Chen Jinzhao was shocked.
Yu Mengzhi, who had always persuaded people with reason, was so domineering? Was this a domineering CEO?
The people around them also looked over, and then snickered.
Liu Wenbin's blood surged. Being splashed with water in public was truly embarrassing. He glared at Yu Mengzhi and growled, "Who are you? I'm talking to my old classmate, what business is it of yours?"
Yu Mengzhi's eyes were cold, and she remained silent.
Liu Wenbin sized up Yu Mengzhi's attire and immediately realized she must be from an important background. His tone instantly changed by 180 degrees.
"Miss."
"My voice might have been a bit loud just now. If it disturbed you, I apologize."
"No need," Yu Mengzhi interrupted him.
Liu Wenbin hesitated, not knowing why Yu Mengzhi was doing this. He explained again, "I didn't mean to be disrespectful to you. I was just talking to my old classmate."
Yu Mengzhi reached out to wipe the water stains from Chen Jinzhao's clothes, leaving Liu Wenbin stunned.
"Chen Jinzhao, you..."
"You guys..."
Liu Wenbin was utterly shocked and speechless.
In his stubborn mind, Chen Jinzhao was not worthy of a woman like Yu Mengzhi.
Chen Jinzhao did not speak rashly, as this was a solemn occasion. He did not know what Yu Mengzhi was thinking. Yu Mengzhi, however, had no such reservations. She said indifferently, "I am his girlfriend. Is there a problem?"
"Ah?"
Liu Wenbin's mouth gaped open.
This...
Was this for real?
Yu Wendong also said with a smile, "Young man, you seem unconvinced? This is my future son-in-law. If you have any issues, go talk to my old man. He's right over there."
Following the direction of his finger, Liu Wenbin's pupils contracted sharply.
That was the Yu family's seating area.
In an instant.
He understood everything.
Chen Jinzhao, whom he had looked down upon, was the boyfriend of the Yu family's young lady.
The Yu family was a powerful clan in Jiangnan, a behemoth in Ninghai. Liu Wenbin's family's influence was less than that of a mosquito in front of the Yu family.
They could crush it with a single slap!
"Director Yu, I..."
"I know I was wrong. I promise it won't happen again." Liu Wenbin, disregarding his dignity, slapped himself.
Yu Mengzhi looked at Chen Jinzhao. "Do you think that's enough?"
Chen Jinzhao smiled at Liu Wenbin and said, "We're classmates. There's no need to make things so ugly. You can go back."
He had been punished sufficiently. There was no need to be utterly ruthless. It wasn't a life-and-death feud.
Liu Wenbin had never felt, in that moment, that Chen Jinzhao was an incredibly kind person. Chen Jinzhao could have had him thrown out like a stray dog with just a word, but he didn't.
"Thank you, thank you so much." Liu Wenbin regretted his actions deeply.
Chen Jinzhao said nothing more.
Liu Wenbin, relieved, fled the wedding banquet hall like a defeated dog, losing all desire to attend.
In the crowd.
Wu Tingyan covered her mouth and chuckled.
Liu Wenbin had bullied her in college, and now she had an opportunity to take revenge through Chen Jinzhao.
At this moment.
She suddenly felt a gaze fixed upon her.
Through the crowd, Wu Tingyan saw those sharp eyes. It could only be Chen Jinzhao.
Their eyes met, and Wu Tingyan immediately realized her petty thoughts had been seen through by Chen Jinzhao. She smiled at him awkwardly.
Fortunately.
Chen Jinzhao did not dwell on it.
As his gaze shifted away from Wu Tingyan, she inexplicably felt a sense of loss.
Wu Tingyan finally understood that Chen Jinzhao's character was beyond compare. Thinking back to her taunts at him in the mall that day, she was so ashamed she could barely contain herself.
Indeed.
How could she possibly be worthy of someone like Chen Jinzhao?
Yet, Wu Tingyan was also curious. What were Chen Jinzhao's thoughts on today's wedding?
And what would he do?
"Tingyan, what are you thinking about?" Miao Yu asked solicitously from beside her.
Wu Tingyan gasped and replied flusteredly, "Nothing, I was just recalling our university days with Nianqing. Those were truly nostalgic times."
Not far away.
Chen Jinzhao lowered his head, also reminiscing about his time with Xu Nianqing.
And he knew one thing for certain—
Xu Nianqing and Ning Fei were not truly in love. His first love still had a place for him in her heart. If Chen Jinzhao hadn't been drunk that night and had answered Xu Nianqing's call, none of this would have happened today.
Should he do something then?
Crash the wedding?
If he did, where would that leave Yu Mengzhi? He had said he would take responsibility for Yu Mengzhi.
Moreover...
Most of the people present knew about their relationship.
If he did this, it would not only be irresponsible towards his past promise but also irresponsible towards Yu Mengzhi, potentially even making her a laughingstock.
Chen Jinzhao found himself in a dilemma.
As a man, he shouldn't be indecisive, but the reality made it difficult to choose.
Yu Mengzhi stared at Chen Jinzhao.
She too was wondering what Chen Jinzhao was thinking. What was his attitude towards his first love, who was about to enter into marriage?
"Hmm?"
Yu Mengzhi's expression was a little unnatural. She muttered to herself, "Why am I thinking about these things?"
After a moment's thought, she shifted her gaze to Yu Wendong on her left. After some hesitation, she lowered her voice and asked, "Dad, do you know the background of Ning Fei's girlfriend?"
Yu Wendong pondered for a moment and said, "You've asked the right person."
"From what I know—"
"This Xu Nianqing is a highly educated student who returned from studying abroad. After returning, she became a chemistry professor at Ninghai University. Her father is the CEO of a small investment company, but overall, he hasn't achieved much. I also know that Xu Nianqing's father, Xu Mingzhi, is facing debt problems, which led to the arrangement of this marriage. He hopes that after the alliance, they will receive financial support from the Ning family."
"Meaning, they have no feelings for each other?" Yu Mengzhi pressed.
Yu Wendong gave his daughter a deep look. "Feelings? For those entering into an alliance, it's the least important and least valuable."
Yu Mengzhi had a feeling her father was speaking in veiled terms.
Beside them, Chen Jinzhao, who seemed lost in thought, had perked up his ears the moment Xu Nianqing's name was mentioned, afraid of missing a single word.
Only after Yu Wendong finished speaking did he pretend to look up indifferently.
In reality.
Chen Jinzhao's acting was very clumsy in Yu Mengzhi's eyes, even a bit childish. If he wanted to listen, he should just listen openly. The reason she asked her father these questions was not out of curiosity, but to let Chen Jinzhao understand the background of the arranged marriage.
To allow him to make the most suitable choice.
This, however, made Chen Jinzhao even more uncertain. No matter which choice he made, he felt he was letting someone down.
Indecision leads to chaos.
At this moment.
A commotion suddenly broke out around them. The groom and bride ascended the stage, becoming the center of attention.
Chen Jinzhao's heart also tensed.