Director Yu had barely managed to escape the slow pace of traffic and rushed to the detention center, but he was still over ten minutes late. The person sent by the court to deliver the case files had been waiting for nearly an hour.

He didn’t bother to speak, quickly grabbed the file, and flipped it open. Then, he looked at the person with surprise. “What does this mean?”

The person replied, “It means exactly what it says.”

Director Yu bit his tongue, barely holding back a curse. “Are you messing with me? On the phone, you said the release would happen immediately, but this file says the exact release time will be notified later?”

The man adjusted his glasses and said slowly, “I’m just the messenger. We follow what comes from above. But since they had me bring the file over so early, the release should happen today. However, they specifically told me that no one can know the time before the final order for release is executed.”

Director Yu knew exactly who “above” referred to. He lost his temper instantly, grabbed the file, and headed straight for the surveillance room.

The few guards in the surveillance room were having breakfast, the smell of scallion pancakes and soup dumplings filling the air. When they saw him, they enthusiastically asked if he wanted some.

Director Yu had no appetite, so he glanced casually at the monitors for each section and asked, “Everything normal?”

“Normal,” replied the guard, who was eating soup dumplings.

Director Yu walked over to the surveillance wall and deliberately glanced at Cell 7. To his surprise, he found Bian Yiqiu with his back to the camera, still asleep.

“What’s going on? Isn’t he supposed to be studying the regulations at this time?”

The guard, who was eating scallion pancakes, said, “Wasn’t there a fight yesterday? His leg got injured. Brother Lu specifically approved his leave, said he didn’t have to do drills or study today.”

Brother Lu was the officer in charge of Zone A.

Director Yu snorted, “That Lu guy sure knows how to play the good guy.” After giving a couple of instructions to keep a close eye on the surveillance, he went back to his office.

He Xu and Zuo Cheng took the seaside highway, and the traffic was even worse. By the time they reached the detention center, it was already past nine. Because the Maybach was so eye-catching, Zuo Cheng parked it on a less conspicuous spot by the roadside. The two of them just stared at the main gate, earphones in, staying in contact with Young Master Ke, who was at the wedding venue.

At exactly 10:00, on the surveillance screen, divided into countless smaller sections, the prisoners who had been studying for over an hour started filing out of the education area. They gathered in small groups on the playground to smoke, chat, and bask in the sun.

The young guard responsible for monitoring the surveillance carefully scanned the different sections and the playground. He paused for a moment on Bian Yiqiu’s sleeping figure but didn’t notice anything unusual. He quickly shifted his gaze to the hallway outside.

“Hey, Xiao Hu, did you submit the report Director Yu asked for last week?” a colleague suddenly asked from the door.

“Ah, crap, I forgot. Hold on a second.” The young guard bent down to open the drawer, stood up, and handed the printed report to his colleague at the door. “Can you submit it for me? Thanks.”

Just as he turned around, a figure quickly flashed past in the hallway.

“Don’t mention it.” The colleague took the report and left. The young guard returned to his post, continuing to watch the empty, seemingly deserted hallway.

No one would have expected that, under the still image of Cell 7 on the surveillance screen, the metal sliding door had been silently opened.

A beam of light streamed in from the heavy, solemn church doors. The doors slowly parted, and Chen Fei, dressed in a wedding gown, appeared bathed in that light—faint and beautiful.

The live band played the wedding march, and the long red carpet stretched from her feet all the way to the center, where Ke Mingxuan stood. The two of them exchanged glances from afar. Chen Fei gently curved her lips and signaled with her eyes: “Mr. Ke, relax.”

Ke Mingxuan’s face was serious, as if he were attending a funeral rather than a wedding. He had a Bluetooth earpiece in his ear, and just five minutes ago, He Xu had hung up the phone, telling him there was still no news about Bian Yiqiu.

At the church entrance, Chen Fei, holding her father’s arm, slowly walked forward. Young Master Ke had to force himself to take a deep breath, loosening his tense nerves a little, and raised the corner of his lips. Though the smile was stiff, to the guests, it clearly appeared as excitement and nervousness.

Ke Zhenshan and Feng Shuxian sat at the main seats. Feng Shuxian was genuinely happy, gazing at her tall and handsome son with warm, affectionate eyes. She didn’t notice that beside her, her husband’s face was as cold as water. Father and son both wore identical poker faces.

The little flower girl raised her hand and scattered white rose petals. In the flurry of falling petals, Chen Fei and her father reached the archway in the center. The snow-like petals seemed to dazzle Ke Mingxuan’s eyes. Minister Chen said something, but he didn’t catch it. He only looked down at the snow-white wrist that Minister Chen extended to him, standing there for a few seconds, unsure of what he was doing.

Bian Yiqiu wasn’t sleeping deeply. Perhaps he knew that Ke Mingxuan was getting married today, so instinctively, he wanted to be like an ostrich, unwilling to wake up. The pain throughout his body made him groggily fall back into a chaotic dream. He felt like a lonely traveler, having crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, standing before an ancient house that reached up to the clouds, covered in wounds and exhaustion.

