Since drinking his wife’s “love potion,” Shen Yu had been somewhat dazed, his mind constantly recalling what Ji Yaoyao was like before today.
If someone had told Shen Yu before today that his wife, the eldest daughter of the Ji family, would become so clingy to him after marriage, he would have dismissed it with a perfunctory smile.
The eldest daughter of the Ji family had always maintained a cold and distant image in public, and he was no exception to this. There was no comparison to the sweet intimacy they shared now.
Shen Yu was never a careless man. As the head of the Shen family, managing countless assets and steering the family’s development to greater heights than ever before, no one could underestimate his capabilities or emotional intelligence.
He clearly sensed something unusual about his newlywed wife’s change, but regardless of the reason, he didn’t want to dwell on it too deeply. Life was never static, let alone people.
*
Red carpets covered every corridor of the hotel, with fresh bouquets of various flowers visible everywhere. The refreshing floral scent permeated the air, and an atmosphere of joyous warmth filled every corner.
A broad, powerful hand held the pale, soft little hand with just the right amount of pressure—not too tight to cause pain, nor too loose to allow their clasped hands to easily separate.
Yao Yao looked down at those large hands, then lifted her head to glance at the man half a step ahead of her. The more she looked, the more satisfied she felt, a sweet smile gracing her delicate face.
To outsiders, the newlyweds approaching them were a perfect match made in heaven—the groom handsome and accomplished, the bride beautiful and enchanting. Their blissful smiles were unmistakably genuine.
Toasting began with the elders. The relatives and older guests at the main table didn’t give the couple too hard a time, so the newlyweds didn’t have to drink much.
Yao Yao immediately noticed that her cup contained warm water. After drinking it, she subtly leaned closer to Shen Yu and detected only a faint scent of alcohol. It seemed her words in the dressing room had taken effect. Relieved, her thoughts now turned to the events of the evening, and her heart burned with anticipation.
As the leader of the Shen family, those with any sense dared not make things difficult for Shen Yu. The toasting soon moved to the table of friends, where close brothers and their respective partners were seated.
Seizing the opportunity, these friends wouldn’t let Shen Yu off easily—after all, friends were meant to be teased. The men began to cheer and jest.
“Brother Yu, sister-in-law, may you have a harmonious union lasting a hundred years and soon be blessed with a son! I’ll finish this first!” One bold friend stepped up, downing a full glass of liquor in one go.
Maintaining his outwardly gentle demeanor, Shen Yu could only smile and drink the full glass under the watchful eyes of his mischievous friends.
Seeing this, Yao Yao grew anxious. She discreetly pinched the inside of Shen Yu’s arm, and he understood immediately.
Ignoring the crowd’s teasing, Shen Yu leaned down and whispered in Yao Yao’s ear, his voice deep and captivating, “Wife, don’t worry. The glasses this time are all filled with warm water.”
In an instant, Yao Yao’s face flushed crimson. The magnetic tone of his voice lingered in her ears, refusing to fade.
“Wow! Brother Yu has fallen hard!”
“No wonder sister-in-law is known as the top beauty in Shanghai. Look how worried Young Master Shen is! Come on, everyone, let’s only toast the groom today!”
…
Amid the cheers and toasts, they eventually reached the seats where the male and female leads were sitting.
Yao Yao sized up the female lead who was supposed to set up her husband with someone else. She was quite cute-looking, but Yao Yao didn’t like her – she disliked anyone who tried to come between her and her husband!
Then she glanced at the male lead beside her… too cold, not as handsome as her husband! The male lead also wanted to play matchmaker for her husband – she hated people with no sense of boundaries!
The system had previously warned Yao Yao that unless absolutely necessary, she must avoid conflicts with the male and female leads because they possessed so-called protagonist aura. Yao Yao had no intention of provoking them anyway – she just wanted to enjoy her sweet married life with her husband.
Zhao Yan watched Shen Yu and Ji Yaoyao’s affectionate display and felt genuinely happy for them: “Brother Yu, I never thought you’d be the first among our friends to settle down. Wishing you and sister-in-law eternal happiness and many children soon! I’ll finish this drink – you take your time, can’t let it interfere with tonight’s important matters!”
After saying this, Zhao Yan decisively downed the full glass in his hand. Others at the table started cheering upon hearing this!
Shen Yu’s usually composed expression cracked for a moment before he quickly raised his glass to hide his embarrassment: “Just you wait!”
Hearing the male lead’s teasing remarks that hit right at Yao Yao’s heart, she decided to temporarily stop disliking him – after all, he was quite perceptive!
“President Shen, Miss Ji, wishing you a happy marriage and eternal unity!” After Zhao Yan finished drinking, Chen Ke also offered her blessings.
Shen Yu raised his glass: “Thank you.”
Yao Yao also lifted her glass, playfully blinking: “Thank you, Miss Chen. We’ll be waiting to attend your and Mr. Zhao’s wedding celebration~”
Chen Ke froze for a moment, unsure if there was deeper meaning behind those words, and could only awkwardly smile: “You’re welcome.”
Shen Yu gently patted Yao Yao’s waist, signaling his wife to stop talking. After all, everyone here knew that Zhao Yan’s parents strongly opposed his relationship with Chen Ke – attending their wedding wouldn’t be easy.
Yao Yao ignored Shen Yu, looking up to glare at him, clearly expressing her anger!
Shen Yu smiled dotingly – his wife was easy to read, her thoughts always visible on her face. She was unhappy about Chen Ke calling her “Miss Ji” and also angry about his earlier warning.
Ignoring the others’ gazes, Shen Yu promptly used his large hand to rub the spot he’d just patted, apologizing in a placating manner.
Yao Yao gave him face too, letting out a soft hum to indicate this episode was over.
*
Round after round of toasts, even without drinking alcohol, took their toll on everyone. Yao Yao, wearing high heels, could barely stand from exhaustion. Eventually, she had to lean against Shen Yu’s body to relieve the pressure on her feet.
“Getting married is so exhausting! I never want to get married again!” After the toast session ended, Shen Yu immediately carried Yao Yao to the rest room. With her arms wrapped around his neck and nestled in his embrace, Yao Yao complained petulantly.
Hearing this, Shen Yu’s expression instantly darkened, his heart sinking for a moment before he spoke word by word: “Besides me, you won’t get the chance to marry anyone else!”
Realizing her words could be misinterpreted, Yao Yao giggled at Shen Yu’s jealous tone: “Mhmm! Ji Yaoyao can only marry Shen Yu, and Shen Yu can only marry Ji Yaoyao!”
Shen Yu’s expression instantly brightened from gloomy, nodding with satisfaction, his face filled with immense contentment. If there were outsiders present at this moment, hearing such childish words, their expressions would undoubtedly be utterly speechless.
Yao Yao suddenly remembered something, her slender hand gently tugging at Shen Yu’s left ear as she asked with charming willfulness, “If our relationship deteriorates in the future and our marriage becomes precarious, and someone tries to pull you out of this marital grave, would you agree?”
Shen Yu: “…”
Yao Yao: “Speak!”
Seeing Yao Yao’s serious expression, Shen Yu responded earnestly: “Yao Yao, I will devote myself to nurturing our relationship. I promise our marriage won’t encounter problems in the future, don’t worry. Even if issues do arise, I’ll strive to change and maintain it. Unless one day you’re the first to say you want to leave – but I won’t let that day ever come!”