Chapter 74 part 1
Following the waiter into the inner hall to take his seat, Bai He noticed Nan Yu sitting opposite him. Nan Yu smiled and greeted him. Earlier, Nan-ge and Uncle Qin had been too busy to get away, and only now did they have a moment to relax. Bai He smiled back at Nan Yu and pointed at his own collar.
Nan Yu paused, looking down at himself. His brooch was crooked. Just as he raised his hand to fix it, Qin Wei beside him turned and readjusted the brooch for him.
Bai He withdrew his gaze. At that moment, his phone chimed. He checked it; it was a message from Nan-ge.
Nan-ge: [Thanks for the reminder, Little Bai He.]
Bai He typed a reply.
Death: [The blue rose brooch suits you very well, Nan-ge.]
Seeing Nan Yu beaming on the other side, Qin Yao sensed something subtle. He turned his head and whispered, “What are you two doing?”
Bai He shook his head. “Nothing. The wedding is about to start.”
Reminded by him, Qin Yao turned his attention back to the wedding stage.
This wedding was grand. The hotel was the most famous in the city, renowned for its wedding themes. Just being able to provide such a large venue was breathtaking enough.
The inner hall was decorated in a semi-fairy tale, semi-romantic style. The space was spacious and beautifully arranged. A magnificent crystal chandelier hung overhead, exquisite and grand. Floral decorations were everywhere, every detail showcasing nobility and elegance.
The banquet dishes were also meticulously designed, plated artistically like works of art. A professional band provided live music, playing pieces that created a romantic and lively party atmosphere, bringing joy to every guest present.
Everything seemed just right.
But upon closer inspection, one would notice people with DSLR cameras in the corners and on the second-floor balcony. TV reporters, famous bloggers from various platformsâsome hidden, some openly filmingâwere everywhere.
Some of these people might have been arranged by certain bosses among the guests, but Qin Yao and Bai He knew that the vast majority of those preparing to film and upload to online platforms were likely arranged by the Guan family for their own show.
There would definitely be a highlight today, and right now, live streams on various platforms had already begun.
It seemed quite exciting. Bai He turned back. He and Qin Yao were seated with their backs to the stage, requiring him to turn sideways to see what was happening. That was too straining for his neck, and he didn’t want to twist around.
He zoned out for a while, staring into space, until he felt a squeeze on his palm. Bai He lifted his eyelids to see Qin Yao looking down at him. “Tired? Want to eat something first?”
Bai He shook his head. “The banquet hasn’t started yet.”
Qin Yao smirked. “Not the food on the table.” He took a piece of chocolate from his pocket, unwrapped it, broke it in half, and fed it to Bai He. The chocolate gently pressed against Bai He’s lower lip. Qin Yao deliberately poked Bai He’s lip; it yielded, soft as expected.
“Open your mouth,” he said to Bai He with a smile.
There were not only the six members of the Qin family at the table but also several big bosses from the industry. Seeing this, their faces filled with smiles. Nan Yu rested his chin in his hands; he loved watching these two kids interact.
“…” Bai He stared at Qin Yao, opening his mouth as instructed.
The chocolate melted in his mouth, rich but not cloying. It was delicious.
Qin Yao put away the other half, saying, “We’ll eat soon. I’ll give you this half later.”
Bai He hummed in acknowledgment. Just then, on stage, the emcee began reading the opening remarks. With half a piece of chocolate in his mouth, Bai He had no interest in listening and didn’t want to turn around, so he just sat quietly.
The emcee warmed up the crowd after each segment, diligent in his work. Finally, the most crucial part arrived. Guided by the emcee’s words, the bride and groom, alpha and omega, slowly entered the wedding venue.
Amidst applause, Bai He looked up to see Bai Lu at the other end of the stage, wearing a white haute couture wedding suit, holding Guan Jiayu’s arm with a faint smile on his face. They entered together through the floral arch, with Guan Jiayu in a white suit beside him.
Bai He was seated close to the stage. He seemed to notice Bai Lu’s smile stiffen as his gaze swept over him.
The entrance of the couple was lively. The invited guests were all people of etiquette and status, so they wouldn’t talk loudly, but everyone had a gossip soul. Instead of being loud, they lowered their voices to whisper, just like the young man and woman not far behind Bai He to his left, whispering to each other.
