Compared with the bustling scene at the Yuan family's side, the seats on the Yan family's side seemed rather empty.
Yan Zhen's father was away on a mission and couldn't come back. His mother had divorced and remarried, so she didn't attend this wedding either. Therefore, on the Yan family's side, there were only Yan Haikun, Yin Shulan, Xie Shi, and Yan Chenhuan's family of three. There were still a large number of empty seats out of the ten, waiting for Yan Yincheng, the second - largest shareholder of Yan Corporation, to come with his female companion to fill the space.
However, the wedding was about to start, but his figure was still nowhere to be seen.
Although the protagonists of today's wedding were Yan Zhen and Yuan Ya'er, the other guests at the scene inevitably mentioned the "Third Master Yan" who had never appeared, and the topic was related to the "female companion" he was going to bring today.
"Isn't Third Master Yan said to dislike women? He actually brought a female companion this time. Is the sun rising from the west?"
"I was still counting on this wedding to let Third Master Yan take a fancy to my daughter. I wanted to get close to him. Maybe there would be a chance for her to marry into the Yan family. What a pity."
"Tsk tsk. After today, I don't know how many girls' hearts in Fengcheng will be broken."
"She's just a female companion, not a wife. It doesn't mean anything! I still have a chance."
"Yesterday, during the live broadcast of a cooking competition on Haicheng TV station, Third Master Yan had already shown up with that female companion. You'll never guess who this woman is. She has a close relationship with both the groom and the bride of this wedding."
"Is there any gossip in Fengcheng that I don't know about? Stop being so mysterious. Hurry up and tell me."
"It's Yuan Xi! The former fiancée of Yan Zhen and the fake daughter of the Yuan family!"
Everyone around gasped in surprise.
"Is it true? Third Master Yan's female companion is actually her? What on earth is the Yan family thinking? How could they allow Third Master Yan to bring her to the wedding? Are they sure she's not here to disrupt the wedding?"
"Who is Yuan Xi?"
"Don't you know? Yuan Xi was originally a daughter of the Yuan family. She was engaged to Yan Zhen since childhood and used to be his fiancée. However, four years ago, Yuan Xi betrayed Yan Zhen and had a one - night stand with someone in a hotel. In a fit of anger, Yan Zhen broke off the engagement with the Yuan family. It took four years for the two families to reconcile."
"What? She betrayed Yan Zhen and still has the nerve to come to the wedding?"
"Why would Third Master Yan get involved with Yuan Xi? Doesn't he care about his nephew's face?"
"Does that mean we'll have a good show today at this wedding?"
At this moment, several beams of light suddenly shone from the ceiling onto the center of the stage. The holographic projection equipment manufactured by Yan Corporation projected a countdown clock on the magnificent stage.
10, 9, 8...
The atmosphere at the scene was heated up. The guests stopped chatting and gossiping and involuntarily followed the countdown. As the number 0 disappeared, the bell in the auditorium rang throughout the banquet hall. At 6 p.m., in the romantic music, the specially - made stage sparkled with dazzling light, making the whole banquet hall look extremely romantic.
The wedding emcee stepped onto the stage, holding a microphone and starting the opening speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for gathering here on such a romantic and sacred day to attend the romantic wedding of a perfect couple. As the saying goes, it's a match made in heaven. I hereby announce that the wedding ceremony of the groom, Yan Zhen, and the bride, Yuan Ya'er, officially begins. Please all the guests stand up. Let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the groom's brilliant appearance."
As soon as the emcee finished speaking, a tall and handsome figure slowly walked onto the stage from the right - hand side. The light shone down from the ceiling, following his figure, making his handsome face even more eye - catching. All the other unmarried girls of the right age at the scene couldn't help but let out exclamations.
Although he had rehearsed in advance, when Yan Zhen stood in the middle of the stage, facing so many guests, he still couldn't help feeling a little nervous. Under the emcee's instructions, he briefly described how he met and fell in love with the bride. He said affectionately:
"Ya'er fluttered into my life like a butterfly. She is so sunny, so lovely, and so kind. When I'm with her, I can completely forget about all my troubles and sorrows and be the happiest version of myself. I'm willing to spend my whole life with her. With her by my side, I'll be the happiest man in the world. Ya'er, my bride, please come to me!"
