Chapter 86: Wedding — The girl he watched grow up is now being entrusted to another man’s care.
After discussing it, the family decided to hold a private wedding.
According to Jiang Qi’s proposal, the entire process would be kept highly confidential, ensuring that the media and paparazzi wouldn’t be able to enter and take photos. This way, their ‘ordinary people’ photos wouldn’t end up on the internet, and they wouldn’t be gossiped about.
In fact, it wasn’t that hard. Compared to a normal wedding, the only extra layer was the ‘high level of confidentiality.’
This was something Jiang Qi had to handle personally, but as for everything else, Zhi Qi’s parents had many friends who could help with the preparations.
So that night, Jiang Qi called Xiao Yongfei to request an additional half-month of vacation.
“What the hell is it this time?”
Xiao Yongfei, on the other end of the phone, nearly lost it. He asked again and again but firmly insisted, “No! Absolutely not! Your schedule is already piled up like a mountain!”
Right now, Jiang Qi was one of the top-tier celebrities with the highest commercial value. Every day of his schedule represented money flying by. Taking a day or two off could be considered a short break, but taking off for a month… Does he have any ambition left? Xiao Yongfei, being a workaholic, couldn’t tolerate such an attitude!
“Xiao Ge.”
Jiang Qi was silent for a moment, then coldly and briefly said, “I’m having a wedding.”
…
That was a sharp and precise blow, leaving Xiao Yongfei with no way to object.
Still, Xiao Yongfei struggled unwillingly. “So soon?”
“Mm.”
Jiang Qi replied with a sound, standing alone on the balcony in the darkness, unable to stop the corners of his lips from curling up. “We’re married now. Of course, we need to have a wedding.”
Today, the fact that Zhi Qi agreed to marry him was the happiest outcome he could have hoped for.
“But, you should’ve given me a heads-up!”
Xiao Yongfei, feeling tortured to the point of collapse, rambled on, “Do you know how complicated it is for a celebrity to have a wedding? Especially for someone like you, with so many eyes on you! The scale of the wedding, the grandeur, all of it will be scrutinized and compared…”
“That’s why I’m planning a private wedding.”
Jiang Qi interrupted him, but then changed the tone of the conversation. “Xiao Ge, I need your help.”
Xiao Yongfei was puzzled. “Help with what?”
“Mm, can you arrange an absolutely confidential security team for me?”
Jiang Qi paused, then added meaningfully, “Maybe my vacation can end a week early…”
“Leave it to me!”
Xiao Yongfei, hearing this, eagerly interrupted him before Jiang Qi could finish, “Absolutely confidential, absolutely safe, absolutely trustworthy!”
The way he emphasized those words sounded just like a major advertisement slogan.
Jiang Qi smiled silently, thinking to himself that extending the requested vacation by a few days had indeed been a smart move.
By lowering people’s expectations, even a small concession feels like a ‘surprise.’
After some more back-and-forth with Xiao Yongfei, they finally settled on a 20-day vacation.
Xiao Yongfei would be responsible for all the security measures outside the wedding venue, so Jiang Qi had nothing to worry about.
It was the beginning of the month, and the ceremony was set for the 18th.
In the following days, Jiang Qi and Zhi Qi were both kept busy. The planned trip for the two of them was definitely out of the question now, as they spent their days dealing with wedding details, tedious preparations, and things like wedding photos.
As the bride, Zhi Qi was pulled into so many meetings and decisions that it felt like everyone wanted her to be there every day. She was so busy she felt like a spinning top—eventually, she simply took leave as well.
After all, she was just an intern—nothing to fear!
The chaotic days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already mid-month.
On the eve of the wedding, Jiang Qi’s uncle, Jiang Shi, and his wife, Guan Yue, came to help out as well.
Jiang Qi didn’t say much, only slipping his cousin, Jiang Yin, a big red envelope, but Zhi Qi could tell he was quite happy.
After all, Jiang Shi and Guan Yue were the only ‘family’ Jiang Qi had on his side. No matter how cold or isolated a person may be, it’s impossible to be entirely detached from the world. Under external influences, everyone naturally longs for familial love, romantic love, and friendship.
This is a natural response, purely instinctual.
Besides, Zhi Qi knew that Jiang Qi had a good relationship with his uncle—much better than with his deadbeat biological father. After they got their marriage license, Jiang Qi even took her to visit Jiang Shi’s home once.
With this in mind, Zhi Qi walked over with a smile to greet them.
“Xiao Yin.”
Then she instructed the family’s maid to bring over a ‘gift’ she had prepared for Jiang Yin. She handed it to him, saying, “Thank you for attending my and your brother’s wedding. This is for you.”
In her hands was a guitar.
She had vaguely heard that Jiang Qi’s younger cousin, who had just started high school, was a music enthusiast and loved the guitar—though his family was poor, so it was just a hobby.
At fifteen or sixteen, it’s hard for a boy to hide what’s on his mind.
Jiang Yin’s features and demeanor had a hint of Jiang Qi’s ‘coldness,’ but he was much softer. Now, seeing Zhi Qi so kind and even giving him a gift, the boy couldn’t help but blush.
“Sis… Sister-in-law.”
He scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “I can’t accept this—it’s too expensive.”
“It’s already bought, so why not take it?”
