Volume 1, Chapter 186: I Should Have Guessed It Long Ago

Perhaps because of Lou Ye's imposing aura, or perhaps because his words before entering the door carried immense weight, the New Year's Eve dinner that Sang Wan had been dreading passed without a single incident.

Even Elder Lou, who hadn't even glanced at her before the start and clearly wanted nothing to do with her, looked much more relaxed after three rounds of drinks.

On the way over, Lou Ye had instructed her to eat and drink to her heart's content, assuring her that no one would dare make her feel uncomfortable. Events proved that Lou Ye was right.

Before the New Year's Eve dinner began, people had frequently glanced in her direction, men and women whispering among themselves. But halfway through the banquet, hearing Lou Ye call her "wife" repeatedly, the gathered guests seemed convinced that Lou Ye was completely devoted to Sang Wan, and the distant, probing gazes vanished entirely.

When they heard Lou Ye mention that their wedding date would soon be set, the crowd instantly caught on.

Some called her sister-in-law or aunt.
Others hugged her arm and called her a pretty auntie.
There were all kinds of people.

Before Sang Wan could even recognize everyone, she had filled her stomach with fruit juice and champagne.

As midnight approached, firecrackers echoed endlessly and fireworks lit up the sky. Returning to the banquet hall, wave after wave of people stepped forward to offer New Year greetings to Elder Lou and the elders.

Sang Wan received a thick stack of red envelopes.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Sang Wan linked arms with Lou Ye and left the banquet hall. She had left her shawl on a chair inside, but walking outside, she didn't feel cold at all. Following the winding corridors forward, she felt a gentle, lingering warmth even beneath the soles of her feet.

Lou Ye led Sang Wan to the courtyard where he had lived during his childhood. Under the crisp moonlight, the courtyard was secluded and elegant, bearing a striking resemblance to the Bamboo Courtyard in the Sang Garden.

When the door was pushed open, a scent of cold pine mixed with the fragrance of ink washed over them. Looking at the antique room, Sang Wan could almost picture a young Lou Ye sitting at the desk, reading and writing.

"We'll make do and stay here for the night..."

Lou Ye sat on the edge of the bed and patted the space beside him, signaling for Sang Wan to sit down. But as soon as she sat, Lou Ye hooked his arm around her waist, pulled her down with him, and asked, "Wife, let's get married!"

Sang Wan had already agreed to his proposal on New Year's Eve, and her heart had long been settled. Yet tonight, looking at the couples walking hand in hand or holding and carrying little ones, Lou Ye suddenly felt it wasn't enough. He wanted more.

Raising her eyes, she saw the man smiling gently, his gaze tinged with the slight intoxication of wine. His eyes were exceptionally bright.

Sang Wan easily caught the reflection of her tiny self in the depths of his eyes. "Okay!"

Lou Ye was stunned. "Really?"

Sang Wan smiled and nodded. "Really."

"Then we'll register our marriage right after the New Year, and hold the wedding ceremony afterwards. How does that sound?"

"...We can register our marriage first. Can the wedding be a little later?"

"Why?"

"Spring is so cold, but I want to wear a beautiful wedding dress. So, let's hold the wedding when spring arrives and the flowers bloom, okay?"

"I bought a small island where spring is eternal all year round. We'll hold the wedding there!"

"??? When did you buy it?"

"Page six of the marriage contract. Didn't you notice?"

"...No."

"It doesn't matter. A lifetime is so long, you can slowly discover it."

"Okay..."

They talked about the lively and adorable little children at the New Year's Eve banquet. They talked about whether the young Lou Ye had been just as handsome, mischievous, and lively as them. They talked about how beautiful the moonlight was tonight.

Sang Wan didn't even remember when she had fallen asleep; she only remembered Lou Ye holding her close, kissing her over and over again, whispering, "Wife, I love you!"

When she opened her eyes again, the space beside her was empty.

There was a WeChat message from Lou Ye on her phone: [Wife, I'm going to a meeting.]

