Zhou Jinbei spent over an hour applying makeup to cover her swollen eyes from crying.
At five in the afternoon, she changed into her dress and heels, styled her hair, and Jiang Sicheng arrived precisely on time.
Seeing her daughter picked up by a young man who looked sharp and energetic, arriving in a flashy luxury car, her mother was more than satisfied.
Beaming, she sent Zhou Jinbei into Jiang Sicheng's embrace.
The two emerged from the villa, looking like a perfect match, and headed towards the car. However, Jiang Sicheng opened the rear door for her.
"You sit in the back; there's someone in the front."
Zhou Jinbei got in and closed the door.
At a glance, she saw a man in the passenger seat who was taller than Jiang Sicheng, appeared considerably more built, and was equally young and handsome.
Knowing she had gotten into the car, the man turned around and gave her a knowing smile.
"So you're Acheng's future little wife? Hello, I'm your husband's boyfriend. You can call me Brother Kai."
Jiang Sicheng was truly bold.
He actually put his boyfriend and fiancée in the same car and had them meet each other?
Just because he had spent money, he was so sure Zhou Jinbei would keep his secret and acted so recklessly?
If she had known, she wouldn't have come.
She was already in a bad mood, and now she had to watch her future husband openly display affection with another man.
It was just adding insult to injury.
Zhou Jinbei's expression remained blank. "Hello."
"Oh, such an unfriendly attitude. You don't welcome me?"
Jiang Sicheng fastened his seatbelt, and Brother Kai grabbed his right hand and squeezed it.
"Maybe I shouldn't go today. If your little wife is unhappy, don't let me cause an argument between you two."
"You dare," Jiang Sicheng said, smiling as he lifted Kai and kissed him by his lips.
"If you don't go, I'll be attacked by so many annoying people alone. Will I even survive?"
"Don't mind her, she's not angry. She knows everything and is very generous."
After speaking, they both turned to look at Zhou Jinbei. "Isn't that right, Miss Zhou?"
Zhou Jinbei was almost amused to the point of anger.
"Indeed, I am very generous. Not only do I not mind, but I even wish you two happiness."
"Happy New Year, I wish you both a sweet relationship and eternal love. Want to kiss and show me?"
The two seemed to have just gotten together, being so affectionate.
Zhou Jinbei's sarcastic remark was taken seriously. After she spoke, they exchanged a look, and sparks flew.
Then, peck, peck, peck...
They held each other's heads and pecked endlessly in front of Zhou Jinbei.
After watching for a long time, if they didn't leave soon, Zhou Jinbei would want to jump out of the car. She slapped the seat hard.
"Stop. Someone's coming."
The two finally separated slowly.
Brother Kai reluctantly tidied up Jiang Sicheng's lips.
"Little one, I'll let you off for now."
Zhou Jinbei: "..."
Since it was the first time meeting the groom's parents, the location was naturally chosen to be the Jiang family's residence.
Zhou Jinbei entered, linking arms with Jiang Sicheng. His parents were very pleased with her.
Everything during the meal was harmonious, except for Jiang Sicheng occasionally turning his head to playfully interact with Brother Kai as if they were buddies.
At the end of the meal, Jiang Sicheng proposed to expedite the wedding so he could get married.
"Since you all have no objections, and I really like Beibei, let's get married quickly."
"Only if I get married soon can you have grandchildren soon."
His mother immediately gave Zhou Jinbei a large red envelope.
"Then it's settled. With the Lunar New Year approaching, every day is a good day, and relatives will have time to attend the wedding. We'll go and propose to the Zhou family tomorrow."
"We'll strive for you to get married on the sixth day of the lunar new year. I really want to hold my grandchild."
The Zhou parents were eager to finalize the marriage, and thus, very smoothly, Zhou Jinbei was to be married on the sixth day of the lunar new year.
On the evening of the third day, her father was anxiously writing invitations when he remembered Mrs. Zhan.
"I didn't even inform her aunt beforehand. She dotes on Beibei, I wonder if she'll be angry."
"Tomorrow, you take Beibei to deliver the invitation personally, and invite A Jue as well. They are the only relatives our Zhou family can boast about now."
Zhou Jinbei accompanied her mother to the hospital again.
She didn't see her aunt, but she did see Zhan Beijue, who looked even more haggard and had a more explosive temper than before.
Her mother handed him the invitation, but he took it without even opening his eyes.
"I know. I'll send someone then. You can go back."
"A Jue, why haven't I seen your mother recently? Is she..."
"We argued. She went abroad. Don't ask me about her affairs anymore."
"..."
"Aren't you leaving yet? Do you want me to give you the wedding gift money right now?"
On the way back, her mother kept scolding.
She cursed the aunt and Zhan Beijue for being arrogant and ungrateful, wishing them a terrible end.
"Don't forget she was also part of the Zhou family herself, grew up eating from the same pot as your father. What's she so proud of?"
"Just because she married someone rich and acts superior? He doesn't even like her, pfft!"
"People like them, who are ungrateful and bully their own relatives, will not have good outcomes in the future!"
"Beibei, remember this! The reason we have to bow and scrape today is because we've fallen on hard times. Life without money is difficult."
"When you go to the Jiang family, you must be well-behaved, win over your in-laws, and know how to hold onto Sicheng. Our family's future for the next few years depends on you. You must strive to succeed!"
Zhou Jinbei could say nothing but close her eyes and sigh.
Choosing one's birth was a skilled endeavor.
Her own skills were lacking, leading her to be born into this family and burdened with such a bizarre bunch. Who else could she blame but herself?
After days of busy preparations, the sixth day of the lunar new year soon arrived.
Jiang Sicheng, with a groomsmen party led by Brother Kai, went to pick up the bride. Early in the morning, they showed off their affection in front of her.
The master of ceremonies had prepared many segments to liven up the atmosphere, and Jiang Sicheng eagerly joined in the fun with Brother Kai.
They hugged each other to pop balloons, passed a paper card mouth-to-mouth, wore silly headbands and made funny faces together, and competed to eat a piece of candy...
Zhou Jinbei truly wished she were just an observer, that the ones truly getting married were the two of them.
The day hadn't even begun, and it was already like this. For the next long decades, she would probably have to spend all her energy figuring out how to divorce.
Since it wasn't true love, Jiang Sicheng casually bought her a wedding dress, and she wore it perfunctorily. And so, they arrived at the wedding venue.
The romantic yet cliché wedding venue was packed with dozens of tables of guests.
The master of ceremonies rambled on for a long time, and the two exchanged rings perfunctorily before starting the toast.
They toasted at each table. Although she only took a tiny sip each time, Zhou Jinbei's head was already spinning halfway through.
Until she suddenly saw Ah Zhong.
He was dressed as usual, in a neat shirt and suit, with a clean face and hair.
Despite nothing being particularly special about him, in contrast to the boisterous and clownish Jiang Sicheng, he appeared so elegant and composed.
The tears Zhou Jinbei had suppressed for days almost burst forth the moment their eyes met.
Ah Zhong quickly averted his gaze, elegantly and refinedly holding his wine glass, and stood up.
"I am here on behalf of President Zhan. Congratulations to Miss Zhou and Mr. Jiang on your wedding. May you have many children and grandchildren."
"The Madam is currently abroad and unable to offer her blessings in person. We ask for Miss Zhou's understanding."
"Please continue, the two of you. I have some matters to attend to back at the office, so I will take my leave now."