After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Senior Year, Class 5 performed exceptionally well in this year's college entrance exams. Starting from July, Yu Qingtang began hearing all sorts of good news, and school entrance banquets followed one after another. Yu Qingtang, accompanied by her family member Cheng Zhanxi, attended feasts everywhere. Sometimes, invitations from two families clashed, and Yu Qingtang would have to explain that the other family had invited them first, that she wasn't deliberately declining, and only after much persuasion could she appease the parents.
The former First Year, Class 7 also achieved remarkable results. Xiao Qing and Yu Zhou, one was the city's top scorer and the province's second-highest, while the other was just one point behind; both were admitted to Top 2 universities. The school's wall of honor displayed their photos in the top two spots, along with their life mottos. A few places down, Xiang Tianyou's name was prominently listed.
His college entrance exam scores were among the top in the school, but due to limited spots, he couldn't get into Tsinghua or Peking University, though he did get into a prestigious university in Beijing.
Parents or other students visiting the school would stop in front of Xiang Tianyou's photo on the wall of honor. It couldn't be helped; the boy was simply too handsome, a top student with both looks and talent. It was said that after Xiang Tianyou graduated, the line of girls confessing to him could form a company, and of course, there were boys too.
Just from what Yu Qingtang knew, there were several from Class 5.
She was more curious if Yu Zhou had confessed, hahaha.
Neither Xiao Qing nor Yu Zhou came from well-off families. With their outstanding college entrance exam results this time, the city government awarded them a generous sum of money. Xiao Qing's family lived in the countryside; a golden phoenix had flown out of the mountain nest, shaking the entire village. It was said that on the day the results were announced, the township party secretary, along with the village secretary, personally visited Xiao Qing's home to offer congratulations. Xiao Chunjin was watering vegetables in the garden and had never seen such a spectacle; the honest, dark-skinned farmer was terrified.
The township party secretary warmly shook his hand and said, "Chunjin, you've raised a good daughter! Your daughter scored first in the entire city!"
Xiao Chunjin stood frozen, tears streaming down his face unknowingly.
He turned his head and shouted towards the house, "Xiao Qing! Xiao Qing!" His voice was already hoarse by the second call, almost inaudible.
Xiao Qing came out of the kitchen, still holding half-peeled celery.
"You are..." She didn't recognize the township leaders.
Xiao Qing put down the celery, warily stepped forward, and subtly shielded her father behind her.
The secretary didn't mind, smilingly saying, "We're here to deliver good news. Congratulations, Xiao Qing, you are this year's top science student in Sicheng City, and second in the province."
The sound of firecrackers crackled in the courtyard.
Neighbors flocked to the small yard. The news that Xiao Chunjin's daughter was the city's top scorer spread like wildfire, as if it had grown wings.
Xiao Chunjin cried uncontrollably.
"A capable person emerging from a humble background." Zequan Village in Baishui Township also made it into the newspapers. Local media came for interviews. The honest and simple Xiao Chunjin was at a loss in front of the camera. He had no idea how to face reporters or how to answer questions about how he had educated his daughter so well. He was just an ordinary father, uneducated, with little schooling; Xiao Qing's studies were all due to her own self-discipline.
He suddenly thought of Yu Qingtang, and his usually taciturn mouth found words. He said gratefully to the camera, "Actually, Xiao Qing almost dropped out of school. During Xiao Qing's second semester of her first year of high school, because I had health problems and needed surgery, our family couldn't afford it. Xiao Qing went to work in town and didn't report to school. It was her homeroom teacher at the time, Teacher Yu, who personally came to find us, paid for my surgery, and guaranteed all of Xiao Qing's expenses until university."
Xiao Chunjin bowed deeply, choking up, "Thank you, Teacher Yu. You saved Xiao Qing, and even more so, you saved our entire family."
For families like theirs, education could change their destiny. The college entrance exam was the fairest system, allowing them to hold onto a glimmer of hope amidst long periods of darkness and despair.
The township government also awarded Xiao Qing a sum of money and specially hosted a banquet for all students from the township who were admitted to university, presenting them with gifts and blessings, urging them not to forget their hometown, and to look back at the yellow earth that nurtured them as they soared to great heights in the future.
