The thought that Shu Yi would truly become Zhang Youye's wife after the wedding made Shu Chuanran want to die.

He was so tired, both physically and mentally exhausted.

No one will understand how much he loves Shuyi.

No one wanted to understand how much he loved Shuyi.

No one will ever know how long it took him to buy the necklace he gave her when they first met.

At the beginning of the story.

Upon learning of her grandmother's passing, Shu Chuanran returned to China.

Later, he learned from his father that his grandfather wanted to find his lost granddaughter and bring her back to the Shu family. He used all his means and went to great lengths to find clues about Shu Yi.

When Shu Chuanran arrived in Jiaxing alone, he pushed open the door and walked into the bar called "Come and Have a Drink".

When he saw his second sister under the stage spotlight, carrying a guitar and immersed in the world of music, Shu Chuanran truly felt for the first time—

It turns out that love at first sight, something that sounds absurd, really does exist in this world.

During that meeting, Shu Chuanran did not leave a single word.

He simply sat quietly in the corner of the bar, listening to her sing one love song after another.

Her singing inexplicably captivated him, and he didn't return to reality from the musical world until the performance ended.

Watching her leave the stage, Shu Chuanran stopped the waiter beside him and gestured for him to bring a piece of paper.

When Shuyi took the piece of paper from the waiter, she saw the elegant handwriting on it.

Your singing voice is beautiful, just like you.

When Shu Yi asked out of curiosity which customer had written the note, she followed the direction the waiter was pointing.

All she saw was an empty seat and a beautiful woman with a glass of pink that she hadn't touched.

The few words, like water droplets rolling down the side of a cup, contained nothing but praise for her.

At the time, Shu Chuanran did not want to reveal too much.

After all, Shu Yi had never experienced this kind of life before, and he worried that his identity would arouse her suspicion and expose his inappropriate thoughts.

He learned from the waiter that Shuyi was single, and he just thought that there was plenty of time, so he could take it slow.

Once his grandfather's idea is put into action, and once his second sister is brought back to the Shu family, he can prove his sincerity to her little by little in his own way.

The necklace he wore when they officially met was the first time he sincerely gave her his heart.

Unfortunately, no matter how well you plan, there will always be someone who interferes.

With immense trepidation, he solemnly presented the necklace to her. During the days when he wondered if she would like it, he learned that Zhang Youye was also interested in his second sister.

At that moment, he couldn't help but chuckle.

The powerlessness that surged from all directions pierced his body like a sharp blade, showing no mercy.

Every time Shu Chuanran gazed at Shu Yi's neck, which had never worn that necklace, he understood completely.

He couldn't compete with the Crown Prince.

It's always been that way, ever since I was little.

Pausing his recollection, Shu Chuanran rose from the sofa and turned to look at his sister: "Do you think I'm a coward?"

"What?" Shu Qianxin didn't understand.

"If you meet someone you really like, would you go to any lengths to tell them that you like them?"

When Shu Chuanran's almost silent, low, hoarse voice abruptly ended, Shu Qianxin's body froze.

Perhaps it was influenced by Shu Chuanran's question, or perhaps the question contained too many of her inexplicable and fragmented emotions towards Zhang Youye.

She bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

In the silence, Shu Chuanran lowered his dark eyelashes, rested his arm on his knee, and added slowly and dryly.

"Actually, we're all cowards. So, cowards don't seem to have the right to talk about this kind of topic."

...

Back to the East Courtyard.

After thoroughly venting his anger from head to toe, Zhang Youye left the bathroom.

He dried the water stains from the ends of his hair, looked up at the clock on the wall, and saw that it was already 9:30.

I wondered if the discussion at the Moonlit Hall had ended. I picked up my phone, intending to send a message to Shu Yi to ask.

A caller ID suddenly lit up on the screen.

It was a call from Mr. Gu, the bar owner.

Thinking the other party had something urgent, Zhang Youye answered the phone: "What's wrong?"

"Brother You, what are you busy with?"

"Get to the point. My family and the Shu family are having dinner together today to discuss the wedding arrangements. If you don't have anything important to say, I'm hanging up."

"Hey guys, did you hear that? The young master is getting married! Get your wedding gifts ready!"

Disturbed by the cheers coming from the other end of the phone, Zhang Youye frowned: "What's going on? Why is it so noisy over there?"

The other end quieted down, and soon Zhang Youye heard a calm, steady male voice again.

"Yono, it's me. Aren't you going to come out and greet me?"

Because the speaker's voice was so familiar, Zhang Youye subconsciously curled his lips, his expression delighted.

"Chi An? You're back in China? When did you get back? What are you doing with A Sheng?"

On the other end of the phone, Zhou Chi'an held a cigarette between his slender fingers, lazily picked up a wine glass and brought it to his lips.

"I was just here to discuss a project with a few clients when Ah Sheng caught me, so I had a few drinks with him."

"I heard from Ah Sheng that you and Miss Shu are very sweet together now. You little rascal, I'm working myself to death for the company abroad, while you're living the high life, not even telling your buddy about your relationship."

"Who was it that said they'd rather die than get married back then? Have they changed their mind so quickly? What's the story? When are you planning to introduce her to me?"

Thinking about how his wife hadn't even had time to get to know any of her other good brothers besides Lu Kechen and Gu Sheng, he realized that she hadn't had a chance to meet them all.

Zhang Youye casually placed the towel aside and said, "Okay, let's set a time later."

Setting down his clear wine glass, Zhou Chi'an casually flicked the ash from his cigarette and said in a low voice, "Alright, we'll talk about seeing the Second Miss later. But we haven't seen each other in so long, aren't you going to come out and have a drink with your buddy?"

"What's wrong? Judging from your tone, you have something on your mind and want to chat with me?" Zhang Youye pressed.

Silently stubbed out his cigarette, got up and left the booth, Zhou Chi'an went to a dimly lit corner on the third floor.

He leaned forward and rested against the top railing, his eyes slightly lowered.

"You're overjoyed because your wedding is coming up, but I might have to leave again at any time after I come back this time. Can't you come out and catch up with your buddies?"

Hearing the disappointment and heaviness in Zhou Chi'an's tone, and thinking of the special feelings he had developed for the person adopted by the Zhou family, Zhang Youye sighed softly.

It's her...

"Alright." Zhou Chi'an interrupted him with a laugh, glancing at the time on his wrist. "I'll be right here. Once you've finished discussing it, tell your wife and I'll come over."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Youye looked up and saw Shu Yi's figure appear outside the window.

With a wicked grin, Zhang Youye got up and hid behind the door. Taking advantage of the moment when Shu Yi pushed the door open and entered, Zhang Youye quickly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and took the opportunity to whisper sweet nothings in her ear.

"How is it? Have you all agreed on a date? Have my dad and the others already gone back?"

"Yes," Shu Yi said. "Grandpa searched for a long time and finally settled on a date with your dad."

"When?" he asked anxiously.

"The seventh day of the first lunar month is a special day when there are no taboos," she replied with a smile.