Chapter 453 Tranquility

Chen Anna nodded. Gu Yan had said that the wedding banquet at Jian'an Old House was arranged by Commander Gu.

For this family banquet in Guangzhou, my mother plans to hold an even grander event, having already added thirty tables, but she still feels it's not enough.

Chen Anni interjected, "Should I take my two babies with me? They've never been to the North before."

"Yes, yes, let's bring it! Let's see snow for once!" Mother Chen said with a smile. "Old Master Gu is a commander, the wedding will definitely be a lively affair."

The maid brought over some sweet soup.

Anna Chen ate her coconut sago pudding in small bites, listening to her mother and sister discuss the new clothes they had prepared. They were bright and fashionable, and they had even ordered three sets of Tang suits for the two children.

Not long after.

Chen Siming returned to the living room and sat down next to his sister: "When you see Zhou Sheng tomorrow, remember to bring a souvenir. I've prepared a few boxes of gifts; take them with you when you leave."

"Brother, you're so thoughtful. Thank you, brother."

“You should.” Chen Siming patted her shoulder. “Zhou Sheng and Gu Yan have been friends for decades. You should keep in touch with them more often. Maintaining this kind of relationship is good for everyone.”

Anna Chen sighed, "I understand, big brother."

Her father and older brother always weighed every social interaction on a scale. She remembered when she was little, her father taught her older brother that "social relationships are business," a lesson she didn't understand then, but now she had to experience it firsthand.

When she said goodbye, her father asked the family driver to take her home.

Aping put a gift box in the trunk of the car, and Chen's mother stuffed a thermos into her daughter's hand: "Remember to drink it, one bowl each for Gu Sheng." Then she lowered her voice, "Morinda and Eucommia soup, good for your health."

Chen Anna felt her ears burning and had no choice but to accept it.

Chen's mother then slipped a small red brocade pouch into her coat pocket: "Inside is a talisman for praying for a child. I went to Wong Tai Sin Temple specifically to get it. I put it under my pillow, and it's very effective."

"Okay, Mommy." Anna Chen deliberately put on a stern face, "If you do this again next time, I really won't dare to come back for dinner."

Chen's mother was amused and gently patted her arm: "Silly girl, it's all for your own good. Hurry up and get in the car, it's cold."

Back at the villa where I was temporarily staying with Gu Yan, the lights were on.

The maid came to greet us and went to the trunk to retrieve something.

"Put these in the living room for now. We'll need them tomorrow," Chen Anna instructed, picking up the thermos herself. "I'll take care of this; you rest first."

She went upstairs to wash up, changed into a light purple silk loungewear, and waited for Gu Yan while reading a book on the sofa in the living room.

Around 11 o'clock, the sound of a car engine came from outside the courtyard.

Chen Anna got up and walked to the entrance hall. The door lock turned, and Gu Yan pushed the door open, bringing in a night breeze carrying the smell of alcohol and the lingering scent of cigars.

"Are you drunk? Are you feeling unwell?" She helped him take off his suit jacket.

Gu Yan loosened his tie: "I only had one drink, it was all from the smoke."

His voice was a little hoarse, but his eyes were very clear.

"That's good." Anna Chen led him towards the restaurant. "I'm going home for dinner tonight, and Mom insisted I bring some nourishing soup. Would you like a bowl while it's still warm?"

Gu Yan recalled the pot of ox penis soup from last time, raised an eyebrow slightly, but still nodded: "Okay, have a bowl."

Chen Anna's ears turned slightly red, but she still opened the thermos and scooped out a full white porcelain bowl with a spoon.

The dark brown broth sloshed in the porcelain bowl, emitting a strong aroma of herbs.

She looked up and saw Gu Yan's teasing gaze, her cheeks flushing. "Oh dear! I told her not to do this, but she secretly made it... I threatened her, if she makes it again I won't come home for dinner..."

"It's nothing, it's all from my mother-in-law's heartfelt wishes." Gu Yan interrupted her, drinking the entire cup without changing his expression. As his Adam's apple bobbed, Chen Anna saw his eye twitch slightly.

"Would you like another bowl?" she asked, suppressing a laugh.

