Shen Lang and Wang Yuyan chatted at Wangbei Teahouse for two hours. During their conversation, they laughed and talked, yet Shen Lang sensed something amiss with Wang Yuyan. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but he felt she was somehow different.
After leaving Wangbei Teahouse, Shen Lang took Wang Yuyan to the Song family estate.
Song Qingyi seemed to be planning to hold the wedding ceremony at the Song family estate. Upon their arrival, Shen Lang and Wang Yuyan saw hundreds of people bustling about the grounds, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, creating a festive atmosphere.
“Are they all preparing for your wedding?”
Observing the busy figures, Wang Yuyan smiled and said, “It looks like your wedding will be quite grand, with many guests expected.”
“I don’t know how many will attend. If I were to invite people, I would only ask for Wolong and yourselves. I’m not someone who particularly enjoys grand occasions,” Shen Lang sighed.
“Disliking large gatherings is a flaw; you should fix it, and the sooner, the better,” Wang Yuyan said with a smile. “Everyone’s wedding should be lively, and I hope yours is no exception, even if it’s not me who is marrying you.”
“Yuyan…”
Sensing the shift in Wang Yuyan’s emotions, Shen Lang clasped her hand and sighed.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine. I can accept it, as long as you keep me in your heart and don’t send me away,” Wang Yuyan replied, showing understanding to Shen Lang’s concern.
“Yuyan, you’re here?”
While Shen Lang and Wang Yuyan were chatting, Song Qingyi approached them at some point, looking at Wang Yuyan and speaking with a hint of awkwardness.
Song Qingyi was very fond of Wang Yuyan. In her opinion, a daughter-in-law should be as intelligent, perceptive, and as beautiful as Wang Yuyan. This was precisely why Song Qingyi had recognized Wang Yuyan as her daughter-in-law the first time she met her, and even gifted her the family heirloom, the Tang Qian Yan.
However, Song Qingyi never imagined that events would unfold as they did, leading to Shen Lang having a child with Gu Qinghan and being compelled to marry. The current situation left even the wise Song Qingyi at a loss, unsure how to handle it.
Despite her momentary confusion, Song Qingyi, being no ordinary woman, walked up to Wang Yuyan with composure. She extended her hands, holding Wang Yuyan’s slender ones, and said, “Yuyan, the current situation is not what I expected. But rest assured, even if you cannot become Shen Lang’s wife, you will always be my daughter. If you wish, you can call me ‘Mom’ and be my goddaughter.”
“Mom—”
Upon hearing Song Qingyi’s words, Wang Yuyan did not hesitate for a moment and called out immediately.
“Good—”
Song Qingyi, believing Wang Yuyan had come to terms with the situation, was delighted by the address and said, “Yuyan, if you ever need anything from Mom, just ask, and I will do my utmost to help.” Song Qingyi’s offer stemmed from two reasons: first, her guilt towards Wang Yuyan, as she wished to compensate for the hurt Shen Lang had caused; and second, her genuine affection for the girl. Wang Yuyan’s personality bore a strong resemblance to Song Qingyi’s in her youth, and seeing Wang Yuyan was like seeing her younger self.
“Thank you, Mom. If there’s anything I need help with, I will certainly tell you,” Wang Yuyan replied with a smile. “I’m not a shy person, so I hope you won’t mind me being straightforward in the future.”
“Nonsense, what mother would dislike her daughter?” Song Qingyi said, stroking Wang Yuyan’s head. “I heard you went abroad; you must have just returned. Have you adjusted to the time difference? I’ve made some nourishing soup. I’ll serve you a bowl later, and you’ll feel much more refreshed.”
“Thank you, Mom—” Wang Yuyan said gratefully.
Watching his mother and Wang Yuyan chat so congenially, Shen Lang was bewildered. He felt as if he were the adopted son, and Wang Yuyan was his mother’s biological daughter. It was no wonder Shen Lang felt this way; his mother and Wang Yuyan were exceptionally close. However, seeing them get along so well, Shen Lang felt relieved. Wang Yuyan seemed to have truly let go, which meant Shen Lang could marry Gu Qinghan with peace of mind in two days. Picturing a life with his wife and child by his side, Shen Lang unconsciously revealed a gentle smile.
Wang Yuyan stayed at the Song family estate for three hours. During this time, she and Song Qingyi interacted like a mother and daughter, and Shen Lang could hear their laughter from a distance. Three hours later, Shen Lang and Wang Yuyan drove back to their villa. Shortly after getting into the car, Wang Yuyan, overcome with fatigue, fell asleep.
Looking at Wang Yuyan sleeping in the passenger seat, Shen Lang sighed, a sigh filled with helplessness. If the first girl Shen Lang had met when he descended the mountain had been Wang Yuyan instead of Yu Xiao, he would have fallen in love with her at first sight. Coupled with their engagement, they might have been married by now. And if Wang Yuyan had been bolder back then, if she had been the one to sneak into Shen Lang’s bed that night, the outcome today might have been different.
Shen Lang did not deny his affection for Wang Yuyan, but it seemed they were truly destined to be apart. From Wolong providing false intelligence to all the subsequent events, it felt as if two invisible hands were pulling them away from each other.
“Bang—”
As Shen Lang was lost in his thoughts, his attention naturally waned. Suddenly, he felt his car lurch violently, realizing he had been rear-ended. Shen Lang was on the Nanling Bridge and couldn’t stop, so he continued driving forward. Only after descending the bridge did he find a place to pull over and roll down his window.
Being rear-ended wasn't a major issue; Shen Lang had no shortage of money for repairs. However, he wanted to see if the other party would follow him. Soon, he saw the car behind him approaching. A red Rolls-Royce sports car slowly caught up and stopped behind Shen Lang’s vehicle.
Then, a woman dressed in red, wearing purple sunglasses, with her long hair cascading down her shoulders, and possessing a heroic aura, emerged from the car. She looked at Shen Lang and said, “I’m sorry, I was following too closely and rear-ended your car. Don’t worry, I’ll take full responsibility. I’ll cover all the repair costs, lost wages, and anything else.”
The other party’s attitude was pleasant, which eased Shen Lang’s discomfort. However, as he looked at the woman in red, his pupils dilated instantly, and his entire body trembled. “You… it’s you… you…”
“You know me?” The woman in red found Shen Lang’s reaction strange and asked, “Who are you?”
“I know you, of course, I know you,” Shen Lang said, his voice trembling with excessive emotion. “Chu Ge, I am Shen Lang.”