Returning - Chapter 162
Chapter 162: The Wedding
Being called up to get his makeup done in the early morning, Xu Chengyan, who hadn't slept well anyway, was not only in low spirits but also looked utterly terrible.
Never before had a woman cut him off this ruthlessly, climbing out of his bed and deleting him the moment she left.
Last night, in his anger, he had genuinely wanted to teach her a lesson, preventing that nine hundred thousand from landing in her pocket.
Unfortunately, thinking of how she always called him stingy, doing so would only give her ammunition against him, so he had no choice but to settle all accounts with her.
Looking at it now, it truly seemed to be a clean break, with no further ties between them.
He had spent so much money on her, and she could still get dressed and walk away without a second thought.
His fist slammed into the armrest of the sofa, the force sending a throw pillow tumbling to the floor. Seeing the usually gentle and polite man lose his temper so fiercely startled the makeup artist. "You're not satisfied?"
Xu Chengyan wasn't in the mood for makeup at all; what was there to be satisfied about?
Besides, with a face like his, did he really need makeup?
Glancing at the mirror in front of him with little patience, he said flatly, "Is it done?"
"Yes, please take a look and see if there's anything that needs improvement." After speaking, the makeup artist hurriedly laid on the flattery again. "Actually, President Xu, someone as handsome as you is completely fine without makeup, but adding a little touch makes you look more energetic and adds a festive air."
Festive?
Xu Chengyan stood up from the sofa and adjusted his tie in the mirror.
Why would he need to look festive?
This marriage was purely a business arrangement. Attending the wedding was no different from attending a meeting for him.
If he really wanted a festive air, it wouldn't come from makeup; it would be more practical to recalculate just how much profit this marriage could bring.
Looking at his blue watch, the makeup artist smiled and said, "That's a nice watch, President Xu, but it doesn't quite match your suit. Would you like to change it for a different one?"
Xu Chengyan looked down, his tone casual. "I'll keep this one. I'm not used to changing it."
The groomsmen were three of Xu Chengyan's paternal cousins and three friends. The timing for fetching the bride was set by the bride's parents. The whole process was full of tacky, clichéd routines, tedious and boring.
Xu Chengyan delegated everything to the groomsmen and just went through the motions himself, heading straight to the banquet hall in the evening.
The two families had booked the largest banquet hall in this wedding palace, a hall capable of accommodating thousands.
This grand wedding was inseparable from business partnerships, so besides the close friends and relatives of the bride and groom and acquaintances from the business world, quite a few unrecognized peers also came.
Various media outlets were bustling inside, and there were many familiar faces from the business circle. As the leading man, Xu Chengyan could only wear his usual smile, politely greeting all kinds of guests, presenting his most appropriate demeanor for the cameras.
The bride standing beside him was naturally also radiant and dazzling. However, as their daily interactions were minimal, he had no patience now to cultivate any affection with her.
Only in front of the cameras did he bother putting on an affectionate show with this business partner.
Batches of guests came, and his patience had long reached its limit, yet he still had to cloak himself in a veneer of gentility and politeness, displaying a standard smile to everyone.
In contrast to him, Zhuang Yiqing seemed to genuinely enjoy this ritual. She was patient all day, the laughter in her eyes never fading.
Taking a moment when no one was nearby to scrutinize his bride, Xu Chengyan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
With his vast experience reading people, how could he not see this Miss Zhuang's pride and smugness?
Becoming the center of attention under the spotlight, constantly basking in countless envious or jealous gazes, was probably something every woman would be delighted about.
For some inexplicable reason, he suddenly thought of Zhao Yu.
If that woman were in Zhuang Yiqing's current position, she would probably be very smug and happy too, wouldn't she? After all, she was so vain.
But among all the vain women he had known, she was probably the most refreshingly unconventional one.
His thoughts were wandering aimlessly when another guest arrived. He had just lifted his smiling face to greet them, the polite words not yet out, when he paused for a moment.
It was Xue Zhan.
The two companies were partners, and Xue Zhan's invitation had been personally sent by him.
But seeing this man in person, he felt little welcoming sentiment.
"Congratulations." Xue Zhan smiled, his manner perfectly composed.
"Thank you." Xu Chengyan returned the courtesy, not saying much more.
As he watched Xue Zhan's retreating figure, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: After leaving him, would Zhao Yu return to Xue Zhan's embrace?
He paused, then shook his head.
A man as proud as Xue Zhan, how could he possibly go back for second-hand goods?
And even if he did, what did it matter to him?
She was just a woman he was tired of playing with.
After greeting a few acquaintances, Xue Zhan followed the usher to his seat. His gaze swept casually around and immediately found Zhuang Ye and Ji Sui standing together.
With their elder sister getting married, the two younger brothers naturally looked in good spirits. Unfortunately, there would be a mess for them to clean up soon enough.
"What a coincidence, Director Xue. We meet again."
