After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 142
Chapter 142
The Cheng family swallowed half of the Wei family. Afterwards, they made a series of charitable donations of a rarely seen scale, donating almost everything they had gained. Those merchants in the Capital City who had cursed Cheng Yi as an old fox collectively fell silent. Regardless of their inner thoughts, on the surface, they expressed great admiration, claiming it was truly befitting of a family that had accumulated good deeds for a hundred years.
The Cheng family didn't care about external praise or criticism. Water overflows when full, the moon wanes after waxing, and extreme prosperity leads to decline – these are immutable truths.
The Cheng family's wedding caused a sensation throughout the entire Capital City.
The Cheng family was a family business, but unlike most family businesses with numerous descendants, each generation had at most two children. Cheng Yi's generation, in particular, had only him. Childbirth is extremely damaging to a woman's body. The Cheng family men doted on their wives and were unwilling for them to suffer this hardship. Therefore, the Cheng family didn't have many relatives, but many of Song Qingrou's relatives came.
Commander Song was impeccably dressed, his back as straight as a javelin, still vigorous and his imposing aura undiminished from his prime.
Upon seeing Commander Song, all guests present, young and old, lowered their heads and made way. Commander Song walked straight to his daughter and asked in a booming voice, "Where's Xixi?"
Song Qingrou felt as if a string of firecrackers had gone off beside her ear, making her head throb. She said, "Dad, lower your voice a bit."
Commander Song obediently lowered his volume and asked again.
Song Qingrou said, "She's at home doing her makeup. How could she be ready so quickly?"
Commander Song, with his hands behind his back, looked around as if he could conjure Cheng Zhanxi out of thin air. He said, "Isn't it because your mom is anxious?"
Song Qingrou glanced at him.
Commander Song coughed lightly twice. "I'll go find some old comrades to catch up with. I invited them all."
Song Qingrou: "Go on, go on."
Commander Song sauntered off, and the other guests didn't dare to lift their heads to look too much.
Besides Commander Song's family, the most eye-catching guests were not the high-ranking officials and wealthy tycoons who frequently appeared on television or in success magazines, but a group of young boys and girls with slightly immature faces. Even dressed in adult clothes, they couldn't hide their youthful aura, reminiscent of fresh, tender bok choy.
Especially among those young guests, there was a young man with rosy lips and white teeth, who evoked feelings of affection from many noblewomen present, all of whom cast their gazes his way.
The young man, surprisingly, showed no stage fright in such a setting. Instead, he nodded with a slight smile and returned their gazes.
The noblewomen were all married, but the young ladies by their side were not. One young lady approached the young man and boldly asked for his WeChat ID. The young man's bright red lips curved up, and with an obedient look in his eyes, he said, "I'm sorry, Jiejie, my teacher doesn't allow me to date."
The young lady asked in surprise, "Teacher?"
The young man replied, "Yes, we just graduated from high school."
Seeing how well-behaved this "younger brother" was, the young lady was even more reluctant to give up. She asked with a smile, "Which teacher is yours? Shall I go talk to them?"
The young man took out a neatly tucked, gold-embossed wedding invitation from his clothes, opened it, and pointed his fingertip at one of the two names printed side by side at the end, smiling so broadly his teeth showed white. "This is my teacher."
The young lady took a look.
Yu Qingtang.
She then looked at the many youthful faces behind the young man, about his age, looking so fresh one could almost pinch water out of them. She opened her mouth, then returned with a belly full of questions.
This group was the former Class Seven of Senior Year One, plus students from Class Five of Senior Year Three. Yu Qingtang had only taught students for three years, but it had left a significant mark on her life. Everything for her began to change at Sicheng No. 1 Middle School. Class Seven of Senior Year One had only been Yu Qingtang's students for a year. No matter how enthusiastic they were at the time, their feelings inevitably faded after two years. Only a dozen or so accepted the invitation to the banquet – their parents were also worried about their children traveling so far. Most of Class Five of Senior Year Three came. Yu Qingtang was their homeroom teacher, the one who accompanied them through the college entrance exams, so their bond was naturally deep.