Zhi Qi smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescents. “Besides, I don’t know any musical prodigies. If you don’t take it, it’ll just gather dust in my room.”
At that moment, Zhi Qi became the ‘goddess’ sister-in-law in Jiang Yin’s heart, a source of comfort in the unfamiliar environment.
But despite his family’s poverty, Jiang Yin had his own pride and couldn’t easily accept others’ things, so he still shook his head.
It wasn’t until Jiang Qi casually said, “Take it—she’s tired of holding it,” that Jiang Yin, confused, finally accepted it.
He hadn’t seen this cousin of his many times, but since childhood, Jiang Qi had held a special place in Jiang Yin’s heart. Knowing the unspeakable dirty secrets of his own family, he admired how Jiang Qi had escaped the misery of his original family. And it was even more remarkable that he had made his way into the entertainment industry on his own. It seemed almost surreal.
—
Jiang Qi didn’t have many ‘friends and relatives’—only Jiang Shi’s family counted as relatives. As for friends… he didn’t think he had many either.
In his adolescence, he didn’t have many chances to make friends, and after entering the entertainment industry, while he found a few like-minded individuals, there weren’t many he could invite to a private wedding.
In the end, Jiang Qi only sent invitations to Shen Lei, Qu Heng, Lin Qihang, Xiao Yongfei, and Qiu Mi.
Remembering how Lin Qihang phrased it in their group chat earlier, Jiang Qi added a line to the invitations: ‘Plus one allowed.’
Later, when Zhi Qi found out, she invited a few more people.
The girl was beautiful and sweet-talking, always well-liked. During her time with the *Junlin City* production crew, she had become quite familiar with many of the staff.
For this wedding, she even specially invited Ji Liang as her bridesmaid.
At first, Ji Liang, with her queen-like demeanor, had been reluctant to be a bridesmaid again, worrying that it would be bad luck for her own future marriage prospects. But after accompanying Zhi Qi to try on wedding dresses once, she immediately changed her mind and agreed.
The reason was simple: Ji Liang was a sucker for good looks.
Who would want to miss the chance to be near a bride as stunning as Zhi Qi?
However, being a bridesmaid was hard work, and with her experience, Ji Liang showed up early on the day of the wedding to help Zhi Qi with the preparations.
The bride’s dressing room was naturally crowded, so Ji Liang and the other three bridesmaids went to another room to change into their bridesmaid dresses. When they returned, carrying their long skirts, Ji Liang reached for the door handle, only to bump into another hand—long and slender.
Somewhat surprised, she looked up, only to see the sharp profile of an unexpected ‘guest.’
Tsk, not bad to look at.
Ji Liang’s smile didn’t falter as she greeted Zhi Yu, “What a coincidence.”
Zhi Yu froze for two seconds before remembering who she was. He nodded, “Mm, a coincidence.”
…
Not one for many words, it seemed.
Ji Liang pouted, ignoring him, and moved to open the door.
But, as luck would have it, a few people came rushing behind her, stepping on her dress and almost causing her to stumble—she would have fallen if not for Zhi Yu catching her.
“Why are you so clumsy?”
The man stood between her and the group, blocking their view, and lightly scolded them, “In such a hurry to reincarnate?”
Ji Liang wanted to laugh but couldn’t help feeling a little flushed.
Zhi Yu had stepped in because… her strapless dress had been stepped on and nearly pulled down.
Ji Liang quickly adjusted her clothes, then turned the doorknob and walked into the dressing room.
“Liang Jie.”
Zhi Qi, already dressed in her traditional *xiuhua* gown and sitting at the vanity, smiled when she saw her. “Why is your face red? Is it too hot?”
Was her face red? Ji Liang was momentarily stunned but then walked over, keeping her composure.
“It’s fine.”
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She stood next to Zhi Qi, gently tapping the girl’s small, delicate face. “The bride is beautiful.”
Zhi Qi smiled shyly.
“Let me think.”
Ji Liang touched her chin, her beautiful eyes glinting mischievously like a sly cat. “Such a gorgeous bride—how should we punish the groom when he comes to pick her up?”
“Liang Jie.”
Zhi Qi couldn’t help tugging at Ji Liang’s dress and whispered, “Don’t bully him.”
…
When Zhi Yu finished scolding the boys, he pushed open the door, only to see his sister seemingly ‘begging’ Ji Liang for something, looking pitiful.
Standing, Ji Liang shook her head with a confident smile, like a cunning old fox.
Zhi Yu walked over and lightly tapped Zhi Qi’s hand. “Sit still and put on your makeup. Don’t fidget.”
Since childhood, he had been strict with Zhi Qi’s behavior. Under his guidance, she had indeed grown up without the usual fidgety habits.
“Ge.”
Seeing him, Zhi Qi smiled. “You’re here.”
“Mm.”
He responded, though his mood didn’t seem particularly good, as he walked to the sofa and lit a cigarette.
Zhi Qi stared at him for a moment, her eyes turning slightly red before she quickly looked away, focusing on the mirror.
The prideful girl seemed afraid of letting anyone see that she was on the verge of tears.
Ji Liang observed the interaction between the siblings, feeling a slight pang in her heart.
—Though it was only natural for a cherished daughter to get married, how could her brother truly be happy? After all, the little girl he had watched over for so long would now be handed over to another man to be cherished.