In the following three days, Wen Yi’s life and work were filled with various inquiries and blessings. After three days, her married status was officially confirmed.

Qiao En asked her how she felt, and Wen Yi thought for a long time but couldn’t find an answer. It was quite complicated.

There was a sense of destiny settling, mixed with reluctance and submission—this was how her life would be. But she also felt a sense of relief, as if she had found a hapless father for the baby in her belly.

In short, her feelings were mixed, and she spent a month digesting and experiencing it, yet she still couldn’t pinpoint whether she was happy or sad. She just muddled through.

With the wedding before the New Year, Wen Yi spent her three days of wedding leave plus two weekends in a flurry of activity. Although the mothers were concerned about her pregnancy, the bride couldn’t possibly sit still to complete the ceremony.

The planned ceremony was kept as simple as possible. They would exchange rings, kiss, and make a lifelong promise under the watchful eyes of their guests and friends.

But then a small incident occurred—the ring box placed in the hotel dressing room was missing, with only half an hour left until the wedding.

The men from both families were greeting guests at the front desk while the women searched the backstage, scouring every nook and cranny, even the restroom, but still couldn’t find it.

Zhong Lan made a sarcastic remark, “Others use fake rings for their weddings, but you’re using real ones. Such valuable things carelessly placed around. With so many people coming and going, and no surveillance here, who wouldn’t take one if they saw it lying around? I think today’s not a good day for this wedding…”

Her words were clearly critical. The aunt, with a fiery temperament, immediately retorted, “On a good day, we still have to listen to nonsense. How unlucky! Whether the day goes well or not isn’t chosen by your family, is it? There are fewer people from our family today. This thief must be one of your relatives, stealing even the wedding rings—such a disgrace.”

Zhong Lan glared at her, and the two were about to argue. Xuan Ying and Wen Hong Yu quickly intervened. Xuan Ying turned back and asked, “Yi Yi, think again—did you leave it at home?”

She had taken it and put it in her red handbag, but now it was gone, leaving only the possibility that it was stolen.

Wen Yi had been up since five that morning, being fussed over, without even having a sip of water. Now encountering this, she was utterly exhausted.

Seeing her daughter’s face, Wen Hong Yu quickly thought of the next step and said to Qin Nan Shan, “Xiao Qin, what should we do now? Can we cancel the ring exchange?”

Among the group, he was the calmest. Qin Nan Shan maintained his composure. “Mom, it’s fine; if the ring is gone, it’s gone. It’s not a big deal.”

He then asked the bride, “I’d like to use my parents’ wedding ring as a temporary measure. Do you think that’s okay?”

Wen Yi naturally nodded in agreement, and the commotion came to an end.

Xuan Ying’s wedding ring was a bit old, with a smooth and shiny silver band. The edges of the small diamonds showed some wear, but it was clear the owner had taken good care of it. A ring that was over thirty years old still looked splendid today.

At the ceremony, Qin Nan Shan slid it onto Wen Yi’s ring finger.

Thus, the two were officially united, destined to share a life together, with a deep bond that would carry them through the years, and a shallow one to accompany them for a while.

…

After the wedding, Wen Yi lay for two full days before she could gather her thoughts.

The previous month had been hectic with wedding preparations and year-end work, leaving her feeling drained. When she discussed moving with Qin Nan Shan, they agreed to postpone it, so they had been living on Chang Le Lane for over a month. Now that the wedding was done, Wen Hong Yu came to urge her to move.

Wen Yi felt all her bones ache. “Mom… can’t we wait a little longer?”

Wen Hong Yu was picking up her scattered clothes. “I’ve never seen a daughter who gets married and still stays at her parents’ home. Didn’t people say anything when you rushed back yesterday?”

“No, I said I was coming back to pack up.” She really wasn’t used to living in someone else’s house. Xuan Ying was so enthusiastic that she couldn’t handle it, so she had to hide back home. Wen Yi lay on the bed, humming, “I just want to spend more time with you. Mom, once he can live in that new house, you should move in with us, okay?”

“I’m not going.”

“Ha! I knew it; you have someone outside.”

After living at home for a month, Wen Yi began to notice some signs. Her mom had taken to dressing up, looking like a young girl when she went out every day, returning in high spirits at night, and spending more time on her phone replying to messages. There was definitely something going on.

Wen Hong Yu tugged at her blanket. “Stop talking nonsense.”

Wen Yi replied seriously, “Mom, I’ve sorted out my marriage. You should focus on your own life from now on and not worry about me.”

Wen Hong Yu glanced at her but said nothing, picking up the dirty clothes and leaving.

Wen Yi grabbed her phone from the nightstand and saw that Qin Nan Shan had messaged her, asking if she was up and ready for breakfast.

He had been busy this month too, preparing for the wedding while also focusing on his research. He had to personally oversee the wedding planning company, the hotel, the day’s transportation, and the reception, among other things. He had it much harder than she did.

She stared at the ceiling for ten minutes before replying: “I don’t have much work in the next few days and am getting ready for the New Year. I’ll move in with you!”