The moment she saw the wedding dress, Nan Yu's first reaction was that Qu Jiaran had put on the wrong clothes.
But soon, she realized it wasn't that simple.
There was a card in the box.
Nan Yu took it out and was stunned.
Yu Yu:
This is the "bridesmaid dress" I prepared for you. Surprised, right? That's right, it's the wedding dress you personally picked.
Do you think I put on the wrong clothes? Actually, my wedding dress is another one. This one is yours!
Don't get angry just yet. I just hope that on this day of my wedding, I can see you wearing a wedding dress and be my bridesmaid!
Isn't it an unprecedented experience? They all say that the bride is the most beautiful, so I want Yu Yu to be as happy as me!
Oh, by the way, you're not allowed to refuse my arrangement. Do you remember you owed me a favor before? Now is the time to pay it back!
Hurry up and put on this beautiful wedding dress. Jiaran and I are waiting for you in the banquet hall.
Nan Yu folded the card expressionlessly.
She had absolutely no idea what was going on in Qu Jiaran's head.
How could there be two women wearing wedding dresses at a wedding? Even if she was the bridesmaid, it was far too improper.
She was really crazy!
Nan Yu sat on the bed, looking at the wedding dress. She calmly thought about whether it would make a difference if she didn't leave this room today.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Excuse me, have you changed your clothes?" It was the staff member urging her. "The wedding is about to start. Everyone is waiting for you."
... There was no choice.
Nan Yu reluctantly put on the wedding dress, consoling herself that at least she had chosen a simple style.
At worst, she still had the mask to cover her face.
Moreover, Qu Jiaran was already outside now. Everyone couldn't possibly mistake her for the bride... right?
After she had done all this mental preparation, she took a deep breath, put on the mask, and opened the door.
The staff member outside had been waiting impatiently, looking at her watch several times. Seeing Nan Yu finally come out, she immediately stepped forward. "There are still ten minutes. The wedding is about to start. Please walk a bit faster."
Nan Yu responded and quickened her pace.
The banquet hall was already filled with people clinking glasses and looking elegant.
Just as Qu Jiaran had arranged, all the guests present were wearing all kinds of masks, making it impossible to see their faces.
But the moment she appeared, everyone's eyes fell on her.
The chatter died down, replaced by whispers.
Nan Yu had guessed this would happen.
After all, she was wearing a wedding dress. It was hard not to steal the show.
She kept reassuring herself in her mind that since she had the mask on, no one would recognize her.
The staff member guided her towards the center of the banquet hall.
The further she walked, the more something felt off.
Her gaze passed through the layers of people and reached the end.
The man was wearing a wedding suit, with a tall and elegant figure.
He stood there upright, spotless.
From such a distance, she couldn't see his kind eyes clearly, nor his peerlessly serene face.
Nan Yu clenched her palm.
Then, she saw Tan Linyuan standing there alone. Nan Yu's steps suddenly became flustered. "Why is there only the groom?"
The staff member looked at her in confusion. "Isn't he waiting for you, Miss Qu?"
She was a waitress arranged by the hotel. She didn't know Qu Jiaran or Nan Yu, nor could she distinguish their voices.
The manager had just told her that the person staying in that hotel room was the bride of today.
This address of hers was like a blow to the head, making Nan Yu instantly lose her composure.
Miss Qu?
"No, I'm not..." She parted her lips, but before she could say the second half of the sentence, she had already walked in front of Tan Linyuan.
Nan Yu's legs felt like they were stuck in a swamp. She hung her head, feeling her body floating.
Her palms were extremely sweaty, and her hands and feet were almost out of her control.
"Look up." Tan Linyuan's tone was emotionless, as light as a thin mist.
Nan Yu bit her lip and slowly looked up, meeting his gaze as calmly as possible.
Tan Linyuan just glanced at her. Surprise and confusion flashed across his eyes, and then quickly turned into calmness.
"It's you." His eyes were dim as he uttered just two words.
Just these two words told Nan Yu that he had recognized her.
From Tan Linyuan's reaction, she could also be sure that even he had been kept in the dark.
Qu Jiaran had really gone too far!
"It's me." Nan Yu's heart skipped a beat. She cleared her throat, her voice a bit hoarse. "Qu..."
"Don't say a word." Tan Linyuan almost instantly interrupted her and immediately took her hand.
Even a fool could sense that the situation was wrong now.
Not to mention Tan Linyuan, who was always in control of everything.
At this moment, this should have been the wedding scene of Tan Linyuan and Qu Jiaran. Hundreds of pairs of eyes in the banquet hall were now fixed on them.
These people came from different classes, but all had noble identities.
If word got out that they had the wrong bride while inviting everyone to witness the wedding, both the Qu and Tan families would be greatly affected.
And most importantly, Nan Yu herself would become a complete laughingstock.
To avoid a greater disaster, this wedding had to continue.
...
Nan Yu hooked her arm through Tan Linyuan's and smiled as she clinked glasses and chatted with the guests.
Someone joked, "Why isn't the bride talking today?"
Tan Linyuan replied calmly on her behalf, "She's not feeling well. Her throat is uncomfortable. I apologize to everyone on her behalf."
Nan Yu understood and immediately nodded slightly to show her apology.
Without saying a single extra word, their tacit understanding was perfect.
When his hand rested on her waist, she immediately hooked her arm through his.
Everything was as smooth as flowing clouds and running water. From beginning to end, they concealed it very well.
Without a single flaw.
Suddenly, someone shouted loudly, "The bride and groom kiss!"
Nan Yu froze, and the hand hooked through Tan Linyuan's tightened slightly.
More and more people were booing and watching the fun. Nan Yu's whole body went stiff. The smile on her lips instantly froze, and she could hardly hold the wine glass.
This was Qu Jiaran's wedding.
How could she kiss someone else's husband in front of everyone?
She couldn't do it.
Even though she was wearing a mask, everyone noticed her embarrassment and stillness.
But no one thought otherwise. They just thought the bride was shy. "Jiaran! Be more generous. You're usually so enthusiastic!"
That's right. If it were Qu Jiaran herself, she would surely hold Tan Linyuan's neck generously and kiss him without hesitation.
She was enthusiastic, outgoing, and confident.
She would enjoy this kind of feeling.
Tan Linyuan's gaze landed on Nan Yu's face. His eyes were gentle and calm. "What are you afraid of? Haven't you kissed before?"
Rarely had they seen the usually cold and aloof Tan Linyuan say such things. Everyone cheered even louder, pushing the atmosphere in the entire banquet hall to its peak.
They thought he was flirting with the bride.
In fact, Tan Linyuan's words were for Nan Yu.
Nan Yu's mind was in a complete mess. There were only three words in her mind: It's not okay.
They had kissed countless times and done the most intimate things countless times.
But she just couldn't convince herself to kiss him at this moment.
In Qu Jiaran's name.
But Tan Linyuan had already leaned over. She could smell his faint, mist - like breath, with a hint of bitter coolness.
Nan Yu's body was tense and stiff. She watched his lips come down with wide - open eyes.
Why did he say he couldn't love her, but then offer a passionate kiss with his burning lips?
The two embraced.
But Nan Yu felt cold.