It was said that the Jiang family had spared no expense, hiring a renowned designer from the south to create Gu Nuannuan's wedding dress. A gown worth tens of millions, it symbolized the prestige of the Jiang family and gave the Gu family considerable face in high society.
But Gu Nuannuan, standing before the mirror, felt no joy in wearing something so extravagant. She gently touched the delicate fabric, yet her heart was weighed down by the circumstances surrounding her marriage.
As she gazed at her reflection, she noted how the red marks on her face had faded, restoring her usual sweet appearance. Her skin was soft, almost translucent, with a baby-like smoothness. Her cheeks were round and youthful, making her look even younger than her 20 years.
But despite the flawless reflection, she still felt small in this larger-than-life situation.
Mrs. Gu entered the room quietly and dismissed the makeup artist with a wave. She sat next to her daughter, the room suddenly feeling much heavier.
"Nuannuan," her mother said softly, "you shouldn't have agreed to this marriage."
Gu Nuannuan forced a smile, trying to reassure her. "Mom, it's not so bad. I think it might be fun, getting married, hehe," she said, though her laughter lacked any real joy.
Mrs. Gu placed a hand on her daughter's head, her fingers lightly brushing her face. Her eyes brimmed with guilt. "Nuannuan, what exactly did Mr. Jiang say to convince you that day?"
The memory of that conversation came rushing back to Gu Nuannuan, and her smile faltered.
---
"Nuannuan, do you understand the consequences of offending the Jiang family?" Mr. Jiang had asked her that day, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable threat.
Gu Nuannuan had remained silent, her mind racing.
"You aren't afraid for yourself," Mr. Jiang continued, "but have you considered your parents? Your brother? Life isn't lived selfishly."
The warning echoed in her ears. She had heard stories about the Wei family, once a powerhouse in Z City, now a cautionary tale. They had fallen from grace in a single day—executives imprisoned, those who escaped were exiled, unable to return. The Gu family could face a similar fate, and that thought chilled her.
---
Snapping back to the present, Gu Nuannuan blinked at her mother's worried expression. She couldn't tell her the full truth. Instead, she put on a brave face and said, "It's nothing, Mom. Actually, the Jiang family is very good—big, powerful. You and Dad don't need to worry."
Mrs. Gu didn't look convinced, but she didn't push further. She only wished happiness for her daughter, even if that happiness seemed increasingly out of reach.
---
In another room, Mr. Jiang handed Jiang Chenyu a stack of documents and a USB flash drive. "Here's all the information you wanted," Mr. Jiang said, his eyes steady on his son.
Jiang Chenyu reached out to take it, but Mr. Jiang pulled back at the last second. "After the wedding," he stated firmly.
Jiang Chenyu's jaw tightened, his father once again holding all the cards. With a sharp exhale, he stood up, adjusted his groom's suit, and left the room without another word.
A marriage was about to begin, but the air was thick with tension.
---
The wedding day came quickly, and the guests arrived in a flurry. Only the most elite had been invited; the Jiang family had made sure that no paparazzi or unwanted media were present. This was a wedding of status, one that signaled the rise of the Gu family to a higher echelon of society.
Jiang Chenyu's marriage put an end to many rumors and speculation. His decision to marry Gu Nuannuan had shut down numerous suitors and business rivals alike. For the Gu family, it meant sudden elevation to the ranks of the elite. But for Gu Nuannuan, it meant uncertainty.
In her dressing room, Gu Nuannuan stared at her reflection, worried about what her life would be like from this point on. The unfamiliar weight of the wedding dress, the foreign feeling of the high heels—all of it was overwhelming.
It was time.
She lifted the hem of her dress and, with some effort, made her way to the door where her father waited, his eyes reddened with emotion. Seeing the look on his face, Gu Nuannuan's heart clenched, but she held back her own tears.
As the doors to the grand hall opened, a cascade of light poured in, illuminating her and her father. Together, they stepped onto the petal-strewn path, the fragrance of flowers filling the air.
Her eyes instinctively sought out the man at the end of the aisle. It was the first time she had truly seen him—Jiang Chenyu, her husband-to-be. His presence was as cold and imposing as she had heard, but in that moment, their fates were tied together.
This was the beginning of her new life, one she had never imagined but could no longer avoid.