Volume One, Chapter 16: Hanging from a Tree

Marry Chen Kaige?

Ning Yuelan furrowed her brows, then quickly caught on.

So the little guy was jealous!

She bit her lip and laughed softly, "Do you want your sister to marry someone else?"

Of course not!

Fang Mo almost blurted it out, but silently thought to himself.

If it weren't for this misunderstanding leading to their marriage registration, would Sister Yuelan have just gone on with her life as a CEO without interruption?

Yes, definitely!

Their lives would have no overlap at all; he wouldn't appear in her world.

And when the time was right, maybe two or three years later, Sister Yuelan would most likely marry someone from a family of equal standing, a strong alliance!

Just like...

The Chen family.

Her fiancé, even if not Chen Kaige himself, could be replaced by another Chen Kaige or a Wang Kaige, Zhang Kaige...

And he, Fang Mo, would only be a "childhood friend" attending her wedding.

At the ceremony, he would wish her happiness.

Watching her being embraced by another man, her eyes sparkling with flirtation, her cold, thin lips kissing someone else.

The thought made Fang Mo's chest tighten painfully.

Ning Yuelan seemed to see through his thoughts; her delicate face quietly leaned closer.

"Don't worry, I won't marry anyone else. Aren't we getting along well? I don't want a second marriage."

Her breath, fragrant as orchids, brushed against his cheek, turning Fang Mo's face red instantly.

After speaking, Ning Yuelan reached out to gently stroke Fang Mo's head.

"Besides, what Chen Kaixuan said was mostly nonsense. Chen's father mentioned the possibility of a marriage alliance to my grandfather, but my grandfather never agreed. After Chen Kaixuan found out, he kept calling me his eldest sister-in-law."

"He even used it as leverage to freeload at the mall, enjoying meals and luxury goods for free. At first, most shop owners were intimidated by him and didn't report it to me."

"When I found out, considering the long-standing partnership between the Chen and Ning families, I didn't make him pay. I just ordered the jewelry store manager to refuse him freebies in the future and make him pay."

"Didn't expect that brat to be so arrogant today, causing trouble in the mall."

As she spoke, a cold gleam flashed in Ning Yuelan's beautiful eyes.

"Any man who bullies Ning Yuelan really thinks I'm a pushover."

Hearing this, Fang Mo's face flushed.

So that's how it was!

This meant Sister Yuelan had no real engagement at all!

Fang Mo's mood suddenly lightened.

"By the way, Sister Yuelan, my parents should be back tomorrow."

Hmm?

Ning Yuelan raised an elegant brow.

"Then I'll accompany you to pick up your parents tomorrow. I haven't seen Uncle Fang and Aunt Ran for a long time either."

---

Since they had already registered their marriage, meeting the parents was a normal step. They couldn't just hold the wedding quietly and surprise everyone afterward, could they?

Even if Fang Mo's parents were open-minded, if he pulled such a stunt, they would probably break his legs.

Recently, classmates and friends who received invitations had started sending their blessings.

Of course, most of them couldn't quite understand.

How did the unassuming Fang Mo suddenly register his marriage overnight, and with the famous Ning family's heiress no less?

"Sister Yuelan, do you still have work to attend to? If so, you can go ahead."

"I'm waiting here for the wedding dress. When it's ready, I'll message you. If you're free, come try it on."

At this, Ning Yuelan's red lips curved into an inviting smile.

"Sure."

She indeed had other matters to handle.

Not only were Fang Mo's friends and family bewildered upon receiving the invitation, but Ning Yuelan's close girlfriends were similarly surprised.

Besides the routine inspection at the mall today, Ning Yuelan had reserved a tea room on the third floor of her mall to meet a few friends and explain the situation.

After parting, Fang Mo stayed seated in the bridal shop, playing on his phone.

But the staff who passed by now looked at him not just with respect, but with a touch of kindness.

It was probably because Fang Mo had just stood up for the overweight boss.

Ning Yuelan ascended to the third floor in stiletto heels.

