Cheng Yu was struck by the despair and tragedy in Song Li’s voice. “Li…” Song Li, exhausted, closed his eyes and then opened them, revealing bloodshot eyes, “Do you know I keep having this nightmare? Xiaofu is holding a swaddled baby, smiling sweetly at me, saying, ‘Li, come see our child.’ I walk over, unable to control my legs, and slowly uncover the blanket. Guess what I see?” Cheng Yu frowned tightly, “Stop…” Song Li ignored him, a look of near-fear on his face, speaking rapidly and loudly, “I see a bloody, mangled mess. I jump in fright, and when I look up, Xiaofu is crying, saying, ‘What do I do? I don’t know where to put him?’ I try to run but can’t move, or no matter where I hide, Xiaofu is always there, grabbing my clothes, crying, ‘Why didn’t you want him? Why?'”
“Enough!” Cheng Yu could no longer bear it, cutting him off. Both men fell silent, breathing heavily, staring at each other with a mix of hostility and exhaustion. The wind howled mercilessly around them, carrying a mournful sound. After a while, Song Li said coldly, “Are you scared now? I keep having this dream, sometimes even waking up feels like a luxury. What should I do?” Cheng Yu’s face was ashen, his gaze fixed on Song Li, filled with regret, pity, hate, and helplessness, emotions intertwined for both Song Li and himself. Song Li leaned over the car’s roof for a moment, then lifted his face, “Let’s not talk about this. We both deserve it. Time is pressing now, focus on Liu Shiquan and his daughter, they’re bound to make a move soon.” Cheng Yu nodded, “Be careful.” Song Li forced a smile, “What do I have to fear? What can they do to me?” Cheng Yu laughed, “They’ll want to destroy you if their desperate plan is foiled. If they get to you first, it would be a great loss.” Song Li chuckled, then said seriously, “Don’t talk nonsense. Keep a close watch on them. I didn’t expect Liu Yi to be so ruthless, not even sparing her own mother.”
Cheng Yu was slightly stunned, then gave a bitter smile, “We were truly blind before.” In a flash, the day of Song Li and Liu Yi’s engagement banquet arrived. Guests filled the private mansion of Zhang Rong, and many prominent figures from high society received invitations. Friends and relatives of both the Song and Liu families, even those with the slightest connection, came to join in the festivities, making the event even more grandiose and high-profile than most formal weddings. Fang Junjie and Fu Xiaotang, of course, were esteemed guests. That morning, Fu Xiaotang sat on the bed, biting her nails. Her clothes and shoes had been prepared by Fang Junjie’s people, but she had no desire to wear them or attend. Fang Junjie entered, “Hey, why aren’t you getting ready? Miss, we’re going to be late!” He walked over to Fu Xiaotang, pretending not to notice her reluctance, and whispered teasingly, “Are you waiting for me to dress you? Alright, no problem, I’m more than willing. Let me help you change.” Fu Xiaotang couldn’t help but laugh, “Go away!” Seeing Fang Junjie in his well-tailored suit, she couldn’t help but laugh, “Why are you dressed up like this? It’s not your engagement.” Fang Junjie looked down at himself and smiled, “Didn’t you know? I’m here to steal the show. Hurry up and change, you’ll outshine Liu Yi for sure.” Fu Xiaotang blinked and pouted, saying, “I don’t want to go. She and Fang Junjie are not like they used to be; she tells him everything without reservation, all twisted and awkward. Besides, I’m not related to anyone there, nor am I a friend. Why should I go? If you want to go so badly, go by yourself!” “Go by myself?” Fang Junjie’s face showed an expression of disbelief, and he exclaimed exaggeratedly, “Hey, are you serious? Dressed this handsomely, you really trust me to go alone? I heard weddings are prime hunting grounds for unmarried bridesmaids. Aren’t you afraid someone will steal me away?”
Fu Xiaotang originally wanted to keep a straight face to tease him for being so full of himself, but seeing his serious expression, she couldn’t help but burst into giggles for a long time. After catching her breath, she put on a very arrogant look and said, “Who dares to snatch him? Let them come out, and I’ll take a look at them. Anyone who dares to steal our Young Master Junjie must have a death wish!” Fang Junjie stared at her in stunned silence, slowly shaking his head and clapping his hands, saying, “I’m impressed, Sister Xiaotang, you’re awesome.” Although he was laughing on the outside, he was secretly thinking that he needed to limit Xiaotang’s contact with Sister Lan in the future, learning these “exclusive declarations of a young lady, trespassers will be killed” was amusing, but it would be bad if she started learning domestic violence too.
“So,” Fu Xiaotang leaned forward, her eyes earnest, looking like she was genuinely concerned for him, “if you don’t want to see me causing a scene at someone else’s engagement ceremony, don’t force me to go, okay?” Seeing her gentle gaze and the slight dimple on her cheek, Fang Junjie couldn’t resist embracing her fully, letting out a soft sigh, “Ah, Xiaotang, I’m really hopeless!” Although the sentence was nonsensical, Fu Xiaotang understood it, feeling a warm and tingling joy, quietly smiling as she leaned on his shoulder.
After a while, seeing no movement from her, Fang Junjie softly called, “Xiaotang?” Fu Xiaotang responded with an “mm,” turned over to a more comfortable position, and lazily closed her eyes, saying, “Don’t call me, I’m asleep.” Fang Junjie, both amused and helpless, gently turned her face towards him, whispering in her ear, “Let’s go together. With me there, what do you have to fear? Besides, there will definitely be some good drama today, you’ll regret not coming!” Fu Xiaotang stayed still for a moment without any reaction, then slowly opened one eye, only to see Fang Junjie looking at her from very close. Both burst into laughter at the sight of each other’s faces.
Seizing the moment, Fang Junjie stood up, lightly patted Fu Xiaotang’s back, and urged, “Hurry up and change, we’re almost late, quick!” Then, very naturally, he wrapped his arm around her head and planted a firm kiss on her lips, whispering a small threat, “If you keep dawdling, I’ll have to resort to extreme measures!” With a grin, he walked out.
Fu Xiaotang heard the door close, hugged her face, and rolled into the bed, the blush spreading all the way to her ears.
When they arrived at the engagement venue, Fang Junjie and Fu Xiaotang were indeed fashionably late. The pre-ceremony cocktail party had been underway for some time, with guests mingling in groups, their laughter filling the air. As Fang Junjie and Fu Xiaotang entered hand in hand, there was a stir in the crowd, with some whispering and speculating, thinking this perfectly matched, stylish couple might be the stars of the day.
Fang Junjie, with his long strides, led Fu Xiaotang directly to Zhang Rong and Zhang Yindie. “Tenth Brother, Third Sister, sorry we’re late!” Zhang Rong, seeing them walk in together, couldn’t help but laugh, “A’Zun, Xiaotang, you’ve arrived. Looking so stunning, you’re here to steal the show!”
“Sorry, Tenth Brother, Old Frame, we’re late!” Fu Xiaotang greeted while secretly laughing inside, knowing that despite his scholarly demeanor, Zhang Rong still used underworld slang like “stealing the show.” Suddenly noticing Fang Junjie winking at her, she knew he understood her amusement and was warning her not to mock Tenth Brother. Her smile widened, almost out of control.
Volume Two: Dancer, Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Engagement Ceremony (Part One)
