Chapter 12 — Half of the Parents Support

“Ah? So soon?!”

Zhou Ziyi was surprised for a moment, but quickly realized that the decision had nothing to do with him, so he turned to look at Yan Xiuzhi.

Yan Xiuzhi remained silent for two seconds, then looked at Zhou Ziyi and asked, “What do you think?”

Zhou Ziyi: No, I don’t want to.

But what he actually said was, “It’s up to President Yan to decide.”

“I asked you because you will be primarily responsible for the preparations,” Yan Xiuzhi said calmly. “Since you let me to decide, I think we can do it earlier.”

Zhou Ziyi was taken aback.

What does it mean to lift a stone only to drop it on one’s own foot? This is it! If I had known, I would have firmly refused!

Zhou Ziyi couldn’t help but try to make amends, saying, “Um, but…”

Yan Xiuzhi quietly looked at him.

“But, won’t it be too rushed?” Zhou Ziyi, party B cautiously asked, “The hotel, the dresses, the procedures, those can be taken care of, but can we arrange the guests in time? I don’t have many people to invite, but as for President Yan’s side…”

Yan Xiuzhi asked, “Do you think there are a lot of people today?”

Zhou Ziyi replied, “But after all, today is just an engagement banquet…”

“When the day comes, it won’t make much of a difference,” Yan Xiuzhi said, even though he didn’t show any expression, Zhou Ziyi felt like he was sneering. “I don’t care whether they come or not.”

Zhou Ziyi thought about it but couldn’t find any other reason to refuse. “So… we’re really moving it to next month?”

Yan Xiuzhi looked at him and asked, “Can it be done?”

Zhou Ziyi responded, “Um…”

“According to the contract, we’ll obtain the marriage certificate the day before the wedding and make the first payment on that day,” Yan Xiuzhi explained.

Zhou Ziyi : “Okay, President Yan! No problem, President Yan!”

Yan Xiuzhi said, “Li Fei, continue to cooperate. You’ve worked hard.”

Li Fei nodded just as Tang Shirong came back after greeting someone. As soon as he entered the room, Yan Xiuzhi said, “Tang Shirong, if you have free time, come and help too.”

Tang Shirong looked puzzled and asked, “Help with what?”

Zhou Ziyi explained, “The wedding has been moved to next month, and there’s a lot of things to take care of…”

Tang Shirong understood: “Come on, let me help you, Boss Yan. My dad will probably laugh to death, at least he won’t scold me for just playing all day.”

Yan Xiuzhi nodded: “I’ll give you a red envelope later.”

“Boss Yan, why don’t you go to the parking lot and see who’s the most beautiful chick today? Don’t mention money to me…” Tang Shirong paused and continued, “Transfer mine to Zhou Ziyi, he must be the hardest working, it’s not excessive to give him more pocket money, right?”

Yan Xiuzhi glanced at Zhou Ziyi, and Zhou Ziyi suddenly remembered that he had just solemnly declared “no cuckoldry,” and felt that he was being set up by Tang Shirong.
Fortunately, Yan Xiuzhi didn’t say anything else, just responded with a “Hmm.”

Zhou Ziyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

*

Before the dinner started, Yan Xiuzhi and Zhou Ziyi were called by Chu Ling.

In this lounge, besides Chu Ling, there were six other people, probably all Chu Ling’s relatives. Zhou Ziyi couldn’t recognize them, so he obediently followed Yan Xiuzhi to greet them.

When it was Yan Xiuzhi’s uncle’s turn, the uncle took out a red envelope and gave it to Zhou Ziyi: “You guys are too sudden, I didn’t prepare anything, so take this for now. When you two get married, I’ll give you a bigger one.”

In fact, the attitude of Chu’s family may not be very good, but compared to the Yan’s family, it’s like night and day. Zhou Ziyi was pleasantly surprised and expressed his gratitude.

Yan Xiuzhi took the opportunity to report the new wedding date and followed his uncle’s words, saying, “By the way, Mom, Uncle, we’ve changed the wedding date to next month.”

Everyone except Zhou Ziyi: !!!

But after the initial shock, it seemed like everyone suddenly understood. Chu Ling remained silent for the time being, but the uncle responded with a meaningful sentence, “Xiao Xiu, you have grown up. You need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Don’t do impulsive things out of spite. Some people and some things may not be worth it.”

