Chapter 60

On Friday evening, Yan Xi finished her interview and returned home late at night. After soaking in the bathtub for a while to wash away her fatigue, she climbed out and put on a bathrobe.

Just as she did, her phone rang from outside the room. Seeing that the call was from Tao Ru, she answered on speakerphone and began coloring an unfinished webtoon.

"Yan Dahai! How did you manage to snag our boss's boss?!"

"Didn't you all say, 'Don't chicken out, just go for it?'" Yan Xi replied, her coloring strokes swift. "And now you're surprised?"

"How was I supposed to know you were aiming for such a tough nut?" Tao Ru chattered away on the other end, then suddenly paused, sensing Yan Xi wasn't in a chatty mood. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, go on. I'm listening." Yan Xi had already mentally prepared herself for the inevitable interrogation by her friends ever since the incident went public.

"I thought you might be upset about something else," Tao Ru said, deciding not to bring up anything about Wei Xiaoman. "Let's find some time to get together. It's been almost half a month since we last met."

"Sure, and I'll bring along those signed photos of the celebrity you mentioned last time," Yan Xi paused her coloring. "By the way, have you heard anything about Wei Xiaoman recently?"

"What about her?" Tao Ru sounded puzzled. "Other than her getting married, is there something else?"

"Nothing, just asking casually." Yan Xi's voice remained calm. "Let's go somewhere fun next weekend."

Tao Ru didn't notice anything unusual in Yan Xi's tone. After chatting for a while, she hung up the phone.

Opening her chat app, Tao Ru saw messages from someone urging her to attend Wei Xiaoman's wedding, saying that the issue from back then was long over. Besides, the conflict had been between Yan Xi and Wei Xiaoman—it wasn't up to others to take sides. The subtext was that Tao Ru and Yang Min were unfairly biased towards Yan Xi.

How ridiculous. They were supposed to side with the victim—did they really expect her to support the third party instead?

Still, arguing with a classmate she barely cared about felt pointless. Tao Ru simply replied:

"Sorry, I'll be working overtime tomorrow. I'll send the gift money through someone else."

If it was just about the money, she'd give it. Who didn't have a little extra to spare?

Early Saturday morning, Yan Xi was still asleep when she was woken up by a call from Yuan Yi. Forcing herself awake, she quickly freshened up and dressed. By the time she left her house, her eyelids felt like they were glued shut.

"What were you doing last night?" Yuan Yi handed her breakfast prepared by Aunt Li. "She made it specially when she heard I'd be meeting you today."

"Thanks," Yan Xi yawned. "Where are we going today?"

"I'm taking you out for fun," Yuan Yi adjusted his tie. "Remember, I promised you that today's schedule would be fully under my control."

Promised? When did that happen?

True to his word, Yuan Yi kept her entertained all morning. They went to an art studio to play with coloring materials, where her work received praise from several children. Later, they visited a shooting club. Apart from fumbling with a rifle during college military training, Yan Xi's only other experience with firearms was toy guns.

When a coach noticed her struggle and approached to help with her shooting stance, Yuan Yi stepped in and blocked him with a gesture. The coach glanced at the two of them, quickly catching on. He gave Yuan Yi a thumbs-up and tactfully retreated to a corner.

"Raise your hands higher, don't shake," Yuan Yi stood behind her, gently supporting her arms. "Move it slightly to the left."

He was very close. When Yan Xi turned her head, her cheek accidentally brushed against his lips. Yuan Yi's hand trembled slightly, and the bullet missed the target.

"You... you be more careful!"

"Xiao Yuan..."

"What?"

"Your face is so red."

"It's stuffy in here. You keep practicing. I'm stepping out for some fresh air."

"Don't stay out too long," Yan Xi pleaded, looking at him pitifully. "I feel a bit out of place being here alone."

Yuan Yi paused mid-step and turned back, plopping himself down on a nearby chair.

"You're not going out?" Yan Xi tilted her head at him.

"I'll stay with you for a bit," Yuan Yi replied, glancing aside. "We'll head to the next spot after this."

Yan Xi smiled, put down the gun, removed her safety glasses and earmuffs, and walked over to him. "I'm done practicing. Let's go."

"Why stop? Can't do it?" Yuan Yi asked, confused.

"I'm worried about you feeling too stifled," Yan Xi smiled brightly. "Come on, let's head to the next place."

Yuan Yi stared at her for a moment before standing up. "Alright, I'll bring you back here another time."

"Sure." Yan Xi thought to herself, A man who looks tough but is soft-hearted and adorable underneath... utterly charming.

