CHAPTER 18: THE WEDDING

Ruan Zhizhi set three alarms and finally dragged herself out of bed at 4:30 a.m., half-asleep.

Today was Gu Nian and Cheng Fengjin’s wedding. As Gu Nian’s dedicated bridesmaid, she had to arrive early at the studio for makeup and dress fittings.

After a quick hot shower and changing into a pair of 8cm heels, she microwaved two buns, ate in a rush, and left for the studio.

When she arrived at the mall studio, the sky was still dim, the streets quiet and empty.

She parked her car and silently thanked the warming weather; if it had been in the middle of winter with snow falling, Gu Nian in her wedding gown might have frozen.

Inside the private wedding studio Cheng Fengjin had booked, people were already bustling about.

Gu Nian sat at the vanity, waiting for her makeup, looking dignified and elegant. Ruan Zhizhi couldn’t help but smile as she sat beside her. “A bride really is different. Today, you don’t look like yourself at all—you look like a proper lady of a wealthy family.”

Gu Nian turned to her, eyes brightening. “Zhizhi, you came so early! I wanted you to sleep a bit longer—I even told Cheng Fengjin not to call you.”

“Ah, my little ancestor is finally getting married—how could I dare sleep in?”

The two of them laughed, but before long, the makeup artists arrived, carrying a mountain of supplies.

The makeup process was tedious, and Gu Nian’s bridal look left no room for carelessness. Even the eyeliner was long-lasting and waterproof, and the makeup artists handled every step with extreme caution.

Gu Nian closed her eyes as the artist applied eyeshadow. For some reason, she suddenly spoke: “Zhizhi, I’ve been meaning to thank you. That night, I drank too much—thank you for dragging me home. Otherwise… the consequences would have been unthinkable.”

Ruan Zhizhi sighed. “You don’t need to thank me. I just hope next time you’ll learn your lesson: never drink like that when no one is around. Even if you do drink, don’t get drunk. A beauty like you is far too precious to risk like that.”

“I know, don’t worry, Zhizhi. If you and Cheng Fengjin weren’t around, I wouldn’t dare drink so much.”

Though Ruan Zhizhi listened, her thoughts wandered uncontrollably.

That night, Shi Yan and she had first escorted Gu Nian home, then he had accompanied her back as well.

Citing her drunkenness and safety, he insisted on escorting her all the way to her building’s elevator.

By then, the alcohol had started to blur her vision slightly. Shi Yan stood by her side, pressing the elevator button, holding her fuzzy cartoon handbag.

They stood silently, side by side.

“Dingdong”—the elevator arrived at the first floor.

Ruan Zhizhi shook her head, trying to stay alert, and looked at Shi Yan, speaking politely: “The elevator’s here, so I’ll head up first. It’s late today… I’ll invite you over another time.”

He handed her the bag. “Don’t invite me over another time either.” Then, his fingers lightly brushed her hair with utmost care. “Ruan Zhizhi, don’t you know that inviting a normal man to your home alone is very dangerous?”

Ruan Zhizhi froze, understanding the meaning behind his words. Her cheeks burned instantly, impossible to ignore. She told herself it was the burn of alcohol in her system and forced a harmless smile at him. “Don’t joke around. Go back carefully, alright?” She added softly, “Good night.”

“Good night.”

He lowered his eyes, returning the same.

…

And that night’s memory ended there.

A week had passed since she ran into Shi Yan at the bar, yet for some reason, his every word and action that night seemed to have taken root in her heart, impossible to forget.

At some point… she realized she had begun to rely on Shi Yan.

It started when he kept her warm on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; when he reached out to hold her wrist in the dark hallway; when he insisted on giving her the umbrella on a rainy day… and when he gently ran his fingers through her hair.

Unknowingly, she had already accumulated so many memories with this man she once thought was a stranger.

“Zhizhi?”

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

Gu Nian, who had just finished her eye makeup, looked at her curiously. “What were you thinking just now? I called you so many times, and you didn’t even respond.”

“Uh… nothing,” Ruan Zhizhi said, flustered, running a hand through her hair. For some reason, she instinctively lied to Gu Nian.

She had been thinking about Shi Yan… but she didn’t want anyone else to know.

She didn’t want to repeat the process of one-sided longing, nor did she want to return to her old, self-deprecating self.

