Lin Linfeng’s favorite thing to do was spend money.
Even though Qiao Mengdi wasn’t her biological daughter, she was more than happy to organize her engagement banquet. She took great pleasure in using the money provided by the Yao family to create a lavish and extravagant display.
The preparation time had been incredibly rushed, yet Lin Linfeng and Sister Song managed to complete all the arrangements by the last day of October.
The only thing Lin Linfeng was dissatisfied with was the scale. The Yao family had mentioned they wouldn’t bring many people, so Qiao Chengrong had restricted the number of friends and relatives she could invite.
At ten o’clock on the morning of November 1st, the Yao family arrived right on time. They came in three cars, totaling only seven or eight people—hardly more than the number present during the initial meeting between the parents.
Compared to the large Qiao clan, the Yao family seemed somewhat sparsely populated.
In reality, many people in the Yao family had wanted to come, but Yao Chiyue didn’t want to cause a scene or make it a public spectacle.
The welcoming party for the Qiao family consisted of one of Qiao Mengdi’s paternal uncles and several cousins, who led the Yao party inside.
Qiao Mengdi did not go out to meet them. Dressed in her full finery, she stood behind the curtains of her upstairs room, looking down at the group walking into the courtyard.
Leading the Yao procession was a male elder.
Among the crowd walking in, the most striking person was Yao Chiyue. Her attire wasn’t quite as meticulous as it had been during their previous meetings. Today, she wore a black suit jacket paired with a long, floral-printed white skirt, cinched with a belt. This “mix-and-match” style provided a very strong visual impact.
As if sensing the gaze from above, Yao Chiyue, who was in the middle of the courtyard, suddenly looked up toward the window where Qiao Mengdi was. Startled, Qiao Mengdi quickly hid behind the curtain, then turned and hurried downstairs, lifting her skirt with both hands.
The engagement ceremony was led by a professional emcee. It began with the mutual introduction of important elders from both sides.
Qiao Mengdi had expected to see Yao Chiyue’s parents this time, but none of the Yao elders present looked particularly like her.
When the lead representative finished introducing the Yao family members, it was confirmed: Yao Chiyue’s parents were not there.
Qiao Chengrong clearly knew why the parents were absent, so he didn’t bother asking why the in-laws hadn’t shown up.
Qiao Mengdi had been curious about this before, but she rarely saw Qiao Chengrong, and even when she did, she didn’t feel like talking to him.
The ceremony proceeded step-by-step, mostly consisting of the elders questioning one another or chatting.
Qiao Mengdi found the ceremony a bit boring. She felt she had wasted the effort of buying a special gown and waking up early to spend so much time on her makeup.
She was also slightly annoyed. Although everyone else was looking at her, Yao Chiyue had barely spared her a glance.
Instead, Yao Chiyue sat on the sofa, deep in conversation with a specially invited female reporter.
Qiao-Logic: This is a marriage of convenience where both sides get what they need. Did you actually think this was the fruition of true love?
Qiao-Emotion: Shut up! No one wants to hear your cynical remarks.
Qiao-Logic: Heh, women! Watch your feelings—don’t go weaving a cocoon for yourself!
Qiao-Emotion: I’m happy, and I’m willing! If anything goes wrong with this marriage, we’re both dead.
Qiao-Logic: You think something can still go wrong? The gates of marriage are swinging wide open for a fool like you!
Qiao-Emotion: …
At that moment, the segments for questioning, chatting, and delivering the betrothal gifts were over. The emcee stood up and said, “Now, will the groom—”
A burst of laughter erupted in the hall. The voices in Qiao Mengdi’s head came to a screeching halt. She looked around blankly, unsure of why everyone was laughing.
Lin Linfeng hurriedly kicked the emcee under the table. He apologized awkwardly and corrected himself: “Will Miss Yao please present the engagement ring to Miss Qiao!”
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yao Chiyue stood up. A young, well-behaved girl who bore a striking resemblance to her quickly handed her a brocade box.
Yao Chiyue took it unhurriedly. Holding it in her right hand, she walked toward Qiao Mengdi. Her expression was calm as usual, and her stride was steady.
“Damn! Why won’t my heart behave?!” The spacious living room was filled with applause, but as Qiao Mengdi watched the expressionless Yao Chiyue approach, all she could hear was the thump-thump-thump of her own heartbeat.
If there weren’t so many people present, she wouldn’t have been able to stop herself from pressing her hand against her chest to keep her heart from leaping out.
Yao Chiyue came to a stop in front of Qiao Mengdi as the applause began to fade.
