Six months after Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan registered their marriage, the wedding was finally put on the actual agenda.
They hadn't originally intended to delay it this long, but Ning Yuxuan always wanted to completely wrap up the work at hand before considering the ceremony.
But work is never truly finished; as soon as one goal is achieved, a new one immediately appears. After the operating profits of the initial four new stores stabilized, Ning Yuxuan immediately started thinking about opening more stores to expand the scale.
During a private gathering where everyone had a few drinks, Zhou Lin half-jokingly said to Ning Fei, "Sister Fei, I don't know if this will upset you, but I've always felt Yuxuan's personality is more like mine. We are both ambitious people."
Ning Fei, of course, wasn't upset. The fact that her daughter got along well with Zhou Lin was precisely why she could confidently hand over Huayuan to the two of them and focus on what she truly loved.
"The Misdelivered Letter" wrapped up filming after four months and was scheduled for release the following summer.
Industry professionals involved in the film's production were all highly optimistic about the work, believing it was almost certain to win awards and become another representative work for both Ning Fei and Qin Man.
Ning Fei herself wasn't overly concerned about the final outcome; she had already won many awards. She cared more about whether she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to the process.
This collaboration with Qin Man had been very pleasant, with both contributing their best performances, and that was enough.
After finishing the film shoot and having some free time, Ning Fei became more concerned about her daughter's wedding.
Finally, with the occasional urging from Ning Fei, Zheng Xinmei, and others, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan's wedding date was set for April.
Ning Yuxuan remembered that Xie Zhiyan had once told her he would give her a grand wedding.
But she was a lazy person, especially after attending Tao You's wedding as a bridesmaid. Ning Yuxuan developed a deep admiration for every bride who had to wake up at dawn for makeup and endure a whole day of rituals before resting.
Tao You had also complained to her that holding a wedding was like shedding a layer of skin.
So, Ning Yuxuan told Xie Zhiyan that she didn't want her own wedding to be so troublesome. Any unnecessary steps should be canceled, with her comfort as the top priority.
Considering her requirements, they finally decided on a garden wedding, with the location being the very first Huayuan store opened in North City years ago.
This store's address had been personally chosen by Ning Fei back then, and she had handled all other matters, big and small, herself. It held extraordinary significance for her.
Coincidentally, the building's style was very suitable for a wedding, and it had a large lawn perfect for an outdoor ceremony.
Although the building was somewhat old and its decor wasn't top-tier luxurious, in Ning Yuxuan's view, the commemorative meaning behind the location was more important.
Of course, Ning Fei wouldn't shortchange her daughter either. Months in advance, she had people renovate the hotel's exterior and redecorate it.
As the wedding date approached, flowers were delivered to the venue by the truckload.
Ning Fei had always enjoyed studying flowers and plants, so she personally oversaw the selection of flower varieties and their origins, determined to make the wedding venue decorations perfect.
Coincidentally, she didn't have much else to do during the period between the film wrapping up and the official start of its promotional campaign.
So, she repeatedly compared even the smallest details, like the quantity and color coordination of each type of flower.
One day, watching her mother confirming decoration details late at night, Ning Yuxuan couldn't help but ask, "Mom, why do I feel like you're worrying about more things for my wedding than I am? Aren't you tired?"
Ning Fei tapped her daughter's forehead. "Don't worry, I'm not tired. Mom is doing this willingly. It's a labor of love."
Back then, her marriage to Lin Yuanfeng had been kept secret. The wedding was extremely simple, the venue decorations were very basic, and all the procedural details were decided by the Lin family.
While conventional wisdom says one shouldn't try to make up for one's own regrets through their children's lives,
Ning Fei ultimately couldn't escape this common sentiment. She hoped her daughter's marriage would be happier than her own and that the wedding could be more perfect than hers had been.
"Come, Xuanxuan, look." Ning Fei pointed at a picture on the computer. "Do you think the roses here would be better in dusty pink or champagne color?"
...
Like Ning Fei, another person who started preparing for the wedding well in advance was Ning Shiyue.
He remembered Ning Yuxuan's instruction that he absolutely must not mess up the "wedding speech." As soon as the wedding date was set, he immediately started drafting it.
