Tan Mo blushed deeply upon hearing Xie Qichen’s meaningful use of the word “family.” She quickly understood his implication, her face turning red down to her neck.
How could he say something like that in front of others!
She was so embarrassed she wished she could vanish into the ground, glaring at him angrily before snatching her phone and standing up, quickly walking toward the kitchen while lightly coughing:
“Hello, Ye Yao——”
Ye Yao, hearing Tan Mo’s voice on the other end, snapped back to attention: “Hey, Tan Mo.”
“Sorry, I was just busy with something…”
“It’s okay,” Ye Yao couldn’t help his curiosity. “Was that guy who answered the phone just now you?”
“That person just now——”
Tan Mo awkwardly made up a story: “He’s my older brother.”
“Oh, so you have a brother?”
“Umm…” Tan Mo groaned, holding her forehead.
It was all because Xie Qichen insisted on calling himself her family; she just couldn’t tell the truth. After thinking it through, she had no choice but to say he was her brother.
Tan Mo quickly changed the subject: “Did you call me for something?”
“Yeah, it’s not a big thing. I just wanted to ask if you’re free on New Year’s Eve—I wanted to invite you for dinner.”
Tan Mo had already guessed Ye Yao’s intentions and politely declined: “Sorry, I probably won’t be free.”
“Really? Just dinner. It won’t take up much of your time.”
Since the previous time with the flowers, Ye Yao’s intentions toward her had been quite obvious. Tan Mo didn’t want to have too much private contact with him anymore, especially since she was technically married now. She had no choice but to lie and keep declining: “I really can’t make it. I already have plans. Why don’t you ask someone else?”
Ye Yao hadn’t expected such a straightforward rejection: “…Okay, then maybe another time.”
Tan Mo smiled faintly and said nothing else, ending the call.
Putting down the phone, she turned around and saw Xie Qichen walking into the kitchen to get a drink from the fridge. Overcome with embarrassment and indignation, she stormed over to confront him: “Xie Qichen, why did you say that earlier?!”
Xie Qichen took out a glass of water, closed the fridge, and replied calmly: “Wasn’t I just telling the truth?”
“…”
She was flustered: “Still, you shouldn’t have said it like that.”
“You care that much about him?”
He glanced at her sideways, asking casually: “Do you like him?”
Meeting his deep, unreadable gaze, Tan Mo was momentarily stunned: “What are you talking about? I’m just annoyed that you said something like that to my classmate. If rumors start spreading, how am I supposed to explain it?”
“I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
She turned to leave in a huff, but her wrist was caught.
Blocking her path, Xie Qichen loomed over her with his tall frame. In the quiet of the villa, where only the two of them were present, Tan Mo felt overwhelmed. Her naturally sweet and soft voice carried a hint of irritation, like a little kitten ready to scratch: “What are you doing…”
He looked down at her, his voice laced with amusement, low and warm:
“Don’t be angry. It was my mistake.”
“I won’t do it again.”
They were standing very close. Thinking back to the intimate moment when she had fallen into his arms earlier, Tan Mo’s heart raced again.
She didn’t dare to look up at him. After a while, she mumbled with embarrassment: “Next time I answer your phone, I’ll tell your company people the same thing. Let’s see if you won’t be embarrassed then.”
Xie Qichen suppressed a smile: “Fine, I’d be happy to.”
Huh?
Tan Mo couldn’t figure out his logic, so she pushed him away: “The egg tarts should be ready. I’ll go check.”
Coincidentally, the timer had just gone off. She opened the oven and went to put on thick gloves, but Xie Qichen stopped her: “Don’t touch. I’ll get them.”
She was slightly taken aback, then pointed to the side: “The gloves are there.”
He put on the gloves and took the egg tarts out for her. The golden tarts emitted a rich milky fragrance, looking absolutely delicious.
Tan Mo picked one up, blew on it to cool it down, and took a bite. Her eyes sparkled with happiness. Watching her cute and silly expression, Xie Qichen couldn’t help but smile: “That good?”
“You say it like you made them yourself.”
Meeting his gaze, Tan Mo handed him a tart with an air of superiority: “Since you helped me take them out, I’ll let you have one.”
He took a bite and nodded: “It’s really good.”
Carrying the remaining egg tarts, Tan Mo and Xie Qichen returned to the living room. Tan Mo curled up on the chaise lounge to read. After a while, she felt a shawl draped over her body: “Don’t catch a cold.”
