Chapter 41

Haicheng has a custom where the engagement banquet is held at the bride’s home. 

Given that Wei Shian’s leg injury hadn’t fully healed and that only close relatives were invited, they decided to host the banquet at home. 

Before they knew it, May 1st had arrived. 

“This is incredible! Your Officer Wei really went all out for this engagement. That stack of money must be worth several million,” Fang Jingjing exclaimed as she arrived early to help, passing through the living room and being stunned by the pile of red banknotes. 

Lu Jiu was sitting in front of the makeup mirror with her eyes half-closed, letting the makeup artist work on her face. Amused by her friend’s reaction, she said, “His mother prepared all of this.” 

“Of course I know that,” Fang Jingjing replied, knowing that an officer’s salary alone couldn’t afford such a grand display. 

Lu Jun, who had returned the night before, was leaning against the vanity. Hearing this, she poked Fang Jingjing and said, “You silly girl, didn’t you notice that my family has also provided a lot for the dowry?” 

Fang Jingjing covered her forehead, “Oh, the red banknotes just caught my eye. I’m just a simple person, too busy counting the money.” Then she remembered something and pulled out a small box from her pocket, handing it to her friend, “Peony, congratulations on your engagement.” 

For some reason, as she looked at her friend’s warm, congratulatory gaze, Lu Jiu felt a lump in her throat, “Didn’t I tell you not to bring a gift?” Fang Jingjing had already given a gift when Lu Jiu was previously engaged to Li Ze, so receiving another gift now seemed unnecessary. Tong Xin, another friend, had also mentioned on the phone that she had prepared a gift but would arrive later since she was coming from afar and wouldn’t make it until ten. 

If it weren’t for her best friend’s special day, Fang Jingjing might have rolled her eyes, “What are you talking about? It’s a happy day, so just take it.” 

Holding the box that was pressed into her hand, Lu Jiu sniffed and asked, “Can I open it now?” 

“Go ahead, I’ve been preparing it for two months.” 

Her words raised Lu Jiu’s expectations. She carefully opened the box to find a platinum bracelet, “Is this… custom-made?” Every six small round beads was adorned with a dangling flower, nine in total, with some buds and others in full bloom, each unique in its own way. 

Although it had cost her half a year’s salary, it was nothing compared to her friend’s wealth. Fang Jingjing suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, “Yes, and I even engraved your initials under the blooming flower.” The nine flowers symbolized longevity and eternity. 

Indeed, Lu Jiu quickly found the small initials “LJ” and immediately put the bracelet on, “Thank you, Jingjing, I really love it.” 

“Don’t be so formal…” Fang Jingjing was comforted but also embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, “Jun Jun, when are you and Brother Fengming getting engaged?” 

Lu Jun raised an eyebrow, “You little thing, now you’re worrying about me?” 

Fang Jingjing replied, “I just want to prepare your gift in advance.” 

“Good girl, I didn’t spoil you for nothing. But I’m not having an engagement.” 

“Really?” This surprised not only Fang Jingjing but also Lu Jiu, who turned her head in shock. 

The makeup artist exclaimed, “Oh no, please stay still.” 

Lu Jiu noticed her eye makeup was smudged and quickly sat still but kept an eye on her sister through the mirror. 

“What kind of look is that?” Lu Jun laughed, “Fengming and I are both busy, so we’ll just get married directly.” 

“Oh, you scared me,” Lu Jiu said, patting her chest. It wasn’t surprising she was shocked since in Haicheng, most people got engaged before getting married. 

Fang Jingjing also breathed a sigh of relief, “Jun Jun, can you finish your sentences all at once?” 

Lu Jun raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Did I forget to say something… Actually, Fengming and I got our marriage certificate last week.” 

Lu Jiu:  

Fang Jingjing:  

— 

Unlike a wedding, an engagement banquet is less formal. 

When the auspicious time arrived, both families simply sat down to enjoy the meal. 

To make an even number, besides Wei Shian’s parents, two of his cousins, one male and one female, also came. 

At the table, people exchanged toasts, making the atmosphere lively. 

“Apologies, my eldest son couldn’t make it because of a mission with the army,” Wei Jun said, raising his glass, his face full of apology. 

Lu Pengfei quickly clinked glasses with him, “In-laws, no need for such formalities. We’re family, no need to be so polite. Besides, soldiers, like police officers, have a duty to fulfill, I understand.” 

Wei Jun toasted again, “Thank you for understanding.” 

Lu Pengfei reciprocated, “Of course.” 

“Great, great. Today is a joyous day, let’s have another drink.” 

“Cheers, cheers.” 

Watching the two elders drink like it was water, Lu Jiu suddenly felt relieved. She tugged on the sleeve of the man beside her, and when he leaned in, she whispered, “It’s a good thing you’re injured and can’t drink.” 

Otherwise, with the way her father and Uncle Wei were drinking, Wei Shian would surely get drunk. 

But she realized she had never seen Officer Wei drink. 

