The moonlit corridor seemed to freeze as Qiao Zhi and Gu Yangjin stared at the scene before them. Xin Luo, the ice-cold chairman of Xin Corporation-known for her sharp suits and sharper words-stood pressed against the wall, her usually perfect hair tousled. A stunning blonde omega, her lips still glistening, had one hand tangled in Xin Luo's collar while the other gripped her waist possessively. Petals from the nearby orchids drifted around them like silent witnesses.
Gu Yangjin's fingers tightened around Qiao Zhi's arm. "Is that… Sister Luo?" she whispered, disbelief coloring her voice.
Qiao Zhi's mind raced. The woman kissing Xin Luo was Xu Rongwan-the villainess destined to torment Gu Yangjin out of jealousy. Yet here she was, melting into Xin Luo's embrace with a tenderness that defied her ruthless reputation. The sight shattered Qiao Zhi's lingering doubts about the "predetermined destiny." This world's threads of fate are truly broken, she thought, a smirk tugging at her lips. Good. It seems that the plot line of this small world was now truly completed.
Xin Luo suddenly stiffened, her sharp alpha senses detecting their presence. She gently pushed Xu Rongwan back, her cheeks flushed. "Let me breathe, baby," she murmured, voice uncharacteristically soft.
Xu Rongwan pouted, her ruby-red lips curving into a playful smile. "But I missed you so much," she drawled, tracing Xin Luo's jawline. Her eyes flickered toward the newlyweds, and she gasped theatrically. "Oh! We've got company!"
Xin Luo smoothed her wrinkled blouse with trembling hands before stepping forward, dragging Xu Rongwan by the waist. "Ah Xin, Huanming" she began, avoiding their eyes, "this is Xu Rongwan. My… partner."
Xu Rongwan giggled, extending a manicured hand. "Future wife, actually! We're getting married next spring~"
Gu Yangjin blinked, starstruck. "The Xu Rongwan? From City of Ashes and Golden Cage?"
"The one and only!" Xu Rongwan winked. "And you're the rising star Gu Yangjin! I binged Moonlit Whispers last week-your crying scene in episode 12? Perfection!"
The two omegas instantly fell into animated chatter about acting techniques and on-set mishaps, their earlier awkwardness forgotten. Xu Rongwan's villainous aura melted away, revealing a lively, passionate artist beneath.
Qiao Zhi watched, amused, as Xin Luo sidled up to her. "Congratulations on the wedding," the CEO muttered, adjusting her glasses. "I've arranged a… special gift for you two."
"A gift! I wonder what we will receive." Gu Yangjin said with visible excitement on her face. Qiao Zhi looked at her with a smile as she couldn't help but think that her Gu'er was still the same as ever. She has always liked receiving mysterious gifts from people close to her. That's why, back then, she would go through countless universes in search for unique treasures as a gift to her.
Xin Luo's lips arched slightly. "Well, you will see." Her gaze softened as she watched Xu Rongwan demonstrate a dramatic monologue for Gu Yangjin. "She's… different from what people say."
Qiao Zhi followed her gaze. Xu Rongwan was now imitating a famous director's angry stomp, sending Gu Yangjin into fits of laughter. Both of them already seemed to have become the best of the friends, completely different from the words of the predetermined destiny.
Xin Luo watched with a gentle gaze in her eyes, her gaze never once faltered from the face of her beloved.
"We should go," Qiao Zhi said finally, nodding toward Gu Yangjin. "Our 'first night' awaits."
Xin Luo grimaced. "Spare me the details."
As the newlyweds turned to leave, Xu Rongwan blew a kiss. "It was really nice meeting you, Future sister-in-laws! And Huangmin-call me! Let's collaborate on a project!"
The limousine ride was quiet, Gu Yangjin resting her head on Qiao Zhi's shoulder. "Your sister's full of surprises," she mused.
Qiao Zhi pressed a kiss to her hair. "So is this world." Outside, city lights blurred into streaks of gold. Soon, she thought, fingers brushing Gu Yangjin's wedding ring. Soon we'll move beyond this story.
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The fading strains of the wedding march dissolved into night as Qiao Zhi guided Gu Yangjin down the venue's marble steps. Ahead, a Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Series II idled like a panther in moonlight, its obsidian-black chassis reflecting constellations from the Versailles-inspired garden chandeliers.
"Your chariot, my queen," Qiao Zhi murmured, earning an elbow nudge from her blushing bride.
Xin Luo appeared beside them, holding hands with Xu Rongwan. "Try not to wreck the car," Xin Luo joked, but her eyes were warm and kind.
