"Sister, you'd better find a male companion for yourself and Mengyao, otherwise, the two of you will seem a bit weak," Huangfu Shaohua sent another text message.
Mengqi replied, "You're going too far."
"A good deed should be done to the end." Huangfu Shaohua's message was followed by a few mischievous smiley faces.
Mengqi directly slammed her phone onto her desk, knowing full well she didn't have a boyfriend and yet posing such a difficult question for her.
She looked up through the glass partition of her office and accidentally saw Song Jiaping asking others for advice. She thought of him, as it wasn't the first time he'd been her male companion.
But then she thought, Mengyao would also be there. What if they encountered each other and something happened?
She would talk to Mengyao about this tonight and see who Mengyao planned to bring before making her own plans.
...
"Shaohua, do you think this dress suits me?" Daisy emerged from the fitting room, having changed into another gown.
Huangfu Shaohua sent his text message and said, "You look good in anything."
Seeing him looking at his phone and not really looking at her, Daisy said, "You should take a proper look before giving your opinion. You're being too perfunctory."
Huangfu Shaohua smiled, put away his phone, and looked at her carefully. "I think the previous one was better. What do you think?"
"I prefer the previous one too." Daisy made up her mind and said to the sales assistant, "Then I'll take the one I tried on earlier."
"Certainly, please wait a moment." The sales assistant went to find the gown she had tried on earlier and carefully packaged it.
They left the store with the chosen gown.
In the following days, they picked out wedding dresses, chose formal wear, and discussed wedding details. It was inevitable that they would have different ideas and opinions.
Each time, Huangfu Shaohua would yield, waving his hand and saying, "As long as you like it, everything you choose is good."
Daisy would glare at him first, but then she would smile. These times were very happy, making her look forward to the upcoming wedding more and more.
...
Two weeks later, Huangfu Shaohua and Daisy held a lively wedding.
The wedding venue was adorned with meticulously prepared flowers and colorful balloons, and the large screen on the stage continuously displayed their poetic wedding photos.
To keep it from Huangfu Song and his wife, Mengqi and Mengyao decided after discussion to attend the wedding separately, so as not to attract too much attention if they came together.
Mengqi set off from the group. On the way, she went to a styling salon, changed into her gown, and put on her most expensive jewelry, wanting to help Shaohua maintain the groom's dignity.
Her male companion was still Song Jiaping. This time, she had no conditions to exchange with Song Jiaping. She politely asked for his help and also informed him about the wedding details for today.
Song Jiaping was surprised at first but readily agreed.
Mengqi also told Mengyao that she should bring a male companion as well, as Shaohua needed more people to help him make a grand appearance.
Mengyao had only said at the time that she would ask Hong Jiaxi, and didn't mention Song Jiaping.
She had also tentatively asked Mengyao, "What about your ex-husband? Are you not planning to ask him for help?"
Mengyao replied indifferently, "We have no contact anymore. I can't find him."
Based on these circumstances, she didn't tell Song Jiaping that Mengyao would be there today. She wanted to see their reaction when they met unexpectedly.
Mengqi and Song Jiaping arrived early, and the wedding venue was still empty with few people.
Only Huangfu Shaohua and Daisy's father were busy, communicating with some staff members.
Seeing Mengqi arrive with Song Jiaping, Huangfu Shaohua looked at them with surprise, momentarily forgetting to greet them.
Mengqi looked at him and said, "Groom, what are you spacing out for? I went to great effort to grab someone from the company to bolster your momentum. Don't you welcome me?"
"Welcome, welcome." As he spoke, he shook hands with Song Jiaping and said, "Long time no see. Are you still getting used to working under my sister?"
"I'm used to it. President Qi is very capable. Congratulations," Song Jiaping replied politely.
Huangfu Shaohua said with a wry smile, "Don't be so formal. Since you're here, just make yourself at home."
"Second Young Master, is there anything I can help you with?" Song Jiaping asked, not wanting to stand there with Mengqi.
"Please don't call me that. I'm no longer the Second Young Master. Just call me Shaohua," Huangfu Shaohua said. "There's nothing much to do. How about you be my best man later?"
"How can you recruit a best man on the spot like this? What about your friends? Why didn't you ask them to be best men?" Mengqi blocked Song Jiaping, preventing him from being pulled away.
Huangfu Shaohua said helplessly, "I don't dare tell them, for fear that too many people will know and it will get back to Mom and Dad. Besides, if they can't keep their mouths shut and somehow media or something is invited, it will be troublesome."
"If you need a best man, ask Jiaxi," Mengqi said. "Mengyao will be coming with Jiaxi anyway."
Upon hearing Mengyao and Hong Jiaxi's names, Song Jiaping froze. He hadn't expected them to come.
"Eldest Sister, Second Brother." Mengyao and Hong Jiaxi waved from a distance as they entered the venue.
Huangfu Shaohua strode over, picked up Mengyao, and spun her around. He said happily, "Sister told me you've remembered everything! That's great. You look much stronger now."
"Second Brother, you're amazing. You've managed to get from dating to marriage just like that! You're so decisive. This is my Second Brother," Mengyao praised.
Huangfu Shaohua let go and greeted Hong Jiaxi. He then mentioned his idea of asking Jiaxi to be his best man.
Mengyao directly pushed Jiaxi forward and said, "Second Brother, he's single and unmarried, so he's the most suitable to be a best man. Hurry and take him to get ready."
"You little girl, how can you decide for Jiaxi now? You have to see if he's willing," Shaohua said with a smile.
Hong Jiaxi agreed and said, "Brother Shaohua, if you think I'm suitable, I have no problem. Just tell me what you need me to do."
"Great, that's wonderful."
Song Jiaping, with his back to them, could hear them talking but didn't turn around. He just wanted to find a place to hide.
However, Mengqi asked, "Shaohua, your best man issue is resolved, but what about the bride? Why haven't I seen the bride?"
Huangfu Shaohua, Mengyao, and Hong Jiaxi walked towards her together. He said, "Daisy and her mother are in the dressing room. There are makeup artists doing their makeup. Why are you in such a hurry? You'll see her soon."
As Mengyao got closer to Mengqi, she felt that the back of the man beside her was very familiar, and her heart began to race.
Song Jiaping had no way to avoid it and could only turn around and smile at Mengyao.
"Why are you here?" Hong Jiaxi asked him with hostility.
Before Song Jiaping could answer, Mengqi had already spoken for him, "I dragged him here to help out. He's an employee in my department now, and I'm looking out for him. Jiaxi, speak politely."
"Sister Mengqi, please don't believe him. Mengyao was deceived by him..."
"Jiaxi, stop talking." Mengyao was afraid they would start arguing again.
Seeing that the situation was not right, Huangfu Shaohua quickly patted Hong Jiaxi on the shoulder and said, "Let's go to the men's dressing room. We need to get ready too."