IJLHTW - 80

When Yi Huaize returned home, he saw Xu Di still holding a pair of small red books, her face radiating joy. As soon as she saw him, she immediately looked up and called out, “Come quickly and see Chengcheng’s marriage certificate!”

“What did you promise me?” Yi Zechen looked at Xu Di helplessly.

Xu Di then smiled sheepishly and immediately said, “Oh, me, I forgot. Zechen, Zechen.”

Xu Di had promised him that she wouldn’t call him “Chengcheng” anymore. After all, he was about to become a father, and if his child heard it, he might be laughed at.

But Xu Di was so used to calling him that, it was truly hard to change all of a sudden.

Yi Huaize chuckled softly, reaching out for the marriage certificate in Xu Di’s hand. So many years had passed in a flash. He remembered that the night before he got his own marriage certificate, he hadn’t slept at all.

He never thought his son would be married now.

Although Yi Huaize didn’t obsess over Yi Zechen’s marriage as much as Xu Di, he was still worried deep down. Now seeing him settle down and establish a family, he felt immense joy.

When a table full of dishes was ready, Yi Huaize even opened a bottle of Maotai.

Even Xu Di was surprised, and immediately said to Huo Ci, “This bottle of wine was given to Zechen by his grandfather. It’s a fifty-year-old Maotai. Usually, if someone even mentioned it, he’d think they wanted to steal his wine. I never expected him to take it out himself today.”

“A rare joyous occasion for the family,” Yi Huaize looked at his tall and upright son, smiling, “Let’s have a drink, my son and I.”

Xu Siyang echoed, “Brother-in-law, I also want to taste your fifty-year-old Maotai.”

“Good, good, good, you get some too,” Yi Huaize was genuinely in a good mood. What he had wished for so many years had finally come true.

Xu Di also smiled, “Today, I won’t stop you. Drink as much as you like.”

In the end, when pouring the wine, even Xu Di had a small wine glass in front of her. Because Huo Ci was pregnant, Yi Zechen poured her a glass of water. Although Yi Huaize was used to being a leader, he never liked bureaucratic or grandiloquent talk. But with his son getting married, he still had a few words he wanted to share with the young couple.

He looked at Yi Zechen and Huo Ci with satisfaction, and said solemnly, “Zechen, Huo Ci, from today on, you are husband and wife, a family. I have nothing else to wish for but that you will support each other and be considerate of each other on your future path in life. I wish you a lifetime of marriage, filled with love.”

As he said this, Huo Ci suddenly felt a little teary-eyed.

Yi Zechen raised his glass: “Thank you, Dad.”

Huo Ci followed suit, raising her own glass and softly repeating, “Thank you, Dad.”

This “Dad” made Yi Huaize truly happy to hear.

Good, really good.

________________________________________

After lunch, Yi Zechen drank quite a bit. Since he was getting his marriage certificate today, he had already informed Yang Ming in advance that he shouldn’t be called for non-urgent company matters. Xu Di saw that he reeked of alcohol and had Huo Ci accompany him upstairs to lie down for a while.

When they arrived at Yi Zechen’s room, he held onto Huo Ci tightly and wouldn’t let go.

Huo Ci saw him with his eyes closed, but his hand was tightly gripping her waist. She said helplessly, “Mr. Yi, I’ll go get you a glass of water.”

“Call me husband,” he still kept his eyes closed, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly as he said in a deep voice.

Huo Ci froze for a moment, then chuckled softly.

But she was already held even tighter. He hummed lightly and asked, “Call me? Why aren’t you calling?”

Huo Ci looked up, kissed him on the chin, and said softly, “Husband.”

Suddenly, Yi Zechen’s eyes opened, his amber eyes deep, as if to draw her in. The early summer sunlight quietly streamed in through the window, filling the entire room with a warm golden hue.

On the bed, they lay quietly.

At this moment, they only wished for time to stand still.

