Chapter 187

Chapter 187

The wedding photos were shot around the theme of the four seasons, plus one main wedding gown series centered on light and shadow, for a total of five sets.

Because they were shot on location, those five sets alone took nearly four days. If Xia Wanzhi hadn’t been so drained, Xie Qiyan might have gone on to shoot a ten-lifetimes, ten-reincarnations series.

When it came to the wedding, Xie Qiyan was even more invested than Xia Wanzhi, and far more excited.

With the goal of giving the girl he loved the most perfect, most romantic wedding possible, Xie Qiyan handled practically everything himself.

On the way to the photography Studio to choose the photos, Xia Wanzhi stared out the window, a little lost in thought.

Sunlight poured through the car window, the halo of it seeming to dance across her beautiful lashes.

“Tired?” Xie Qiyan reached over and took her slightly cool fingertips in his hand.

Xia Wanzhi turned to look at him and shook her head with her lips pressed together. Thinking of how Xie Qiyan was making such a grand affair of a joyous event not long after Xie Tianqi’s funeral, she felt rather uneasy. “Is this really all right?”

If they did this, who knew what the outside world would say about Xie Qiyan now?

He already had the reputation of being the King of Hell walking among men. After this, it would only cement that title completely.

Everyone said her Ayan was cold and heartless, but they didn’t know just how good her Ayan truly was.

“It’s fine.” Xie Qiyan rubbed his thumb over Xia Wanzhi’s palm and brought up the Old Master to put her at ease. “Didn’t Grandpa say it was fine too?”

Besides, the wedding would not be held at the Xie Family estate, nor had they invited any irrelevant people.

There was no way Xie Qiyan would change the date of his wedding over one Xie Tianqi.

Tradition, customs-whatever they were, even the Jade Emperor himself would have to get out of his way.

He had never believed in ghosts, gods, or supernatural nonsense. Xia Wanzhi was his god.

As long as Xia Wanzhi was with him, no evil could touch him, and nothing was taboo.

When they arrived at the photography Studio, Xia Wanzhi had just gotten out of the car when she saw Jiang Baichuan’s Maybach slowly pull up right behind them.

“What a coincidence. You two are here to pick your finished shots too?” Jiang Baichuan stuck his head out before he had even gotten out of the car, looking insufferably smug.

Xie Qiyan couldn’t even be bothered to spare him a glance.

Some time ago, when they were taking their wedding photos, Yun Li had come along in her free time to help Xia Wanzhi as a little assistant. Who would have thought Jiang Baichuan would follow along too, clinging to them like a plaster?

And so, after Xie Qiyan and Xia Wanzhi finished their wedding photos, Jiang Baichuan shamelessly coaxed Yun Li into taking two sets of couple portraits with him.

Couple portraits were something Xie Qiyan did not have.

That was enough for Jiang Baichuan to brag about in front of Xie Qiyan for the rest of his life.

Before Yun Li got out of the car, she pinched Jiang Baichuan hard on the arm and shot him a look, warning him not to show off.

Xia Wanzhi had no idea what these two grown men were competing over, but for some reason, she found it funny. “Let’s go in and pick them quickly. Zhuzi is the only one at the Studio right now. I’m afraid she’ll be run off her feet.”

“The Studio’s reputation has certainly been established, but with how busy you are, you even have to squeeze out time to get married.” Yun Li walked over to her and, feeling sorry for her, pressed her fingers to Xia Wanzhi’s temples and massaged them. She sighed. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to fill up your entire schedule for the year?”

They were already at this point, yet Xia Wanzhi still hadn’t stopped taking orders. For a moment, Yun Li truly couldn’t understand what she was thinking.

Xia Wanzhi only smiled. “Only until July.”

Once July’s work was done, all the time after that would be completely free.

Xie Qiyan had thought Xia Wanzhi simply loved her work, but the moment he heard those words, he understood what she meant.

Her schedule was fully booked until the end of July.

In August, Yao Qin would be returning to Nancheng.

Xie Qiyan looked at his wife in surprise, his eyes deepening.

