It was never a trap.

Thus, the outline of the wedding gradually became clear.

The invitation was hand-drawn and produced by a niche artist, and the inner pages even contain a small piece of pressed plant specimen from the site where they first explored together.

The gown was custom-made by a long-time collaborating designer using rare fabrics, with meticulous attention to detail.

The gifts are not ordinary candy boxes, but rather vintage champagne or exquisite artifacts crafted by artisans.

When all the details were finally settled, Cui Yu looked at the substantial yet entirely worthwhile budget. He smiled and said to Meng Yihe, "Director Meng, this is probably the project we've handled with the lowest return on investment that can't be measured in monetary terms, but with the highest expected happiness index."

Meng Yihe's gaze swept over the tranquil lakeside in the rendering, the simple yet stylish ceremony area, and the crystal light and shadow flowing across the banquet table.

He nodded slowly, giving the highest rating: "Yes, budget approved."

The morning sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows of the resort hotel suite, casting a golden glow.

Inside the suite, Cui Yu was already dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His usual languid demeanor was replaced by solemnity, which added a touch of mature charm.

He stood in front of the mirror, seemingly calmly adjusting his cufflinks, but the platinum cufflinks seemed particularly unruly today, and he had to adjust them carefully twice before they were finally fastened properly.

Wu Hao and Xu Rui, as best men, arrived early to help with the chores.

Unable to contain his excitement, Xu Rui held up his phone, trying to sneak a few photos: "Director Cui, you look incredibly handsome! This hairspray holds your style perfectly, right? It won't budge in the wind!"

Wu Hao, who was inspecting a small emergency kit, didn't even look up when he heard this, and habitually retorted, "Can you be quiet? Today is Director Cui's big day, not a fan meeting."

Although his tone was disdainful, his hands were meticulous in checking the items.

Cui Yu glanced at them in the mirror and laughed, "Alright, you two. Haozi, is the emergency kit all ready?"

Wu Hao then looked up and zipped up his bag: "Don't worry, everything we might need, from needles and thread to hangover cures, is in there. The schedule has also been checked one last time, and all the responsible persons for each step are in place."

Cui Yu nodded, took a deep breath, and looked at the mirror again, his fingertips unconsciously brushing against the fold of the pocket square on his chest. The man in the mirror couldn't hide his joy, but there was also a trace of tension that rarely appeared on his face.

"Tsk." He suddenly chuckled softly, shook his head, as if mocking himself, "I'm actually a bit flustered."

Meanwhile, in Meng Yihe's suite, the atmosphere was much quieter.

He was also fully dressed, and the white tuxedo complemented his cool and aloof demeanor perfectly.

Meng Yihe stood silently by the window, gazing down at the lakeside lawn where the ceremony was about to take place. Staff were making final, subtle adjustments: white chairs, an elegant floral archway.

Everything was in perfect order, awaiting the protagonist's appearance.

Lin Xueyue and Shen Xinyi quietly stayed by his side, and Lin Xueyue carefully helped him straighten the back of his collar.

"Director Meng, everything is ready, it's perfect."

Shen Xinyi handed over a glass of warm water and added softly, "It's still early, you can relax a bit more."

Meng Yihe took the water glass, thanked her, but did not drink it.

His gaze shifted from the window to the ring on his ring finger. He gently rubbed the cool platinum band with his fingertip, and he could almost hear his heartbeat, clearer than usual.

Lin Xueyue and Shen Xinyi exchanged a glance, tacitly agreeing not to disturb them further, but simply to ensure that every detail was perfect.

In other suites of the hotel.

Grandpa and Grandma Cui were dressed formally and appropriately, drinking morning tea with undisguised smiles on their faces, talking in hushed tones, occasionally glancing out the window at the ceremony venue.

Meng's parents were equally excited. Ye Chunhan repeatedly checked her makeup and gifts, while Meng Ling seemed a little restless, feeling both proud and inevitably a bit sentimental.

It was approaching afternoon.

The sunlight was clear and warm, shining on the lawn by the lake.

The white chairs were already filled with guests, and the faces of close relatives and friends were filled with warm and expectant smiles. Whispers blended into a joyful buzz, but then quieted down as the ceremony was about to begin.

A gentle piano and cello concerto slowly began to play, flowing through the air.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe walked side by side from a side path and came into everyone's view.

The two walked in unison, their pace steady, shoulder to shoulder, towards the simple archway adorned with flowers. Their gazes barely touched the guests on either side; from the moment they appeared, they were firmly locked onto each other.

Cui Yu's face was filled with an incredibly earnest yet gentle smile, and his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

Meng Yihe still appeared aloof, but her usually sharp eyes were now like melting spring water, reflecting the figure in front of her, and a genuine smile played on her lips.

They stood under the archway, facing each other.

