, don’t overthink things, nor should you feel unworthy of me. You’re much better than you think." Knowing her concerns, Han Yi instantly understood Yu Xiaoxuan’s apprehensions.

Yu Xiaoxuan’s head was buried in Han Yi’s chest, her voice muffled, "Han Yi, am I being too melodramatic?" Even she felt she was being melodramatic.

Han Yi smiled gently, his voice tender, "Yu Xiaoxuan, even if you’re a bit more melodramatic, it’s okay. If anyone has a problem with it, let them talk to me. It’s what I’ve indulged, and I’m happy to do it. Just one thing, from now on, you can’t ever talk about leaving me again."

Yu Xiaoxuan nodded, "Okay, as long as you don’t betray me, I will never leave you, even if you try to send me away, I won’t go."

Hearing this, Han Yi couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to ruffle her hair, "Silly girl, you stole my line."

Yu Xiaoxuan smiled faintly and hugged Han Yi’s waist tighter.

************

Li Bomming also came to attend Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi’s wedding today, and upon arrival, he found that his seat was with Fang Chengzhi and the others. Fang Tong also noticed, and knew right away it must have been arranged by Shen Qinglan.

Taking advantage of a break, she went over to greet Fang Chengzhi and Li Bomming.

"Mom, Dad, Bomming."

Fu Fanghua had seen her daughter earlier, but seeing that she was busy, she didn’t approach her. Now that Fang Tong had come over and seeing her slightly flushed face, she asked with concern, "Tongtong, did you take a hangover pill?"

"I’ve already taken it, I drank a bit hastily just now, but I’m fine." She could hold her liquor well enough, and this much wouldn’t get her drunk.

Fang Chengzhi served his daughter a bowl of soup, "You should eat something first."

Li Bomming stood up, letting Fang Tong eat first. She had been busy the whole day and hadn’t eaten much. She had been too focused on drinking just now and was indeed hungry now. She thanked Li Bomming and sat down to have the soup.

Most of the guests at this table were acquainted with Fang Chengzhi; they all worked in the same place but belonged to different departments. They knew each other and came to the wedding with the intention of forming good relations with either the Shen Family or the Fu Family. No one expected that today’s bridesmaid would be Fang Chengzhi’s daughter.

"Mayor Fang, your daughter knows Miss Shen?" A slightly portly middle-aged man asked with a smile.

Fang Chengzhi smiled, "Yes, she and Qinglan are roommates, as well as friends."

The slightly chubby man’s eyes gleamed with even more amusement, "I didn’t expect that the daughter had such a deep connection with Miss Shen. Miss Fang has already graduated, right? Where is she employed now?"

Fang Tong smiled, and before she could speak, Fu Fanghua interjected, "She can’t boast of any prominent employment. She’s currently working at Junlan Group but has been sent abroad by the company for training. She returned specifically for Qinglan’s wedding."

With these words, the look in the eyes of those at the table towards Fang Chengzhi shifted, containing a new layer of meaning. Fang Chengzhi had just assumed his position as the top official in Beijing this year. It was originally thought he had no significant background, but no one expected that he had this kind of connection with the Shen Family.

Although it was only Fang Tong who knew Shen Qinglan, now who didn’t know that Shen Qinglan was Old Sir Shen’s most cherished granddaughter and also the daughter-in-law of the Fu Family? With this connection, what else needed to be said about Fang Chengzhi’s future?

This was exactly the effect Fu Fanghua wanted. Politics are complicated, especially in Beijing, where interpersonal relationships are intricate and tangled. Inadvertently, one might disturb someone else’s vested interests. Fang Chengzhi had been back in Beijing for half a year, but his work had always been challenging. Most people, seeing that he had no powerful backers, were unwilling to cooperate with him, making it hard for Fang Chengzhi to accomplish anything, despite his willingness.

Sometimes, Fu Fanghua felt pained seeing her husband’s distress but had no solution. After all, she didn’t have connections with any important figures. She had thought of leveraging Fang Tong’s relationship with Shen Qinglan to get to know the Shen Family, but Fang Tong was not willing to cooperate, and her husband had admonished her, hoping that Fang Tong and Shen Qinglan could maintain the purest friendship.

After Fu Fanghua brought this up a few times and ended up fuming, she eventually gave up.

Upon hearing her mother’s words, Fang Tong felt a bit displeased, but she still maintained a smile on her face.

The slightly chubby man’s gaze swept over Fang Tong appreciatively, "Chengzhi, does your daughter have a boyfriend now?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Tong couldn’t help wanting to frown, but Fang Chengzhi simply chuckled, "She’s currently seeing someone. In fact, there he is." He gestured towards Li Bo Ming.

Li Bo Ming was seated next to Fang Chengzhi, and initially, everyone thought he was a relative of the Fang Family. It turned out he was Fang Tong’s boyfriend. The slightly chubby man laughed heartily, "Chengzhi, your future son-in-law seems very promising. When do you plan on having the wedding?"

Fang Chengzhi smiled warmly, "Young people these days marry late, and this is the prime time for their careers, so there’s no rush."

The slightly chubby man nodded smilingly in agreement, "True, Miss Fang has just graduated and is working at Junlan. There’s really no need to rush into marriage. It’s good for young people to have ambition."

Li Bo Ming listened to their conversation, not saying a word, just tenderly watching Fang Tong. To the others at the table, it was the sign of a loving relationship.

Fang Tong quickly finished her soup, "Dear uncles, aunts, and everyone, I’ll be leaving now. Please enjoy your meal."

"Tongtong, wait a second." Li Bo Ming called out to her, handing her a package, "This is a hangover pill. If you’re feeling unwell, just sniff it under your nose."