When the students arrived, their eyes were greatly opened – this, this, this Teacher Yu and her marriage partner were too rich!
"This villa alone, it must cost tens of millions, right?"
"Tens of millions? Are you underestimating the property prices in the great Capital City? This location, this size, and did you see that helipad in the distance when we came in? Good heavens, this villa probably costs several hundred million."
"Several hundred million?!" The student who had asked earlier had his mouth agape, wide enough to fit a duck egg.
"I heard the monthly property management fee for this kind of villa is over a million."
"My goodness, is this the world of the rich?"
"What virtues or abilities do we possess to have such a wealthy teacher!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The students hadn't yet entered society and didn't have such a strong competitive spirit. They also didn't feel jealous of their teacher as they might with peers. Following a waiter in a vest and trousers along a long red carpet to the lawn, their eyes were immediately glued to the endless spread of delicacies on long tables adorned with flowers.
Several hundred million was just an abstract concept; the food before them was real!
Xiang Tianyou coughed loudly, assuming the dignity of a class monitor, and stopped his classmates who were about to pounce on the food like hungry tigers. He said in a deep voice, "Today, we are Teacher Yu's guests. Our every action represents Teacher Yu. Don't embarrass Teacher Yu."
He then gestured for everyone to look at the other people on the lawn – various celebrities and dignitaries, all behaving elegantly.
The students followed suit, "calmly and unhurriedly" walking past the food, their mouths watering incessantly.
Song Qingrou had specially arranged for someone to entertain these young guests. On Yu Qingtang's side, most guests were invited by Wei Tinglan; few were invited by Yu Qingtang herself. It was rare for this group of children to be someone she valued. When Song Qingrou heard they had arrived, she made time to come over personally. When the students heard her introduce herself as Cheng Zhanxi's mother and Yu Qingtang's mother-in-law, they immediately became very reserved.
Only Xiang Tianyou looked directly into Song Qingrou's eyes and subtly sized her up, forming his conclusion in his mind: She seems like a good person.
He very much considered himself part of Yu Qingtang's maternal family.
Song Qingrou's eyes lit up when she saw the most handsome young man in the group. "You must be Xiao Xiang, right?"
Xiang Tianyou: "?"
He felt that this "grandma's" gaze was a bit too enthusiastic.
Song Qingrou tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "I've heard Xixi and Xiao Tang mention you." He really is good-looking.
Having seen many mature, handsome men, this kind of fresh-faced youth had a unique charm.
Xiang Tianyou immediately cast his doubts aside and said happily, "Really?"
He was different in the eyes of Teacher Yu and Shimu!
Song Qingrou said, "I heard you got into Renmin University?"
Xiang Tianyou said, "Yes." He scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "I originally wanted to get into Qingbei."
"It's alright, Renmin University is also very good. Have you declared your major?"
"I have."
"What did you declare?"
Xiang Tianyou was a bit puzzled as to why she was asking in such detail, but he still stated his major. "I've been admitted. I'll report at the end of the month."
As Xiang Tianyou and Song Qingrou were chatting, he saw a figure striding towards them from a distance.
The man wore a well-fitted, formal three-piece silver suit, exuding an extraordinary aura. Every man, including the not-yet-fully-grown Xiang Tianyou, swallowed hard. The man's outstanding looks were secondary to his presence.
Xiang Tianyou was actually dressed very formally today. He had specially bought a suit from a large department store in the capital – a brown one, dignified yet lively. His short hair was also meticulously styled. He was handsome, yes, but only handsome. He couldn't compare to the man walking over.
I really want to grow up.
Those broad shoulders, that lean waist, wearing a suit he looked so handsome it made one's legs go weak. What was that on his arm? A sleeve garter? So good-looking!
Xiang Tianyou was almost drooling.
Xiang Tianyou's only male elder was his father, whose figure had gone out of shape, with a round belly that strained his shirts like a ball. This was the first time he had seen a man wear a suit so well in person.