The doors of the banquet hall were then opened. Yuan Ya'er, wearing a pure white wedding dress, dazzling jewelry, and delicate makeup, appeared there. The wedding march sounded. Yuan Tianlei escorted Yuan Ya'er's hand and stepped onto the red carpet covered with flowers. Yuan Ya'er held her head high, facing everyone's envious or jealous looks, and walked proudly towards Yan Zhen in front of the stage.
When passing by the main seats, she deliberately glanced at the Yan family's side. Finding that those two figures hadn't appeared, she frowned slightly, puzzled in her heart: Why haven't those two come? Do they want to play the game of being late for the wedding and steal her limelight?
But then the corners of her eyes and brows curved up, showing an "innocent" smile.
It didn't matter. It would be more interesting this way, wouldn't it? She could make Yuan Xi be abandoned by everyone back then, and she could also make Yuan Xi a clown today. She was the protagonist of this wedding! She was the most enviable and happiest woman in Fengcheng and even in Country C!
Walking in front of Yan Zhen and gazing at his handsome face, Yuan Ya'er made her eyes moist and showed an excited and shy expression. By her side, her biological father, Yuan Tianlei, said seriously to Yan Zhen:
"Yan Zhen, Ya'er is my only daughter. Now I'm handing her over to you. I hope you can love and protect her with all your might and shield her from all the storms. If you let her down, even if I have to risk my old life, I'll make you pay a heavy price."
Seeing Yan Zhen solemnly promise in front of everyone that he would treat Yuan Ya'er well, Yuan Tianlei was satisfied and finally placed Yuan Ya'er's hand into Yan Zhen's.
After this sacred hand - over ceremony, Yan Zhen knelt down on one knee in front of all the guests, took out the diamond ring he had prepared from his pocket, held it in front of him, and said affectionately:
"I, Yan Zhen, today in front of everyone, earnestly ask Miss Yuan Ya'er to be my wife. I promise that from today on, whether in good times or bad, whether poor or rich, whether healthy or sick, I will always love you, always protect you and love you by your side, and make you the happiest woman in the world. Miss Yuan Ya'er, will you marry me?"
Yuan Ya'er couldn't help crying like a tearful mess. She covered her mouth tightly with her hands and couldn't say a word.
Yan Zhen nervously waited for her answer. All the guests at the scene were waiting for her answer. However, Yan Haikun below the stage couldn't help frowning and looking back at the exit of the banquet hall, muttering:
"What's wrong with A Cheng? Why is he so late?"
On the stage, Yuan Ya'er finally calmed down. She stared deeply into Yan Zhen's eyes and said, "I do..."
"Sorry I'm late."
At this moment, a lazy female voice suddenly rang out in the hall. Since everyone was quietly waiting for the bride to answer the groom, this voice sounded clear and abrupt.
Yuan Ya'er sneered contemptuously in her heart. Sure enough, she had guessed right.
The wedding was interrupted. She and Yan Zhen turned their heads together towards the source of the sound. They saw a graceful figure in dark red walking into the banquet hall, followed by a black - clothed bodyguard like a shadow.
Yan Zhen immediately stood up from the ground and blurted out, "Xiao Xi!"
Yuan Ya'er also "timely" showed a surprised expression on her face: "Sister Xiao Xi! You're back!"
All the guests followed the groom's and the bride's gazes and looked behind.
The late - coming woman was holding a delicate gift box in her hand. Her soft, curly long hair was scattered behind her. The dark red fishtail dress with tassels tightly wrapped around her graceful figure. Her palm - sized face was so beautiful that it made people's hearts skip a beat. As her eyes moved, it seemed as if all the lights in the hall were attracted to her. In an instant, she outshone the bride on the stage.
It was "Yuan Xi"!