“…I can’t drink anymore.” Gu Yan handed the empty bowl back, a helpless smile on his lips.

Anna Chen didn't insist. She put away the bowl and the thermos, saying, "Okay, go wash up quickly, it's late."

Gu Yan turned around and placed a kiss on her forehead: "Okay, see you later."

Chen Anna put the bowl in the kitchen sink and returned to the bedroom, where she saw Gu Yan taking off his shirt.

Seeing her come in, he casually opened his arms, the warm light sliding down his shoulder and neck lines: "Mrs. Gu, can you do me a favor?"

Anna Chen pouted and walked over, "You're really shameless."

After taking off his shirt, his upper body was completely bare, and he gestured with his eyes to the belt buckle.

Anna Chen gently patted his chest and said coquettishly, "Hmph, you wait... just wait, I'll make you beg for mercy."

Perhaps it was the soup's doing, or perhaps something else, but the night seemed exceptionally long.

The next day, when Chen Anna was trying on her wedding dress, she exclaimed softly in front of the mirror, noticing several ambiguous light red marks.

She turned around and glared at Gu Yan, who was wearing a three-piece suit and having the tailor alter his waistline. Upon seeing this, he curled his lips and mouthed a pleading gesture.

With the wedding company staff present, Chen Anna couldn't lash out, so she glared at him again.

Not long after.

Gu Yan walked over and hugged her from behind. "Be careful next time." There was little apology in his tone; instead, it sounded like he was reminiscing about something.

The final wedding dress chosen was a satin mermaid style with tiny pearls embroidered on the veil.

Gu Yan's formal attire was a dark gray three-piece suit with a silver-gray tie.

The wedding company staff took careful notes and promised to take them to Jian'an properly.

We discussed the details of the wedding banquet with the wedding planning company until evening before finally settling on the final plan.

Gu Yan took Chen Anna to a banquet at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Zhou Zhengping was already waiting in the private room.

His assistant, Amin, stood beside him, with six gift boxes of different sizes at their feet.

"Shohei."

Gu Yan stepped forward to shake hands, his gaze sweeping over the boxes. "You've made quite a show of force."

Zhou Zhengping's handshake with Gu Yan's was very steady: "It's a big deal for a newlywed couple, it's only right."

He added, "These things can't repay the help you've given me over the years. Gu Yan, please accept them; they'll put my mind at ease."

Gu Yan was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Zhou Zhengping then turned to Chen Anna with a faint smile, "Ms. Chen, congratulations."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou."

Chen Anna gestured to Gu Yan's assistant to hand over the gift, saying, "My brother asked me to give you his regards."

Zhou Zhengping nodded slightly: "Yes, please give my regards to Mr. Chen."

The meal was eaten in a calm and polite manner.

The two men chatted about the latest real estate policies and the trends of Hong Kong capital, occasionally mentioning old stories about Jian'an, but always keeping it brief.

Anna Chen listened quietly, adding tea and serving dishes as needed, and occasionally interjecting with lighthearted topics about wedding dresses and banquets.

After the meal, when Zhou Zhengping and Gu Yan shook hands, they paused for a long moment before saying goodbye.

"See you during the Chinese New Year," he said.

"Okay, take care."

...

On the way back, Anna Chen opened a gift box containing a pair of Patek Philippe watches.

"It's too valuable."

"It's alright, I'll find a chance to pay you back later." Gu Yan looked at the fleeting street scenes outside the window.

Chen Anna smiled and said, "Okay, when Zhou Sheng gets married, we'll also give him a thoughtful return gift."

Gu Yan smiled but didn't reply. In his heart, however, he thought that Zhou Zhengping probably wouldn't get married.

Over the years, he has had women around him, but they all passed by like fleeting clouds, and none of them could get close to him.

Once, when he was drunk, Zhou Zhengping said, "This is probably how my life will be."

Gu Yan scolded him for being pretentious.

Now that I'm getting married myself, I'm only vaguely understanding what "that's how it is" means.

...It's not about accepting fate, it's about knowing too clearly what you want and knowing too clearly that there are some things you can't have, so you simply close your heart and seek peace and quiet.