"..." Madam Long pressed her forehead, seething with fury. "I forbid this marriage! Under no circumstances will I consent! Not even in death!"
Beside her, the elder matriarch remained composed, sharply admonishing, "Shufen, control yourself and sit down!"
Once Madam Long begrudgingly took her seat, the elder matriarch turned to Gu Lili. "You've known Beibei for barely a few dozen days and already decided to wed him. Tell me honestly—what is your true reason?"
"I long for a home."
Madam Long sneered, unable to conceal her suspicion. "I reckon you're after our family's wealth, aren't you?"
"Madam Long, if that were true, I would have accepted the moment your son offered to spend money on me."
"Hmph, who would believe such a transparent lie?"
The elder matriarch cast a sidelong glance at her daughter-in-law, and Madam Long fell silent, visibly vexed.
"Are you willing to marry in secret?" the elder matriarch inquired thoughtfully. "Miss Gu, if you agree to a concealed marriage and live with Beibei for three years, our Long family will bestow upon you a grand wedding in due course."
Gu Lili discerned their intent—to test whether she was worthy to become the Long family's daughter-in-law over those three years.
Such a proposition was, in essence, a subtle affront.
She smiled faintly. "That will not be necessary, Madam Matriarch. Though I lack parents and a prestigious background, I have never believed myself unworthy of Long Yubei in any respect. One cannot choose their origins. If you deem that my joining your family would place me beneath you in dignity, then let there be no marriage."
Upon hearing this, the elder matriarch suddenly smiled. "Then let us proceed with the wedding."
"Mother!" Madam Long gasped in shock. "You consented?"
Long's father, who had remained silent, also appeared astonished. "Mother, did you not say that Yubei must marry someone of equal standing?"
"Equality is not merely measured in wealth but in spirit," the elder matriarch replied, turning to her husband. "Old man, what do you think?"
The patriarch smiled warmly. "Whatever my wife says is right."
"Very well, then it is settled. Beibei, when would you like the wedding?"
Long Yubei glanced at Gu Lili. "Do you prefer sooner or later?"
"You decide." Gu Lili deftly returned the question.
"Then at the end of this month."
With the matter resolved, Madam Long's objections had no strength left. She promptly pulled her son back into the bedroom for questioning.
"Tell me honestly—why this sudden desire to marry this woman?"
"What do you think, Mother?"
"I'm asking you!" Madam Long growled through clenched teeth. "You barely know her! Yubei, have you been drugged or bewitched?"
"If she had that power, I'd be grateful," Long Yubei replied calmly. "Weren't you urging me to meet other women just days ago? It's all the same whom I marry. Why not choose someone who pleases me?"
"You truly wish to drive me mad."
"Mother, though our acquaintance is brief, I believe she is a remarkable woman. Don't hold prejudice against her. The fact she can see unclean things is a rare gift money cannot buy. I find that ability admirable."
"..."
Their conversation ended unresolved.
At three in the afternoon,
Bathed in gentle sunlight, the two emerged from the civil affairs office. Gazing at the red booklet in their hands, Gu Lili had, in that moment, wed herself irrevocably.
She had become the wife of the most distinguished and accomplished young entrepreneur in the Kingdom of S.
The media swiftly caught wind of the momentous news, flooding the internet with reports.
Almost simultaneously, the entire nation was set ablaze with excitement.