For a moment, Yu Wanru thought she had misheard and didn’t react.

Xiao Anlan repeated, “Just one kiss, is that okay?”

Coming back to her senses, Yu Wanru blushed deeply. “How can you… call me that? We’re not even married yet.”

“What did I call you?”

Xiao Anlan, recalling his words, realized he had casually called her “darling.” But as Young Master Xiao, he wasn’t about to admit any slip-up.

“We’ll be married in just ten days. I’m just practicing,” he said.

Is that even something to practice? Yu Wanru thought silently.

Xiao Anlan urged her again, “Come on, just a kiss darling.”

“Why…Why should I?” Yu Wanru asked, trying to ignore his choice of words.

“Because I want you to kiss me,” Xiao Anlan replied matter-of-factly.

Yu Wanru looked down at her handkerchief and asked quietly, “Why don’t you do it?”

Whenever he initiated, she always felt shy, wanting to hide. To initiate herself was unthinkably embarrassing.

Hearing her words, Xiao Anlan was briefly moved. This was the first time she’d invited him to kiss her!

Yet, he restrained himself and shook his head, “No. It’s always me kissing you. Today, you should kiss me.”

Yu Wanru blushed, murmuring, “I don’t know how. Can’t you do it instead?”

Xiao Anlan pinched his thigh hard to stop himself from agreeing and replied firmly, “No.”

Yu Wanru felt a little hurt. In the past, he would kiss her as he pleased, but now, he was demanding that she take the initiative, not even considering her feelings.

She sat there, pouting and silent.

Seeing her upset, Xiao Anlan’s resolve wavered, and he wondered if he’d gone too far.

He gently held her hand, squeezing it lightly. “What’s wrong? Are you mad?”

Yu Wanru said nothing.

Xiao Anlan turned her by the shoulders and lifted her chin, revealing a face full of quiet grievance.

Immediately surrendering, he pleaded, “Don’t be upset. Okay, no kisses.”

Yu Wanru glanced at him and said quietly, “I’m not mad.”

Xiao Anlan hastily agreed, “Right, right, you’re not mad. It’s all my fault.”

Yu Wanru muttered, “You have no principles.”

Confused, he asked, “Principles? In this situation, too? If I held onto my principles, wouldn’t that just make you angrier?”

“But you shouldn’t let go of your principles just to avoid making me angry,” she replied.

Xiao Anlan found it amusing. What had started as a playful moment had turned into a serious discussion.

Still, the way she earnestly discussed principles was endearing, making him want to reach out and hold her.

As she started to speak again, he held the back of her head and kissed her.

“Mmm…” Yu Wanru blinked as her cheeks turned a deep red, spreading to her ears and neck. Her lashes fluttered as she shyly lowered her eyes.

This time, Xiao Anlan didn’t stop at a light kiss, entwining his tongue with hers in an intimate, lingering kiss.

When he finally released her, Yu Wanru covered her mouth, her eyes misty as she looked at him, confused. “Why did you put your tongue in?”

Xiao Anlan removed her hand and lightly kissed her red lips again, his voice husky. “Because that way, I feel closer to you.”

Yu Wanru’s heart trembled slightly as she lowered her gaze, too shy to ask further.

By the time Xiao Anlan dropped Yu Wanru off, the sun had set, and the sky was painted with a golden sunset.

Before stepping out, Yu Wanru remembered something, turning to Xiao Anlan. “I told Xiaoman about Mr. Yang. She said she’s recently divorced and isn’t considering remarriage yet. She asked me to pass her apologies to Mr. Yang.”

Xiao Anlan nodded, not very surprised. “Alright, I’ll go talk to Yang Shidong. Such things can’t be forced; tell Miss Su there’s no need to feel guilty.”

Yu Wanru nodded gently, lifted her hand to the car handle, then glanced at him, slightly shy. “My mother said the wedding day is approaching, so we shouldn’t meet for a few days. You don’t need to come tomorrow.”

Madam Xiao had mentioned this old custom to Xiao Anlan before. Although he wasn’t too willing, he had already mentally prepared himself, so he wasn’t too disappointed. He said reluctantly, “Alright, then. Wait for me at home. On August 18th, I’ll come to marry you.”

Yu Wanru blushed, glanced at him one last time, got out of the car, lifted her skirt, and ran into the mansion.

Xiao Anlan stayed in place, watching until she was out of sight before he drove off..

