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A simple yet meticulously organized wedding unfolded under the azure sky, filled with laughter and joy.
Jin Chengyan stood at the end of the red carpet, with the vast ocean stretching behind him. Dressed in a tailcoat and adorned with a boutonnière, he awaited the arrival of his beloved.
Why hold the wedding by the sea?
Because Qiao Nuo had once said she preferred warmer places, where wearing a wedding dress wouldn’t be too cold. She loved listening to the sound of the waves and watching the seagulls...
See, Jin Chengyan knew exactly what Qiao Nuo liked; he had memorized all her preferences.
He could even recall them clearly in his dreams.
Then, Jin Chengyan woke up.
In a familiar hospital room, surrounded by the scent of antiseptic, he found that it was not the Qiao Nuo he had imagined.
"Mom..." Jin Chengyan wasn’t fully awake yet, but upon seeing Yu Xin, he felt that something was off.
"You’re awake. How do you feel?" Yu Xin spoke calmly to Jin Chengyan, as if he hadn’t just undergone a bone marrow donation surgery but was merely in the hospital for a routine leg pain.
"Um, I’m okay," Jin Chengyan replied with a slight nod. "Mom, where’s Qiao Nuo..."
They had agreed that if he came through safely, she would wait for him. But now, where was she? Where could she be?
Yu Xin didn’t answer; she simply adjusted the blanket over Jin Chengyan.
"What about that little cutie’s surgery? Was it successful?" The absence of Qiao Nuo meant that Qiao Kawai's surgery hadn’t gone well.
Why hadn’t it succeeded? Qi Ziluo had told him that the success rate of the surgery was seventy percent, which was quite high.
However, there was still a thirty percent chance of failure.
“Make sure to rest well. In a couple of days, you’ll be discharged and can recuperate at home. This surgery is completely confidential; if it falls into the wrong hands, Jin might face unprecedented consequences.”
“Mom, did Qiao Kawai’s surgery succeed or not?” Jin Chengyan's voice rose a few notches, and Yu Xin's deliberate evasion made him feel something was off.
Yu Xin remained silent, but her kind face began to show signs of anger, likely not wanting to hear the names Qiao Nuo or Qiao Kawai.
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll ask Qi Ziluo myself.” With that, Jin Chengyan attempted to push himself up from the bed, even trying to pull out the IV needle in his hand.
This action truly angered Yu Xin. She quickly pressed him back down onto the bed, forbidding him to move an inch.
He had just come out of anesthesia and still felt weak all over; the surgical site hurt terribly. Jin Chengyan was no match for Yu Xin and could only obediently lie back down.
“It’s because I let you do as you please in the past that you’ve grown so willful at over thirty! Jin Chengyan, you are the future head of the Jin Family. You are the support of Jin; your decisions do not only concern yourself! If you were just an ordinary person earning a few thousand or ten thousand a month, I wouldn’t care how you lived your life! But you are my son, Yu Xin! I cannot stand by and watch you ruin yourself for a woman!”
Thus, in Yu Xin’s eyes, Jin Chengyan’s actions were self-destructive.
Jin Chengyan’s agitated heart gradually calmed down.
He looked at Yu Xin, for the first time since becoming an adult, experiencing such close contact with his mother.
“But Qiao Nuo is… the person I love most.”
“You used to say Ruan Shengyu was your greatest love, yet in the end, didn’t you fall for Qiao Nuo? A Yan, there’s nothing in this world that says you must marry her. If she wants to leave you and forget you, why chase after her?” As someone who had been through it all, Yu Xin seemed quite insightful.
Jin Chengyan wanted to say more, but the words caught in his throat and he swallowed them all back.
Indeed, he once claimed Ruan Shengyu was his greatest love, but what happened later? He ended up falling for Qiao Nuo.
Every relationship is filled with the utmost effort to love, yet in the end, the ones we love are no longer by our side, free to come and go as they please.
"Good child, get some good sleep," Yu Xin said as he saw Jin Chengyan slowly calming down, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
In the following days, Jin Chengyan did not see Qiao Nuo in the hospital. He heard from Qi Ziluo that Qiao Kawai's surgery was relatively successful. If there were no signs of rejection within six months and no recurrence for five years, she could continue to live healthily.
Each time Qi Ziluo spoke, he deliberately avoided mentioning Qiao Nuo, seemingly under pressure from Yu Xin.
Jin Chengyan didn’t ask further. After all, Qiao Nuo had said she would come, but now she hadn’t shown up. He was genuinely unhappy.
Unhappy?
Yes, he preferred to describe his feelings directly as unhappy; how could he hide it?