Xiao Qing repaid the money Yu Qingtang had lent her over the past three years, with principal and interest. The young girl was rather stubborn and insisted on paying interest, so Yu Qingtang didn't press further. She asked if the remaining money was enough to support her living expenses and said that she would be settling in Beijing in the future, so Xiao Qing could find her anytime she needed anything.
Xiao Qing said it was enough, and then said okay.
Afterwards, she belatedly realized and asked, "Are you not teaching anymore?"
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi beside her, her eyes gentle, then turned back and smiled, "I might do something else."
Cheng Zhanxi often traveled far, so Yu Qingtang naturally spent a lot of time in a long-distance relationship with her. Now that she had finished teaching a cohort of students and fulfilled her duties, she wanted to have more time to spend with Cheng Zhanxi. That was one reason. The second was that Yu Qingtang wanted to experience different aspects of life. The world was so big, and she wanted to travel and see it, which coincidentally aligned with her first reason.
Xiao Qing said, "I wish you and Teacher Cheng a long and happy life together."
Cheng Zhanxi handed her a red, gold-stamped wedding invitation: "Come to our wedding then. Flights and accommodation are all covered. Don't misunderstand, everyone's is covered."
Xiao Qing was momentarily embarrassed, then broke into a smile, "Definitely."
The urban village where Yu Zhou lived also buzzed with excitement for a while. Her family didn't host a large school entrance banquet but treated the teachers to a separate meal. Yu Qingtang, with her family member, went to freeload another meal.
Coming out of the restaurant that evening, Yu Qingtang and Cheng Zhanxi were strolling along the roadside when Yu Qingtang suddenly said, "How many days has it been since we last cooked at home, do you remember?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "At least half a month, right?"
Lately, they had been eating out every day. Cheng Zhanxi almost couldn't even find the kitchen door anymore.
Yu Qingtang sighed.
"I want to eat something light to cleanse my system."
"I'll go buy a block of tofu and make you some tofu with chopped scallions?"
"Okay."
They went to the supermarket to buy tofu, just one block, not even glancing at other vegetables. Buying them would only lead to them spoiling in the fridge.
At the dining table, Yu Qingtang buried her head and ate a few mouthfuls of the scallion-tofu salad. Sitting at the table, looking at Cheng Zhanxi opposite her, her eyes slowly welled up.
Cheng Zhanxi: "?"
Yu Qingtang said, moved, "I've never thought tofu could be this delicious."
Cheng Zhanxi laughed so hard she almost rolled off her chair.
Yu Qingtang ate half, and Cheng Zhanxi finished the other half. After this "tofu" was finished, they started on another "tofu," slowly, enticingly, savoring every bit.
Yu Qingtang was pleasured once and then pleasured Cheng Zhanxi once, then fell asleep hugging her.
Tong Feifei was admitted to a 985 university in their province, one of the top twenty renowned universities in the country, often touted as being in the national top 5. Lian Yabing went to the capital; her school was also very good. The day she found out her admission results, she called Yu Qingtang, crying incoherently. One moment she was saying she finally didn't have to struggle with English anymore—Yu Qingtang didn't tell her that university English was still required, and even more essential if she wanted to pursue further studies. The next moment, she was asking when their wedding date was, and if the promise to attend the wedding still counted. Yu Qingtang said it counted, and Lian Yabing sobbed on the other end, saying her life was complete. Then she asked if she could visit them when she was in university. Yu Qingtang said yes.
The little girl chattered endlessly. Cheng Zhanxi walked back and forth beside Yu Qingtang, back and forth, making her presence strongly felt.
Yu Qingtang covered the microphone, looking at her amusedly.
Cheng Zhanxi, holding a pear and a peeler, feigned nonchalance, "I'm fine, you continue chatting." She wasn't jealous at all.
Yu Qingtang removed her finger and said to Lian Yabing on the phone, "I have to go now. See you at the school entrance banquet."
Yu Qingtang put down the phone she had just hung up, reached out to grab Cheng Zhanxi's wrist, and pulled her into her embrace, seating her on her lap.
Cheng Zhanxi feigned resistance, "I'm peeling a pear, don't mess around."
