Chapter 97: Xueyan's Wedding Day
As dusk gently enveloped the city, the Peninsula Hotel shone brightly, like a dazzling jewel. The rooftop banquet hall was about to host a heartwarming wedding ceremony—Cheng Boyan's belated wedding ceremony for his wife, Wen Xueyan.
Inside the dressing room, warm light flowed, and Wen Xueyan, dressed in an exquisite white wedding dress, smiled in the mirror.
Cheng Boyan sat to the side holding their one-year-old son, Cheng Jing. The little guy, dressed in a red brocade jacket, looked at his mother's elaborate attire with his big, round eyes.
Cheng Boyan held his son steadily with one hand and gently patted his back with the other, but his gaze remained tenderly fixed on Wen Xueyan.
In that gaze, there was appreciation, doting, and even more so, a sense of certainty and contentment born from experience.
“Jingjing seems to know that today is a special day, and he is especially excited.” Wen Xueyan smiled at him in the mirror.
Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby on the first floor.
Xi Mingyuan got out of the car with a man dressed in a sharp black suit, exuding a cool and aloof air. He had come specifically to offer his congratulations. However, as soon as he reached the hotel entrance, he was blocked by two familiar yet unpleasant figures.
Wen Dongping grabbed Xi Mingyuan's suit sleeve, his face plastered with an anxious smile, and shouted to the security guards blocking their way, "This is our relative, President Xi! Let me in!" Wang Suying echoed his sentiments from the side.
Xi Mingyuan was slightly taken aback, but calmly withdrew his sleeve, a cold smile flashing across his face.
A thought flashed through Xi Mingyuan's mind. He waved lightly to the security guard, his tone calm and even: "It's alright, let them in. I'll talk to them in the lobby." He wanted to see what kind of show this couple would put on today.
The Wen Dongping couple were immediately overjoyed and followed Xi Mingyuan step by step to the relatively quiet lobby rest area.
As soon as he sat down, Wen Dongping couldn't wait to speak, as if it were a matter of course: "President Xi, since we're relatives, you should help me out. My son is short 200,000 yuan for the down payment on his wedding house. My son is the only son in the Wen family! This is a small amount of money for you, you must lend it to me today! Otherwise, you will definitely be ruined!"
Xi Mingyuan slowly straightened his cuff, which had just been pulled, without even lifting his eyelids. His voice carried a hint of mockery: "Mr. Wen, I think you've misunderstood. First, we're not relatives; second, I have no obligation to lend you money; third, the word 'must' is not quite appropriate."
Wen Dongping's smile froze instantly, turning bright red. Feeling utterly humiliated by such a blunt rejection, he roared in a fit of rage, "Xi Mingyuan! What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for! Tell us, which floor is the wedding on? Your ex-wife is having a wedding with someone else today, how dare you even show up? Are you enjoying this green hat?"
Xi Mingyuan merely raised an eyebrow. Far from being angry, he spoke in a clear and calm tone: "Wen Dongping, do I need to remind you? My divorce from Ms. Wen Xueyan was amicable. She only met and fell in love with President Cheng after she became single again. This 'green hat' style is probably something you imagined out of thin air, and it's more suitable for you to wear on your own head, isn't it? After all, someone who thinks about selling their daughter for a dowry all day long sees everything as green."
His words were spoken calmly and politely, yet they precisely exposed Wen Dongping's most unbearable pretense. Wen Dongping was struck where it hurt, trembling with anger. He pointed at Xi Mingyuan's nose, stammering for a long time but unable to utter a complete sentence.
Seeing this, Wang Suying immediately chimed in, "President Xi, you should speak with a clear conscience! How did we sell our daughter? That's her duty as a daughter! If it weren't for Wen Xueyan meddling and insisting on supporting Haijing through high school and university, that girl Haijing would have married peacefully long ago, and we would have received a much larger dowry and been able to buy a house for our son! It's all Wen Xueyan's fault! She's no good! Does she really think she can get married peacefully today?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Mingyuan let out a very soft, cold snort, his voice filled with endless contempt. His gaze was piercing: "Duty? This is the first time I've heard of parents whose duty to their daughters is to endlessly demand and exploit them, even at the cost of ruining their future to benefit their sons! As parents, what have you ever given her!"
A group of guests had gathered around, their gazes filled with surprise, disdain, and condemnation. Wen Dongping completely lost his temper; shame and anger clouded his judgment. He lunged forward, shoved Xi Mingyuan hard, and roared, "You're talking utter nonsense! I'll beat you to death!"
