Lin Chu frowned. She guessed that the other empty seat was reserved for Yan Beicheng. The Lin family had decided to keep a seat regardless if he turned up or not. If he did not make it, it was not much of a ha.s.sle to keep a seat. If he came, it would be just as well. It would be worse if he did attend the wedding and there was no seat reserved for him.
Lin Chu did not want Yan Beicheng to sit next to Su Changxin, so she sat in her original seat.
Su Changxin had wanted to lecture Lin Chu but at that moment, the emcee on stage had enthusiastically announced the entrance of the groom and bride.
The spotlights shone towards the hall entrance.
The groom, Cheng Ziming, walked in on the red carpet first by himself and waited a while by the side of the main table. Not long after, as the wedding march played, Lin Yuwen came in with her arms around Lin Zhenghe"s. They walked step by step into the hall.
Lin Yuwen"s head was held high. She was filled with pride in being the main focus of the night"s event. She had an elegant smile on her face as the spotlights concentrated on her and followed her every step. She was the main event.
Suddenly, there were murmuring among the guests. The attention was no longer on her. Lin Yuwen"s face fell. Another man was walking down the red carpet.
The side of the spotlights shone on him yet, it felt much brighter than the lights currently on her.
Lin Yuwen was flabbergasted and surprised. Yan Beicheng, he was here to attend her wedding!
She did not care that Yan Beicheng had stolen her thunder. She only thought about how proud she would be for people to find out that Yan Beicheng was here for her wedding!
She did not even mind that Lin Zhenghe was overwhelmed with excitement, trembling next to her, that he had wanted so badly to leave her on the red carpet to have a chat with Yan Beicheng.
Not many of the guests knew who Yan Beicheng was as many could not even touch the social level that Yan Beicheng was in. Yan Beicheng did not appear on the news very often and was very low profile.
All they saw was a uniquely charismatic, handsome man suddenly walking in at the same time the bride was making her entrance.
No one would ignore even the darker corners of the spotlights. He looked tall and powerful as his long legs strode in calmly. He had a cold expression on his face. Those nearest to him could not help but avert their gaze when he glanced at them. No one dared to stare again.
Yan Beicheng walked in just like that looking tall and elegant.
Cui Zhongzhi was a carefree, handsome young man; He lifted his wine cup as his eyes watched the blue heavens; He gleamed like a jade tree in the wind. 1
Even though many had no idea who Yan Beicheng was, they were still awestruck by him.
Cheng Ziming was standing at the other end of the carpet in his groom"s tuxedo. He was tall, slender and was quite good-looking. If one does not take his status into account, he would be considered an outstanding young man.
However, with Yan Beicheng here, there was no comparison. Cheng Ziming was nothing next to him. He would have been exceptional but with Yan Beicheng around, he looked like a bootleg version of someone.
A random person whispered to the person beside them, "Isn"t that Master Yan?"
"Yan Beicheng, that Master Yan?"
"Yup. I once had the opportunity to see him from really far away."
"When did the Lin family got close to Yan Beicheng? They"ve actually got him to attend the wedding!"
Cheng Ziming saw Lin Yuwen look over with pride in her eyes. He glanced at Yan Beicheng and felt happy as well.
Although he did not like Yan Beicheng"s att.i.tude towards him, to get Yan Beicheng to attend his wedding did give it a substantial boost.
w.a.n.g Jinglin excitedly pulled Cheng Jindong"s clothes, "This… This is Yan Beicheng!"
"How did you know?" Cheng Jindong asked in surprise. He had never met him before.
"I met him when I was accompanying Yuwen to the hospital for her check-up. Yuwen had greeted him at the time. However, he did not seem to know Yuwen or the Lin family. I thought he was very arrogant but Yuwen did explain to me that he was from one of the Eight Dominant Families, the exclusively small group of the crème de la crème. The Lin family is nothing to him. I never really thought that the Lin family was able to invite him to the wedding. Yuwen is such a capable girl," w.a.n.g Jinglin felt that Lin Yuwen was the perfect daughter-in-law.
