Chapter 15: You Jerk!

"Rui'er couldn't get through to Gu Beicheng, so she called me instead," explained Jin Qingyan. Noticing the sullen look on An Xiaoning's face, he continued in a mellowed voice, "I know you tried calling me, but I didn't pick up because I had planned to explain to you after I come home."

"You're asking for it, honestly," she scorned, staring at him.

"What?" said Jin Qingyan. Her words had struck a sour note.

"You're so quick to show your affection to someone else's woman. If that's not asking for it, I don't know what is. I turned a blind eye when you spent the entire afternoon yesterday searching for a caretaker to look after her. Well, I really think you're asking for it by spending the night with her. Do you love her that much?" lamented An Xiaoning, her initial happiness turning into dust.

All of a sudden, there was an indescribable shift in the emotional atmosphere. Seeing that Jin Qingyan was still remaining silent, she went on to give him a piece of her mind, "Today is the day of our wedding. After today, I hope you will know your boundaries and draw a line between yourself and her. Once you become my husband, you should no longer be thinking about another woman. However, should you fail to do so, I'll end things between you two using another method."

It was truly an eye-opener; he had never heard her speak with such confidence and vigor before. Neither did he expect her to be such a shrewd woman.

Indeed, he had not known her all that well yet.

"My wife actually said I was asking for it. Now that's a first. Why don't you try saying that again? " he taunted, walking towards her.

"You were asking for it, " said An Xiaoning proudly. She thought to herself,Does he actually think I'm too timid to say it again? What does he take me for?

Locking the door behind him, he pinned her onto the bed and said, "Say that again."

"Are you trying to be violent just because you can't outspeak me? Let go."

"No."

"You jerk!"

"..."

Eager to hear An Xiaoning's answer, Gu Shaochun woke up exceptionally early that morning.

However, she still had not given him her reply. He felt his heart sink with each passing moment that he continued to wait.

Just as he was getting jittery, a call came through. It was An Xiaoning.

"After much consideration, I've decided to agree to your request," she said.

Unable to contain his excitement, Gu Shaochun thanked her immediately. "Thank you, Xiaoning. Grandpa has prepared a set of dowry for your big day today, and I'll be attending your wedding, as your family."

"Alright."

Feeling more energized than ever, he quickly ordered his daughter-in-law to prepare a set of dowry for An Xiaoning.

Together with his family, he then headed to the home of the Jin's, where the wedding would be held.

The Jin's did a double-take upon the rare sight of the Gu family. "Hubby, why are they here?" asked Mrs. Jin sternly. She could not believe her eyes.

"I don't know."

Turning around, she said, "I'm going to call Qingyan and ask what's going on."

A sullen look formed on Mrs. Jin's face, and it stiffened the moment she ended the call. Noticing her expression, Mr. Jin asked, "What's the matter?"

"Qingyan said that Xiaoning had become a member of the Gu family, out of the blue, for no rhyme or reason at all. She had acknowledged Gu Shaochun as her Grandfather. Why... why weren't we informed of this at all, beforehand?"

"Let's ask Xiaoning about it after the wedding," said Mr. Jin.

——

"My Mother is obviously upset," said Jin Qingyan.

"Then, so be it. Aren't you upset as well? We can gladly call off the wedding now. Just don't regret it in the future," dared An Xiaoning, glaring at him while adjusting her gown.

But Jin Qingyan replied, "I'm afraid you'll be the one regretting."

"I have a feeling I would too. After all, we don't truly love each other now. It's not going to be nice when I make a cuckold out of you the day I meet a man who's madly in love with me. You're going to look really bad when that happens."

"Earlier on, you demanded that I be mindful of my boundaries after we get married. Is it right for you to be saying such things now?"

"I said that you should be aware of your boundaries, but I didn't say that it applied to me too."

"I'm very certain that you will fall for me. Wanna bet?" challenged Jin Qingyan with utmost confidence.

"No. I don't stand to gain anything, either way."

The bridesmaid, Jin Qingyue, and the best man, Long Tianze, arrived outside their bedroom just as their conversation ended.

"It's time," she said with a smile.

Hand in hand, they proceeded downstairs, the bridesmaid holding onto the train of her gown.

The wedding photographers and videographers were more than ready to begin filming. Jin Qingyan carried An Xiaoning into the car, bridal style.

Looking at the expensive, luxury cars which were escorting theirs, An Xiaoning gasped, "The previous time I got married, there were only six cars to escort us. I can't believe there are so many today!"

"Do you like it?"

"Absolutely."

"Something's happening later. You're going to like it even more. I've invited your ex-husband to our wedding," he said with a sweet, mellow voice, seemingly trying to please her.

"They may not show up, though."

"They wouldn't dare not to," he said firmly as their fingers interlocked.

"I just can't quite see through you. You really spoil me in every aspect, fulfilling the standards of an ideal husband. Yet, you're in love with another woman. Truthfully, I'd prefer a man who loves me wholeheartedly," she said calmly.

"Is that so?" he asked.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the old Mansion and were greeted with the sight of a fleet of cars lined up farther away from the mansion.

The wedding car arrived at the door. Jin Qingyan quickly alighted and, hand in hand, led An Xiaoning down the red carpet.

She spotted her ex-husband and his family amongst the crowd.

Every single member of the Shi family had turned up, including Wang Fangfang.

A mix of complex feelings began to overwhelm An Xiaoning when she noticed her parents from afar.

They had invited themselves even though she did not inform them of the exact address. God knows when they had arrived.

The majority of female guests were green with envy as they watched Jin Qingyan slip on the huge, ostentatious ring onto An Xiaoning's finger while they were exchanging their vows.

It was only during the toasting ceremony that most of the guests realized that the Gu Family had attended the wedding as An Xiaoning's family. Having made the headlines, the matter came across as breaking news to many.

When it was time to toast to the Shi Family during the ceremony, An Xiaoning gloated conceitedly when she noticed how uneasy they were. "Here's a toast for the old Mrs. Shi. There's a permanent scar on my forehead that I just can't get rid of. Thankfully, my hair has helped keep it obscure. It would've been hideous otherwise!" she sneered.

At that very instant, the old Mrs. Shi turned pale as sheet. "My apologies to have offended you, young madam," said the old Mrs. Shi, still managing to force a polite remark out of herself.

"It's no bother. Here's another toast to Mr. Shi," she exclaimed, handing Shi Shaochuan a glass of wine.

Wang Fangfang kept her eyes peeled on An Xiaoning's hands. Almost blinded by the sparkling, exquisite, diamond ring, she could not help but wonder how An Xiaoning had gotten so lucky.

Watching the gorgeous An Xiaoning smile at him beautifully, Shi Shaochuan felt a random tinge of moroseness. Chugging too quickly, he choked on the wine she had toasted and felt a burning feeling in his throat.

With a smirk, An Xiaoning left their table with utmost confidence and strode towards the other tables for a toast.

After the toasting ceremony, An Xiaoning returned to her resting area. She felt an immense pain settling into her legs.

The very moment she sat down, she noticed Gu Beicheng leaning against the door, clad in a white suit. Holding up a goblet in his hands, he stared at her with a faint smile on his face.