Yan Xiuzhi had already taken the most impulsive step, so now he wasn’t afraid anymore. He said, “I understand.”

Chu Ling finally spoke and asked, “So soon, have you booked the hotel?”

Yan Xiuzhi didn’t mention that someone canceled, he just nodded and said, “Yes, it’s booked.” It sounded like it was booked in advance.

Chu Ling then asked, “When will you register?”

Yan Xiuzhi replied, “The day before the wedding.”

Chu Ling glanced at Zhou Ziyi with a hint of meaning and asked, “Are you sure?”

Yan Xiuzhi confidently replied, “I’m sure.”

Chu Ling’s scrutinizing gaze once again swept over Zhou Ziyi. Zhou Ziyi thought she was about to criticize him, but after a few seconds of silence, Chu Ling relaxed and said, “Since that’s the case, then it’s up to you. But don’t be too hasty in getting the marriage certificate. Let someone show it to you later.”

Her family members also nodded in agreement, and just like that, the matter was settled. It was so simple that Zhou Ziyi couldn’t help but exclaim, “Damn, that was easy.” in his heart.

This is such a different attitude compared to the Yan family!

Am I following a “wealthy marriage” script or a “business rivalry” script?!

Chu Ling continued, “I plan to order furniture as a wedding gift for you. Ziyi, you can come and look at the promotional brochures with me in the next few days so that I don’t buy something you don’t like. Try to choose items that are in stock, so they can be delivered within a month.”

Zhou Ziyi glanced at Yan Xiuzhi, obediently nodding his head and saying, “Okay.”

Chu Ling then asked, “I forgot to ask, where will you live after getting married? Is there enough time to prepare?”

Zhou Ziyi hadn’t considered this question at all. He was focused on the external ceremony and hadn’t paid attention to the living arrangements. After all, in his understanding, even in this fake marriage, he might not necessarily live with Yan Xiuzhi.

So when he was asked, he was caught off guard.

Fortunately, Yan Xiuzhi was able to answer, “We’ll live in the apartment where I currently reside.”

“Split-level floor, that should be enough for the two of you.” Chu Ling pondered for a moment. “But the new room still needs to be decorated. Xiao Xiu’s bed is too dark for a wedding, so I’ll change it for both of you.”

Yan Xiuzhi said, “I don’t want it to be too extravagant.”

“I know, with your black, white, and gray preferences, I don’t even want to go to your place,” Chu Ling expressed her disdain. “Anyway, we’ll decorate it for the month of the wedding, and afterwards, I don’t care what you do.”

Yan Xiuzhi could only say, “Fine.”

Then his uncle said, “Sis, should we ask Dad to bring out the golden scale^[1]In earlier times, brides were presented with a dowry of nine auspicious items for her new life. The items are placed in a beautiful red box with each item representing specific well-wishes for the … Continue reading? We need to make the bed^[2]In Chinese culture : Before marriage, each couple would have a new bed in their room. There is a ceremony to fix the bed in the room. After this ceremony, no one touch this bed before marriage except … Continue reading, right? And what else was there? It’s been decades, and I’ve forgotten.”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to Dad about it when I go back,” Chu Ling paused and looked at Zhou Ziyi. “You two men…do we still need the traditional wedding ceremony for the groom receiving the bride?”

Zhou Ziyi smiled and replied, “No need.”

“Alright,” Chu Ling said, “but we can still arrange a convoy to escort you. If you have your own plans, show me the signs and license plates. If you’re not prepared, we’ll take care of it at home.”

“Mom,” Yan Xiuzhi interjected, “we will handle it ourselves.”

“You’re busy all day long, where do you have time to handle it?” Chu Ling retorted. “If you’re going to do it, do it properly. I understand that you two men want to keep it simple, but as my son, I can’t let you get married so hastily. Even without the Yan family, my son will have a splendid wedding.”

The uncle chuckled from behind, “It’s as if it won’t work without those few people. What a joke. Even his own son wedding, he doesn’t come, does Yan Wenwu think he’s an emperor? Back when you married him, Dad was so angry he had to take blood pressure medication, but he still managed to support you…”

Uncle’s wife suddenly patted him.