Yan Xi hadn't expected Yuan Yi to bring her to the Changfeng Hotel. She gave him a sidelong glance but didn't ask why. The car passed through the main entrance and entered the underground parking lot.

"Aren't you curious why I brought you here?" Yuan Yi asked.

"What's there to ask?" Yan Xi stepped out of the car and tilted her chin up. "It's not like you can lose me."

Soon, a young man in a suit came over to greet them. Yan Xi recognized him as the hotel manager who had received them during their last visit. She nodded politely and stayed silent behind Yuan Yi.

"Mr. Yuan, everything you asked for has been arranged," the manager reported in a low voice, occasionally sneaking glances at Yan Xi. Judging by his expression, he was nearly certain this young woman would become the Yuan family's second young mistress.

"Thank you. I'll have the bonuses transferred to everyone's accounts," Yuan Yi said, then turned to Yan Xi. "Let's go. I'll take you to a private room to rest."

Changfeng Hotel's private rooms were elegant and refined. Yan Xi cradled a cup of tea, sitting by the window, which offered a clear view of the wedding happening below. "You brought me here just to watch a wedding?"

"What's there to see at a wedding?" Yuan Yi's gaze dropped as he gently blew on his tea. "I brought you here to reclaim both dignity and pride in front of your former classmates."

Although Yan Xi had brushed past the topic lightly, the betrayal by a friend and boyfriend back then was undoubtedly a source of ridicule and gossip. Years had passed, and while some could attend the wedding of the other woman with ease, Yan Xi's reputation deserved to be defended.

Most importantly, Yuan Yi wanted everyone to know that Yan Xi's poor taste back then was a thing of the past. Her "current boyfriend" was proof of that.

Even though... their relationship wasn't real. But who's to say it couldn't become real someday?

"Xiaoman, are you tired? If you are, rest on the sofa for a bit," Liu Jia, dressed in a crisp suit, whispered to Wei Xiaoman. "Most of the guests are here. We'll start the ceremony soon."

Wei Xiaoman shook her head and glanced repeatedly toward the entrance before finally smiling bitterly. "She probably won't come."

"Don't overthink it," Liu Jia gently patted her shoulder. "Someone working in television probably has an unpredictable schedule. Maybe she just doesn't have time."

"It's not that simple," Wei Xiaoman, supported by Liu Jia, sat down. "I know Dahe's personality. When she loves, she loves wholeheartedly. When she hates, she hates just as deeply. If she still considered me a friend, she'd move heaven and earth to be here—no matter the circumstances."

Reflecting on the past, Wei Xiaoman found herself disgusted with her own actions. How could Yan Xi think otherwise?

"No matter what happened between you two, surely she could look past it now..." Wei Xiaoman's bridesmaid, also a college friend, spoke softly.

"She doesn't know," Wei Xiaoman interrupted. "I never told her."

She couldn't bring herself to admit it. To wrong Yan Xi back then was bad enough. To now use her illness as an excuse for forgiveness would be equally vile.

Liu Jia hesitated. He had informed Yan Xi about Wei Xiaoman's illness, but Yan Xi's refusal to attend would only deepen Wei Xiaoman's pain. So, he kept this detail to himself.

"Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Wei Xiaoman?" A stranger approached the group.

Liu Jia rose and shielded Wei Xiaoman behind him. "May I ask what this is about?"

"Hello, we're here to deliver a gift on behalf of Miss Yan." The man in the lead pulled out a thick, elaborate red envelope and handed it to Liu Jia. "Miss Yan said she couldn't attend the wedding but wishes Ms. Wei happiness."

Wei Xiaoman accepted the envelope. It was exquisitely made but bore no handwritten message. The thick stack of money inside filled her heart with a mix of sourness and bitterness.

"Xiaoman, Xiaoman," her bridesmaid gently patted her shoulder. "It's almost noon. The ceremony is about to begin."

Wei Xiaoman opened the envelope to find several bundles of crisp new bills, the bank seals still intact.

"Several tens of thousands..." the bridesmaid's tone was complicated. "As expected of someone who became a TV host."

"Excuse me," the hotel manager approached, bowing politely. "Are you friends or relatives of Ms. Wei Xiaoman?"

Liu Jia's parents were deeply dissatisfied with their son marrying a seriously ill woman. Despite showing up at the wedding today for their son's sake, their expressions were far from pleasant. When someone from Changfeng Hotel unexpectedly asked about Wei Xiaoman, they felt a tinge of surprise. They had to rely on connections to secure the venue, so why would the hotel staff ignore their son and instead inquire about Wei Xiaoman?