Fang Tong gave a quick thank you and hurried away.

Li Bo Ming resettled into his seat, glancing in the direction Fang Tong left. He saw her say something to Shen Qinglan, a scene that the slightly chubby man also took in, smiling at Fang Chengzhi, "Your daughter has such a good relationship with Miss Shen; her future is boundless."

Fang Chengzhi smiled back, but his eyes held a fainter trace of amusement, "They are simply friends."

Fu Fanghua, hearing this, pinched Fang Chengzhi’s waist hard under the table, and laughed, "Our Tongtong is just too low key. Normally, she doesn’t let anyone know who her father is. Even her dad and I only found out at the beginning of the year that Tongtong and Qinglan are close friends when Qinglan came over to our house."

The slightly chubby man’s wife heard this and curled her lip, with a hint of disdain in her eyes, but she said nothing. The slightly chubby man spoke up, "It’s good that young people are low key. It means your daughter is serious about her work. Such young people are becoming rare in society. Take my kid, for example. He’s still studying abroad. I’ve told him several times to come back, but he refuses, insisting on making it on his own. His mother and I are just worried."

Those at the table chuckled, exchange glances and words about their own children, and so the topic of Fang Tong and Shen Qinglan being close friends was smoothly glossed over, but it was still quietly noted.

Among the attendees were some old schoolmates who naturally saw Fang Tong approach Fang Chengzhi’s table and even sit down to eat, leading them to speculate whether Fang Tong was acquainted with them.

Sure enough, one person knew Fang Tong’s identity. Pointing at Fang Chengzhi, they revealed, "See that man there? That’s Fang Tong’s father."

As the top figure in Beijing, Fang Chengzhi had appeared on television before, so naturally, many people recognized him. Now that they found out that Fang Tong was actually his daughter, people were simultaneously shocked and couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Ding Minghui, especially a few who were on good terms with Ding Minghui and knew about his circumstances.

***********

Fu Hengyi had just drunk too much too quickly, which made him feel a bit unwell, but he felt better after a while. There was no need for Fu Hengyi to personally toast the remaining guests. So, after returning to the wedding banquet, Han Yi and Jiang Chenxi and a few others started to take on the role of blocking drinks for him. The most pitiful one was Han Yi, who had to block drinks not only for Fu Hengyi but also for Yu Xiaoxuan.

After a few tables, even with Han Yi’s strong tolerance for alcohol, he still ended up quite drunk. By the time the wedding had ended, Han Yi had completely passed out, but he was still holding on to Yu Xiaoxuan’s hand and wouldn’t let go. Yu Xiaoxuan, having no choice, had to open a hotel room upstairs for Han Yi to sleep in.

Han Yi was unwilling to let go of Yu Xiaoxuan, even when she went to the restroom to wring out a towel to wipe his face. He kept calling out Yu Xiaoxuan’s name, and with an eye roll, she cajoled Han Yi as if she were soothing a child. Unknowingly, she ended up lying in Han Yi’s embrace and fell asleep.

The wedding banquet ended, and when Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi had seen off all their guests and returned to their bridal chamber, it was already midnight. Resting back on the sofa, Shen Qinglan shook her head when Fu Hengyi poured her a glass of water and offered it to her. She had already been drinking water the entire evening at the banquet, and now the sight of it made her feel nauseous—she could not possibly drink anymore.

Fu Hengyi placed the water aside and knelt in front of her, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"No, just a bit tired." Shen Qinglan replied with a smile.

Fu Hengyi relaxed, standing up, "I’ll go run a bath for you. Take a bath and then sleep."

Shen Qinglan took a pillow from the side and hugged it to her chest, nodding in agreement. Fu Hengyi went into the master bedroom to run a bath for her. When he came back out, Shen Qinglan had already fallen asleep on the sofa.

Helplessly smiling, Fu Hengyi walked over and was just about to pick her up when Shen Qinglan opened her eyes.

Seeing her awake, Fu Hengyi gently said, "The bath is ready. Go ahead and take a bath. I’ve put out clothes for you in the bathroom."

Shen Qinglan nodded but did not get up. Instead, she looked steadily at Fu Hengyi, "You carry me there."

Fu Hengyi raised an eyebrow, seldom seeing Shen Qinglan act so coyly. He had no reason to decline and bent down to pick her up.

"Fu Hengyi, do you think I’ve put on weight?" Shen Qinglan suddenly asked.

"No, if anything, you’ve gotten lighter. You need to eat more in the future."

"What if I get fat later on, turning into a big fatty? Will you despise me for being ugly?"

Fu Hengyi lowered his head and pecked Shen Qinglan on the lips, "Even if you become the fattest person in the world, you’d still be the most beautiful fatty."

Hearing this, Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but chuckle, "Fu Hengyi, your tongue has gotten sweeter and sweeter."

Fu Hengyi smiled slightly, "That’s all thanks to the good tutoring of my dear wife."

After setting Shen Qinglan down and glancing at the bathtub, Fu Hengyi’s gaze grew profound, "Do you want me to join you?"

Shen Qinglan thought for a moment and then pushed Fu Hengyi out of the bathroom, "You better wait for me outside."

Fu Hengyi looked at her regretfully, still hesitant, "Are you sure you don’t need me? You’ve been tired all day, I can give you a massage."

Shen Qinglan firmly shook her head, "Really, I don’t need it." Saying this, she closed the bathroom door in front of Fu Hengyi. The bathroom had a non-slip mat, so Fu Hengyi was not worried. Watching the closed bathroom door, Fu Hengyi smiled and quickly took a shower in the adjacent room.