The wedding of the eldest son of the Xiao family and the eldest daughter of the Yu family was held in the grand ballroom of the Wanchang Hotel.

On the morning of August 18th, a procession of five brand-new cars left the Xiao residence, crossing most of Liucheng and arriving at the Yu residence in the east of the city.

Nearly all of Liucheng’s residents came out to witness this unprecedented wedding.

Outside the Yu residence, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered early in the morning.

As soon as the wedding convoy arrived, the crowd started talking, each person marveling. In the entire city of Liucheng, there weren’t many cars, and it seemed that half of them were gathered here.

Someone said, “If you’re going to have a daughter, she should be like Miss Yu. Such a grand marriage brings great honor to her family.”

Another person retorted, “Isn’t this honor given by the Xiao family? The young master of the Xiao family studied overseas, while Miss Yu was raised traditionally. I wonder if they’ll get along. I hope it doesn’t look good on the outside but is bleak inside.”

The first person laughed, “Even if it’s bleak inside, at least it looks grand on the outside, which is better than being bleak inside and out.”

The other person, frustrated, fell silent.

“Look, here she comes! The bride is coming out!” The crowd suddenly stirred.

The two quarreling people stopped bickering, both stretching their necks to see the entrance of the Yu residence.

Yu Wanru emerged in a pure white gown, with a veil over her head and a floral crown, holding a bouquet. Xiao Anlan took her hand as they walked out slowly.

Following them were a few groomsmen, bridesmaids, and flower girls dressed in Western suits and shoes.

Xiao Anlan held an elegant umbrella over Yu Wanru’s head with one hand and carefully guided her down the steps with the other, helping her into the car.

Afterward, Xiao Anlan also escorted Madam Yu, Master Yu, and their close family members and friends into other cars.

The procession then set off slowly towards Wanchang Hotel.

The crowd watched the cars drive away in grand style, filled with admiration and amazement.

Even the person who doubted the compatibility of Yu Wanru and Xiao Anlan fell silent. After all, even if they weren’t a good match, this splendid display alone was something ordinary people could never dream of achieving. Who was he to pity them?

Upon arrival at the Wanchang Hotel, it was still early, so Xiao Anlan and Yu Wanru, each accompanied by friends and family, rested in separate rooms.

Su Xiaoman, who was divorced and couldn’t be a bridesmaid due to tradition, attended the wedding as a friend.

At that moment, Yu Wanru sat on the sofa, nervously twisting her fingers.

Su Xiaoman sat beside her, gently patting her hand. “Don’t worry, you know exactly what to do, right?”

Yu Wanru, with a slight frown, looked worried. “I know, but Xiaoman, what if I accidentally trip later?”

“Why would you trip without a reason?” Su Xiaoman chuckled. “Don’t overthink it. You’re just scaring yourself.”

Yu Wanru knew she was overthinking but couldn’t help it.

She worried that the long train of her dress might trip her up or that her high heels might break as she walked. She even imagined herself missing a step on the stairs, falling and getting a nosebleed.

Seeing her so flustered, Su Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh. Remembering her own wedding day two years prior, she recalled being even more nervous, which brought back some emotions.

Two years ago, filled with hope, she’d never imagined her marriage with Zhou Junsheng would end as it had.

Noticing how tense Yu Wanru was, Su Xiaoman stepped out to ask a waiter to bring a cup of warm tea, which Yu Wanru held in her hands to calm herself.

Around two in the afternoon, someone came upstairs to summon the bride. It was time.

Yu Wanru stood up immediately, her mind blank, letting the bridesmaids guide her downstairs.

The grand ballroom on the first floor had been decorated like a wedding hall, with a red carpet leading down the center aisle to the officiant. Guests filled the seats on both sides.

Accompanied by Yang Shidong and Zhou Sheng, Xiao Anlan entered the hall first, followed by Yu Wanru, who held her father’s arm as the bridesmaids guided her.

At that moment, all thoughts left her mind. She focused solely on the man waiting at the end of the red carpet, slowly moving toward him.

Xiao Anlan was intently watching her as well.

In the room, he’d been pacing anxiously and was teased by his friends, who joked he might wear out the floor.

Now, as he stood there with all eyes on him, he felt an unexpected sense of calm.

The moment had come. The woman walking toward him would be his wife, his love. For the rest of his life, he would cherish, protect, and respect her, sharing a bond that would last until death.