Yu Qingtang kissed her unexpectedly.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't hold back a smile. "Hey, you're really..."
Yu Qingtang kissed her again, her nose brushing against her smooth cheek, deliberately whispering, "Hmm? What about me?"
Caught off guard, Cheng Zhanxi's waist softened a little.
Just really...
Very skilled.
"You... bad woman..."
Cheng Zhanxi murmured, holding her head and kissing her.
The few underachieving boys from the back row of the former First Year, Class 7 also brought good news one after another; the worst among them also got into a second-tier university.
Li Lan had previously said she would invite Yu Qingtang to her school entrance banquet but had to break her promise. She had applied to a university abroad during her third year of high school and no longer needed to squeeze through the fiercely competitive college entrance exam. After that night in the wind and rain corridor, Yu Qingtang never saw her and Lian Yabing alone together again. Occasionally, she would see them meet in the hallway, but they were like strangers who didn't know each other.
Li Lan accepted Yu Qingtang's wedding invitation, saying she would attend her and Cheng Zhanxi's wedding.
Speaking of school entrance banquets, the grandest one in Sicheng was hosted by Xiang Tianyou's father, Xiang Kang.
Xiang Kang booked the entire banquet hall of a star-rated hotel. More than half of Sicheng's prominent figures attended. Xiang Kang was beaming, boasting to everyone about how well he had raised his son, how his son brought honor to the Xiang family. The guests attending the banquet echoed his words, saying he was a good father, that it wasn't easy for him to raise such a good son, that his son's achievements today were all thanks to him, and so on.
Many Chinese parents are like this: if the child is disobedient, it's because the child is rebellious; if the child is successful, it's due to their own good upbringing. They take all the credit, always right, never wrong.
Xiang Tianyou sat at the same table as Yu Qingtang, watching these scenes and feeling nauseous, clutching his chest.
Xiang Kang even turned back and called him over to meet those uncles and listen to their flattery.
Xiang Tianyou stood up and said to Yu Qingtang, "Teacher Yu, I'm going to the restroom."
Yu Qingtang nodded, "Go ahead."
Xiang Kang thought Xiang Tianyou was coming to him, his vanity swelling even more. Who knew that his son would turn and walk in another direction? Xiang Kang's face suddenly darkened. He was about to shout but restrained himself, considering the guests present, and continued to chat cheerfully with them as if nothing had happened.
"Once I go to university, I can completely escape him," Xiang Tianyou said, full of anticipation for his future.
Yu Qingtang patted his shoulder.
Yu Qingtang: "I heard many people have been confessing to you lately?"
Xiang Tianyou's face immediately fell. "Teacher Yu, why are you asking this kind of question too?"
Yu Qingtang said calmly, "I'm concerned about you. You're an adult now, you can be with someone you like."
Xiang Tianyou rubbed his nose and said, "The key is, I don't like anyone."
Yu Qingtang asked, "Then what type do you like?"
Xiang Tianyou: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi covered her lips with her hand, bowing her head to hide her smile.
Xiang Tianyou suddenly turned his gaze towards her.
Cheng Zhanxi: "?"
Xiang Tianyou said, "I like Teacher Cheng's type—unpretentious and fun to be around." He raised his hands, quickly distancing himself under Yu Qingtang's dangerous gaze. "I just picked a reference point; I don't like people older than me."
Hearing this, Cheng Zhanxi slapped his arm hard.
Little rascal!
Xiang Tianyou yelped.
Cheng Zhanxi chased after him, hitting him. Under the moonlight, two figures chased each other, their laughter continuously reaching Yu Qingtang's ears. She looked up at the white moon hanging in the sky and strolled leisurely forward.
To celebrate Xiang Tianyou getting into a prestigious university, the three of them went to a haunted house to celebrate.
They came out wailing and howling. Xiang Tianyou and Cheng Zhanxi collapsed onto a bench, their faces full of longing. "Are there many fun places in the capital?"
Cheng Zhanxi said lazily, "Yeah, just don't lose your ambition to worldly pleasures after you go."
Xiang Tianyou said, "I won't. I'll send you my report card every semester. If I fall behind, you can beat me."
Yu Qingtang said faintly from the side, "Why not show it to me?"