She wanted to accompany Yao Qin back to Nancheng.

Meeting his gaze, Xia Wanzhi tilted her head and smiled, offering no explanation at all.
Photographers were good at capturing beautiful moments. And when they encountered good models, they were especially incapable of controlling the hand that kept pressing the shutter. Staring at the thousands of photos before her, Xia Wanzhi briefly fell into indecision.

The photo selector kept praising how photogenic they were.

Xia Wanzhi tugged at the corner of her lips and looked up at Xie Qiyan.

Xie Qiyan was smiling broadly. “With a wife who looks like mine, does she even need retouching?”

Xia Wanzhi: “…”

The smile at the corners of the photo selector’s mouth stiffened a little. Afraid of offending anyone, and unable to understand the routines of these domineering CEO types, she ultimately chose to shut up in silence.

This photography Studio had been introduced to Xie Qiyan by Qu Huai. The Studio’s owner could be considered a friend of Qu Huai’s, and precisely because they had suffered the torment of those two brothers from the Qu Family before, the staff in charge of reception had already been mentally prepared.

There was no need to make suggestions. Just nod along and say yes.

Selecting the photos took more than an hour. During that time, Xia Wanzhi occasionally replied to Zhuzi’s messages. She moved faster than Yun Li, and while waiting for Yun Li, her heart slowly settled. Then she began thinking about the wedding four days later.

Everyone was looking forward to that day. In truth, so was she.

The people around her were full of anticipation, happily bustling about for this wedding. She knew she shouldn’t dampen their spirits, but every time things quieted down, she would remember that Xie Tianqi’s funeral and her own wedding were only a little over twenty days apart.

The Old Master said it was fine, but he had always been traditional and rule-abiding. How could he truly not mind the clash between a funeral and a wedding?

Besides, what would the other members of the Xie Family say about Xie Qiyan behind his back?

The man who had died not long ago-no matter how little affection remained between them-was still his biological father.

These past few days, Xia Wanzhi’s mind had been a little muddled, ruled by her sense of morality.

“Some places have a custom like this.” Xie Qiyan sat down beside her and suddenly spoke. “If a close relative passes away, the wedding can be held within one hundred days.”

Xia Wanzhi was slightly startled. Her eyelashes trembled as she looked at Xie Qiyan.

She was surprised that he had seen through her thoughts, and also curious about this saying he mentioned-that a wedding could be held within one hundred days.

Xie Qiyan had never been bound by rules, but how could he watch Xia Wanzhi bear the condemnation of morality in his place because she was worried about his reputation?

“Mom told me. Nancheng has a custom like this.” Xie Qiyan held Xia Wanzhi’s hand and said slowly, “If anyone starts wagging their tongue, this is the reason to shut them up.”

“Teacher Wanzi, don’t worry that I’ll be condemned by the world.” Xie Qiyan chuckled softly, comforting his wife. “What are they worth? Are they even qualified to criticize me?”

So arrogant and unruly. So willful and brazen.

The light that had scattered from Xia Wanzhi’s eyes suddenly gathered again. In that instant, they brightened, carrying a deep adoration. “That’s right. How did I not figure that out?”

Her Ayan was so good. No one had the right to judge him.

“I haven’t called him father once since I was six. What kind of father does that make him? What kind of filial mourning do I need to observe for him?” Having finally coaxed her into happiness, Xie Qiyan raised his brow slightly and spoke in a roundabout way. “Besides, I have a stepfather who’s been fighting and scrambling for the position, waiting to take over. If we want to observe mourning, we can do it for him.”

Xie Qiyan had thought it through. As long as Yao Qin was willing, he could throw the doors wide open and welcome Liu Shubai in.

Xia Wanzhi laughed out loud. Thinking of that Liu Shubai at home, who had no title or status but could not be driven away no matter what, she could not help sighing over the affections of this world.

Some people push you into the abyss.

Some people pull you back to the mortal world.

Liu Shubai’s decade of unwavering devotion and companionship had finally allowed him to wait until the clouds parted and the moon appeared.