Li Yanzhou fell silent once more.
He leaned back slightly in the huanghuali wood chair, his hands folded on his lap, his gaze fixed on a celadon vase displayed on a nearby antique shelf. His eyes were calm and unreadable, as if the “almanac matchmaking” drama unfolding before him—a decision that would shape his life—had nothing to do with him.
“Hmm… next Monday? No, not auspicious. Next Wednesday? Ah, that seems a bit conflicting too…” Old Master Li muttered to himself.
“I think next Friday looks good!” Old Master Wen suddenly pointed at a spot in the almanac, his voice booming. “Auspicious for weddings, betrothals, and alliances—everything is favorable! Old Li, look, how about this day?”
Old Master Li leaned in for a closer look and slapped his thigh enthusiastically. “An excellent day! Let’s set it for next Friday!”
He looked up, beaming at the two “parties involved.”
“Yanzhou, Yanyan, next Friday, the two of you will go register your marriage! Settle the formalities first, so both our families can rest easy!”
Register their marriage?! Next Friday?!
Wen Yan felt her heart pounding wildly, thumping so hard it ached in her chest.
She looked at Li Yanzhou, pleading silently for him to say something—anything—like “It’s too rushed” or “Let’s discuss this further.”
However, Li Yanzhou merely slowly shifted his gaze away from the celadon vase, glanced indifferently at the almanac in his grandfather’s hands that had determined his “auspicious marriage registration day,” and then, ever so slightly, gave a nod.
He didn’t even bother to utter a single “Hmm.”
“Good! Then it’s settled!” Old Master Li declared decisively.
“As for the wedding, let’s not rush that. You young people nowadays have your own ideas and plenty of creativity. Once you’ve registered and become legally married, you two can slowly plan how and when to hold the wedding! We elders won’t interfere—we’ll just provide the funds and support, and make sure you have a grand and splendid celebration when the time comes!”
Old Master Wen chimed in enthusiastically, “Exactly! A wedding is a major event and needs careful preparation—no need to hurry. Yanyan, if you have any ideas in the future, you can discuss them with Yanzhou or talk to the family. We’ll make sure everything is beautiful and perfect for you!”
Wen Yan sat there, the voices around her gradually fading into a distant blur.
She stared at the man across from her.
His expression remained unchanged, his profile impeccably handsome, his posture upright, and his demeanor cool and aloof.
The CEO of the Li Group, a figure who commanded the business world of Xijing, someone countless people admired but could hardly reach.
Now, in such a dramatic and absurd manner, he was about to become her… husband?
Fine, so be it.
Wen Yan told herself silently.
After all, her grandfather was urging her, her parents were worried, and sooner or later, she would have to find someone to marry.
At the very least… Li Yanzhou’s appearance was flawless. Taking him out would never be embarrassing—in fact, it would likely make others envious.
Most importantly, the title of “Mrs. Li, CEO of the Li Group” meant that from now on, in Xijing and in any social setting, she, Wen Yan, would possess an entirely different status and stature.
It meant that the resources, information, and connections she once had to rack her brains and beg for would now be opened to her in a much more direct way.
Reality, cold and pragmatic, lay starkly before her.
Marrying Li Yanzhou might mean no love, perhaps not even basic warmth.
But it could give her the most practical things—a soaring social status and, with it, immense support for her career prospects.
She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
The turbulent emotions in her chest seemed forcibly suppressed by this cold, pragmatic reasoning.
When she looked up again, the shock and resistance on her face had faded, replaced by a calmness that bordered on resignation. Even the corners of her lips lifted into a faint, almost imperceptible curve.
She didn’t look at Li Yanzhou but turned instead to the two enthusiastic elders, her voice steady and devoid of emotion:
“I’ll follow Grandpa and Grandpa Li’s arrangements.”
Old Master Li laughed heartily. “Good girl! So sensible!”
Old Master Wen also smiled with relief, looking at his granddaughter with pride in his eyes that seemed to say, “As expected, you didn’t disappoint me.”
Wen Yan’s parents exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with smiles.
As for Li Yanzhou, when he heard Wen Yan’s calm words of “following arrangements,” the fingers resting on his knee tightened for a moment.
His deep gaze swept over her seemingly composed profile, and in the depths of his eyes, a subtle flicker of something seemed to pass—so fleeting it was impossible to grasp.
A marriage born from the pressure of elders and their respective practical considerations was thus hastily yet resolutely settled on this sunny afternoon, in this private room filled with the lingering fragrance of tea.
What the future held, no one knew.
Satisfied, Old Master Li closed the almanac that had determined the “auspicious date,” carefully put it away, and then looked at his grandson, his tone carrying an undeniable command:
“By the way, Yanzhou,” he pointed vaguely in the air, “don’t you young people nowadays use that… WeChat for chatting? Hurry up and add Yan Yan on WeChat. From now on, chat with her more, talk to her, deepen your bond! Feelings are built through interaction. It’s not enough for us old folks to just pick a date!”
The fingers holding her teacup stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Add WeChat? Chat? Deepen their bond? With Li Yanzhou?
She could almost imagine how cold, awkward, and even conversationally barren such “chatting” would be.
Instinctively, she glanced up toward the opposite side.
Under his grandfather’s “directive,” Li Yanzhou finally showed a slightly more noticeable reaction.
His gaze, which had been elsewhere, slowly shifted back. First, it swept over his grandfather’s eager face before finally settling on Wen Yan’s.
His eyes remained as still as the surface of a deep autumn lake, undisturbed by ripples.
He didn’t move immediately, nor did he take out his phone. Instead, he simply looked at Wen Yan quietly, as if waiting for her response.
The atmosphere in the private room grew subtly tense again due to his silence.
Both grandfathers were watching him, as were Wen Yan’s parents. Wen Yan herself, under his silent gaze, felt her cheeks grow warm—whether from embarrassment or something else, she couldn’t tell.
Finally, just before Old Master Li could speak again to urge him, Li Yanzhou moved.
Slowly, he retrieved his phone from his inner pocket.
He unlocked it, tapped the screen a couple of times, and then turned it toward Wen Yan.
On the screen was unmistakably his WeChat QR code.
He didn’t say a word, merely held the phone screen toward her, waiting quietly.
The gesture itself carried an air of condescension.
Wen Yan’s heart sank.
She silently took out her phone, unlocked it, and opened the scanning function.
A soft “beep” sounded—the scan was successful.
Li Yanzhou’s phone vibrated once. He withdrew his hand, lowered his head, and tapped to accept the friend request.
Having completed the “add on WeChat” instruction, Li Yanzhou put away his phone and resumed his detached, silent demeanor, as if the person who had just pulled out the QR code and accepted the friend request wasn’t him.
Old Master Li, however, was delighted. He chuckled and said to Wen Yan, “It’s good that you’ve added each other! In the future, if Yanzhou gets too busy and forgets to reach out, Yan Yan, you should take the initiative and send him more messages. This child is just too reserved—he needs someone to bring him out of his shell!”
Wen Yan could only force a faint smile and replied vaguely, “Okay, Grandpa Li.”