Xi Mingyuan was prepared, so he deliberately took the beating without retaliating, and took a small step back.
Then he turned his head to look at the bespectacled man who had been standing quietly behind him, holding a small device; this was his accompanying lawyer.
“Attorney Li,” Xi Mingyuan said calmly, “from the moment they stopped me, are all the conversations, as well as the physical altercation just now, clear in both audio and video recordings? Is the chain of evidence complete?”
Attorney Li stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and said with a professional and serious expression: "Mr. Xi, please rest assured. From Mr. and Mrs. Wen Dongping harassing you at the door, to their insults of 'green hat' and fabricating facts to defame you after you entered the lobby, as well as their explicit demand for 200,000 yuan, which constitutes attempted extortion, and then to Mr. Wen Dongping's deliberate shoving of you just now, which constitutes intentional injury."
Seeing Wen Dongping's wide eyes, the lawyer continued, "The audio and video evidence throughout the entire process is very clear and complete, and the chain of evidence is conclusive and fully meets the relevant standards for filing cases under the Public Security Administration Punishment Law and even the Criminal Law regarding provoking trouble, defamation, attempted extortion, and intentional injury."
The lawyer then added, "Mr. Xi, from the perspective of ensuring legal procedural completeness, I suggest you cooperate with the police and go to the hospital later for a comprehensive physical examination, especially a detailed examination of the head, neck, and back areas. This will directly affect the nature of the case and the sentencing."
Xi Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. Then I'll trouble you to call the police now."
Just then, Cheng Boyan, who had been notified by security, came downstairs. His steps were steady, and his expression was cold. He first exchanged a knowing glance with Xi Mingyuan, and then his icy gaze fell on Wen Dongping and his wife.
Wen Dongping, as if grasping at a last straw, didn't bother to think and pleaded loudly with Cheng Boyan, "President Cheng! You've come at the right time! Please say a word for us! It was President Xi who insulted us first! We're Xueyan's family, after all! Please, have mercy and lend us some money! Or you could arrange a job for me! Today is your wedding, you surely want it to go smoothly, otherwise..."
He began to ramble incoherently, even with a hint of a desperate threat.
Cheng Boyan's eyes suddenly turned fierce, like icicles in the dead of winter: "My wife's family? Do you even deserve to be called that? I heard you once tried to get my wife to take out a loan to pay for your son's dowry? If you frighten my wife today, you won't be able to bear the consequences."
He turned to look at Xi Mingyuan, his tone losing its usual composure: "Mingyuan, how long have you been calling the police?"
Xi Mingyuan glanced at his watch. "The police should be arriving soon. The evidence here," he pointed to the equipment in Attorney Li's hand, "is enough to keep them calm in the detention center for a while."
Wen Dongping's shameless courage remained. He shouted again, "Fine! None of you will help me, huh! Fine! I... I'll go find President Xu! I don't believe even he's unreasonable! I don't believe he'll just stand by and watch you bully people like this! I'll make him send us abroad to find our daughter!"
Wen Dongping was actually just at his wit's end and wanted to scare them, because he had already experienced President Xu's ruthlessness.
Upon hearing this, even Cheng Boyan, who had been expressionless the whole time, twitched his eyebrows. Xi Mingyuan even let out a sneer, his laughter filled with unbelievable mockery.
"Looking for Xu Junheng?" Xi Mingyuan seemed to have heard the funniest joke of the century. He shook his head and looked at Wen Dongping with an almost pitying gaze. "Wen Dongping, do you really not know what death means? President Xu is so ruthless and hard-hearted that even I sometimes have to think twice before going to see him. You actually dare to go looking for him? I advise you to give up on this idea as soon as possible and just wait for the police to come. Maybe that will save you some trouble."
Just then, police sirens sounded outside the hotel.
Several police officers, guided by Attorney Li, quickly entered the lobby to understand the situation and examine the evidence.
Amidst disdainful or indulgent stares, they were led away from the hotel lobby by the police.
At that moment, accompanied by her bridesmaids, Wen Xueyan slowly descended the spiral staircase. She happened to see the last silhouettes of Wen Dongping and his wife being escorted into the police car.
Cheng Boyan, carrying his son, walked to her side. "It's alright, everything's taken care of. Let's go back to the dressing room and get ready."
Wen Xueyan looked up and gave him a bright and reassuring smile.
Entering the dressing room again, Wen Xueyan felt that the couple who favored sons over daughters were truly heartless. Although she knew that schools in Canada did not have holidays during the Spring Festival, she still sent a message to Wen Haijing again, reminding her, "Don't come back for the New Year either."
