"Really want to see?" Lu Yan's voice was deep, laced with a faint smile.
Many onlookers were employees of Star River Group. It was the first time they had seen their boss act so freely. They beamed with delight and chorused, "Yes, we do!"
"You can watch, but those who want to watch should voluntarily give up their year - end bonuses." Lu Yan said calmly. As soon as the words left his mouth, those who had been shouting and making a ruckus fell completely silent. They no longer clamored to watch the fun.
After all, nothing was more important than the bonus.
Ning Anmiao in his arms couldn't help laughing when she saw everyone being too scared to make a sound. "You're so mean!" she said, and casually poked his chin with her hand.
Lu Yan's eyes were as dark and deep as the night. He fixed his gaze on her fair face. After a brief moment of silence, he suddenly lowered his head and gently kissed her in front of everyone...
No one had expected it to be so sudden. They all gaped, even forgetting to scream.
Ning Anmiao stared with wide eyes at the man approaching her. She only felt his lips gently covering hers for a few seconds before he reluctantly let go.
It was as if he were treating a divine being he dared not desecrate.
"I was afraid of smudging your lipstick," he said hoarsely, speaking in a voice only they could hear. Clearly, he was still craving more and not satisfied with just that. It seemed like an explanation for why he hadn't deepened the kiss.
Ning Anmiao was shy about showing affection in public. At this moment, catching a glimpse of the wide - eyed onlookers from the corner of her eye, her cheeks flushed. She buried her face in his chest.
"Uncle and Auntie, I'll take Miaomiao away first." Lu Yan tightened his hold on the girl in his arms. Standing upright, he turned around and walked out of the door. He carefully placed her in the car as if she were a precious treasure.
Watching Lu Yan take Ning Anmiao away, everyone quickly got into the wedding convoy arranged by Lu Yan. Soon, they followed the wedding car and headed for the church.
A marriage would only be more solemn after the oath of love.
The church was already filled with people. The young and the old sat quietly, all their eyes fixed on them.
Ning Anmiao held the bouquet in one hand and supported her father with the other. Her heart was pounding.
Looking up, she saw Lu Yan standing at the end of the aisle, beside the oath - taking platform, wearing a well - tailored suit. He was also looking at her.
The moment their eyes met, Ning Anmiao's uneasiness subsided a little.
If he was the one in her future, what was there to be afraid of?
In decades, Ning Zhijing had never been so solemn. He tightened his arm, glanced down at his daughter's hand, and led her with great dignity along the aisle leading to the oath - taking platform.
The two stopped in front of Lu Yan.
Looking at Lu Yan, who was just inches away, Ning Anmiao's heart began to race again. Suddenly, she noticed that the arm she was holding was trembling slightly.
She felt her father's nervousness and couldn't help smiling. She wanted to pat him gently to calm him down.
Ning Zhijing's expression was serious, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his wrinkled eyes were slightly moist.
"Lu Yan, I'm entrusting my daughter to you with peace of mind. I hope you'll treat her well in the future, make her happy and fulfilled. Can you do it?"
His tone was still that of an elder, but these words contained a father's greatest reluctance and his heartfelt concern for his daughter.
Ning Anmiao's heart ached when she heard the tremor in his last word. Her eyes welled up with tears.
She bit her lower lip tightly, feeling her father's restrained yet solemn love spreading in her chest.
Lu Yan was equally serious. "Don't worry. I will surely do it. I'll love her whole - heartedly, take good care of her, and give her happiness and joy."
His voice was steady and full - bodied, each word ringing with determination.
It was a promise and an unwavering belief.
Ning Zhijing nodded in satisfaction. Stuttering, he said several "good"s before slowly placing Ning Anmiao's hand in Lu Yan's palm.
It was like a sacred and loving transfer ceremony.
Next came the oath - taking stage.
Ning Anmiao looked up at Lu Yan. She felt that the big hand holding hers was warm, dry, and a bit rough, giving her an indescribable sense of security.
After the emcee solemnly read out the vows word by word, the whole place fell silent, waiting for their answers.
Lu Yan's voice was especially clear and loud. "I do."
There was no hesitation or panic. He was calm and composed, as if he had rehearsed it countless times.
In fact, he had said these three words in his heart countless times.
Ning Anmiao looked into his eyes, which were filled with determination. Through all the mists and confusions, he had always been there to protect her.
She slightly parted her lips, and her voice was equally clear. "I do."
Suddenly, thunderous applause erupted in the church. The waves of applause grew louder and more enthusiastic.
Cheers, blessings, and applause never ceased. In the midst of the bustling excitement, Lu Yan lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers. He held her hands that were clutching the bouquet.
Ning Anmiao clearly heard him whispering, "Can I smudge your lipstick now?"
Her face flushed bright red. She nodded slightly and mumbled, "Yes."
Then his kiss landed under everyone's concerned gazes.
Ning Anmiao almost forgot to breathe. It seemed that only the man in front of her and their two colliding hearts existed in the world.
The kiss was lingering and passionate. His hold on her hands gradually turned into an interlacing of fingers, and the bouquet almost fell from her arms.
Seeming to find the bouquet a nuisance, Lu Yan took it away and threw it high into the air!
Everyone gasped in surprise and scrambled to grab the bouquet, hoping to receive the blessings from the bride and groom.
Funny enough, due to the scramble, the bouquet was tossed in the air several times and finally landed right in Gong Ming's arms, who was sitting in the corner.
Gong Ming:?
He looked down at the bouquet and then stared blankly at the stage, seemingly confused and surprised by this dramatic scene.
He was so far away from the oath - taking platform. How did the bouquet end up in his hands?
The two passionate newlyweds on the stage had also finished their kiss and were now looking at him with smiles on their faces.
Everyone's eyes turned to him.
Ning Anmiao blinked and said with a gentle smile, "It seems that it'll be your turn with Yanyan next time."
Yin Yiyan walked out from behind Gong Ming at some point, snatched the bouquet from his arms, and hugged it tightly.
"Well, since the newlyweds have blessed us, we'd better accept it," she said with a big smile. The atmosphere became even more lively, like a wave of heat, surging through the church.