The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 195 The Thought of Taking by Force

Chapter 195: Chapter 195 The Thought of Taking by Force

The bride must not touch the ground with her feet during her wedding procession, as the customs vary.

Although Shen Mingzhu wasn’t leaving for her marriage from her parental home, Pei Yang still followed tradition, carrying her from the room all the way down the stairs and into the wedding car parked at the entrance of the residential courtyard.

When Yan Yi saw the wedding dress Shen Mingzhu wore, he gave a faint smile.

He wasn’t surprised by this outcome at all; rather, he felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction and joy.

Her choice made him realize he hadn’t misjudged her.

She was, as he had imagined, steadfast and resilient, not swayed by material temptations.

But as a man, he also had desires.

No matter how composed and self-contained he appeared on the surface, his competitive and conquering drives were no less than any other man’s.

Logically, he knew he should let go, keep his distance, and not disturb her.

But emotionally, he didn’t want to give up just like that, nor was he willing to resign himself.

Who knows what the outcome might be before the very end?

Watching the direction in which the wedding procession of cars was leaving, Yan Yi gestured to Ning Yuan, "Follow, but not too closely."

Ning Yuan’s expression was one of horror, "Are you really going to Shen Mingzhu’s wedding feast?"

"Why not?"

"But why would you?"

Yan Yi said indifferently, "Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. Even if I lose, I should know what I lost to."

Admiringly, Ning Yuan gave a thumbs up and started the car.

...

At the entrance of the Baoyuan Hotel, the wedding convoy, led by an Audi, slowly came to a halt.

The Audi was borrowed by Chen Yi from an actor friend, and the other cars were arranged by Pei Yang through his friends and relatives. Including the main wedding car, the Audi, there were a total of six vehicles—a respectable show of support for the wedding that also represented the groom’s heart and sincerity.

Just past ten o’clock, there were already quite a few guests seated in the hotel for the banquet, including friends and relatives from both families, and many residents from the residential courtyard.

Hearing that the wedding cars had arrived, everyone rushed to the hotel entrance to see the bride.

Dressed in a pure white wedding gown, Shen Mingzhu stood under the sunlight; her palm-sized face was as delicate as a lotus flower. The pearl hair accessory on her head and the pure white veil draped behind made her look as elegant and holy as a goddess.

Not only were the wedding banquet guests dazzled by Shen Mingzhu’s bridal attire, but even passing pedestrians stopped to gaze.

Shen Baolan had specially spruced herself up for today.

She not only wore her best red dress but also put on makeup and styled her hair.

Her dressed-up appearance led her to be mistaken for the bride several times that day, which greatly satisfied her vanity. She even confidently believed that her outfit could overshadow that of Shen Mingzhu, the actual bride.

Upon hearing the wedding cars had arrived, she was the first to rush out of the hotel, eager to compare herself with Shen Mingzhu.

But reality harshly slapped her in the face.

Even though she was dead set against Shen Mingzhu, she had to admit that Shen Mingzhu was stunningly beautiful that day.

Pei Yang came around from the other side of the wedding car, approaching Shen Mingzhu and stopping just in front of her. Seeing Shen Baolan a few steps away staring intently at him, he frowned slightly, turned to his back towards Shen Baolan, and spoke tenderly to Shen Mingzhu.

"You go inside and rest first, I’ll greet everyone outside."

"Okay."

There was still a lot to do today, and Shen Mingzhu didn’t push herself. Holding her handbag with one hand and holding Pei Ziheng’s with the other, she entered the hotel accompanied by Shen Hongmei.

Shen Hongmei was her bridesmaid, and the best man was Pei Wenping’s younger uncle, Chen Liang.

Chen Liang was 22 years old and studied Mechanical Manufacturing at the Petroleum University.

...

No sooner had Shen Mingzhu set foot in the hotel than Yan Yi’s car stopped behind the procession of wedding cars.

In those days, cars were not common, and Yan Yi’s dark green jeep drew everyone’s attention as soon as it appeared.

When they saw that Yan Yi was the one getting out of the jeep, Pei Yang’s eyebrows slightly raised.

Yan Yi adjusted his cuff links and walked toward Pei Yang with a measured pace.

Yan Yi was slightly shorter than Pei Yang and had a gentle demeanor. In contrast, Pei Yang was tall and robust, exuding a strong masculine presence.

But as the two men stood face to face, their auras were surprisingly evenly matched.

Yan Yi stretched out his hand first, "Yan Yi."

Pei Yang reciprocated, "Pei Yang."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

From the moment Yan Yi appeared, Pei Wenping’s eyelids twitched. Seeing her brother actually shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with the rival who was intent on stealing his wife made her want to rush over and tug at her brother’s ear—

Are you stupid? This is a love rival who’s determined to whisk away your wife!

"Mr. Yan, welcome to my brother’s wedding. Please come inside and take a seat."

Yan Yi nodded, noticing Pei Wenping holding a stack of red envelopes, and then turned to signal Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan, understanding, took out the prepared red envelope and handed it to Pei Wenping.

Pei Wenping politely declined a few times before finally accepting it.

After giving the wedding gift, Yan Yi led Ning Yuan into the hotel.

Watching Yan Yi’s retreating figure, Pei Wenping’s heart suddenly skipped a beat: Damn it! His wife is inside the hotel. What if they run into each other once he goes in?

Pei Wenping hurriedly called over Chen Liang to ask him to bring Shen Mingzhu out.

Pei Yang, puzzled, said, "Sister, there’s still time. Let Mingzhu rest a bit longer; she didn’t sleep much last night."

Pei Wenping gave him a sidelong glance and, unable to voice her concerns, said irritably, "If you’re so concerned about her being tired, let her sleep early tonight!"

Pei Yang touched his nose but couldn’t stop the ripples in his heart.

After waiting for so long, he was finally about to share the wedding chamber.

So thrilling.

...

The moment Yan Yi and Ning Yuan set foot in the hotel, they drew the eyes of everyone present.

The uncle and nephew, one genteel and the other suave, both dressed and carried themselves with an elegance that seemed unattainable to the ordinary person.

Shen Mingzhu was somewhat surprised.

Pei Ziheng had told her he invited Yan Yi to the wedding, but she did not expect Yan Yi to actually show up since they weren’t that close.

Watching Shen Mingzhu, holding her dress, walking towards him, Yan Yi halted.

The hotel was decorated in the style of the late Qing dynasty, with dim lighting, yet she, in her snow-white wedding dress, shone like a dazzling pearl radiating light. Each step she took towards him seemed to land squarely in his heart.

Yan Yi’s fingers hanging by his side unconsciously curled.

For a moment, he entertained the notion of forcefully taking this shining pearl for himself.

"Uncle Yan, Uncle Ning, welcome to my mom’s wedding," said the little tyke at his feet, bringing Yan Yi’s runaway emotions back into check.

"Welcome," he replied.

Yan Yi lifted his eyes, quietly observing the bride before him.

He realized for the first time just how beautiful she was.

He had seen countless beautiful women, but what attracted him to Shen Mingzhu was never her appearance.

...

Not far away, Shen Baolan was sitting with some neighbors from the family courtyard, eating wedding candies and seeds and gossiping about the identities of Yan Yi and Ning Yuan.

Suddenly, a voice blurted out, "That man is the same one who brought Shen Mingzhu back to the family courtyard late at night before."

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