It was at this moment that the uncle realized he had gone a bit too far with his words. He cleared his throat and then said, “Anyway, as long as you, Xiao Xiu, truly want to live a good life, we support you. The more Yan Wenwu dislikes it, the more we should show off!”

This time, Zhou Ziyi truly understood.

Anything that the other party opposes, we should support. It’s like treating the Yan family as “enemies”!

Yan Xiuzhi suddenly said, “There are only three tables today. By the time of the wedding, it may not be as grand.”

Chu Ling laughed, “Let’s not talk about anything else. Are you afraid of not having enough guests?”

“Yes. This time, it’s because Yan Wenwu made it clear that he strongly opposes your marriage, so everyone is still watching. We are all attending, and your grandfather will also come. I don’t believe there will be fewer people,” the uncle said. “How big is your venue? As long as it’s not a stadium for ten thousand people, why would you worry about not filling it?”

Yan Xiuzhi didn’t remember the size of the venue, but Zhou Ziyi did. “If it’s a table for ten people, the standard is forty tables. If there are more tables, we can accommodate them, but I’m afraid the experience might not be good.”

“Four hundred people, not a big deal,” the uncle replied. “How many people are coming from your side? Just fill the rest of the seats.”

Zhou Ziyi felt a bit embarrassed. “On my side… I don’t really have many people.”

Uncle was puzzled, “Your parents aren’t coming? What’s the matter? Your family doesn’t approve?”

Zhou Ziyi thought to herself that this was a dramatic moment in their relationship and was about to speak up when Yan Xiuzhi calmly said, “His parents are no longer alive.”

Zhou Ziyi was choked with words.

Chu Ling’s family was also stunned. Uncle said, “Oh, I see. My condolences.”

“It’s okay,” Zhou Ziyi smiled, “My immediate family is mostly gone, my younger sister can’t come because it’s inconvenient, and I haven’t had many friends in recent years… So I couldn’t invite many people.”

As Zhou Ziyi spoke, he hoped for a moment of eye contact with CEO Yan, but Yan Xiuzhi showed no reaction at all. Zhou Ziyi had no choice but to add, “But I have already ‘informed’ my parents, so from now on, you, my brother(Yan Xiuzhi) family, are my family.”

Yan Xiuzhi instinctively turned his head to look at him.

Zhou Ziyi took the opportunity to reach out and hold his hand, giving him a smile as if Yan Xiuzhi had willingly initiated the gesture. Yan Xiuzhi felt a slight awkwardness in his fingers being held, so he subtly moved his hand, and Zhou Ziyi didn’t know where to lead the conversation. He naturally interlocked their fingers.

Yan Xiuzhi’s hand stiffened for a moment, but he managed to resist the urge to pull his hand away.

“It’s okay, you two live happily together. You are now a family,” Chu Ling said, looking at the hands of the two children holding each other. She also carefully observed her son’s expression and said, “Alright, you two go and prepare.”

Yan Xiuzhi and Zhou Ziyi nodded and then left.

Until Zhou Ziyi fell behind and turned to close the door, Yan Xiuzhi continued to walk forward, and only then did they realize that their hands were still not released.

Yan Xiuzhi instantly withdrew his hand.

“Don’t be so repulsed by me, like avoiding something dirty…” Zhou Ziyi smiled, closed the door firmly, and bumped into Yan Xiuzhi with his elbow. “Mr. Yan, how should we enter later?”

Without looking back, Yan Xiuzhi replied, “Just walk in.”

“I know, but what about our hands?” Zhou Ziyi suddenly held onto him. “Linking arms?”

Yan Xiuzhi withdrew his hand : “Inconvenient.”

Zhou Ziyi caught his hand again : “Holding hands?”

Yan Xiuzhi withdrew his hand once more : “Too clingy.”

“But we have to choose a posture,” Zhou Ziyi caught his hand again. “Let’s get used to it, brother?”

Yan Xiuzhi tried to shake his hand off again… but this time, Zhou Ziyi held on tightly.

“Hold on! Mr. Yan! You can do it!”

Yan Xiuzhi : “…”

Zhou Ziyi glanced at his slightly stiff, but still unwithdrawn hand and smiled.

Holding the hand of President Yan, he took big strides forward.