Cheng Yi approached politely yet affably, extending his hand to the young man before him, who hadn't even fully matured. "Hello."
Xiang Tianyou suppressed his inner excitement and shook the man's hand, his voice trembling slightly. "Hello."
Cheng Yi's lips curved almost imperceptibly. Hmph, so easily impressed.
Song Qingrou didn't miss the aggression in his eyes and immediately rolled her eyes inwardly.
Cheng Yi said politely, "I am Cheng Zhanxi's father."
Xiang Tianyou immediately showered him with compliments: "Uncle, you look so young! If you hadn't said, I would have thought you were her older brother."
Cheng Yi smiled gently.
Xiang Tianyou was thrilled, his eyes shining. Is this the charm of a mature man?! Ahhh! So handsome!
Seeing Xiang Tianyou being ten times more enthusiastic towards Cheng Yi than towards herself, Song Qingrou completed the eye-roll in her mind.
She tugged at the sleeve of Cheng Yi, who was thoroughly enjoying displaying his mature charm, and whispered, "Let's go, other guests are waiting."
Cheng Yi gave Xiang Tianyou another handsome smile. "Then I'll..."
Xiang Tianyou said with utmost respect, "I'm fine here, Uncle. You go ahead. Uncle, you're really handsome."
Song Qingrou linked her arm with Cheng Yi's and pinched him where others couldn't see.
"Why are you bickering with a child?"
Cheng Yi glanced at her and said slowly, "Me bickering? Aren't you the one bickering?"
Just as Song Qingrou was about to pinch him again, she lifted her gaze and immediately forgot about her husband beside her.
"Yanqiu!" Her voice rang out from more than ten paces away.
Gu Yanqiu, with prayer beads wrapped around her left hand, felt her brow twitch upon hearing the voice. She looked straight ahead. The young woman linking arms with her said teasingly, "President Gu, you're quite fortunate. This lady's eyes lit up the moment she saw you."
Gu Yanqiu's voice was slightly deep, but there was a smile in her eyes. "Weiwei, don't tease."
Lin Yuewei pouted subtly. "Let's go. Take me to meet your 'peach blossom'."
Though she called her a 'peach blossom', Lin Yuewei actually knew the person. After Gu Yanqiu greeted her, Lin Yuewei followed suit, saying demurely, "Hello, Mrs. Cheng."
One beauty wasn't enough; a pair had arrived. This one was even more strikingly beautiful, with sharp features and a heroic air, unlike anyone else in the entire venue.
Song Qingrou tried her best to restrain her smile. "Yuewei, is it? In the blink of an eye, you've grown so big."
Lin Yuewei's father was very handsome. Song Qingrou remembered his name among the many balding entrepreneurs. Although their families weren't particularly close, and Lin Yuewei's father, Lin Bai, had a messy divorce and left with nothing, after which the Lin family's business was managed by Gu Yanqiu. The company still bore the Lin name, and the shares were in Lin Yuewei's mother's hands, but the person in charge had changed. Everyone recognized Gu Yanqiu, and gradually, the Lin family was no longer mentioned.
When did the name Lin Yuewei enter everyone's sight? It was rather miraculous. She, a proper young lady from a wealthy family, insisted on entering the entertainment industry as an actress, and she actually became famous. For a while, Song Qingrou and Yu Qingtang were obsessed with crime investigation dramas. In one of them, called "Misty City," Lin Yuewei played a deputy captain of a criminal investigation team. She had a good figure, beautiful fight scenes, and most importantly, a truly captivating look. Those who could appreciate it were instantly smitten. Song Qingrou was one of those who could, almost forgetting her daily check-ins on Gu Yanqiu's Super Topic.
Later, after Song Qingrou passed the "honeymoon phase" of her celebrity crush, she gradually calmed down. Coincidentally, two years later, Lin Yuewei publicly revealed her secret marriage, and her wife was none other than Gu Yanqiu.
