Chapter 221: Attending the Wedding

Chapter 221: Attending the Wedding

Ye Xiaoxiao left with her books, not particularly interested in Wang Jiao's love life.

On top of that, she’d been swamped lately. Apart from her daily visits to Haiheyuan Rehabilitation Center, she was also occupied with factory operations.

Since several women’s cosmetics products were flying off the shelves, the original production line couldn’t keep up with demand.

Song Xiaoguang had already begun selecting a new site to build Huarong Factory No. 2.

Time flew by, and before long, the wedding day of Xu Jianwen and Hao Yanyan was almost here.

For a big celebration like this in the compound, even families who weren’t close would politely send their blessings.

Hao Yanyan seemed worried that Ye Xiaoxiao might not attend, so she specially mailed an invitation to her school.

The banquet was held at the Beijing Grand Hotel, and there would undoubtedly be many guests that day.

Oddly enough, no one else in the Ye family knew—except Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao naturally planned to go, to see how this rushed storyline might have changed.

She remembered that in the original book, several supporting female characters had appeared, making the couple’s romantic journey anything but smooth.

...

On the day of the wedding, Lu Hanchuan agreed to come early to pick her up.

The weather was already very cold—you needed a heavy coat outside. Though the banquet hall was warmer, you’d still need a sweater.

Ye Xiaoxiao thought it was odd: "Why did they choose to hold the banquet in the dead of winter?"

"Maybe they were in a hurry," Lu Hanchuan replied casually, then added, "When we get married, we’ll pick a cool autumn day—neither too hot nor too cold. You can choose indoors or outdoors, whatever you prefer."

Ye Xiaoxiao looked up at him. "You’re way ahead of yourself."

Lu Hanchuan said calmly, "Is it really? You’re already a sophomore."

Ye Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes, thinking it over, but said nothing.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Beijing Hotel. Only the rich and powerful could book a banquet here.

A big red sign at the entrance displayed the names of the bride and groom.

Lu Hanchuan and Ye Xiaoxiao entered and, before spotting anyone else, saw Bai Mengan.

"Xiao Xiao! Over here..."

Bai Mengan was happily waving for Ye Xiaoxiao to join her, but when she noticed Lu Hanchuan beside her, her smile froze.

"You’re early."

Ye Xiaoxiao walked over with Lu Hanchuan and introduced, "This is my boyfriend, Lu Hanchuan."

Bai Mengan: "Hello, hello."

Lu Hanchuan gave a polite nod. Xiao Xiao’s friends were just kids, and even if they were from the same compound, he wouldn’t recognize them.

After the two sat down, Bai Mengan whispered to Ye Xiaoxiao, "You brought Lu Hanchuan? The Xus should be flattered."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "He wanted to come himself."

Bai Mengan: "Then aren’t you getting the short end of the stick? You’ll have to give two gifts."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You’re really worried about that now?"

Bai Mengan: "By the way, why haven’t we seen the bride yet? The setup here looks really nice."

Ye Xiaoxiao looked around, catching on.

Hao Yanyan had been reborn (in a past life). Since she’d lived a long life before, she must have brought some future aesthetics with her. The wedding had a mix of Chinese and Western touches.

The ceremony was probably like future weddings would be.

But vows and all that weren’t a thing yet—not in fashion at the time.

Hao Yanyan wasn’t in sight, but Hao Chengbing and He Qiaoxiang were busy greeting guests.

He Qiaoxiang didn’t want to come over, so Hao Chengbing approached Ye Xiaoxiao’s table alone.

Most people in their social circle knew about the history between Ye Xiaoxiao and the Hao family. Seeing her here now, some were already whispering.

Maybe the feud wasn’t as bad as people said. Ye Xiaoxiao’s presence suggested she still remembered the Hao family’s upbringing.

And with Lu Hanchuan by her side, it was clear Ye Xiaoxiao and Xu Jianwen were truly over.

Now, as Hao Chengbing came to speak, people nearby were all ears.

"Xiao Xiao, I’m glad you came," Hao Chengbing said with a pleased expression. "Too bad Yan Yan didn’t invite your parents. I haven’t seen your father in years."

Ye Xiaoxiao sounded puzzled. "Uncle Hao, you’ve got it wrong. Hao Yanyan did meet my parents, but not to invite them—it was to cut ties.

I’m also curious. If Hao Yanyan didn’t want the Ye family here, why invite me alone?"

Her words left not only Hao Chengbing stunned.

Even the busybodies froze.

Their thoughts were unclear, but the gossipy women shot each other looks, dying to gossip but biting their tongues.

Catching on, Hao Chengbing quickly said, "This... Xiao Xiao, when did this happen? I know you’re upset, but you can’t just lie."

No surprise—he was siding with his real daughter and cared about appearances.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I’m not lying. Not long ago, my mom had surgery, and now both she and my father are in Beijing.

Though my mom misses her daughter, she wouldn’t just barge in. It was strange how Hao Yanyan suddenly sought them out—maybe she was worried they’d show up unannounced, so she preemptively gave them money to send them away."

Her tone was innocent, but her voice wasn’t quiet.

Not only did Hao Chengbing hear, but so did others nearby.

Bai Mengan’s loud voice chimed in, "No way, Uncle Hao, did you give Hao Yanyan the money?"

Hao Chengbing was clueless.

He didn’t even know Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang were in Beijing.

"Meng’an, don’t go spreading stories. It must be a misunderstanding. Yan Yan was just trying to help my old friends get back on their feet."

Hao Chengbing's first reaction was that He Qiaoxiang was behind this.

After all, she was the one who disliked Ye Xiaoxiao's parents.

So she helped cover it up.

But the excuse was too clumsy, making it come across as downright dishonest.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t argue but nodded thoughtfully.

"Oh really? But don’t worry, my parents didn’t take the money. Our Ye family isn’t that poor."

Whispers finally started circulating through the crowd.

"The Hao family is being pretty shady, aren't they? Worried about being blackmailed for raising the child, so they tried to buy them off upfront?"

"That's bullshit. Even though the Ye family is from a rural area, look at Ye Xiaoxiao—she's dating the Lu heir. Like they'd need the money?"

"Hey, tone it down, give Old Hao some face. I’d say Hao Chengbing is still decent, but she's straight-up trash."

"..."

Though the discussions were hushed and barely audible, Hao Chengbing felt they were all about him.

He pasted on a fake smile at Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan. "Please, enjoy yourselves. I’ll go attend to the other guests."

With that, he headed toward He Qiaoxiang.

Lu Hanchuan glanced at Ye Xiaoxiao. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

With just a few words, she had hit them where it hurts. For people like Hao Chengbing and He Qiaoxiang, who cared so much about face, this must be absolutely seething.