For the next half month, Qin He worked at a perfume brand.
On weekends, she hosted live streams teaching about health and makeup. At least on the surface, Qin He had returned to her previous life, but she wasn't sure if she had managed to lull the other party into a false sense of security.
Time flew by, and it was the eve of Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan's wedding. All the invitations had been sent out.
The wedding venue was once again set at the Qin family's garden. Qin Yun had arranged for all security personnel.
At this juncture, it was crucial to ensure the wedding proceeded without a hitch.
At eight in the evening, Qin He and her mother prepared the wedding bed.
"Your brother's wedding is tomorrow. Do you want to bring Lele back?"
Qin He smiled, "No, Lele is still too young. There will be plenty of time later."
The two of them reviewed the invitations one last time before going to bed.
They had been busy preparing for the wedding these past few days. Although a wedding planner was hired, there were still many details to attend to. Qin He let out a long sigh as she lay in bed.
"This is too exhausting," she said, turning to look out the window.
Her phone by the bedside chimed softly. Qin He picked it up and glanced at it. It was a message from Gu Qishen.
Gu Qishen: [Are you asleep yet?]
Qin He's lips curved slightly: [No.]
Gu Qishen: [Do you want some late-night snacks?]
Qin He pursed her lips. They had been seeing each other less often lately; it had indeed been a long time.
She sent a direct message: [Give me the address.]
Gu Qishen replied: [Just come out. I'm at your doorstep.]
Qin He chuckled. She changed her clothes and quietly slipped out, careful not to wake her mother.
Outside the Qin residence, she saw a car parked not far away.
The car's headlights were off in the darkness, but she could vaguely make out the man in the driver's seat.
Qin He quickened her pace, and the person in the car had already gotten out.
Gu Qishen, with his sharp brows and bright eyes, reached out and embraced Qin He directly. "I missed you."
Qin He's lips curved upwards. "You came all the way to my doorstep and then asked if I wanted late-night snacks. What if I had said no?"
A smile played on Gu Qishen's features, and his voice was low, "Then I would have gone back."
He missed her so much that his heart ached.
They got into the car. At this hour, there weren't many dining options.
Qin He chose a small roadside barbecue stall. Gu Qishen, who was somewhat of a germaphobe, found the strong aroma of the barbecue restaurant unbearable.
However, seeing Qin He's craving, he smiled and accompanied her inside.
As the barbecue arrived, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.
"It's your brother's wedding tomorrow," Gu Qishen said after taking a sip of water.
Qin He nodded. "My brother and Wanwan have finally found happiness after hardship. Right after their wedding and honeymoon, I'll finally track down that Lev!"
As she spoke, a cold glint flashed in her almond-shaped eyes, if one ignored the trace of chili powder on her lips.
Gu Qishen cupped her chin and gently wiped the red smudge from her lips with his thumb.
Qin He flinched slightly and cleared her throat, immediately sitting up straight.
Gu Qishen changed the subject. "I received news a couple of days ago that the drug you developed previously has won several international awards."
Qin He nodded. She had heard about it from Li Fengrui and Gao Lang in their group chat. But she had been too busy and in no mood to collect any awards, so she had asked the three of them to go.
It was good that they were away from her for now, and it kept them safe.
After their late-night meal, Gu Qishen drove Qin He home. He watched until she was safely inside before driving away with peace of mind.
Five minutes after Gu Qishen left, a figure appeared in front of the Qin family's gate.
A familiar, "innocent" face.
The woman stared intently at the Qin family's gate. "Qin He, you made me flee for over a year, and yet you and Gu Qishen are living happily ever after?!"
"I will definitely make you die!"
...
The next day.
Qin He woke up early, full of energy, and went out.
As the groom's sister, she was responsible for picking up the bride.
A line of wedding cars drove towards the Xu family's residence. Upon entering the Xu family's manor, the door to Xu Wanwan's bedroom was firmly shut.
Several bridesmaids stood inside, blocking the groom.
The atmosphere was lively. Xu Wanwan's parents stood outside, smiling, clearly pleased with Qin Yun as their son-in-law.
Qin He knew Qin Yun's and Xu Wanwan's friends. Standing in the crowd, looking at the smiling faces, her heart finally felt lighter.
She watched with a smile as Qin Yun's friends playfully sparred with the bridesmaids, and finally, the door was opened.
Xu Wanwan, in a traditional pink Chinese wedding dress, sat on the bed.
The bridesmaids were still not letting Qin Yun off the hook, teasing him to find the bride's shoes.
Qin He watched her brother, usually so sharp, look awkward and flustered as he was teased by the bridesmaids.
She was amused, watching from the side.
Finally, Xu Wanwan couldn't wait any longer. "Hurry up and give him the shoes! I can't wait any longer!"
After a burst of laughter, a bridesmaid retrieved the other shoe from a corner.
As Qin Yun put the shoe on Xu Wanwan, Qin He saw her best friend's eyes crinkle into a smile, brimming with tears of happiness.
After picking up the bride, they paid their respects to her parents.
Elder Mr. Xu was fine. Xu Wanwan's mother, however, alternated between smiling and wiping away tears. Mr. Xu, on the other hand, maintained a somber expression, unable to muster a smile.
In the past, Mr. Xu had often reprimanded Xu Wanwan at home, punishing her frequently.
But today, he was unusually silent.
When Qin He went back to retrieve Xu Wanwan's bag, she heard crying from the adjacent room.
It was the heartbroken, reluctant sobs of a man nearing fifty.
Her heart ached, and she didn't dare to disturb them. She took the bag and quietly left.
Qin He sat in the wedding car, with the bride and groom in the back seat.
Xu Wanwan, usually boisterous, was smiling brightly. But the moment the car started moving and she saw her mother disappearing from the car window, tears streamed down her face.
Crying and laughing, she said, "My mom is just sentimental. She always finds me annoying and says I cause trouble, and that she'll kick me out sooner or later. Now that I'm actually leaving, look how reluctant she is."
Qin He passed her a tissue from the front seat, smiling. "Wipe your tears before you say more."
The car drove back to the Qin residence. As the bride alighted upon entering the gate,
the wedding ceremony officially began.
Flowers rained down all day. Qin He, as the groom's sister, sat in the family section to witness the ceremony. She glanced towards Gu Qishen in the front row.
The Qin family was one of the prominent families in Qingcheng, and many guests had arrived. Qin He was touched, while also remaining attentive to her surroundings and the proceedings.
Fortunately, the wedding proceeded smoothly.
In the evening, the guests began to depart.
Qin He scurried upstairs, intending to sneak into Qin Yun's bridal suite to chat with Xu Wanwan.
Before she could reach the door, Ming Yuzhu intercepted her and sent her back to her own room.
The night was long. After her evening routine, Qin He lay on her bed and video chatted with Gu Qishen.
She blinked her eyes. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Not tired yet," Gu Qishen said with a smile.
A thick stack of documents lay in front of him. Qin He frowned. "What are you looking at?"
Gu Qishen pushed the stack of documents aside, feigning nonchalance. His voice was clear and gentle. "Nothing."