Chapter 18: Wedding ceremony

Ruan Zhizhi set three alarm clocks. In the long run, she managed to crawl away from bed drowsily at 4:30 within the morning. 

Right now was Gu Nian and Cheng Fengjin’s wedding ceremony. As Gu Nian’s official maid of honour, Ruan Zhizhi additionally needed to go to the pictures studio with Gu Nian to get their make-up finished and alter into their attire.

She took a swift, scorching bathe and became a pair of eight-centimetre heels. Ruan Zhizhi used her microwave oven to warmth up two steamed buns, hurriedly completed consuming them, and left residence without delay.

When she reached the picture studio within the shopping center, there was solely the primary glimmer of sunshine within the sky, and the folks on the streets have been sparse. The surroundings was fully empty.

Ruan Zhizhi parked her automobile within the parking zone. She rejoiced that the present climate was steadily warming up once more. If Gu Nian and Cheng Fengjin had gotten married within the chilly twelfth lunar month amongst the snowflakes, she feared Gu Nian would have frozen to loss of life in her wedding ceremony gown.

Strolling into the specialised wedding ceremony picture studio beneath the personal package deal of Cheng Fengjin, it was already busy with folks coming and going.

Gu Nian was sitting in entrance of the vainness mirror, ready to have her make-up utilized. As she sat, her disposition appeared very dignified. Ruan Zhizhi couldn’t assist laughing. She walked over and sat beside her. “This bride is so totally different. Right now you don’t appear to correspond along with your character in any respect, somewhat you’re the inverted picture of an single daughter of a noble home.”

Gu Nian turned her head and noticed her coming. Her eyes instantly lit up: “Zhizhi, you got here so early. Initially I wished to allow you to sleep somewhat bit longer, I even particularly informed Cheng Fengjin to not provide you with a name.”

“Aiya, it wasn’t straightforward for my little ancestor to marry off. How dare I sleep in, ah.”

The 2 of them giggled and exchanged a couple of phrases whereas the make-up artist came to visit with massive and small baggage. 

The method of making use of make-up was completely boring. Furthermore, Gu Nian was doing bridal make-up at present, so it couldn’t be sloppy within the slightest. Even the eyeliner was probably the most long-lasting and waterproof, and the make-up artist’s arms have been cautious and solemn from starting to finish. 

Gu Nian closed her eyes and let the make-up artist apply eyeshadow. It was unknown what she was excited about, however she abruptly opened her mouth: “Proper, Zhizhi, this entire time I’ve forgotten to say thanks. The opposite night I received approach too drunk. Thanks for taking me residence, in any other case the results would have been too horrible to consider.”

Ruan Zhizhi sighed: “I don’t want you to thank me, I simply hope that you should have a greater reminiscence subsequent time. When nobody is with you, you completely can’t drink. Even when you drink, you need to not get drunk. You’re a girl that’s as delicate as a flower and as refined as valuable jade, it’s actually too harmful.”

“I do know, don’t fear Zhizhi. If you happen to or Cheng Fengjin aren’t there, even when I received crushed to loss of life I wouldn’t dare drink.”

Although Ruan Zhizhi’s ears have been listening to Gu Nian speak to her, for some cause, her practice of thought drifted away uncontrollably. 

The opposite evening, Shi Yan and her first took Gu Nian residence, then he additionally despatched her again. 

Furthermore, Shi Yan stubbornly took her all the best way to the elevator door of the residential constructing on the grounds that it was unsafe for her to go residence alone after ingesting.

At the moment, Ruan Zhizhi was certainly somewhat bit drunk. The sight earlier than her eyes was considerably blurry. Shi Yan stood at her aspect and helped her press the elevator button whereas holding her fuzzy cartoon bag. 

The 2 stood aspect by aspect, remaining silent.

With a “ding dong” sound, the elevator reached the primary ground.

Ruan Zhizhi shook her head, attempting exhausting to maintain her frame of mind clear-headed. She turned to have a look at Shi Yan and stated a couple of civilities: “The elevator is right here, so I’ll go up first. It’s too late at present. On one other day I’ll invite you to go to my home.”