After being discharged, Jin Chengyan ignored Yu Xin's suggestion to stay at Jin Family Mansion and stubbornly headed to Jin Mansion instead.
He didn’t let A Shan accompany him inside and even sent him home early, telling him not to come for the next couple of days. He wanted some time alone to reflect on his relationship with Qiao Nuo.
As he opened the door and saw the Jin Mansion that he had ordered to be renovated, he noticed that while the exterior remained unchanged, the interior had been completely updated.
He envisioned turning Jin Mansion into a new home for himself and Qiao Nuo!
Then they would take wedding photos and hang them in the living room, study, bedroom… even on the walls of the staircase.
Although Jin Chengyan didn’t particularly like taking photos.
He opened the door to the villa and changed his shoes, initially just wanting to head to his room for a good sleep.
Now, aside from wanting to sleep, he had no other thoughts.
However, he heard some noises coming from the kitchen, likely from the servant that Yu Xin had called to take care of him.
Not thinking much of it, Jin Chengyan headed straight upstairs.
“A Yan.” After taking just a couple of steps, he heard a familiar voice behind him—so sweet, it pierced through his heart.
Was he really not dreaming?
Jin Chengyan turned around and saw Qiao Nuo wearing an apron, holding a spatula in one hand, smiling dreamily as she looked up at him.
Jin Chengyan focused his gaze and, after confirming he wasn’t mistaken, looked at Qiao Nuo with some confusion.
“You... why are you here? And why do you look so domestic?”
“You must be hungry, right? I made your favorite dishes, but it’s been four years, so I’m not sure if your tastes have changed.” Qiao Nuo shrugged, yet her adorable demeanor was just like it had been four years ago.
Jin Chengyan was certain he wasn’t dreaming; the pain from his wound still throbbed slightly. But Qiao Nuo standing before him was real!
“Or do you want to rest a bit before eating? That’s fine; I can put the food away and we can eat when you’re ready.” Qiao Nuo smiled and turned to head back into the kitchen.
There was no way Jin Chengyan would let Qiao Nuo walk away like that. He quickly descended the stairs and wrapped his arms around her from behind as she headed toward the kitchen.
Qiao Nuo was startled at first but then burst into laughter, leaning into Jin Chengyan’s embrace. The hand that wasn’t holding the spatula rested on his arm.
It felt as if they had never had any misunderstandings between them.
“Qiao Nuo, is it really you?” Jin Chengyan held her tightly, afraid that this was all just a dream.
In dreams, he and Qiao Nuo never argued; they would live together in love for a lifetime.
"Not at all," Qiao Nuo replied.
"You’re lying," he pouted like a child, refusing to believe her.
"I'm not lying. The first time we met was in a hotel. I saw you and immediately pulled off your towel, revealing your... then you asked me to marry you. Although it was just a contract marriage, we got married. At that time, you had someone you liked, and I didn't have feelings for you either. But later on, you kept getting closer to me, perhaps not intending to make me misunderstand.
"But I couldn't tell whether your actions were out of kindness or genuine care for me. Regardless, I fell for that side of you. Then we started fighting, fiercely and hurtfully, until I left. It felt like I was the one who didn't want you, but in reality, it was you who didn’t want me.
"Later on, I came back and lied to you about having a daughter. You were really angry, but then you found out that the little darling was just my sister. She got sick, and it was you who saved her.
"So, am I still lying to you? Do you still doubt that I am Qiao Nuo?"
Jin Chengyan listened carefully as Qiao Nuo recounted their past four years in detail.
He felt utterly certain that this person was indeed Qiao Nuo—the one he had loved and lost repeatedly.
"I told you I would wait for you to be discharged, so I've been waiting for you at our home," Qiao Nuo said as she turned to him, her hand gently caressing Jin Chengyan's face. "A few days ago, I had to take care of the little darling, so I couldn't visit you. You’re not mad at me, are you?"
"How could I be!" Jin Chengyan replied with a proud expression.
"Are you upset?" Qiao Nuo pouted, unsure how to handle Jin Chengyan's anger.
But more than anger, Jin Chengyan felt joy and excitement because the current Qiao Nuo was the one he had initially known.
"No way! I'm just happy that you're finally back, Qiao Nuo." He called her name with emphasis, affirming that she was indeed Qiao Nuo.
She had no idea how much he had minded Xi Yisheng calling her Faye before.
"So am I still not your... lover?" Qiao Nuo suddenly became serious, questioning Jin Chengyan earnestly.
