Extra Story 6 (License)

Yan Heyu actually had a lot more to say, but the more than three years they had been apart were like a sharp sword, and there were times when they could only avoid certain topics and words.

He wanted to tell her that he had been following her for a long time before the dinner with President Yin and that he had been keeping up with all her Weibo posts.

He wanted to tell her that his feelings for her were never fake, that every surprise and every indulgence was out of sheer instinct, and that he had always loved her.

He also wanted to tell her how grateful he was to have met such an amazing person in his life.

Wen Di waited for him to say, “Marry me.” But he just kept looking at her quietly.

She thought that maybe he was so nervous that he had forgotten what to say next.

Her right hand was still in his, and she gently squeezed his fingers.

Yan Heyu squeezed her hand back. No one else noticed this subtle gesture.

“I know I haven’t done nearly enough, but I’m still selfishly asking you to marry me. I want to come home and see you waiting for me on the sofa, watching TV. You can put your pillow on top of mine for the rest of your life.”

“Wen Di, marry me.”

Wen Di calmed herself down and said, “Even if you didn’t do something so grand, I would still marry you. The moment I decided to take you back to Jiangcheng and agreed to go home with you, I had already decided I wanted to spend my life with you.”

After she finished speaking, she held out her left hand to him.

At this, the crowd started cheering. Someone shouted, “What about the four-hand duet? Hurry up and play!”

They all burst into laughter again.

Yan Heyu carefully slipped the ring onto her ring finger. It was the perfect size.

He had measured her finger size late one night after she had fallen asleep.

After he put the ring on, the piano music started, but it was sporadic. They seemed to be reading the sheet music first, then looking down to find the keys, and some notes were off.

The two people playing the piano started complaining to each other, both blaming the other for being unreliable.

Yan Heyu stood up, picked up Wen Di, and kissed her.

Shen Tang covered the twins’ eyes.

Xiao Ningmeng used her two small hands to pull at Shen Tang’s hand, anxiously saying, “Mommy, Mommy, I can’t see! Is Uncle Qin trying to sneak a bite of my cake?”

Shen Tang laughed. “No one’s eating your cake. That cake is a gift from Uncle Yan.”

Wen Di had thought the dreamy cake was for her, but it wasn’t. It was a gift for Xiao Ningmeng and her brother. The proposal cake had yet to be brought out.

While Wen Di was being kissed, the cake was brought in. It had eight tiers, and each tier depicted a classic scene of affection from every TV show she had ever written.

Several pastry chefs had spent an entire day making this cake.

Wen Di stared at the giant cake for a few seconds. Her next reaction was, “Give me my phone.”

Yan Heyu knew what she wanted to do. “I’ve already recorded a video and taken photos.”

Wen Di turned and hugged him. “Thank you.”

Many years from now, she might not remember the specific touching words he said during the proposal, but she would definitely remember this cake. The cake itself wasn’t the most important thing. It was the fact that he had watched all her TV shows with her over the years, knew which scenes she liked the most, and remembered them.

After the candles were lit and she made a lifelong wish, the pastry chef helped cut the cake. Everyone got a slice, and no one wasted any. Some people, like Qin Xing, even went back for a second piece.

Xiao Ningmeng’s face was smeared with a lot of cream, and she rubbed all of it onto Jiang Chengyu’s chest. After she had cleaned her face, she would smear more cream on, specifically choosing the brightly colored ones.

Jiang Chengyu’s white shirt became a colorful canvas.

No matter how much Xiao Ningmeng messed around, Jiang Chengyu was incredibly patient. He didn’t say a word and just let his daughter do whatever she wanted.

This made Yan Heyu so envious. He couldn’t help but wonder if his little Ningmeng would be this mischievous, too.

“Wen Di.”

He turned and called her name.

Wen Di was eating cake, and there was a bit of white cream on the corner of her mouth. “What is it?”

Yan Heyu leaned down and kissed the cream off her mouth. “After we get our marriage license, we can start trying for a baby.”

“...” Wen Di pushed his head aside. “Don’t ruin my cake.”

