Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
Qin He's recent lifestyle had been simple: she went to work at the Joint Department in the Western District during the day, returned to the Qin family's residence to rest in the evening, and called her good sister to comfort her.
Today was the day Xu Wanwan and Qin Yun got engaged.
Due to the banquet schedule, Xu Wanwan arrived at the Qin residence early to start preparations.
Downstairs.
Xu Wanwan and Qin He were in a room, both peering out the window.
The fresh flowers that had been air-freighted in last night were now arranged and decorating the entire Qin family garden, bringing a touch of spring and vitality to the late autumn garden.
Qin He propped her chin on her hand and smiled, "My mother rarely hosts evening banquets at home; she dislikes people messing up the house. This is the first time I've seen the house decorated so grandly."
Beside her, Xu Wanwan's makeup artist had finished her makeup and hairstyle; only the evening gown remained to be put on.
She stood there, her hands trembling slightly.
Qin He's gaze shifted from the window to Xu Wanwan's trembling hands.
She let out a soft laugh, attempting to comfort her, "Wanwan, there's no need to be so scared, right? This is just the engagement banquet. If you're this nervous now, won't you faint at the wedding banquet in a few months?"
Xu Wanwan coughed lightly, her voice seeming to be squeezed from her throat.
"This is considered, considered a wish fulfilled. How can I not be nervous?"
Qin He stroked her lower abdomen and nodded. Today, she wore a particularly loose evening gown, with only an elastic band just below her chest, and loose skirt panels from there down.
Xu Wanwan glanced at the time, "No, I need to change into my gown quickly. The host will call us on stage soon."
Qin He cooperated with Xu Wanwan, along with two maids, and slowly fastened the magnificent engagement dress.
"It's done."
Music sounded from outside.
It was time to invite the main character onto the stage. Xu Wanwan took a deep breath, her nervousness evident, and walked out, holding her dress.
Qin He followed behind them, and the two walked from the villa to the Qin family garden.
In the garden, Xu Wanwan held her dress, a stiff smile on her face as she ascended the host's stage.
Qin He glanced down at the audience. Her mother and Xu Wanwan's parents, including Elder Xu, were all seated there.
Ming Yuzhu saw her and waved. Qin He held up her skirt and sat beside her mother.
The entire flow of this engagement banquet was designed by Xu Wanwan, a mix of Chinese and Western styles, with interactions between the host and the engaged couple.
Qin He watched the lively proceedings and noticed her best friend's back on stage was as stiff as a fish.
She chuckled softly. Qin Yun stood beside Xu Wanwan and took her hand.
They whispered something to each other, and Xu Wanwan visibly relaxed.
After their interaction with the host, it was time for the engaged couple to have the first dance.
Qin Yun led Xu Wanwan into the dance floor, starting with a waltz.
Qin He gently stroked her pregnant belly as the young men and women around them joined the dance floor.
She sat there at ease. In the past, at banquets, she would have to find a corner to sit.
Now, her belly was her lifeline; no one would invite her to dance.
Qin He was lost in thought.
A familiar voice sounded beside her.
"May I have this dance, little fairy?"
Qin He raised her eyebrows slightly, turned her head, and saw Lu Mingxi extending his hand.
She laughed and casually replied, "Fairies don't usually dance casually."
Lu Mingxi didn't mind and sat down on the chair on Qin He's other side.
"Fairies don't usually dance."
"The ceremony is over, and now it's the banquet. Why are you still sitting here?"
Qin He patted her belly, "I'm a pregnant woman. If I don't sit here, am I supposed to go in and actually dance?"
She looked at the figures of Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan in the dance floor.
One looked up, the other down, as if the world only contained each other in their eyes.
Qin He felt a sense of empathy and a brilliant smile bloomed on her face.
"Seeing my brother and Wanwan achieve their happily ever after, I can finally rest easy."
Qin He's face radiated happiness and relief, genuinely pleased for her brother and Wanwan.
Lu Mingxi gazed at Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan for a moment, then quietly turned his attention to Qin He.
"Your brother is already engaged, and you should consider your own lifelong happiness."
Qin He stroked her belly, leisurely and content.
"I'm not in a hurry. It's okay even if I never get married."
Lu Mingxi's gaze deepened slightly. Recalling what his parents had told him, he lowered his voice.
"After I returned from Jiang City this time, I heard that Gu Qishen announced at Wilson's seminar that the child in your womb is his. Does Gu Qishen know the truth?"
Qin He had been immersed in Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan's happiness.
Hearing Lu Mingxi's words, she was jolted back to reality.
She was startled and looked around, checking if anyone was nearby, then lowered her voice.
"Speak softly, don't let anyone hear you!"
Lu Mingxi raised his eyebrows at Qin He's reaction, gaining some insight.
"Seeing how scared you are, Gu Qishen probably doesn't know the truth yet."
Qin He glared at him. After a moment's thought, she said, "Gu Qishen's current understanding is the same as your former identity."
Lu Mingxi chuckled, "You mean Gu Qishen believes the child in your belly is mine, but he's willing to be the father of my child? I really didn't realize he was such a magnanimous person."
Lu Mingxi's tone was filled with schadenfreude.
Qin He glared at him angrily.
"Alright, stop sitting here. Take me for a stroll in your backyard."
Lu Mingxi took Qin He's arm and helped her up.
Qin He said lazily, "You've been to my house so many times. Can't you just stroll on your own? Why do you have to drag me along?"
A smile played on Lu Mingxi's lips, his handsome face intently focused on Qin He. "Let's go, I have something to tell you."
Qin He had no choice but to follow him to the backyard.
On the narrow path, the two of them gradually moved away from the main banquet area.
The surroundings became quiet, and Qin He stopped, feeling a bit tired.
"Lu Mingxi, are you sure there's no one here? Even the surveillance cameras in this area are silent. You can say whatever you need to say now."
Lu Mingxi turned around and looked at Qin He solemnly.
Just as Qin He felt she was about to be stared into pieces, he suddenly spoke, "Qin He, I like you."
Qin He froze, then frowned, feeling like she had been played.
"That's all you wanted to say? To think I believed you had something important!"
Qin He had heard Lu Mingxi say such things dozens of times since they met.