Bai Yu knew that Huo Ci had gotten her marriage certificate and was also afraid that Nan Wan might play tricks, so he deliberately waited an extra day before calling Yang Ming. He didn’t have Yi Zechen’s number and didn’t want to bother Huo Ci with this kind of thing. So he contacted Yi Zechen through Yang Ming.

When he learned that Nan Wan wanted to see him, he asked calmly, “Did you ask her what it’s about?”

“She said it’s about the T&A advertising leak, and that she was instructed by someone. She wants to tell you herself,” Bai Yu immediately said.

To his surprise, Yi Zechen chuckled and told him, “Tell her I won’t see her. I won’t make any deals with her, nor will I give her a single cent.”

Bai Yu hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward and was momentarily stunned.

However, Yi Zechen chuckled again, saying lightly, “But you can tell her that if she gives me the materials, I can guarantee that the mastermind will be punished. But I will not exchange any benefits with her.”

Yi Zechen’s words were very direct. Simply put, if you’re willing to give me the goods, then give them. But if you want to use these goods to get something else, sorry, no.

This was like getting something for nothing.

Bai Yu was still thinking about the T&A advertising matter and couldn’t help but say, “But the advertisement was leaked from our studio.”

“You tell Nan Wan that, and also tell her that I know who that person is. If she doesn’t give me the materials, I will have other ways to make that person cry, and then her so-called evidence will be worthless.”

Yi Zechen had known for a long time that this matter was related to Lu Yongxin.

This Miss Lu was adept at controlling online trolls and manipulating public opinion, and she had succeeded countless times after achieving her goals. Previously, Huo Ci being framed as a homewrecker was her doing.

Yi Zechen hadn’t acted immediately back then because he was waiting for this opportunity.

He was determined to acquire Baichuntang.

The reason Lu Yongxin was so reckless wasn’t she relying on her family’s influence? He wanted to see who could protect her without the Lu family.

Bai Yu had no choice but to relay Yi Zechen’s exact words to Nan Wan.

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Baichuntang suddenly faced negative news: a large batch of their traditional Chinese medicine was found to be expired. When the Shanghai Administration for Industry and Commerce discovered this batch of expired traditional Chinese medicine in Baichuntang’s warehouse, Baichuntang employees were actually re-packaging the medicine with new packaging.

This meant that this batch of medicine should have been destroyed, but Baichuntang simply repackaged it and put it back on the market.

This incident was discovered on a Monday. On that day, Baichuntang’s stock price plummeted, continuously hitting the daily limit for the rest of the week.

Moreover, not only did the Administration for Industry and Commerce get involved, but the Public Security Bureau also started an investigation, and a case was filed. Drug safety has always been a sensitive topic. For a well-established pharmaceutical company like Baichuntang to be involved in such a scandal was truly astounding.

Regarding this matter, there was a great deal of public discussion online.

Because Mingsheng Group was recently actively acquiring Baichuntang, some people proposed a conspiracy theory, saying that Mingsheng Group deliberately exposed this matter to cause Baichuntang’s stock price to plummet and become worthless paper. Then Mingsheng Group could enter and acquire Baichuntang at a low price.

However, as soon as this theory was proposed, it was met with a wave of ridicule.

Someone directly refuted below: “Stop saying Mingsheng Group harmed you. If it weren’t for Baichuntang’s own problems, how could others get a handle on them? I actually think Mingsheng Group acquiring Baichuntang is a good thing. Let’s not let the current unfilial descendants of the Lu family destroy the century-old Baichuntang brand.”

“I agree with the above statement. What has Baichuntang become since the passing of old Mr. Lu, the founder? Now they even dare to sell expired medicine. It’s better to let Mingsheng Group take over; at least it can curb the current unhealthy trends.”

Lu Yongxin looked at the online comments. At this moment, her father, Lu Boming, was on the other end of the phone, angrily scolding, “Didn’t you say you could control online public opinion? How come now that something has happened at home, you’re completely useless?”

