The wedding proceeded as scheduled, a memorable event that would be retold with admiration for many years to come. The extravagance of the ceremony was replicable, but the sincerity behind it was inimitable. Every detail of the wedding and the groom's demeanor underscored how much he valued his bride.
After their marriage, the couple remained a model pair within their social circle, their love inspiring envy in many. Every public appearance saw Ye Hao either holding Lin Yan's hand tightly or with an arm around her waist. Photos even surfaced of him carrying her on his back or in his arms. Eventually, even the media grew weary of reporting on them.
When Gu Ting returned home, drunk once again, his parents were deeply worried by their once-exemplary son's recent颓废 state. They helped his assistant get him onto his bed. Despite their concern, they couldn't say anything in his current condition, especially with an outsider present. They could only tend to him and wait until he sobered up the next day.
Gu Mu had also specifically called Shen Wenlin to inquire, but learning that Gu Ting and Shen Wenlin had also had infrequent contact recently only increased her worry.
The next morning, Gu Fu and Gu Mu deliberately cleared their schedules, waiting for Gu Ting to wake up.
Gu Ting woke up quite early. Despite the hangover, his internal clock ensured he rose on time, ready for work.
As he came downstairs after washing up, dressed in loungewear, Gu Ting saw his parents waiting by the dining table. The scene felt strangely familiar; it was him who used to wait there.
"Dad, Mom, do you have something today?" Gu Ting rubbed his temples before sitting down at the dining table.
"Xiao Ting, you don't seem to be in the best state lately!" Gu Mu asked cautiously. Her son had always pleased her. Apart from the time they argued about his desire to study abroad, he had always developed as she had wished.
"Just a lot of social engagements," Gu Ting replied evasively. He served himself a bowl of congee and picked up a slice of bread.
"Xiao Ting, you know I'm not asking about that. I contacted Lin Lin, and she said you've been rather distant with her lately." Gu Mu sounded annoyed.
"Is that so? Perhaps I've been too busy. I'll make sure to appease her," Gu Ting said, not looking at his mother, his attention focused on the congee before him.
"Gu Ting, what is that attitude?" Gu Fu was displeased with his son's tone.
"Then what attitude should I have? Dad, Mom, I'm not that high school student anymore. Didn't you both stop managing things? I'm in charge of the entire Gu Corporation now, aren't I?" Gu Ting tore off a piece of bread. "Back then, when I wanted to go abroad, didn't you both say you wanted me to take over quickly? I'm managing the company very well now, aren't I? What more are you unsatisfied with?"
"Xiao Ting, are you resenting us?!" Gu Mu asked incredulously.
"Mom, you're overthinking it. I don't resent you." *I only resent myself.* "I'm done eating. I'll go upstairs to change. I have a meeting this morning, so I won't join you for breakfast."
With that, Gu Ting stood up from his chair and turned to go upstairs.
"Gu Ting, you!" Gu Fu's angry voice couldn't stop Gu Ting, who had already gone upstairs. "His wings have grown strong enough to dare, to dare to treat us like this!"
"Lao Gu, don't get angry," Gu Mu said with concern. Her husband's heart wasn't very good, and she worried he might have a relapse from anger. "Xiao Ting has always been obedient. He's probably under a lot of pressure this time!"
"What pressure? What he meant was that he resents us for not letting him go abroad back then!"
"But that was so long ago. Why bring it up again?" Gu Mu was puzzled. When her son wanted to study abroad for a girl, they had stopped him. Why was he bringing it up now? Had that girl returned? But Gu Ting was already engaged to Lin Lin?
After changing, Gu Ting came downstairs, bid them goodbye, and left immediately. This only angered Gu Fu and Gu Mu further. Gu Ting then used the excuse of overtime to move into an apartment near the company, not even returning home.
Gu Fu and Gu Mu began to investigate Lin Yan's background. Upon seeing Lin Yan's assets and news of her marriage, they didn't know how to advise their son. After all, they had assumed she was just an ordinary high school girl, which led them to directly tell their son to give up. But who would have thought their son had loved her so deeply, and that this girl was so outstanding, so outstanding that they could only look up to her.
Gu Mu had no choice but to ask Shen Wenlin to spend more time with her son and show him more attention, hoping he would reconsider. After all, Shen Wenlin was the woman her son had chosen himself.
However, Shen Wenlin gradually realized that if a man's heart wasn't with you, no matter how he pretended, you would sense it. Moreover, her father's recent transfer meant less assistance to the Gu family, and she felt Gu Ting had become even more perfunctory in his dealings with her.
This felt rather ironic to her. After discussing it with her father, she decided to break up with Gu Ting. After all, while finding a three-legged toad was difficult, there were plenty of two-legged men. She, Shen Wenlin, wasn't going to be dependent on him.
Even when Gu Fu and Gu Mu spoke kindly to Shen Wenlin, she stood firm on her decision. Gu Ting didn't say much and readily agreed. Their breakup was amicable. Shen Wenlin didn't mention Lin Yan's name, as she knew Lin Yan truly wanted no association with Gu Ting.
After the breakup, Gu Ting immersed himself even more in his work. Gu Mu wanted to find him another match, but Gu Ting showed no interest. This filled Gu Mu with regret. She thought if she hadn't refused Gu Ting's request to study abroad back then, perhaps her son wouldn't be like this now.
When news of Lin Yan and Ye Hao's wedding appeared online, Tian Tian was eating in the cafeteria. Looking at the bride in her magnificent wedding dress, smiling at the person beside her, Tian Tian felt a sense of disorientation.
It was as if she was seeing her high school days again, when she was so naive. She had observed the story of three people, yet she had wanted to become a part of it. But in the end, she realized she had never belonged to their world.
Whether it was Gu Ting, whom she had secretly adored, Lin Yan, whom she envied, or Ye Hao, whom she slightly feared, none of them seemed to have paid her any mind. She had unrequitedly indulged in a beautiful dream, fantasizing about replacing Lin Yan and becoming Gu Ting's partner. But the dream had ended when Gu Ting chose someone else.
However, as she saw the person beside her pause their chopsticks and look over with concern, she let go of that obsession completely. After all, one couldn't live in a dream; there were more important presences in reality.
She smiled at the person opposite her. "I'm fine. I just saw some news about a classmate. She's getting married and looks very happy."
"Are you going to attend?"
"Forget it. She probably doesn't remember me. I won't go to intrude."