「That night.」

After the snow had cleared, the stars twinkled. The chill in the air was particularly biting.

Li Si walked numbly through the Li Family estate, letting the cold wind brush against her. Her usually dazzling eyes were now lifeless, filled with despair.

She had long known that her family intended to betroth her to Qin Yan, a young master of the Qin Royal Family. This would not only allow them to align with the powerful Qin Family but would also give her elder brother, Li Changqing, a significant advantage in his own upcoming arranged marriage negotiations. If both marriages were successful, the Li Family and the Qin Royal Family would be irrevocably bound together.

From the start, she had made up her mind to resist at all costs, swearing she would never comply. Since someone already occupied her heart, it was impossible—unacceptable—to make room for anyone else.

But what she never imagined was that her mother wouldn't just fail to understand or help her; she actually knelt before her to force her hand.

Heh…

If I don't agree, will she remain kneeling indefinitely, or even threaten to take her own life? The family's future is important, but do I not matter at all?

Li Si's heart turned to ice. Her home, which used to bring her endless warmth, was now so cold, leaving her feeling utterly lost.

Stepping out of the Li Family's main gate, Li Si sat on the steps, wrapping her arms around her knees. She looked up at the cold moon in the sky as crystal tears slid silently down her cheeks, rolling down to her chin before falling to the ground. Each tear that hit the ground was like a spider lily defiantly blooming—beautiful, yet conveying an ultimate desolation and sorrow.

"Yang, no matter what happens, you will always hold the most important place in my heart. You're the man I love the most," Li Si whispered, overcome with grief as tears spilled from her eyes.

Faced with her mother begging on her knees, she couldn't refuse.

Qin Yan it is, then. But no matter who is by my side, nothing can change my feelings for Chen Yang.

SOB... SOB...

The moonlight shone down, casting her long shadow on the ground—desolate, forlorn, and lonely.

Who would have thought that the once radiant superstar would end up in such a plight due to her family's coercion? It was a truly lamentable and unexpected turn of events. They say tears are the wellspring of sadness, but sometimes, that spring is a bottomless, endless abyss.

After a long while, Li Si sniffed, taking out her phone with one hand while wiping the ceaseless tears from her face with the other. Her makeup was completely ruined. She found Chen Yang's number, her finger hovering over the call button for some time before she finally pressed it.

As the line began to ring, Li Si took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the sorrow in her heart. She worked her stiff facial muscles into a pained, forced smile.

"Hello."

The familiar voice was as calm as ever.

"Yang," Li Si said, her voice bright with a practiced smile.

"Sisi, have you eaten?"

"I have."

Li Si replied cheerfully, "What about you?"

"I just ate," Chen Yang said with a relaxed laugh. He was in the yard reading a magazine but slowly stood up and lit a cigarette. "You bought way too many groceries. It'll take Yang Hu and me ages to get through them."

"It's okay, you can store them in the fridge."

"By the way, Yang, I called to share some happy news. I'm getting married! It'll be in the next couple of days. Aren't you going to congratulate me?"

As she smiled, tears once again streaked from the corners of her eyes. Li Si bit down hard on her arm, using all her strength to stifle a sob. Crimson blood slowly welled up from the bite mark.

The line went silent.

Li Si continued, "His name is Qin Yan, a young master of the Qin Royal Family. He's handsome, accomplished, and a brilliant young man. With his family's deep roots, I'm sure I'll be very happy."

"That's wonderful. Congratulations."

After a brief silence, Chen Yang chuckled, "Sisi, why so sudden?"

"Everyone has to get married eventually. When you meet the right person, you just do it," Li Si said with a nonchalant shrug. "Yang, you have to come to my wedding. I want your blessing."

"Don't worry, I'll be there."

Li Si wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, her smile never wavering. "I have one more request. I... I want you to be the one to help me put on my wedding gown and Phoenix Crown, and to walk me to the wedding car."

The line went silent again.

"You... you have to promise me."

"Okay."

"Hee hee..." Li Si covered her mouth, desperately suppressing the sob that threatened to erupt. "Thank you, Yang. I knew I could count on you."

"Alright, you should get some rest."

CLICK.

Li Si hung up the phone, buried her head between her knees, and began to wail.

Soon, I'll be a wife. Before that, I just want to spend as much time as I can with Chen Yang—with the man I love—to create more memories that I can cherish for a lifetime, memories that will never fade. In the years to come, through joy and pain, through hardship and sorrow, remembering these moments will bring me happiness. Even a fleeting instant of that happiness would be worth it.

THUD. The phone fell to the ground as Li Si cried hysterically.

A long time passed before her hysterical crying subsided. She slowly stood up, tilted her head back, and stared at the Bright Moon in the sky with her red, swollen eyes.

"From now on, you are my Yang," she said to the moon. "Whenever the sky is clear and cloudless, I only have to look up to see you, and you will always be watching over me."

"We will keep each other company, until we grow old."

「Meixin Community.」

Chen Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the Bright Moon. He didn't snap out of his thoughts until the cigarette in his hand had burned down to the filter. Shaking his head, he chuckled. That girl... getting married? It's so sudden, so unbelievable. Qin Yan?

Chen Yang lit another cigarette and instructed Yang Hu, "Find out everything you can about Qin Yan of the Qin Royal Family. The more detailed, the better."

"I've already looked into him," Yang Hu replied, instantly understanding Chen Yang's unspoken question. "This Qin Yan is a talented young man. He's a bit arrogant, but otherwise, he's a decent person with an extraordinary gift for business. In recent years, he's moved into the core of the Qin Family's commercial empire."

"The competition to become the third-generation Family Head is fierce, but as things stand, Qin Yan has the best chance of succeeding."

At this, Yang Hu's tone shifted. "Boss, about Sisi... are you really just going to..."

"Find the best bridal shop and order the finest wedding gown for Sisi," Chen Yang interrupted. "And prepare a wedding gift."

"Boss, what if Sisi doesn't really want to get married? What if she's being forced into it?" Yang Hu persisted, unwilling to let it go.

Amid the swirling smoke, Chen Yang spoke in a low, solemn voice, "If that's the case, she won't be getting married without my permission."

If she is unwilling, then I forbid it. And no one can force her!

...

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