The ceremony was presided over by a refined and cultured elder. He smiled as he looked at the outstanding newlyweds before him, and without much preamble, his words were full of power.

"Today, we gather here, witnessed by family and dear friends, to celebrate the marriage of Mr. Cui Yu and Mr. Meng Yihe. Marriage is a journey of love and commitment. Now, please, you two, declare your vows to each other."

The scene fell completely silent.

Cui Yu spoke first. He took a deep breath and stared intently at Meng Yihe. All his cynicism had faded away, leaving only sincerity.

"Yihe".

His voice was lower than usual, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, yet it was incredibly clear.

“I used to think that promises were very heavy things. But after meeting you, I realized that the heaviest thing is the future we will have together.”

"I promise to be your strongest support and your warmest harbor. I will respect all your choices, protect all your convictions, eat many, many meals with you, watch many, many sunrises with you... and tolerate my 'clinginess' that may never diminish."

That last little joke elicited a murmur of laughter from the guests, and also deepened the smile in Meng Yihe's eyes.

Cui Yu continued, her tone even more resolute: "In good times and bad, in health and sickness, I will always love you and cherish you until the end of my life. This is my vow."

It was Meng Yihe's turn.

He remained silent for a few seconds, then raised his eyes and looked at Cui Yu.

“Cui Yu. I’m not good at expressing myself. But I know that every day I’m with you, I’m more certain than the day before…”

He paused slightly, seemingly struggling to find the right words, but this clumsiness made it all the more genuine: "I'm sure I want to share every ordinary day with you, and I also want to face every unknown challenge with you."

"I promise I will try to become a little more dependent on you."

He spoke these words rather quickly, his ears turning slightly red, but his gaze did not waver.

"I will stand by your side, no matter when or where. My loyalty, my trust, all my emotions belong to you. This is my choice, and my vow, forever."

Under the guidance of their elders, they exchanged rings again.

This time, it's worn on the wedding ring, alongside the engagement ring, symbolizing the accumulation and fulfillment of promises.

"Now, the groom may kiss the groom."

Cui Yu stepped forward.

He gently cupped Meng Yihe's cheek in one hand, his thumb caressing it tenderly for a moment, then lowered his head and placed an incredibly gentle and solemn kiss on Meng Yihe's lips.

Applause erupted instantly, mixed with whispers of emotion and blessings from relatives and friends.

After the ceremony, the atmosphere turned warm and joyful.

Guided by the waiters, the guests moved to the meticulously decorated glass conservatory banquet hall.

The greenhouse is brightly lit. Sunlight streams through the glass roof and floor-to-ceiling windows, softened by the lush greenery and elegant floral arrangements. The long dining table is covered with a pristine white tablecloth, and the exquisite silver cutlery and crystal glasses gleam brilliantly.

Every detail exudes understated luxury.

The air was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and the enticing aroma of the delicious food that was about to be served. After a short rest, the newlyweds and their guests took their seats, with close relatives and friends sitting alternately to facilitate conversation.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe naturally sat in the main seats. Their hands were clasped together under the table.

The first part of the banquet was the speeches.

The first to stand up was Old Master Cui. He had a kind smile, raised his wine glass, and looked around the room before finally settling on the two newlyweds.

"Today is a very happy day for this old man." His voice was loud and clear, carrying the kindness of an elder.

"Seeing Xiaoyu and Yihe, who have weathered many storms and are finally standing here side by side, receiving so many blessings from their good friends, a weight has finally been lifted from my heart. I won't say much more, but I hope that your future together will be like this wine, getting better with age! May you be forever united in heart!"

After saying that, he generously raised his glass in a gesture of respect.

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Then, encouraged by Ye Chunhan, Meng Ling also stood up. He seemed a little nervous, his hands slightly gripping the wine glass, but his expression was very solemn.

"Thank you, thank you Mr. Cui, thank you everyone."

He first greeted his in-laws and guests, then looked at Cui Yu and Meng Yihe.

"I... I'm not very good at expressing myself. I just hope that you two will respect and love each other and support one another in the future. Xiaoyu, Xiaohe... he's a bit cold-hearted, so please be more tolerant of him."

Cui Yu immediately responded earnestly from his seat: "Uncle, please don't worry."

Meng Ling nodded, seemingly relieved, and finally said, "I wish you happiness!" Then he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Then, there is the representative of friends.

Lin Xueyue and Zhao Lei exchanged a glance and stood up together.

Lin Xueyue smiled and said with emotion, "As someone who has watched Director Cui and Director Meng... no, now it should be Mr. Cui and Mr. Meng. As a comrade-in-arms and friend who has watched them go from 'Starry Twin Stars' to where they are today, I am truly excited at this moment."

Zhao Lei chimed in, "Yes, I wish you both the best, and that every day from now on will be as successful as every project you've accomplished together!"