Yu Qingtang had watched some behind-the-scenes footage of Lin Yuewei's fight scenes with Song Qingrou. Lin Yuewei did all her own stunts. Yu Qingtang couldn't help but feel a little stirred, wondering if she should practice some moves herself. The next day, because it looked very tiring, she decisively gave up. She had good self-awareness, focusing on training her right hand. Recently, her left hand had also been added to the agenda, which was cause for celebration.
Lin Yuewei smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Cheng."
Song Qingrou asked again, "Is your mother well?" She didn't ask about Lin Bai. Since he left with nothing, he was definitely a scumbag, no doubt about it.
Lin Yuewei nodded. "Very well. She is abroad on business and asked me to attend on her behalf. The wedding gift has also been presented." Lin Yuewei clicked her tongue inwardly. Her mother wasn't on business; she was just on vacation with her latest hot young beau. With Gu Yanqiu around, her mother had become increasingly carefree.
Song Qingrou said, "That's good, that's good." She took Lin Yuewei's hand. "Auntie was there when you two got married. In the blink of an eye, it's your turn to attend my daughter's wedding."
Lin Yuewei said, "Yanqiu and I have a harmonious relationship. We only hope to add a little bit of insignificant good fortune to Miss Cheng and Miss Yu."
Song Qingrou was greatly pleased. "Good, this blessing is good."
Just then, Gu Yanqiu's fingertips, which were around Lin Yuewei's lower back, suddenly poked her back.
Stingy.
Lin Yuewei's lips curved slightly. She withdrew her hand from Song Qingrou's and nodded. "We still need to greet other people. Mrs. Cheng, you must be busy."
Song Qingrou watched them take champagne and walk towards the center of the lawn, her gaze lingering reluctantly.
When she came back to her senses, she found her husband beside her with a sour face.
Song Qingrou gave a dry laugh and changed the subject. "Call and ask if Xixi's side has set off yet."
Cheng Yuanxi happened to walk over and heard this. "I just asked. They said soon."
Song Qingrou glared at him.
Cheng Yuanxi: "?"
He took two more steps forward, turned his head, saw his father's expression, and quickly scurried away.
Anyway, his younger sister was getting married today. If those two had any issues, they'd have to resolve them at home. He would deal with it then.
There were too many people attending the wedding banquet today, a dazzling array of handsome men and beautiful women. Some were already part of this circle, like Gu Yanqiu and Lin Yuewei, while others were not and had been brought in. Having just seen off Lin Yuewei, the second female lead of "Misty City," they now welcomed Qu Xuesong, the female lead of "Misty City."
Qu Xuesong was a big star, very famous, a household name known to everyone. But she wasn't attending as an invited celebrity, but as a family member.
Cheng Yi and Song Qingrou went forward together and greeted, "President Cheng."
The chubby man opposite also chuckled and replied, "Chairman Cheng."
Both families were surnamed Cheng, but they weren't related. Perhaps they were one family five hundred years ago.
Song Qingrou's gaze shifted to behind him. "This is your daughter and..." She looked at Qu Xuesong. Could she be old President Cheng's new partner? I haven't heard any news of his divorce.
President Cheng's daughter pursed her lips and smiled. "Mrs. Cheng, this is my wife."
Qu Xuesong was used to such occasions; only her status had changed. She said gracefully, "Hello, Mrs. Cheng."
Song Qingrou was surprised. "You're married too?"
Cheng Guiyuan said, "No, we're just engaged, but it will be soon."
Song Qingrou smiled. "Good, good, good. Auntie wishes you a harmonious union for a hundred years."
Song Qingrou once again watched Cheng Guiyuan and Qu Xuesong leave, and Cheng Yi's face grew even sourer.
But the next second, he couldn't be bothered with that anymore. A call came in, saying Cheng Zhanxi was arriving soon.
Cheng Yi panicked for two seconds where he stood. He didn't know why he was so flustered.
"Xixi is arriving soon, what should we do?" Cheng Yi looked at his wife, at a complete loss.
