If I've been tricked, then I've been tricked. Since I'm already here, I might as well see it through. Ruan Tang thought. After all, she was already at the bridal shop. What could she do, run away? That would just make her look guilty!

Nearly all women, regardless of their profession or age, fantasize about wearing a wedding dress at some point. Ruan Tang had naturally dreamed of it too, and now that dream was coming true. With that thought, she could accept the situation.

Ruan Tang relaxed considerably and dropped her shy demeanor, trying on one wedding dress after another.

At first, Xu Lai took a couple of pictures of each style. But after a while, he was completely numb to it all, his phone now holding hundreds of photos.

"Xu Lai, what do you think of this one?"

"It's stunning! Honey, which one do you like? I'll go pay for it right now!" Xu Lai said earnestly.

"Hah, giving up already, Xu Lai?" Ruan Tang smirked. He's probably in such a hurry to pay because he's tired and wants to leave. You were the one who insisted on coming, and now you're the one trying to run? For some reason, seeing Xu Lai's defeated expression was incredibly satisfying.

She said nonchalantly, "I don't have a favorite. I'm going to try on a few more. Oh, by the way, Yaoyao just called to ask where I was. I told her I'm at the bridal shop, and she said she's coming over to help me choose."

"..."

Xu Lai suddenly felt like he had just shot himself in the foot.

As expected, with Xu Yaoyao's arrival, the two women began chattering away excitedly. Xu Yaoyao was especially enthusiastic. She adored every single wedding dress, trying on one after another and taking pictures to send to Liu Beiming.

After a full three hours, Ruan Tang and Xu Yaoyao were finally ready to leave, though still wanting more. Even though they hadn't bought a thing, the salesgirl maintained her smile.

"Sir, Madam, our shop has a promotion with Happiness 99 Photography Studio on the first floor. You can have a wedding photoshoot for free..."

Before she could finish, Xu Yaoyao nodded. "We'll do it! But I assume you'll need to keep a few of the photos for promotional use, right?"

"Yes," the salesgirl nodded.

"Arrange it." Xu Yaoyao snapped her fingers with the air of a commanding big sister.

"Wait, Yaoyao..."

Before Ruan Tang could finish, her best friend pushed her toward a dressing room. "This qipao-style wedding dress perfectly suits your aura. Wear this one." Then she turned to Xu Lai, puzzled, "What are you still standing there for?"

"..."

At the salesgirl's suggestion, Xu Lai also changed, putting on a white changshan.

When the two of them stepped out of their dressing rooms at the same time, Xu Yaoyao and the salesgirl both gasped in astonishment.

Ruan Tang's cheeks were slightly flushed. The qipao perfectly showcased her graceful figure, making her breathtakingly beautiful. Her S-curve was enough to make even another woman like Xu Yaoyao envious. Her every graceful movement seemed to leave a subtle fragrance in its wake. She was poised and elegant, every expression filled with a gentle charm, like an ethereal Fairy from another realm.

But Xu Yaoyao knew this was just an act. What a lie! Her best friend is a complete and utter foodie. When it comes to eating, even Luo Chu and I combined are no match for Ruan Tang...

Looking at Xu Lai, he was a world away from his usual self in beach shorts and flip-flops, which made him look like a programmer who had just rolled out of bed. The changshan gave him an indescribable charm. He was like a flask of fine wine: seemingly plain as water at first glance, but a single taste was enough to leave one hopelessly captivated.

The salesgirl and Xu Yaoyao couldn't help but stare, their hearts suddenly beating faster. Oh no. This is the feeling of being smitten... Wait! Xu Yaoyao pinched her cheek hard, mentally screaming at herself. Wake up, Xu Yaoyao! You're already engaged! You have to be faithful to Bei Ming!

"Achoo!"

At the Hangcheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Liu Beiming suddenly shivered, knocking his doctor's cap askew. He hurriedly straightened it.

「」

Ruan Tang stared at Xu Lai, her eyes wide with awe. So handsome. What a pity... he already has a child! At this thought, the corners of her mouth lifted into a small smile. Looking at him now, I can see my judgment all those years ago wasn't wrong after all.

"The photography studio is on the first floor. Sir, Madam, please follow me," the salesgirl said respectfully. As she spoke, she snuck several more glances at Xu Lai, her face flushing as she quickly looked away again.

"Isn't someone going to leave her a phone number? You might get an unexpected reward, you know," Ruan Tang said with a playful smile.

"Why would I pick wildflowers when the one at home is so fragrant?" Xu Lai whispered into Ruan Tang's ear, then took a deep sniff. "Mmm, so fragrant."

"..."

Ruan Tang blushed and pushed Xu Lai away. That shameless rogue!

On the way from the seventh-floor bridal shop to the first-floor photography studio, Xu Lai and Ruan Tang turned every single head. There were even passersby secretly taking their pictures.

After nearly two more hours of fuss and several sets of photos, Xu Lai was finally released. He left their address at Haitang Court, and the developed photos would be delivered directly to their home.

As they left, Xu Yaoyao praised them, "Tang, when are you two getting married? You're such a perfect match."

Xu Lai looked at Ruan Tang.

Ruan Tang looked back at Xu Lai. Their eyes met for a moment before they both spoke at the same time.

"We're not!"

"Immediately!"

"..."

Xu Yaoyao was left speechless. She glanced at the time and said hurriedly, "Ah, never mind that, I have to get home!"

"You're not coming to my place for dinner?" Ruan Tang asked, confused.

"Bei Ming has a day off tomorrow, so he can come to East Sea to see me," Xu Yaoyao said happily. "I'm going to the market to buy him some ribs for a nourishing soup."

"Get some extra chives while you're at it," Ruan Tang teased.

"Oho, Tangtang, you seem to know a lot. I take it your man needs them often?"

Ruan Tang covered her mouth and giggled.

"..."

Xu Lai listened, completely baffled. What are they talking about? What's the big deal with eating chives?

On the way back, Xu Lai and Ruan Tang walked home. As the sky gradually darkened, the lights along the roadside began to glow, heralding the start of a brilliant and splendid night.

"Tomorrow is Yiyi's parent-teacher conference. Are you sure you have time?" Xu Lai asked. "As parents, if we make a promise to our child, we have to keep it. We can't go back on our word."

Ruan Tang rolled her eyes at him. "Am I that unreliable? Besides, I'm really looking forward to our daughter's talent show."

"Yes, you are."

"Hmm?"

"Ahem." Xu Lai cleared his throat. "I thought all the wedding dresses today were beautiful."

"They were beautiful," Ruan Tang murmured, now eagerly anticipating the day she would wear a wedding dress for real.

"But none of those dresses are worthy of you." Xu Lai stopped and took Ruan Tang's hand. "My wife," he said softly, "deserves the most beautiful wedding dress in the world."

"There's no such thing as the 'most beautiful'." A blush crept up Ruan Tang's face, but she didn't look away, holding his gaze. The light dancing in her beautiful eyes captivated him, and he couldn't help but lean in, about to kiss her.

"There are... too many people here," Ruan Tang protested weakly.

They were standing on the side of the road, surrounded by hurried pedestrians and bustling traffic. It would be far too embarrassing in front of everyone.

"Alright, then let's go somewhere with fewer people."

Xu Lai teleported them to the top of Mount Haitang in an instant, with Haitang Court just a few dozen meters away.

"Here," Xu Lai asked gently. "Is this okay?"

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