Chapter 74
Qin Ai took the red string-tied ring from its box, and Zuo Bian extended her hand.
The ring was gently slid onto Zuo Bian’s middle finger. After Zuo Bian put on her ring, she helped Qin Ai put on hers.
The room erupted in applause, confetti cannons fired, and colorful ribbons rained down, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Zuo Bian couldn’t stop smiling. From this day forward, her relationship with Qin Ai was official.
After the ring exchange, the banquet began. The two fiancées went from table to table, toasting their guests.
This engagement ceremony focused on quality over quantity, so there weren’t many tables. They quickly reached the table where their childhood friends were seated.
Chang Wenyan had already downed several glasses of wine before Qin Ai and Zuo Bian arrived. His eyes were bloodshot.
Chang Wensi tried to persuade her brother to stop drinking, but he wouldn’t listen.
Seeing the love between Zuo Bian and Qin Ai, Chang Wensi knew that her brother had no chance.
“Qin Jiejie… I wish you happiness.” Lin Qingqing was also in a similar state as Chang Wenyan. She poured herself a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.
“Thank you.” Qin Ai raised her glass to Lin Qingqing but only touched it to her lips.
If she drank a full glass with every guest, she would end up with a hole in her stomach. Zuo Bian, on the other hand, took a big gulp. Of course, she was drinking orange-flavored soda that looked like wine.
Chang Wenyan watched them with bloodshot eyes, his grip on the glass tightening until his knuckles turned white. He opened his mouth and said, “I wish you a lifetime of happiness together.”
“Thank you for your kind words.” This time, Qin Ai took a sip of her wine.
Zuo Bian followed suit, but she didn’t dare to look too happy, afraid of upsetting Chang Wenyan.
Actually, Qin Ai had other things she wanted to say to Chang Wenyan, but this wasn’t the right time or place.
She had always believed that Chang Wenyan didn’t really love her. He just wanted a capable partner, and she was the perfect candidate.
There was no need to say anything. If Chang Wenyan didn’t realize it himself, her words would be useless.
Chang Wensi glanced at her brother, sighing internally, then raised her glass and offered her congratulations to Zuo Bian and Qin Ai.
Everyone at the table, except for Lu Letian, had toasted and offered their blessings. He held his glass, his lips pursed, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
Zuo Bian noticed his expression. She hadn’t forgotten that the package 555 had bought for Lu Letian hadn’t expired yet.
555 also noticed Lu Letian. Oh no, it thought, it had forgotten that Lu Letian would be attending the engagement ceremony.
【Host, be careful of Lu Letian, he might try something.】
As expected, Lu Letian spoke up.
“Qingqing and Wenyan have known Qin Ai since childhood. I always thought she would end up with one of them. Wenyan and Qin Ai look so good together, a perfect match…” He trailed off, as if realizing he had said something wrong.
He covered his mouth and glanced at Zuo Bian apologetically. “Sorry, I think I said something I shouldn’t have.”
【Host, go for it! Let him know how foolish it is to go against someone who’s mastered the Green Tea Handbook!】
“But shouldn’t the unloved one in a relationship step aside? Mr. Chang, Miss Lin, don’t you agree?” Zuo Bian asked innocently, looking at Chang Wenyan and Lin Qingqing.
Lin Qingqing’s face turned pale, but she couldn’t say anything. After all, she was the one who had tried to sabotage Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s relationship.
Chang Wenyan forced a smile. “Miss Zuo is right.”
555 couldn’t help but applaud Zuo Bian. She was amazing! She had truly grasped the essence of the Green Tea Handbook, her words dripping with “green tea” tactics.
“Mr. Lu, are you saying that Qin Ai and I aren’t a good match?” Zuo Bian frowned, her eyes downcast.
In terms of appearance, Zuo Bian had a natural advantage. In terms of skill, Lu Letian, a half-baked “scheming bitch,” was no match for Zuo Bian, the experienced “green tea.”
Qin Ai put her arm around Zuo Bian’s shoulders, comforting her gently. “Don’t be sad, I think we’re perfect for each other.”
“Mm-hmm.” Zuo Bian leaned against Qin Ai, looking delicate and helpless.
Lu Letian bit his lower lip, a flicker of resentment in his eyes.
This was the nature of a “scheming bitch” character. Even if they didn’t like the protagonist, they couldn’t stand seeing them happy and had to do something to make them uncomfortable.
“I didn’t mean that. I just think it’s a pity that Qingqing, Wenyan, and Qin Ai have been so close for so many years but didn’t end up together.” Lu Letian’s expression was innocent, as if he genuinely believed what he was saying.
【Host, go, go, go!】
Zuo Bian recalled the Green Tea Handbook and said, “Why should we feel pity for Qin Ai? Shouldn’t you be happy for her that she’s with the person she loves? Mr. Lu, aren’t you Qin Ai’s friend? Why aren’t you blessing her happiness? Why would you say such a thing?”
