After stepping off the stage, Gong Zhi Jing changed into a red long dress. The next task was to toast the guests, which was the most exhausting part.
She was already on the verge of collapse halfway through.
Her feet, clad in high heels under the long skirt, felt like they were about to fall apart.
There weren't many guests, only about a dozen tables, but going from table to table was still daunting.
She had woken up early that day and had her hair styled twice. She hadn't had a moment's peace all morning and had been thoroughly worn out.
After toasting one table, as Gong Zhi Jing was about to move to the next, Ling Yu Chen suddenly grabbed her wrist.
She looked at him, puzzled. Ling Yu Chen had openly had a pair of flat shoes sent over. Then, he personally crouched down to help her change.
The surrounding guests immediately started cheering.
"Wow, it looks like Mr. Ling really dotes on his wife!"
"Exactly, he's so thoughtful!"
Gong Zhi Jing felt all eyes on her, making her uncomfortable, like a thousand needles pricking her back.
But with Ling Yu Chen kneeling so low to change her shoes, she couldn't refuse him in front of so many people.
After changing into the flat shoes, Ling Yu Chen said to the crowd with a faint smile, "My wife is a bit delicate. Her feet hurt if she wears high heels for too long."
His gentle and doting tone made countless women envious of Gong Zhi Jing.
Handsome, wealthy, thoughtful, considerate, and devoted to his wife – this was the dream man for so many women!
A woman's happiness could be seen on her face.
Even though Gong Zhi Jing was already a mother, she still looked like a young girl. Her face was full of collagen, her eyes were bright and luminous, and her entire demeanor exuded a gentle grace.
With the high heels off, Gong Zhi Jing immediately felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
Especially her feet; the aching and swelling subsided considerably.
Gong Zhi Jing rarely wore high heels, so the day had been particularly painful for her.
Now, free from their painful constraint, she quickly finished toasting the remaining dozens of tables.
By this time, the guests were mostly done eating.
After the meal, they could go to the specially arranged rooms at the hotel to rest, and there was a large viewing area for entertainment.
Once completely finished with her duties, Gong Zhi Jing and Ling Yu Chen returned to their room, but rest was not yet possible.
There was a series of tedious tasks like removing makeup, taking off hair accessories, and changing clothes before they could truly rest. She was both hungry and exhausted.
They would probably be done around four or five in the afternoon.
The men's tasks were simpler and were completed quickly.
Seeing that Gong Zhi Jing was not yet finished, Ling Yu Chen went to the bathroom first to run a bath.
He knew she would need to wash her hair and shower, and a hot bath would help relieve her fatigue.
The hotel provided silk pajamas, red and reaching only to the thigh, with a matching red sash at the waist.
As Ling Yu Chen was running the water, he caught a glimpse of them and his eyes lit up with anticipation.
She would look amazing in them!
But he couldn't help but recall the nosebleed incident from last time. If she looked too good, he might not be able to handle it!
The sound of water rushed and splashed, creating ripples in the bathtub.
Finally, Gong Zhi Jing finished removing her makeup and styling her hair.
She was wearing loungewear, her hair loose, and fatigue etched on her face.
Ling Yu Chen emerged from the bathroom, his gaze fixed on her with a burning intensity. "The water is ready. I've also brought your clothes. Go take a bath."
Gong Zhi Jing, without thinking much, simply nodded and went into the bathroom.
Ling Yu Chen then changed into his red pajamas, tidied the bedding, and cleaned up the room.
The room was decorated as a bridal suite, exuding romance and festivity.
Since this was part of the Ling family's property, the entire floor was not for sale. Everything in the room was brand new.
Ling Yu Chen ambled around, casually drawing the curtains and locking the door before sitting back on the bed to play with his phone.
Everyone knew they were exhausted today, so no one came to disturb them.
The room and the corridor outside were quiet, not a sound to be heard.
In the bathroom.
Gong Zhi Jing leaned back in the bathtub, her eyes closed, resting. The warm water enveloped her body, soothing the fatigue throughout.
She felt drowsy and more tired, unable to keep her eyes open.
Foam filled the surface of the water, obscuring her alluring curves. Her long, shapely legs were slightly bent, revealing smooth, fair knees.
Her delicate arms rested outside the tub, the water only reaching her chest, hinting at a tantalizing cleavage.
Droplets of water trickled down her exquisite collarbone, adding to her allure.
Unconsciously, Gong Zhi Jing fell asleep.
Ling Yu Chen waited outside for a long time. Sensing that too much time had passed, he knew she must have fallen asleep.
He entered the bathroom and gently lifted her out of the bathtub...
...
All good things must come to an end.
After the wedding, few guests stayed to rest; most went home, and Gong Ye was no exception.
For a period before the wedding, Gong Zhi Jing had stayed at the Gong family home.
Her presence and that of her child had brought life and laughter to the house. Now, it had returned to its former quiet state.
When Gong Ye returned, the house felt even colder, as if a chill permeated the air.
He couldn't stay for long.
He spent less than an hour at home before packing his belongings and leaving.
Before departing, he glanced back at the house, filled with so many joys and sorrows, his eyes filled with resolve.
Then, without hesitation, he walked out, locked the door, and left without looking back.
He had instructed someone to deliver the keys and some important items to the Ling family. He would never return.
A discreet, license-plate-less car was parked outside. Gong Ye got in and said,
"To the usual place."
The driver stepped on the accelerator, and the car immediately started, driving away from the Gong residence.
It was already evening when they reached their destination.
The sunset cast a golden glow over everything.
However, the place Gong Ye was visiting was desolate, and the evening made it even more eerie. But with his upright demeanor, he felt no fear.
He got out of the car and walked up the mountain.
Many people were buried here – parents, children, lovers, friends... people who were deeply missed by others.
The person he missed the most was also here, along with all his family members except his daughter.
Indeed, the world could be more tragic than hell. The dead were not the most suffering; it was the living.
He would spend his remaining years with only beautiful memories, living solely in the past.
Some people used up all their strength just to survive.
As he reached his family's graves, the last rays of the setting sun disappeared, and darkness began to envelop the land.
He knelt silently on the ground.
He first knelt before his elders, then stood and bowed to each in turn, finally standing before his wife's grave.
He spoke to her in a low, gentle voice, recounting everything that had happened that day, as if she were still there.
He knew she would want to hear it.
He had already decided his fate.
He would spend the rest of his life guarding the graves of his family and his beloved.
His heart was here.
...