Her black blazer paired with alluring stockings and beautiful legs made her look like a walking poster.

As she entered the tea room, three pairs of eyes immediately landed on her.

This was Ning Yuelan's private domain, rarely open to outsiders—only a few close friends gathered here to chat and sip tea.

Before her were three ladies: the eldest daughter of the Wu family, the princess of the Song Group, and the heiress of the Zheng family’s freight business.

They were among the few friends Ning Yuelan could truly connect with in their social circles.

"Oh, here comes our newlywed lady," teased one in a tight purple dress, scooting over to make room on the sofa.

At the joke, the other two burst out laughing.

Ning Yuelan shot her three girlfriends a mock glare.

"What brings you all here today to interrogate me?"

"Wu Jiabei, you just returned from abroad and haven't been home more than twenty-four hours, right? If Old Master Wu finds out you slipped out again, he'll be complaining to my grandfather."

Among the three, the woman in purple was Ning Yuelan's closest friend.

Her name was Wu Jiabei, owner of the largest nightclub chain in Jiang City.

"Pfft, you're married now—what's there to fear? My grandfather used to think I was being bewitched by you, this female fox spirit, since I was never home. Now, I don't even have an excuse."

Wu Jiabei gave Ning Yuelan a plaintive glance.

"How did you suddenly have a flash marriage? It caught me completely off guard. Now I have no excuse to go drinking at night."

Ning Yuelan rolled her eyes.

"You're not getting any younger, always thinking about where the freshest young men are, hunting for handsome guys. If you don't focus, who will inherit the vast Wu family fortune?"

Old Master Wu often dealt with Ning Yuelan.

He was quite troubled by his precious granddaughter.

She had grown up but showed no interest in taking over the family business.

The worried old man had urged Ning Yuelan many times to help Wu Jiabei straighten out her wayward ways.

Wu Jiabei shrugged indifferently.

"I'll leave it to the future son-in-law of the Wu family. You know who I like, but unfortunately, the goddess has feelings, while the king no longer cares."

At this, Wu Jiabei sighed pitifully.

Song Yu, the princess of the Song Group, crossed her impeccably clad legs.

"Come on, among us, who hasn’t had unrequited love? Who hasn't secretly admired someone for years?"

After speaking, the three all looked at Ning Yuelan.

They didn't know much about who Ning Yuelan liked, as she was an excellent actress—rarely drunk, and even when she was, she seldom revealed secrets.

They only knew Ning Yuelan shared their experience because once, overcome with sorrow and alcohol, she cried into Wu Jiabei’s arms.

Murmuring, "Do you know I've liked someone for thirteen years?"

When they heard that, the three were stunned.

So even their formidable CEO had an unrequited love?

Seeing Song Yu’s gentle reproach of Wu Jiabei and the topic shifting to herself, Ning Yuelan shrugged noncommittally.

Song Yu pouted.

"Look at Yuelan—at her age, she just found someone and got married. If love is unattainable, you have to let go. Back then, even when she was drunk, she insisted she wouldn’t marry anyone but a certain person. Now, she’s come to terms with it."

"Ms. Ning is so outstanding—the dream of twenty million men in Jiang City—and she didn't fixate on just one. Her thirteen-year secret crush ended as easily as that. So as friends..."

"Wu Jiabei, you should try getting along with other boys. Hanging out at bars and chasing fresh meat isn't the solution."

Wu Jiabei lowered her eyes, sighing deeply.

The four of them seemed to share a series of hopeless romances.

At that moment, Ning Yuelan delicately sipped her tea.

"Song Yu, when you scold Wu Jiabei, don't use me as a bad example."

"Who do you think I am? I keep my word. If I can’t marry the one I like, I’d rather remain alone for life."

"So... sorry to disappoint you, but I really did fixate on just one person."

At this, the three women were stunned.

???

What did she mean?

Wu Jiabei’s eyes widened.

"Yuelan, do you mean the man you married in a flash is the one you said you’ve liked for thirteen years?"