He didn’t know where this place was or what lay inside, but he was too tired. He longed to stop and rest, so he reached out and, without hesitation, pushed open the heavy door.

The long-dormant door creaked as it opened, and sunlight poured in through the shattered glass windows, casting bizarre and twisted patterns on the floor. Dust swirled toward him, and he instinctively took a step back. His foot landed on the broken glass, making a sharp crunching sound. A cold, fierce light, carrying an unmistakable aura of danger, shot toward him from the side—

Bian Yiqiu’s eyes flew open, and in a heartbeat, his hand shot out, gripping the cold steel aimed at his chest. His gaze lifted, meeting a pair of merciless, predator-like eyes that burned with intent, the tension crackling like a live wire between them.

Chen Fei reached out and, before Ke Mingxuan’s brief moment of distraction could raise any suspicion, she actively linked her arm with his. Throwing a slightly dissatisfied glance at Minister Chen behind her, she led Ke Mingxuan forward.

Ke Mingxuan’s temple twitched slightly. He took another deep breath, keeping his face expressionless as he passed in front of the guests who were witnessing the ceremony.

At the end of the red carpet, the priest, holding a Bible, was waiting for them. Behind him, a sacred cross stood tall, with the Son above, compassionately gazing down upon all. Ke Mingxuan looked up at it, but all he could feel was an indescribable pain in the Son’s expression.

The consequence of catching a bare blade with his bare hands was devastating. The thin, razor-sharp edge cut deep into Bian Yiqiu’s palm, the force threatening to slice through his entire hand and sever his fingers. A guttural grunt of pain escaped his lips as blood flowed freely, trailing down the blade and dripping onto his chest in soft, crimson splatters.

The drug dealer, hardened by years of survival on the border between life and death, possessed terrifying strength. Bian Yiqiu’s injured hands trembled under the pressure, unable to muster enough force to push the man away. He could only watch, powerless, as the bloodstained dagger inched closer to his chest, the sharp tip glinting with deadly intent.

“Why?”

“To take people’s money and eliminate their disaster.”

The drug dealer curled his lips into a sinister, confident grin, as if victory was already within his grasp.

Bian Yiqiu’s eyes sharpened. In the split second before the blade was about to pierce his flesh, he slammed his knee up, forcefully driving it into the man’s abdomen.

“Today, under the watchful eyes of God, we gather here to witness the sacred marriage of Mr. Ke Mingxuan and Miss Chen Fei, a moment of great honor…”

Except for the few brothers who knew the truth, every guest at the scene wore expressions of joy and delight. Feng Shuxian, in particular, was so moved that she couldn’t help but grip Commander Ke’s hand tightly.

Commander Ke held his wife’s hand from behind, gently patting it in a comforting manner, but his gaze remained fixed, unwavering, on Ke Mingxuan’s stiff back.

Ke Mingxuan and Chen Fei stood with their backs to the guests, side by side in front of the priest. His brow furrowed slightly, without a hint of expression. In his earpiece, He Xu’s voice came through, telling him that there was still no news of the person.

He glanced at the priest, who was giving a lengthy speech on stage, completely engrossed, and quietly asked, “What’s going on?”

He Xu replied, “They might not release him until the wedding is over. I’ll wait a bit longer.”

“Marriage is not something rash or ill-considered, but something devout and solemn. Now, these two are about to unite in this sacred ceremony. If anyone has just cause to oppose their union, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

The priest’s kind and powerful voice echoed through the hall, but Ke Mingxuan couldn’t absorb a single word. His unease grew, swelling inside him, rapidly spreading.

As the priest’s lengthy speech came to an end, the entire venue fell silent.

In the brief, suffocating silence that followed, the drug dealer was suddenly thrown backward by a powerful force, a muffled grunt escaping his lips. Yet, his grip on the knife remained unyielding, and as the blade wrenched away, it tore through Bian Yiqiu’s palm, leaving a gaping wound so deep that bone gleamed starkly beneath the bloodied flesh.

The sound of fists and feet colliding filled the air, mixed with heavy, labored breathing. Because of his injuries, Bian Yiqiu initially found himself at a disadvantage. However, his reckless, all-or-nothing fighting style soon took over, and the smell of blood grew stronger. The muffled sounds of the struggle were swallowed by the thick walls and doors, and everything unfolded in near silence.

Just as the break ended, Qian Ying, holding some medicine, walked into the prison building with the warden.

Director Yu sat in his office, nervously staring at the clock on the wall, counting the minutes as he waited for the phone call. The cigarette between his fingers was nearly burned out, but he didn’t notice.

In the reception room, He Xu nervously fiddled with his phone, locking and unlocking the screen repeatedly.

