After spending the day exploring Huacheng with Xiaoyu, Chen Mo dropped her off at her hotel and dashed back home, wind in his hair and guilt on his face.
As soon as he stepped through the door, his mother's glare hit him like a winter storm. Chen Mo decided to pretend it didn't exist.
"Where did you run off to today? And why was your phone off?" Shao Xuemei's voice was sharp, her tone unforgiving.
She'd wanted to arrange a meeting between two young people. But the girl didn't show up, and her son disappeared too. To top it off, his phone was turned off. She'd been fuming all day.
"I went out to buy some medicine, then ran into a friend and spent the day with them. My phone battery died," Chen Mo replied with a sheepish smile.
"I'm not saying you can't go out, but running off in the middle of a visit to your Aunt Xiao's? That's just rude." She huffed.
Chen Mo glanced over at his dad, who was watching with a barely hidden grin on his face.
Meanwhile, Xiaoyu nervously turned her phone back on in the hotel room. She hadn't gone to Uncle Zhang's like she'd promised, and now she wasn't sure if he was worried or furious.
After a moment of hesitation, she called him.
"Xiaoyu! Finally! I tried to reach you earlier but your phone was off. I almost called your father."
"Sorry, Uncle," Xiaoyu said apologetically. "I went out with some friends, and my phone battery died."
"Where are you now? I'll send someone to pick you up. Your dad entrusted you to me, and I've got no idea where you are."
"No need, really. I'm staying at a hotel nearby."
"A girl staying in a hotel by herself? That's not safe. Give me the address. I'll come get you."
"No, no, it's okay—I was actually about to head over to your place anyway."
Seeing no way out, Xiaoyu sighed and began packing.
"Xiaoyu's coming over," Zhang Yang told Shao Zhen as he hung up the phone.
"Should I call Xuemei?"
"No need," Zhang Yang said with a chuckle. "The kids are still young. Didn't you see how they both ran off yesterday? Xiaoyu almost refused to come altogether—I bet they figured out what we were up to."
"Well, I've met Xiaoyu a couple of times. She's a smart, beautiful girl, and so well-behaved. If she and Chen Mo hit it off, great. If not, it's no big deal. At least they'll be friends. You don't rush these things anymore."
The next morning, Chen Mo bolted from the house right after breakfast, terrified his mom might try to drag him to Aunt Xiao's again.
He arrived at the agreed meeting spot early, waiting for Xiaoyu.
Today was her friend's wedding, and she had invited Chen Mo to go with her. Of course, he wouldn't miss it.
Before long, she appeared—tall boots clicking, trench coat flowing, and a warm sweater hugging her figure just right. A little makeup enhanced her natural glow, and her elegant aura turned more than a few heads.
Chen Mo stared, momentarily stunned.
"Finished gawking?" Xiaoyu waved a hand in front of his face, a shy smile on her lips.
"You look… amazing."
"Of course," she said with a wink. "This is a wedding. Gotta show some respect."
She took his arm naturally.
"Shall we?" Chen Mo offered, and flagged down a cab.
Blue Spring Hotel.
The entrance was bustling—decorated in reds and golds, lined with wedding cars and chattering guests. Laughter filled the air.
After dropping off their wedding gift, Chen Mo and Xiaoyu stepped into the reception hall.
"Xiaoyu, you finally made it!" the bride called out with a bright smile.
"Hey!" Xiaoyu grinned and hugged her.
"And this must be your boyfriend?"
"Yup." Xiaoyu pulled Chen Mo closer. "Chen Mo, meet the bride—she was my deskmate in high school. The groom's Sun Hao, also a classmate."
"Happy wedding," Chen Mo said, offering a polite smile and handshake.
"Thanks! Sorry I haven't had time to reach out. You're at table six—former classmates are there. Hope you two enjoy."
After a few more greetings, they made their way to the table.
The moment they sat down, the table went oddly quiet. Conversations halted. All eyes locked on Xiaoyu.
"He Xiaoyu?" a guy in a formal suit blinked in surprise.
"Liu Qiwen. Long time no see," Xiaoyu said calmly.
"I almost didn't recognize you. You've gotten even more beautiful," Liu Qiwen said brightly. "Graduating this year? Interested in working at my company?"
"Already got a job, but thank you," Xiaoyu replied with a polite smile.
"Probably just an internship, right? Pay's not great. I heard you studied management? My family's opening a fifth supermarket, looking for a manager. Starting salary is ten thousand a month, plus dividends," said a stocky man named Hua Qiang.
"Thanks, but I'm not looking to manage a supermarket." Still smiling.
Her composed demeanor captivated the men. Xiaoyu had always been pretty, but now there was something more—grace, confidence, and presence.
"Xiaoyu, you're just going to ignore your handsome date?" a girl at the table cut in, not impressed with the way the guys were gawking.
"Oh, right." Xiaoyu smiled and gestured. "This is Chen Mo, my boyfriend."
"Hi everyone," Chen Mo said with a brief nod, returning to scrolling on his phone. He was just here to support Xiaoyu, and didn't feel like inserting himself into their reunion.
"Secret boyfriend, huh? And you never told us? Back in high school, half the class chased after you," the girl teased.
"So, Mr. Chen," Liu Qiwen said, eyes narrowing, "what do you do?"
"Me?" Chen Mo looked up and said seriously, "I sell phones. Made a billion in Zimbabwe."
Xiaoyu laughed and smacked his shoulder. "He's joking. We're in the same year, same school. He studies software development."
"Ah, an IT guy," someone said, nodding with understanding.
"Congrats, Xiaoyu. The way he looks at you—he's clearly smitten," another girl added with a smile.
The atmosphere softened. There was no tension, just nostalgia and warmth. They chatted about high school memories, shared jokes, and caught up on each other's lives. It felt sincere—no showing off, no passive-aggression, just genuine connection.
Soon, the wedding ceremony began. The bride and groom walked in, radiant, as the host guided them through the formalities.
Then came the bouquet toss.
"I'd like all the unmarried ladies to come up and accept my blessings!" the bride announced mischievously.
"C'mon, Xiaoyu!" a friend tugged her forward to join the crowd.
Xiaoyu blushed but went, positioning herself in the back row.
The bouquet flew.
Chaos erupted.
Women surged forward—and in the confusion, the bouquet landed squarely in Xiaoyu's arms.
Startled, she didn't even have time to react before someone bumped her hard.
"Ah!"
She fell backwards—but instead of hitting the floor, she landed against something warm and firm.
She looked up to see Chen Mo's familiar grin.
"I saved you again," he said. "Now how are you going to reward me?"