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The storm raged outside the window, with torrential rain, and the trees, once strong and erect, could not withstand the onslaught. Countless broken branches and leaves were strewn everywhere, giving a sense of watching a thrilling action movie.
Living alone in the upscale residential area of Rose Garden in Pengcheng, Lu Qingqing turned on the light and drew the curtains to block out the storm, out of sight, out of mind.
Just as she was about to turn on her computer to write, her best friend Tang Tang suddenly arrived, carrying bags both big and small.
Despite driving over in the pouring rain, Tang Tang didn't look the least bit disheveled, still as clean and graceful as always.
At twenty-eight years of age, she was like a flower in full bloom.
"Ms. Busy Bee, how come you have time to visit me? And on a typhoon day, at that," Lu Qingqing brought over two cups of flower tea, placing one in front of Tang Tang and the other in front of herself.
Then, she gracefully sat down opposite Tang Tang.
Tang Tang immediately took out a bright red wedding invitation from her new Hermes Birkin bag and put it on the table, sliding it over to Lu Qingqing.
"What's this?"
Lu Qingqing picked up the invitation between two fingers, curiously noting a diamond ring on her left middle finger that looked to be over a dozen carats.
"I'm getting married," Tang Tang said, her eyes smiling as she looked at her.
"Getting married?" Lu Qingqing's voice went up an octave as she incredulously exclaimed, "You're getting married? This is so sudden."
With her left hand propping up her cheek and her right hand holding the glass of rose tea, Tang Tang gently blew on it, her innocent and pretty face breaking into a soft smile, "Actually, it's not sudden at all. You know, I've always wanted to marry a rich man. Now I've met someone worth over ten billion, and after being together for six months and feeling it's the right fit, I naturally can't let him go."
Lu Qingqing was momentarily at a loss for words.
She looked down to open the invitation and saw that the bride was Tang Tang, but the groom was named Wang Ming.
"Wang Ming?"
"He's a very charming man, treats me exceptionally well. He has given me a lot of good advice in work, and I've learned much. He also takes great care of me in life," Tang Tang's voice was sweet, sugary even.
Lu Qingqing pondered.
She and Tang Tang had been friends for nearly twenty years, classmates from kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and even high school, then attending the same university, albeit in different faculties, once both touted as the most beautiful girls on campus.
Naturally, no one understood Tang Tang better than she did.
Because of family reasons, Tang Tang had long made it her goal to marry a wealthy man.
However, Tang Tang, who was both a Pengcheng University graduate and exceptionally beautiful, had exceedingly high standards. If a rich man didn't have enough personal charm, she wouldn't even consider dating him, much less walk down the aisle.
After all, plenty of rich second-generation heirs pursued Tang Tang during their university days.
If she had wanted, she could have easily married into a so-called wealthy family directly after graduation.
"Is he really as good as you say? Then I need to see for myself what kind of man has captured our Tangtang's heart."
Tang Tang laughed happily, "You'll meet him soon enough. Our wedding is in seven days on Phuket Island in Thailand. You and the others will come over two days early to help prepare. You'll be flying out from Hong Kong, so make sure your passport and Hong Kong and Macau travel permit are up to date. You're the maid of honor, the one person who absolutely can't be missing. We made a pact, remember? Whoever gets married first, the other will be the maid of honor."
"Aren't you afraid that your bride will be overshadowed by me, the maid of honor?" Lu Qingqing teased.
Tang Tang was sharp and decisive, with a good head for business. After graduating from university, she entered a rather large company and had risen to a managerial position. Her appearance, however, was like that of an orchid, clean and elegant, intellectual, full of literary grace.
Lu Qingqing, a writer, had the beauty of a blossoming peony, her presence outshining all others, her beauty compelling and overwhelming.
Although both of them were equally stunning in their university days, as time went by, the increasingly radiant Lu Qingqing became even more incomparably beautiful than in her more unripe years, exceeding her past self in every way.
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