20: bridal chamber

It was very quiet at the Zhao family's side.

Yan Qinghe had learned his lesson this time and proactively gave up the initiator position. Yan Zhuohua wasn't polite either; he directly raised his wine glass and said, "Master Zhao, please," then prepared to leave without drinking a single drop.

Zhao Zhongkai, with his chauvinism, had never suffered such a slight.

"Mrs... Yan? You certainly have polite manners and a good upbringing."

Yan Zhuohua chuckled. "I can't compare to you. Not only did you bring your illegitimate children to someone else's wedding to their first wife, but you even brought them before the hosts to emphasize their presence. Those who didn't know better would think you have a grudge against us and came specifically to bring bad luck."

After saying that, Yan Zhuohua pulled Yan Qinghe along and left.

Zhao Zhongkai was fuming but didn't dare to lose his temper. He glared fiercely at his pair of illegitimate children, blaming them for making him lose face.

Zhao Zijing looked aggrieved, like a Little White Lotus. "Dad, don't be angry. Isn't Yan Zhuohua just good-looking? He can't even have children; he'll be dumped sooner or later."

Zhao Zixing looked at his so-called sister with contempt. "Truly a useless person raised by a mistress. Yan Zhuohua was the previous heir of the Yan Family. He's been groomed since childhood, and his talent is only higher, not lower. His methods and abilities are more than just a little bit better than Yan Qinghe, who joined halfway. Now that they've joined forces, do you really think it's just because Yan Zhuohua is good-looking?"

Zhao Zijing was lectured harshly and felt resentful. Why did Yan Zhuohua have such good luck? He was just slightly better looking and had been raised by the Yan Family for a few years. But looking up, tears welled in her eyes. "I... I didn't mean to. I haven't been exposed to these things since I was a child, so how could I compare to Big Brother..."

Before she could finish, Zhao Zijing, who hadn't spoken, interrupted her. "Those 'white lotus' tactics of yours might work in your low-level social circles, but don't perform them in ours; no one buys it. You might not know, but back then, Yan Zhuohua said he hated those little white lotuses and sanctimonious bitches the most. He teamed up with a group of people to clean up the circle, raising everyone's ability to detect 'green tea' and 'sluts' by more than just a bit. Anyone can see through your shallow tricks. If he hadn't been away these past few years, do you think a white lotus like you could even step into this circle? It's only because Dad is willing to put up with the antics of you three—mother and children."

Zhao Zijing choked up, suddenly not knowing how to respond. With tears in her eyes, she looked at Zhao Zhongkai again.

Zhao Zhongkai's ability to discern such things had actually been improved by Yan Zhuohua's methods back then too, but he was vain and arrogant. He enjoyed the feeling of being depended upon, so even though he knew their tricks, he was willing to play along. However, no matter how interesting the game, it couldn't compare to the loss of face he suffered twice today from his juniors.

"What are you crying for? Who are you trying to bring bad luck to? If people see you crying at someone's wedding banquet, they'll think you're here to cause trouble! Clean yourself up quickly. I shouldn't have let you pester me into bringing you here. How embarrassing."

The toasting session lasted a long time, and the atmosphere in the hall was very lively.

People bustled back and forth, weaving through the powerful and wealthy for their own agendas. By the time everyone finally achieved their goals or gave up and prepared to leave, it was already three in the afternoon. This meal had almost lasted until dinner time.

After seeing off the last group of guests, there were still some trivial matters to handle at the hotel. By the time everything was completely finished and they returned home, it was already eight in the evening. The wedding and related events were finally over.

No one had eaten well at noon, and much time had passed, so they tacitly started eating as soon as they sat at the table. For a while, the dining room was very quiet except for the sound of eating. Even the usually lively and mischievous Yan Zhuoyan had quieted down. But he was only quiet verbally; his eyes darted back and forth between Yan Zhuohua and Yan Qinghe with a somewhat suggestive excitement.

Yan Zhuohua couldn't stand that blatant gaze anymore. He swallowed the food in his mouth and asked, "Second Brother, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing, just wondering whose room I should put my gift in." Yan Zhuoyan smiled somewhat lewdly.

Yan Zhuohua was speechless, but he didn't know how things would be arranged tonight either. Both rooms had been decorated as bridal chambers, so either would work. Two days ago, Yan Qinghe had even mentioned the wedding night.

Yan Qinghe replied directly, "Put it in Zhuohua's room."

Yan Zhuoyan: "No problem!"

After dinner, everyone tacitly returned to their respective rooms to rest. Yan Qinghe reached out his hand to Yan Zhuohua. After watching for a long while, Yan Zhuohua shyly placed his hand in Yan Qinghe's and let him lead him back to his room.

The room was a sea of red. The bedsheets and duvet covers were bright red, Double Happiness symbols were pasted on the windows, and even a pair of Dragon and Phoenix Candles were lit at the head of the bed. Yan Zhuohua's face was also flushed red by these decorations.

Fortunately, it was Yan Zhuole who decorated it. Although it was a bit too red, it was still acceptable.

Yan Qinghe went to shower first. Yan Zhuohua was a bit nervous, sitting on the edge of the bed and fiddling with his fingers.

Then he noticed a gift wrapped in red on the bed. The color was so similar that he almost missed it. The box was medium-sized and seemed to be the one Yan Zhuoyan had just mentioned.

Yan Zhuohua curiously picked up the gift and opened it. Then he quickly closed it.