The opposite get together prolonged his hand and handed her the bag. “Don’t invite me one other day.” Saying so, his fingers naturally stroked her head. He touched her hair with motions that have been extraordinarily light and cherishing. “Ruan Zhizhi, don’t you understand? Inviting a standard man residence alone is an awfully harmful factor.”

Ruan Zhizhi was surprised for a second earlier than realizing the that means of his phrases. The temperature of her cheeks immediately burned; it was inconceivable to disregard. Comforting herself that the burning sensation will need to have been the alcohol at play, she raised her head and pretended to not perceive. Dealing with Shi Yan, she revealed a innocent smiling expression. “Cease joking round, return shortly. Take care on the street.” Pausing, she added yet one more line: “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

The opposite get together lowered his eyes to stare upon her and responded on this approach.

……

Her recollections pertaining to that evening ended there.

It had already been an entire week for the reason that evening she met Shi Yan by probability on the bar. However for some cause, each phrase and motion of his that evening appeared to have taken root in her coronary heart. She was incapable of forgetting them it doesn’t matter what.

When had she begun to really depend on Shi Yan?

It was when he warmed her up on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; when he reached out to carry her wrist within the pitch-black hall; when he gave her his umbrella with an unyielding perspective on that wet day…and when he reached out to very fastidiously caress her hair. 

It turned out that earlier than she knew it, she already had so many recollections with the particular person she as soon as thought-about a stranger.

“Zhizhi?”

Her ideas got here to an abrupt finish.

With Gu Nian’s more and more larger pitch and quantity, Ruan Zhizhi forcibly returned to her senses.

Gu Nian, who had already accomplished her eye make-up, was sizing her up considerably surprisingly. “What have been you excited about simply now? I known as you so many occasions and also you ignored me.”

“Uh…I wasn’t pondering of something.” Ruan Zhizhi reached out and touched her hair nervously. She didn’t know what frame of mind she was in to subconsciously misinform Gu Nian.

She was excited about Shi Yan, however…she didn’t need to inform anybody.

She didn’t need to repeat the method of wishful pondering once more. Much more, she didn’t need to return to the Ruan Zhizhi that belittled herself. 

“Alright, simply now I used to be saying to you that Cheng Fengjin informed me that the opposite evening, you despatched me residence with an odd man.” When Gu Nian talked about this, she couldn’t maintain again from gossipping. “Zhizhi, did you could have an affair on the bar that evening? Hurry up and share with me!”

Ruan Zhizhi couldn’t assist having black traces: “What sort of messy issues are you excited about in your head day-after-day, are you able to be somewhat bit extra pure? That wasn’t an affair, I simply occurred to run into Shi Yan after I was at a loss. He kindly despatched us residence, nothing extra.”

“What? It was truly Shi Yan?”

When Gu Nian heard Shi Yan’s identify, she was abruptly much more exhilarated. “I let you know Zhizhi, how come each time you’re in hassle you at all times come throughout Shi Yan? And in addition, what’s much more unusual is that each time he helps you for no cause in any respect.” She stroked her chin and made a present of being very severe, “Primarily based on my understanding of Shi Yan, that is fairly unusual, ah. He’s an individual who loathes hassle probably the most. At all times conserving to himself. Usually once we discover him and say one too many phrases, we are able to inform that he’s particularly impatient. It is unnecessary for him to be so affected person in entrance of you.”

Afraid that the outlet in Gu Nian’s mind would change into even larger, Ruan Zhizhi opened her mouth and refuted courageously: “You actually suppose an excessive amount of.” After saying so, she coughed and stated critically, “Hey, I’m going to ask you a query proper now. Inform me, a person like Shi Yan with such excellent qualities—why would he have any cause to love me?”

Each time she felt that Shi Yan handled her otherwise, she solely wanted to ask herself this query and the entire unrealistic delusions would dispel without delay. 

She admitted that her personal situations weren’t dangerous, however she was removed from changing into the one Shi Yan beloved. Maybe the space between them was like the space between her and Fan Bingbing.1

Who knew that Gu Nian was under no circumstances moved. “I undoubtedly don’t suppose I’m pondering an excessive amount of. In keeping with my a few years of expertise in society, he’s actually fascinated by you.” She paused after saying this, then added a sentence: “Furthermore, how can a person like Shi Yan decide a girl superficially by her face, determine, and cup measurement? He undoubtedly pays extra consideration to the concord of emotions and spirit. Perhaps he finds you pleasing to the attention, and sees different ladies as aunties promoting greens.”

