While I was exclaiming that Mi Cai’s dress looked like a wedding gown, CC and Luoben in the front seat turned their heads simultaneously to look at Mi Cai and chimed in, “Yeah, it really does look like a wedding gown.”
I had expected Mi Cai to be shy, but instead she looked down at herself and after a while said, “It does look a bit like one. You wanted me to wear a white long dress a long time ago—was that your intention back then?”
Her unique calmness always fascinated me so much that I stared at her for a while before replying, “Was I really that far-sighted? I just improvised today… Hurry up and get out of the car, turn around, and let me have a good look.”
CC teased, “Zhaoyang, since Mi Cai is wearing a ‘wedding dress’ to visit you, shouldn’t you act like a real man and carry her out of the car?”
I raised my eyebrows at Mi Cai and smiled, “Since the public’s demand is so strong, let’s just give them what they want.”
Mi Cai finally felt somewhat embarrassed, “You call just CC ‘the public’ and even use the plural ‘them’? That’s an exaggeration!”
Luoben, who had been quiet all along, finally spoke up, “Add me as another one. Is that enough to be called ‘the public’?”
I gave Luoben a thumbs-up; indeed, our years of being close friends hadn’t been for nothing. Then I turned to Mi Cai and said, “If you still think it doesn’t meet the standard of ‘the public,’ I can go to the inn and call more people so we can create a really crowded scene.”
Mi Cai looked at me with a mixed expression of amusement and exasperation, but eventually, she opened her arms to meet mine.
With great joy in my heart, I embraced her, letting her long hair fall onto my shoulder. As I tightly held her waist, I felt the weight of love. In this moment, all the waiting seemed worthwhile.
I was deeply enchanted by her!
With the strength love had given me, I carried her out of the car and, unable to contain my emotions, spun around with her in my arms, causing her skirt to flutter under the setting sun.
Eventually, I reluctantly put her down, but my eyes never left her. Because this was the first time I had seen her in a dress, I wanted to etch her perfect figure into my memory. After all, at work, she rarely wore such a white, wedding-like long dress.
Luoben and CC finally approached us, and CC, half-smiling, asked me, “Zhaoyang, is the gift we gave you—a beautiful girl like Mi Cai—just some cheap street stall stuff?”
“You two are really reckless. How could such a beautiful girl be treated like a gift? That’s such a waste!”
CC ignored me and turned to Mi Cai instead, “Why is it that every time I see your Zhaoyang desperately trying to find an excuse to save face, I find it so amusing?”
Mi Cai smiled at me and said, “He’s always been like this.”
CC sighed, “Indeed, when you love someone, you end up loving even their flaws without hesitation!”
I instinctively wanted to retort, “Aren’t you also in love with Luoben’s pretentiousness?” But I swallowed the words, because until we had confirmed the whereabouts of Wei Manwen, I couldn’t mention her fragile relationship with Luoben.
…
As dusk approached, Mi Cai, Luoben, CC, and I walked into the inn. I noticed a scent of cooking coming from the rarely used kitchen in the backyard.
Peeking inside, I saw Ban Di and my mother preparing dinner. It seemed they were planning a family-style dinner, which was great—it would be more atmospheric than dining out, and Ban Di’s cooking was indeed quite good.
Holding Mi Cai’s hand, I walked with her toward the kitchen. After all, as my girlfriend, she should greet Ban Di and my mother first.
Inside the kitchen, my mother was washing and cutting vegetables while Ban Di was stir-frying. They were busy and hadn’t noticed our arrival.
I shouted loudly at them, “Ban Di, Mom, my girlfriend is back to celebrate my birthday with me!”
They both turned around at the same time, surprised to see Mi Cai suddenly appear.
Mi Cai seemed to always feel slightly awkward in front of them, as if she had taken the blame for Leyao. She softly said, “Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”
Ban Di, who was usually quiet, greeted Mi Cai warmly as always. He shook the big ladle in his hand and asked, “Did you specially fly back from the United States?”
Mi Cai nodded.
Ban Di smiled and said, “That must have been tiring. Go rest for a while. I’ll have Zhaoyang call you when dinner is ready!”
“I’m not tired… Oh, by the way, Uncle and Aunt, I came back in such a rush that I didn’t have time to prepare any gifts for you. Please forgive me. I’ll definitely make it up tomorrow!”
“There’s no need to be so formal. We don’t do that in our family. The fact that you came back is already enough to make us very happy.” After saying this, Ban Di gestured for me to take Mi Cai to rest.
I nodded, and after Mi Cai greeted Ban Di and my mother again, she followed me upstairs to the guest room.
On the staircase, we happened to meet Fang Yuan and Yan Yan coming down. The two were very surprised to see Mi Cai all of a sudden, especially Fang Yuan, whose eyes even shifted away nervously before he finally looked at her directly and respectfully said, “President Mi, you’re here too!”
Mi Cai smiled in response, “Yes, you two have worked hard for the company recently. After I finish dealing with the IPO, I will definitely reward you accordingly!”
“President Mi, you’re too kind. It’s our duty as subordinates to share the burdens of our leaders!”
Unlike Fang Yuan’s formality, Yan Yan was much warmer toward Mi Cai. She held Mi Cai’s hand and enthusiastically asked, “Mi Cai dear, I bet Zhaoyang must be over the moon that you suddenly came back!”
It was clearly a question meant for me to answer, so Mi Cai looked at me.
Unable to hide my happiness, I raised the hand I was holding with Mi Cai’s and smiled, “I haven’t let go of her hand since she got here. Isn’t that enough to show how I feel?”
Yan Yan nodded enthusiastically, “Since you two truly love each other, why not get married soon? We friends are all waiting to attend your wedding!”
I solemnly promised Yan Yan, “It won’t be long!”
Yan Yan smiled again and turned to confirm with Mi Cai, “Mi Cai dear, what do you say?”
Looking at me, Mi Cai replied with a sense of happiness, “I’ll follow Zhaoyang’s lead.”
…
After temporarily saying goodbye to Fang Yuan and Yan Yan, I brought Mi Cai to a large bedroom with a king-size bed. She went to the bathroom to freshen up while I stood by the window smoking, recalling Fang Yuan’s behavior just now. The reason he had seemed so evasive around Mi Cai must have been because of his past relationship with Mi Lan. Even if Mi Cai found out about this, she would definitely be upset.
Suddenly, another worry occurred to me. I feared that Fang Yuan might not only have emotional ties with Mi Lan but also close professional connections. Although Mi Lan and Mi Cai were cousins, they belonged to opposing factions. So, could Fang Yuan have done anything detrimental to Mi Cai?
My mood suddenly became heavy as I weighed whether I should tell Mi Cai about Fang Yuan’s relationship with Mi Lan so she could be prepared.
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