The priest smiled at the stern-faced Ke Mingxuan and the half-lidded Chen Fei before preparing to ask the final question.

Ke Zhenshan slowly straightened his body, and the bones of his fingers, tightly interlaced with Feng Shuxian’s, turned pale from the pressure.

At the end of the empty corridor in the prison building, a sudden loud crash echoed. It sounded as though something heavy had struck the door, followed by a terrifying, blood-curdling scream.

Qian Ying and the warden froze for a moment, exchanging a glance before rushing toward Cell No. 7!

Director Yu abruptly sprang up from his chair, hurriedly flicking away the burning cigarette that had scorched his fingers. Before he could curse, the entire second floor was suddenly filled with the shrill sound of an alarm.

Inside Cell No. 7, chaos reigned as if a storm had swept through. Belongings lay scattered across the floor, and two iron-framed beds had been toppled from their places against the walls. The scene spoke of a violent and deadly struggle that had just taken place.

The drug dealer’s neck twisted at an unnatural angle, his wide eyes staring at Bian Yiqiu in disbelief. He clearly never expected to meet his end in such a brutal way.

With a forceful kick, Bian Yiqiu shoved him aside. Struggling to get up from the floor, his body failed him, and he collapsed back down with a heavy thud.

His body was a map of injuries, blood dripping from a gash on his head as he slowly slid down the door, slumping to the ground. His eyes fell on the knife embedded in his chest. He reached for it, but couldn’t bring himself to pull it out. He could feel the blood pouring out of him, the warmth draining from his body, and the faint rhythm of his heartbeat slowing, as if life itself were slipping away, piece by piece.

He heard someone banging on the door outside, heard his name being called, heard the frantic footsteps drawing closer from the hallway. His vision blurred, his mind grew sluggish, and he struggled to keep himself conscious for just a little longer. He tried to focus, to pick out that low, seductive voice he had been waiting for, but… it never came.

At this moment, he should have been at the wedding, holding his beautiful, gentle wife’s hand, accepting the blessings of family and friends. Whether he wanted it or not, from this moment on, there would be no place for him by his side.

Bian Yiqiu pressed against the blade, his hand slipping along the edge of the wound that refused to stop bleeding, feeling his heart under his ribs, slowly losing its rhythm.

Damn, it hurts so much.

Ke Mingxuan, I’m about to die.

When I die, they won’t be able to use me to threaten you anymore…

Will that mean you won’t have to marry her?

Just like how you wanted to use marriage to trade for my freedom… If my life can be the price for your freedom, maybe it’s not such a loss after all.

Bian Yiqiu tilted his head back against the door, a faint smile curling on his lips. His vision, growing increasingly unfocused, cut through a layer of hazy, viscous fog and caught a glimpse of Ke Mingxuan’s face.

Those bewitching, soul-stealing peach blossom eyes were staring at him, half-smiling, the corners of his eyes slightly raised in that familiar, flirtatious curve. Just like when they first met.

He heard Ke Mingxuan’s voice, low and clear: “Mr. Qiu, my surname is Ke.”

Bian Yiqiu extended his hand, tracing the air in front of him as though sketching the handsome outline of Ke Mingxuan’s face. He responded softly, “Mr. Ke, my surname is Bian.”

If there’s a next life, don’t forget me when you see me…

“Mr. Ke Mingxuan, do you take Miss Chen Fei as your wife, to love, cherish, and honor her, in good times and bad, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness, in joy or sorrow, and to remain loyal to her forever?”

The most sacred moment of the wedding arrived, and everyone was waiting for Ke Mingxuan’s response. No one noticed a bead of sweat silently sliding down his forehead. Despite his best efforts to remain composed, Chen Fei, who was holding his arm, noticed the tremor running through his body.

The priest’s voice seemed to come from far away, his words unclear, his face lost to the haze of Ke Mingxuan’s blurred vision. All he could see was a blood-red haze of despair, his mind drowning in the frantic, desperate shout from his earpiece just moments ago: “Ke Mingxuan, something’s happened to the boss!”

His expression and movements froze, as though he were still processing the devastating news. The blaring siren of the ambulance exploded in his ears, each shrill blast yanking at his nerves.

“Bian Yiqiu…”

“Mr. Ke Mingxuan?” The priest, unsure of what he had just heard, faltered. It didn’t sound like “I do.”

“No… I don’t.” Ke Mingxuan gritted his teeth as he forced the words out, then, with a sudden burst of desperation, turned sharply. Before anyone could react, he surged toward the church doors, his steps swift and frantic.

The guests were stunned into silence, then an uproar spread through the crowd. In an instant, Commander Ke stood up, his voice booming with authority: “Stop him!”

The bodyguards, blending in with the guests, quickly moved into action. At the same time, the groomsmen spread out and blocked their way, making it hard for them to move.

The bodyguards hesitated, unwilling to confront the young masters. They couldn’t fight them, and there was no way to bypass them, causing the situation to spiral into chaos.