Leng Muxun looked puzzled. “Grandfather, I really didn’t.” He had only asked her to be his woman, but he was the one who got rejected. Shouldn’t he be the one feeling upset?
“I don’t care. From now on, I don’t want to see Wanqiu unhappy.”
“Grandfather…” This was strange. Why did Grandfather seem to like Zhong Wanqiu more than him? Leng Muxun’s face clearly showed protest, or perhaps jealousy, though he hadn’t realized it himself.
“Take Wanqiu to school later and apologize while you’re at it. If Wanqiu is still unhappy when you two come back tonight, A Xun, I’ll hold you responsible.”
Zhong Wanqiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Grandfather, it’s not A Xun’s fault. I’m just in a bad mood myself.” Grandfather seemed to be doing more than just acting along with her; it felt like he was genuinely trying to pair her up with Leng Muxun.
“Being in a bad mood means you’re unhappy. You just came downstairs with A Xun—if it’s not him, then who? Don’t defend him. If he ever bullies you in the future, just tell me. I’ll stand up for you.”
Zhong Wanqiu was deeply moved. No elder had ever treated her so kindly since she was a child. “Grandfather, how about we go hiking this weekend?” Suddenly, she wanted to spend more time with the old man.
“Sure, A Xun will come too.”
“But tomorrow I…” Leng Muxun remembered he had plans.
“Reschedule. You’re going together.”
When it came to being domineering, Leng Muxun was no match for Grandfather now. His insistence left Leng Muxun with no choice but to go.
Leng Muxun glanced at Zhong Wanqiu and nodded somewhat helplessly, though he was still puzzled. He didn’t understand why Grandfather had suddenly taken such a liking to Zhong Wanqiu.
It wasn’t just him—even Zhong Wanqiu herself was confused.
In the suburbs of T City, Leng Muxun parked his car not at the foot of a mountain but in a Strawberry Park. Grandfather’s illness had been worsening, but the old man refused to be hospitalized. With late-stage cancer, he knew hospitalization would only delay the inevitable. He preferred to spend his final days in his own way. Leng Muxun didn’t want to take Grandfather hiking, afraid it would exhaust him. Instead, he chose to bring him and Zhong Wanqiu strawberry picking.
Each holding a basket and happily snipping off the large, plump strawberries with scissors, they experienced an indescribable joy in their labor. Zhong Wanqiu stayed by Grandfather’s side the entire time, her heart filled with guilt. Grandfather didn’t want anyone to know about his illness, so she pretended not to know.
“Grandfather, you look like you’re in your fifties. Not at all like someone over seventy.”
“I’m old, old—already with one foot in the grave. I don’t have many regrets in this life, except…”
“What is it, Grandfather?” She was bent over, cutting strawberries, when she heard the old man sigh.
“I want to hold a great-grandchild, but A Xun is so uncooperative. Look, even being with you was just a lie to me.”
Her heart ached even more. “Grandfather, I’m sorry.” She really shouldn’t have said anything. Perhaps keeping quiet would have given Grandfather some hope. Now, he didn’t even have that sliver of hope left. He must be deeply saddened.
“But I like your honesty. It’s rare to find a girl like you these days, Wanqiu. Try to accept A Xun. Maybe you can help him overcome his emotional barriers.”
She stared blankly at the strawberry in her hand, unable to comprehend her grandfather’s intentions.
“If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as your consent. Wanqiu, your grandfather is old and lonely. I think it’s best if you and A Xun get married first, so you can stay with me legitimately for a while.”
She knew Leng Muxun was preparing for the wedding, but it was all just an act—a performance for Grandfather. Yet Grandfather, fully aware of this, still wanted her to marry him. This…
“Wanqiu, tell Grandfather, when will you get married?” Seeing her silence, the old man pressed.
“This… this should be up to A Xun.” She glanced back at Leng Muxun, who was intently trimming strawberries, completely unaware of what Grandfather had just said to her.
“Go ask him, then come back and tell me.” Gently nudging her arm, the old man smiled.
“Alright.” She felt her role was strange and extremely awkward, yet she couldn’t clarify things to either of them. “A Xun, Grandfather is asking when we’ll get married.”
“Next week.”
“So soon?” she exclaimed in surprise.
Glancing toward Grandfather, he said solemnly, “I saw the medical report this morning. Grandfather doesn’t have many days left.”
She fell silent, then nodded. “Whatever day you say.”
“Then go try on the wedding dress tomorrow,” he said softly, not looking at her.
“Alright.”
Zhong Wanqiu felt those were the most chaotic days of her life. Everything was somewhat absurd, all for the sake of making Grandfather happy. She truly hadn’t expected that revealing the truth would lead to Grandfather insisting she marry Leng Muxun.