Xu Rui was so excited he almost jumped up, but Wu Hao pressed him down and whispered a reminder: "Mind your manners!"

But Wu Hao himself had a smile on his face.

Next, the banquet officially began.

The waiters elegantly served the guests meticulously prepared dishes, paired with carefully selected wines. Elders toasted each other, reminiscing about the past, while the younger generation laughed and shared anecdotes.

As the main characters, Cui Yu and Meng Yihe naturally became the focus of attention.

They sat side by side, receiving blessings from all sides. Their hands occasionally touched lightly under the table, exchanging a glance that only they understood.

The setting sun sank completely into the distant mountains.

The lights inside the greenhouse were dimmed to create a warmer atmosphere.

Some guests moved to the lakeside terrace connected to the greenhouse. There, a warm fireplace was already lit, and string lights swayed gently in the evening breeze, creating a more relaxed atmosphere.

Grandpa Cui chatted quietly with several old friends, a contented smile on his face.

Grandma Cui and Ye Chunhan seemed to have endless things to talk about. The two sat side by side, looking at the crowd not far away, nodding and smiling from time to time.

Meng Ling also relaxed a lot and was chatting with Zhao Lei and Wu Hao, occasionally gesturing.

Xu Rui was clearly a little tipsy and was trying to get Gao Yuan and Shen Xinyi to play some games. His laughter was even more unrestrained than before.

Cui Yu and Meng Yihe were not surrounded by the crowd. They sat on a double sofa a little away from the group, shoulder to shoulder. His arm was naturally draped over the back of the sofa behind Meng Yihe.

Meng Yihe seemed to relax completely as well. She leaned slightly towards Cui Yu, holding a glass of champagne that she had barely drunk, and watched her friends chat and laugh with gentle eyes.

Time slipped by quietly, and the night deepened.

The elders were the first to show signs of fatigue, after all, they had been busy and excited all day. Cui Yu and Meng Yihe keenly noticed this and got up to see them off one by one.

"Grandpa, Grandma, be careful on the road and get some rest," Cui Yu carefully instructed the driver.

"Okay, okay, you should get some rest too. You must be exhausted today." Grandma Cui took Meng Yihe's hand and gave him a gentle hug.

Meng Ling and Ye Chunhan also prepared to leave.

"Dad, Mom, be careful on the road." Meng Yihe's voice was softer than usual.

"Okay, you two..." Ye Chunhan looked at the couple in front of him, and all his words could be summed up in one sentence: "Take good care of yourselves."

"Don't worry, Auntie," Cui Yu assured her with a smile.

Team members also came over one after another to say goodbye.

"Director Cui, Director Meng, congratulations! Today was perfect!" Xu Rui exclaimed, almost giving him a hug, but Wu Hao stopped him in time.

"Thank you, you've all worked hard today," Cui Yu said sincerely.

After all the guests left, the large terrace instantly fell silent.

A cool night breeze blew by, and Cui Yu naturally draped his suit jacket, which he had already taken off, over Meng Yihe's shoulders. Meng Yihe didn't refuse and slipped her arms into the sleeves. The jacket still carried Cui Yu's reassuring cedar scent.

The two strolled slowly along the lakeside path.

Away from the lights, the starry sky appeared even more dazzling and bright, reflected on the dark lake surface. They walked slowly, their hands naturally clasped together.

"Are you tired?" Cui Yu asked in a low voice.

Meng Yihe shook his head, and after a while spoke, "It's alright." He paused, then added, "It was very successful."

Cui Yu chuckled softly and squeezed his hand.

"Director Meng gave it a 'satisfactory' rating, so does that mean the project has passed final acceptance?"

Meng Yihe glanced at him sideways, ignoring the joke, but a smile curved her lips: "Cui Yu."

"Um?"

Meng Yihe seemed to consider it for a moment before saying very seriously, "Thank you."

Cui Yu was slightly taken aback. He stepped forward and gently pulled the person into his arms.

"Silly girl." His chin rested on Meng Yihe's forehead, his voice incredibly gentle. "I'm the one who should be saying thank you."

They embraced quietly under the starry sky, and all the rituals ultimately came down to this incredibly comforting warmth.

After a long silence, Cui Yu asked softly, "Go home?"

Meng Yihe nodded in his arms, her voice very soft: "Mmm."

Home.

A place that would belong to the two of them from then on.

Starlight bathed them, casting long shadows of their intertwined figures as they slowly walked toward their warm home.

Perhaps from the very beginning, the so-called disguised Alpha pheromones were never a trap, but rather a riddle and a guide thrown at him by fate.

It did not lead him astray.

Instead, it was like the clearest mirror, reflecting his own unnoticed, burning passion buried deep beneath the ice, and ultimately leading him to his final destination in this life.

(End of text)