In the past six months, Ning Shiyue had experienced another small peak in his career.
"Tides' Decree," his first period drama, emerged as a dark horse, outperforming other big-budget, high-profile TV series airing at the same time to become the annual champion in online streaming and viewership ratings.
Not only did Ning Shiyue's own resources skyrocket, but the lead actress and other supporting actors in the drama also gained significant popularity.
Even Ning Yuxuan, who only had a cameo of a few minutes, went viral, with her GIFs frequently appearing on major social media platforms, demonstrating the drama's immense popularity.
But most importantly, this work allowed the industry to see Ning Shiyue's acting skills, leading to more high-quality scripts being offered to him.
Consequently, Ning Shiyue quickly joined another film crew in the first half of this year and could only work on his speech draft during breaks from filming.
He was least skilled at these sentimental things, but he couldn't very well ask others for advice on this.
Firstly, only he himself truly understood his feelings for Ning Yuxuan. Secondly, he was afraid someone might gossip and leak the content of his speech.
So, he relied entirely on his own pondering, revising the few-hundred-word draft back and forth countless times.
A week before the wedding, Ning Shiyue's latest drama wrapped up filming.
One day, while practicing his speech alone in the villa's living room, he didn't notice that Ning Yuxuan had returned home.
The last few lines of his speech were thus exposed.
Ning Yuxuan frowned at him. "Ning Shiyue, tell me, what do you mean by: 'If only one marriage in this family can be happy for a lifetime, then I hope that person is Ning Yuxuan'?"
Ning Shiyue, not expecting Ning Yuxuan's sudden return, felt his ears burning red. "It's... it's just the literal meaning!"
Ning Yuxuan looked at him with exasperation. "It's fine if you're just blessing me, but is it necessary to curse yourself in the process? And when you wrote this, did you consider our mom, or my future possible children?"
Ning Shiyue was left speechless. "...I was wrong. I'll change it right away!"
Ning Yuxuan: "How about you let me see the first half of your speech too? I'm not reassured."
Ning Shiyue clutched the draft tightly. "No, no, absolutely not! I promise, the first half definitely won't have any problems!"
Except for these last few newly revised lines, the front part contained sentences he had painstakingly polished for a long time, all genuine expressions of his feelings.
Those sentimental words wouldn't seem too strange when said at the wedding, but if Ning Yuxuan heard them in advance, she would definitely laugh at him mercilessly!
...
Even the night before the wedding, Ning Shiyue was still practicing alone in his room, afraid he might stumble over his words due to nervousness when the time came.
Having practiced until very late, he woke up fifteen minutes later than his usual on-set biological clock the next day.
However, the bride herself woke up even later.
Ning Yuxuan didn't want to get up at the crack of dawn for makeup, nor did she want overly complicated procedures. Therefore, all the traditional gate-crashing games, tea-serving, and addressing the in-laws ceremonies were canceled.
She got up at eight in the morning, had breakfast after washing up, and started her makeup at eight-thirty.
Ning Fei looked at her daughter before the mirror, her eyes inexplicably welling up with tears.
It felt like just yesterday her daughter was a tiny bundle curled in her arms, and in the blink of an eye, she had grown so much.
Seeing her mother's expression, Ning Yuxuan deliberately teased her: "Mom, hold it in! If you use up all your tears now, what will you do during the vows and ring exchange later?"
Ning Fei indeed smiled: "Alright, your wedding is a happy occasion. Mom won't cry."
Aside from the makeup artist for the bride, there was also a professional for Ning Fei.
After both were dressed and made up, the photographer took many photos of the mother and daughter.
The photographer couldn't stop praising them, repeatedly saying they were the most beautiful mother-daughter pair she had ever photographed.
Ning Fei also held back her tears as she had promised earlier.
Today should be one of her daughter's most unforgettable days, and also the happiest day for her as a mother over all these years.
She mustn't cry; she should smile more.
...
At Ning Yuxuan's request, this ceremony did not invite too many guests.
Combined family and friends from both sides numbered less than a hundred, all their closest people.
