NOVPUBLi Wanran’s wedding concluded flawlessly yesterday.
Unlike the previous one, this wedding was a grand affair, attended primarily by her mother and Li Chongming’s friends, as well as business associates.
Li Wanran had few friends.
Since high school, she had always preferred solitude. Her cold demeanor easily deterred anyone attempting to get close to her.
The only person who could be considered her friend was An Yuanyao.
The two had grown up together, attending the same kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school. They only diverged at university.
During her first year of college, Li Wanran gave birth to her first child, whom she named Liu Zhiyue.
Initially, both she and her mother were adamant that the child should take her surname. However, her father, still alive at the time, had firmly declared:
"Liu Changqing isn’t a live-in son-in-law;there’s no need for the child to take the Li surname."
Her father had complete control over the household and was thriving in his career.
In contrast, after his death, the family business, now under her mother’s management, saw a noticeable decline.
Li Wanran never cared much about these matters.
Under her mother’s influence, she had grown up hearing her say how marrying her father was her life’s greatest regret.
Her mother often reminded her never to marry someone like her father.
However, during her high school years, when Li Wanran thought she had found someone she could spend her life with, she and her lifelong friend An Yuanyao both fell for the same man.
Heartbroken after losing out, she impulsively chose Liu Changqing, who had pursued her relentlessly for three years.
She could still vividly remember her mother’s fury back then.
But this time, she wasn’t being impulsive.
This time, she had chosen someone she truly loved.
This time, she was determined to find happiness.
Li Chongming noticed her dazed expression and set down his knife and fork. He called her name softly.
"Wanran? Wanran?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Li Wanran returned to the present and looked at the man she loved so deeply. Her eyes couldn’t help but reveal her affection.
Seeing her respond, Li Chongming asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Or is the food here not to your liking?"
"No, it’s delicious," she replied with a gentle shake of her head and a smile.
Relieved, Li Chongming’s worried expression faded.
"That’s good. You seemed preoccupied just now, and I was really worried."
"It’s nothing."
Her heart felt warm at his genuine concern.
She was about to say something more when her phone, placed at the corner of the table, began to ring.
Startled, she picked it up and glanced at the caller ID, her expression turning puzzled.
"A call from Mom?"
"What an adorable little one," An Yuanyao said as she leaned closer to look at the chubby-faced baby with sparse hair.
This was her younger brother’s child, just a hundred days old.
At 34, An Yuanyao was eight years older than her brother, who had married two years ago and welcomed his first son earlier this year.
The baby lying on the bed, his round cheeks puffed out as he smiled, was the apple of their family’s eye.
She hesitated for a moment, wanting to touch his chubby cheeks but worrying that she might not control her strength and hurt him.
Finally, she extended a finger and gently poked his soft cheek.
It was a sensation she had never experienced before.
Startled by the touch, the baby opened his eyes. His round, bright gaze met hers directly, and for a moment, his little face froze in surprise.
Then he reacted, his tiny hands and feet flailing as he broke into a big smile.
Seeing his delighted expression, An Yuanyao was momentarily stunned before her own face softened into a smile.
"Sis!"
Her attempt to playfully poke him again was interrupted by a voice from the doorway.
Turning, she saw a sharply dressed man with an air of authority—it was her younger brother, An Qianxun.
Walking toward her, he towered over her by half a head, his face lighting up with joy.
"Mom told me you divorced that Li guy?"
Caught off guard by his words, An Yuanyao took a moment to respond.
She studied his face, which had changed significantly from the youthful one in her memory. Now, as a new father, he seemed far more mature.
Finally, she smiled, nodding lightly.
"Yeah, we divorced."
"It’s about time! I never liked that guy!" An Qianxun said, his tone brimming with indignation on her behalf.
Back when his sister got married, he had still been a student, but even then, he disliked Li Chongming. There had always been something untrustworthy about him.
The baby on the bed, noticing his father’s arrival, became even more excited, giggling non-stop.
Both their gazes shifted to the laughing child.
Carefully, An Qianxun picked him up, cradling him in his arms.
Watching her brother’s awkward handling, An Yuanyao couldn’t suppress a laugh. 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
"Isn’t that uncomfortable for him? Hold him properly."
"I’m just letting my son get a good look at his aunt!" he replied with a grin.
Bouncing the baby gently, he added, "Come on, say Auntie~"
"Seriously? He’s only a hundred days old. You’re a father now—act like it," she retorted.
"My son’s a genius. Say it enough times, and he just might!"
"Fine, fine, your son’s a genius," she replied, laughing.
But as she watched her brother with his child, her laughter gradually faded, and her head lowered.
Noticing her change in mood, An Qianxun stopped playing with the baby and looked at her in concern.
"Sis… what’s wrong?"
"Where are Mom and Dad?" she asked softly.
Startled, he answered, "They’re meeting some guests outside. Why?"
"Meeting guests…"
She muttered the words to herself, her eyes growing brighter in a way her brother couldn’t see.
Lifting her head, she stepped closer to him, her face suddenly brimming with enthusiasm.
"Do me a favor!"