“That omega, I heard he’s pregnant. No wonder Guan Jiayu was in such a hurry to get married.”
“Huh? Pregnant before marriage? Guan Jiayu’s character isn’t great then. Why didn’t he use protection? This alpha is a bit…”
“Come on, didn’t Guan Jiayu take responsibility? He’s marrying this omega. Do you know which family that omega is from? The Bai family! The one related to Bai Qiu. They can’t even line up to curry favor with the Guan family! I bet the pregnancy was a setup!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. What if they really love each other? Why do you think so badly of omegas? You’re so narrow-minded.”
“Mind your own business. Anyway, I just think this omega isn’t good enough for Guan Jiayu!”
“You’re such an idiot, f*ck…”
Bai He gathered his attention back, turning to look at the stage. Bai Lu stood between the emcee and Guan Jiayu, holding flowers, still wearing that stiff smile.
His lower abdomen was indeed showing a bit. It seemed Bai Lu’s pregnancy was no secret.
Did the Bai family intentionally leak the news? To hype up the wedding even more? Or to secretly make excuses for marrying an omega who wasn’t a match in social status? Anyway, it looked like they were using Bai Lu and the child as a shield, while Guan Jiayu got a good reputation for being responsible. It was laughable.
The wedding reached the exchange of vows. Guan Jiayu and Bai Lu exchanged rings under the emcee’s witness. Bai Lu seemed about to cry, whether from emotion or something else. His expression was completely forced, looking like he wanted to cry but was trying to smile, appearing somewhat ridiculous and pitiful. When reading the vows, his voice trembled. Everyone applauded to encourage him. Under Guan Jiayu’s gaze, Bai Lu had to force a smile and say, “Sorry, I’m too excited. I’m… too excited today…”
Everyone thought he was genuinely happy, after all, he was marrying into the Guan family.
Only Bai He and the others understood that Bai Lu brought this on himself, reaching a moment of regret.
He might be thinking, if only he had been stronger back then and aborted this untimely child, if…
There were no ifs anymore.
He had no choice. He loved Guan Jiayu, and he couldn’t bear to give up their child.
After trembling through the vows, enthusiastic applause erupted. Bai Lu forced one last smile on his pale face, and then he saw Bai He sitting in the crowd below the stage.
Bai He was also clapping, but his movements were calm and unhurried, his expression tranquil without a ripple.
Bai Lu’s heart sank, many memories flooding his mind.
Bai Lu used to admire his older brother. Bai He was excellent in every aspect, which made him, as the younger brother, not only envious but also a bit jealous. Knowing he wasn’t as talented as Bai He, he always followed in his brother’s footsteps. Later, he successfully got into Omega University. Although it wasn’t as prestigious as his brother’s Alpha University back then, he was still very happy.
He always chased after Bai He. Although his brother mostly ignored him, those days were still beautiful.
Later, when his brother moved out, Bai Lu didn’t know why, but he felt Bai He had changed. Before, he was distant, but now he seemed like a stranger. Bai He was still excellent. Bai Lu couldn’t see him, only hearing about his deeds from outside, knowing he interned at Jinyu and knew Qin Yao. He tried to find Bai He a few times, admitting he was helpless and needed help then, but Bai He rejected him almost every time.
He didn’t understand. Why was Bai He always getting better, in love and career, better than him in everything? Why did he work hard too but didn’t get proportional returns? Why was Bai He less and less willing to pay attention to him? They were brothers!!
On stage, the witness’s speech ended. The emcee took the microphone for the next procedure: a speech by the elder of the Guan family. Guan Jiayu’s alpha father helped Old Master Guan, over seventy years old, slowly onto the stage. This old man was once a prominent figure in the business world, holding a status similar to Old Master Qin. He was dressed formally, stood with support, didn’t bring a speech script, and began speaking into the microphone.
“Welcome everyone to take time out of your busy schedules to attend my grandson Guan Jiayu and Bai Lu’s wedding. As an elder, I sincerely wish them a happy marriage. The Guan family will also treat Bai Lu with the utmost care. Of course, I also believe they will be very happy after marriage. That was my speech as an elder. Next, is my speech as the head of the Guan family.”
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