She had always been pampered by Lu Boming. Suddenly being scolded, she retorted indignantly, “If the company has such a scandal, forcefully controlling the online narrative with trolls will only backfire. It’s better to guide it slowly...”

“Slowly guide it? If we keep slowly guiding it, even the company will belong to someone else. Who do you think all this you have now belongs to? Isn’t it all given by me? You must suppress those online opinions for me,” Lu Boming said furiously.

Lu Yongxin felt a bit desperate. She couldn’t help but think of when her grandfather was still alive; Baichuntang was nowhere near what it was now.

Back then, Baichuntang was a leader in pharmaceuticals, and she was the envied eldest daughter of the Lu family.

But now, the company’s market value had fallen to less than half of what it was when her grandfather was alive, and it had been losing money for three consecutive years. Soon, they wouldn’t even be able to keep the company.

Lu Yongxin found it laughable.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of hatred.

In just half a year, her proud love and family background had been completely turned upside down. She couldn’t help but clench her hands, all because of that person named Huo Ci.

If, at their first meeting, she had known Huo Ci would bring such a significant change to her life, she would have surely destroyed her.

But now...

Unexpectedly, the Baichuntang scandal was not over. Soon, the police investigation revealed that the matter was related to Baichuntang’s general manager, who was Lu Yongxin’s biological brother. During a company meeting, the person who was boosting employee morale was taken away by the police on the spot.

Baichuntang’s stock price again hit the daily limit down. After consecutive daily limits, Baichuntang was forced to suspend trading on the stock exchange.

At this moment, Nan Wan, seeing the news, thought for a moment and then sent out the email. It was a video surveillance footage of Lu Yongxin instructing her to steal the T&A advertisement. Because Yongshi Jewelry had suddenly backed out, T&A was now targeting her, so Nan Wan, to protect herself, handed over this secretly filmed video.

She was only an accomplice in the leakage.

Regarding this commercial secrets leakage, the police had already opened an investigation, and now with the evidence. So the police immediately sent people to Lu Yongxin’s company to make an arrest.

Unexpectedly, she happened not to be at the company.

In the following few days, Lu Yongxin seemed to have vanished into thin air.

She held a Hong Kong passport, and the police found no record of her leaving the country at the airport. Even searching her residence yielded nothing. Even Shen Suian, who had broken up with her long ago, was interviewed by the police at the hospital.

Now, the Lu family itself was in deep trouble. Where Lu Yongxin had gone seemed to be a mystery for a while.

Shen Suian hadn’t expected things to spiral out of control to this extent. The police, however, comforted her, saying, “Actually, this case involves commercial secrets leakage. If you have any leads on this Miss Lu, please let us know. We just want to bring her in to understand the situation.”

Fortunately, this matter didn’t involve criminal charges, and it wasn’t a huge deal. The police’s intention was still for Lu Yongxin to report to the authorities as soon as possible to facilitate the investigation.

Shen Suian nodded. After the police left, he immediately called Shen Qian.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he mentioned Lu Yongxin, Shen Qian said, “Brother, ever since Lu Yongxin sensationalized that ‘other woman’ incident, we had a falling out, and I haven’t contacted her since.”

Shen Qian didn’t like Huo Ci, but she wasn’t an ungrateful person. What Lu Yongxin did was clearly an attempt to destroy both Shen Suian and Huo Ci. No matter what, Shen Qian wouldn’t side with an outsider against her own brother.

So after a huge argument with Lu Yongxin, the two had no further contact.

She hadn’t expected Lu Yongxin’s personality to be so obsessive, relentlessly pursuing Huo Ci simply because Shen Suian broke up with her.

When she heard that Lu Yongxin had instructed others to steal Huo Ci’s advertising idea, she couldn’t help but gasp, “Brother, luckily you didn’t marry her.”

