On the day of the wedding photoshoot, before six in the morning, Min Qing knocked on the door. Wen Ruan, still lost in slumber, drowsily mumbled a few responses.
Two minutes passed with no reaction from Wen Ruan. Min Qing had someone fetch the spare key to open the door.
"You child, why aren't you awake yet? You didn't forget what day it is, did you?" Min Qing exclaimed.
With a flick of the switch, Min Qing lit up the room, the harsh light piercing through.
Wen Ruan buried her head under the covers, her eyes still shut as she murmured in a half-asleep tone, "I didn't forget…"
Min Qing tugged at the blanket covering her head and sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh. "Speaking of your choice of wedding photos, I really have to nag a little. As your mother, I've been running around like crazy, and neither of you has suggested what kind of style you want, how you want to shoot it—nothing at all! It's as if neither of you cares, and I really wonder if you—"
Wen Ruan, sensitive to any superficial or showy comments, immediately sat up, rubbing her hair, a hint of resentment in her voice. "Mom, it's only 5:45 AM. No matter how 'concerned' I am, it can't beat the allure of sleep. And besides, how do you know I'm not concerned? Maybe I was too excited last night and couldn't sleep."
Min Qing, unsure whether to believe her, quickly grabbed Wen Ruan's chin and inspected her face. "Really? Let me have a look. You can't have dark circles, and your makeup needs to be just right. If it's too heavy, it'll ruin everything." Once satisfied that there were no visible dark circles, Min Qing finally relaxed.
"Mom, I'm the one getting married. Why do I feel like you're more nervous than I am?" Wen Ruan raised her tired eyelids, mechanically moving her chin from Min Qing's grip as she got out of bed.
Min Qing continued to tidy the blankets while giving more instructions. "I'm not nervous; I just don't want you two—Forget it, I'll stop before you accuse me of nagging. Just remember what I said, okay? You have to shoot the styles I picked for you—no slacking off. When your father and I got married, there weren't as many options for wedding photos, and we couldn't get a decent one. I still regret it."
Wen Ruan couldn't help but reply, "You guys take wedding photos every year for your anniversary. Isn't that enough? A small shoot every year, a big one every five years—I've been the little flower girl for over a decade."
Min Qing huffed in exasperation. "You little brat, why can't you understand? It's not the same. We're getting old, and if we don't capture the most beautiful years with wedding photos, it'll be a regret we carry for life. Trust me on this, okay? Be good."
Wen Ruan brushed her teeth, squeezing out toothpaste. "...I won't let you regret it. One day, I'll write a book to make up for it. I'll write thousands of words about how Dad proposed to you, then devote several chapters to the wedding photos. That way, everyone will envy you."
Min Qing opened the faucet before Wen Ruan could and gave her a look that put an end to her fantasy. "What book? Writing is too taxing and harmful to your health. You're not going to get into that. Forget about any work. Just focus on keeping yourself healthy. If you stay healthy and happy for the rest of your life, your father and I will be at ease."
Wen Ruan muttered under her breath, "If you ever find out, not only will I have a job, but I'll have written a book too..."
Wen Ruan, continuing to brush her teeth, mumbled incoherently, "I do nothing, and I'll just be a worthless person, someone everyone despises."
"Who dares to despise you? Who says you have nothing? Everything your father and I have is yours." Min Qing handed her a cup of water, clearly displeased by the comment. "Is this about something that Song Yanhua said? If she's been talking behind your back, you tell me, and I'll back you up. She's always been jealous of me and causing trouble, and I won't tolerate it."
Wen Ruan rinsed her mouth. "You two really are quite the pair. After all these years, you still bicker like this. Aren't you tired?"
Min Qing huffed, "You think I want to argue with her? The things she says can be unbearably harsh."
As for their long-standing rivalry, it was not something an outsider could easily resolve. Wen Ruan didn't involve herself.
Wen Ruan had heard from her grandmother that Min Qing had once been engaged to He Yan's fourth uncle. When she found out that Song Yanhua was in a relationship with He Yan's father, Min Qing broke off the engagement. Song Yanhua then threatened to break up with He Yan's father if Min Qing married into the family. Apparently, the situation had been quite chaotic for a time.
Min Qing was wary of Song Yanhua's temper and feared that Wen Ruan might be hurt. "If Song Yanhua dares to say anything unpleasant to you, you let me know. There are some things you can't handle yourself, but your mother isn't afraid of her."
Wen Ruan smiled weakly, her mouth still full of toothpaste foam. "I think Aunt Song is fine with me."
Min Qing scoffed. "She's holding things in; don't be fooled."
Wen Ruan knew that He Yan's family, including He Yan himself, had been forced into this marriage because of the Old Master He's illness.
As for He Yan's parents' opinion of her, Wen Ruan wasn't sure.
Her marriage to He Yan was also for her own reasons. There was no problem with each of them having their own motives.
Wen Ruan spat out the mouthwash, feeling refreshed. "Mom, if you and Aunt Song dislike each other so much, why are you still pushing me to marry He Yan? Are you getting back at her?"
Min Qing gave her a doting look. "Do you think I'm that unreliable? Although I don't get along with Song Yanhua, I can't deny He Yan's excellence. I know what's good for you. Don't worry, I'm not getting back at her. Besides, even if I were, I'd never harm you. You're my precious daughter, and marrying him will only make their family's genes better. How could it be revenge? It's actually torturing myself."
Wen Ruan sighed, wiping off the face wash. "With the way you guys raised me, I can't help but admire my own resilience. After all, I've turned out so well."
Min Qing gently slapped her on the head, laughing. "What's wrong with the way we raised you? Our daughter is our responsibility, and we'll raise you however we see fit. Who's going to stop us?"
Wen Ruan gave her a thumbs-up silently and walked out of the bathroom.
Min Qing, remembering something she had been holding back, quickly followed. "Sweetheart, just one more thing: you're serious about marrying He Yan, right? You're not hiding anything from us, are you?"
"It's as serious as gold, don't worry," Wen Ruan replied, her voice firm, though her eyes trembled slightly.