Wen Xueyan felt sorry for the trauma her cousin had suffered.
Wen Xueyan remembered seeing Wen Haijing at the hospital half a year ago, after her miscarriage surgery.
That afternoon, she pushed open the ward door and saw Wen Haijing lying on the hospital bed. Unlike the typical weakness after a miscarriage, her condition was much worse. Her originally delicate face was now almost transparently pale, and her lips were devoid of any color.
Because she was pushed violently down the stairs, the nurse privately told Wen Xueyan that Wen Haijing had a lot of bleeding when she was taken to the hospital and was almost in shock. Her vital signs were only stabilized after an emergency blood transfusion.
That day, the IV needle was still in her hand, and her slender arms were covered with horrifying purplish-blue bruises and abrasions, especially her elbows, which were bandaged.
Wen Xueyan gently lifted a corner of the blanket and gasped in shock. Large bruises covered her legs, a horrifying sight.
Upon witnessing this scene, Wen Xueyan closed her eyes, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes. Wen Haijing, seeing her cousin approach, forced a smile and said, "It's alright, don't worry, sis. I feel much better, I'll be able to get out of bed soon."
That day, after leaving the hospital, Wen Xueyan asked Cheng Boyan for help. Using all the connections she had, she secretly investigated the nearby surveillance footage and found out that the murderer was Li Zhifeng. Wen Xueyan then went to Cheng Boyan to discuss whether or not to call the police.
Cheng Boyan's voice was calm: "If you can find out these things, Xu Junheng will only find out sooner."
"Didn't he call the police? The investigators said that Li Zhifeng was still attending classes and working normally these past few days."
Seeing that Wen Xueyan was about to say something, Cheng Boyan raised his hand to stop her: "I have known Xu Junheng for many years. He always seeks revenge and is not a soft-hearted person."
He walked to the window: "He's holding back now, he must have his reasons. We can't act rashly, otherwise we might disrupt his plans."
Wen Xueyan clenched her fists.
Cheng Boyan's gaze was deep. "Leave this matter to me. Don't do anything until I see Xu Junheng."
The next day, in a quiet teahouse.
Cheng Boyan and Xu Junheng sat facing each other across the table. These two were not exactly friends.
Amidst the fragrant tea and a rather casual atmosphere, President Cheng cut to the chase: "I've investigated Li Zhifeng's matter thoroughly."
Xu Junheng's gaze suddenly darkened, like a frozen lake. "I know."
"What are you waiting for?" Cheng Boyan looked directly into his eyes.
Xu Junheng gently pushed the teacup towards President Cheng. The clear tea reflected his cold, stern eyes: "I can see that you and Wen Xueyan are truly devoted to her. So let me tell you, I hope you won't act rashly these next few days. What Li Zhifeng did was too cruel. After all, I don't run a police station. I don't have complete confidence. If we take action against him now, even if we make him suffer a bit, what if he's released in a few days? Who will be the first person he retaliates against?"
Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, Cheng Boyan responded, "I understand. Are you worried about Wen Haijing's safety, or about her going abroad?"
Xu Junheng picked up his teacup, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Yes. I'm also anxious, but I'm still waiting. The earliest she could do this was the night before she left the country. The police will have to detain him for at least 24 hours before they can release him. When that happens, I will make Li Zhifeng pay back what he owes her, with interest. I will make him repay a hundredfold for the pain he caused Hai Jing."
These conversations were told to Wen Xueyan by Cheng Boyan after he returned home that day.
Once upon a time, in Wen Xueyan's mind, Xu Junheng's image was flat and hateful. She used to direct most of her anger at this man who seemed to be the culprit.
However, at this moment, she had to re-evaluate this man. She saw another side beneath his calm calculations—a deep affection that was almost cruel. He wasn't incapable of immediate retaliation, but in his rage, for Wen Haijing's long-term safety, he chose the most patient approach: waiting.
Human nature is never a simple black-and-white picture, but a complex sea interwoven with light and shadow.
Xu Junheng remains the same ruthless businessman who operates in the gray area, a man of both good and evil. His love is not pure and innocent; it has been tainted by calculation, weighing options, and past stains. But it is precisely this complexity that makes some of his choices seem more real and more weighty.
Xu Junheng clearly had the means to possess and entangle Wen Haijing, but after she made her request, he chose the way that went against his business instincts: letting go and fulfilling her wish, and even secretly protecting her.
"How's the makeup and styling? It's basically finished." The makeup artist's words interrupted Wen Xueyan's reverie.
“Okay,” she replied.
