When the wedding dress design was first sent to Qiao Wanqing, she thought it was beautiful.

Now that she saw the actual dress, she found it even more stunning.

The flowing, pure fabric fulfilled the softest dreams of any woman.

A year ago, she was working diligently in the fields, thinking about how to escape the plot’s control and keep her antagonist son away from the main characters’ conflicts.

Now, a year later, she was about to become the bride of someone she could never have in the book, stepping into the hall of marriage.

Wearing the wedding dress was quite a process.

The designer, Tang Yueyue, and the designer’s assistant helped her get the dress ready.

After simply pinning up her hair, Qiao Wanqing looked in the mirror at herself in the elaborate dress.

Her figure was graceful, and the dress combined beauty and fantasy, as if it were a dream gown.

“It’s quite beautiful,” she thought.

The designer clapped. “Perfect, absolutely perfect. Only someone like Mrs. Gu, with your figure and looks, could wear this gown, which I’ve been envisioning for years.”

“…” This was a bit exaggerated.

Qiao Wanqing felt a bit shy from the praise. “You’re too kind.”

“No, I’m genuinely complimenting you. I’m very picky. I wouldn’t praise something I didn’t find beautiful,” the designer said.

“It really is beautiful,” Tang Yueyue said, snapping a few pictures with her phone. “Look, even without any beauty filters, these can be used as wallpapers!”

Qiao Wanqing glanced at the photos and agreed—it was indeed beautiful.

The wedding dress design had almost no flaws.

After trying on the wedding dress and the other two outfits, everything was fine except that the princess-style dress was a bit inconvenient and needed some adjustments.

When they came out, the two men waiting outside had just finished their discussion.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Qiao Wanqing said.

She didn’t realize trying on the dress would take so long; she would have come alone if she had known.

Gu Yanqing smiled. “It’s okay.”

The designer and Gu Yanqing should know each other, so they exchanged some polite words.

Meanwhile, Tang Yueyue’s attention was immediately on Qi Xing.

When she saw them come out, Qi Xing’s face looked a bit upset.

He stuck out his tongue and walked over, saying softly, “Sorry, Mr. Qi, for wasting so much of your time.”

The upset expression wasn’t due to waiting for them but because he had been caught by Gu Yanqing, talked about work for a long time, and was forced to make a “disadvantageous” promise.

He was mentally mourning the long, tough overtime work that was coming up.

“It’s alright,” Qi Xing resumed his polite demeanor. “All done?”

“Yes,” Tang Yueyue replied softly, “It looks really good. I’ll show you the photos later.”

Qi Xing wasn’t very interested in the photos and said, “I have no appreciation for art. It would be a waste to send them to me; let’s not take away from Miss Qiao’s beauty.”

Tang Yueyue was a bit pleased to hear this.

If it were the men in her company, they would be eager to see beautiful wedding photos of someone like Qiao Wanqing.

Of course, she wasn’t trying to belittle anyone or suggest anything inappropriate; it was simply a matter of appreciating beauty.

She was just happy to hear Qi Xing say that.

After leaving the studio, Gu Yanqing invited them to lunch.

Yuan Yuan and Kou Kou stayed at home, with Gu Jingzhi and Madam Gu there as well, so there were no worries.

It was a rare joy to enjoy a moment without the kids around.

They had two cars: one driven by Tang Yueyue and the other by Gu Yanqing.

Qiao Wanqing got into Tang Yueyue’s car and sent Qi Xing to his boss’s car.

“How are things going between you two? Still not confirmed as a couple?”

Although they didn’t hold hands or hug like couples do, from what Qiao Wanqing just saw, Tang Yueyue and Qi Xing definitely seemed like lovers.

Tang Yueyue was shy, and Qi Xing was affectionate.

“I don’t know what to say. He’s much smarter than I am, and I can’t figure out what he’s thinking. This time he came to City X, saying he had something to do. I’m not sure if he’s here to see me on the side.”

Qiao Wanqing wanted to say that if he came to see you, then he definitely has feelings for you.