Song Qingrou slapped his arm. "Of course, we go to welcome her! What are you standing there dazed for?!"
"Oh, oh," Cheng Yi responded twice, but his feet remained rooted to the spot.
Song Qingrou had already walked a few steps away. She looked back at her husband's hesitant expression and frowned. "Cheng Yi, what's wrong with you? Don't tell me you don't want to marry off your daughter anymore?"
Cheng Yi pursed his lips.
She had actually guessed right. At this moment, Cheng Yi suddenly didn't want Cheng Zhanxi to get married. His daughter, whom he had painstakingly raised and cherished like the apple of his eye, was about to marry someone else. In the future, the most intimate person to her would be her lover, not him, her father.
Thinking about it, Cheng Yi suddenly felt his eyes welling up.
Song Qingrou snapped him out of it with a verbal blow: "What are you thinking, Cheng Yi? If you dare to stop Xixi from getting married today, believe it or not, she'll become your enemy."
Cheng Yi: "..."
Song Qingrou: "Besides, do you think it makes any difference whether she gets married now or not? She follows her wife around all day, fawning over her this way and that, just like you were back then."
Cheng Yi instinctively retorted, "What was wrong with me back then? Didn't you like it when I treated you well?"
Song Qingrou: "Did you consider your parents' feelings?"
"..."
"You didn't! You only considered yourself!"
"..."
"Hurry up! If you delay the auspicious time, don't expect any good to come of it!"
Cheng Yi was rendered speechless by her retorts. He weakly uttered an "Ai" and hurriedly followed.
Not long after they reached the entrance, several black cars approached from the distance, escorting the wedding car in the middle, and stopped in front of the red carpet at the villa's entrance.
The door of the central car opened, and a long, slender leg in a white high-heeled shoe stepped onto the ground, followed by the appearance of a stunningly beautiful woman in a pure white wedding dress.
Cheng Yi's eyes welled up again.
Song Qingrou pinched him, and only then did Cheng Yi hold back his tears and help his daughter out of the car with his wife.
Cheng Zhanxi, holding her long skirt, looked left and right and asked, "Hasn't Yu Qingtang arrived yet?"
Song Qingrou said, "The Wei family called Mom twenty minutes ago. She should be here soon."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Then I'll wait for her here." She hadn't seen the other person for over ten hours, nor heard her voice.
Song Qingrou said, "Nonsense."
Just then, another call came from the Wei family, saying to prepare for her arrival.
Song Qingrou hurriedly ushered Cheng Zhanxi away. Cheng Zhanxi frequently looked back, but only saw the front of a car before she was completely out of sight.
Waiting at the entrance to welcome them was Wei Tinglan. Although Wei Tinglan had paid the price of half the Wei family, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Now, the Wei family was united, and the younger generation was promising. No one dared to underestimate the Wei family; those waiting to rush in and carve up the Wei family had their plans foiled.
The bridesmaids arrived with Yu Qingtang. This time, the car doors that opened first were not for the wedding car, but for the bridesmaids' car. The four of them got out, scanned the area, and only after confirming Cheng Zhanxi was not present did they let Yu Qingtang get out.
Besides the Wei family members at the entrance, there were also guests who had come out upon hearing the commotion.
The black car door slowly opened, and a graceful figure bent down, emerged from inside, and slowly got out of the car.
The heels of the high-heeled shoes Yu Qingtang wore today were a bit thin. She steadied herself by placing her hand on Wei Tinglan's arm and looked up towards the entrance.
A quiet atmosphere spread through the crowd.
A slight hint of disappointment flickered in Yu Qingtang's eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi isn't here.
Immediately, she started walking, nodded slightly to the guests, entered the main gate, and disappeared from everyone's sight.
After she had been gone for a while, the people present finally began to discuss in low voices—
"Was that Miss Yu who just walked by? Just now, there was a flash of white light before my eyes, I thought a fairy had descended."