The driver, a silver-haired man dressed sharply in a suit, bowed politely and opened the rear door for them. The car's interior was wrapped in soft white leather, smelling faintly of sandalwood and fresh flowers.
"Wait, wait!"
Mother Xin hurried down the stairs, her jade hairpins jingling softly. Father Xin helped steady her, waving a silk handkerchief embroidered with double happiness symbols. "Don't forget the bridal basket!"
Xu Rongwan caught the basket filled with gold ingots and sweet treats, laughing. "Let the newlyweds breathe, Auntie," she said, placing it carefully in the car's cooler.
Qiao Zhi gently guided Gu Yangjin into the plush seats that seemed to hug them perfectly. Outside, fireworks burst in the sky, shaped like blooming peonies-a surprise from Xin Luo.
As the engine purred to life, Gu Yangjin sighed, exhausted. "My muscles feel like I've been run over by a truck," she mumbled, resting her head on Qiao Zhi's shoulder.
Qiao Zhi ran her fingers through Gu Yangjin's silky hair, catching on the jade hairpin she had given her. "You deserve a thousand foot rubs," she said softly, leaning in to sniff the sweet scent at Gu Yangjin's neck. It was a mix of fresh rain and something warm and comforting.
Gu Yangjin laughed softly. "You're acting like Auntie's dog sniffing a new slipper."
Qiao Zhi grinned. "I can't help it. You smell like the first rain after a long journey."
Then, without warning, Qiao Zhi leaned down and gave Gu Yangjin a quick, gentle kiss on the lips. Gu Yangjin's fingers tangled in her hair, her cheeks flushing.
Outside, the city lights blurred past, but inside the quiet luxury of the car, time seemed to slow down just for them.
Qiao Zhi looked into Gu Yangjin's gentle eyes and suddenly asked,
"You remember?"
Gu Yangjin whose face was flushed from the sudden kiss, heard her words and smiled slightly before saying in a low voice,
"Umm. I have recovered my memories."
Qiao Zhi tapped a hidden switch by her seat and watched as the tinted divider slid away, turning the back of the car into their own little world.
She didn't say anything but looked into Gu Yangjin's eyes with an intense gaze before asking a simple question in a choked voice,
"When?"
Gu Yangjin smiled slightly before saying gently,
"When we made our vows during the wedding."
"I see...." Qiao Zhi said in a seemingly normal tone but only she knew how excited and nervous and hopeful she was feeling at the moment.
Qiao Zhi reached across, and didn't wait a second before her into a fierce hug, pressing their bodies together so tightly it felt like they'd melt into one.
Without a word, she captured Gu Yangjin's mouth in a kiss that burned with every promise they'd ever made. Her hands roamed up Gu Yangjin's back, fingertips tracing the curve of her spine, pulling her impossibly close. Gu Yangjin's arms wrapped around Qiao Zhi's neck, her nails light as feather-touches, urging her on.
Qiao Zhi deepened the kiss, tilting Gu Yangjin's head back to expose her throat. Her lips trailed there, warm and insistent, while one hand threaded through Gu Yangjin's hair, anchoring her in a storm of need. Gu Yangjin's breath hitched, her heartbeat thundering beneath Qiao Zhi's palm.
Their kiss was urgent and hungry, hands exploring familiar curves while the city lights streaked by outside. Qiao Zhi's lips trailed from Gu Yangjin's mouth down to her jaw, and then she buried her face against the warm skin of her neck, breathing in that comforting, rain-fresh scent.
Suddenly, Qiao Zhi's strong composure cracked—tears slipped down her cheeks in quick, sparkling streaks. She pressed every ounce of herself into Gu Yangjin, burying her face deeper into that embrace. Gu Yangjin gently cradled her, whispering softly, "Hey… it's okay. I'm here. I'm right here."
Qiao Zhi lifted her head just enough to let her voice catch on the tears. "I missed you, Gu'er… for so long. Thank you for coming back to me." She sniffed, resting her forehead against Gu Yangjin's collarbone, and felt, finally, utterly home.
"Umm.. I missed you too dear."
Even though they have been together from the day she came into this world and she was even fortunate enough that Gu Yangjin had awakened prematurely and even retained her memories for a moment. And even though she couldn't retain her memories for long at that time but afterwards, her Gu'er still remembered their first life where they first met and fell in love.
Qiao Zhi could be said to be really fortunate even at the start of this journey but she just couldn't help but feel greedy for more.
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Thanks for reading.
Stay tuned for more.