Jin Chengyan seemed to hesitate for a brief moment, but as soon as he saw Qiao Nuo's expression change, he quickly spoke up, "You are my wife, my lover, my confidante, my everything! From now on, you are the only woman for me!"
Before Jin Chengyan could finish his sentence, Qiao Nuo stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his.
Qiao Nuo's initiative left Jin Chengyan completely unable to resist.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pushed her against the wall, shifting from being passive to taking charge. He entered her mouth with a fierce kiss, using all his kissing skills to please Qiao Nuo, making her lose herself in the moment.
Just as he was about to take things further, Qiao Nuo called for a stop.
"That's enough. We have plenty of time ahead of us, and you’re still recovering from your injury. Let’s eat first, okay?" Qiao Nuo placed her hand against Jin Chengyan's chest, clearly flustered.
He slowly adjusted his breathing, resting his forehead against hers while cradling her face in his hands. He felt nothing but happiness.
"Alright, we have plenty of time ahead of us." He playfully emphasized the second word of the idiom, as if afraid others wouldn’t catch his meaning.
In the past few encounters, Jin Chengyan had never tasted the dishes Qiao Nuo prepared for him—not because they had quarreled and parted ways in anger, but due to various circumstances that prevented them from sitting down together for a meal.
But today was different; they could sit at the dining table like an ordinary couple. Since Jin Chengyan had just undergone surgery and couldn’t drink alcohol, they would certainly have celebrated with drinks otherwise.
On the table were four dishes that Jin Chengyan loved: shrimp with corn, stir-fried green beans, celery with lily bulbs, and borscht—light and perfect for him at this moment.
However, before they could start eating, Jin Chengyan suddenly set down his chopsticks.
Qiao Nuo looked at him in confusion. "What’s wrong? Is it not to your taste?"
He wore a mysterious smile on his lips.
"Wait a moment; I want to show you something."
“What is it? Let’s eat first. I haven’t had anything to eat yet because I was busy making dinner for you!” Qiao Nuo said softly.
Jin Chengyan was utterly smitten by Qiao Nuo in that moment, her gentle tone making her seem as if she had just emerged from the water.
“It’s important; we need to look at it first,” he said, rising from his chair and heading upstairs without hesitation.
With Jin Chengyan's departure, the once lively dining room fell into a sudden silence.
Qiao Nuo gazed at his empty seat, her eyes unexpectedly welling up with tears.
She had never realized that being proactive could evoke such a reaction from Jin Chengyan.
In the past, she would take ninety-nine steps toward him, only for him to remain stationary. Even when they were just one step apart, she would turn and leave.
Now, it was Jin Chengyan who took ninety-nine steps toward her, believing she would take that final step toward him as well.
But…
Qiao Nuo clutched the fabric over her heart tightly, the pain within her chest indescribable.
Whether one called it forgetting the pain after healing or self-inflicted suffering didn’t matter.
Because none of them were her; they didn’t understand how Jin Chengyan’s appearance had been like a divine intervention when she felt utterly lost, helping her find her way out of despair.
At that time, Jin Chengyan was like the Monkey King riding on clouds, while she was Zixia Fairy.
Yet, Zixia Fairy never ended up with the Monkey King!
Hearing footsteps approaching, Qiao Nuo lifted her head, quickly wiping away the tears threatening to fall. She rubbed her nose to compose herself and regain her calm.
Soon, Jin Chengyan returned, one hand behind his back, hiding something.
However, he immediately noticed Qiao Nuo's slightly reddened eyes.
"You've been crying?" Jin Chengyan was now as sensitive as a girl.
"No, I just closed the window because the wind was blowing," Qiao Nuo replied.
Jin Chengyan didn’t bother to check if Qiao Nuo had indeed closed the window; instead, he walked in front of her and stretched out his hand to cover her eyes.
"What are you doing?" Qiao Nuo didn’t remove his hand but sat quietly in her seat, waiting for his surprise.
"I told you, in this lifetime, you will always be my wife, Qiao Nuo. You were before, you are now, and you will be in the future." He declared boldly and then removed his hand from her eyes.
What came into Qiao Nuo's view was their marriage certificate!
Two red books were suddenly displayed before her eyes.
"This... this isn't... us..." Qiao Nuo pointed at the marriage certificate, and tears finally fell uncontrollably.
It turned out they hadn’t divorced; Jin Chengyan had kept these two marriage certificates!
"My dad's proof doesn't count. If he can find someone, why can't I? In this lifetime, I only acknowledge you, Qiao Nuo, as my wife. I will never divorce you. Have you heard of a lifelong commitment? That's what I want with you."