"I've been unforgettable of her since I saw her at a banquet six months ago. I finally saw her again this time. When she comes to my table for a toast, I must take another good look."
"What kind of wedding is the Cheng family holding? One after another, they're all fairies. Could it be that we've come to a Jade Pond Banquet? Will there be Peaches of Immortality on the table today?"
"Hahahaha."
Yu Qingtang knew that Wei Jinglan and the others wouldn't return her phone, so she sat there with her eyes lowered, waiting for the wedding to begin, quiet and undisturbed, looking even more like an exquisite jade carving.
When she looked up, she found several friends taking pictures of her.
Yu Qingtang: "?"
Wei Jinglan and the others' cameras clicked non-stop.
A once-in-a-lifetime wedding dress, a beauty rarely encountered in three lifetimes – how could they not hurry up and take pictures?!
Yu Qingtang's gown was off-the-shoulder. She brought her long, ink-black hair from her back to the front, barely covering a bit of her snow-white shoulders, and pursed her lips in unease.
Cheng Zhanxi stood up and paced back and forth in the room.
Jin Siyue felt dizzy watching her. "Are you that anxious? Why not save some energy for the bridal chamber tonight?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "This little bit of exercise won't affect my bridal chamber."
Jin Siyue: "..."
Damn, I feel like I've been shown off to again.
Cheng Zhanxi was practically simmering with impatience, her heart, liver, spleen, and lungs all enduring, all waiting anxiously.
Finally, someone came to inform them that the brides could enter.
Jin Siyue suspected Cheng Zhanxi might kick open the obstructing door in front of her. She watched Cheng Zhanxi's feet with trepidation. Cheng Zhanxi lifted her foot, forward, hmm, the movement wasn't large, it didn't look like she was about to flying-kick the door. Jin Siyue relaxed, only to then see Cheng Zhanxi step back.
Hmm? Stepped back?
Jin Siyue's eyes widened.
Cheng Zhanxi stood in place, lifted and then lowered the hem of her wedding dress, puffed out her chest slightly, and looked at Jin Siyue with her chin held properly, asking, "How is it?"
Jin Siyue said, "Very big."
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
All the bridesmaids in the room: "..."
Jin Siyue belatedly let out an "Ah" and glanced at Yu Jianxing not far away.
Yu Jianxing: "?"
Yu Jianxing walked behind Cheng Zhanxi, squatted down to rearrange her skirt, and said, "It looks beautiful."
Cheng Zhanxi took a light breath and said, "That's good then."
She began to enact another scene of looking back every three steps.
"Is it really okay?"
"Is my hair messy?"
"Do I need a makeup touch-up?"
"Better give me a touch-up. It's been so long, my makeup must have faded a bit. Some lipstick too."
Cheng Zhanxi, who had been burning with impatience just moments ago, now dawdled onto the red carpet, her heart pounding nervously.
The sunlight was beautiful that day, the sky a vast expanse of azure blue, the grass on the ground lush green, and the scent of cream filled the air. Cheng Zhanxi saw her bride.
Yu Qingtang, holding the bridal bouquet, stepped out from the sunlight and into Cheng Zhanxi's eyes.
Not seeing each other for over ten hours had its effect. The two of them felt as if they had been separated for three autumns. Their eyes met, and a thousand words surged in their hearts.
"Finally..." After a long moment, Cheng Zhanxi spoke softly.
She smiled and opened her arms. Yu Qingtang almost threw herself directly into her embrace but remembered the wedding ceremony. Reason returned first, and she reminded her in a low voice, "Let's go to the platform first."
Cheng Zhanxi had endured over ten hours; naturally, she could endure this short while.
She took a light breath, lowered her hands, and said, "Okay."
The guests watching from both sides let out understanding laughter.
Cheng Zhanxi extended her hand. Yu Qingtang solemnly placed her hand, adorned with a white lace glove, into Cheng Zhanxi's palm, feeling a force quickly grip hers.
A beautiful and soothing entrance song played at the venue. Under the smiling blessings of the guests, the new couple entered hand in hand.
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