Chapter 583: Number 40. Wedding in Progress (End)

On Fu Chenxuan’s wedding day, early in the morning, the Fu family began their preparations. Bai Junnan, as Fu Chenxuan’s best man, had arrived at the Fu Family’s home early along with Pei Hao.

"As the groom, you really are different, look at this energy," Pei Hao joked as he entered, while Fu Chenxuan had already changed his clothes and the stylist was doing the final touches.

Listening to Pei Hao’s jokes, Fu Chenxuan laughed boldly, "I’m about to marry the person I love, naturally, I’m happy. Brother Hao, you can’t say you’re not happy, can you?"

Pei Hao and Guoguo’s wedding was set for March of the following year. They initially wanted to hold it at the end of December, but Han Yi couldn’t bear to part with his daughter and vehemently refused. Finally, after discussions between the two families, they settled on March.

The wedding was set at a five-star hotel in the city area, not far from Fu Chenxuan’s apartment. They calculated the time carefully before leaving.

Fu Shuyi, Guoguo, and two of Gu Qingzhu’s comrades were already at the apartment, waiting for the groom to come and fetch the bride.

Fu Shuyi looked at Gu Qingzhu, his eyes filled with amazement, "Sister Qingzhu, you look truly stunning."

Guoguo slapped her lightly, "Stop calling her Sister Qingzhu, you should change that now."

Fu Shuyi slapped her forehead, "Oh right, from now on you’re my sister-in-law. I guess I can’t call you Sister Qingzhu anymore."

Gu Qingzhu smiled slightly, "You can call me whatever you like."

Fu Shuyi and Guoguo weren’t really supposed to be there, as they were relatives of the groom, but Gu Qingzhu had no close relatives or friends. The only good relationship she had was with two comrades she met when she first joined the military, who came today as her bridesmaids. Thus, Fu Shuyi and Guoguo volunteered to act as Gu Qingzhu’s "family." Though it was a bit unconventional, it wasn’t unacceptable.

In order to prevent Gu Qingzhu’s side from being too dull, Fu Shuyi also invited her classmates and friends. With her outgoing and friendly nature, she had many friends and with a simple invitation, many were willing to come. Even though Gu Qingzhu had no relatives, the apartment was still lively. Everyone was discussing how to tease the groom, chatting joyously.

Fu Shuyi, being Fu Chenxuan’s biological sister, was expected by everyone to go easy on her brother. However, this girl, contrary to expectations, came up with the most mischievous ideas, eight out of ten of which were hers.

Gu Qingzhu sat on the side, listening quietly to the group discussing, her eyes filled with smiles.

"Sister Qingzhu, are you nervous?" Suddenly, Fu Shuyi crept up to Gu Qingzhu and asked softly.

Gu Qingzhu was slightly taken aback, then nodded, "A little." She thought she wouldn’t be nervous, but as the time drew closer, just the thought of Fu Chenxuan coming to fetch her in an hour and they stepping into marriage together made ripples stir her calm heart, and even her hands holding the bouquet sweated slightly.

At exactly eleven-thirty, Fu Chenxuan and the groomsmen appeared at the apartment’s door, where a group of girls surrounded the doorway, posing challenging questions to the groom and groomsmen.

Meanwhile, Fu Shuyi was in the bedroom with Gu Qingzhu. Gu Qingzhu looked at her curiously, "Why don’t you go out and look? Weren’t you very curious before?" She had been the most excited previously.

Fu Shuyi pouted, "I’m not going there; they’re too noisy, and I’ve always been a lady." If she led the ruckus, her brother might not say anything, but she’d be the unlucky one afterward, so it was safer for her to stay put. After all, most of the unpleasantness was her doing, so she might as well enjoy it.

The commotion lasted for almost an hour, and Fu Chenxuan finally managed to open the bedroom door. He looked at the person sitting on the bed in a wedding dress, his eyes sparkling with joy that was clearly visible even without words.

He walked step by step towards Gu Qingzhu, stopped by her side, and stared at her. "Qingzhu, I’m here to take you home." He held out his hand, palm up.

Gu Qingzhu smiled slightly and placed her hand in his without hesitation. They clasped hands, exchanged smiles, and Fu Chenxuan immediately lifted Gu Qingzhu up.

Lin Jing was there today too, watching the couple on the red carpet. She couldn’t help but admit that they looked like the perfect match, invincible together. If she were a man, she too would choose a woman like Gu Qingzhu.

