Chapter 215: The Invitation

Chapter 215: Invitation

"Hey Second Brother, guess what? You’ll never guess who I ran into the other day!"

Ye Changning called Ye Changan and went on for twenty minutes repeating everything Yan Yan had said, including the news of her upcoming marriage.

Ye Changan was noticeably calmer than Ye Changning, not getting as worked up. Having left home when Yan Yan was still young, he rarely saw her. Since they hadn’t spent much time together, it didn’t hit him as hard.

Ye Changan: "Mom and Dad are taking this the hardest, followed by Eldest Brother and his wife. When you talk to them, watch what you say. Don’t get too worked up."

Ye Changning: "I’m totally fine."

"Yeah right."

If he truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t be angry. Ye Changning’s strong emotions came from really caring about Yan Yan in the past.

Ye Changan didn’t argue with him.

"I understand the situation. It’s her call, but words once spoken can’t be taken back. No take-backs later."

Ye Changning: "I knew you’d think the same way, Second Brother. I’ll let you go. I’m going to write to Eldest Brother now."

Ye Changan: "..."

Third Brother’s always got to be doing something.

……

Though Yan Yan didn’t end up giving them the money, she achieved her goal.

Having spoken so bluntly, she was in the clear. Ye Jianguo and his wife would surely wash their hands of her.

This was what she had wanted, yet she didn’t feel as happy as she expected.

Yan Yan felt empty inside, as if she had lost something irreplaceable.

"Yan Yan, what’s on your mind? Today we’re going to look at the house. Let me do the talking—don’t say anything unless I nod."

He Qiaoxiang called for Yan Yan to leave.

Yan Yan stood up and nodded. "Alright."

He Qiaoxiang: "After marriage, you’ll have to run your own household. But remember, you’re a daughter of the Hao family. The family comes first. No more acting spoiled."

Yan Yan: "I understand, Mom."

"Jianwen has already transferred to the city’s television station. Though it’s a clerical role, with the Xu family’s support, he’s going places. As long as you maintain a good relationship with him, you’ll be set for life."

Before leaving, He Qiaoxiang had to add one more thing.

"You’re my daughter. I want you to have the best life possible."

Yan Yan’s eyes welled up. "Thank you, Mom."

He Qiaoxiang: "Let’s go."

Zhao Hongxia and Xu Jianwen tagged along to check out the house.

The house was right by Xu Jianwen's job.

His workplace didn’t offer company housing, but if they bought a house, the company would give them some subsidy.

Zhao Hongxia chose a three-bed, two-bath place. Although she’d been reluctant at first to let her kid move out, she wouldn’t cut corners for her son’s pride.

He Qiaoxiang was somewhat okay with their attitude.

But that was just her personality—even if she was pleased, she only gave a half-hearted nod at the moment.

"The environment here is pretty nice. It’s convenient for both work and daily life for the two of them. But once they have kids, this place won’t cut it."

Zhao Hongxia: "Then we’ll move to a bigger place. If Yan Yan pops out more grandkids, I’ll be thrilled."

The house was settled, and He Qiaoxiang added, "I’ll handle all the wedding stuff like appliances."

So far, everything was progressing smoothly—only Xu Jianwen seemed zoned out.

"Jianwen, aren’t you happy?"

Xu Jianwen faked a smile. "No."

Hao Yanyan: "Then come with me later for a fitting. The suit you’ll wear at the wedding needs to be tailored, so they’ll take your measurements."

Xu Jianwen gave a nod. He didn’t regret it, but neither did he feel the joy of an upcoming wedding.

Hao Yanyan was nothing like the lover he had imagined.

Hao Yanyan looked away, pleased.

Since her rebirth, she had grabbed every bit of happiness she could.

In her past life, she had seen Xu Jianwen on TV—back then, he was already in his thirties, classy and put-together, completely unlike the good-for-nothing who hit her.

Heaven had given her a second chance, and she would cherish it.

Hao Yanyan looped her arm through his and gave him a gentle smile.

...

Hao Yanyan and Xu Jianwen’s wedding was scheduled for December, just before New Year’s Day.

Most people in the neighborhood received invitations, including the Lu family.

What surprised Ye Xiaoxiao was that Hao Yanyan had made a point to invite her.

"Xiao Xiao, will you attend my wedding?"

Ye Xiaoxiao had just walked out of class when she saw Hao Yanyan, who walked right up to her and asked this question.

"You came all this way just to say that?"

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t immediately agree.

Hao Yanyan: "I feel like there’s a weird connection between us. Don’t you want to come?"

What she really meant was plain enough.

If Xiao Xiao doesn’t attend, others in the compound might think she stole Xiao Xiao's fiancé.

She needed the other party to back her up—that she was the best match for Xu Jianwen.

Xiao Xiao had never wanted to feud with Hao Yanyan, but now that the other was coming at her like this, she couldn’t keep holding back.

"Are you sure you want me there?"

Hao Yanyan smiled. "I’m serious."

Xiao Xiao also let a small smile play on her lips. "I’ll go."

Hao Yanyan: "Then I'll be waiting for your congratulations."

Satisfied, Hao Yanyan left, while Xiao Xiao returned home and called around to all their friends in the compound.

Aside from a few who didn’t answer, Xiao Xiao had a pretty good idea of who had received invitations and who would attend.

Bai Meng’an: "Xiao Xiao, if you're not feeling it, don't push yourself."

Xiao Xiao: "I’m not pushing anything. It’s her wedding—if things go south, she’ll be the one regretting it, not me."

Bai Meng’an: "Should we get a few people to cause trouble?"

Xiao Xiao: "What are you, some kind of troublemaker? There’ll be plenty of elders there that day. If you stir up trouble, guess who's gonna catch hell?"

Bai Meng’an had an aha moment. "Xiao Xiao, you're sharp these days."

Xiao Xiao: "I just need to know who’s going. Don’t do anything unnecessary—just sit tight."

Bai Meng’an heeded Xiao Xiao’s advice. "If you’re not going, count me out too. Their wedding isn’t worth using my PTO for."

Xiao Xiao: "Not even for front-row seats to the drama?"

Bai Meng’an: "Well, since you say there’ll be drama, Now you've got me curious."

...

While Hao Yanyan was preparing for the wedding, Ye Changning had already lined up several distributors in the capital.

For their first collaboration, the buyers pushed the price very low. Due to the long distance, transportation costs were high. To break into the market, Ye Changning bargained repeatedly but still had to concede some profit.

Fortunately, his efforts paid off—the trip wasn’t in vain. He secured several large orders and recouped some funds.