Ling Jianyuan sat down beside him, greeting him with a smile.
Ling Jianyuan's name wasn't assigned to this table; he had clearly come specifically to find Xue Zhan.
Xue Zhan smiled back. "President Ling."
Ling Jianyuan glanced towards the couple and said meaningfully, "I wonder if there's a good show to watch today."
Xue Zhan curled his lips. "Why doesn't President Ling just watch patiently and find out?"
His gaze catching Ling Jianwei's figure, Xue Zhan looked at Ling Jianyuan with equal significance. "Letting your brother meet his enemy just like that? Aren't you afraid they'll fight again, President Ling?"
Looking at Ling Jianwei and Zhuang Ye, who were now standing together, Ling Jianyuan smiled. "He might not necessarily be an enemy."
"That depends on your upcoming show, Director Xue. If the show flops, then my Xiao Ling will still have to call Zhuang Ye 'brother-in-law'."
Xue Zhan nodded in acknowledgment. "Anyway, the Ling family won't lose out either way. You are formidable, President Ling."
Ling Jianwei had actually run into Ji Sui by chance and came over to greet him.
He had grown up hanging around with Zhuang Ye. Although Zhuang Ye and Ji Sui's relationship wasn't very close, after visiting the Zhuang household so many times, he and Ji Sui were also acquaintances and naturally had to address him respectfully as 'Brother' when they met.
He just hadn't noticed that the person standing next to Ji Sui, blocked by others, was Zhuang Ye.
From that fight four years ago until now, this was actually their first reunion.
As their eyes met, he clearly felt the shock in Zhuang Ye's gaze, and the hostility.
From Zhuang Ye's perspective, hating him was indeed justified.
But he, knowing the whole truth now, facing Zhuang Ye at this moment, felt more sympathy and pity in his heart... even tenderness, one could say.
After all, this was his best brother since childhood, and the person he had always felt guilt towards. However, regarding everything Zhuang Ye was about to face next, he could neither prevent it nor help.
Ji Sui understood the whole story and the awkwardness of their meeting.
He could only try to lighten the atmosphere with a smile, chatting casually with Ling Jianwei for a couple of sentences.
Ling Jianwei answered politely, then obediently returned to his assigned seat.
Seeing Zhuang Ye's dejected look, Ji Sui patted his shoulder. "It's been so many years, try to let it go. It's not good for your condition otherwise."
Zhuang Ye forced a grin. "If I could let it go, what would I need a doctor for?"
Ji Sui didn't know what to say for a moment.
Although his time in the army wasn't long, that kind of life-or-death comradeship was the most profound feeling in his life. To him, brothers were above all else.
So he truly couldn't understand how these two ended up in this state just because of a woman?
Realizing his words had been a downer, Zhuang Ye smiled and switched back to a lighter topic with Ji Sui. "Is it soon your turn for a happy event with my future sister-in-law?"
Mentioning Zhao Yu, Ji Sui couldn't help but beam. "Yeah, she's been busy with interviews lately."
"Once her new job is settled, I'll bring her back to meet you all."
Unintentionally seeing Zhuang Yiqing in the distance, Ji Sui couldn't help but wonder what Zhao Yu would look like in a wedding dress.
She would definitely be the most beautiful bride in the world.
Seeing the happiness practically overflowing from his face, Zhuang Ye looked down and smiled, sighing. "I really envy you."
Ji Sui patted his shoulder again. "Your day will come too."
The ceremony officially began. The emcee kept talking non-stop, and Xu Chengyan didn't really listen, until he was called by name to step onto the stage.
From his vantage point, he could clearly see Xue Zhan, who was sitting near the front, answering a phone call. Although he couldn't see his expression clearly, the sight of Xue Zhan abruptly rising from his seat and hurriedly leaving the banquet hall through a side door, disregarding the occasion, slightly surprised him.
Had some major event happened in the Xue family?
The next part of the proceedings was the bride's father personally giving his daughter away to him.
They had rehearsed it long ago, so naturally, nothing would go wrong.
It was just when the lights suddenly dimmed, Lu Bin quietly slipped up next to him and whispered, "President Xu, there's something... I'm not sure if I should tell you."
Everything was ready. The music started, the lights came back on, and the bride, holding her father's arm, gracefully and elegantly walked towards the groom.
The groom, who should have stepped forward to welcome her, stood motionless. He didn't even glance towards the bride, just stared fixedly at a piece of the set decoration before him.
The emcee noticed the anomaly and quickly tried desperately to smooth things over, walking to the groom's side to quietly remind him.
Xu Chengyan jolted back to his senses and raised his head to look towards Zhuang Yiqing.
Just as the emcee was emotionally delivering his lines, and the bride was almost in front of the groom, Xu Chengyan suddenly shot her a cold, piercing glare.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands, he ripped the pocket boutonniere from his chest and strode away from the stage, leaving without a backward glance.
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