Yan Heyu poured her a glass of red wine. “You can drink as much as you want tonight. If you drink too much, we’ll just stay here.”

Wen Di clinked glasses with him. “Stay here after we’re married?”

“Yeah. It’ll be convenient for you to see Shen Tang.”

It was exactly what she wanted.

Wen Di ate her cake and sipped her wine. The courtyard was incredibly lively, and Yan Heyu was right by her side.

She had never felt so content before.

Her phone on the table kept vibrating. Shen Tang sent her a few short videos—Yan Heyu’s proposal, her making a wish in front of the cake, and the lively scene in the courtyard.

Wen Di saved the videos and, on a whim, sent them to her family group chat.

After that, her bank account text message notifications didn’t stop.

Her family was in the habit of sending her large red envelopes, and they did so even for her proposal.

Auntie Er said: [The event was even grander than the Financial Summit.]

The attendance at the opening of the GR Financial Summit was not as complete as it was for her proposal today.

Wen Di found it hard to imagine how much effort Yan Heyu had put in to gather all these people.

She looked up at Yan Heyu and said, “You really only needed to invite your closest friends. You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”

Yan Heyu replied truthfully, “They insisted on coming and brought their own tables and chairs. I couldn’t exactly stop them.”

“I never realized you had so many good connections.”

“You have good taste.”

Wen Di smiled, secretly thinking he was shameless for finding a way to compliment himself.

Yan Heyu also smiled. Just as Wen Di brought her glass to her lips, he stopped her. “Wait.” He took the wine glass, wrapped his arm around hers, and drank a toast with her.

Wen Di’s arm was draped over his, intertwined. The wine had a strange and wonderful taste when she swallowed it.

Drinking a toast without anyone interrupting them actually made her heart flutter a little.

The barbecue went on until the early morning.

They didn’t go back home and stayed at the villa. All the supplies in the villa were fully stocked, and they even had a few changes of clothes ready.

After a shower, the two of them went to bed.

Wen Di sat on Yan Heyu, with her feet on his chest.

Yan Heyu turned off the lights. The room suddenly went dark, and she couldn’t see a thing.

Wen Di protested, “How am I supposed to sober up with the lights off?”

She had never heard of lights helping someone sober up.

Yan Heyu coaxed her, “It’s almost two in the morning. Can we please go to sleep?”

“I’m not sleepy.”

As she said it, she started yawning.

A few seconds later, “Let me look at you a little longer.”

Yan Heyu pulled the comforter up and wrapped her in it, then turned the lights back on.

Wen Di wasn’t looking at him. She was staring at the ring on her ring finger. “Is it a wedding band?”

“Yeah, a pair.”

“Give me the man’s ring.”

She got off Yan Heyu and told him to go get the ring.

The ring box was still downstairs, so he went to get it.

While he was gone, Wen Di went to the walk-in closet to find a dress to change into. There weren’t many clothes in the closet, so she had to make do.

A few minutes later, Yan Heyu came back into the bedroom with the ring. She had finished tidying her hair and walked out of the walk-in closet.

The ring he had on his hand, which was only a few dollars, was the one she had reluctantly put on him back then.

Wen Di took that ring off and put the new wedding band on him. After she put it on, she looked up at him. “I love you, and it’s more than you can imagine.”

She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him deeply.

Yan Heyu turned off the lights first, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace.

They were both tired after a long night and didn’t have a lot of energy left, but the passion was reignited at that moment.

________________________________________

Three days after Yan Heyu’s proposal, the movie No One is Better Than You wrapped up filming.

Yin Ziyu saw the video and photos of the proposal cake in the group chat and sent Wen Di a blessing. [Boss Wen, I love you. I’ll treat you to a nice meal when I get back.]

There was a rare heartwarming scene from Behind Desire on the cake, and she had kept that cake photo.

Wen Di: [One meal isn’t enough.]

Yin Ziyu laughed and said: [How about 1.5 meals?] She was in Europe right now and wouldn’t be back until the end of the month. She was planning to take a few days of vacation before returning.

[Boss Wen, I’m on my third reread of that book you lent me, Return to Provence.] She planned to go to Provence for a few days to find the places described in the book.