She could be as arrogant as she wanted. Just tolerate it for a while and it would be over soon, as long as it was beneficial for her son.
Then, everyone watched as Yan Beicheng walked straight towards the main table and stood in front of the only empty seat there.
His nice-looking eyebrows scrunched up a little as he glanced at Yang Zhiyuan sitting at the side. Lin Chu gave Yan Beicheng a helpless look, which Su Changxin caught sight of. Her expression turned frighteningly cold as she figured that Lin Chu was taking the opportunity to seduce Yan Beicheng.
Hmph! If it was not for the Lin family inviting Yan Beicheng to the wedding, with Lin Chu"s humble background, how could she even have the chance to see Yan Beicheng during her lifetime, much less being able to have a meal with him at the same table!
This ungrateful Lin Chu had been given an advantage by the Lin family and yet still had the gall to seduce Yan Beicheng.
She was indeed capable, such a shameless wh.o.r.e!
Su Changxin repressed the unhappiness in her. She did not dare to appear grim-faced in front of Yan Beicheng. She might be older but it was not her place to proclaim her seniority in front of Yan Beicheng. She stood up and took the initiative to greet him, "Master Yan, we did not expect you to attend but we did prepare a place for you. Please sit."
For a moment, no one noticed Lin Yuwen had already reached Cheng Ziming"s side.
Lin Zhenghe no longer felt sad about handing his daughter over to his son-in-law. He was equivalent to being married into the family anyway. He was not worried that Cheng Ziming would ill-treat Lin Yuwen, in fact, he would have to obey the whims of the Lin family since he needed them to have a good life.
This was why he did not bother to walk away gracefully after leading Lin Yuwen to Cheng Ziming. He walked down the stage in a hurry and looked almost in a gaffe.
"Master Yan, we are honored with your presence. Welcome!" Lin Zhenghe excitedly shook Yan Beicheng"s hands.
Yan Beicheng lowered his eyes and darted a look at him, expressionless. He just nodded lightly and did not attempt to be humble as he casually replied, "I"m stopping by Sheng Yue today anyway, so I came by for a while."
Lin Zhenghe"s smile went stiff. He had expected Yan Beicheng to be civil to appear familiar with each other.
"Can I trouble you to say a few words on stage later, Master Yan? Just a few blessings for my daughter and son-in-law," Lin Zhenghe smiled as he said.
It did not matter what was the true relations.h.i.+p between them and Yan Beicheng. If Yan Beicheng was able to give a few words of blessing to the couple on stage, it would give the Lin family a great reputable boost.
Lin Chu had thought Yan Beicheng would reject the request. She did not expect Yan Beicheng to glance at the stage and then nod his head despite his cold reply, "Of course."
Lin Zhenghe was so overjoyed that it felt like a flower had bloomed on his face. Yan Beicheng"s cold att.i.tude did not bother him at all. As long as he was willing to speak on stage, it did not matter what his att.i.tude was.
"Master Yan, please sit. Do take your seat," Lin Zhenghe gestured towards the empty chair.
Yan Beicheng did not sit down. It did not seem right to sit next to Su Changxin.
This table belonged to the Lin family and the family of Lin Zhenghe"s younger brother. Everyone quickly stood up except for Old Lady Lin. She was already quite up there in years and she thought of herself as the elder first lady of the family. Even though the Lin family may not be up to the same level as the Yan family, she was still a senior and Yan Beicheng should have no place to say anything about it. Even if the Yan family"s Old Master Yan or Old Lady Yan were here, she would still see herself on the same level as they were.
However, Yan Beicheng did not seem to want to take his seat. Lin Zhenghe was anxious about Yan Beicheng just making an appearance and leaving the next moment. But Yan Beicheng did promise to give his blessings to the couple on stage, he would probably not go back on his words.
The next thing Yan Beicheng did was turn and lowered his head towards the gaping Yang Zhiyuan, who forgot to stand up, and said coldly, "Can you change your seat with me?"
Yang Zhiyuan was dumbfounded the moment he saw Yan Beicheng. No one else might recognize him, but he did!