Gu Nian spoke till there. The make-up artist simply so occurred to start out getting ready her lip make-up. Gu Nian had a bitter face, so she was pressured to place her gossip on pause and obediently preserve her mouth shut.

Ruan Zhizhi, who not knew how she ought to reply to the dialog, promptly breathed a sigh of aid. 

To inform the reality, if Gu Nian continued saying such issues, Ruan Zhizhi would shamelessly imagine it.

After the bride and maid of honour’s make-up have been finished one after the opposite, all that remained was to alter into their robes.

Ruan Zhizhi accompanied Gu Nian to alter into her gown and watched Gu Nian come out in her wedding ceremony robe. For some cause, she was truly somewhat moved.

Clearly she wasn’t the one getting married. However seeing Gu Nian’s completely happy look, she by some means felt as if it was occurring to herself. 

Gu Nian sat on the pure white sofa. Working round, Ruan Zhizhi helped her placed on her jewellery and wedding ceremony veil, then examined and organized the small print of her skirt. 

As she was occupied, Cheng Fengjin walked in.

Cheng Fengjin was sporting a black, well-ironed luxurious swimsuit at present. Each element of the tailoring was extremely easy. With one look, one would realize it was of excessive worth. He walked in step-by-step, his eyes solely watching Gu Nian from starting to finish. His facial expressions, which have been not often turbulent, grew to become vivid.

Holding a field in hand, he walked to Gu Nian’s aspect then knelt down: “How are you this careless, you forgot to take your wedding ceremony sneakers while you went out.”

Gu Nian caught out her tongue with a glance that stated “What are you able to do about me?”

Whereas talking, Cheng Fengjin prolonged his hand and punctiliously held Gu Nian’s foot. Then, he placed on the pair of crystal sneakers he had custom-ordered for her with the utmost care. 

The scene earlier than her eyes was too heat and touching. Ruan Zhizhi truly felt the edges of her eyes getting somewhat moist.

Her greatest good friend was about to marry the particular person she beloved probably the most. It was actually good.

By the point all the pieces was put so as and prepared, it was already previous ten o’clock within the morning. 

Ruan Zhizhi accompanied Gu Nian within the wedding ceremony automobile to the resort the place the ceremony would happen. Cheng Fengjin sat within the entrance passenger seat. Though he remained stern and unsmiling, at present his facial options had clearly softened quite a bit.

Ruan Zhizhi watched him and couldn’t assist making enjoyable: “Ai, I painstakingly watched Gu Nian for such a very long time, and in the long run I need to hand her over to you. I’m telling you Cheng Fengjin, you need to by no means bully her, and much more so you need to by no means play with the thought of adjusting lovers into family members. You need to constantly spoil her and love her. By no means let the wedding change into boring.”

A median and boring marriage was really a rip-off. If you happen to actually beloved somebody, even the corners of your eyes and brows would present love. How might she be keen to let Gu Nian imagine that the true that means of marriage was nothing particular?

Cheng Fengjin regarded again and stated with a slight smile: “Don’t fear. Even when I can’t assure all the opposite issues—simply this one, I can actually accomplish.”

Gu Nian listened to his phrases, pursed her lips, and bowed her head to smile quietly.

After a second, Cheng Fengjin abruptly rotated to look at Ruan Zhizhi once more. Whereas trying pensive, he stated: “Ruan Zhizhi, at present Gu Nian and I are getting married. On the similar time, I even have a pleasant shock I’m gifting you.”

“Gifting me?” Ruan Zhizhi raised her eyebrows. “You husband and spouse can have such good intentions? Thank the Heavens I’m not terrified.”

Gu Nian didn’t appear to find out about it. At this second, she was extraordinarily curious and requested: “What good shock, ah? How come I don’t know?”

Cheng Fengjin simply smiled mysteriously, making up his thoughts to maintain them in suspense. “Don’t fear, you’ll know shortly.”

Translator’s Be aware: Are you able to guess the shock? The subsequent two chapters are very thrilling~ I’m going to attempt an add schedule of Wednesday, Friday, and a weekend day. Hopefully it really works out.