Xiang Tianyou cleverly replied, "Isn't showing it to Teacher Cheng the same as showing it to you? Do you two even distinguish between yourselves?"
The corners of Yu Qingtang's lips curled up slightly.
Xiang Tianyou hesitated for a long time before voicing his thoughts: "Why don't the three of us become sworn siblings? I've graduated, so it's not appropriate to keep following my teachers. You two can be my older sisters. I promise, if you tell me to go east, I won't go west. I'll carry your bags when you shop, available on call. How about it?"
His biological parents didn't care about him. Without Yu Qingtang and Cheng Zhanxi, he wouldn't be who he was today. He had always wanted to be their younger brother, to make their connection closer, so he wouldn't have to worry about them leaving him. Yu Qingtang would have many students, but he would be her only younger brother. Even if she took in new ones, he would still be the eldest!
It was a good idea, but there was a problem.
Cheng Zhanxi flicked his forehead with her finger.
"Do you know what 'sworn siblings' means?"
"I know," Xiang Tianyou said. "It means brothers and sisters."
Cheng Zhanxi pointed at him, then at herself, and said, "Sister, brother, no problem, right?"
Xiang Tianyou nodded, his eyes blank.
There was no problem.
Cheng Zhanxi then pointed at Yu Qingtang, then at herself, and raised an eyebrow, "Sworn siblings?"
Xiang Tianyou: "Hahahahaha."
Cheng Zhanxi hmphed, "Still laughing? How did you get into Renmin University with that brain of yours?"
Xiang Tianyou: "Hahahaha, my bad." He wiped away the tears of laughter from the corner of his eyes. "Then one of you can become sworn siblings with me, and I'll call the other one sister-in-law."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Sister-in-law sounds so awkward. Just call me Shimu like before. As for Teacher Yu, she won't be teaching anymore, so you'll be her last disciple, don't worry."
Xiang Tianyou was surprised, "Not teaching anymore? Why?"
Xiang Tianyou wasn't an outsider, so Yu Qingtang told him the reasons.
After hearing it, Xiang Tianyou's expression was a bit unusual. He was worried about a more practical issue: if Teacher Yu wasn't working, would she have to rely on Cheng Zhanxi to support her? Although Teacher Cheng was very rich, it would be better for Yu Qingtang to have her own financial foundation, to have more confidence in the family relationship. What if in the future... right?
Relying on mountains, mountains will fall; relying on people, people will run. Living under someone else's roof, one will eventually get rained on; one must build one's own house.
But seeing how loving Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang were, he couldn't bring himself to say it, lest he seem ill-intentioned.
Xiang Tianyou held it in for two days but still couldn't resist sending Yu Qingtang a long private message.
Yu Qingtang also replied to him seriously.
[Yu Qingtang]: I already owned a building before I met Teacher Cheng. She's living in my house now.
[Yu Qingtang]: When my father passed away, he left me an inheritance. I haven't calculated it precisely, but its value should be over a hundred million, and that's just counting the real estate, not including stock dividends and company market value.
Xiang Tianyou: "..."
Sorry, my apologies for the disturbance!
It turned out he was the poorest one all along! Are all top-tier rich second generations this low-key nowadays??? Perhaps this is the adult world???
Xiang Tianyou felt like he had learned another important lesson from Yu Qingtang!
The two companies under Yu Qingtang's name had hired professional managers. She originally wanted to hand them over directly to the Cheng family, but Cheng Yi refused to accept them. Instead, he recommended professional personnel to manage the companies for her. Yu Qingtang had studied mathematics for her bachelor's and master's degrees. Many mathematics majors transition into finance, and learning it is highly efficient. Yu Qingtang had self-studied finance for a while and picked it up quickly, earning a sum of money through investments. Later, she felt that making money was meaningless and put it aside, simply depositing her savings in the bank to buy low-risk financial products for interest.
Following Cheng Yi's advice, she picked up her financial knowledge again. Not to say she would master it in a short time, but at least she could understand the company's financial reports by the end of the year. However, Yu Qingtang wasn't interested in becoming President Yu for the time being. She didn't lack money, nor did she lack people who could spend money on her. Cheng Zhanxi alone was already flying all over the world; if she also managed a company, how many days a year would they have to meet? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
As for the title of President Yu, it was very glamorous and sounded like it matched Cheng Zhanxi better. However, Yu Qingtang knew what she wanted, and she also knew what Cheng Zhanxi cared about. Life is short; to make her lover and herself unhappy for the sake of outside opinions would be the biggest mistake.
