At this moment, she had been looking forward to it for a long time.
Ning Anmiao naturally wanted to marry Lu Yan, but she hoped even more to get her parents' blessing, which would add to her happiness.
With her parents' approval, her lover's company, and her friends' blessing, this was the kind of marriage she wanted.
As she smiled, her eyes were soon wet with tears. She rushed into her parents' arms, and the three of them hugged tightly.
"Come on, it's just getting married. It's not like you won't see each other again."
"You're such a big girl, still acting like a child."
"When you come back home then, Mom will cook sweet dumplings and make dumplings for you."
"You just spoil her. If she eats any more, she'll get cavities..."
"..."
Watching the warm scene of the family of three, Lu Yan quietly took two steps back and stood aside silently.
This was the warmth he had never felt before.
He yearned for it, but he also knew it was out of reach.
Just then, Bai Jiaying suddenly looked up and waved at him. "Xiao Lu, come here quickly. What are you being so shy for in a family?"
Lu Yan was taken aback.
As soon as he walked over, Bai Jiaying stepped forward and hugged him in an elder's manner. Her voice was kind and gentle. "Thank you, Xiao Lu."
"You'll have to take good care of this little girl from now on. She's very spoiled usually. If she makes you unhappy then, remember to come and complain to me."
Being hugged by an elder for the first time, Lu Yan stiffened all over. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.
He found Bai Jiaying's embrace very warm.
Ning Anmiao's parents were deeply in love, so it was no wonder their daughter was so gentle and affectionate.
This was the tenderness he wanted to indulge in.
Ning Zhijing glanced at them and gave a soft snort. "Indeed. This girl has been spoiled by us since she was a child. She can do all sorts of lawless things."
Teased by her parents like this, Ning Anmiao stopped crying and burst out laughing. She couldn't help but complain coquettishly. "Dad, Mom, I'm your daughter. What if I'm the one who gets wronged then?"
"Once you're married and into the family, the son - in - law is also like a son." Ning Zhijing said in a calm tone. "Besides, judging from how Xiao Lu treats you, I'm not sure who will be the one getting wronged."
...
Back home, Lu Yan sat on the sofa in a daze.
He wanted to smoke at first, but then he remembered what Bai Jiaying had whispered to him when they were leaving.
"Xiao Lu, I saw the cigarettes in your bag the other day. I know all you bosses who talk about cooperation always have cigarettes and alcohol with you, but for the sake of your health, smoke less."
Bai Jiaying's voice was gentle, and her tone was full of the elder's concern for the younger generation. "Your body is your capital. Don't wear yourself out. Call home if you have something to do. Your Uncle Ning and I will always be here."
For the first time, this nearly thirty - year - old adult male almost couldn't hold back his tears.
"Okay, I know."
...
Ning Anmiao came out of the bedroom. After changing into her pajamas, she saw the man sitting on the sofa in his home clothes, silent.
Lu Yan was always like this, surrounded by an aura, looking majestic and radiant.
She was more and more infatuated with him.
But later, the more she got to know him, the more infatuated she became. Besides, she felt more and more sorry for him.
She walked over and patted his shoulder. "What are you thinking about?"
Seeing her come out, Lu Yan patted the sofa beside him, signaling her to sit down.
"What, too happy?" Ning Anmiao obediently sat beside him, grabbed his hand, and tilted her head to look into his eyes. "Are you happy because you're getting married to me or because you've been recognized by my parents?"
He stared at her face intently and answered very seriously. "Both."
Saying that, he tidied up the hair that had been messed up when she changed clothes. His voice was slow, and his rich and textured voice was full of gentleness. "I not only have a lover but also a family."
Ning Anmiao immediately understood and her eyes curved into crescents.
"The Ning family welcomes you. Congratulations on becoming a member of the Ning family."
Ning Anmiao hugged him, with her chin resting on his shoulder. Her voice was softly gentle. "Just my love is not enough. You'll also have my parents' love."
"Then you won't be lonely anymore, right?"
Her every move revealed the softness of a little woman. She was so sweet and cute that one couldn't help but want to take a bite.
He leaned lazily on the sofa and tightened his arms around her, wishing he could meld her into his body.
His voice was deep and calm. His tone showed the maturity after years of precipitation, but there was also a touch of his loneliness. "Yes, I was very lonely before; but I won't be anymore."
"Thank you, Miaomiao. Thank you for sharing your most important love with me."
She shared her love with him, along with her parents'.
How lucky he was.
"Lu Yan." She was held in his arms, and her voice was muffled.
Lu Yan responded. "Yes."
"Then I also want to thank you." She looked up and smiled, full of joy.
Lu Yan lowered his eyes and slowed down his speech. "Thank me for what?"
"From now on, besides my parents, there will be someone else to cook sweet dumplings for me when they're not around."
She said with a smile, and her heart was beating faster. "Love is mutual. I can feel that you're loving me well."
"I love you, just as much as you love me."
Her confession was very solemn and sudden. Hearing this out of the blue, Lu Yan's mood gradually became cheerful.
He didn't know why, but he really liked this feeling.
This kind of frank confession of love was very straightforward, but it was also the most sincere, without any impurities.
He lowered his head and rubbed her chin, and the corners of his lips twitched. "Yes, I've always loved you, since a very long time ago."
"How long? Longer than before I liked you?"
"Yes, before you liked me."
...
Since she promised Gong Ming to help him avoid the arranged marriage, the two of them exchanged contact information on the spot. Gong Ming said he would contact her actively later.
Yin Yiyan could only wait.
One day passed, three days passed, a week passed.
Gong Ming didn't send a single message actively.
Yin Yiyan even began to suspect that everything that happened that day was just an illusion.
It wasn't until Ning Anmiao came to ask her that she was sure she had really promised Gong Ming, but she didn't know how to say it.
"I promised him, but he hasn't taken the initiative to find me." Yin Yiyan was uncertain about interpersonal relationships for the first time. "He hasn't mentioned this matter, nor has he chatted with me."
Ning Anmiao looked at Yin Yiyan quietly, listened to her statement carefully, and then hesitated to speak. "Do you think he might be lying to you?"
Yin Yiyan was puzzled and looked up at her.
Ning Anmiao immediately began to analyze reasonably. "Look, he said he needed your help, but he's so unhurried."
"He seemed to need you so much at that time, but now he's just ignoring you. Isn't this a play of playing hard - to - get?"