"Hello, I am Wei Xiaoman."

"Miss Wei, hello. I am the manager of this hotel. We were unaware that you were a friend of Miss Yan. If there is anything amiss, please forgive us. To express our apologies, all your expenses at our hotel today will be discounted by 40%," the manager said, shaking her hand. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your requests."

"Wait a moment," the bridesmaid interjected upon hearing the mention of "Miss Yan." "Are you referring to... Yan Xi?"

"Yes," the manager replied with a slight smile. "Miss Yan specifically instructed us to ensure that Miss Wei was well taken care of."

"But you're under Changfeng's brand—why do you listen to her so much?" the bridesmaid asked in astonishment. When had a host like Yan Xi wielded such influence?

"You must be joking. Miss Yan is the girlfriend of our second young master, the future daughter-in-law of the Yuan family. How could we not take care of Miss Yan's friends?" The manager exchanged a few polite words with Liu Jia's family before leaving.

"Xiaoman, who is this friend of yours with such remarkable influence?" Liu Jia's mother forced a smile. "We owe her a huge favor. We should find a chance to invite her to dinner as thanks."

"The manager just explained, didn't he?" Wei Xiaoman maintained a strained smile. "She's the future daughter-in-law of the Yuan family. Of course, she has influence." From morning to now, Liu Jia's mother had barely smiled at her. Now that she knew Wei Xiaoman had a "powerful friend," she finally managed to crack a grin.

Unfortunately, their plans were bound to fail. That "powerful friend" would never look after the Liu family's business for Wei Xiaoman's sake.

"Mom." Liu Jia, understanding his mother's intentions, interjected. "Whatever it is, we'll talk about it later."

Noticing her son's displeasure, Liu Jia's mother had no choice but to hold back her curiosity.

The bridesmaid standing nearby recalled how she had spoken disparagingly of Yan Xi some time ago. Now, she regretted it deeply. If she had known Yan Xi was so capable, she would have chosen her words more carefully.

Weddings are filled with chatter, and secrets don't stay hidden for long. Soon, Yan Xi's former college classmates learned that, although she didn't attend the wedding, she had ensured the banquet received a discount and even had the hotel manager personally deliver greetings.

"Remember that guy? He cheated on Yan Xi with Wei Xiaoman and then broke up with Wei Xiaoman too. Now both women have found better men. Yan Xi and Wei Xiaoman probably owe him for not marrying them."

"True. Of the three, Yan Xi had it the worst—cheated on by her boyfriend and betrayed by her friend. She was utterly humiliated back then. I heard she didn't show up today but sent a wedding gift worth tens of thousands. That's real magnanimity."

"Exactly. If it were me..."

"Enough, enough. Talking about old scandals at someone's wedding is inappropriate."

Yan Xi glanced out the window as the wedding ceremony began. Wei Xiaoman, hand in hand with the groom, walked down the aisle to the sound of faint music. Yan Xi got up, closed the window, and turned to Yuan Yi. "I'm hungry. Let's eat."

After dinner, Yan Xi looked out the window again and said to Yuan Yi, "Prepare some paper and a pen for me."

"Alright."

At the banquet, Wei Xiaoman didn't make rounds to toast each table. In fact, she had gone to the restroom several times to vomit after barely enduring the opening ceremony. She touched up her makeup repeatedly to hide her pallor.

By the time the banquet ended, she was still holding onto a strained smile as she bid farewell to the guests.

Today, she was the most beautiful bride.

"Miss Wei," a hotel staff member approached, holding a bouquet of vibrant Casablanca lilies. "These flowers are from Miss Yan."

Stunned, Wei Xiaoman reached out to take the exquisite bouquet.

She recalled how, during their first year of college, the four of them had sat outside the soccer field watching a guy give his girlfriend flowers. Back then, she had said that roses were too cliché and that she preferred Casablanca lilies.

Six years had passed, and she hadn't expected Yan Xi to remember.

Picking up the note tucked in the bouquet, she recognized the familiar handwriting.

"Let us part and move on. May you find happiness. Best wishes."

The tears Wei Xiaoman had been holding back finally fell as she clutched the flowers and sobbed.

Some mistakes come with no chance for regret. Time doesn't turn back, nor do events unfold anew.

"Where do you want to go?" Yuan Yi asked Yan Xi outside the hotel.

"Let's go horseback riding," Yan Xi met his gaze. "You can teach me."

"Alright."