In mid-August, Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang returned to Beijing.
The wedding was in a week. They needed to go over the details again. The process was tedious, a major undertaking.
Generally, the two days before the wedding are private time for the two brides, spent separately with their friends for their last "single" period. Cheng Zhanxi undoubtedly had many friends. Yu Qingtang had also made new friends in these two years: one she met at the horse ranch last year, and her undergraduate roommate from the class reunion. They would occasionally go out shopping or for afternoon tea. Wen Zhihan heard she was getting married and specially flew back from abroad, and there was also Wei Jinglan from the Wei family.
The Wei family's struggle ended with Wei Tinglan of the second branch emerging victorious, thanks to Cheng Yi's intervention. Wei Tinglan completely severed ties with the previous Wei family and implemented reforms in the company from top to bottom. Even the ancestral home passed down by the Wei family was not saved due to Old Master Wei's passing. Wei Tinglan insisted on dividing the family, and the ancestral home was auctioned off. The money from the auction was divided equally according to inheritance laws.
Wei Tinglan moved to a new house with his wife and children, and also bought a villa next door for his fourth brother, Wei Tingshu, and his family to live in.
Wei Tingshu was stunned by this unexpected windfall.
He had little talent and was not valued by the old master, having spent years following his two older brothers' lead merely to protect himself and his family. Later, when his two older brothers started fighting, he was afraid of picking the wrong side and simply stayed at home, shutting his doors. After Wei Tinglan won, he was terrified that his second brother would settle accounts with him, having nightmares for several days, as the eldest brother had been in power for so long, and he had listened more to the eldest.
Who would have thought he would become neighbors with Wei Tinglan?
Wei Tinglan still greeted him with a smile, but the usual intimidating, hidden-knife-behind-the-smile quality was gone. Dressed in a Tang suit, he looked like an ordinary old man in the capital who enjoyed growing flowers and teasing birds.
"Fourth Brother," Wei Tinglan said, "Going for tea?"
Wei Tingshu, initially trembling and not daring to refuse, gradually straightened his back and walked out of his courtyard with a casual smile, "Sure, what tea are we having today?"
"Pre-Qingming Longjing, Jingfeng sent it."
"Then I must try it properly."
They were both halfway to their graves, yet they had grasped the last shred of kinship in this world.
It was truly sigh-inducing.
As Wei Tingshu stepped from his own home into his second brother's, he inexplicably glanced towards the distant horizon.
If only Third Brother were still here.
Wei Tinglan appointed people based on merit, not shying away from relatives if they were capable. Wei Tingshu retired from the company, and his son, who had never been promoted, was promoted two levels to a department manager position that matched his abilities. Wei Minglan, like her father, couldn't believe it. In a very short time, the sky above them had changed; no, there was no longer a sky pressing down on them.
No annoying Wei Zhiling, no bossy young mistress. She could hold her head high and live as a person.
Most of the news about the Wei family was told to Yu Qingtang by Song Qingrou. She recounted it as gossip, and Yu Qingtang listened to it as such, a topic for after-dinner conversation.
The shift in their relationship probably began when Wei Jinglan proactively invited Yu Qingtang for afternoon tea. They were the same age and blood-related cousins. After a few meetings, Yu Qingtang gradually became familiar with her.
The friend she met at the horse ranch was surnamed He, named He Qingmo.
Her roommate's surname was Zheng.
Two days before the wedding, these three, along with Wen Zhihan, blocked Yu Qingtang's path.
He Qingmo stood before her, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. "Where are you going?"
Yu Qingtang: "I..."
Roommate Zheng said, as if disappointed in her lack of effort, "Can't you show some backbone? Always rushing home. I've never seen anyone who loves going home so much."
Wen Zhihan chimed in, "Exactly."
Wei Jinglan delivered the final blow, "Cheng Zhanxi isn't home tonight. Her friends are throwing a party for her. You'll just be alone if you go back."
