Nan Xiao's lips curved upwards slightly upon hearing someone say he and Lan Yuxi looked like a married couple.
"Thank you! Lunch for all the staff today is on me."
"Thank you, President Nan, thank you, Mrs. Nan," the staff said, expressing their gratitude before quickly disappearing into the back room.
Lan Yuxi felt a touch of nausea at being called "Mrs. Nan" by the staff, but the thought that she would soon be Nan Xiao's wife quickly washed away the discomfort with joy.
With outsiders gone from the studio, Nan Xiao's smile gradually widened. "Xibao, pinch me."
"Why?"
"Pinch me, I want to see if I'm dreaming," Nan Xiao said, extending his hand.
Lan Yuxi smiled and pinched the back of his hand. "Does it hurt?"
Nan Xiao leaned down and kissed her cheek. "It doesn't hurt, but it's enough to let me know this isn't a dream."
Lan Yuxi's small ears flushed instantly. "Aren't you afraid of being seen?"
"I'm kissing my own wife, what's there to be afraid of?"
"We're not yet, though."
"I heard Xiangdong's voice, he's here. We'll be officially married very soon."
At this moment, Nan Xiao didn't want to wait any longer. He clasped Lan Yuxi's hand tightly and walked out.
Lan Yuxi watched their slightly sweaty hands clasped together, the curve of her lips growing wider and wider.
Nan Xiangdong was talking to Ma Ke. Seeing them emerge, he quickly handed over the documents in his hand and a small red box.
Nan Xiao's gaze flickered as he looked at the small red box and took it.
Lan Yuxi looked at the box in his hand, her eyes slightly moist. She had only come on a whim, never expecting him to have prepared this.
Nan Xiao opened the jewelry box. A massive diamond ring refracted a dazzling light under the sun.
"Xibao, this ring was bought for you a few days before you turned eighteen. But because of that misunderstanding, I couldn't give it to you. Thank you for returning to me, giving me a chance to take care of you again."
This diamond ring had been prepared by him six years ago.
He had planned to confess his feelings to her on her eighteenth birthday, but when he learned the so-called truth, his plans had to be canceled. How difficult it must have been for him then, and yet, at his most painful moment, she not only couldn't help him but had resented him in her heart.
Seeing her eyes moisten, Nan Xiao gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his thumb. Then, his slightly rough fingertip landed on her teardrop mole.
"After learning the so-called truth, I was always jealous of the person destined for you for three lifetimes. I never imagined that after six years of jealousy, the one you would protect with this teardrop mole would actually be me. Xibao, although we're about to get our marriage certificate, I don't want to shortchange you. You'll have everything you deserve. So..."
Nan Xiao knelt on one knee before Lan Yuxi, holding up the diamond ring.
"Xibao, marry me! In this life, let me be the one to protect you. Everyone in the world will eventually meet their destined person. I am so happy because I have found my only one—the most special you. You are an angel sent by heaven, bringing sunshine into my life. This diamond ring is like my heart, exclusively yours, for eternity! Will you wear it?"
Before he could finish speaking, Lan Yuxi's face was already covered in tears. She choked out, "I will! Of course, I will! Get up quickly!"
Nan Xiao smiled, looking at her. He stood up and slipped the diamond ring onto her slender finger.
The civil affairs hall erupted in enthusiastic applause. Nan Xiangdong was even moved to tears, his elder brother having endured so many years, finally seeing the light after the clouds.
Nan Xiao leaned down and kissed Lan Yuxi's forehead. "Good girl, don't cry. Today is a day to be happy."
Lan Yuxi nodded, sniffling.
"Let's go sign the papers," Nan Xiao said, wiping her tears and leading her to the counter.
Everything was ready, and just as they were about to sign, an aged, sharp shout echoed from behind them.
"Nan Xiao, if you dare to sign this, I'll disown you!"
Lan Yuxi's hand holding the pen paused slightly. She knew who had arrived without even turning around.
The old witch had arrived at the perfect time!
Nan Xiao's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Without looking back, he calmly signed his name on the document.
Seeing him sign, Lan Yuxi hesitated no longer. But as she drew the first stroke, Old Mrs. Nan lunged forward.
"You little slut, you..."
Lan Yuxi slightly raised her hand, and dozens of golden needles flew out in the blink of an eye.
Old Mrs. Nan instantly fell silent, frozen in place like a wooden statue.
Even the people she brought with her remained motionless.
Lan Yuxi calmly picked up the pen and, under everyone's astonished gaze, finished signing her name.
Nan Xiao had been watching her small hand until she completed the last stroke, then let out a long sigh of relief.
He had been afraid that his mother's commotion would make Xibao change her mind.
A moment later, two little red booklets were freshly issued. Lan Yuxi took her booklet and walked over to Old Mrs. Nan, who was so enraged her eyes were bloodshot.
"Whether you agree or not, I am now Nan Xiao's legally protected wife. If you are willing to coexist peacefully with me, we will have no conflict. But if you continue to stir up trouble as before, I will make you even more embarrassed than you are today."
Old Mrs. Nan glared at her, her face ashen. If she could make a sound, she would have cursed her relentlessly.
Lan Yuxi hooked her lips and whispered into her ear, "The An family won't last much longer. If you want to lose the Nan family as your safe haven, then keep making trouble!"
Old Mrs. Nan stared at the utterly arrogant young woman before her, her eyes bloodshot. In her entire life, this was the first person who dared to speak to her like this.
She deserved to die!
But her son had only shown her his back the entire time. His attitude was clear: he was going to dote on his wife and disregard his mother.
Old Mrs. Nan's eyes were filled with desolation. Her life had been truly tragic.
The man she had schemed to obtain had never held her in his heart.
The son she had painstakingly gained now only had eyes for the little vixen before him.
If it weren't for this little vixen, why would he have transferred branches early? If he had continued in his previous role, perhaps he would be the president today.
The more Old Mrs. Nan thought about it, the angrier she became, her breathing growing uneven.
Lan Yuxi, hearing her heavy breaths, reached out and removed the golden needles from her.
As soon as Old Mrs. Nan could move, she raised her hand to slap Lan Yuxi.
However, before her hand could fall, it was caught by a pair of long, slender fingers.
"Mom, I don't expect your blessings. I only ask that you stop causing trouble." Nan Xiao turned his head to Nan Xiangdong. "Take the Old Madam home."
Old Mrs. Nan screamed hysterically, "I'm not going back! If you don't divorce this woman today, I'll die for you to see!"