The air suddenly fell quiet.

Luo Xiu's mood soured.

Lin Xiyue walked up to him and handed him the wedding invitation.

"Are you going?"

Luo Xiu took the invitation and nodded. "Yes."

Lin Xiyue stared at him. "You look so gloomy, someone might as well write the word 'unhappy' on your face."

Luo Xiu remained silent.

Lin Xiyue seemed lost in thought, saying slowly, "It's strange how people are. They can feel loss and sadness over things that never belonged to them, things they never truly possessed, especially when someone else finally gets them."

"It's more than that," Luo Xiu replied.

"What else is it, then?" Lin Xiyue asked.

"If she had truly fallen for someone and wanted to get married, I might feel the loss and sadness you described, but I would also genuinely wish her well," Luo Xiu said, glancing at Lin Xiyue. "But this is different."

Lin Xiyue thought for a moment. "I've heard that Xiao Li's family and the Provincial Capital Duan Family have been close for generations, and that Xiao Li has known Duan Feibai since childhood. Perhaps their relationship isn't as bad as you think."

Luo Xiu looked at the invitation in his hand. "But I have this gut feeling... that Duan Feibai is using some means to force Xiao Li."

He remembered how, back at the hotel, Sun Li had repeatedly called Duan Feibai "scum." She had even given her first time to him, just to avoid letting Duan Feibai have it. It was clear that Sun Li deeply disliked, even hated, Duan Feibai.

Lin Xiyue asked, "If that's the case, what do you plan to do?"

Luo Xiu didn't answer, saying only, "The day after tomorrow, I'll go ask Xiao Li and get to the bottom of this."

A day went by.

Then another.

This morning, Luo Xiu rose early. He didn't dress up or wear a suit, sticking to his usual casual attire. Lin Xiyue had to practice her cultivation at home in the morning and go to the company in the afternoon, so she didn't plan on attending the wedding. Besides, the invitation was addressed to Luo Xiu, not her.

"Hmm, not bad. You look quite handsome today," Lin Xiyue commented, sizing him up.

Luo Xiu smiled. "Let me borrow your Ferrari."

"Huh?" Lin Xiyue gave him a strange look. "Do you even have a driver's license?"

Luo Xiu touched his nose and glanced away. "I've been a passenger long enough to have it figured out. It's just driving a car, it's not that hard." He added, "I'm going to a wedding, after all. It wouldn't be right to show up on an electric scooter, would it?"

Lin Xiyue hesitated for a moment but decided to give him the keys. "Then you have to be careful."

"Don't worry."

"I am worried."

"Alright, I promise I won't damage your car. If I do, I'll buy you a new one."

"I'm not worried about the car. I'm worried you'll get into an accident, or hit someone."

"..."

Luo Xiu walked into the garage and sat in the driver's seat for the first time. Though it was his first time behind the wheel, he handled the car with the skill of a seasoned driver. Just as he'd told Lin Xiyue, after being a passenger for so long, he had already learned how.

The wedding of Sun Li and Duan Feibai was being held on the Century Cruise ship, an incredibly luxurious vessel. It was first launched in the early twentieth century and already had a hundred-year history, during which it had been the stage for many events worthy of the history books. After generations of retrofits and reconstructions, the cruise ship had become Sea City's top-tier maritime hotel, bar none.

Upon arriving, Luo Xiu parked on the shore and boarded the ship.

The wedding of the Sun Family's young heiress and the Provincial Capital Duan Family's young master was an event where the guests were undoubtedly either rich or powerful. Many influential figures normally seen only on television or in the news, as well as some popular celebrities and internet stars, could be spotted easily. In truth, they weren't as divine as they appeared on screen. Like anyone else, they were keen on enjoying so-called lowbrow pleasures.

Luo Xiu kept a low profile in the crowd.

Near the entrance, by the gift registry, he saw Sun Gaozhi and Duan Feibai. Luo Xiu noticed that Sun Gaozhi seemed to be forcing a smile for the guests, clearly in a foul mood. Despite being in a lively crowd, Sun Gaozhi appeared utterly alone; even A Gui wasn't by his side.

