Both were left a sticky mess of seawater and something more.
Li Yaru took another shower and applied oil again—luckily, Zhuang Qiting served her, so her temper wasn’t so bad.
“Go back to your own bed!” Li Yaru glared at him. Coming over in the middle of the night—what a ridiculous idea.
“I didn’t bring my room card. Or my phone,” Zhuang Qiting replied calmly.
“Then swim back! Didn’t you say it only takes two minutes?”
“Tired. Can’t make it.” Zhuang Qiting lay on Li Yaru’s bed, seriously pulling up a thin blanket to cover his waist.
“It’s dangerous to swim at night. Wouldn’t want Miss Li to have a mishap at tomorrow’s Wedding Banquet.”
“………………”
“From how energetic you are, you could go all night.”
Zhuang Qiting shot his wife a subtle look. She really had a sharp tongue, always saying such provocative things. “You little minx. You’re a different person in public and in private.”
Li Yaru was fine until he said that, then she couldn’t help but blush and mutter, “You’re the minx.”
She rolled over, burrowing into the covers. “Be out of here before five in the morning.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come get you.”
Knowing she was tough on the outside but soft inside, Zhuang Qiting’s heart melted, and he hugged her close, falling asleep to the white noise of the rolling waves.
When they woke, dawn pierced the sea, a glowing sun slowly rising over the blue horizon. Li Yaru, urged by Ada, yawned awake.
“Time to get up, get your makeup done! Madam!”
Li Yaru’s first instinct was to look at the other side of the bed—of course, he was gone, not even a trace left.
She secretly felt for the warmth; it had just barely faded, leaving only the faintest afterglow.
He’d only just left. Blushing slightly under the stylists’ stares, Li Yaru sat up.
The Hotel’s most luxurious villa had been transformed into the New Room for the tea ceremony.
After her makeup, Li Yaru rode the courtesy car over. Zhuang Qiting was already there, chatting with the guests.
Today, he was especially dignified and elegant, his hair perfectly styled, angular features revealed, his tailored black formal suit making his long legs even longer, a deep blue floral tie matching the Wedding Banquet’s theme, and a lavish Green Jade brooch on his chest.
If you ignored his age, he was still dashing, athletic, and charismatic, with a strong, vibrant presence.
Li Yaru rarely saw Zhuang Qiting so formally dressed—it wasn’t even his wedding, yet he looked so flashy. But as their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.
He really did match her ideal type, though she’d never admit it, never wanting to let him get too cocky.
Zhuang Qiting was clearly in a good mood today, speaking warmly to everyone, laughing heartily when happy, so different from his usual sternness.
His son getting married after so many years—no matter what, as a father, he was delighted, radiating energy with every move.
“Make way, the groom’s mother is here!”
With a shout, all eyes turned toward the door.
Li Yaru’s outfit today was understated but elegant: a pale blue silk embroidered cheongsam highlighting her graceful figure, pale feet in matching heels, and a dignified walk.
Her long, black hair was neatly coiled, her neck adorned with a string of glowing Green Jade, displaying the grace of a great family.
Getting closer, Li Yaru realized Zhuang Qiting was dressed almost like her partner today.
She wore blue—so did he. She wore jade—he’d somehow found a jade brooch.
Li Yaru gave him a long, quiet look, but with everyone urging her forward, she had no choice but to take his arm.
During the photo shoot, she leaned over and whispered, “When did you leave?”
“Four thirty-five.”
“Swimming?”
Zhuang Qiting just raised an eyebrow and didn’t answer.
Li Yaru pinched his arm discreetly. He really was a good actor!
Everything went smoothly after that. Their handsome son and his bride knelt on the wedding mat and offered tea.
The bride, Chen Weiqi, was a cool beauty. When she called Li Yaru “Mom” during the tea ceremony, she was so shy her face turned red.
Li Yaru was overjoyed, slipping off her pair of Jade Bracelets and putting them on her daughter-in-law’s wrists, then joining her hands with her son’s.
“Don’t let him bully you, Weiwei.” Li Yaru said this meaningfully in front of everyone, then glanced nonchalantly at Zhuang Qiting, who was watching from the side.
The crowd snickered.
The bride bit her lip, giving the groom a bashful, proud look, then replied seriously, “Don’t worry, Mom, Shao Zhou treats me very well.”
When the tea ceremony ended, everyone followed the bride and groom to see the fun.
Zhuang Qiting pulled his wife aside and lowered his voice. “Why would our son bully his wife? Be clear with me.”
Zhuang Qiting was sharp. He knew Li Yaru’s words were meant for both the bride and himself.
Li Yaru couldn’t stand his burning breath or his intoxicating scent, so she pressed her hand to his chest, “You know very well yourself.”
“I really don’t. Have I ever bullied you?”
Li Yaru glared fiercely—her usual gentle, dignified demeanor gone. “Old man, don’t tell me you’ve never bullied me!”
