Chapter 83 A monthly subscription with a 20% discount is not as good as a free lifetime subscription.
Qin Ying's wedding wasn't held in a church or a hotel, but rather at a private guesthouse in the suburbs of Yu'an, complete with a glass conservatory. Snow covered the wooden fence and withered vines, a fireplace burned inside, and the warmth mingled with the fragrance of flowers—it was incredibly romantic.
Luo Yan arrived just in time. Qin Ying rushed over, lifting her skirt, and stuffed a box tied with a ribbon into her hand.
"Oh dear, if you're even a minute later, the emcee will have to put the bridesmaid dress on! Hurry up and change!"
In the makeshift dressing room, with the help of the other bridesmaids, Luo Yan hurriedly put on the hazy blue bridesmaid dress.
Just then, the emcee's voice could be heard outside warming up the atmosphere, jokingly telling the groom with a smile about the "thirty-six stratagems for hiding money."
The wedding ceremony was unique, with no lengthy speeches from teachers and elders, no awkward talent shows, and no repetitive "birth, aging, sickness, death, poverty, wealth." Instead, there were jokes like "We guarantee to clear your shopping cart immediately," "We'll fix any bugs together," and "The first sip of milk tea will always be yours," which made the relatives and friends below burst into laughter.
The video is a mix of animation and live-action footage, with many uniquely styled emojis added.
The two teamed up to fight monsters in the game, and Qin Ying's cute little healer kept her husband's strong warrior alive and dead.
The first time they met was at a hot pot restaurant. The man was so nervous that he spilled the sesame sauce dish onto his pants.
The proposal took place at the company's annual party. My programmer husband, holding his "Outstanding Employee" award, typed "Marry Me" on the screen...
Luo Yan laughed along with everyone, but as she laughed, her eyes started to sting.
The sweetness that flows naturally is incomparable to that of artificially produced saccharin. It is not sentimental, but like the warm winter sun, it illuminates everyone's heart.
She glanced at the guest seating area but didn't see Yang Xin.
After the ceremony, Qin Ying changed into a comfortable toasting outfit and pulled Luo Yan behind the dessert table to eat small cakes.
"Yang Xin didn't come. I thought that even though she had such a big fight with Wu Yuzhou, given her personality, she would at least dress up nicely to maintain appearances. But I didn't even see a trace of her."
Luo Yan scooped up some cake with a small spoon. "It's good that you didn't come. It'll save us from embarrassment."
"It's more than just awkward." Qin Ying leaned closer and lowered her voice: "Wu Yuzhou went in."
Luo Yan paused, and the spoon hit the porcelain plate.
When did this happen?
"Just a couple of days ago, there were rumors circulating in the industry that it was an economic crime, but I don't know the specifics."
Qin Ying curled her lip, "Yang Xin is pulling strings everywhere to get him out of trouble. Now that he's fallen from grace, everyone's kicking her while she's down. Those who used to fawn over Wu Yuzhou are now avoiding her like the plague. I heard she can't even afford a lawyer and is planning to sell her bags and jewelry..."
Luo Yan didn't speak, but squeezed the bouquet in her hand; the petals were a little wilted.
Qin Ying chewed on her cake and looked at her: "You don't seem to feel as relieved as you thought?"
Luo Yan twitched the corner of her mouth: "What's there to vent? If she's not doing well, I won't get any extra meat; if she's doing well, I won't lose anything."
All those rivalries, jealousies, and open and covert struggles in the past now seem like an absurd farce. The play has ended, the actors have all gone their separate ways, leaving only a mess behind.
"Let's not talk about them anymore; it's an unlucky day for such a joyous occasion."
Qin Ying patted her hand, smiling brightly, "By the way, why didn't your boss Jiang come with you? Is he busy with something important?"
Luo Yan hummed in agreement, "He... is a bit busy."
He's busy, isn't he? Playing the missing person cosplay. Even murder mystery games can't hide from him.
As Luo Yan was leaving the wedding and preparing to hail a taxi, Xu Jingfei called.
"The skincare products I just received are still at the community's parcel station. Could you please go and get them for me? I need them urgently!"
"Ms. Xu, why do you make me make a trip when a deliveryman could have solved this?"
"The errand fee isn't money, you're doing it for free."
Luo Yan: "..."
Well, Aunt Snail didn't do it for nothing.
As soon as I stepped into the residential area, I saw three men squatting downstairs in the apartment building. They were wearing wrinkled cotton-padded clothes, had cigarettes in their mouths, and were glancing around.
A neighbor, an older woman, passed by carrying a shopping basket and whispered to Luo Yan, "Girl, stay away from them. They're all here to collect debts from 602. The man in that house got into trouble and went to jail. He's got a mountain of debts, and now they're coming to our door. They're here every day, not doing anything, but it's pretty scary."
Luo Yan's heart skipped a beat. 602 was Wu Yuzhou and Yang Xin's house.
A thought flashed through her mind, and she quickly walked over. "Big brother, are you here to ask Wu Yuzhou for money?"
The bald man in the lead was taken aback: "You too?"
“That’s right!” Luo Yan put on her acting skills and took out her phone, pretending to check her records. “He promised to pay back the money, but he’s been dragging his feet for half a year now. He doesn’t answer the phone or reply to WeChat messages.”
"He owes us over 200,000 yuan!" another tall, thin man said angrily. "That kid's in jail, and his wife is hiding at home pretending to be dead. She won't open the door when we knock, and she won't answer the phone."