The first day of the Lunar New Year.

A meeting?

Recalling the hundreds of people at the New Year's Eve dinner last night, today's meeting was probably some important family matter concerning the Lou family estate. Sang Wan slowly got out of bed.

Pushing open the bedroom door, she saw the courtyard blanketed in snow, with Lou Ye's footprints still visible from when he left. Sang Wan stepped into his footprints as she walked out of the courtyard, pausing as she turned into the corridor.

People were bustling in and out of the small courtyard next to Lou Ye's. Among them, an older middle-aged woman with a gentle yet stern expression was speaking helplessly to the housekeeper.

Stopping a passing servant casually, Sang Wan pointed at the middle-aged woman. "Who is that..."

"Young Madam, that is the Second Young Master's nanny, Aunt Lan."

Sang Wan stood in a daze. The memories of waking up in the hospital flooded back clearly.

"Sister Lan, who sent you?"

"Miss Sang, I'm sorry, I cannot say. But if we are fated, we will meet again someday."

She should have guessed it long ago. Aside from him, who else would protect her so recklessly?

Aunt Lan was declining the housekeeper's offerings, saying she had more than enough things here and lacked nothing.

The housekeeper shrugged helplessly: Aunt Lan, these are the Second Young Master's orders. You know how he is, please don't make things difficult for me!

Aunt Lan raised her eyes and saw Sang Wan standing under the eaves, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Their eyes met, and they both instantly remembered those gentle months of companionship.

Aunt Lan took a step forward.

Sang Wan was already running over in small steps, throwing herself into Aunt Lan's arms. "Aunt Lan, how are you? I went to look for you several times, but the nurses wouldn't tell me where you were. I'm so happy to see you again!"

"Young Madam, me too!"

Aunt Lan smiled warmly. "Seeing you and Ah Ye together, I can finally rest easy!"

When Lou Ye finished his work and came looking for her, he found Sang Wan and Aunt Lan leaning against each other, talking and laughing, looking very much like a mother and daughter.

"Aunt Lan says she wants to leave, but you refuse and insist on providing for her old age."

"She is all alone, where would she go? She's only afraid of being a burden to us."

"Then why didn't you bring her to the hillside villa?"

"I asked. She said right now it's just the two of us, and she didn't want to intrude on our private world. When there are more family members in the future, she'll come over and help us out."

Sang Wan paused.

Lou Ye caught her hand and kissed it. "I didn't mean to rush you into having children. I'd be more than happy to spend a lifetime alone with just the two of us. If you want children, we'll have them. If you don't, then it'll be just the two of us for the rest of our lives!"

This Spring Festival was the most leisurely and comfortable New Year holiday Sang Wan had ever experienced.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the old estate's front courtyard was bustling and noisy, while she, Lou Ye, and Aunt Lan hid away in the courtyard to talk without any disturbance.

On the second day, they returned to the hillside villa, where Jiang Huai, Qin Bochuan, and a group of friends came over, making a lively commotion until late into the night before leaving.

Complaining of fatigue, the two of them didn't even step outside starting from the third day.

Ignoring Lou Ye's endlessly ringing phone, the hillside villa felt like a utopia, quiet and serene.

Sang Wan felt a bit guilty.

Lou Ye smiled with a handsome and flamboyant air: Baby, you're Mrs. Lou now. If I didn't let you live this comfortably and willfully, it would be my dereliction of duty! You can be even more willful than this!

Events proved that being with Lou Ye gave her all the capital she needed to be willful.

Sang Wan spent the New Year in leisurely comfort.

Knock, knock!

On the first workday of the year, the executive meeting concluded at ten in the morning.

As soon as Lu Jinnian returned to his office, his chief assistant knocked and entered.

"President Lu..."

Looking as nervous as if facing a formidable enemy, the assistant's voice was rigid. "President Lou from the Lou Corporation is here, saying he... is here to deliver a wedding invitation to you!"

An invitation???

Lu Jinnian snapped his eyes upward in abrupt shock.