The moment she stood still, Yao Chiyue leaned slightly toward Qiao Mengdi’s right side. She leaned down to her ear and whispered in a voice only she could hear: “You look very beautiful today, Little Sister.”
A breath of warm air brushed against the base of Qiao Mengdi’s ear.
Her already racing heart suddenly accelerated like a school bell. That title—”Little Sister”—always managed to make her blood boil, sending it crashing through her veins like an out-of-control river.
The dozens of eyes in the room saw Qiao Mengdi’s fair face instantly turn a deep crimson. The younger guests began to hoot and holler, teasing them to show some “real substance,” while the elders chuckled. To everyone, the two looked like a match made in heaven.
Under these circumstances, Qiao Mengdi couldn’t even find the words to respond to the compliment.
As much as she wanted to tell her, “You look even more beautiful, Sister Yao,” her logic had completely surrendered under the gaze of Yao Chiyue’s phoenix eyes.
She could only stare blankly as Yao Chiyue opened the box. Under the lights, the ruby ring was magnificent—the bright red glow was dazzlingly brilliant.
As Yao Chiyue took out the ring, Qiao Mengdi naturally lifted her left hand.
“Your face is especially red today,” Yao Chiyue said as she slipped the ring onto Qiao Mengdi’s ring finger. Her voice was just loud enough for her to hear.
Qiao Mengdi looked at Yao Chiyue, who was leaning slightly forward; the corners of her mouth seemed to curve upward.
In truth, Qiao Mengdi’s face didn’t turn red because she was easily embarrassed, but because her skin was so fair. Even the slightest emotional ripple would send a crimson tide to her cheeks.
“The engagement ceremony is now—”
“Wait a moment!” Qiao Mengdi interrupted the emcee in a panic.
She turned to look at Qiao Mengyang.
Qiao Mengyang was likely the only person in the living room who looked unhappy, aside from Qiao Mengdi’s grandmother.
The day before yesterday, after buying her gown, Qiao Mengdi had specifically gone to the old lady’s house to invite her. Her grandmother had said, “I won’t involve myself in things that are fake and deceptive,” and so she hadn’t come.
Seeing her brother standing there with a sullen face, Qiao Mengdi had no choice but to beckon him over.
Only then did he reluctantly walk toward them, reaching into his pocket as he moved.
As Qiao Mengyang approached, Qiao Mengdi teased him with a bit of annoyance, “Why are you being so slow?”
The guests watched the three of them with interest.
Qiao Mengyang handed the small white leather box to Qiao Mengdi. He remained stone-faced, not saying a word in response to his sister’s complaint.
The well-behaved girl who had just handed the ring box to Yao Chiyue leaned in to whisper to her companion:
“This brother… is he unwilling to let his sister get married or something?”
“Probably. Who knew he was so sentimental? And hey, don’t you think he’s really handsome?”
“He is. A ‘little wolf’ type—exactly your style!”
“What about your style?”
“My style—” the girl paused, then tilted her chin toward Yao Chiyue. “I like someone like Big Cousin!”
“Ah! When did you go ‘crooked’?”
“You really don’t pay attention to me, do you? I’ve never been ‘straight’!”
“True. Then again, for someone like my sister, everyone probably likes her.”
“Not necessarily. Look at them—”
Yao Chixue followed her cousin’s gaze and saw that the men in their family were all staring at Qiao Mengdi.
Meanwhile, under the spotlight of everyone’s attention, Qiao Mengdi opened the box and said, “I have a ring for you too, Sister.”
Her face was still red, but she couldn’t care about that anymore.
Unlike a traditional engagement between a man and a woman where only the man provides a ring, they were exchanging them.
Exchanging engagement rings was the “little romance” of a union between two women.
This was a scene Qiao Mengdi had envisioned long ago, back before she had ever even been in love.
“Okay,” Yao Chiyue said, naturally extending her left hand.
Qiao Mengdi had bought a transparent diamond ring; she felt that colorless suited Yao Chiyue better.
As she put the ring on her, she felt a bit nervous.
Yao Chiyue’s hand was cooler than hers, but fortunately, the ring fit perfectly.
“It’s beautiful,” Yao Chiyue said, her gaze moving from the back of her hand to Qiao Mengdi’s face, where the flush had yet to fade.
“I’m glad you like it.” Qiao Mengdi’s voice carried a hint of coy sweetness.
The room erupted in applause once again.
Once the ceremony was complete, Lin Linfeng stood up and announced, “We have prepared a modest banquet at the Golden Heron Hotel. Please, everyone, we would be honored if you joined us.”