Yu Qingtang: "..."
He Qingmo tilted her head up. "I've already set up the scene. Are you coming or not?"
Yu Qingtang didn't want to disappoint her, so she said, "...I'll go."
They left the cafe, each getting their car. Yu Qingtang sat in the driver's seat, racing against time to send Cheng Zhanxi a WeChat message: [I've been dragged away by them, might not be back tonight.]
Cheng Zhanxi was probably already caught up, only managing to reply with two words: [Me too.]
Roommate Zheng sent a message urging her, so Yu Qingtang had to lock her phone and put it on the console, only picking it up to look after reaching the destination.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Have fun.
He Qingmo had organized a pool party. A long table beside the pool was laden with fine wine and delicious food. After eating, drinking, playing, and swimming, they would have a pajama party, a bestie night talk.
Girls' private conversations were not at all tame. As they asked questions, the topics veered onto a high-speed track, never to return.
What's your favorite position?
Which location feels the best?
How many fingers are you used to?
What was your most exciting experience together?
Have you ever tried it outdoors...
Hehehehe.
Four of them were drinking. Yu Qingtang, a lightweight, drank juice. The others initially disagreed, but Yu Qingtang said she'd get drunk after two sips and sleep through the fun until morning. The others, half-convinced, reluctantly let her off.
Later in the night, the four were fast asleep. Only Yu Qingtang remained awake.
Yu Qingtang couldn't move the people sprawled haphazardly on the floor, so she found clothes and blankets to cover them, washed her face, and quietly drove away.
Yu Qingtang drove her car into her garage. Just as she exited the garage door, she saw two car headlights shining from afar, getting closer and closer.
At the same time, Cheng Zhanxi in her car also saw Yu Qingtang standing outside. She rolled down the window, and the two exchanged smiles. After Cheng Zhanxi parked her car, she came out and took Yu Qingtang's hand.
The evening breeze was cool, gently caressing their hair.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Didn't you say you weren't coming back tonight?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at her. "Didn't you say the same?"
Cheng Zhanxi laughed heartily. "I thought you might come back, so I rushed back overnight."
Yu Qingtang's eyebrows rose. "Me too."
Single parties were for those who enjoyed being single. They had waited for two years and couldn't wait to get married.
The two entered the house, turned on the living room lights at the entrance, looked at the extremely familiar place, and simultaneously sighed in their hearts—home is still the best.
The two were as clingy as conjoined twins until the eve of the wedding, when they stayed separately at the Cheng and Wei family homes, to get ready for the church ceremony the next day.
Yu Qingtang had been a guest at Wei Tinglan's house a few times. Because of her good relationship with Wei Jinglan, her opinion of the former "smiling tiger" Wei Tinglan gradually changed, not to mention Wei Tinglan had solemnly apologized to her. Yu Qingtang's past suffering had nothing to do with this second uncle, so there was certainly no hatred. Yu Qingtang's attitude towards him was to let nature take its course.
Wei Tinglan smiled and led his younger daughter over, waving her little hand, saying, "Call her Seventh Sister."
Little Twelve, now two years older, had grown into an exquisite beauty, her jade-like face revealing sweet little dimples. "Seventh Sister."
Yu Qingtang bent down and ruffled her hair, a smile playing on her lips. "Xiao Yu is so well-behaved." Then she looked up. "Second Uncle."
Wei Tinglan said gently, "The room has been prepared for you. Shall Jinglan take you to see it?"
Yu Qingtang nodded.
"Goodbye, Dad!" Wei Jinglan behind her couldn't wait and pushed her upstairs.
"I decorated it myself. You're dead if you dare say it's not pretty!"
Yu Qingtang let out a very light laugh. "Got it. I'll keep 'not pretty' hidden in my heart."
Listening to the laughter and conversation coming from the stairs, Wei Tinglan picked up his little daughter and kissed her cheek. "Let's go, Daddy will take you to swing on the swing set."
Yu Qingtang pushed open the door to the second-floor room, her gaze freezing.
"Is it too pink?"