The wedding ceremony then took place in the "Liuliyuan" banquet hall. Cheng Boyan, holding his son, stood side by side with Wen Xueyan, greeting the guests.
Wen Xueyan stood where light and shadow intertwined, her pure white satin wedding dress outlining her elegant figure. A veil lightly covered her head, vaguely revealing a serene smile on her beautiful face. Holding a bouquet of lilies of the valley, she stepped onto the red carpet strewn with petals.
Every step feels like walking through the past, all the struggles and waiting have now transformed into unwavering determination beneath my feet.
At the end of the red carpet, Cheng Boyan was waiting. As Wen Xueyan approached, Cheng Boyan steadily reached out his hand and gently took hers.
At this moment, no words are needed.
Wen Xueyan's mother sat at the main table, quietly wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. Beside her, Cheng Boyan's mother gently patted the back of her hand. The two mothers smiled at each other, their eyes filled with blessings for their children.
At the guest table, Ning Zhiyi sat with her son at the front, while Vice President Fang Xiyi and his secretary Qiao Lanyue sat side by side. Qiao Lanyue, dressed in a light purple dress, leaned gently on her husband's shoulder, her eyes and brows radiating a soft glow of happiness.
Beside her, an elegant figure sat quietly.
Rao Wanyi wore a moon-white knee-length dress, her pearl earrings gleaming warmly under the lamplight. She had once been Cheng Boyan's most persistent suitor, but now she had transformed into a completely different person.
Hearing the conversation of the couple sitting next to her, a relieved smile spread across her lips. Those once passionate emotions had now settled into sincere blessings.
As a single mother, she raised her daughter alone. Time has worn away her former obsessions, but it has given her a more moving quality—a kind of clarity and resilience that comes after weathering storms.
"What has President Rao been busy with lately?" Qiao Lanyue turned around and asked kindly.
"I just took over a new food and beverage project..." Rao Wanyi replied calmly, her eyes bright.
"That's great." Qiao Lanyue smiled knowingly. "Next time you come to my house, I'll have Xiyi make your best soufflé."
Fang Xiyi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Are you treating me, the vice president, like a pastry chef?"
The three of them smiled at each other. Rao Wanyi took a sip of champagne, her gaze inadvertently sweeping across the stage, where she saw Cheng Boyan whispering in Wen Xueyan's ear, his focused expression a tenderness she had never experienced before.
But at this moment, her heart was calm and undisturbed. Like the roses in the garden, some people prefer the fiery red rose, while others are fond of the elegant white rose. She finally realized that she didn't have to be a flower in his garden; she could live as her own beautiful garden.
Then came the ring exchange.
The best man held the baby and stood beside Wen Xueyan.
Cheng Boyan took out the ring.
Perhaps influenced by the solemn and loving atmosphere between his parents, or perhaps simply by his interest in the sparkling diamond ring, little Cheng Jing suddenly reached out his little hand, babbling as he tried to grab the diamond ring that was about to be placed on his mother's hand.
Cheng Boyan reacted quickly, gently holding his restless little hand and coaxing him softly, "Jingjing, this is from Daddy to Mommy."
This innocent and carefree scene instantly diluted the solemnity of the ceremony, bringing more laughter.
At the end of the ceremony, Cheng Boyan raised his hand and carefully picked up the white veil.
Under the light, her skin glowed with a pearly sheen, and her cheeks were tinged with a soft cherry blossom pink. And the moment she raised her eyes, they seemed to be filled with the tenderness of the entire starry sky.
Cheng Boyan's breath hitched slightly. He had seen her in so many different ways: her capable and efficient demeanor in the workplace, her gentle resilience as a new mother, and even her stubborn perseverance in the face of adversity.
But at this moment, draped in white gauze, she exuded an unprecedented gentleness.
When Cheng Boyan's lips gently touched her forehead, time seemed to stand still.
Wen Xueyan could feel the warmth from his lips.
This kiss held untold words: love, promises, and the preciousness that comes after weathering many storms.
Welcome all readers and fans to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.
I want to see President Xu and Hai Jing again.
Thank you for your message, vote, and flowers. It's so heartwarming.
+1
Thank you for your message.
I want to see the daily life of Xueyan's family of three after marriage.
Hey author, here are some flowers! Please post a few more, I can't get enough! And some more of President Xu and Hai Jing, it's so heartbreaking.
Received, thank you for your message.
Thank you for your message, vote, and flowers. It warms my heart!
I can't get enough! Please add a few more bonus chapters, and also explore Ning Zhiyi's life with her son.
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