“Spanking doesn’t count.” Zhuang Qiting was unfazed.
Outside, the place was crowded and hot, and yet here he was, saying flirty things.
Li Yaru wanted to bite him but didn’t want to ruin her makeup, so she stomped on his foot with her heel.
Zhuang Qiting let her. While there was still time, he pulled her into his arms.
“You really liked those bracelets—you never wore them. And at our oldest’s wedding, you even gave your favorite Crown to Xiaohua.”
“I just want both couples to be loving.”
“We should be loving too. Don’t worry, I’ll find you an even better set in Green Jade.”
Jade Bracelets were rare, after all, not something money alone could buy.
Li Yaru couldn’t stand his clinginess, especially on their son’s wedding day.
Why did he have to get so flirty? “Enough, enough. Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Otherwise, they’ll think we’re up to something improper.”
Zhuang Qiting snorted. “I’d like to see them say a word.”
Li Yaru frowned. “Can’t you stop acting so domineering?”
Zhuang Qiting straightened his suit with deliberate care.
“A man needs to be authoritative. In this world, only you get to be on top of me.”
“………………”
.
The wedding went off without a hitch. Tens of thousands of blue roses bloomed in the sunlight—grand and magnificent.
Rarely had Li Yaru felt so emotional in front of the cameras, especially when the bride and groom kissed—she was moved to tears.
Zhuang Qiting watched in amusement, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her.
“It’s not our wedding—what’s there to cry about?”
To him, the couple on stage were just like actors in a heartwarming romantic film—nothing to cry over.
Li Yaru couldn’t stop sobbing.
“If you don’t stop, I’ll kiss you right here,” Zhuang Qiting whispered.
With all the media cameras around, Li Yaru shot him a glare, took the handkerchief, and wiped her tears elegantly.
Li Yaru was in the highest of spirits that day. Arm in arm with Zhuang Qiting, she radiantly toasted each guest.
By the evening afterparty, she’d downed glass after glass of champagne and white wine, never refusing a single toast, and soon she was tipsy, almost drunk.
The gentle sea breeze caressed her cheeks, and passed through the layers of flowers, drapes, and glowing lanterns as the sunset quietly slipped away.
The younger crowd still remembered last night’s dancing and urged Li Yaru to dance again.
Squinting drunkenly, Li Yaru got up laughing, pushing her chair aside, but after just two steps she staggered, her heel sinking into the soft sand, her dark curls swaying.
Zhuang Qiting caught her in time, saving her from embarrassment.
“You’re drunk. No dancing.” Zhuang Qiting was helpless—he wanted to strip her and spank her right then.
“Don’t boss me around…” Li Yaru was barely lucid, unaware of all the curious, subtle, or amused glances from the crowd.
“No dancing.” Zhuang Qiting’s tone was absolute. Then, in front of everyone, he simply picked Li Yaru up in his arms.
The waves rolled, starlight sparkled, and the warm orange fairy lights fell upon them.
Li Yaru was breathless from being carried, her feathered skirt fluttering in the breeze.
“Ahhhhh!”
“Uncle! Uncle’s the best!!”
“Uncle, did you finally get her?!”
“Together, together! Let’s throw a wedding for Uncle and Auntie too!”
“Ming, you rascal, you hid such a big thing from us!”
The youngsters just wanted to stir up trouble—they weren’t afraid of Zhuang Qiting and all started screaming.
Even some of his own younger brothers gave him a thumbs-up.
Zhuang Qichen finally shed his years of guilt over his old “playing hard to get” schemes, sighing, “Six years… Boss, it wasn’t easy.”
Zhuang Qiting wasn’t annoyed, just swept his eyes over the noisy brats and said nothing, carrying Li Yaru away with long, satisfied strides.
The crowd watched only the man’s tall figure and the woman’s dazzling skirt.
Li Yaru was utterly lost, her drunken eyes gazing at Zhuang Qiting. “Why are you carrying me?”
“Who else would you let carry you?” Zhuang Qiting looked calmly at the woman in his arms, leather shoes sinking into the sand.
Then he deliberately jostled her, making Li Yaru immediately wrap her arms around his neck.
Zhuang Qiting walked slowly, afraid she’d feel unwell, just quietly carrying her, beneath the bright stars and moon.
Li Yaru squinted and nuzzled into his chest, soaking up the warmth and heat she loved so much.
“Zhuang Qiting.”
“Mm.”
“…I actually like you.”
She closed her eyes and mumbled the words.
Zhuang Qiting’s steps halted, and his heart clenched. He lowered his gaze, black eyes fixed on Li Yaru. “What did you say?”
“Since that day we played golf…I’ve liked you…”
She liked him.
She liked him.
She actually liked him.
Zhuang Qiting’s breath stopped, his chest burning.
He held her tight, standing before the endless sea, at a complete loss for what to do.