A pink princess bed adorned with lace, pink drapes, a pink bedside table, a full-length mirror bordered with pink feathers, and a pink cashmere carpet covering the entire room. Looking towards the washroom from the doorway, even the sink countertop was pink. Yu Qingtang's gaze shifted downwards, and she breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, the floor tiles weren't pink.
"Pink is festive." Wei Jinglan walked past her into the room, faced her, and tutted, "What's with that expression?"
Yu Qingtang: "Mm-hmm, you're right."
Wei Jinglan crossed her arms, confident. "I dare you to send a picture to Cheng Zhanxi. She'll definitely say it's beautiful."
Yu Qingtang sent a message to Cheng Zhanxi.
[Yu Qingtang]: [Video clip]
[Yu Qingtang]: The room Wei Jinglan prepared for me. She wants me to ask for your opinion.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Hahahahahaha, what's with this Disney runaway princess aesthetic? A bit over the top (if she weren't your cousin, I'd remove the 'a bit').
[Yu Qingtang]: Just reply to me with two words: 'Beautiful.'
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Beautiful!
Yu Qingtang deleted the two middle chat messages, leaving only her question for an opinion and Cheng Zhanxi's reply 'Beautiful,' and showed it to Wei Jinglan.
Wei Jinglan nodded with satisfaction.
In the evening, the other bridesmaids arrived. Yu Qingtang took every spare moment to pick up her phone and type messages to Cheng Zhanxi.
A shadow fell before her. Yu Qingtang looked up; it was He Qingmo.
Their eyes met.
Yu Qingtang: "?"
A glint quickly flashed in He Qingmo's eyes. She snatched her phone and ran.
Yu Qingtang blinked, and before she could say anything, the phone had been passed from one person to another, finally ending up in Wen Zhihan's pocket. Wei Jinglan held Wen Zhihan in her arms.
Hmm? Held in her arms?
How strange.
Cheng Zhanxi waited for a long time for Yu Qingtang's reply and sent a message: [Baby?].
The confiscated phone was placed on the table. The four of them cupped their faces with their hands, their expressions identical as if copied and pasted, saying in unison, "Wow."
Then they all turned to look at the blushing Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang's ears were red enough to bleed. She pleaded, "Stop playing, can't I just not send messages?"
Wei Jinglan, the eldest, placed the phone face down on the table and declared, "We're doing this for your own good. You two are always so clingy. There should be a sense of ceremony before the wedding. Not contacting each other for over ten hours will make tomorrow's meeting even more surprising. Does what I say make sense?"
Yu Qingtang nodded.
Wei Jinglan pushed the phone over. "Tell her."
[Yu Qingtang]: We're getting married tomorrow. Let's not chat before the wedding to maintain the surprise and anticipation.
"Alright." To prevent Yu Qingtang from being unable to control her longing, Wei Jinglan ultimately confiscated her phone, tossing it into Wen Zhihan's arms. "We'll keep it for you for now."
Yu Qingtang had no objections.
"Hey." A hand reached out from above Cheng Zhanxi, who was engrossed in her phone, and swiftly snatched it away.
Cheng Zhanxi chased after her. Jin Siyue, holding her phone behind her back, didn't last three seconds in the struggle with Cheng Zhanxi and decisively shouted for help, "Someone!"
More than a dozen bridesmaids immediately swarmed over, pinning Cheng Zhanxi down on the sofa.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't move: "..."
Strength in numbers, how impressive.
Jin Siyue's old bones nearly fell apart. She shook the phone and said, "Are you two serious? I've never seen anyone chatting like crazy the day before their wedding. Can't you have a little mystery?"
Cheng Zhanxi, knowing when to yield, compromised, "Give me the phone first. I'll send her one last message. I can't just disappear suddenly, right? She'll worry and come looking for me."
Jin Siyue said, "The last part is completely unnecessary!"
"The last part is the point." Cheng Zhanxi smirked, took the phone, and suddenly raised her eyebrows.
They were quite in sync, weren't they?
Cheng Zhanxi glanced around at her friends, who were ready to impose martial law at any moment, a slight smile playing on her lips. She just didn't know if her partner was experiencing the same predicament.
The two were forced offline, focusing on anticipating their meeting the next day—each other in a white wedding dress, holding a bouquet, attending the wedding in full splendor.
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