[When I get back, you have to recommend a few more books for me.]

Wen Di: [No problem. I don’t have much else, but I have plenty of books.]

Yin Ziyu: [Boss Wen, when are you getting your marriage license?]

Wen Di hadn’t given it much thought. She was just going with the flow, planning to get it whenever they had a free day. [Maybe tomorrow, or the day after.] Yan Heyu had originally been in a hurry to get the marriage license, but then he realized the proposal anniversary and the marriage registration anniversary would be so close together, so he decided to postpone it.

After a few messages with Yin Ziyu, Wen Di put her phone down, and Auntie Er arrived.

Auntie Er was in Beijing on a business trip, and Wen Di had arranged to have lunch with her.

Wen Qizhen looked at her niece. “You’ve become even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

Wen Di said, “That’s because you’re looking at your own family. Even the ugly ones look good.”

Wen Qizhen laughed. “Don’t be so honest.”

Wen Di: “...”

She had been shot by her own arrow.

She handed her aunt a glass of warm water and asked her how long she would be staying.

“Two days.”

“I’ll take you to the airport then.”

“No need, Guan Xiangmu will take me.”

“Oh, that’s good then.”

Wen Di didn’t ask any more questions. Auntie Er never lectured her, and she never pried into Auntie Er’s love life.

No matter what her aunt did, she was always the one who supported her.

Wen Qizhen explained, “Guan Xiangmu’s company is now our company’s client. After we finish our business here, I have to go to Shanghai with him to coordinate a few things.”

Guan Xiangmu had booked her flight ticket for her, saying they would go to the airport together.

With the hope of a breakthrough in battery life, she was putting her personal life aside for now and just focusing on work.

At her age, it was difficult to be incredibly moved by things. Love would always be at the bottom of her priority list.

First came herself, her children and her family, her career, and then finally, love.

So, love was just a bonus for her. If it wasn’t there, everything would still go on as usual.

During the Chinese New Year this year, she went to visit some of her elder relatives, and they urged her to find a partner quickly. They asked her what kind of life it was to be alone.

She replied to them: “People like me are called life winners. I have a child and a career, and no husband. How great is that?”

The elder relatives were all fuming after she said that.

“Aren’t you and Yan Heyu going on a trip after you get your marriage license?” Wen Qizhen couldn’t remember the last time her niece went on a trip. “You should go out and relax.”

Wen Di: “I do have a plan. I want to go to Yunshu Village.”

Wen Qizhen nodded.

The name Yunshu Village was very memorable to her. It was a place that had once caused Yan Heyu great heartache.

________________________________________

After parting ways with Auntie Er downstairs at the restaurant, Wen Di drove home.

It was the weekend today, and Yan Heyu had the day off. Just like before, he would take one day off a week. When he was busy, he might only get two days off a month.

When Wen Di got home, Yan Heyu was playing tennis alone in the courtyard. She had just finished eating and didn’t want to do any strenuous exercise, so she sat on the side and watched him play.

Wen Wen had been playing with its toys on the grass. When it saw her return, it abandoned its toys and lay in her arms.

Yan Heyu took a break and came over for a drink of water.

His T-shirt was soaked in sweat. Wen Di looked at him. “Why have you been practicing tennis so much lately?”

Yan Heyu: “I quit smoking and drinking, and I’m exercising more.”

Wen Di immediately understood. He was getting his body into the healthiest state possible so he could have a baby after they got their marriage license.

Yan Heyu put his water glass down and said, “We’ll get our marriage license at the beginning of next month, on a Monday.”

“Does that day have any special meaning?”

“No. It will have one after we get our marriage license.”

“Don’t you have a regular meeting on Monday morning?”

“I’ll take the day off.”

Wen Di laughed, seeing through his little calculations. By taking a day off for their marriage registration, all the senior executives would know their boss was getting married.

On this matter, she would satisfy his wishes and go along with his plan.

The weekend before they were to get their marriage license, Yan Heyu was working overtime.