Tears flowed freely as Qiao Nuo hugged Jin Chengyan along with the marriage certificate. She was overwhelmed with emotions; holding him was the only way to relieve what she felt inside.
"A Yan, A Yan..." She called his name over and over again, using this way to prove that Jin Chengyan was right there beside her. The person she held was indeed her husband.
"I'm here. I've always been here. I was afraid you wouldn't find me, so I've been waiting right here for you." God knows how happy Jin Chengyan was to know that Qiao Nuo was still alive.
When he couldn't find Qiao Nuo, he even prayed to the gods, hoping to exchange ten years of his life for her safety and peace.
"I love you, I love you so much..."
"I love you too." Jin Chengyan finally confessed to Qiao Nuo, a declaration that had waited four years to be spoken.
He gently stroked her back, helping her calm down.
After a long while, Qiao Nuo released Jin Chengyan, her tears having soaked into his shirt, but he didn’t mind at all.
"There’s one more thing I want to give you." With that, Jin Chengyan took out a dark red velvet box from his pocket.
It was the packaging for a ring.
Qiao Nuo's heart raced in her chest.
It wasn't that no one had ever given her a ring before; even during proposals.
Her ex-boyfriend and Xi Yisheng had presented rings to her, and she had indeed felt excited in those moments, swept up in the atmosphere.
However, when Jin Chengyan revealed the ring, Qiao Nuo felt like the happiest person in the world. Nothing could make her feel more elated than this moment.
To her surprise, Jin Chengyan knelt on one knee and took one of her hands in his.
"Qiao Nuo, I’ve always owed you a proposal, a ring, and a wedding. Now, I want to propose to you, give you this ring, and when spring arrives with its warmth and sunshine, we will hold our wedding so that you can proudly marry me. How does that sound?"
The simple ring was adorned with a subtly luxurious square diamond that sparkled under the light like countless stars. It was so beautiful that Qiao Nuo could hardly believe it was real!
But his hand was truly holding hers as he looked up, waiting for Qiao Nuo's response.
“Marry me, Qiao Nuo.” His firm tone and gaze made Qiao Nuo forget all her thoughts.
“I do.” At this moment, saying anything else felt inappropriate.
Satisfied with her answer, Jin Chengyan slipped the ring onto Qiao Nuo's finger and then leaned down to kiss her fair hand.
It was a sacred and sincere moment.
“From now on, you are my officially recognized wife, and there’s no escaping it.” He teased, still like a child, holding onto Qiao Nuo's hand and refusing to let go.
The food had gone cold by the time they finally sat down to eat together, but they both found it delicious. Nothing felt more wonderful than having their loved one by their side.
After dinner, Qiao Nuo washed the dishes. Jin Chengyan had insisted he would do it, feeling that since Qiao Nuo had cooked, she shouldn’t have to work too hard. However, Qiao Nuo reminded him that he had just undergone surgery.
After some back-and-forth, Jin Chengyan suggested they should have a servant from the Jin Family Mansion come over.
Qiao Nuo declined; she enjoyed their time alone together. Having someone else around would make her feel uncomfortable.
Jin Chengyan was now very attentive to Qiao Nuo’s wishes and readily agreed.
In the afternoon, they basked in the sun in the garden. Although Jin Chengyan joked that sunbathing was something only old people did, Qiao Nuo explained that it helped alleviate bone aging. After being educated on the benefits, Jin Chengyan obediently settled into a lounge chair beside her to soak up the sun together.
Looking closely, Qiao Nuo and Jin Chengyan resembled an old married couple leisurely enjoying a sunny afternoon.
“Wife, how is our little Kawai doing? I haven’t seen her since my surgery. Is she mad at me?” He had promised to visit Qiao Kawai but hadn’t gone after Qiao Nuo didn’t make it to the hospital.
“She’s fine now; she’s still resting but will be discharged soon.” The past few months of dealing with Qiao Kawai's illness had truly worn Qiao Nuo out, but thankfully everything ended well.
“We should find time to visit her. She will be our daughter—only her.” He held her hand and placed it over her lower abdomen.
Once, that place had nurtured their child, but it never saw the sunlight of this world.
Qiao Nuo knew he was talking about their child.
"The doctor said I can never have children again." After the miscarriage, she fell into a deep depression, and for those years, she barely held on with medication. Her body was extremely weak, and she could no longer bear children.
"Qiao Kawai is our child."
Qiao Nuo nodded, saying nothing more.
She understood that with Jin Chengyan's status, it was impossible not to have a son as an heir; otherwise, the rules of the Jin Family would be thrown into chaos.
But she could no longer concern herself with such matters.
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