In Lin Jing’s eyes, there was admiration and a touch of relief. Lost in thought, the bride’s bouquet suddenly landed in her embrace. Stunned and unable to recover, she looked up to meet Gu Qingzhu’s smiling eyes. Standing next to Gu Qingzhu, Fu Chenxuan also watched her with a smile.

Lin Jing curved her lips into a bright smile, held up the bouquet, and said, "I wish you happiness."

"Jingjing, I hope you too find your happiness soon." After the wedding, Fu Chenxuan walked Lin Jing to the hotel entrance and said to her.

Lin Jing still held the bridal bouquet in her hands. Hearing his words, she smiled and nodded. "I will, I’m the one who caught the bride’s bouquet today." She added, playfully shaking the bouquet in her hand.

Fu Chenxuan laughed and hugged Lin Jing. "When it’s your turn to marry, make sure to let me know. I’ll personally see you off."

"Okay," Lin Jing replied, feeling the last tendrils of her fixation dissolving at that moment. She thought to herself that from now on, Fu Chenxuan would finally be just someone from her past. From now on, she was Lin Jing, a brand new Lin Jing.

Lin Jing took a taxi back home. This home was no longer the apartment she shared with Jiandan but the place where her family now lived. After the New Year, her father had been transferred to the Beijing Military Region, and naturally, her mother had also returned.

After returning, Lin Jing’s mother was persuaded by Mr. Lin to undergo psychological therapy. Although emotional wounds are hard to heal, it wasn’t without effect. At least now, Mrs. Lin could talk to her daughter in a calm and collected manner.

As Lin Jing got out of the cab, she saw a figure standing at the entrance of the complex. Startled, she walked straight toward him. "Lu Feng, what are you doing here?"

The person was indeed Lu Feng, and it wasn’t clear how long he had been waiting there. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Upon seeing Lin Jing, Lu Feng first took in her expression. Seeing that she looked calm and not heartbroken, he relaxed gradually, and spoke softly, "Nothing much, just happened to be walking by."

As soon as he said that, Lu Feng almost wanted to slap himself. What a terrible lie—it was simply unconvincing. His home was in the eastern city, hers in the western city, and even if he was walking, it wouldn’t span the entirety of Beijing.

Lu Feng looked at Lin Jing nervously, stumbling over his words, "Actually... I was just nearby handling some errands... Yes, just running some errands and happened to pass by your place. I thought, maybe you’d like to join me for some late-night snacks."

"Why didn’t you call me?"

"I just remembered you were going to the wedding today when I got here, and I was about to leave." Lu Feng felt guilty, not daring to admit that he knew she was attending the wedding of the man she loved. He knew the pain of seeing the person you love marry someone else, even if he had never experienced it. He was worried Lin Jing would be heartbroken and depressed, so he had come here specifically to wait for her, thinking he could comfort her if she was in a bad mood when she returned.

Lin Jing pursed her lips and stared fixedly at Lu Feng. Lu Feng thought he had upset her, since she didn’t like him meddling in her personal affairs, and he immediately felt awkward. "Uh... Lin Jing, you rest well, I’ll head back first." He turned to leave.

Lin Jing stopped him, "Lu Feng."

Lu Feng paused in his steps and turned around, looking at her with confusion.

"I’m hungry and want to have some late-night food with you, is that okay?"

Lu Feng was stunned at first, then vigorously nodded, "Of course, I know a nearby porridge shop that’s really good. How about we go there?"

Lin Jing smiled and nodded, getting into Lu Feng’s car. The man who drove and simultaneously entertained her with amusing topics, gradually a smile emerged in her eyes. She thought, maybe Lu Feng was right, perhaps they should give each other a chance.

**

After Fu Chenxuan’s wedding, Bai Junnan found himself busy once more, but at least he no longer had to work overtime until late.

His relationship with his mother was still in a frozen state. Specifically, Zhang Suxin hadn’t forgiven her son and wouldn’t let him enter the house. Every time Bai Junnan came home, he would stand outside, exchange a few words with his mother, and then leave, placing the things he brought at the doorstep.

Initially, Zhang Suxin would throw away everything her son brought, but gradually, she started giving them to the household staff. Now, even though she still had no regard for Bai Junnan, she would properly keep the items, which was an improvement from the beginning.