Duan Feibai, on the other hand, was beaming with genuine happiness.

Beside him stood a beautiful woman who looked to be in her forties. She wore a sexy red gown and high heels, her hair pinned up. Her elegance was tinged with a deep charm, giving her the air of a noble and mysterious queen.

"Oh, Feibai, is this a friend of yours?" the woman asked, her eyes immediately landing on Luo Xiu as he approached the gift table.

Though Luo Xiu was trying to be inconspicuous, his handsome face and ethereal air still made him the most striking guy in the crowd.

Duan Feibai looked at Luo Xiu, a flicker of coldness in his eyes. He hadn't expected Luo Xiu to come. Still, he put on a smile and greeted him first. On an occasion like this, he had to maintain his persona as the young master of the Duan Family, keeping his gentlemanly facade intact.

"Mister Luo, you've arrived."

Luo Xiu returned a slight smile and placed a red envelope on the table. "Young Master Duan, congratulations."

"Feibai, hurry and introduce us! Mom didn't even know you had a friend like this here in Sea City."

Cursing inwardly, Duan Feibai forced a smile. "Mom, this is Mister Luo, Luo Xiu. He's the chairman of the Shen Luo Company."

Then, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he turned to Luo Xiu. "This is my mother..."

But before he could finish, his mother was already approaching Luo Xiu with a dazzling smile, extending a delicate hand as well-maintained as that of a young girl.

"Hello, Luo Xiu. My name is Su Hongli."

Luo Xiu shook her hand. "Hello, Auntie Su."

"Auntie? Please, you make me sound so old," she pouted, touching her beautiful face. "Feibai and I are more like siblings. Since you're his friend, that makes you my little brother from now on."

Luo Xiu was speechless. These family relationships are a total mess.

"So... Luo Xiu, would you mind adding me on WeChat? I come to Sea City for fun all the time. I'll look you up when I'm free."

"Mom, what's gotten into you today? Go greet the other guests. I'll take care of Mister Luo," Duan Feibai finally snapped, pushing Su Hongli aside.

"Feibai, you get out of the way!" Su Hongli shot him a glare.

Duan Feibai seemed quite afraid of her. He immediately stepped aside obediently, though not before throwing Luo Xiu a fierce look.

After exchanging WeChat details and a few more pleasantries, Luo Xiu looked over at Sun Gaozhi and gave the old gentleman a nod.

The old gentleman looked back at Luo Xiu, his face a mask of helpless, bitter resignation. He had once imagined that after Luo Xiu and Lin Xiyue separated, the Sun Family would do everything in its power to bring Sun Li and Luo Xiu together. But now, it seemed that was nothing more than a pipe dream. The thought brought him wrenching grief.

The cruise ship was enormous, the entire vessel having been chartered by the Sun Family. Luo Xiu wandered up to the top deck and found a large swimming pool and several sports courts. Some guests were playing ball games, while others splashed about playfully in the pool. There were more women in bikinis than he could count.

"Mister Luo, the Young Miss is looking for you."

As Luo Xiu meandered, Ah Qian's voice came from behind him. Then, Ah Qian led him through a winding series of turns, deliberately picking less crowded paths until they arrived at a luxurious dressing room.

Sun Li was sitting on the bed, dressed in a sacred, snow-white wedding gown. The skirt was spread neatly around her like a blooming white lotus, a picture of ultimate beauty.

The moment Luo Xiu entered, she leaped up joyfully and threw herself into his arms.

"Ah Qian, you can leave now!"

Ah Qian nodded, departed silently, and closed the door behind him.

Inside the dressing room, Luo Xiu grasped Sun Li's bare shoulders, which were exposed by her gown, and gently pushed her away.

"Xiao Li, what is this..."

But Sun Li lunged at him once more.

"Don't talk. Kiss me!"

"..."

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