Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Wedding

The aura emanating from Yan Yan brought a sense of foreboding. Jiang Wan’s eyes widened abruptly.

Anxiously, she searched the room, found her phone, and called Gu Huaixu.

“We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is powered off. Please try again later.”

The emotionless female voice echoed from the receiver, carrying through the silent air to everyone present.

Yan Yan’s expression grew grim.

Jiang Wan dialed again, but the response remained unchanged.

“What does this mean?” Ji Jiali sensed something amiss. “The wedding is about to start, and Huaixu is missing?”

She furrowed her brows and fixed her gaze on Yan Yan standing at the doorway.

Jiang Wan was equally tense, her heart lodged in her throat, her face turning pale.

Yan Yan did not want to admit it, but she had no choice but to explain.

According to the groomsmen, when Gu Huaixu returned to the lounge to change into his suit, his phone suddenly received a message. He hadn’t even finished reading it before he bolted outside like a madman. By the time they realized and tried to follow, Gu Huaixu had already driven away, and all contact was lost.

Yan Yan demanded, “He didn’t tell you anything? You don’t know where he went either?”

Jiang Wan shook her head, despair flickering in her eyes.

She had considered every possibility, but never imagined Gu Huaixu would simply vanish.

“You’re his wife. How can you not keep him in check?” Yan Yan’s tone was harsh and full of dissatisfaction.

Ji Jiali could no longer bear it and muttered, “Mother-in-law, with all due respect, your son is the one running from the wedding, and you’re blaming my daughter?”

“You—”

Yan Yan’s face flushed crimson, just as she was about to retort, Gu Zhiming entered with several others.

“This is not the time for arguments.”

He took control of the situation with calm authority, his gaze pressing down on Jiang Wan. “Jiang Wan, think carefully. Where would Huaixu go?”

How could Jiang Wan possibly know? She and Gu Huaixu had only been together three months, and she had never truly focused on him. Her understanding of him extended only to nightclubs and bars.

The only person who might know... was Lu Wenzhou.

But how could she explain that? Since he was so bent on destroying the wedding, there was no way he would reveal Gu Huaixu’s whereabouts.

Jiang Wan was at a loss, and Yan Yan shot her a look of contempt. “I knew it—marrying a pretty face and nothing more. What was the point?”

The air in the lounge grew heavy.

Jiang Wan couldn’t help but glance out the window.

Through the one-way glass on the second floor, she could see the live events at the wedding venue below.

Most of the guests had already arrived, seated in their respective places, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

In the first row of the groom’s side, only one man was seated.

His hair shone jet-black in the sunlight; his features were cold, sculpted as if carved from stone.

The guests outside, oblivious to the turmoil, relaxed and chatted amiably, greeting each other with smiles.

Lu Wenzhou sat alone like an iceberg, so cold that no one dared approach.

Finally, someone mustered the courage to make small talk with him, but he rose before they could draw near, pulling out a pack of cigarettes on his way out.

At that moment, as if sensing the gaze from upstairs, he lifted his head, cigarette between his fingers.

Across dozens of meters, their eyes met.

His dark eyes glinted with satisfaction, calm and assured as though everything was playing out according to his design.

Lu Wenzhou lit his cigarette, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly.

It was as if he were calling out to her from afar: “Is this outcome to your satisfaction?”

Jiang Wan’s hands clenched tighter, nails digging into her palms, pain bringing back memories of those lonely days when she had struggled on her own.

Ever since her father left, hadn’t she walked this path alone?

Without Gu Huaixu, she could still manage.

Jiang Wan withdrew her gaze, her resolution hardening.

Just then, a subordinate arrived in haste. “Chairman Gu, we have news about the young master—he’s at the airport.”

“The airport?” everyone echoed in disbelief.

What was he doing at the airport? What guest could possibly require the groom to fetch them personally?

The subordinate hesitated, glancing at them awkwardly before continuing, “He bought a ticket to Switzerland. The flight has already departed…”

“What?!” Yan Yan nearly fainted.

In an instant, the atmosphere froze.

All the guests had arrived, yet at the critical moment, Gu Huaixu had confirmed everyone’s worst suspicions—he had run away from the wedding.

With the groom gone, how could the ceremony proceed?

The staff exchanged nervous glances; the elders’ faces were clouded with embarrassment.

At this moment, Jiang Wan, still in her wedding gown, stood up.

“The wedding will proceed as planned.”

Her eyes were steadfast as she broke the silence. “Announce that the groom suffered a seizure due to emotional agitation, is receiving treatment, and cannot attend. The bride will carry out the ceremony alone.”

Jiang Wan spoke calmly and decisively.

Earlier, both she and Gu Huaixu had greeted guests in the lobby, so everyone had seen him. No one would suspect the true reason for his absence.

If the ceremony were delayed, it would only invite speculation—and, if word spread, the Gu family would become a laughingstock in Rongcheng.

“We’ll do as Jiang Wan says,” Gu Zhiming decided without hesitation.

*

With Jiang Wan’s insistence, the wedding went on with only her present.

The master of ceremonies explained the situation as instructed, and the event proceeded according to plan.

The music started.

Jiang Wan entered alone.

She walked down the aisle through a shower of petals, heading for the ceremonial stage.

Ignoring the varied gazes of the guests, she thanked them graciously and recited her vows.

There was not a hint of awkwardness or retreat in her demeanor; instead, she was radiant and unyielding, shining brilliantly in the spotlight.

When she slipped on the wedding ring, Jiang Wan finally became Mrs. Gu, just as she had intended.

Standing before the crowd, she offered a dazzling smile under their scrutiny.

Her gaze swept over the guests, including Lu Wenzhou in the front row.

His eyes were sharp and shadowed, as if they could tear her apart.

Yet her expression did not change in the slightest.

Her long lashes intertwined serenely, her resolve growing ever firmer.

From the day she decided to marry Gu Huaixu, Jiang Wan knew this was a road with no return.

Even if she had to walk it alone, she would see it through to the end.

Just like this wedding.

Even if it meant utter ruin, she would never turn back.

Just as with her past.

At the master of ceremonies’ prompting, applause rang out to congratulate the newlyweds.

Amid the sea of guests, one figure abruptly rose and walked out against the flow.

Sunlight streamed over him, its warmth instantly turned to frost by the chill he exuded.

Lu Wenzhou was the first to leave.

Moments later, Lin Zhi from the bride’s side also stood up, following him out.

Their figures, growing smaller in Jiang Wan’s sight, eventually vanished from view—gone, yet everywhere.