Chapter 42.2

The final step was simple—finding and putting on her wedding shoes.

Lin Jinshen completed it with ease.

Kneeling down in front of everyone, he carefully held her foot, slipped the shoe on, and, when adjusting it, made sure her foot rested on his palm instead of the floor.

His movements were deliberate and gentle, as though this wasn’t his first time doing it.

The previously lively room grew quiet.

Lin Jinshen held her hand and asked, “Are you ready?”

Lu Yi looked at him as if in a slow-motion movie scene. She nodded, and as she held her breath, he stood up, scooping her into his arms. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her ears burning with a soft blush.

“Ahhh!”

“Shen-ge, you’re so handsome!”

Chasing after him, Ji Changming asked, “Shen-ge, will you carry me like that in the future too?”

Lu Yi clung to Lin Jinshen’s neck, convinced her face must be entirely flushed.

The rowdy teasing and laughter continued behind them, even as they got into the car. When the door shut, cutting off the noise outside, all she could hear was the rapid beating of her own heart.

The wedding ceremony was held at a castle on an island, a Romanesque structure standing proud for over two centuries.

The event schedule had been meticulously coordinated in advance—kept as simple as possible with only the essential segments.

Lu Yi knew the sequence by heart. Yet, as Lu Kangcheng held her hand and walked her down the aisle, she couldn’t help but feel a fleeting sense of unreality, as if transported back to months earlier when they had been strangers.

And yet, a few months later, here they were, entering into marriage, becoming husband and wife.

A single misstep in their journey would have led to a completely different outcome.

If she had followed her parents’ arrangements, or if he hadn’t been willing, they would have remained strangers. Someone else might be holding a wedding in this castle.

But fate, as it happens, is often mischievously precise.

Holding his daughter’s hand down the aisle, Lu Kangcheng couldn’t help but feel sentimental. The night before, he and his wife had stayed up late, looking through old photos of Lu Yi from her childhood to adulthood, marveling at how quickly time had flown.

Their baby, their little princess, was about to become someone else’s wife.

“Xiao Yi, you’ve been so understanding since you were little,” Lu Kangcheng began. “During my busiest times, when I couldn’t spend time with you, you never once got angry. Instead, you told me, ‘It’s okay, Dad. If you don’t have time for me, I’ll wait for you.'”

He smiled, his eyes moist. “I always felt I owed you so much. That’s why I never wanted you to live like me, doing things you didn’t love. My wish for you has always been simple.”

“I hope you don’t have to be too understanding. Just be yourself—just be Lu Yi. Dad and Mom will always have your back.”

Lu Yi’s eyes turned red, though she stubbornly held back her tears.

She replied softly, “I never felt I was owed anything. Not even once. And if there’s a next life, I still want to be your daughter.”

Lu Kangcheng nodded. “That’s a promise.”

Walking down the aisle, no matter how reluctant he felt, he still had to hand Lu Yi’s hand over to another man.

The two men exchanged glances, saying little. Lu Kangcheng gave Lin Jinshen’s shoulder a firm pat and said, “I entrust Xiao Yi to you.”

“Don’t worry, Dad.” Lin Jinshen held Lu Yi’s hand tightly. “From now on, she has me.”

Four words, resolute and unwavering.

The ceremony proceeded, though much of it became a blur to Lu Yi as she tried to collect her emotions. She only clearly remembered the priest announcing the vows. They exchanged their promises with a heartfelt “I do” and then their rings.

As the heavy wedding band slid onto her finger, they exchanged a small smile amidst the gaze of their guests.

At the kiss segment, Lin Jinshen gently lifted her veil, wrapped his arm around her waist, and leaned in. They’d practiced this moment countless times before—it was natural and intimate.

As the applause of the guests filled the hall, Lin Jinshen pressed his forehead to hers, their noses brushing gently.

Lu Yi teased, “President Lin, that was a solid performance.”

With shameless confidence, he replied, stealing another quick kiss on her lips, “It’s all thanks to Teacher Lu’s excellent coaching.”

His voice was low, meant only for her ears.

“…”

The ceremony concluded, and the banquet commenced.

Both the Lin and Lu families had been established in the capital for many years. Their union drew a large and lively crowd of distinguished guests.

Lin Jinshen’s sister, Lin Yumo, had taken leave from her studies to attend the wedding. She had hit it off with Lu Yi and had been immensely helpful during the wedding preparations. Seeing her sister-in-law in person, even more beautiful than in photos, Lin Yumo was nearly envious of her brother.

“What luck did he strike?” she muttered. “A dull and uptight man half his life, and he manages to marry someone so gorgeous!”

As a member of the Lin family, Lin Yumo took on the role of hostess with ease. Her naturally outgoing personality shone as she charmed elders and relatives alike with her sweet words.

With a wine glass in hand, she flitted through the crowd like a butterfly, inevitably drawing the attention of peers her age. Familiar faces struck up conversations, often finding themselves lost in animated discussions about school.

“When we’re back on campus, let’s hang out.”

“Sure, friends forever.”

As she waved goodbye to one guest, Lin Yumo turned and nearly walked straight into a wall—a wall that leaned down, took the remaining half-glass of wine from her hand, and said sternly, “You’ve had enough.”

“Fu Yanli!”

She hissed his name, glaring up at him for emphasis. “I’m an adult now!”

“Really?” His tone was calm, neither rising nor falling. Without hesitation, Fu Yanli handed the wine glass to a passing server along with the empty plates.

“You can’t control me like you used to!”