Otherwise, even if he had something to do, he would only invite you to a meal or something like that.

There wouldn’t be so much follow-up.

What’s the point in debating whether it was intentional or not?

But women in the ambiguous stage tend to think a lot, always doubting and interpreting every little action or word in a hundred different ways.

Qiao Wanqing said, “Don’t worry. He definitely likes you. If a man has no interest in you, he wouldn’t give you even a glance, let alone come to hang out with you.”

“That’s true. I just wish I could rush up to him and say, ‘I really, really like you. Let’s date!’ Every time I meet him, I have to control myself.”

Qiao Wanqing laughed at her: “Then go ahead, confessing first is fine.”

“I can’t. What if he thinks I’m not reserved enough?”

Qiao Wanqing: “…”

You’re not exactly reserved if you don’t confess either…

Since the weather was very cold and seemed like it might snow, Tang Yueyue suggested they go to the famous Yuelu Hotpot restaurant in City X.

She had originally planned to bring Qi Xing there for lunch.

This hotpot place was very famous in their city, and it would be a pity not to try it.

Tang Yueyue parked the car and got out with Qiao Wanqing.

It was difficult to find parking here, and Gu Yanqing and the others had already found a spot.

Tang Yueyue, in her peak beauty phase, took the opportunity to pull out a small mirror to check if she needed to touch up her makeup.

Qiao Wanqing took out her phone to call Gu Yanqing.

After confirming they had also arrived, she suggested meeting at the entrance.

“Miss, wait, you dropped something,” Qiao Wanqing hung up the phone and heard someone calling from behind.

The two of them stopped and turned around to see a young man catching up with them, holding two band-aids. “These fell out of your bag just now.”

“Oh, it must have fallen out when I took out the mirror. Thank you.”

Tang Yueyue usually carries band-aids, gum, tissues, and other small necessities in her bag, so it was normal for something to fall out when she was digging around.

She reached out to take them, but the man didn’t let go.

Tang Yueyue looked at him in confusion. “Hmm?”

“Well, um,” the man seemed a bit embarrassed, scratching the back of his head, “would it be alright if I asked for your contact information?”

“Huh? Me?”

Tang Yueyue pointed at herself in surprise.

Usually, when she went out with Qiao Wanqing, people asked Qiao Wanqing for contact details, rarely her, unless it was a group situation.

“Uh, is it a bit forward?”

“Yes, it is quite forward.” A deep voice came from behind, startling Tang Yueyue.

She turned around to see Qi Xing and Gu Yanqing, who had somehow arrived behind them.

Tang Yueyue instinctively pulled her hand away from the band-aids, not knowing what to say as she was caught off guard.

There wasn’t much to explain, and she didn’t really have a reason to.

So she just stood there dumbfounded.

Qi Xing stepped forward, took the band-aids from the young man’s hand, and said, “She’s already taken.”

The young man, seeing the handsome and distinguished Qi Xing, immediately felt embarrassed and said, “Sorry, I didn’t know. My apologies.”

With that, the man quickly walked away.

Tang Yueyue was frozen in place, her mind replaying Qi Xing’s last words like a flashing banner.

“Already taken.”

Taken…

Taken!!!

Her heart felt like it had exploded into fireworks.

She was floating with happiness, so thrilled she wanted to run in circles.

“What are you doing?” Qiao Wanqing’s voice snapped her back to reality. “Let’s go inside. Isn’t it cold out here?”

Tang Yueyue grabbed Qiao Wanqing’s hand tightly, almost causing her to cry out, and whispered, “You need to calm down!”

“I can’t calm down! I feel like I’m dreaming right now! Why didn’t he do anything more? He should have used this chance to hold my hand and confess!”

“Maybe he wants to be a bit reserved.”

Tang Yueyue: “……”

Yuelu Hotpot was very crowded, with people still lining up outside.

However, since they had a reservation, they didn’t have to wait and could go straight to their table.

The four of them each ordered their favorite soup bases and dishes.

The small hotpots quickly arrived, and they started cooking and chatting while they ate.