This was the man who had his arms around Lin Chu that day at the entrance of Sheng Yue, claiming to be her boyfriend!
He had always thought of Lin Chu"s boyfriend as just a good-looking young man who had not much of a future!
Yang Zhiyuan could not help but silently cursed Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu. These two dishonest people did not even bother to clarify his real ident.i.ty.
If he had known that Lin Chu"s boyfriend was Yan Beicheng, he would not have hara.s.sed Lin Chu this way. It would be crazy to fight with Yan Beicheng over a woman!
Lin Chu was a terrible person as well. She knew who Yan Beicheng was yet, did not bother to inform him. She had the gall to insist that she did not care for money and was just looking for a normal life.
Hmph! She was already with Yan Beicheng, why would she care for money? Money was like dirt to Yan Beicheng!
He guessed that Lin Chu must be laughing coldly at him, waiting for him to offend Yan Beicheng and made a fool of himself!
No wonder the Lin family had such a disregard for Lin Chu. She had such an evil heart and was an ungrateful thing!
He had never thought about why should Lin Chu be telling him these. To Lin Chu, he was just a stranger who had nothing to do with her. Who would tell something like these to a stranger?
Besides, even if Lin Chu did tell him, would he have believed it?
An orphan with no parents, an adopted daughter held in disregard by the Lin family, was with Yan Beicheng?
If he did not see it with his own eyes, he would have laughed at even hearing about it!
However, not that he was facing Yan Beicheng, Yang Zhiyuan did not dare express his opinions. He finally came to his senses and quickly stood up and let him have the seat.
It was like the unpleasant exchange they had at Sheng Yue previously did not happen. One needed to be thick-skinned in the world of business. He quickly smiled and said, "Of course you can have this seat. Please sit, Master Yan."
Lin Chu and Yan Beicheng did not say anything about their relations.h.i.+p. Yang Zhiyuan had no idea what both of them were thinking or what the situation between them was. Naturally, he would not say a word. If he did, there might be a chance he would offend Yan Beicheng and garner a loss.
He might be furious at Lin Chu and Yan Beicheng, but he still understood what was more important in this circ.u.mstance. After letting off steam in his heart, he would not so much as make trouble for himself.
Yan Beicheng sat down with a grim expression. He looked at Lin Chu and with his hands covered by the tablecloth under the table, slowly placed it on her knee and held it.
Lin Chu"s knee heated up and she trembled for a moment, but she did not move it away. The corner of her eyes looked across the table at everyone else and her left hand reached below the table to secretly poke the back of his hand gently with her finger. She darted a glance at Yan Beicheng and saw his deep, dark eyes relax. The back of his hand tightened for a moment at her touch, but he still acted as if nothing had happened.
Lin Chu had initially felt a little embarra.s.sed about it but after seeing Yan Beicheng"s reaction, suddenly felt playful. She quietly pinched his long fingers and moved her fingers along the outline of his knuckles, which were prominently shaped.
She could not help but imagine his perfect, slender fingers as her fingers slid across them.
Yan Beicheng remained expressionless as he lifted his index finger slightly and dug into her palms a few times.
Lin Chu trembled at the ticklish sensation and nearly let the cat out of the bag. She quickly held onto his long finger, with just a little too much strength. Yan Beicheng"s lips curved into a very faint smile as there was a flash in his dark eyes. He rubbed his fingers in and out of her palms.
Lin Chu did not think much of it in the beginning as she did not understand Yan Beicheng"s actions immediately. It was only after his fingers moved in and out multiple times that she suddenly understood what he meant and her face suddenly burnt up.
This hooligan!
She… She had not even… How did he always find the opportunity in every occasion to act this way?!
Lin Chu"s palms went hot and she quickly let go of her hand. She gave the back of his hand a pinch out of frustration and kept her left hand to herself by placing it on the table. She was not about to give Yan Beicheng another opportunity.
Yan Beicheng did not mind at all. His palms were still on her knee. He was wondering how her knee grew this way. While sitting, he could feel a slight jut from her kneecap, it felt small and exquisite in his palms. He could not help but move his palms around it, rubbing her knee as he did so.
