In the wake of the wedding, figures from both the government and the business world seized the opportunity to get closer to Li Zhiyan, hoping to gain advantages in future collaborations.
"Mr. Sun, Ms. Li, we hope you'll look after our project in the future."
"We look forward to closer cooperation with you both, to create even more business opportunities together!"
Sun Zhewen and Li Zhiyan smiled as they clinked glasses with them, exchanging polite and tactful words. However, beneath this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, they were filled with fatigue and helplessness.
When they toasted Liu Qingfeng's table, Liu Qingfeng looked at Sun Zhewen and Li Zhiyan with a profound gaze, a hint of barely perceptible smugness in his eyes. He gently raised his glass and said, "I wish you both happiness and a thriving career." Sun Zhewen's heart tightened, but he still smiled and clinked glasses with Liu Qingfeng, saying, "Thank you for the chairman's blessing." Li Zhiyan's mood was even more complex. She could feel the coldness and the exploitation in Liu Qingfeng's gaze. She knew that in Liu Qingfeng's eyes, she was just a tool, but at this moment, she had to continue playing the role.
After finishing the toasts and returning to the stage, both Sun Zhewen and Li Zhiyan felt exhausted. Their smiles had become very stiff, and their eyes betrayed deep weariness. But they still had to face the following procedures, accepting the guests' blessings and taking commemorative photos. The photographer kept adjusting the angles, making them pose in various sweet positions, while they could only mechanically cooperate, their hearts already numb.
The wedding finally drew to a close, and the guests gradually left. The banquet hall slowly became quiet, leaving only some staff members cleaning the venue. Sun Zhewen and Li Zhiyan returned home with the elders. After settling the elders, the two returned to their bedroom and remained silent. A sense of awkward and oppressive atmosphere filled the room.
After a long while, Sun Zhewen broke the silence: "It's finally over today, I'm exhausted." He said as he took off his coat and casually threw it on a chair.
Li Zhiyan sighed, slowly walking to the window and gazing at the night outside. "Yes, but this is just the beginning. Who knows what the future holds?" Her voice was filled with confusion and unease.
Sun Zhewen walked to her side and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't overthink it. Let's take things one step at a time."
Li Zhiyan turned to him. "Do you really not regret it? For me, for this child?"
Sun Zhewen was silent for a moment, then said, "What's the point of saying that now? Since we've made the decision, we just have to go through with it."
Li Zhiyan lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this mess."
Sun Zhewen handed her a tissue. "Don't cry. Things are already this way. We can only try to make them better."
The night deepened. Only the faint moonlight filtering through the window illuminated the room, casting everything in a pale silver glow. They lay in bed, their breathing echoing in the quiet night. Although their bodies were tired, their thoughts ran wild like untamed horses, galloping in the darkness, unable to find a place to settle.
Li Zhiyan turned on her side, staring at Sun Zhewen's profile, and suddenly broke the silence. "Zhewen, did you feel like my cousin was particularly interested in you today?"
Sun Zhewen was stunned for a moment, then turned to her, "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you see how jealous she was today?" Li Zhiyan's lips curved into a slight smile, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.
Sun Zhewen gave a wry smile and shook his head, "Well, didn't she introduce you? She introduced you herself, and then got jealous. Isn't that just asking for trouble?"
Li Zhiyan gently patted his shoulder, her tone tinged with a bit of teasing, "Hehe, you'll have your comeuppance later."
Sun Zhewen sighed, his eyes becoming somewhat helpless, "There's nothing I can do. We all know she's simple-minded, but her feelings are also genuine."
Li Zhiyan's eyes softened, and her tone became serious, "My cousin is a very pure person at heart. She already considers you her husband. Do you think she's feeling good today? You should comfort her."
Sun Zhewen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately shook his head, "Forget it, it's late. I won't send her a message."
Li Zhiyan couldn't help but laugh, "Coward."
Sun Zhewen spread his hands helplessly: "Didn't you tell us to be careful?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhiyan suddenly hugged Sun Zhewen, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice was a little choked: "Zhewen, I really wish today was real. I also hope my cousin can be with you, but I really don't see any hope of us succeeding."
Sun Zhewen gently wiped away her tears with his hand, and softly comforted her: "Zhiyan, I know you're hurting, but this is the only path we have, isn't it? Do you want to be their playthings, with our lives and deaths controlled by them? Evil will never triumph over good."
Li Zhiyan took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm her emotions: "Zhewen, no matter if we succeed or not, can we go abroad afterwards? I feel disgusted whenever I think about this."
Sun Zhewen held her hand tightly, and said firmly: "Don't worry, if we die, we'll die together."
Li Zhiyan couldn't help but laugh, tears glistening in her eyes: "Hehe, who wants to die with you? You and cousin are a couple, okay?"
Sun Zhewen gently patted her back, his tone full of seriousness: "I'm telling the truth."
Li Zhiyan suddenly became despondent, her voice low: "Zhewen, tomorrow after we send Mom and Dad to the train station, we're going to Haicheng."
Sun Zhewen nodded, his voice firm. "Okay."
Li Zhiyan secretly muttered, Fool, you think I'm just visiting to chat?
As night deepened, the chirping of insects outside the window grew clearer, as if playing an unsettling melody for the future of these young people. The two fell silent again, each pondering how to navigate the road ahead.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Li Zhiyan and Sun Zhewen got up to pack their bags. Li Zhiyan's parents were already ready, waiting for them at the door.
After seeing the elderly couple off at the train station, the couple set off for Haicheng. Along the way, Sun Zhewen drove while Li Zhiyan, in the passenger seat, looked out the window, a little apprehensive. At just past two in the afternoon, they finally arrived in Haicheng. This city was both unfamiliar and full of hope for them.
Li Zhiyan took out her phone, found a hotel address, and handed it to Sun Zhewen. "Let's go to this hotel first and rest."
Sun Zhewen nodded and followed the navigation to the hotel. The two entered the hotel lobby, and Li Zhiyan handled the check-in. She smiled at the front desk clerk, her voice gentle, "Excuse me, do you have any vacancies?"
The front desk clerk looked at the computer screen. "Yes, we do. What type of room would you like?"
"We'll take a double room," Li Zhiyan replied.