Shen Suian didn’t want to kick her when she was down at this point. After a few words, he hung up the phone.

He thought for a moment and decided to use his after-work time to visit the hospital where Huo Mingzhou was recuperating. He knew Huo Ci had been accompanying Huo Mingzhou recently, so he went to the hospital to find her.

Huo Mingzhou’s health had improved considerably; he could even stroll in the garden downstairs now.

Shen Suian met the father and daughter downstairs. Huo Ci was sitting on a long bench, leaning languidly against the backrest. He stood not far away, quietly and greedily watching her. But the more he watched, the more an indescribable despair filled his heart. Why had he given up that girl back then?

Especially after learning that she had gotten into a car accident on the way to the airport, just to chase after him.

In fact, he had secretly come back once, but seeing her lying on the hospital bed, he suddenly recoiled. Even if they were together, what then? Could they truly overcome the prejudice of the world?

The step-siblings relationship was something they could never cross.

It wasn’t until Huo Ci looked up, her face lighting up with a smile as she looked at Huo Mingzhou in front of her, a smile that made him involuntarily smile along with her.

It was Huo Ci who saw Shen Suian first. She looked over calmly, until Huo Mingzhou also followed her gaze.

“That’s...” Huo Mingzhou just found him familiar.

Huo Ci: “Shen Suian.”

Huo Mingzhou understood; Shen Fangtang’s son. He softly asked, “Is he looking for you?”

Huo Ci smiled: “Probably.”

Huo Mingzhou didn’t hold any prejudice against him just because his surname was Shen. Instead, he comforted Huo Ci, saying, “Talk to him nicely. Dad’s going up first.”

Huo Ci couldn’t help but complain, “You’re not waiting for me?”

“You’re a big girl now; handle your own affairs,” Huo Mingzhou glanced at her and then walked back towards the inpatient building.

Shen Suian stepped forward and greeted him. Huo Mingzhou exchanged a few words and then left.

“Sit,” Huo Ci saw him standing silently in front of her and couldn’t help but pat the long bench beside her.

Shen Suian sat down and softly asked, “Huo Ci, how have you been recently?”

Huo Ci suddenly raised her hand, revealing a simple and elegant platinum ring on her slender, fair finger. She said, “Very good, I’m married.”

Shen Suian was stunned, then smiled, looking at her earnestly and saying, “Congratulations.”

This was expected; he wasn’t surprised.

Yi Zechen was a man worth entrusting one’s life to.

Huo Ci nodded, accepting it calmly: “Thank you.”

Another silence ensued, until she asked, “Are you looking for me for something?”

Shen Suian smiled bitterly inside, but pulled himself together and told her about Lu Yongxin. He said, “I think Lu Yongxin’s mental state isn’t very good right now. I’m afraid she might come looking for trouble with you.”

“Does she still dare to show up now?” Huo Ci sneered, “Isn’t she already a pariah? I’m afraid she won’t even dare to show her face.”

If it were before, perhaps the Lu family would have hired good lawyers for her. But now, Baichuntang was in jeopardy, and the Lu family had no time to deal with her affairs.

This might also be why Lu Yongxin was hiding.

She was probably waiting for Baichuntang to weather the storm before coming out to help her.

Shen Suian sighed softly, “I still don’t want her to keep making mistakes.”

Although the responsibility wasn’t his, the whole thing did start because of him.

After everything was said, another silence fell between them. Now, they didn’t even have topics to chat about. Shen Suian turned to her and said, “You should still be careful these next few days. I’ll take you upstairs first.”

The two stood up and walked side by side towards the inpatient building.

Shen Suian asked her, “When’s the wedding?”

Huo Ci hadn’t really thought about this question. Liu Ruhan was worried that she would show too much in a few months and wouldn’t look good, so she urged her to hold the wedding quickly. Anyway, Yi Zechen’s proposal was earth-shattering, so their marriage wouldn’t be too sudden.