Knowing her temper all too well, Fu Yanli retorted, “When you stop throwing a tantrum over a single glass of wine, maybe then I’ll consider treating you like an adult.”

Lin Yumo: “…”

The banquet transitioned to an afterparty with live music by a famous band. The rocking beats resonated across the island, creating an electric atmosphere.

By this time, the groomsmen were free to relax. Ji Changming and Gu Yu let loose, while a crowd of ten or so guests conspired to get Lin Jinshen drunk. After just three glasses, however, he leaned back, pressing his forehead as if already tipsy.

“Wow, President Lin’s tolerance is low. He’s already out after just a few drinks?”

Lin Jinshen frowned slightly. “I’m fine. I can keep drinking.”

But with his stiff expression, he looked as though one more glass would do him in.

Some guests, feeling sorry for him, relented. “Let’s take it easy—it’s his wedding day, after all. There’s always time to drink later.”

“Yeah, let’s call it a night.”

Witnessing the act, the trio of Ji Changming, Gu Yu, and Yu Zeheng exchanged knowing glances.

“Wow,” Yu Zeheng sneered. “Some people have really perfected their acting skills since getting married.”

Ji Changming and Gu Yu nodded in agreement.

Ji Changming smirked. “Acting shamelessly is one thing, but some people have taken it to the next level.”

“…Get lost.”

Gu Yu quipped, “Oh, now you feel embarrassed? You didn’t seem to care when you were begging to call someone back, even though they’d already blocked you. Honestly, it’s embarrassing to even call you a friend.”

Ji Changming added with a grin, “Come on, Zeheng-ge, if you’re struggling, just win her back already.”

Yu Zeheng’s eyes darkened. “Do you two think I won’t deal with you today just because it’s a joyous occasion?”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking. Hey, where’s Shen-ge? He disappeared in just a moment,” Ji Changming craned his neck, looking around for him.

Yu Zeheng tilted his chin in a direction. “Where else? The act’s over—he’s gone to find his wife.”

—

By the end of the wedding, Lu Yi could summarize her feelings in one word: exhausted.

From waking up at 5 a.m., she hadn’t stopped moving all day. Only after they finished toasting the guests did her parents insist she return to her room to rest, leaving Lin Jinshen and the family to handle the remaining socializing.

The moment Lu Yi stepped into the room, she started kicking off her shoes and unfastening her dress. When the dress finally came loose, a wave of relief washed over her.

She went to the bathroom to remove her makeup, took a thorough shower, and changed into a red sleepwear set her parents had prepared. It matched the one Lin Jinshen would wear, and the bedding was also in the same celebratory red.

Her hair still damp, Lu Yi wrapped it in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom.

At the same time, Lin Jinshen entered the room. He was still in his wedding attire, though the outfit now showed signs of the day’s wear: slight wrinkles, an undone bow tie, and a top button that had come loose.

Lu Yi’s attention fixated inappropriately on that unfastened button, thinking to herself how he seemed to be getting more casual.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinshen’s gaze was met with a far more striking scene. Lu Yi was in her red slip dress, without a robe, her slender and pale limbs exposed. The damp towel on her head framed a few loose strands of wet hair clinging to her cheeks. Her chest subtly rose and fell with her breathing, and a faint scent of her post-shower freshness lingered in the air.

Her skin, cool from the summer heat, would feel pleasant to the touch.

Unaware of his thoughts, Lu Yi asked, “All done?”

“Not yet.”

She hesitated. “Do I need to go back?”

“No.” Lin Jinshen walked toward her, removing the towel from her head and patting her damp hair dry. “I’ll dry it for you.”

“Do you even know how?” Lu Yi asked.

“If I don’t, I can learn.” Lin Jinshen went to fetch the hairdryer.

Lu Yi’s thick hair always made drying it a tedious task. With someone now offering to help, she happily obliged. Lin Jinshen returned from the bathroom with the hairdryer, then lifted her onto the vanity table, holding her waist as he did so.

This height made his task easier.

Lu Yi’s slender legs dangled from the edge, the two of them now sitting so close that she could see his chest at eye level and had to tilt her head up to glimpse his sharp jawline and long, dark lashes.

Lin Jinshen’s fingers moved through her hair with a focused gentleness.

“You have to blow from the roots downward,” she instructed as he parted her hair to dry it evenly. “That way, it won’t get frizzy. Start with the scalp, then switch to cool air for the ends.”

“Like this?” Lin Jinshen asked.

Lu Yi nodded. “That’s right. Smart.”

His hands paused momentarily. He didn’t correct her for praising him as if he were a child, nor did he respond. Instead, he resumed drying her hair with quiet determination.

Today, Lin Jinshen seemed especially tender, as gentle as the night breeze outside. Perhaps it was the sentimentality of the wedding day that made Lu Yi reflective. Supporting herself with her hands on either side of the vanity, she asked curiously, “Have you never had someone you liked before?”

Would he act the same way if he had?

Lin Jinshen lowered his gaze and replied, “Are you sure you want to ask this today?”

Lu Yi chuckled. “…Why not?”

The hum of the hairdryer filled the room, and as time dragged on, she assumed he wouldn’t answer.

“Never before.”

Lin Jinshen’s voice broke the silence, his tone steady. His gaze shifted past her, focusing on something behind her.

“But now, I do. And you know her.”

Lu Yi’s body tensed instantly. Following his line of sight, she turned to look behind her.

In the half-body mirror, she saw her own profile reflected back at her.