As the father of Ning Yuxuan and Ning Shiyue, Lin Yuanfeng was also among the invited.
He was simply there to witness the ceremony; there was no segment where the father walks the daughter down the aisle and gives her away to the groom.
Ning Yuxuan had made it clear to him from the start that during the ceremony, her mother would escort her for the entrance.
However, even if Ning Yuxuan had asked him to do it, Lin Yuanfeng wouldn't have had the face to agree.
After all, over so many years, the time he had spent with his daughter was far less than that of his ex-wife.
On another note, although Lin Yuanfeng had never truly let go of Ning Fei in his heart, for the sake of the Lin family's business development, he ultimately chose to marry into the Yan family for an alliance.
Lin Yuanfeng still remembered the night of his wedding with Yan Qinrui, drinking alone in his room.
Yan Qinrui walked in, looking at him half-drunk, her eyes full of disdain: "You men love playing the devoted role, but in reality, you're more pragmatic than anyone. If you truly loved Ning Fei so much, why didn't you just give up the Lin family business and chase after her to the northern city when you divorced? In the end, you still married me under the pressure of reality, only able to pine for your 'white moonlight' in your heart."
Back then, Lin Yuanfeng refused to admit it, but now, after all these years, he felt Yan Qinrui's scolding was right.
In the end, he himself had too much he couldn't let go of, and thus owed Ning Fei and their two children too much.
Yet, it was impossible to start over. The only way to make some amends was to leave his shares in the Lin family business to his daughter and son.
Ning Yuxuan's portion had already been partially gifted to her in advance as a wedding present.
As for Ning Shiyue, he refused to accept it. Lin Yuanfeng could only write it into his will, leaving the shares to his son after he passed away.
Before coming to the ceremony, Lin Yuanfeng was determined to keep a smiling face throughout, offering his daughter the most sincere blessings.
He was already very happy that his daughter was willing to invite him and didn't dare hope for anything more.
If he shed tears, it would make things difficult for his daughter.
However, upon arriving at the venue and seeing his daughter in her white wedding dress, looking so much like Ning Fei from years past, Lin Yuanfeng couldn't help but feel his eyes grow moist.
He lowered his gaze to hide his emotional state. After composing himself for a moment, he saw his ex-wife greeting guests on the other side.
Wearing high heels on the lawn wasn't easy. Ning Fei stumbled slightly while chatting with a guest.
Lin Yuanfeng instinctively wanted to step forward to steady her, not even stopping to consider whether his position was appropriate.
But someone beat him to it.
Liang Jihuai took hold of Ning Fei's arm, his expression concerned, while Ning Fei responded with a gentle smile.
Lin Yuanfeng: "..."
He smiled self-deprecatingly, stopped looking at his ex-wife, and turned to walk in another direction.
...
On another side, Xie Zhiyan was standing with his friend Jiang Shao, who had traveled from abroad.
"I must say, Zhiyan, you really are the quiet one who gets things done!" Jiang Shao laughed, crow's feet appearing at the corners of his eyes. "Who would have thought, just last year I was helping Auntie Zheng urge you to start dating, and this year you're not only married but having the wedding before me?"
Jiang Shao and his wife had registered their marriage last year, but his wife placed great importance on the wedding ceremony. Preparations had started last year, and the formal ceremony wouldn't be held until this autumn.
So, by a twist of fate, Xie Zhiyan's wedding was actually happening a few months earlier than his.
Jiang Shao was genuinely happy for his friend. After all, just six months ago, he, like Auntie Zheng, thought this good buddy of his was destined to be a lifelong bachelor.
"Zhiyan," Jiang Shao asked with a grin, "How does it feel to have the wedding? Share some experience with your brother here?"
Xie Zhiyan's expression was calm: "No experience to share. You'll naturally know when it's your own ceremony day."
Jiang Shao scoffed: "Knew you'd answer like that. Boring."
He shaded his eyes with his hand, looking towards Ning Yuxuan chatting with her girlfriends in the distance.
"I'm telling you, Zhiyan, you're something else!" Jiang Shao clicked his tongue. "To just whisk away such a lovely young lady like that. Confess, how long have you had your eye on her?"