She had just turned her head, smiling faintly, when she heard a sudden loud shout from behind: “Huo Ci!” Shen Suian and Huo Ci turned around simultaneously, only to see a woman holding a knife, rushing straight towards them. The one shouting was Yi Zechen. He ran towards them, but it was still too late.

Because Shen Suian had already pushed her away, and the knife plunged directly into Shen Suian’s abdomen.

Lu Yongxin hadn’t expected to stab him. She let go of the knife with both hands, looking at him in despair, and screamed, “Why, why did you abandon me, why? Why are you men all so hateful?”

Yi Zechen stepped forward to help Huo Ci up, while the bodyguards who followed subdued Lu Yongxin.

Huo Ci turned to look at Shen Suian, seeing him curled up, his face distorted with pain. She staggered, and then saw his hands covered in his own blood.

Shen Suian could still barely stand at this moment. He looked at Lu Yongxin, enduring the pain, and said, “Don’t keep making mistakes.”

Lu Yongxin, who had been in despair, suddenly broke down and wailed loudly upon hearing his words of concern.

Huo Ci tightly held Yi Zechen’s hand, “Call a doctor, call a doctor!”

Her voice was agitated and frightened. Blood continuously dripped from Shen Suian’s fingers. Soon, doctors and nurses rushed out of the inpatient building with a mobile bed.

When Shen Suian was taken to the emergency room, Huo Ci was still trembling all over. Yi Zechen held her shoulders, constantly comforting her.

“Don’t be afraid, he’ll definitely be fine. That spot isn’t serious, don’t be afraid,” Yi Zechen kissed her long hair, continuously reassuring her.

Soon, the doctor came out and told them that the knife had punctured Shen Suian’s spleen and required immediate surgery.

They needed family consent.

Huo Ci immediately said, “I’ll sign. I’m his sister, can I?”

After Huo Ci signed, Shen Suian was wheeled out of the emergency room. At this moment, he was still conscious. He looked at Huo Ci and softly said, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll be fine.”

Then his eyes turned to Yi Zechen, forcing a smile: “I’m still waiting to attend your wedding.”

Letting go was his best blessing.

The doctor pushed the movable bed he was lying on. As their figures became increasingly blurry in his vision, Shen Suian gently closed his eyes. This time, he truly had to let go.

________________________________________

A month later, a press conference attracted widespread attention from the financial community, with dozens of domestic and international media outlets gathered. In front of the dazzling lights, the man sitting there was handsome and tall, commanding everyone’s attention.

This was the press conference held by Mingsheng Group after its successful acquisition of Baichuntang.

Meanwhile, Lu Yongxin, of the Lu family’s eldest branch, was arrested in Beijing for assault and suspected commercial secrets leakage. Subsequently, the Lu family’s second branch suddenly defected, transferring their shares to Mingsheng Group, thereby causing the Lu family to lose control of Baichuntang. This acquisition, which began externally, ultimately ended with infighting within the Lu family.

Old Mr. Lu had two wives during his lifetime, initially hoping for abundant descendants, but ultimately, his legacy was ruined by these unfilial children.

After discussing the future plans for Baichuntang under Mingsheng Group, a journalist who was called upon suddenly stood up and asked, “Mr. Yi, I heard that Ms. Lu Yongxin assaulted your girlfriend, Huo Ci, at the hospital? Is this true?”

The spokesperson beside him was about to prevent this personal question unrelated to the press conference.

However, Yi Zechen suddenly raised his hand, looked at the questioner, and said calmly, “I don’t know where you heard that from, but one thing I can tell you is that you are mistaken.”

Yi Zechen paused, then a faint smile spread across his face: “Huo Ci is not my girlfriend.”

A stir ran through the crowd. No one expected to hear this. Just as someone was about to ask if they had broken up, they heard him say slowly and firmly, “She is my wife.”