Wen Di finished her work for the day and took Wen Wen to Jingyue to pick him up. Halfway there, she received a call from the manager of a watch flagship store. The watch she had ordered had arrived, and they asked her when would be a good time to have it delivered to her.

Wen Di decided to go pick it up herself and made a U-turn at the next intersection.

While waiting at a red light, she sent Yan Heyu a message. [Something came up. I’ll be about an hour late.]

Yan Heyu: [No rush. I still have at least an hour of work left.]

Wen Di turned on the music. It was that old song she had listened to for many years.

The watch was her wedding gift to Yan Heyu, fulfilling his year-long wish for her to buy him a watch.

After she picked up the watch from the flagship store and bought a bouquet of flowers, she and Wen Wen headed to Jingyue.

Wen Wen seemed to know what was happening today. It was very well-behaved the entire time.

She received another message from Yan Heyu: [Call me when you get here.]

Yan Heyu had finished his work. He was getting his marriage license tomorrow morning, so he came in today to arrange things ahead of time and sign the necessary documents.

Wen Di hadn’t arrived yet, so he sent a message to his father.

[Dad, Wen Di and I are getting our marriage license tomorrow. I was wondering what you felt like before you got your marriage license with Mom. Thank you for your constant understanding and tolerance. I hope I can be a good husband and a good father, just like you.]

After he sent the message, Wen Di’s call came in. “Husband, I’m downstairs.”

“I’ll be right down.” Yan Heyu turned off his computer, grabbed his trench coat, and left.

Wen Wen was at the car window, waiting eagerly.

If Wen Wen could talk, it would have been shouting “Daddy” from far away. One of his birthday wishes this year was for Wen Wen to stay with him and Wen Di for a long, long time.

Wen Wen scratched at the air with its front paws, as if waving to him.

Yan Heyu walked quickly towards them.

A small bouquet of fresh flowers was on the passenger seat. Yan Heyu picked up the flowers and got in, holding Wen Wen in his arms.

Wen Di said, “The flowers are from Wen Wen.”

Yan Heyu put the flowers in the back seat. “Then I’ll put them in the courtyard to dry and keep them forever.”

Wen Di didn’t start the car right away. She took the watch out of her bag. “This is my gift to you.”

Yan Heyu leaned towards her. She had makeup on her eyes. He kissed her on the lips. “Thank you.” Looking into her eyes, he kissed the corner of her lips again.

Wen Di told him she had made a reservation at a restaurant and specifically added, “I didn’t order any foie gras.”

She was finally starting to pay attention and remember his preferences.

________________________________________

Late at night, Yan Heyu finally received a reply from his father. He was already asleep by then.

The next morning, on the day he was to get his marriage license with Wen Di, he woke up and saw his father’s message.

[I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy that I only had time to sit down and read your message now. I probably felt the same way you do now when I got my marriage license with your mother. When you talk about a good husband and a good father, I feel unworthy of the praise. I was often so busy that I would even forget your and Heyan’s birthdays. Actually, it’s not that I’ve been understanding and tolerant of you; it’s that you’ve been tolerant of me as a father. I also have to thank you for your trust and respect. You’ve always made a point to tell me whenever you make a big decision in your life. Life can be long, but it can also be short. When you’re together, cherish it well, whether it’s family or your loved one. Let’s both strive for that. Dad believes you will definitely be a good husband and a good father. I wish you and Wen Di a long and happy life together. And I wish my granddaughter, Wen Wen, good health and happiness.]

This was the longest message his father had ever sent him, and it was the most precious wedding blessing he had ever received.

The traffic was as bad as usual today, with no end in sight.

They brought Wen Wen to the marriage registry with them, and Aunt Cui held Wen Wen in the back seat.

Yan Heyu held Wen Di’s hand as they walked into the marriage registry. Wen Wen and Aunt Cui stayed in the car.

Wen Di had written scenes of getting a marriage license in her screenplays. Today, she was finally walking in herself.

As she signed her name, and the stamp was placed on her and Yan Heyu’s official photo, Yan Heyu squeezed her hand tightly. The ineffable feeling could only be understood by the two of them.

Yan Heyu’s heart was finally full.

So was Wen Di’s.