Xie Zhiyan appeared unperturbed: "Not long. Not as long as you and your wife have known each other."
Jiang Shao: "... That's not an answer at all."
He and his wife had known each other since childhood, as childhood sweethearts for many years.
"Speaking of which," Jiang Shao stared at Xie Zhiyan curiously, "the ceremony is about to start. How come you're not nervous at all?"
Jiang Shao was prepared for this question to be brushed off as well. After all, Xie Zhiyan had been like this since their student days. Even when giving a speech as the student representative in a hall of ten thousand people, he never seemed nervous.
Unexpectedly, Xie Zhiyan glanced at him and said evenly, "Who said I'm not nervous?"
Jiang Shao was stunned.
So that means... he is nervous?
True, Xie Zhiyan had never displayed such emotions in front of him before, so he didn't know what this guy looked like when nervous.
But thinking about it carefully, Xie Zhiyan did seem a bit different from usual today. For instance, the number of times he had been pacing back and forth was noticeably higher, and he was actually answering all his questions.
Jiang Shao had initially thought the guy had changed after getting married.
After all, since Xie Zhiyan got together with Ning Yuxuan, the changes in him had left all his friends astounded.
Like just half a month ago, when he heard from a friend that the topic "Xie Zhiyan has had a crush on Ning Yuxuan for years" had trended online, Jiang Shao's first reaction was: This must be an April Fool's joke!
Having a crush itself didn't seem like something Xie Zhiyan would do, let alone making it public.
It was only after seeing the interview video with his own eyes that Jiang Shao realized how wrong he had been.
That was originally a documentary-style interview program featuring successful individuals, and Xie Zhiyan's demeanor was as usual, answering questions succinctly and to the point.
In the past, such programs generally never inquired about Xie Zhiyan's private life. Xie Zhiyan himself disliked being asked about such matters and would consistently refrain from answering any related questions.
However, when the host mentioned Ning Yuxuan and brought up the online rumors calling her a "lucky life winner," Xie Zhiyan surprisingly, for the first time ever, revealed a gentle expression.
The man smiled faintly and said, "I have been devoted to my wife for many years. Now that I have finally gotten my wish, it is my good fortune."
...
God only knows how surprised Jiang Shao was when he heard that statement.
One must know, back in the day when their group of friends would dine and chat, talking about starting families and careers in the future, everyone unanimously agreed that Xie Zhiyan was the least romantic and didn't seem like the type who would dote on his wife.
Who could have imagined that years later, Xie Zhiyan would actually send a public declaration of love to his wife on a television program.
And now, here at the wedding venue, openly admitting his nervousness.
It simply didn't seem like Xie Zhiyan himself, to the point where one might suspect he had been possessed.
Jiang Shao grew increasingly curious about that Ning family young lady he hadn't seen in years.
He secretly made up his mind that after the ceremony ended, he must find an opportunity to have a good chat with her, to see what kind of love potion she had fed his good brother.
Jiang Shao remained astonished for a good while on his own, then switched back to a playful expression: "Zhiyan, tell me the truth, were you so nervous last night that you didn't fall asleep until the early hours? Or were you like me the day before I proposed, not sleeping a wink all night?"
This time, Xie Zhiyan ignored him, instead gazing somewhat distractedly into the distance.
Jiang Shao followed his line of sight and immediately understood.
Well, who else could make someone like Xie Zhiyan distracted?
It could only be that breathtakingly beautiful bride.
...
After the guests had signed in and entered one after another, the ceremony finally began officially.
Ning Yuxuan entered holding Ning Fei's hand, while on the other side, accompanying Xie Zhiyan as he entered was also his mother, Zheng Xinmei.
The two walked to the center of the venue accompanied by their family members, and Ning Yuxuan linked her arm with Xie Zhiyan's.
Guests on both sides tossed the petals in their hands towards them.
Petals fluttered up in profusion, and happiness took on a tangible form at this moment.
Amidst the shower of flowers, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan smiled at each other.
In this moment, their eyes held only each other.
Xuanxuan and President Xie will be happy forever~