“Thanks…”
She turned her head and saw that Xie Qichen had no intention of leaving. He sat on the adjacent chaise lounge, his long legs crossed, his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses focused on the pages of his book—elegant and restrained.
In front of the flickering fireplace, the two of them sat together, adding warmth to the cold winter night.
Since moving into the villa a few days ago, this was the first time Tan Mo had spent a normal, peaceful moment with him in the same space.
It was simple, yet it stirred her heart.
She looked at him. Xie Qichen turned a page and spoke in a calm voice: “There’s no writing on my face.”
Tan Mo straightened her gaze, her face flushed as she retorted: “…I was just spacing out.”
She focused on her book. After a while, she heard his indifferent voice again: “Don’t make any plans for the next few days. The wedding banquet is set for this weekend.”
Tan Mo was stunned: “So soon?”
“It’s just a banquet. No need for complicated preparations.”
“Then I need to…”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be arranged for you.”
Xie Qichen turned to look at her, his expression serious: “Just show up.”
Tan Mo’s heart fluttered. She nodded softly: “Okay.”
–
Unlike a traditional wedding with its elaborate procedures, this banquet was more like a small ceremony, so it could be arranged quickly.
The venue was in a coastal city south of Licheng, where there was a beautiful stretch of sea. The wedding would be held on a yacht at sea.
As one of Licheng’s two major wealthy families, the Tan and Xie families’ marriage could not be taken lightly. Though simple, it was far from casual.
Besides close friends and relatives from both sides, all the other guests were either wealthy or influential figures in the business world.
On the wedding day, it was a rare bright and cloudless winter day.
In the morning, bathed in sunlight, all the guests boarded the yacht and set off from the dock.
The sky was clear, the sea was blue, and the vast ocean was refreshing and exhilarating.
The luxurious yacht was spacious, like a private estate, fully equipped with facilities and entertainment.
During the day, guests could enjoy themselves freely on the yacht or go diving in the sea.
In the afternoon, before the banquet, Xie Qichen went to entertain several company executives, so Tan Mo stayed with Ji Shu.
Tan Mo didn’t want to make a big deal about the marriage, so she had only invited Ji Shu, her best friend, to attend.
On the balcony of the best ocean-view room on the yacht, Ji Shu lay on a lounge chair, enjoying the sea breeze, smiling as she teased the girl beside her: “Momo, after you marry into the Xie family, it’s like a powerful alliance. From now on, I’ll have to flatter you, hehe.”
Tan Mo smiled, her eyes turning into little crescent moons: “Great, I’ll support you. Let’s hear what talents you have first. Only then will my master consider you.”
“Go away, I’m a rich girl too. I don’t need your support.”
Ji Shu looked up at the clear blue sky, sighing: “Momo, I never thought you’d get married so soon. It’s really unexpected.”
“I was pretty surprised too.”
Ji Shu turned and pinched her face: “Hey, isn’t this considered a case of an unexpected twist turning into a fulfilled crush?”
Tan Mo immediately sat up and playfully hit her: “What crush! There’s no such thing! No, no! I already told you that was in the past!”
“Haha, okay, okay, I won’t mention it anymore…”
Tan Mo was flustered.
She definitely couldn’t let Xie Qichen know about this. Otherwise, how could she face him again? Did she not care about her reputation?
After some teasing, Ji Shu held her hand seriously: “Anyway, no matter what, I hope you’ll be happy after marriage. I wish you happiness and joy every day. This is a sincere blessing.”
Tan Mo smiled: “You too.”
They both deserved happiness.
…
As the sun gradually set and the dusk rose, the crimson sunset painted the sea surface orange-red.
When night finally fell, at six o’clock in the evening, the wedding banquet officially began.
To the background of soft classical music, with elegant guests in fine attire, Tan Mo and Xie Qichen made their entrance, becoming the center of attention for the night.
Tan Mo wore a silver-blue fishtail gown, the skirt flowing like shimmering waves on the sea, highlighting her fair skin like jade polished by clear water, incredibly beautiful. Beside her, Xie Qichen wore a finely tailored suit, his tall and graceful figure, his face as handsome as a sculptor’s masterpiece.
Many relatives praised how well they matched, calling them a perfect pair.