Step one: Question the other person’s words. Step two: Present your own reasoning. Step three: Guilt trip them, taking the moral high ground.
Qin Ai had guessed what was happening when Zuo Bian said, “The unloved one in a relationship should step aside.” This melodramatic scene was quite amusing.
“Letian, aren’t you going to congratulate me?” Qin Ai asked.
Lu Letian’s “rival” package, malfunctioning into a “scheming bitch” package, was only a 10-point package with limited capabilities. Faced with Zuo Bian and Qin Ai’s coordinated attack, he didn’t know how to fight back and could only stammer, “No, I wish you happiness.”
Hearing his blessing, Qin Ai smiled. “Thank you.”
“But Mr. Lu and Miss Chang are so close, you’ve known each other since childhood, why aren’t you together yet?” Zuo Bian asked.
Qin Ai patted her shoulder and said with a smile, “Maybe Wensi has fallen for someone else. After all, there are many handsome men and beautiful women in the entertainment industry. If they haven’t fallen in love after so many years, they probably never will, no matter how long they wait.”
“Oh, okay.” Zuo Bian nodded.
Qin Ai put her arm around Zuo Bian and left, her words lingering in the air.
Her words weren’t just meant to annoy Lu Letian, they were also for Lin Qingqing and Chang Wenyan.
As Zuo Bian left, Lu Letian returned to normal, but he still remembered what had happened. He was confused. He seemed to have feelings for Chang Wensi, feelings he hadn’t been aware of before.
He instinctively looked at Chang Wensi, but she wasn’t looking at him. She was persuading Chang Wenyan to stop drinking.
“Brother, stop drinking, it’s useless. Qin Ai Jiejie won’t feel sorry for you, she has someone she likes now.” Chang Wensi was closest to her brother and couldn’t bear to see him sad.
Chang Wenyan downed the remaining wine in his glass, his hand supporting his forehead. He remained silent.
He understood what Qin Ai had said, but emotionally, he still needed time to accept it.
====================
Engagement ceremonies and weddings were the most tiring for the two protagonists. They had to wake up early to get ready, go through the ceremony, toast the guests, and make small talk. Only after all that could they finally sit down and rest.
Zuo Bian wasn’t used to wearing high heels. After standing for so long, her feet were sore.
Qin Ai noticed her discomfort and asked someone to bring a pair of comfortable slippers. She crouched down and helped Zuo Bian take off her heels.
Her heels came off, revealing her slightly reddened ankles. Zuo Bian had never experienced hardship in this life. Her skin was delicate and easily bruised. Even a slight pressure would leave a mark, let alone wearing high heels for such a long time.
Zuo Bian slipped her feet into the soft slippers and sighed in relief.
“Thank you, Qin Ai. How did you know my feet were hurting?”
Qin Ai sat down beside her. “I could tell just by looking at you. Your gait was a bit different from usual.”
Zuo Bian said in surprise, “But I tried to walk normally.”
“Maybe I’m just observant.” Qin Ai said.
Zuo Bian looked at Qin Ai’s feet. “What about you, Qin Ai? Are your feet hurting? We both wore high heels for a long time.”
Qin Ai’s smile faded slightly. Long ago, she had been like Zuo Bian, her feet and calves aching after wearing high heels for a while. But to maintain her strong image, she had to wear them for long periods. Of course, her feet had hurt. But now, she was used to it.
“You get used to it.”
“Qin Ai, we’re alone in the lounge now. No one will know if you take off your shoes. Take them off and rest for a bit. Do you want me to give you a massage? I learned some massage techniques from my mother, but I haven’t tried them on anyone yet.”
Qin Ai bent down and took off her heels, her breasts pressed together as she leaned forward.
The contrast of black and white, the sight of her smooth skin, was captivating.
Zuo Bian swallowed nervously, shaking her head to clear her mind of those distracting thoughts.
“Then give me a good massage.” Qin Ai lifted one leg and placed it on Zuo Bian’s thigh.
Her leg was slender and shapely, her skin fair and smooth.
Zuo Bian stared at her leg, momentarily frozen.
Qin Ai chuckled and moved her leg slightly. Even through the thin fabric of her dress, she could feel the warmth of Zuo Bian’s leg and her quickening pulse.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to give me a massage? Hmm?”
Her seductive voice sent shivers down Zuo Bian’s spine. She snapped out of her daze and started massaging Qin Ai’s leg.
Her slender fingers gently pressed against Qin Ai’s delicate skin. Qin Ai’s figure was perfect, her bones well-proportioned without being bulky.
A true beauty was beautiful in every way. Her features, her figure, her hair, her fingertips, her posture, and the aura she exuded.
Zuo Bian’s fingers glided over Qin Ai’s skin, her head lowered. The temperature in the room seemed to be rising.
Qin Ai grabbed Zuo Bian’s hand, lifting her chin and kissing her lips. “Good technique. Here’s your reward.”
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