“Okay, I was just going to tell you that Cheng Fengjin said that night when he took me home, you were with another stranger,” Gu Nian said, unable to resist a bit of gossip. “Zhizhi, did you have a romantic encounter at the bar that night? Come on, share it with me!”

Ruan Zhizhi rolled her eyes. “What nonsense goes on in your head every day? Can you be a little pure? That wasn’t a romantic encounter—it was just that I happened to meet Shi Yan when I was at a loss, and he kindly helped us get home.”

“What? It was Shi Yan?”

Upon hearing his name, Gu Nian got even more excited. “I mean, Zhizhi, why do you always run into Shi Yan whenever you’re in trouble? And what’s even stranger is that he helps you without any reason.” She touched her chin, feigning deep thought. “From what I know about him, this is unusual. He hates trouble and always keeps to himself. Usually, even saying a word to him feels like too much, yet with you, he’s so patient.”

Fearing that Gu Nian’s imagination would spiral further, Ruan Zhizhi bravely refuted: “You’re really overthinking this.” She cleared her throat and said seriously, “Let me ask you something: what reason would a man as outstanding as Shi Yan have to like someone like me?”

Whenever she felt Shi Yan’s occasional special treatment toward her, asking herself this question immediately dispelled all unrealistic fantasies.

She admitted she had her own merits, but to become Shi Yan’s beloved? That was still a distance as far as Fan Bingbing.

Gu Nian, however, remained unmoved. “I’m not overthinking. From my years of experience, he definitely has feelings for you.” She paused, then added, “And a man like Shi Yan doesn’t pick women just by looks or figure. He definitely values compatibility and chemistry. Maybe he just likes the way you are, and other women all look like vegetable vendors to him.”

At that moment, the makeup artist was ready to start the lip makeup. Gu Nian pouted and had to pause her gossip, obediently closing her lips.

Ruan Zhizhi, unsure how to respond, exhaled in relief. Honestly, if Gu Nian continued, she might have shamelessly started to believe it herself.

After both the bride and bridesmaid makeup were done, it was time to change into the dresses.

Ruan Zhizhi accompanied Gu Nian to the inner room to change into her wedding gown. Seeing her friend emerge in the dress, she felt an unexpected thrill.

Even though she wasn’t the one getting married, seeing Gu Nian so happy made her feel it deeply herself.

Gu Nian sat on the pristine white bed while Ruan Zhizhi ran around helping her put on jewelry, adjust the veil, and check the gown’s details.

Just then, Cheng Fengjin walked in.

He wore a black, impeccably tailored suit, each cut flowing flawlessly, clearly of high value. Step by step, he approached, eyes fixed solely on Gu Nian, his usually calm expression now alive with warmth.

He held a box, came to her side, and knelt on one knee. “How careless, forgetting your wedding shoes when you left.”

Gu Nian stuck out her tongue playfully, as if to say, “What can you do about it?”

As he spoke, Cheng Fengjin gently held her foot and carefully slipped on the custom crystal shoes he had prepared.

The scene was so warm and touching that Ruan Zhizhi felt her eyes grow moist.

Her best friend was about to marry the person she loved most—how wonderful.

By the time everything was ready, it was already past ten in the morning.

Ruan Zhizhi accompanied Gu Nian in the wedding car to the hotel. Cheng Fengjin sat in the passenger seat, still reserved, but today his expression was noticeably softer.

Ruan Zhizhi couldn’t help teasing him: “Ah, after all this time watching over Gu Nian, she’s finally going to be in your hands. Cheng Fengjin, you better not bully her, and don’t play that ‘from lover to relative’ game. You must always cherish her, love her, and never let the marriage become dull.”

Because ‘dullness’ is a lie. When you truly love someone, every glance, every gesture reveals it—you could never let them believe that marriage’s essence is monotony.

Cheng Fengjin glanced back and smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. Even if I can’t guarantee anything else, I can guarantee this.”

Hearing this, Gu Nian pressed her lips together, lowering her head to smile quietly.

After a moment, Cheng Fengjin turned to Ruan Zhizhi with a thoughtful look. “Zhizhi, today I’m marrying Nian Nian, and I also have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise for me?” Ruan Zhizhi raised an eyebrow. “You two are being this generous? If it’s not a shock, I’ll be grateful enough.”

Gu Nian seemed just as curious. “A surprise? What is it? Why didn’t I know about this?”

Cheng Fengjin merely smiled mysteriously, clearly intent on keeping it a secret. “Don’t rush. You’ll see soon enough.”