He shouldn't have trusted that a troublemaker like Yan Zhuoyan could do anything decent.

Yan Zhuohua's hand holding the gift trembled slightly. He was desperate to find a place to hide the thing. Unfortunately, before he could hide it, Yan Qinghe had already come out of the bathroom.

He walked out while drying his hair and immediately saw the gift in Yan Zhuohua's hand.

"A gift from Second Brother? What is it?"

Yan Zhuohua found it hard to speak. After hesitating for a long time, he shoved the thing into Yan Qinghe's hand and rushed into the bathroom.

"See for yourself. I'm going to shower."

Seeing Yan Zhuohua's frantic state, Yan Qinghe had already guessed a bit. He opened the gift in his hand, and sure enough, it was a box full of small toys.

The variety was so rich that Yan Qinghe felt like praising Yan Zhuoyan's experience. Yan Qinghe stuffed the gift into the suitcase they had already packed.

The bathroom was still filled with the scent of the previous user. Yan Zhuohua's heart, which had been trembling from the shock of that box of toys, began to beat even more wildly. He stood still for a long time until his racing heart calmed down before he finally started showering.

Estimating that Yan Zhuohua would still be a while, Yan Qinghe began to wander around the room.

When he first returned to the Yan Family, he had seen this room once. It was more than ten times more beautiful than any room he could have imagined for himself. At that time, he thought, "Was this the room I was supposed to have?"

Soon, he had his own room that was just as beautiful as this one. But the seed of Yan Zhuohua's room had been planted in his heart. Until one day, Yan Qinghe understood his own heart. His thoughts about this room changed along with his clarified feelings. He was supposed to be the owner of this room, but an accident had made it someone else's. Now, he wanted to become the owner of this room in a different way. And now, he had succeeded.

Yan Zhuohua dawdled in the bathroom for a long time, even drying his hair inside before finally making up his mind to come out.

He poked his head out, looking at Yan Qinghe's hands, then at the bed and the surroundings. Only after confirming that the sinful box was not within his sight did he come out boldly.

It seemed Yan Qinghe was quite sensible.

Having taken in Yan Zhuohua's entire series of actions and expressions, Yan Qinghe couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Yan Zhuohua was truly naive to be relieved just because he couldn't see that box of gifts.

"It's getting late. Come to bed." Yan Qinghe issued an invitation.

Yan Zhuohua was clearly much bolder without seeing that box of gifts. He gradually approached, only to be grabbed by the wrist by the person at the bedside and dragged onto the bed.

In the brilliant hall, colorful phoenixes fly; within the warm brocade curtains, dragons dance.

...

When Yan Zhuohua struggled to open his heavy eyelids, it was already ten o'clock the next morning.

He was sore all over, and his throat was a bit hoarse. Fortunately, his body felt clean and dry. After staring at the ceiling for a while, he reached out a hand from under the bright red Air-conditioning quilt and painstakingly fumbled for his phone. The hardship and pain caused by moving his body were self-evident.

After checking the time, Yan Zhuohua put down his phone. He was still not quite awake.

It wasn't until Yan Qinghe came up with a bowl of Red bean porridge that Yan Zhuohua regained some of his senses.

Yan Qinghe carefully observed Yan Zhuohua's expression. Seeing no signs of anger, he walked to the bedside with the porridge and sat down.

"Have some porridge, otherwise you'll feel uncomfortable waiting until lunch to eat."

Yan Zhuohua wanted to take the bowl, but his hand was trembling slightly.

Yan Qinghe was very observant. He carefully phrased his words: "I want to feed you. Could you please indulge me?"

These words saved Yan Zhuohua's pride, so he gave a long hum, which was an agreement.

Yan Qinghe happily picked up the spoon and fed Yan Zhuohua the porridge, spoonful by spoonful.

After finishing the bowl of porridge, Yan Zhuohua finally felt like he had come back to life.

Yan Qinghe put down the bowl and wiped his mouth with a tissue. "Rest for a while longer and come downstairs at noon. Everything is packed. We'll head straight to the airport after lunch, and we'll be at the island tomorrow."

The island was where they would spend the first half of their honeymoon. It was Yan Qinghe's private island, just for the two of them.

"Mm." Yan Zhuohua still didn't really want to talk. His throat hurt.

Actually, they only did it once last night. Considering they were tired all day yesterday, it was Yan Zhuohua's first time, and they had to go on their honeymoon today, Yan Qinghe had been very restrained.

The company had been temporarily handed over to his uncle, but there were still some things to handle. Yan Qinghe left with the bowl.

Yan Zhuohua wanted to sleep a bit more, but he tossed and turned, unable to fall back asleep. He didn't want to get out of bed, so he leaned against the headboard and started playing with his phone.

moments was very lively. Photos of their wedding yesterday flooded the screen, occasionally mixed with the "ying ying ying" of those unwilling to accept reality. Yan Zhuohua scrolled through with interest, saving the good photos without any guilt of being a Photo thief. As he looked, he realized something was wrong—why were there so many photos of them kissing? Opening a full-sized photo and seeing his own flushed face, Yan Zhuohua silently exited moments.

When will wechat invent a feature to delete other people's moments?? It's urgently needed!

Yan Zhuohua probably wouldn't have the courage to check moments for a while.

Returning to the chat page, a row of red dots was still stubbornly stuck there. Since he had nothing to do, Yan Zhuohua's interest was piqued to see what those shady friends were barking about.