Sweetie, don't look at him, kiss me.

"It's alright," Lin Qingmian smiled. "It's just that the high heels are a little uncomfortable."

Ji Linzhou glanced down at the light gold stilettos on her feet and frowned slightly: "Change into a different pair after you finish toasting."

"good."

As the two were talking at the main table, Lin Jianzhong and Zhang Yuzhu walked over.

Lin Jianzhong, dressed in a dark blue suit, looked somewhat overweight, his smile practically overflowing. Zhang Yuzhu, on the other hand, wore a dark red cheongsam, her hair meticulously styled, her makeup exquisite, resembling a proud peacock. Lin Qingqing followed behind them, wearing a light purple dress, her expression indifferent, revealing no emotion.

"Linzhou, Mianmian." Lin Jianzhong walked over and warmly extended his hand to shake Ji Linzhou's hand: "Congratulations! Today's wedding was truly wonderful, our Lin family has also benefited from it..."

Ji Linzhou did not shake hands with him.

He simply turned slightly to pull Lin Qingmian closer to him, then looked up at Lin Jianzhong and said in a calm voice, "Mr. Lin."

The two simple words froze Lin Jianzhong's outstretched hand in mid-air.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Zhang Yuzhu quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile: "Jianzhong, you too, don't get too excited. Today is a happy day for the children; we, as elders, should be more happy for them."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Lin Qingmian, her smile tinged with a forced and ingratiating tone: "Mianmian, I admit I was a bit harsh with some of my words and actions in the past. But today is your big day, let's leave the past behind, okay?"

Looking at the affectedly loving expression on her face, Lin Qingmian suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

From the time she could remember, this was probably the best attitude Zhang Yuzhu had ever shown her.

It wasn't because she genuinely felt indebted, but because she had married Ji Linzhou, becoming someone she couldn't reach.

"Mom," she said calmly, "Today is my wedding, and I don't want things to go wrong."

"I may not bring up the past, but that doesn't mean those things didn't happen."

Zhang Yuzhu's smile froze for a moment, her lips moved, but she ultimately didn't say anything more in defense.

Lin Qingqing stood at the back, remaining silent. Her gaze swept back and forth between Lin Qingmian and Ji Linzhou several times, finally settling on the pink diamond below Lin Qingmian's collarbone, a flicker of indescribable emotion flashing in her eyes.

"Mianmian," she suddenly spoke, her voice soft, "Congratulations."

Lin Qingmian turned to look at her and nodded slightly: "Thank you."

The two looked at each other, but neither said another word.

After the toasting ceremony, Lin Qingmian finally changed out of her high heels that were rubbing her feet, and into a pair of white flat shoes. She sat on the sofa in the corner to rest, and sure enough, two faint red marks appeared on her ankles.

Ji Linzhou walked over with a glass of warm water, sat down next to her, glanced down at her ankle, and frowned again.

"I shouldn't have let you wear these shoes."

"It's nothing, just a little scratch." Lin Qingmian took the water glass, took a sip, and then looked at him curiously: "Why aren't you wearing high heels?"

Ji Linzhou was taken aback by her question. After a two-second silence, he said in a low voice, "I don't need to wear it."

Lin Qingmian smiled and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Melodious music filled the banquet hall, and guests began to stroll onto the dance floor in twos and threes. Fang Shiyang pulled Bai Cheng into a dance, which was a complete mess. The two of them stepped on each other's feet several times, but they still laughed so hard they almost fell over.

Ji Xingqing ran over and pulled Lin Qingmian, saying that she wanted her to dance the first dance with her uncle.

Lin Qingmian was pulled to the center of the dance floor, and Ji Linzhou followed. The man stood in front of her, looking down at her slightly, the light outlining a soft contour on his profile.

"I can't dance," Lin Qingmian confessed honestly, somewhat embarrassed. "I've never learned before."

"It's alright." Ji Linzhou reached out, taking her hand in one and gently placing the other on her waist: "Just follow me."

The music was a slow, lyrical piece, its melody soothing and melodious. Ji Linzhou led her step by step, his steps steady and his rhythm clear. Lin Qingmian was initially a little nervous, afraid of stepping on his feet, but as they walked, her nervousness gradually dissipated.

His hand rested on her waist, the warmth of his palm seeping through the thin fabric of her dress, making her feel at ease.

She looked up at him and found that he was also looking down at her.

The lights shone on the two of them, their shadows overlapping on the floor, slowly swirling with their dance steps. The surrounding crowd, music, and laughter gradually blurred, leaving only his own reflection in his eyes.

"Ji Linzhou," she said softly.

"Um?"

Do you remember the first time we met?

Ji Linzhou thought for a moment: "When I was sixteen, in the pavilion of the Ji family's old residence."

Lin Qingmian was somewhat surprised: "You actually remember."

"Of course I remember." Ji Linzhou's voice was calm, with a hint of a smile. "You were cursing Ji Xingye back then, and you were cursing him very fiercely."

Lin Qingmian's face flushed instantly: "You heard that?"

"Hmm." Ji Linzhou looked down at her, the smile in his eyes deepening. "You've been cursing for over ten minutes, without repeating a single word."

Lin Qingmian was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground: "Then why didn't you leave then?"

"I went to the pavilion first," Ji Linzhou said matter-of-factly. "If anyone should leave, it should be you."

Lin Qingmian couldn't help but laugh when she saw his self-righteous expression, and then she leaned on his shoulder.

The music continued, and so did the dance.

The warm light shone down, enveloping them in a gentle halo.

In a distant corner, Ji Xingqing secretly took a picture with her phone and posted it to the family group chat with the caption: 【My favorite couple got married today! Wishing Uncle and Aunt a long and happy marriage! May they have many children! May they live happily ever after! May they live happily ever after! May they live happily ever after!】

The group was silent for a few seconds, then Grandpa Ji sent an emoji—a smiling elderly person's emoji.

Ji Xingqing stared at the emoji for a long time, then clutched her stomach and laughed so hard she bent over.

The banquet lasted until after 9 p.m. before gradually dispersing.

The guests left in twos and threes, and warm yellow ground lights illuminated the lawn of the manor, like stars fallen to the ground. Lin Qingmian stood at the entrance of the banquet hall to see Jiang Yao and Fang Shiyang off. The two of them each held one of her hands, nagging and giving her advice for a long time before reluctantly getting into the car.

After the last group of guests left, the manor fell silent.

The night breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms and fresh grass, making one feel completely relaxed. Lin Qingmian stood on the steps, took a deep breath, and felt as refreshed as if she had been washed clean.

Ji Linzhou walked up behind her and draped a coat over her shoulders.

"It's windy, put it on."

Lin Qingmian pulled her coat tighter and turned to look at him.

He stood beside her, gazing into the deep night. The manor lights cast a warm glow on his face, softening his otherwise harsh features.

"Ji Linzhou," she called him.

"Um."

"Let's go home."

Ji Linzhou looked down at her, then reached out and took her hand in his palm.

"good."