Today, Wei Shian was in high spirits. Hearing his fiancée’s concern, he felt lighter than air, happier than if he had been drinking, “I wouldn’t drink much even if I weren’t injured.” 

Lu Jiu was curious, “Because of work?” 

Wei Shian explained, “Yes, frontline police officers aren’t forbidden to drink, but they try not to, and if they do, they shouldn’t get drunk. If there’s an emergency, it could be troublesome.” 

They hadn’t talked much about his work during their relationship and engagement, so hearing him bring it up now, Lu Jiu grew more curious. Just as she was about to ask more, someone jokingly interrupted: 

“Oh, what are our newlyweds whispering about? Care to share with everyone?” 

As soon as this was said, everyone at the two tables looked over. 

Although they hadn’t been saying anything particularly intimate, being the center of attention made Lu Jiu’s face turn bright red. 

Wei Shian, however, was quite composed. He reached out with his large hand, pressing his fiancée’s flushed face against his chest to hide it, gently patting her back to comfort her. Then, he stood up with a tea cup in hand and said, “Peony is shy, so I’ll offer tea in place of wine to everyone.” 

Seeing how protective he was, the crowd was both satisfied and amused, and they couldn’t resist teasing further: 

“Look at how protective he is—Peony really chose the right man!” 

“We’ll let you off today, but when the wedding comes, you can’t just drink tea!” 

“Exactly! You’ll have to down three full glasses then!” 

“Of course! Our Peony is like a fairy; you can’t marry her so easily!” 

“Hahaha, that’s exactly right.” 

“Alright, cheers!” 

The engagement banquet concluded amid waves of laughter. 

Aside from the two very happy fathers who drank until they were drunk, everyone else was only slightly tipsy. 

As the groom’s father, Wei Jun was naturally happy that his son had found such a good wife, so getting drunk was understandable. 

Lu Pengfei, on the other hand, was thrilled with the promise from his in-laws that the newlyweds’ home would be bought in Haicheng, as close to the bride’s family as possible. With this arrangement, even though his daughter was getting married, she would still be close by, under his watchful eye—how could he not be happy? 

As the mothers took care of the drunkards, the newly engaged couple was also sent back to their room by Lu Jun. 

Supporting her injured fiancé into the bedroom, Lu Jiu hadn’t even spoken a word before she found herself pinned against the door, receiving a deep kiss. 

Officer Wei was unusually passionate today, quickly overwhelming her senses as they both became lost in the moment. 

After some time, Lu Jiu suddenly felt herself lifted into the air. 

Before she could feel any concern, her back was met with softness as she found herself lying on the bed. 

Fully coming back to her senses, Lu Jiu raised her hand, panting as she gently pushed the man, who was lingering at her neck, away. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything,” Wei Shian reassured her in a hoarse voice, kissing his fiancée’s already swollen lips as he spoke. 

Lu Jiu believed him. Ever since he had moved into her house, Officer Wei had been careful not to overstep boundaries. 

Tonight, he was just really happy. 

After all, they were engaged now. 

Thinking of this, Lu Jiu felt her heart soften. She lifted her head slightly and gave him a light kiss on the chin. 

His stubble was still prickly, but liking someone often doesn’t follow logic. 

At that moment, Lu Jiu found Officer Wei’s stubble to be quite attractive. 

Not expecting this, Wei Shian, who was already struggling to hold back, was further stimulated and nearly lost his grip. 

If he had really collapsed onto her, given his weight was double hers, he could have seriously hurt her. 

Realizing this, Wei Shian closed his eyes and only opened them when the veins on his forehead had calmed down a bit. Then, he leaned in and kissed her again. 

After a while, feeling somewhat relieved of his passion, Wei Shian rolled over and lay flat, pulling his now completely exhausted fiancée on top of him. 

The weather in May had already warmed up, so neither of them was wearing much. 

Now, pressed closely together, Lu Jiu not only felt the firm muscles and strength of her fiancé but also something unspoken. 

Although this wasn’t the first time she had felt it, her cheeks flushed red, and she squirmed uncomfortably. 

“. Don’t move,” Wei Shian’s voice was deep and gravelly. 

Hearing this sent shivers down Lu Jiu’s spine, and she dared not move at all. 

Seeing this, Wei Shian gently ran his hand down his fiancée’s slender waist and started talking about his plans: “Tomorrow, let’s go to Shanghai to pick out our wedding rings.” 

“So soon?” Lu Jiu looked up, her face full of surprise. 

Wei Shian kissed her again, “Yes, we’re taking wedding photos on the 18th. We should be wearing our rings by then, don’t you think?” 

“Isn’t the engagement ring enough?” 

“It doesn’t feel quite formal enough.” 

Lu Jiu felt something was off but couldn’t put her finger on it. 

Wei Shian urged, “Shall we go?” 

Lu Jiu rested her head back on his chest, “Let’s go… By the way, should we ask my sister and Brother Fengming to join us? I noticed they’re not wearing rings yet, even though they got their marriage certificate last week.” 

Wei Shian wasn’t jealous at all.