But she hadn’t graduated yet—there was still one month left—so they couldn’t obtain a marriage certificate yet. Trying on the wedding dress, selecting the gown—everything was arranged by Leng Muxun’s assistants. He was very busy, though she didn’t know what exactly kept him occupied. Ever since that night she rejected him, his demeanor toward her had always been distant.
“Wanqiu, are you really going to marry the young master of the Leng family?” Liang Shuzhen asked in surprise when Wanqiu called to tell her.
“Yes, Mom.” As for the reason, she wouldn’t say.
“Wanqiu, did you agree because of the Bai family?” Liang Shuzhen was sharp and guessed correctly.
“Mom, no, A Xun treats me very well.”
“But Mo Yu…”
“Mom, there’s no possibility between Bai Moyu and me. I don’t like his type.”
“Sigh, you’ve grown up. In the past, I held you back. Now, if you can marry a good man, I’ll be at ease. If you like him, then marry him. When the time comes, your Uncle Bai and I will attend your wedding.”
“Alright.” Actually, she hadn’t wanted to tell Liang Shuzhen initially, but Leng Muxun had already announced their marriage in the newspaper. Now, every corner of T City was buzzing about their grand wedding. She knew even if she didn’t say anything, her mother would eventually find out.
Hanging up the phone, her heart felt especially heavy. It was just a ceremony—if Grandfather wanted it, she would give it to him.
Everything proceeded rapidly. From the start of the wedding preparations to the ceremony itself, it only took a few days—so fast it felt like she was in a dream.
The new home was at the Leng family’s villa. She had agreed to live with Grandfather—as long as it made him happy.
Grandfather was truly kind. He hadn’t told Leng Muxun what she had confessed, which only deepened her sense of guilt.
Tomorrow was the day of her grand wedding. Sitting in her room, she suddenly felt uneasy. Leng Muxun hadn’t returned yet, but she knew he would definitely come back—because Grandfather was here.
Afraid of falling asleep, she leaned against the sofa while waiting, yet she still dozed off.
When she woke up, she was already in bed, with Leng Muxun standing before her, gazing at her intently. “Qiu, today you will become my bride.”
She nodded, yet felt no joy in her heart. “A Xun, how is Grandfather’s condition now?”
“Not very well,” he replied indifferently before turning toward the door. “I’ll go prepare. Hurry up.”
Inside the wedding car, vibrant red roses filled the space. Beside her sat Leng Muxun, his tuxedo making him exceptionally handsome. Today was to be their wedding day, yet his expression remained cold.
He must be angry with her. He wanted a child.
But she didn’t. His desire for a child was merely to please Grandfather—it had nothing to do with love. A child born without love would lack blessings, and she refused that.
Even if he hated her, she would not yield.
Yet seeing him unhappy made her unhappy as well.
Was loving someone truly a mistake?
But this mistake was one no one could change.
Stealing glances at him, she remembered the two agreements she had signed. The termination of those agreements was entirely up to him.
Would they end the day Grandfather passed away?
Suddenly, she grew even more afraid of losing Grandfather.
Since she was very young, she had dreamed of her wedding. She loved the solemn vow-exchanging scene in a church, but this wedding had nothing to do with a church—perhaps because it was merely a marriage of necessity for Leng Muxun.
As they stepped out of the wedding car, reporters swarmed around. However, she didn’t need to worry about that; Leng Muxun would handle everything. All she had to do was fulfill her role as the bride.
Arm in arm, they entered the hotel, bowing to Grandfather, then to her mother and Uncle Bai. Like a puppet, she allowed herself to be directed, wearing a smile for everyone.
She had expected few guests, given how hastily the wedding was arranged, yet the large hotel was packed with people.
Apart from her mother and Uncle Bai, she knew no one—even the bridesmaid was arranged by Leng Muxun through a wedding company.
The more she observed everything, the more it felt like a game—albeit a very realistic one.
“Wanqiu, I’m sorry,” Bai Zhanlou said to her. She listened and responded with a faint smile. In truth, it wasn’t entirely for the Bai Family; that day, she had inexplicably agreed to Leng Muxun’s request and signed the agreement.
The emcee took the stage and quickly enlivened the atmosphere. Her wedding dress was pink—originally, she had wanted white, but Leng Muxun said people of Grandfather’s generation preferred festive colors, so they compromised on pink.
She listened to the emcee’s cheerful words and repeatedly bowed as instructed. These were all necessary rituals for the wedding ceremony. It didn’t matter—after today, once Grandfather was gone, this wedding would lose all meaning. As long as Leng Muxun chose not to remember it, everyone would forget such a wedding had ever taken place.
The exchanged gift was a ring, platinum. She slipped it onto his finger, and he in turn took her hand to place one on hers. But just then, from the previously silent audience, came low, muffled footsteps.
The sound drew her gaze upward instinctively, and in that moment, she saw Bai Moyu.