Bai Junnan made it a point to visit his mother once a week. Sometimes, Fu Shuyi would accompany him. After being turned away several times, Bai Junnan couldn’t bear it, so he stopped bringing Fu Shuyi along, though she would still come. "She’s your mother, and she will someday be my mother too. It was also my fault last time; I should have helped you seek her forgiveness."

On this day, Bai Junnan had to go on a business trip and couldn’t return home, so Fu Shuyi went to the Bai Family house alone. She intended to leave the things and go, but Zhang Suxin called out to her, marking the first time Fu Shuyi entered the Bai family’s front door.

In the living room, Fu Shuyi and Zhang Suxin sat opposite each other, neither speaking. Unsure of Zhang Suxin’s intentions, Fu Shuyi didn’t start a conversation.

Still, the prolonged silence made Fu Shuyi uncomfortable, so she finally spoke, "Auntie, did you call me in to discuss something?"

Zhang Suxin looked at her, her eyes complex. "At first, I was happy when I knew my son was dating you. But then he kept pushing me to give up my shares and even forbade me from seeing you. Gradually, I grew resentful. I often think that if it weren’t for you, my son and I would still be as harmonious as we were initially."

Fu Shuyi’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Zhang Suxin was going to ask her to leave Bai Junnan, just like the mothers in romantic dramas?

"I know you are the daughter of the Fu Family, and if we’re being honest, it’s Bai Junnan who is marrying up, not you," she finally opened up. "I used to think that if my son married you, we could establish a connection with the Fu Family and that would bring prosperity to the Bai Family, elevate us to a new level. This has been my goal ever since my husband passed away."

Fu Shuyi tightly pursed her lips. "Auntie, I think you might have misunderstood the feelings between Bai Junnan and me." She was certain that Bai Junnan’s decision to be with her wasn’t for the power of the Fu Family.

"Of course I know," the woman replied, "that foolish boy fell in love with you and even willingly got involved in the family feud to provide a clean environment for you, eventually ousting me and his uncles from the company to take sole control of the Bai Family."

"No, you’ve got it wrong about Brother Jun Nan," Fu Shuyi interjected. "He did come back to the Bai Family partly because of me, I can’t deny that. But he did it for you as well, for the sake of the hard work you and his uncles put in." Bai Junnan hadn’t told her about these things, but Fu Chenxuan had discussed them with his sister, so Fu Shuyi understood Bai Junnan’s reasons.

Zhang Suxin was taken aback, not expecting Bai Junnan to have shared such things with Fu Shuyi. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

"Actually, Auntie, Brother Jun Nan has really been working hard since he took over the company. I’ve lost count of the number of days he hasn’t worked overtime in the past six months. I think you should be able to see his efforts."

Zhang Suxin smiled faintly. She had indeed seen it. From the initial instability to the steady growth of the Bai Family over the last six months, she could imagine the hardships involved, so she had also been reflecting on the past during this time.

They used to be so close, Bai Junnan used to share everything with her, and she would discuss the company matters with him. When did they start drifting apart?

"Auntie, Brother Jun Nan really cares about you," Fu Shuyi continued. "He often tells me how hard it was for you to raise him, especially with his uncles coveting your position, attending to both him and the company. He deeply appreciates all you’ve done, and he regrets not using a more gentle approach to talk things through with you. It hurts him to see you upset. And his actions were only meant to prevent you from getting too deeply involved, making it hard for you to find a way back."

Zhang Suxin remained silent. Bai Junnan had said similar things, but whether it was a change of heart, it felt entirely different hearing it now.

"Auntie, I know you’re upset with Brother Jun Nan, but after all, he is your son. Can you really bear to continue like this?"

Fu Shuyi knew she might not be the right person to say these things, but there needed to be a bridge between this mother and son, and she realized that Zhang Suxin’s attitude had softened. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought her here today. Therefore, she was willing to be that bridge.

Zhang Suxin looked intently at her for a long while before finally speaking. "Come home with Jun Nan for a meal this weekend. I’ll have the maid make some dishes you both love."

Fu Shuyi’s face lit up and she quickly agreed. After leaving the Bai Family’s home, she immediately called Bai Junnan, who was touched and grateful upon hearing the recounted conversation. "Shuyi, thank you."

Fu Shuyi smiled, "Brother Jun Nan, I don’t need your thanks, I just hope our future can keep getting better."

Bai Junnan hummed in response, looked up at the azure sky, and said, "It will."

Their future would definitely get better, it certainly would.