Tan Mo had been quite nervous at first, but Xie Qichen stayed by her side the entire time, taking care of her.
She realized that as long as she was with him, she didn’t have to think about anything else; everything was taken care of.
The banquet proceeded smoothly.
As the wine flowed and the guests’ spirits rose, nearing the end of the evening, Xie Qichen took her to the deck for some fresh air.
On the silver-blue sea surface, the waves shimmered like crumpled silk, scattered with countless glimmers, merging into the horizon in the distance, vast and boundless.
The yacht’s lights illuminated the sea like a beacon, and on the deck, only the two of them stood, surrounded by quiet serenity.
The cool sea breeze brushed against Tan Mo’s face as she leaned on the railing, feeling a coat being draped over her shoulders.
She turned toward Xie Qichen and softly murmured: “Aren’t you cold?”
“You’re more likely to catch a cold.”
She pouted slightly, turned her gaze back to the sea, and let out a long breath.
Xie Qichen looked at her: “What’s on your mind?”
Her delicate chin peeked out from the collar of his coat, her voice gentle: “Finally, I can relax. I’ve been tense all night, feeling so awkward in front of all those people.”
Xie Qichen smiled faintly: “Did you eat enough tonight?”
Tan Mo nodded: “I’m fine. I had a little something before the banquet. I thought the Xianju Snow Eel was really good, and the Napoleon cake was delicious too. I’ll try to recreate them when we get back.”
Xie Qichen chuckled: “I see you were quite at ease, remembering which dishes were good.”
Xie Qichen mentioned that the dish was made by the head chef at Qianshui Club. For tonight’s banquet, over a dozen chefs were invited, including this one, who had been specially brought onto the yacht.
Tan Mo understood: “The private cuisine at your club is actually quite good. I thought it was great the last time I had it. I had wanted to come here for a visit, but you need to book a month in advance.”
“You can come anytime you want next time. No need to book.”
“Wow, do I have that privilege?”
Tan Mo looked up and met Xie Qichen’s gaze, which flickered with a subtle emotion:
“Not for ordinary people.”
“But for the madam of the house.”
Madam of the house…
Tan Mo’s heart skipped a beat. She softly responded, then after a while, rubbed her nose and said: “I think that’s enough. Should we go back inside?”
As Tan Mo turned to leave, her arm was caught.
Xie Qichen gently pulled her closer. The cold scent of sandalwood mingled with her sweet jasmine fragrance.
Her face flushed slightly: “What is it?”
His deep, gravelly voice fell softly on her head:
“Just wait a little longer.”
Xie Qichen looked up at a platform above the yacht. Tan Mo, puzzled, followed his gaze. A few seconds later, she heard a “bang” near her ear, and a beam of light shot into the sky.
Colorful fireworks burst in the dark night sky, lighting up the entire view.
Tan Mo was stunned: “You even arranged fireworks tonight?”
“Mm-hmm.”
As the fireworks soared into the sky, the glowing lights on the deck and the floral decorations blended with the dazzling display above, casting a romantic hue over Tan Mo’s entire world.
It was a scene she had never imagined.
Looking up at the fireworks, Tan Mo’s heart swelled with emotion, and her lips curved into a smile.
Leaning against the railing, Xie Qichen watched the gentle smile on the girl’s face, his eyes gradually softening.
“This is the second-to-last part of the evening,” he said.
She looked up at him in surprise: “There’s one more?”
“Mm, hold out your hand.”
She raised her hand in confusion, feeling Xie Qichen’s clean, slender fingers gently encircling hers.
His palm was broad and warm, and the sensation spread instantly from their skin contact.
She was stunned, then saw the man’s other hand reaching into his pocket, pulling out something.
It was a small black velvet jewelry box.
He opened it.
Then, a diamond ring slid onto her ring finger, slowly settling into place.
Under the night sky, the pink diamond sparkled with dazzling brilliance, perfectly sized for her finger as if custom-made.
Tan Mo’s heart pounded like the fireworks exploding in her ears. Her face flushed as she looked up, meeting the man’s handsome face illuminated by the fireworks.
“Now, the ceremony is complete.”
The fireworks rained down like golden light across the sky.
Xie Qichen wrapped his coat around her, pulling her partially into his embrace. Leaning down, his lashes lowered as he locked eyes with her, gazing directly into her eyes:
“Happy newlywed days.”
My Mrs. Xie.
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