The flashlights suddenly erupted. This scene was broadcast through television cameras and seen by countless people.

Later, this was even referred to as the most dominant marriage declaration in history.

________________________________________

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up!” Han Jingyang walked ahead, then turned around to find that the person beside him was gone. He looked back and saw Jiang Jingcheng still standing at the entrance, looking outside.

He turned and pulled him, asking, “What are you looking at? If we don’t go now, I reckon Zechen will really lose it.”

Even the usually calm and composed Yi Zechen was in a rush on his wedding day.

The wedding rings had been temporarily taken back for adjustment, and they forgot to pick them up. So, Han Jingyang and Jiang Jingcheng made another trip to retrieve them, otherwise, they really wouldn’t make it to the wedding.

Jiang Jingcheng smiled, muttering to himself, “I saw her.”

Han Jingyang looked at him like this and felt a genuine pang of heartache. He didn’t even have the heart to mock him as he usually would. The girl he liked had been gone for six years. If she were to come back, she would have long returned.

She wouldn’t come back anymore.

Perhaps it was Yi Zechen’s wedding today, and Han Jingyang felt he was too deeply affected. He patted his shoulder and softly said, “Go in. If you really miss her, go find her later.”

Jiang Jingcheng smiled, said nothing more, and followed him inside.

They finally felt they had completed their task when they saw Yi Zechen. Today’s wedding was a small one, attended only by immediate family and close friends, with a total of six tables, quiet and intimate.

Huo Ci sat in the lounge, with Mo Xingchen and Shao Yi both wearing bridesmaid dresses. Originally, she only wanted two bridesmaids, but Yi Zechen had too many groomsmen, and Xu Siyang insisted on being one, especially since Mo Xingchen was there, he absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone else to hold Mo Xingchen’s hand.

So they temporarily found Yi Duanduan, and the little girl was incredibly happy.

“The wedding starts in twenty minutes,” Mo Xingchen checked her watch, reminding her.

Shao Yi quickly stepped forward to adjust her veil. Her veil was a full two meters long. Until someone knocked on the door, Shao Yi went to open it, and Huo Mingzhou stood at the doorway.

When Huo Mingzhou saw Huo Ci, who had changed into her wedding gown, his nose suddenly tingled, and he felt an overwhelming reluctance in his heart.

He extended his hand, smiling slightly, “Huo Ci, take Dad’s arm.”

Huo Ci lowered her head, tears glistening in her eyes. She reached out and took his arm, and the two slowly walked out of the lounge.

The wedding ceremony was underway. First, the bridesmaids entered, and after their entrance, only the father and daughter remained. Even if there were a thousand words, they didn’t know what to say at this moment.

Until the large doors suddenly opened, and the spotlight shone towards them, Huo Ci slightly lowered her head. Huo Mingzhou beside her said, “Don’t be afraid, Dad is here. Just hold Dad’s hand.”

Just hold Dad’s hand, and Dad will hand you over to the man who is worthy of your lifelong trust.

On the altar, Yi Zechen wore a black tailcoat, so handsome and dazzling that one couldn’t tear their eyes away. Through the thin white veil, she gazed deeply at him as he got closer and closer.

It wasn’t until Huo Mingzhou solemnly placed her hand in his that a tear quietly slipped from the corner of her eye.

The ceremony was not elaborate, surrounded by their family and loved ones. Huo Ci’s grandmother had specially flown back from Canada, and her aunt’s family was also there. Yi Zechen’s grandfather was also seated below the stage.

Those who had watched them grow up were now sitting below the stage, watching them so happily.

Through the thin clouds and mists, they found each other. Perhaps when they met, they weren’t their best selves, but after salvation, they found their best selves.

When the emcee said that the groom could kiss the bride.

The white veil on her head was suddenly lifted, and he lowered his head, gently kissing her lips.

And before that kiss, she heard a clear and firm voice.

“Huo Ci, I love you.”

---Main Story End---