Luo Yan, looking indignant, exclaimed, "This is outrageous! I'll see, maybe she'll open the door because I'm a woman." With that, she ran upstairs.
The door to room 602 was tightly closed. Luo Yan knocked, but there was no response. She knocked harder and continued: "Yang Xin, open the door. I know you're in there."
After a long while, the door slowly opened a crack, revealing a pale and haggard face behind the security chain.
Yang Xin's pupils contracted when he saw her: "Luo Yan? What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me?"
"I'm not that free." Luo Yan glanced behind her. "Those people are still downstairs. Let me in."
Yang Xin bit her lip, unfastened the security chain, and let her in.
The room was lit only by a dim wall lamp. Takeout boxes, instant noodle bowls, and empty wine bottles were piled on the coffee table, and the air was filled with the smell of instant noodles mixed with alcohol.
Yang Xin's hair was casually tied up, and the dark circles under her eyes were obvious. She slightly raised her chin, trying to maintain her usual posture, but her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her unease.
"If you're here to show off how loving you and Jiang Sui are, or to mock me, then you can leave." Yang Xin's voice was dry and her tone was sharp.
Luo Yan's gaze swept over Yang Xin's pilling old sweater and faded cotton slippers. The Yang Xin who used to be decked out in designer brands and exquisite down to her toes now looked like a faded painting, desolate and dejected.
Yang Xin sneered: "You're feeling pretty smug right now, aren't you? Jiang Sui is quite shrewd, isn't he? He avenged you, are you happy now?"
"I'm happy."
Luo Yan looked at her calmly, "So now I should be popping champagne to celebrate, not talking to you here."
Yang Xin turned her face away, her lips pressed tightly together.
"I lied to you when I said I had an elite boyfriend, just to spite you."
Luo Yan laughed self-deprecatingly: "I really have to 'thank' you for being able to be with Jiang Sui later. Otherwise, I wouldn't have seen through Wu Yuzhou so quickly, nor would I have had the guts to provoke Jiang Sui. So you see, things just change like that."
Yang Xin's eyes widened in surprise and doubt, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"We've known each other for so many years, and it's come to this point. It's really pointless... Live your life well, stop obsessing over things, and stop arguing with me. It's meaningless."
Luo Yan's voice softened: "I've said everything I needed to say. From now on, let's treat each other like strangers. Take care." With that, she opened the door and walked out.
Once downstairs, the men immediately surrounded her, asking, "So? Did she pay?"
Luo Yan spread her hands helplessly: "Where would she get the money? She's penniless! The bank might be foreclosing on the house soon. There's no point in us blocking her way. Let's find a lawyer and check if Wu Yuzhou has any other assets."
After seeing the group off, she glanced again at the closed window on the sixth floor. Yang Xin was hiding behind the curtain gap when their eyes met suddenly, and the curtain was quickly drawn shut.
Luo Yan silently gave herself a thumbs up for what she had just done.
It was already dark when we came out of Xu Jingfei's place.
The snow on the streets had been cleared, and the wet surface reflected the light from the streetlights.
Luo Yan didn't take a taxi; she walked slowly along the roadside.
More than a year later, the barbecue stall at the alley entrance is still bustling with activity. The aroma of charcoal mixed with the spicy scent of cumin and chili powder wafts out. She walks over and sits down at a table in the corner.
"Boss, twenty skewers of mutton, two skewers of steamed bread slices, and a bowl of dumpling soup."
The hot soup was served quickly. Luo Yan held the bowl to warm her hands and looked out at the hazy night.
That scoundrel! Everything's over and he still hasn't shown up. Is he addicted to playing the disappearing act?
That's outrageous! I must write an 8,000-word self-criticism—no, 80,000 words—and recite it with great emotion.
Suddenly, the chair opposite was pulled out, and someone sat down.
Luo Yan didn't even look up, and said irritably, "I don't want to share a table."
"Oh? I'll book this seat for a month. Can I get a 20% discount?"
Luo Yan suddenly looked up.
Jiang Sui sat opposite him, as if he had descended from the sky.
He was dressed in a simple black sweater and trousers, with a small bandage on his forehead. In the warm yellow light of the barbecue stall, his eyebrows and eyes were clearly visible, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised as he gazed at her.
Time seemed to stand still for two seconds.
Luo Yan's heart skipped a beat, then she straightened her face and asked, "Sir, do we know each other?"
Jiang Sui put down the menu, a playful smile in his eyes: "I heard there's a beautiful woman here who wants to book me for a month, offering a 20% discount? I came specifically to ask if that's true?"
Luo Yan's ears burned, but she forced herself to remain calm: "It's possible... that's true, but if someone is injured or disfigured, I won't take them even at a discount."
"Then let's sign a treaty..." Jiang Sui leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Free, for life."
The charcoal on the grill crackled and popped, sending a few sparks flying.
Luo Yan coughed, feigning seriousness.
"Sir, please have some self-respect. I have withdrawn from romantic relationships and now only love the Party and the people."
Jiang Sui frowned, but a gentle smile bloomed in her eyes. "Is it possible that I am the people?"
A snowflake drifted in and landed squarely on his shoulder, quickly melting in the heat.
Luo Yan's face was burning hot from the charcoal fire.
That scoundrel, he's really cunning.
There aren't many beautiful things in the world, like the smoke from a barbecue stall on a winter night and his irresistible smile.
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