Lin Chu wanted so much to glare at Yan Beicheng, but Yan Beicheng was being sneaky the moment he arrived. He did not reveal their relations.h.i.+p which made her wondered about what Yan Beicheng was thinking. She did not dare to make a rash move.
To be honest, she was feeling a little mad at him. They had agreed to be open about their relations.h.i.+p, yet Yan Beicheng did not express anything upon arrival. Were they deciding not to reveal it?
She felt a little depressed about it.
The emcee on the stage was sensationalizing the meeting between the groom and the bride, adding in many sweet and touching moments between them. He then invited the groom and the bride"s fathers to speak on stage.
However, not many below the stage were listening, not even Lin Yuwen"s parents.
Everyone was craning their necks, trying to see Yan Beicheng. Even those sitting at the very back, who was not able to see much of anything at the front, craned their necks as much as they could, as if they could see more of everything in front by doing so, and telling themselves they did.
The only people who were watching this new married couple seriously were Cheng Jindong and w.a.n.g Jinglin. w.a.n.g Jinglin had always felt that no one was better than her son.
Even Lin Yuwen and Cheng Ziming"s hearts were not fully into the wedding. Their eyes could not help looking at Yan Beicheng below the stage. When they realized that Yan Beicheng was sitting next to Lin Chu, their expressions changed.
Lin Chu was supposed to be sitting with Yan Zhiyuan. When did Yan Beicheng switch places with Yang Zhiyuan?!
Lin Yuwen had a bad feeling about this. Something was not right but she could not place a finger on it.
Yang Zhiyuan was a little irritated and lighted a cigarette. He breathed it in and exhaled smoke, which blew towards the direction of Lin Chu.
Lin Chu frowned very slightly and Yan Beicheng turned towards Yang Zhiyuan, "I"m sorry, but I can"t take the smell of tobacco smoke."
This might have sounded somewhat arrogant, but Yang Zhiyuan did not dare disobey. He quickly apologized twice and extinguished his cigarette.
Lin Chu could not help but give Yan Beicheng a look, he squeezed her knee.
At this point, someone went up to the emcee to whisper something to him. The emcee smiled and said, "We have a very important guest today, who took time out from his busy schedule to give this newly married couple a few words of blessing. That"s right, it"s Yan Beicheng, Master Yan. Let us put our hands together for Master Yan. Do come up here and say a few words."
Yan Beicheng squeezed Lin Chu"s knee and stood up to reb.u.t.ton his suit, which had unb.u.t.toned naturally when he took his seat. He walked up to the stage calmly and elegantly.
Under the spotlights, he looked tall and dignified, a beautiful view to look at.
The bride, groom, and emcee may be dressed grandly and magnificently but even then, they could not compare to Yan Beicheng, who was dressed in a simple tailor-made suit. He looked elegant and his every gesture spoke in magnitudes.
Yan Beicheng glanced at Cheng Ziming slightly. For some reason, Cheng Ziming"s heart skipped a beat.
Yan Beicheng"s deep, rich voice soon filled the hall, "I"m here today to thank Mr. Cheng for letting go of someone, which was how I met my girlfriend, Lin Chu. I thank him for betraying Lin Chu, giving me the opportunity to be by her side, to be with her, and to protect her with all my heart. I"m also grateful to Miss Lin for seducing Lin Chu"s boyfriend without hesitation, which allowed Lin Chu to see Mr. Cheng"s true self, helping her avoid the disaster of being lied to, cheated on and, losing out to him. Miss Lin had sacrificed herself to become a touchstone in this situation, and in her giving spirit, accepted Mr. Cheng for herself. I am very gratified and thankful for this. This is why I am here to attend the wedding because I need to thank the bride and groom for allowing us to be together."
Yan Beicheng even nodded at Cheng Ziming and Lin Yuwen after his speech. He completely ignored the look of shock and anger on their faces and turned smiling as he walked off the stage. Excerpt from the poem "Ode to the Eight Drinking Immortals" by Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu describing a good-looking young man called Cui Zongzhi.